Kjell Hahn

map and details to my upcoming exhibition in tokyo at the Contrasto Galleria in Tokyo:
(two minutes from Myogadani station)

I got the woodshop somewhat functional and a space set aside for ceramics in the studio. now we’re getting busier with preparations as the firing approaches so there isnt all that much time to work on it. this weekend we borrowed all the kiln furniture from Waseda high school, brought it up here and chopped wood all day sunday.

I have now idea how Chiaki could smile, let alone swing an axe today. the dood is 60 years old and last night we all had dinner at his place then had a few drinks. I crashed at midnight but apparently everyone else drank until 4am and found him passed out in the bathroom in the middle of the night. while working on the mountain the next day he never complained, laughed and cracked jokes more than any of us, then went to tokyo when we were done.

someone told me a few years ago that the most successful artists were just like that. they drink more than everyone, talk more and longer, do more work and just never stop.

“spring sketch 05″
graphite and pastel on paper

i just spent 800 dollars i dont have to run electricity to this dump.
i think i have my work cut out for me.

a few weeks ago andrew lamers put out a challenge to the world of flexible gimp sales.
a challenger stepped up to his call without hesitation.
while her bravery was commendable, will guts be enough to topple the champ?

i’ve been spending a few hours after work each day drawing and painting.

kjell hahn sketch: rainy city

i’ve officially broken ground on the new studio.

started moving into my new studio today.
Its a 2-story building with three rooms on each floor. so for the first time in my life I will actually have entire rooms devoted to woodworking, matting, ceramics and drawing.
plus, my landlord has been so happy with the work i’ve done fixing up the property i moved into that she is going to let me use the space for free…
not bad.
of course there are problems with the place, you do get what you pay for, but for the time being im quite pleased with the situation.

kjell hahn's spring sketch 03

i’ve had one of two types of hanami in japan.
1) you go where everyone else goes and party with a bunch of loud drunk people you will never see again.
2) you search around forever trying to find a nice little secluded place to enjoy the cherry blossoms with your friends.

apparently in onishi there is a third option i had not know existed. just walk out your door to your own private cherry tree lined lake and enjoy the scenery.

spent half the day sleeping and the other half of the day splitting wood for the upcoming May kiln firing with chiaki.

also, i had another gallery owner in my studio…. i have no idea why. I’m going to stop by her place next weekend before going to John’s show.
I better be careful, if i keep this pace up i might have more than one exhibition this year.

“spring sketch 02″
graphite and pastel on paper
2009

dates set for the show in may. running from the 24th to the 30th.
have a lot of frames to make. the new studio will have a fully functional wood shop, which will be 1000 times easier than trying to square everything up outside.

recently i have been making sketches after work. all this cycling through the mtns. just has me too tired to do anything else.

“spring city sketch”
pastel and graphite on paper
2009