The Land of Apak

Apak's new website!

2008-06-21T20:11:00.000-07:00

Our website apakstudio.com has been re-launched finally. It is better than ever! Our site used to be a place to point you to other sites like this blog spot for news and portfolio, but now it contains everything(except we still use Etsy for our store) Please check it out and you might see some work you've never seen before. Thanks Aaron for completing this site!

We're planning to end this Blog spot soon. You can see all our news right on our website from now on. Thank you for your support!

APAK’s Worlds of Wonder art show @ GRNY

2008-05-02T15:31:00.000-07:00

Check Out The Show Online >>
And Here Too! >>

Giant Robot
437 E 9th Street
NYC, 10009
(212)674-GRNY
http://www.grny.net/

May 17 - June 18, 2008
Reception: Saturday, May 17, 6:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Giant Robot is proud to present new works by the husband-and-wife team, APAK! Living among the furry conifer giants in a little cabin on the outskirts of Portland, Ayumi and Aaron Piland unite to bring you into their fantasies, as if going on magical journeys and returning with pictures of what transpires in their collective imagination. Their works transplant the bold colors and simplicity of Japanese pop into an expansive mini universe reminiscent of “Gnomes” books from the ’80s.

For APAK!’s Worlds of Wonder, the collaborative art duo is preparing 35 medium and small gouache paintings on wood and 6 mixed-media sculptures, as well as a special window installation. The show will depict tiny races of creatures living harmoniously with magical plants and friendly animals in rich, colorful lands.

APAK interview with Grasshut

2008-04-10T13:03:00.000-07:00

Our interview with GrassHut is up now!

Magic Show

2008-04-02T23:08:00.000-07:00

A group show "Magic Show" at Pony Club in Portland, Oregon opens on April 3rd and lasts until April 27th. This piece is our contribution. Very magic in apak way~

Five Whats!

2008-03-26T13:24:00.000-07:00

A nice lady, Christine invited us to be in Five Whats in her blog! She asked us five questions and we answered them with some images. Thanks, Christine. It was fun!

We Love Islands Fold!

2008-03-15T18:31:00.000-07:00

Check out the interview with Luke & Ange from Islands Fold. We've spent a week with them in 2006 for art residency on Pender Island and did some collaborative murals in their studio. We had such a wonderful experience! We heart Luke & Ange! Please support their good cause.

Sweet Treats by Ayumi Piland!

2008-02-29T18:40:00.000-08:00

This Spring, Ayumi's "Sweet Treats" note card set published by Chronicle Books is coming out! They are her favoite designs from her hand made Gocco Card Collection. Squirrel, Bunny, and Hedgehog are nicely presented in a cute tree box! They are not handmade but you can get 18 cards (6 cards of each design) for only $14.95. Worth keeping them in your drawers for little notes to someone special for everyday occasions.

Happy Hermits Stationery Set & Journal by Apak!

2008-02-29T18:00:00.000-08:00

Dark Horse Comics just released our Happy Hermits stationery set and Journal. They will be available in retails stores world wide this spring!

Let's write to our friends and family!

"Balls Out!" Group show @ GrassHut March 7th

2008-02-29T11:55:00.000-08:00

We are participating in "Balls Out!" a super group show at Grass Hut in Portland, Oregon! We did an Acrylic and gouache painting on 18"x18" wood panel. Here is the sneak preview of the partial painting... 60+ amazing artists are participating this show. It opens on March 7th and will be up for the whole month. The work is available for online purchase after the opening reception. If you're planning to be in Portland, be sure to stop by Grass Hut's new spacious store (same building just the next door)! Their new site, which Aaron helped design is up and running now!

"Lost in Dream" showcase in Melbourne - March 1st

2008-02-29T11:36:00.000-08:00

"Lost in Dreams" APAk showcase at Outre Gallery in Melbourne, Australia is up from March 1 - 21, 2008. We did 10 small gouache paintings on paper, which are online at the Outre Gallery site! And on flickr! Thanks for looking.

Worshipping the Gods!

2008-01-31T20:37:00.000-08:00

We did a little piece for our friend Martin Ontiveros! This is his awesome character, Ojo Rojo. His show "Rock and Roll Fantasy"opens on Feb 1st @ Grasshut here in Portland. Martin is a god.

APAk Commissions

2008-01-17T15:10:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, everyone! We wish you healthy and peaceful 2008.
We're very excited about our upcoming shows this year. We'll have a small solo show at Outre Gallery in Australia in March. A big solo show at Giant Robot New York in May. A group show at GrassHut in Portland in August. A group show at Junc Gallery in LA in the Fall. A solo show at Schmancy in Seattle in Dec. And we'll be in small group shows here and there throughout the year, so please check our blog when you can. Oh don't forget to check out Ayumi's new Gocco greeting cards coming up this Spring at our Etsy, too!

Today we'd like share some of the commission pieces we've done in the Fall and Winter 2007. We also like to thank our fabulous fans who gave us the opportunity to create those fun pieces!

This is our first tattoo design for Diana in LA. The two owls represent her and her twin sister.
Can't wait to see the actual tattoo on you, Diana!

This piece was created to match with "Sanctuary" piece which Caroline purchased from our show at GRSF in April 2007. The flute player represent herself as a musician. Thanks Caroline for lending both paintings for GR50th exhibit at Japanese-American Museum.

This piece was commissioned by Marion in Ireland. She loves Happy Hermits and cupcakes! Hope it makes Marion smile and give her good energy every time she looks at it.

This piece was commissioned by Celena in LA and has a very personal touch of her Maltese, Suni who recently passed away. Hope this painting reminds Celena that Suni is in her favorite cupcake land every time she looks at the painting.

This painting was commissioned by Cheryl in Canada. We misread her request and created a painting with Future People instead of Happy Hermits... but she is kind enough that she decided to keep it. Thank you for being so supportive, Cheryl!

Calendorks @ Grasshut in Portland!

2007-12-01T16:03:00.000-08:00

Join us Dec 7th (1st Friday) 6-9pm at Grasshut!
Apak, Evan Harris, Cho-Chan, Mark Todd, Amy Ruppel, Matthew Feyld, Luke Ramsey, Bwana, Scrappers, Martin and more...
After the Dec 7th you'll be ale to buy the Calendork online.

GrassHut All Stars group show in Chicago

2007-11-30T15:27:00.000-08:00

Bwana Spoons, Scrappers, Martin Ontiveros, Cupco, Le Merde, and APAK are all showing at DVA Gallery in Chicago. The opening party starts at 7-11pm on Dec. 1st. If you're in Chicago, please stop by and cheer Bwana and Le Merde who are representing All Stars! If you can't make it, here is the link to a virtual gallery... We did 3 pieces of gouache paintings on paper wrapped around a chunk of wood. They are done in a new style and we really enjoyed working on them. We'd love to hear what everyone thinks. Also some of Ayumi's paintings are shown, too. Thanks for your support as always!

The Giant Robot Biennale at JANM!

2007-11-05T19:12:00.000-08:00

We had a lot of fun in LA! The people were nice, the art was amazing, the food was yummy, and we feel lucky to have been a part of it! Check out Eric's Blog about the show>>
And more pics here>>
Featured on Fecal Face>>

The Seasons!

2007-10-29T19:03:00.000-07:00

We just finished a new series of paintings in honor of the changing seasons. Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter.... If your in LA November 3 - January 13 stop by the Japanese-American National Museum to see them in person. Enjoy!

Giant Robot Biennale!! Nov.3-Jan.13

2007-10-04T00:40:00.000-07:00

We're invited to be a part of Giant Robot Biennale 50 issues Art Exhibit at Japanese-American National Museum in LA . We'll be showing about 20-30 paintings and sculptures from previous shows lent to us from our generous fans and friends plus a few new works as well. If your in LA Nov 3rd - Jan 13th please stop by. Hope to see you at the opening reception from 6-10pm on Nov. 3rd. It's going to be really fun!

"The Biennale’s works will range from Pryor Praczukowski's cinematic photography to David Choe's graffiti-like murals. The pieces in between include panels by leading indie-comics artist Adrian Tomine and the pop culture inspired works of Seonna Hong, Gary Baseman, APAK, Souther Salazar, and Saelee Oh. Sashie Masakatsu's oil paintings reflect the nostalgia of pop culture-influenced youth while Eishi Takaoka's sculptures can dominate a room with their meditative presence."

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We want to thank some of the owners of our original paintings for lending their pieces for this exhibition. Thank you very much for your help and support!

-Apak ( ._. )( ._. )

APAK kids

2007-09-16T22:32:00.000-07:00

This is probably the first time to write about our personal life here... Here is the picture of our kids, Ocho and Peanut. Check out Ocho playing a piano on Youtube.
Peanut is not quite ready to play his part, but he will soon...

Commission piece for Carla

2007-09-16T19:27:00.000-07:00

We did a hedgehog family painting for Carla in San Francisco. Thanks, Carla! Hope you enjoy it for a long time...

p.s. Thanks for many requests for commission work. We have many people waiting on our list and need to catch up now! We probably can't take any more until year 2009, but we'll let you know when we're ready for more. Thank you for your interest...

Snack Isle @ Giant Robot New York

2007-09-07T09:30:00.001-07:00

We have 2 pieces for this awesome group show "Snack Isle" at Giant Robot NY!

Book of Dreams

2007-09-06T20:03:00.000-07:00

We illustrated a dream by Brenda, a girl from Mexico for a book of kids dreams collected by Roger Omar. What a sweet dream it is!

WHEN I WAS A MINIATURE
A witch put a spell on me saying “You will turn into a miniature for a year, but you will get back to normal if someone falls in love with you. If during that year nobody loves you, you will stay as a miniature forever”. The next days I was a tiny miniature. I lived hard experiences: I almost got crushed or caught. I didn´t know where to sleep and a very nice ant invited me to sleep at the anthill, fed me and said to me “You are very pretty”. The ant confessed to be in love with me. I said “I am a human being that a witch turned into a miniature, and I will get back to normal when someone falls in love with me. That is the reason that I am tiny and pretty”. Then I got back to normal. When I woke up I said “I will take care of the ants”.

Ayumi's Show @ Grasshut! Opens Aug. 3rd 2007

2007-07-29T15:43:00.001-07:00

I made 20 new paintings for my own solo show!
Opens August 3rd 2007, 6-9pm (runs all month)

Grass Hut Gallery
811 e. Burnside
Portland, Oregon
97214
(503) 445-9924

Statement: The one thing I try not to forget before doing the laundry is checking my husband Aaron's pockets. All his pockets are always filled with many little things... all types of twigs, rocks, plants, old screws, nuts, balls of fuzz, receipts, post-it notes, coins, dirt, broken piece of plastic, small metal parts, candy wrappers, toys, stickers, business cards, flyers...etc. In contrast, my pockets are usually empty and I feel sort of envious of his collection. But I do have a secret pocket that I keep non-objects, my imagination. I hide the secret pocket around my belly to keep it quite safe. This is where my soul curls up and takes a nap to dream. In this show you get a chance to peak at the world of my secret pocket. I hope you enjoy it!

Aaron's Show @ Moshi-Moshi Opens Aug. 3 2007

2007-07-29T14:57:00.000-07:00

I did a series of gouache paintings on paper based on a little zine I did called Imagination Machine...

Imagination machines are funny little gizmos that pop in and out of our tangible world. They're our allies, able to help us, guide us, and surprise us. They are a link to the metaphysical world with the power to direct energy which flows like a stream just beneath the surface of our perception like the current of the universe.

Opens August 3rd, 6-9pm (runs all month)

MOSHI MOSHI
Japanese toys, cute stuff, apparel & art gallery
503 233-3993
811 E. Burnside
Portland, OR
97214
Open Wednesday - Sunday, Noon to 7pm

The New Birds! @ Grasshut, PDX - July 6th 2007

2007-07-06T16:10:00.000-07:00

We did a birdhouse with Happy Hermits for Grasshut's new show "The New Birds"
Bird themed art by over 30 artists to benefit Portland's Audubon Society. Pictures by Scrappers!

Tree Show 3 @ Giant Robot, SF - July 14th 2007

2007-07-06T16:00:00.000-07:00

Tree Show III at GRSF, July 14 - August 8
Reception: Saturday, July 14, 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm

Giant Robot in San Francisco was kind enough to invite us to their third annual Tree Show! Tree inspired art by over 40 artists to benefit San Francisco's Friends of the Urban Forest.

Summer Sanctuary @ Gallery Hanahou, NY - July 19th 2007

2007-07-06T15:59:00.000-07:00

We were invited to Gallery Hanahou's group show Summer Sanctuary in New York with Chris Long, IMAKETHINGS, Lotie, Marcus Oakley, Team Macho, and Yuka Katagiri. Escape the city heat to a collection of unusual oases, where mosquitoes are unknown and artists are your tour guides...

You can purchase paintings and prints at Gallery Hanahou's shop. Thank you!

* * * * STOLEN PAINTING!!! * * * *

2007-06-24T13:52:00.000-07:00

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
This painting was recently STOLEN from Compound Gallery here in Portland on 06/24/07. Please keep your eye out for it .... we would really appreciate any help in getting it back! It's 5 inches wide by 7 inches tall gouache painting on solid 3/4 inch thick Poplar wood .
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Electic Garden @ Compound Gallery PDX June 7th 2007

2007-05-19T20:53:00.000-07:00

"Electricity surrounds us and connects us. It is created by life and flows through everything. " Join us June 7th 2007 at 7:00 for a three person show with Peter Hamlin and Betsy Walton at Compound Gallery here in Portland. Peter's AP Article>>

Little Sanctuary @ Giant Robot SF April 21st 2007

2007-03-27T16:32:00.000-07:00

Our solo show "Little Sanctuary"at Giant Robot in San Francisco opens April 21st 2007. We'll have around 30 colorful new gauche paintings on wood and paper illustrating the fantastic utopian life and adventures of little beings living in a lush organic environments surrounded by curious and friendly little animals. Please come!

Opening reception: April 21st 2007
618 Shrader St. San Francisco CA 94117
Mon-Fri 11:30-8, Sat. 11-8, Sun 12-7
(415) 876.4773

* We also have a table at APE (Alternative Press Expo) again this year.
Stop by if your in town, it's double plus fun!

Happy Nature Greeting Cards

2007-02-24T17:34:00.000-08:00

Check out Ayumi's new greeting cards published by Little Otsu in San Francisco!

New Show @ Junc Gallery, LA - Feb 10th 2007

2007-02-10T17:32:00.000-08:00

Junc Gallery invited us back to LA for a second show!
Apak, Katy Horan, Peter Hamlin and Sarajo Frieden
Reception Saturday February 10th Reception 7-10 p.m.

The Wurstminster Dog Show! Opens Feb 3rd 2007

2007-02-03T14:15:00.000-08:00

Our contribution to Portland's own Wurstminster Dog Show @ Ace Hotel
Over 100 international artists representing over 100 dog breeds.
We got to do a French Bulldog!

Inaugural Group Show@ Limited Addiction, Colorado - Opens Feb 17th 2007

2007-02-01T14:13:00.000-08:00

Limited Addiction Gallery invited us to their Inaugural Group Show in Colorado so we sent them "Musical Bubble Garden" from "It's All Wood" a group show we did back in October at Renowned here in Portland, curated by Ryan Bubnis. It was also featured in the December issue of Juxtapoze on page 63!

Plush Week 2 @ Gallery 1988, LA - Jan 23rd-30th

2007-01-23T12:28:00.000-08:00

Fungusaurus Mother and Babbies take a trip to LA for Plush Week 2: Eclectic Boogaloo at Gallery 1988 !

Shroom Heads @ Compound, PDX - Dec 7th 2006

2006-12-10T00:02:00.000-08:00

Mike Burnett was kind enough to invite us to customize a couple of his awesome wooden figures for the Neighborwood Show @ Compound Gallery here in Portland.

Print Show @ Moshi Moshi, PDX - Dec 1st 2006

2006-12-03T22:45:00.000-08:00

We did 10 giclee prints for Moshi-Moshi. Signed and numbered in an edition of 50 each. Visit our Etsy Shop if you'd like one.

Calendorks @ Grasshut, PDX - Dec 1st 2006

2006-12-03T20:47:00.000-08:00

This is our piece for the Calendorks show at Grasshut here in Portland!
12 months of art featuring, Snaggs, Luke Ramsey, Scrappers,
Evan Harris, Cupco, Tim Biskup, Le Merde, Bwana Spoons,
Martin Ontiveros, and Us!

Paperbag 02 @ MadamEdgar, Montreal - Dec 2006

2006-12-03T14:23:00.000-08:00

We did 5 bags for MadamEdgar's Paperbag 02 Show in Montreal!

Now I Know My ABC's @ Office - Dec 2006

2006-12-01T14:22:00.000-08:00

Another great Office show by The Wurst Gallery!

Driftwood Castle@ Grass Hut, PDX - Nov 2006

2006-11-03T14:20:00.000-08:00

We did 5 shelter themed pieces for Grasshut's first show.

Animal Friends @ Reading Frenzy, PDX - Nov 2006

2006-11-03T14:16:00.000-08:00

Ayumi put up prints from her ABC Book and a few animal themed paintings for her show "Animal Friends" Reading Frenzy.

Happy Hermits Show @ Super 7, SF - Nov 2006

2006-11-03T14:15:00.000-08:00

Super 7 in San francisco hosts "The Happy Hermits" solo show.

Stumptown Comics, PDX - Oct 2006

2006-10-03T14:27:00.000-07:00

Stumptown Comics Fest @ the Oregon Convention Center.
Photo by Joshin

Portland Zine Symposium - Aug 2006

2006-08-03T14:11:00.000-07:00

Portland Zine Symposium was awesome as usual.

Tokyo in PDX @ Office - Aug 2006

2006-08-03T14:09:00.000-07:00

Office invited us to their show "Tokyo in PDX" with Fumi Watanabe

Post Deux @ Giant Robot 2 - Aug 2006

2006-08-01T16:21:00.000-07:00

Mark Todd and Esther Pearl Watson were kind enough to invite us to Post Deux @ GR2! Over 1200 post its covered the walls!

Hidden Places @ Renowned Gallery, PDX, July 2006

2006-07-07T00:24:00.000-07:00

Paintings and living installations from our first solo show! Renowned Gallery 2006

Islands Fold, Pender Island - July 2006

2006-07-03T13:57:00.000-07:00

We spent a weeklong residency on beautiful Pender Island with Luke Ramsey and Ange Conley at Islands Fold. We painted walls and ate amazing food...they were very good to us.

Agua Arte Show @ Reading Frenzy - July 2006

2006-07-03T13:54:00.000-07:00

We did a collaboration with Scrappers for the Willamette Riverkeeper benefit show at Reading Frenzy.

Sug Show @ Compound Gallery, PDX - July 2006

2006-06-11T15:47:00.000-07:00

UNCL invited us to customize one of their Sugs for their show @ Compund. Thanks to Mr. Sturgill for the photos. If you are interested in owning it email us>>

Yellow Fang Collabo @ Giant Robot, LA - May 2006

2006-05-03T14:03:00.000-07:00

Bwana Spoons invited us to collaborate with him for his Giant Robot show in LA titled "Yellow Fang".

Alternative Press Expo, SF - April 2006

2006-04-10T14:00:00.000-07:00

We had a blast in San francisco @ APE!

Group Show @ Junc, LA - March 2006

2006-03-10T13:36:00.000-08:00

Junc Gallery in LA put together a group show with Marci Washington,
Christopher Silas Neal, Kammy Nasman and Apak!

Couples Only @ Moshi Moshi, PDX - March 2006

2006-03-10T00:18:00.000-08:00

We did 12 gouache on paper pieces for Moshi Moshi.
Couples Only group show.

Amour Shiffon Plush Show @ Madame Edgar, Montreal - March 2006

2006-03-03T13:50:00.000-08:00

We were invited to a group plush exhibition @ Madame Edgar in Monreal. Say hello to Fungasaurus Mom and babies.

Business Minded @ Renowned Gallery, PDX - March 2006

2006-03-03T13:49:00.000-08:00

A group show at Renowned Gallery featuring artwork on business cards. Paintings, drawings, and other medium will be featured on an assortment found business cards, creating a variety of visual communication on a very common media. Featuring artwork by Lily deSaussure, Jill Bliss, Kevin Scalzo, Deth P. Sun, Luke Ramsey, Ryan Bubnis Jacob Magraw, Bwana Spoons, Jennifer Jackman, Wilson Hsu, Ian Stevenson, Daniel Lim, Omar Lee, Victoria Keddie, Michelle Blade, Marci Washington, Maxwell Holyoke-Hirsch, Kelly Lynn Jones, and others.

We (Heart) Gocco @ The Wurst Gallery, PDX - Feb 2006

2006-02-01T13:33:00.000-08:00

The Wurst Gallery hosts "WE GOCCO". Naturally, the theme of the show is "Love" and will feature 4.25"x5.5" editioned prints by the likes of Apak, Kate Bingaman, Jill Bliss, Aaron Draplin, Rob Flowers (UK), Xtina Lamb (UK), Mike Le Merde, Michelle Le Merde, LoveLikeThis, Ian Lynam, Katey Nicosia, Justin Scrappers, Brad Simon, and Mizna Wada (JPN)

Future Show @ Compound, PDX - Jan 2006

2006-01-03T13:30:00.000-08:00

We did a couple Robot themed pieces for Compound Gallery here in Portland.

Four Squared @ Motel, PDX - Dec 2005

2005-12-03T12:42:00.000-08:00

Motel Gallery invited us to a large group show of small works. In Four Squared, each artist contributes 4 custom works on paper, 4 x 4 inches in size.

APAK (PDX), Tauba Auerbach (SF), Amanda Barr (Raleigh, NC), Katherine Bovee (PDX), Jill Bliss (LA), Deanne Cheuk (NYC), Jen Corace (Providence, RI), Chris Duncan (SF), Evah Fan (SF), Susie Ghahremani (San Diego), Harrison Haynes (Raleigh, NC), Lump Lipshitz (Raleigh, NC), Justin "Scrappers" Morrison (PDX), Jacob Magraw-Mickelson (LA), Nikki McClure (Olympia, WA), Ryan Mrozowski (Brooklyn, NY), Amy Ross (Boston, MA), Ryan Jacob Smith (PDX), Deth P. Sun (LA), Marci Washington (LA), Florencio Zavala (LA)

In Plush We Trust @ Rotofugi in Chicago Nov 2005

2005-11-18T14:33:00.000-08:00

We were invited to be a part of IPWT curated by Shawnimal @ Rotofugi in Chicago

Employee of the Month, PDX - Nov 2005

2005-11-03T12:36:00.000-08:00

Ocho (our dog) is our "Employee of the Month" for the Wurst Gallery show at Office here in Portland.

Pico Pico Fantastic, PDX - July 2005

2005-07-01T12:27:00.000-07:00

Before and after images from the Wurst's Vintage Vandalls show.