haven's studio

Read the Printed Word

2011-05-29T19:30:00.001-07:00

wow... it's been a whole year

2011-03-30T22:41:00.000-07:00

I guess I've been so much busier than imaginable. Lots of things happened over the course of the year (and last summer) including a number of trips, some pretty enlightening opportunities, and general life changes... all leading to a very busy busy me.

I've been slowly working in the studio, making only a few small things - trying not to let the designer me get too distracted but there seems to be this overwhelming growing urge to make a very large piece (or at least a bunch of very small pieces gridded into a very large piece.) This upcoming weekend may be the first couple of days that I've had off from travel or other pressing responsibility.

end of April

2010-04-21T02:23:00.000-07:00

Just finished a bunch of drawings this week and I'm pretty happy with them. It's all I can do to contain myself with only a few weeks left of teaching then a whole summer in a new studio (plus a trip to China squeezed in there.) I would like to try and get a giant drawing / installation completed on the back wall of the studio this summer. Haven't made anything really large in a while and would like to see if I still have it in me.

Studio / Garden - I just harvested the last of the snap peas and smaller beans from the new veggie bed. The fava beans and strawberries are just coming in - it's amazing how many plants one can crowd into a bed if one is determined.

The studio project has now extended back to the house with the kitchen project (more like house demo) well underway. When it's completed the kitchen door will open out onto the deck, which will direct most activities to the back of the house. We're planning a sunset s'mores get together one of these evenings. I'll try to post more photos this week.

Avenue 50 Gallery Show Collaboration with Peter Liahshkov

2010-04-21T02:07:00.001-07:00

What's on the Studio Walls

2010-03-31T01:04:00.000-07:00

Misc. photos on the metal spiral staircase.

Knick knacks and a wonderful letterpress card by Christina and the Emerge postcard.

Small Stitched + Cut Painting

2010-03-31T01:01:00.000-07:00

Here's the first experiment with the fiberglass paper. It takes paint beautifully and cuts easily like paper. I'm going to try and lasercut next, but a little nervous about the fumes and toxicity.

White Drawings and Sketches

2010-03-31T00:58:00.000-07:00

Stitched pieces

Recycled paper and thread

new small drawings

2010-03-31T00:56:00.000-07:00

New Pieces

2010-03-31T00:53:00.000-07:00

Before -

This is what the piece looked like before I started working on it. The adult female shape looks like a mermaid, probably why it appeals to me. I like the hokey-ness of it. The child shape already has a muddled mess on it, so it's almost a layout problem - how to clarify or simplify the composition.

Process -

Small painting complete.

Studio Images

2010-03-31T00:47:00.000-07:00

Collection of small items

Fox diorama with a small sculpture by Jay Willis

Lump of painting lines.

Studio Images

2010-03-31T00:38:00.000-07:00

Bookshelf at the top of the stairs.

Box Collection

My grandparents

Flower Template

2010-03-31T00:37:00.000-07:00

D's Art Projects

2010-03-31T00:32:00.000-07:00

3-D Glasses

Another project - Red Fox diorama.

Dylan's Upstairs Gallery.

outside the studio

2010-03-31T00:25:00.000-07:00

Plums are blooming all around the deck and outside of the studio.

Brand new veggie bed on the hillside below the studio. Summer project to paint the exterior of the studio.

New deck furniture and my lovely new chairs (and outdoor rug) from Potted... one of my fav patio places (love ya Annette!)

D with Large Thread Drawing

2010-03-30T23:53:00.000-07:00

PØST - Seeking Comfort at the Kamikaze Series

2009-10-08T01:02:00.000-07:00

PØST - Haven Lin-Kirk's Seeking Comfort at the Kamikaze Series

2009-10-08T00:58:00.000-07:00

my grandmother's drawings

2009-07-14T02:51:00.000-07:00

My grandmother (Po Po) had a pile of drawings and calligraphy that she made. When she past away a couple of years ago, I couldn't bare to get rid of them so I'm STILL trying to organize them.
It's tough enough having to manage my own artwork but I also have quite a number of her drawings and writings that I'm trying to sort through. I guess I'm buried in stuff still. I hung one up on my front door... I like that she was drawing flowers, esp. since floral and plant shapes have found their way into my work as well.
Here's my pieces
Piles of her writings

A little piece she painted for me

from Kauai

2009-07-14T02:45:00.001-07:00

What a mess!!!

I've been so busy the last few months that I'm finally posting some pictures (while I'm on vacation) that I took of the new studio last month. Here's some images from the move in.

Adopt Artwork

2009-04-28T10:08:00.000-07:00

So in a little less than 3 hours, I was able to find homes for all of my old artwork.

Aside from a little patching + painting, I'm all moved out of my old space. I'll try to post some images in the next few days BUT I think I over did it with the move, teaching on Sat. and hosting the big give away. My voice is completely gone and I've come down with a little bug (headache and mild cough).

AIGA Los Angeles Speak Easy Event

2009-04-23T23:54:00.000-07:00

Earlier this year at the AIGA Los Angeles Speak Easy Event, where I am the co-chair of the educational committee and sit on the board. To my right is Rob Binder
AIGA Board of Director's Townhall Meeting
Nat + Tracy on the other side
Gotta love this - April Grieman, design legend

Me + D (aka D Rat)

2009-04-23T22:58:00.000-07:00

one half of my breakfast club

MOVING!!!

2009-04-23T22:40:00.000-07:00

So after 5 years at the POST Gallery building, I am (at long last) ready to move into the newly constructed studio. Sorry there aren't any photos yet - I'm in the final week of school. As part of the move, I'm opting to give away (yes... for FREE) some old artwork. Images of the artwork are available on FaceBook, in the album entitled "Adopt Artwork".

Aside from a slew of small paintings and sequin drawings, I have also laid out a couple of boxes of books, magazines, misc. printed materials, etc.

The studio will be open Sunday the 26th of April from noon to 5pm and Monday from noon to 3pm for the FREE for All.
1904 E. 7th Street
Los Angeles, CA

images of 30 hours

2009-03-25T22:50:00.000-07:00

the countdown

2009-03-25T22:30:00.001-07:00

sooo... we are down to just a few finishing items. Today they installed the on-demand heating system (very nice green solution for heating water) and the air/heating system + finish work (baseboards, windows, etc.) should be installed tomorrow. THEN it's a final inspection and I can begin moving in. The bamboo floors are fantastic and I'm hoping with a couple of freelance projects this summer, we can just quickly install the ofuro, Japanese tub outside. As you can tell from quite a few of the photos, we have an ugly ugly view of our neighbors corrugated fiberglass wall - yuck. I have plans for a small grove of black bamboo to hid that eye-sore.
I'm nervous about how much stuff I have to store but I think I might have a fire sale at the old POST space and try to get rid of a bunch of artwork otherwise I could torch or take some things apart.

2009-03-13T00:48:00.000-07:00

new pieces

2009-03-12T22:49:00.000-07:00

Here's some of the new pieces that I finished for the Black, White and Grey All Over Show at 643 Project Space in Ventura
http://www.643projectspace.com/

Almost DONE

2009-03-12T22:44:00.000-07:00

YES... after many months we are very close to completion. The bamboo floors are in, steel staircase is installed, plumbing is up and flowing... the only thing left is the final electrical THEN we begin on the deck outside.
Time to start packing!!!

more ofuros

2008-11-15T23:54:00.000-08:00

ofuros - japanese tubs

2008-11-15T23:37:00.000-08:00

ofuros are quite different from hot tubs and yet are not bathtubs. The user first washes before entering the tub then rinses with scoops of water and THEN enters the ofuros to soak. Entire families bath together in Japan however we are planning for a small soaking tub that will fit 1-2 people. It will sit outside of the studio under a covered deck.

november progress

2008-11-15T23:20:00.000-08:00

These images mark the progress of the construction of the building. The crew is incredible, often working on Saturdays.
Now that I can really see the structure and move through the space - I'm so excited. I can envision it not simply as a good work space but as beautiful structure that compliments our existing house. Furthermore the studio has a stunning tree top view of Eagle Rock! The building inspector that came last week commented on what a wonderful addition it was to our house (does this often happen?) I'm amazed how quickly everything is moving. I think we may easily finish by the end of the year - I can't wait to move in.

Every evening I've sat in the construction site and watched the sky and daydreamed about the landscaping and gardening I'm planning around the studio. Outside of the large window, I can envision large timber bamboo (Black Bamboo?) with a small rock garden. I'm on a quest for another stone Buddha that can sit in a corner. We also have plans to eventually install a Japanese outdoor tub or ofuro at the back of the rock garden.

random images

2008-11-15T23:18:00.000-08:00

construction at the end of the day.

AND the roof is on!

2008-11-15T23:09:00.000-08:00

Jose inspecting the roof after installed.

on the roof

2008-11-15T23:02:00.000-08:00

The curved roofline above the circular stairs

ceiling and roof

2008-11-15T22:59:00.000-08:00

Here's a little storage above the studio bathroom. PERFECT for canvas'.

walls going up

2008-11-15T22:55:00.000-08:00

walls!

2008-11-01T00:32:00.000-07:00

The framing has finally starting. A couple of alterations to the studio include a small door that will open out onto a small deck that over hangs the hill and maybe a rail around the roof. The view from above is amazing.

working on a Saturday

2008-10-25T18:52:00.000-07:00

new shed

2008-10-24T23:21:00.000-07:00

Tony built a new garden shed and used some of the recycled materials from the old shed / barn on the facade.

Here's the new color

2008-10-24T22:46:00.000-07:00

I think the blog barriers are the same color as our house.

more green buildings in Hawaii

2008-10-24T22:44:00.000-07:00

And even more green Hawaiin buildings

house color

2008-10-24T22:37:00.000-07:00

When we first moved into our house in 1995, we wondered why would anyone paint a house that color. But while visiting Hawaii a few years later, I kept seeing various buildings in the same or similar greens.

foundation beginnings

2008-10-24T22:21:00.000-07:00

Day + Night shots of the foundation work

Few Changes

2008-09-06T11:44:00.000-07:00

The engineer and architect were both concerned about insulating a rolling door. So we used the roll up on the new shed as a measure of added security and we are going to use custom french doors for the large back entry door into the studio.

Some architect friends recommended a fantastic place for windows and doors - Taylor Brothers in Glendale. It's a place where you can do some SERIOUS damage $ After drooling over their incredible selection, we opted for 2 beautiful wooden doors and metal windows
All of the doors and windows are now ordered.

The metal support beams are suppose to be delivered sometime next week and then on to the foundation.

...GONE!!!

2008-09-06T11:13:00.001-07:00

The holes that will soon be the supports for my studio. A couple of the holes are over 10 feet deep.

Old Garden Shed

2008-09-04T22:26:00.000-07:00

Taking down the old garden shed/barn

GOING... GOING...

February Update

2008-02-29T00:00:00.000-08:00

sooo.... slow.

We have FINALLY received approval on our soils report. ALL this means is more waiting for the final permits to be approved and then it's construction time. It's tough living with a monster hole the size of 3 bathtubs in your backyard BUT I've been promised once the construction starts the toughest part will be setting the post into the bedrock (thus the gigantic holes). I'm certain if I don't soon hear the sound of power tools I will be plotting the demise of my architect.

I'm finally back in the studio but all I've been able to finish is a new handful of hand-bound sketchbooks. It seems to be my fall back when I'm not painting - to make sketchbooks. I'll try to photograph a few this week and post.

Studio Update

2007-12-31T22:07:00.000-08:00

So after much delay we are once again back in action. The geologist has finished the soils report and we are going to the city this Wednesday. Hopefully with the problems in the housing market, construction rates have gone down. I haven't been in the studio much this month, a little of that post show depression but all I think about is making art so I'm going to make a serious attempt to get some work done the next couple of week.

Salon Oblique Show

2007-09-30T23:04:00.000-07:00

So I'm in a group show

http://salonoblique.com/hlinkirk/index.htm

Finally finished the large paintings and now that my studio is clean I'm starting some new silk paintings.

Progress on the studio at home is very slow (virtually at a stand still until the bedrock for the foundation is exposed.)
There is a studio at Salon Oblique that has the wonderful roll up door much like the one we are planning for my studio. See their website for a image.

new studio idea #2

2007-05-07T01:09:00.000-07:00

So on a related note - the interior door and window will echo the feeling of the roll up door (all shonji influenced screens) but will slide, doors will be pocket doors to maximize the usable floor space.

www.slidingdoorco.com

new studio idea #1

2007-05-07T00:47:00.000-07:00

The new studio will have a very large roll up door that will open out onto a deck. Here's a few of the doors I have been looking at - YES, they are garage doors. The ceiling of the new studio will be quite high and the doors can roll right up to the ceiling. I love the idea that the entire space will open out into the yard.

www.glassgaragedoors.com

Here's a garage door used at a restaurant in Old Town Pasadena.

studio downtown

2007-05-06T23:54:00.000-07:00

Here's my current day space. As the photos show - it's a little cramped, though I really love it (aside from the location downtown.)

It's about 350 square feet with tall ceilings. The space is split in half with one half divided again into an upper level - small loft/storage area/kid play area and the lower level - an office space.

It's pretty functional esp. for one artist but it lacks any natural light and as I've stated several times now - it's in a "not great" area.

my work

2007-05-05T00:45:00.000-07:00

My most recent work is featured in the Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Calendar. To view a pdf copy go to -
Department of Cultural Affairs website.

The images are painted on recycled wood panels, part of the original house and shed. The spider mums are painted in iron oxide and is treated with a solution that rusts the iron particles in the paint.

beginnings

2007-05-05T00:30:00.000-07:00

AT THE END OF LAST YEAR we began our plans to have a studio designed and built on our property. I have been renting a day space downtown for almost a year and a half, it's located in a pretty iffy area and after my car had been broken into (in the middle of the day with me less than 50 yards away) I decided it was time to investigate an alternative.

First my good friend David Amico referred us to the architect/designer Christo. From the first meeting we hit it off. I was looking for something that was restrained - Asian influence but minimal, that would take advantage of our outdoor space. Christo immediately came back with several ideas that reflected that sensibility. My favorite ideas are the large sliding doors and windows that will open out onto a large deck and Japanese garden. Our house is located on a hillside and has some very nice views of trees, none of which our present house takes advantage of. We settled on a plan that ties into the existing structure after exploring several options and based on the advice of Christo's partner + engineer.

So here we are several months later - ready to apply for permits. This blog is the beginning of the adventure for us and I hope it will chronicle the progress of the construction as well as the artwork that will results upon its completion.

ciao.