Terra Exspira at Repair the World

[My blog has moved right into my website, at www.usandweart.com/blog]

This week I have a show opening at Repair the World and it's all new work and you should come!

Terra Exspira 

As humans push each other between our desires to sustain and protect our home, and our desires to keep the comforts of consumerism in our increasingly complicated lives, we are watched by the ghosts of a patient earth. What does the battle look like to the land, water, and creatures that hold us up?

Artist Joey Hartmann-Dow (Us & We Art) brings these Earth Haunts into our own space, asking us how we would act differently if we were being watched by the rivers and forests instead of Google and Facebook. Terra Exspira gives breath to the forgotten witnesses to our actions.

The opening reception is 6-8pm on Friday, June 26, at Repair the World 4029 Market St., Philadelphia. The show will run through September.

Facebook event • Eventbrite

Maps for Earthmates!

Thank you so much everyone who came out to the opening reception on Thursday! 

Here's what Philly Weekly said:

"The unique "map creatures" of Us & We Art, aka West Philly artist Joey Hartmann-Dow, [is] the spotlight of Maps for Earthmates, an art exhibition at Locust Moon. Hartmann-Dow's work is created directly onto maps, offering viewers a new way to look at the world and humans' place in it."   

**REQUEST** Please take photos! AND please tag Us & We Art on respective social media
facebook (Us and We Art) • instagram (@usandweart) • twitter (@usandwe_art)
and/or www.usandweart.com. Thank you!

If you missed the opening stop by this Friday (First Friday!) March 6, I'll be there from 5-8!

Or stop by any time the gallery is open through March 26.

Locust Moon Hours:

Monday-Friday, 12pm - 8pm • Saturday 11am - 9pm • Sunday 11am - 7pm

Located at 34 S. 40th St. Philadelphia, PA.

Some map things you'll see at the "Maps for Earthmates" Show

I'm excited to have made some new work for this show, I'd love to share it with you! Please come to the opening on Thursday 2/26, 7-10pm at Locust Moon Comics (34 S. 40th St, Philadelphia) !

"Pull Me Out"

"The Connection"

"Seeker"

Upcoming Show @ Locust Moon

Please join the event on Facebook and share so that everybody comes to my showww. Thanks.

Press Release:

Local West Philly artist Joey Hartmann-Dow (working under the name Us & We Art) brings her signature map creatures to Locust Moon for a solo show "Maps for Earthmates", opening February 26. 

As seen at Go West! Craft Fest and occasional First Fridays in Old City, the artist paints and draws directly on maps, making creatures out of the borders of land and water. In her artist’s statement she asks: “Can we see that land as a moving, breathing creature, worthy of love and care? How would we treat the earth differently?” The work invites viewers to look at the features of our planet in a new light—as living things with hearts and souls.

The opening reception for Maps for Earthmates is 7pm to 10pm on Thursday, February 26 at Locust Moon Gallery. The work will be up through March 28, and digital art prints will be available for sale throughout the show.

Locust Moon Comics is a retail store, art gallery, and publishing company based in West Philadelphia. The store and gallery are open Monday through Friday, from 12pm to 8pm, Saturday 11am to 9pm, and Sunday 11am to 7pm, and is located at 34 S. 40th St, 

For more details, visit www.locustmoon.com or www.usandweart.com.

What Happened with the Coloring Book

OH. MY.

In case you were wondering how it all went down, this is a transparent account of what happened:

• I created a coloring book from 30 drawings I made of genderless, raceless creatures, feeling their feelings.

• I launched an Indiegogo campaign to help me pay to print the books.

• Each book cost about $8.30, which doesn't include packing/shipping etc., so I needed a boost to get going. ...Although I won't actually get the money from the campaign for a couple weeks, I wanted to make sure I would at least break even on the project.

• People ordered 58 books !! Today at the Go West Craft Fest, I sold 21 books, and I had left 6 in Bethlehem, which people bought from my parents pretty quickly. I had ordered 100 books, so the day before my campaign ends, I have 15 books left. #math

• This is so cool. It feels so amazing that people are so into it, and I'm going to get more printed.

• Oh, this means you probably can't order any more for Christmas/Winter holidays this year... but you can for January 2015.

I love you all! Thank you for your support.

--Joey

"I'm Feeling My Feelings" Coloring Book!

On Monday I launched an Indiegogo campaign for my coloring book, and now 2 days later it's more than half funded! Thank you so much for the support from friends, acquaintances, and strangers. I'm so glad to fill the void that was wanting a genderless raceless coloring book of creatures. HERE IT IS, in time for the special days at the end of the year that many people celebrate.

The book has 30 unique drawings that can be easily torn out, becoming instant personalized art prints. WHAT A GREAT GIFT. Each book is $20, and you can find deals on the site for multiple books, so send your mom this link to make sure you get one for the holidays: www.igg.me/at/feelingmyfeelings

I'm so proud to be printing this book locally at a small business in Philadelphia. Support local artists and local businesses!

I also just made a very quick video (a little corny, I know...) with a little bit about the project, so take a peek, and please share!

Love,
Joey

Living as an Artist

Today I ran into a friend from childhood, and upon receiving the question, "What are you doing now?" I answered, "I'm living as an artist."

Just now it is striking me that I can't think of another profession that one declares living as, instead of just saying what it is. "I'm living as a teacher." "I'm living as a social worker." "I'm living as a Zombie Prevention League Investigator" (Live on, friend..)

So now I'm wondering not only why it's a thing that people say, but why I said it without thinking. My guess is that although it is implied that other working people are simultaneously living and earning money doing their job, there is a broad assumption that many artists are making art in addition to "earning a living" doing something else. Art can be a hobby. In the moment, I felt the need to distinguish myself as someone who is making art for a living.

I often hear "How do you make money?" in a genuinely curious, non-offensive way, because many folks are surprised that emerging artists can support themselves just by selling art. WELL IT'S NOT EASY. (Forthcoming blogpost will answer this question!)

Meanwhile, I am living, working, and playing as an artist. As with any part of life, my feelings about it swell and flop by the day. Sometimes I feel so proud to be doing this. Sometimes I feel like it's not valuable to society at all. I always feel incredibly lucky to be in control of my time and energy.

Yes, I babysit on the side to help pay the bills. I am also grateful every day that I have a full-time week, month, and year(s) to make art, to promote my art, to explore my own art-mind and the art-minds of others, and to practice, practice, practice. I can see my art growing in a way that it never would if I also worked in a restaurant or a school or an office, and I am so thankful.

Go West! Fall 2014

Hey all-- I'm lucky enough to be vending at the Go West! Craft Fest again this fall, and I'm really looking forward to it. It's this Saturday UPDATE: had to use the rain-date, which is Sunday!

Do yourself a favor and check it out-- it's my favorite craft fair. The location is wonderful and the vendors are spectacular. If you are in the area I would love to see you there.

Here I am selling at the Spring 2014 Go West:

59 Days of Independence

Artist/Badass Heather Layton and her husband Brian Bailey started a social art project this year called 59 Days of Independence. They are asking people all over the world to celebrate the independence days of countries that have declared independence from Britain. Can you believe there are 59?!

I am honored to be taking part in this project. I started participating early in the year, celebrating Nauru's Independence Day on January 31. I added small Nauru flags to several flag posts on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway here in Philadelphia. Nauru is the smallest country in the world-- 8 square miles, with a population of 10,000 people.

Today I celebrated another island nation in Oceania, Kiribati. Kiribati is recognized as the first country that will be "wiped out by climate change." The nation has purchased land on one of neighboring country Fiji's islands for food security and possibly evacuation.

Kiribati is made of many islands. The country's name is pronounced "Kiri-bass", the local pronunciation of "Gilbert's".

Today I replicated the islands in Clark Park, Philadelphia, featuring some of the words from Kiribati's beautiful national anthem, and the English translation.

The words:

Teirake kaini Kiribati, Anene ma te kakatonga,

Tauraoi nakon te mwioko, Ma ni buokia aomata.

Tauaninne n te raoiroi, Tangiria aomata nako.

Tauaninne n te raoiroi, Tangiria aomata.

Reken te kabaia ma te rau Ibuakoia kaain abara,

Bon reken te nano ae banin Ma te i-tangitangiri naba.

Ma ni wakina te kab'aia, Ma n neboa i eta abara.

Ma ni wakina te kab'aia, Ma n neboa abara.

Stand up, People of Kiribati
Sing with jubilation
Prepare to accept responsibility
And to help each other
Be steadfastly righteous
Love all our people

We will know peace

when all our hearts beat as one,
Love one another
Promote happiness and unity

Went West

This spring's Go West! Craft Fest last weekend was sooo goooood. It was gorgeous weather, cool location, lots of variety and very talented vendors (I'm pretty sure. I wish I'd had a chance to wander away from my table..)

I had a blast, and felt quite successful! I wish I'd brought more prints! I'm getting better at knowing what to bring (I think).

I am always reminded how many people love maps and also love maps turned into art. ME TOO. I'm always happy to hear what you want to see-- any country you want as a creature? Let me know.

Thanks everyone who came to visit and all the new friends :)