Saturday Studio Tour #4 - Artist AJ of Storm One

Wilma's Sewing Room by AJ

Welcome to another Studio Saturday! This week we're off to Oakland, CA to visit with AJ of StormOne on Etsy. I really enjoyed browsing through the StormOne shop - there is an amazing variety of items on display. (Click on a product image to be taken to the shop.)

Hand Dyed A Line Tank Top by AJ

While the focus is on fabrics & colorful dyed items, you can also find some fabulous paintings and original ACEOs.

ACEOs by AJ

AJ's studio is great example of how big creativity can come out of a modest space.I'll step aside now & let AJ walk you through the studio:

Hand Dyed A Line Tank Top by AJ

AJ: My studio work space is small but cozy. In the north west corner I have two work tables and several in progress paintings on the wall.

AJ: Informed and influenced by my childhood memories as well as graphic design and architecture of the late 70's and 80's, my work incorporates images of my family and northern California landmarks from that era.

AJ: I tie dye, paint, draw and screen-print on these tables.

Hand Dyed Cotton Infant's Tshirt by AJ

AJ: Across from my tables I have all my favorite books and reference materials as well as my favorite cd's and dvd's.

AJ: I have plastic storage bins for my art supplies but I'm the type of artist who likes to have my paints,inks and pencils at an arm's length.

AJ: I'm more creative if I can see my tools. Sometimes just having them laid out inspires me.

AJ: I am excited by the intersection of different media and what happens at the edges of layered images. Influenced by the juxtaposition of graffiti and commercial signage, I paint and draw text as well as symbols from popular culture. My work is a funnel by which the highs and the lows of my life, the distant familial past and current family relationships can be safely explored and relayed in such a way as to spark a dialogue of their greater universal themes.

Barak Obama painting by AJ

Thanks for giving us a behind the scenes tour, AJ - Keep that inspiration coming!

You can see more of AJ’s art & clothing at StormOne.etsy.com. Also, be sure to check out the Electric Storm blog. It is filled with work in progress photos and explanations. I really enjoyed looking through the steps taken to create some very cool pieces, like this custom messenger bag!

Custom Messenger Bag by AJ

Thanks to those of you who showed up today “to take the tour”. This was the 4^th stop in a new blog series I am trying out - so far I’m having lots of fun with it! Each Saturday will feature a different artist and studio space. Some are grand & fancy, others are more modest. Amazing creativity thrives in these spaces regardless of size! I hope you will continue to join me on Saturdays as I visit with more artists to see where the magic happens.