If you are reading this, first, I want to say THANK YOU! There are a zillion newsletters you could be reading right now, but you’re here. Thank you.
I’m Jojo Sunshine. When people ask what that name means, they don’t usually believe me when I tell them the inside joke. ‘Jojos’ are a regional name for potato wedges. (I learned this after moving to Oregon in my late 20s). When I was thinking of a name for my business in early 2020 - (right before the pandemic hit the US), I came up with a list of simple pleasures. Little things in life that bring me joy. Jojos. Sunshine. Boom. Jojo Sunshine.
Fun fact: my first NFT is a watercolor painting of a meme of a potato that looks like it’s happy. LITERALLY JOJO SUNSHINE. I thought it was funny and didn’t understand how to price NFTs, so I listed my genesis piece at 6.9 ETH, because I am very sophisticated.
I’ve adjusted my pricing to something more reflective of the state my career in the NFT space. I’m working on a collection of 100 hand drawn 1/1 pieces in the style of Picasso aptly titled Not Picasso. (A nod to a selection Matty Mo’s upcycled collection). Each piece is listed at .05 ETH and there are currently 67 pieces available. I plan to complete collection by the end of the calendar year, with more dropping randomly each month. Buyers can elect to have the original physical artwork, or signed 1 of 1 print for digital pieces, shipped in addition to the NFT.
Early pieces in the collection mimic Picasso's more famous work. As the collection evolves, you will notice the art transforming into a mashup of personal and abstract styles, creating something totally new.
As an educator, I regularly uses Picasso line drawings with children to help inspire creativity and show them that great art comes in many different forms. The collection also seeks to create meaningful dialogue around body autonomy, nudity, and shame.
TMFA Community
To say that the TMFA Community changed my life sounds like an exaggeration, but it’s the truth.
It all started in February of 2021, when my husband encouraged me to join some art community he read about online. He sent me a link, but I thought my chances of being accepted into a formal art community as a self-taught artist was laughable. His persistence won out, however, and I ended up applying just so he’d stop bugging me about it.
In March, I was sent an email welcoming me into the community as a future member. I had to read it twice. Surely there was a mistake? But nope! Soon after, I started attending figure drawing and still life workshops on zoom. I was so inspired by the other artists that I decided to step up and teach one too, leading a watercolor workshop series on zoom in May of 2021. It’s through these classes that I started to really feel a sense of community with other members. The diversity of perspectives and lived experiences is so rich that I knew that our stories needed to be shared. This is how the idea for About the Artist: A TMFA Podcast was born.
Fellow member, Alex Maceda, asked to jump on board as a co-host and together we interviewed nine members of the community for the podcast on Clubhouse. Guests shared their personal journeys as artists and we all became a little closer from it. These episodes are currently being edited and prepared to share with the public.
Working together sparked a friendship that translated to IRL! Another member, Sandy Wu, and I joined Alex in her home/studio in Joshua Tree, California. Our little artists' retreat over the summer is a continual source of inspiration for me.
In addition to the incredible people I’ve met, TMFA has provided opportunities I wouldn’t have dreamed of a year ago. When I created a project proposal for the TMFA Pop Up Show in Portland, I didn’t really expect that it would come to fruition. The expenses, logistics, and fact that I had never curated a show before didn’t phase Matty Mo. He believed in me and said LFG.
On September 30th and October 1, 2021, TMFA held its first-ever international group show in Portland, Oregon. For those who couldn’t attend in-person, I built a paired VR gallery. We had over 50 artists showcase over 160 pieces of art. For many of the artists, this was their first group show. We had a handful of artists from around the US fly in just for the event, including Matty, which meant a lot to me. The show was well-attended and we sold several pieces off the wall. I’ve never been more proud of my work.
Currently, many of the unsold pieces have secured a space in my art studio, which has evolved into a mini-gallery of sorts. Thanks to TMFA, I can add curator and art dealer to my resume! I’m so grateful for these experiences, and I look forward to what we are continuing to build together as a community.
If you are interested in a private viewing of the pieces in the studio, contact me at maggie@jojosunshine.com.
Kid’s Creative Storytelling Workshop
This week, I’m hosting my first-ever kids’s class in the studio! Together, we’ll be telling stories through the creative use of materials. Each artist will design and construct a haunted fairy house! I’ve been having so much fun getting the supplies together. I can’t wait to share what we make with you in the next issue!
Holiday Commissions
It’s that time of year again. Can you believe it?
This year, I’m only taking a limited number of portrait commissions.
Here is a general pricing list:
8”x10” watercolor portrait - starts at $200
8”x10” watercolor -home - starts at $250
Please fill out this short form if you are interested in a commissioned piece for the holiday season. I’m reviewing and accepting commissions on a rolling basis until the slots are filled.
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