New Children's book written by David Boze and Illustrated by Chris Hopkins Book Description "Kumar Joe, a Singing Crow" is the tale of a little crow who was born with a heart for music, but not a voice for it. After the esteemed maestro of the local bird's choir bans him from singing, Kumar must find the courage to overcome the social pressure and his embarrassment to reclaim the joy of music...and save the choir along the way. Kumar Joe is a tile for all the kids (and adults out there), who've ever given up on something merely because they didn't excel at it. Kumar is a reminder that joy, in itself, is reason enough. Illustrated in B&W with a full color cover (by Chris Hopkins) and broken into small chapters, Kumar Joe was written for parents to read to their children, however, parents might just find themselves reading ahead on their own. This book can be purchased on AMAZON.COM |
Changes: This blog is a supplimental to other websites and blogs. For additional information about Chris, Jan or Justin check out individual tabs below. Thanks so much for your interest in our work.
Friday, December 16, 2011
New News!
Friday, May 20, 2011
RAM Permanent Collection
Two significant pieces by Jan Hopkins
have been gifted to the
Racine Art Museum's Permanent Collection
28"x14"x9", 2008, grapefruit peel, waxed linen, Alaskan yellow cedar bark and lotus pod tops and sharlyn melon peels, photo credit Ken Rowe
About RAM's Permanent Collection
With a concentration in ceramics, fibers, glass, metals and wood, RAM features one of the most significant collections of contemporary crafts in North America. The evolution of its collections began at the Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts with 300 pieces created for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Art Project in the 1930s. more
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Jan Hopkins, "The Perfect Fit: Shoes Tell Stories"
The Perfect Fit: Shoes Tell Stories Final traveling exhibit May 1 - July 31, 2011 Inspiring, vibrant and fun, this exhibition explores the meanings of shoes, presenting 120 playful, imaginative and provocative objects. Shoes speak to style, fashion and individuality, yet they also tell stories, expressing more than their role as footwear. Shoes reflect the time and place of their creation, providing unique insights into human history and identity. The 100 contemporary artists whose shoe-inspired artworks are presented in The Perfect Fit are motivated by these themes, creating objects of wit, whimsy and visual pizzazz Friends also in exhibit: Dona Anderson, Zia Gipson, Lissa Hunter, C.A Michel, Norma Minkowitz, Carol Milne Inge Roberts and Polly Adams Sutton The Perfect Fit: Shoes Tell Stories was organized by the Fuller Art Museum, Brockton, Massachusetts. |
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Jan Hopkins Lecture
Monday, April 4, 2011
Jan Hopkins @ SOFA NYC 2011
Dimensions 7”x10”x4” each shoe, Date 2011, Material: Lunaria seed pod centers, weathered hydrangea petals, melon peel, yellow cedar bark and waxed linen
I overheard a young woman proclaim "I loved the idea of being in love". Like Achilles heel in Greek mythology, his vulnerable heel was his weak spot; when it comes to romantic love, the heart seems to be the weak spot. On the exterior of the shoes, I have written the infamous proclamation” I (eye) love the idea of being in love”. In the interior of the right shoe, there is a heart with a question mark and the words “mister right”. In the interior of the left shoe, there is a broken heart with the words “left behind”. There is an arrow on each heel symbolizing cupid’s arrow. And finally, there are eyes on the front of each shoe when placed together they are eyes that continue to look for love.
30"x18"x12", 2010, grapefruit peel, yellow cedar bark, ostrich shell beads and waxed linen.
As a child, I remember watching the dramatized story of Helen Keller “The Miracle Worker”. That movie left a life long impression and admiration of Helen Keller and the reason I included her in my Women Icon series. A woman who reached far beyond anyone’s expectations Helen Keller was the first deaf/blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. As I contemplated how to depict her in a sculpture, I wanted to include her words. I made Braille tablets made of grapefruit peel and beads that says “The best and the most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt within the heart.” I also included arms with the sculpture because communication did not come from her ears or spoken word but by touch. The piece is very textural emphasizing the importance of the touch. The lace like cedar bark is a technique that I developed especially for this piece.