FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tracy Larrua/Poi Planet
P: 310/699-3196
E: tracy@poiplanet.com
“SOLE 2 SOUL”
THEWHOLE9 GALLERY PRESENTS
JASON LESTER & KRISTIE FUJIYAMA KOSMIDES
LOS ANGELES, CA, January 29, 2008 – What does an extreme athlete/artist from the mainland, living in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, have in common with a petite, quiet Hilo Hawaiian girl, living in the urban jungle of Los Angeles? Actually, quite a bit. thewhole9 gallery is proud to present the distinctive art of Jason Lester and Kristie Fujiyama Kosmides. Says gallery director, Lisa Schulz, “It is a unique juxtaposition of abstract interpretation from each of them, but with different intensities. Jason’s work is bold, strong, and passionate, while Kristie’s pieces are soft, calm, and peaceful.”
For Jason, a Big Island-based artist and popular Ironman Triathlete; this will be his first show in 13 months, as he has been busy logging in over 800 hours of intense training in order to compete in the race of his life, the Ultraman World Championships (two back-to-back Ironman races completed over a course of three days) in November ‘08. For Kristie, a Los Angeles based artist, this will be her first show after taking a short break from a huge commission- creating 800 original pieces due by January ‘09 for a 383-room resort in Hilo, Hawaii. For her, she is more than halfway through her race, by already completing 400 of the 8’ x 20” works of art.
For Jason, there is no real difference between creating what he terms “abstrak” art, and preparing for a triathlon. They both call for preparation, dedication, commitment, and… two good feet. Not the traditional artist, Jason doesn’t approach painting with brush in hand, but rather with his soles. That technique is what gives his work a unique look and intense depth, creating bold pieces that are something out of the ordinary. With Kristie, her method or feeling to painting is similar but delivered in a softer way, with her inspiration coming from the vibration, energy, “mana” (Hawaiian for “great power”) or good feeling she gets from the soul of a person.
Says Jason, “Art is my drug, and my alcohol. It’s just a form of expression that allows me to express my feelings and allows me to go into an area of myself that nobody or no other situation can bring me. Nothing else can bring me to that zone, to that area of my life.” Jason adds, “Every time I create a painting, I look at it like a puzzle. You’re using this color, this stroke, to put together this puzzle, and I never know when I’m finished - until the puzzle’s complete. I have to bring myself out of the equation of creating art because if I allow “Jason” to create a painting, there’s no beauty involved. But God gives me visions of what to create, and then he just uses me as a vessel to create it. People who see my art are inspired, and that’s why I enjoy creating. It has nothing to do with me. I’m not trying to please myself, trying to prove a point, or create something to make myself feel accomplished or content.”
With Kristie, there is never a plan as to what she is going to put down on canvas. She says, “I paint when my mind is clear. I don’t even think about what I’m going to paint- it just comes out. I just look at the blank canvas and think a bit. Once it’s primed though, I get my paints and go and paint in my true, free state of mind. It’s when
I’m in that mode that ‘it’ begins to flow. I don’t think about anything else. She continues, “When I see my work after it’s done- if it looks happy, peaceful, energetic, or reflective- it gives me a chance to see what is going on with me. It surprises me sometimes as to what comes out. When I have nothing on my mind, and I have a good feeling inside, I feel my art is coming from a different place. For me, there are no rules in painting, no rules in creating. There’s no judgment. It’s an honest expression from myself.”
Their families heavily influenced both artists. For Jason, art is in his genes and in his blood, as his Grandfather and Father were both artists. Jason recalls, “As a child, I would be out in a restaurant with my Dad, and I’d look over, and he’d be doodling on a napkin in the restaurant. He’d slide the napkin over to me, and it would be a sketch of the person sitting next to us. I was so in awe of his artistic ability that it just intimidated me. It was so natural to him. As well, my Grandfather was a paint contractor for Frank Lloyd Wright.”
Kristie’s love for art, which has now blossomed into a thriving career, was introduced to her by her Grandfather. Kristie recalls, “When I was little and growing up in Hilo, I can remember when my grandfather would try and take me to art school. I was excited to go however the art teacher thought I was too young to be in class. But, my grandfather insisted and took me anyway. As I got older, I always received art supplies from my Dad and Mom. Then when I wanted to go to art school for college, they were so supportive.”
The works of both Jason and Kristie are internationally collected by the likes of CEO’s of companies, celebrities, and private collectors from all over the world. Although on the surface, they look like
two different people with very different personalities, they both walk the same path to creating art that is unique and moving, in their own special way.
“Sole 2 Soul” will be on view at thewhole9 gallery from April 5th through May 17th, with an artist’s reception on April 5th from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. with music provided by DJ Derrick Wize. For further information on the show, go to www.thewhole9gallery.com. For further information on the artists, go to www.apaintedrace.com , www.jplart.com and www.kfkfineart.com.
thewhole9 gallery is affiliated with thewhole9.com, an international community for creative people. The gallery, which is located in the heart of Culver City's thriving arts district, features contemporary art from emerging and established artists and photographers throughout the United States and beyond. The gallery prides itself on exhibiting works from artists who are conscious and philanthropic and have a unique life-story.
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