Robyn Slakey: Cupcakes Across America by California State Univeristy Stanislaus School of the Arts

Robyn Slakey C u p c a k e s Acr o ss A m e r i c a University Art Gallery Department of Art School of the Arts California State University Stanislaus

500 copies printed Robyn Slakey: Cupcakes Across America August 22 - October 4, 2013 University Art Gallery School of the Arts California State University Stanislaus One University Circle Turlock, CA 95382

This exhibition and catalog have been funded by: Associated Students Instructionally Related Activities, California State University Stanislaus

Catalog Design: Kristina Stamper, School of the Arts, California State University Stanislaus Catalog Printing: Claremont Print, Claremont, CA

ISBN: 978-0-9857652-8-6

Cover Image: 2012-2013, Cupcake Totem #2, ceramic

Con t e nts Director’s Foreword. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Résumé. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Artist Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

D ire ctor ’s Fo r e word Robyn Slakey: Cupcakes Across America, represents a chance to view the fanciful work of Robyn Slakey. As an artist, Slakey works with many medias to create wonderful works of art. These works take on a whimsical nature and create a wonderful place for the viewer to get lost in enjoyment. A few years ago the University Art Gallery’s exhibition of alumni created a first place award in the exhibition. This first place award carried with it a solo exhibition in the University Art Gallery and lead to the creation of Slakey’s exhibition. Diana Daniels from the Crocker Art Museum was kind enough to judge and determine the first place award. I am very happy to be able to exhibit Slakey’s work for others to enjoy. I would like to thank the many colleagues who have been instrumental in presenting this exhibition. Robyn Slakey for the wonderful experience of exhibiting her brilliant work, the School of the Arts, California State University, Stanislaus for the catalog design and Claremont Print and Copy for the printing of this catalog. Gratitude is also extended to the Instructionally Related Activities Program of California State University, Stanislaus and the many anonymous donors for the funding of the exhibition and catalog. Their support is greatly appreciated.

Dean De Cocker, Director University Art Gallery California State University, Stanislaus

IMAGES

2011-2013, 100 Iconic Cupcakes, ceramic and mixed media

2011-2013, 100 Iconic Cupcakes, detail, ceramic and mixed media

2013, Let Go oil, mixed media, and resin

2011-2013, 100 Iconic Cupcakes, detail, ceramic and mixed media

2011-2013, Death of a Twinkie, ceramic and mixed media

2012-2013, 100 Cupcakes, watercolor on paper

2012-2013, 100 Cupcakes, detail, watercolor on paper

2012-2013, Cupcake Totem #2, ceramic

2012-2013, A La Chuck Close, acrylic on canvas

2011-2012, 500 Cupcakes, ceramic

2012-2013, Cupcakes Across America, mixed media

Robyn Sla k e y Education 2008- present- Studied with Tony Natsoulas, Sacramento, CA 2009- 2012-Instuite of Mosaic Art- Sonia King, Lynne Chinn, Kelly Knickerbockers, 2011- Mendocino Art Center- Studied with William Shinn 2007, 2005- Pilchuck School of Glass, Stanwood, Washington 2010- Sacramento City College- Studied with Fred Dalkey 1992- School of Color and Light, Fair Oaks- Studied with Susan Sarbuck 1990- College of Notre Dame- Belmont, CA 1984- Modesto Junior College- studied with Dan Peterson 1978- CSU Northridge 1976- CSU Sacramento 1975- CSU Stanislaus- Teaching Credential 1974- Bachelors of Arts- CSU Stanislaus Group Shows 2013, 2012, 2009- California State Fair- Awards: Honorable Mention, Best in Show. June 2013 Alpha Ceramics, Sacramento April 2011, 2012, 2013- Blue Line Gallery, “Plate and Totem Show,” Roseville, CA May 2008- 2013- Crocker Art Auction, Sacramento April 2011- Jay-Jay Gallery, “CSU Stanislaus Alumni Show” - Best in Show - Sacramento April 2011- Zeek Gallery, “Plate Show,” Salem, OR May 2010-“Alpha Women,” Redding CA April 2007-2011 “Bra Show,” Sacramento July-2009- SMUD Plein Aire Show, Sacramento June 2009 Uptown Art Walk, Sacramento May 2009- Slide Show Gallery, “Women Uncovered,” Sacramento May 2009- Danielle’s, Sacramento April 2009- Society of American Mosaic Artists Salon Show, San Diego, CA October 2009- FE Gallery, “Just the Two of Us,” show with Aiyana Pearson, Sacramento June 2008- University Art, Sacramento August 2006-2008- California State Fair Plein Aire Artists, Sacramento August 2005, 2009 Pilchuck School of Glass, Stanwood, WA

Arti st Stat e m e n t The inspiration for my artwork comes from my desire to make the world a better, happier place. I know that I have been successful with a particular work of art when the viewer smiles while looking at it. I have moved toward “food” art for this reason – it makes people happy. I have gravitated toward cupcakes because they are inherently a happy food. Cupcakes work well artistically in three-dimensional works, especially as the subject of totems – one of my favorite types of work. Besides creating 3-D cupcakes, I have also enjoyed painting cupcakes, especially watercolors. These small paintings of cupcakes have helped me to achieve another of my artistic goals: to get my art out around the country. I was inspired to do this after seeing the Art from the Street exhibit in Los Angeles in 2011. I found the show intriguing and inspirational; plus, the artwork had a sense of humor, especially Banskey’s. What’s more, the art was public. I liked the idea of street art, but I wasn’t in to getting arrested. That’s when I started doing cupcake lawn signs. To test public response, I started putting the signs on friends’ lawns when they were at work. The response was so positive that I started to put them around more randomly. Later, when my husband and I planned a trip to the Mountain States and to the Upper Midwest, I decided to bring about 10 lawn signs with the idea of leaving them at various tourist spots on the way. However, I didn’t really leave too many of the lawn-sign cupcakes because it felt like littering. Instead, I left small cupcakes paintings all over. I started leaving them in earnest after a stop in South Dakota. We had stopped for a bathroom break and on the door to the women’s restroom was a small post-it with a printed message that read something like “ ......how about that ‘hope and change’? Remember when gas prices were $1.83 a gallon under Bush?” It went on to say some really nasty things, outlandish statements that were mean-spirited and boarder-line racist. I got angry, tore down the postit and stuck up a small cupcake instead. From then on I secretly left the small cupcake paintings every place we went. I was amazed at the doors a small little watercolor cupcake would open. I hope that you enjoy this show and that it makes you smile or chuckle.

Ack n owledgeme nts California State University Stanislaus

Dr. Joseph F. Sheley, President

Dr. James T. Strong, Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs

Dr. James A. Tuedio, Dean, College of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Department of Art

Dr. Roxanne Robbin, Chair, Professor

Dean De Cocker, Professor

Jessica Gomula, Associate Professor

David Olivant, Professor

Gordon Senior, Professor

Richard Savini, Professor

Dr. Staci Scheiwiller, Assistant Professor

Jon Kithcart, Equipment Technician II

Meg Broderick, Administrative Support Assistant II

University Art Gallery

Dean De Cocker, Director