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So just before July 4 I agreed to take on one of the biggest challenges in my formal art career. I agree that luck meets the prepared mind, but you can never be truly prepared for all the curve balls (aka “life changing opportunities”) life may throw at you. To be straight, great opportunities don’t just fall out of the sky when whatever you believe in feels like you are ready for them. They get shot at you like a canon from a direction you least expect it often knocking you right off your feet — and if you don’t get up fast enough to go after those opportunities (no matter how much they frighten you)…they might just pass you by.

Right after I got off the phone to confirm this next exhibition…I got really light headed and almost threw up. I was frightened to say the least, but once I finally regained a level head…I went to work and I haven’t stopped working since. Coming this September I look forward to unveiling an entirely new body of work that will range from large scale paintings to reclaimed wood installations using house paint, wood, fabric and whatever else I can find from the San Francisco Dump. To switch things up, I am presenting it as a dual solo exhibition that will take place at 2 separate venues.

Presenting…

Tomorrow is Never Promised
Fabric8 (first installment) — September 2
White Walls (second installment) — September 11

More details to come.

Follow my updates about the show here >>

Don’t miss this upcoming group show featuring selected artwork from the past 20 years of the Artist in Residency Program at SF Recology. 20 years is a long time, and San Francisco is truly fortunate to be the only city that supports a program of this kind. This show will reflect the multiple visions and various ways one can manipulate discarded items to create a dialogue with the community that created them.

Art at the Dump
opening reception: Wednesday July 21 / 6-8pm
on view: July 21 – September 25 (open to the public)

Intersection 5M
925 Mission Street @ 5th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

more info >>

The opening night will double as a release party for a new publication that Recology has put together highlighting the history of the program. Available for $35.

I was lucky enough to get the opening spread.

In the studio, things are moving full speed as I prepare for what will be the largest solo exhibition of my career. Details to be announced later this week. Here are the first of many photos to come that will take you along for the ride as endless hours of planning, building, and painting come together to create a body of work I am very excited to bring into fruition.

my growing rusty nail collection.

making stretcher bars from old book shelves and bed frames.

Meet Alex Massey. He’s an awesome new mate visiting from Sydney, Australia who is helping out around the studio. Glad to have good help and we have been making the most of his time before he flies back to Sydney to finish school.

gotta love old paint labels. definitely a source of inspiration to me right now.

I recently finished a large commission piece for Microsoft’s office up in Seattle. The collaboration was inspired from their new project, the KIN. The following are some shots from in the studio to show the progress. The final piece ended up being a bit reminiscent of my older work with my new visual language beginning to emerge.

Life Cycles
house paint, spray paint, screen print and pencil on 9 panels
48 x 60 in. / 122 x 152.5 cm
2010

statement:
“Life Cycles” by Erik Otto explores interconnectivity. The layers in the piece represent the many ways in which people know one another, often resulting in a colorful and more insightful connection that further develops. The repetitive circular rings bordering the piece display an excitement of energy that is built through this coming together. Inspired by the “Kin Spot” icon, the two yellow circles depict the idea of one season passing while another emerges. Finally, the cluster of flying houses illustrates different people (users of the Kin products) finding community through connection.

941GEARY has officially entered the art scene here in San Francisco, and they did so with a bang. Here’s some photos of the pieces I contributed as well as just a few other great works on display. Be sure to get over there and see this place in person. More info >>

“Slow Journey (phase 1)”

“Never Forget” amongst a cluster of works created by various artists. View artwork here >>

David Choong Lee

David Grant

Scott Hove

How it looks in the gallery.

I was recently invited to create a commission piece that would proudly hang in the EcoFabHouse at this year’s Dwell on Design event. From the materials to build the house as well as every item inside, the overarching idea was to create a livable space that’s entirely eco-friendly. I was thrilled to see how well the colors of the piece and the items in the house went together. Thanks to EcoFabulous for making it happen.

front door

side yard

My piece on display in the living room area. View artwork here >>

More about the event >>
More about the house >>

Finally had the chance to document the work put in for a private commission I completed at a new start up company in San Francisco. The scale of the building was immense, and the goal was to create an installation that could be appreciated from a distance as well as up close.

Dream Catcher

Burst

Recently found out my girlfriend had not been to Disneyland so we both decided to go on our last day in LA. Loving the colors and got to test the abilities of my new digital camera. More photos here >>