Tag Archives: Jamie Santos

abstract, art, art for sale, art in restaurants, assemblage, found object, Karen Tashkovski

Sensu Meets Natsu

Image June 5, 2019 Karen Tashkovski Leave a comment

My encaustic paintings are currently on display at Kasai Ramen! They are part of a group show curated by Jamie Santos.

The group show is titled Natsu.

There will be an artist reception on Thursday, June 13, 2019 from 6 – 10 pm. Hope to see you there! Here is the link to the Facebook invite – facebook.com/events/66304848748843

These twelve paintings are from my Sensu series of encaustics, created last month ($250 each). They are 8″ x 8″ encaustic & collage pieces. On the back of each painting, I have instructions on how to care for these paintings. <3

Care Instructions for Encaustic Pieces –

Over time, dust and other particles in the air will collect on the surface of the painting and make a film that will look dull. Regular buffing in the first three months will help to keep the surface shiny and will bring out translucency in layers that are not currently visible. After three months, the surface of the encaustic painting will stabilize and won’t attract dust as readily. Any time the painting starts to look dull, it can be buffed with a very soft rag to increase the transparency and shine of the surface. Light dusting of the piece is all that is needed in the form of maintenance.

To make sure your piece lasts a long time, it should not be hung where it will experience below freezing temperatures or in direct sunlight coming through a window. Be aware of placing your piece near a powerful light bulb or any kind of lighting that produces a lot of heat (Christmas lights). Don’t leave your piece in a car on a hot day or near a fireplace. As long as your piece is kept in your house at a comfortable temperature, it should stay in perfect condition.

Because the wax is soft, it could be damaged if dropped or if a sharp or hard object is scraped over the surface. Fingerprints will also damage the surface over time, as the acid on our hands will etch itself into the wax. A quick wipe of the surface after everyone touches it will prevent this from happening.

If you ever need to pack or move, or ship your encaustic painting, make sure you wrap it in a piece of paper with a smooth surface before wrapping it in bubble wrap or anything that has a texture that could damage the surface.

Encaustic painting is very archival, resistant to moisture, fading from light exposure or yellowing from acid. In fact, encaustic painting is the most archival form of known painting. Your painting has the potential to last for hundreds of years if well cared for. I trust you will enjoy it!

art, art exhibition, art for sale, art in restaurants, found object, Karen Tashkovski, painting

Sweet Alley

Image March 30, 2019 Karen Tashkovski Leave a comment

Tony Thompson’s closing reception was last night. He’d been showing his artwork at Kasai Ramen, 218 Walton Street, Syracuse, New York 13203 for two months. I decided to go and it was the first time I’d been to this location in twenty-six years! OMG. It used to be Sweet Baba’s, the very first place I exhibited my own art. I was the house artist for a while – I don’t remember how long, but it was the place where I sold my first painting, which led to a commission. Fond memories.

The restaurant itself is a work of art. It was built in the alley between two buildings. The Walton Street entrance boasts a cozy bar area and some seating. There are three staircases, one a spiral, that lead to a lower level filled with the ambiance of brick walls, dark lighting and the dance of kitchen staff preparing asian fusion meals to perfection.

“Kasai Ramen is a 100 seat, two level restaurant. Its menu features traditional Ramen and Izakaya dishes with a Salt City attitude. Featuring superior service and exceptional quality food in an electric fast paced atmosphere Kasai is the restaurant to dine at in Armory Square. Come enjoy an order of Pork Gyoza, Shrimp Steam Buns, Shoyu Ramen and a Whole Roasted Duck!”

Thompson is a Syracuse bred artist currently living in Utica, New York. He exhibits regionally and is part of the graffiti/tattoo stable of artists led by my friend Jamie Santos. These thirty somethings have commandeered the art scene here with many cool-themed pop-up shows and curated group restaurant gigs under their young hipster belts.

The work here is cohesive. Thompson uses found object canvases – discarded windows, old cabinets and wood scraps. His work is a narrative of the inner workings of his mind. Portraits that bring to mind a Basquiat quality with competent, confident line quality that belies his mostly self-taught status. The other imagery appears like a nightmare jutxaposed with sweet child-like innocence. My favorite pieces are the glass ones. They are a fun marriage of old and new, the window allowing the viewer to, sort of, see into the artist’s engagingly energetic mind.

Next up for the restaurant is a show by Jamie and beyond that, a curated Japanese-themed one that I may be a part of. I am immersed in Japanese art and culture right now with four of my classes using Hokusai and other wood block print references, so it may be up my alley. (Get it? Because Kasai Ramen is built in an alley….)

Find Tony Thompson on Facebook.

art, art education, art exhibition, art for sale, art gallery, Karen Tashkovski, painting, school library

Little Birdie

Image June 12, 2018 Karen Tashkovski Leave a comment

I hosted a closing reception for Jamie Santos’ art show. The exhibition had taken place in the Chittenango Middle School library (Chittenango, New York) during May and June 2018. Since they administered the algebra regents exam in the library today, we held the party in my art classroom.

About twenty students attended this end of the year celebration. Cookies were served.

Jamie Santos is a tattoo artist. She works at Tymeless Tattoo in Baldwinsville, New York. Jamie is a 2003 graduate of Fayetteville-Manlius High school. She says drawing is an important part of her life. She gets up by 9:00 am and starts the day by sketching ideas for tattoos or paintings – she brought several notebooks full of these wonderfully executed drawings to share with the students.

Her focus lately has been on birds.

Students had a lot of questions about the tattooing process – does it hurt? How long does it take to finish a tattoo? Do people bring snacks? ( Lol, love that one <3 )

Jamie was very honest about the process, the time commitment, the pain. She explained how the needle works, how it vibrates when you hold it, how the artist gets better with every job.

She used to work every day and now she books clients only four days a week, devoting the rest of her time to creating art in her studio. Designing her own unique look, her own motifs are crucial to her success and she takes pride in the fact that her work ethic has truly improved her skill.

I asked how many of these eleven to fourteen-year-old students think that they want to get tattoos when they are older and the majority of hands flew up! Should I be surprised by that? I guess not.

The students absolutely loved her! She is amazing. Thank you, Jamie Santos, for being such an inspirational voice for your profession.

A thousand thank-yous, as well, goes to my fabulous colleague, Katy Conden, for working with me to make these art talks happen. They are no fun without you!

If you would like to see more of her work, Jamie will be exhibiting in a show of tattoo artists at the Everson Museum of Art.

June 30–August 5, 2018

Embracing the Underground explores the rich and diverse culture of modern day tattooing. This exhibition is the second presented through the Everson’s Community Exhibition Program, which provides opportunities for Central New York organizations to present the work of area artists.

art, art exhibition, art for sale, Karen Tashkovski

So Decked

Image December 30, 2016 Karen Tashkovski 2 Comments

I braved the storm – basically, it’s four streets to get to the Beer Belly Deli & Pub from here. It’s actually fun to drive in blizzard conditions. Oh…yeah, it is. Like, we who live in the snowiest city in the nation take it as a badge of honor that we can do it without a single note of fear. The giant snowflakes silently smacking my car windshield made me feel like I was inside a snow globe. It was so cool! I mean, there were not many cars on the road to crash into. I figured everyone else was homebound. And so, it was startling to witness a full house at the art reception for Deck the Halls 2016.

This is due to the strong following this amazing group of artists has and of course, kudos goes to the wonderful Jamie Santos, tattoo artist and illustrator, for creating another great happening.

The following artists are represented in this show of skateboards:

Aaron Carmody, Aaron Z. Lee, Abbie Fitzpatrick, Adam Golden, Adam Zombie, Aimee Maroney, Ben Krzykowski, Brian Manos, Cait Mathews, Cayetano Valenzuela, Casey Landerkin, Charlie Sam, Chris Sosa, Collin Buck, Dan Bingham, Dan (Dippel) Styles, Dan Tickner, Eric Althoff, James Coldiron, Jamie Santos, Jemola Addley, Jeremiah Clifford, Jesse Gabriel, Jesse Ryan, Jim Sidelinger, Josh Montgomery, Kimi Rees, Kyle Proia, Matt Tyska, Micheal Giannattasio, Mike Tommyrot, Nik Moore, Pete Ott, Sara Tierney, Shane Trevett, Thad Jackson,Tommy Lincoln, Tom Ward, Tony Thompson, Victoria Storm, Zac Barres, & Zach Wheeler.

The work will continue to be on display and for sale during the month of January 2017. The Beer Belly Deli & Pub is located at 510 Westcott Street, Syracuse, New York.

They will be there until 11:00 pm – there’s still time to see the artwork tonight while listening to talented local musicians and partaking in drink specials and nachos!

art, art education, art exhibition, art for sale, Karen Tashkovski, products, sculpture

Alert the Media

Image August 20, 2016 Karen Tashkovski Leave a comment

Boundless Brooklyn is a company that sells 100% recycled cardboard model kits – crafted billboards, lighthouses, mailboxes, halfpipes, lifeguard stations and water towers that can be turned into amazing works of art.

You can also purchase the water tower kit at Target!

Art Above All is the brainchild of tattoo artist Jamie Santos, who paired these kits with local artists to create this amazing exhibition. She is a dynamic force in the Syracuse art scene! I connected with her via Facebook after attending and later writing the blog post about that pop-up pizza-themed art show. My blog went viral for several days with that one, with the most views in a day in the history of my blogging “career”! Jamie was responsible for that show as well.

I love her spirit and energy. And while I have never considered getting a tattoo, I know I would be in good hands should I ever change my mind. She works out of Tymeless Tattoo in Baldwinsville, New York (and also curates their gallery space). Jamie curated this unique art show of billboards and water tower models at SALT Quarters gallery (115 Otisco Street, Syracuse, New York), which is within walking distance from her art studio at the Delavan Center on West Fayette Street. SALT Quarters will be open again today and tomorrow from noon to 5:00 pm. Contact jamiesantosartworks@gmail.com for more information.

The opening reception took place last night. Upon arrival, we were greeted by three artists painting murals. Penny, Joyce and I chatted with them about the creation of art and the process of mark-making while they set about creating these large-scale pieces. I loved hearing their philosophies. It doesn’t seem to matter how people arrived at the idea/conclusion of becoming an artist, I mean in terms of their backgrounds or the age at which their idea manifested into their reality – the truth is the language of art is the same. It is the language of the journey, of self-discovery, of the role emotion plays in creation and the joy of living a dream-life through art.

Inside – we viewed these whimsical three-dimensional creations while listening to the sounds of Backpacker’s Field Manual (two Chittenango grads!)

I am so inspired by this show. The artists really seemed to transcend their materials. They don’t look like cardboard cut-outs at all. Their ideas range from humor to social injustice and are created with paint and mixed-media in graffiti, Pop Art, Impressionist and traditional styles. The models are essentially advertising media and so, the message seems to be the message, lol – to alert the media through media, so to speak. To give voice to the artist within, whatever that statement may be.

I just love the camaraderie of this exhibition/event. Artists joining forces in the spirit of fun and love. It is truly a magnificent use of this tiny gem of a gallery. I would love to gather a bunch of these models and see what my students at Chittenango Middle School can do with them!

The artists in this exhibition include Aaron Z. Lee, Andrew Peters, Brandon Lazore, Casey Landerkin, Cayetano Valenzuela, Charlie Sam, Chris Sosa, Dan Styles, Doug Aldrich, E.L. Downey, Jacob Alan Roberts, Jamie Santos, Jemola Addley, Jesse Gabriel, Jesse Ryan, Josh Montgomery, Marcus Osmun, Michael Giannattasio, Michael John Heagerty, Monty Ses Esposito, Paul Ulrich, Steve Sie, Tommy Lincoln, and Tony Tompson. Some of the art is priced to sell – not sure about all of it, but the artists have supplied contact information via email in order to connect.

Loved it! <3 You will, too!

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Karen Tashkovski

Tag Archives: Jamie Santos

Sweet Alley

Little Birdie

EMBRACING THE UNDERGROUND: THE ART OF TATTOOING

Alert the Media

Visual Artist

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EMBRACING THE UNDERGROUND: THE ART OF TATTOOING

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Visual Artist