Made my first #clay #ashtray
"I'm Dorothy Gale from Kansas"
$LAYYYTER

pixel skylines
I'd rather be in outer space 🛸

Kaledo Art

Product Placement
YOU ARE THE REASON
Today's Document
trying on a metaphor
cherry valley forever

#extradirty
todays bird
Xuebing Du
Sade Olutola
TVSTRANGERTHINGS
Cosmic Funnies

Andulka
Sweet Seals For You, Always
occasionally subtle
dirt enthusiast

seen from Italy
seen from United States

seen from Iraq

seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Italy

seen from Malaysia

seen from United States
seen from United States

seen from United States

seen from United States

seen from United States

seen from United States
seen from United States

seen from Malaysia

seen from United States
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seen from Germany

seen from France

seen from United States
@saladhead
Made my first #clay #ashtray
Okay I'm officially getting ready for my next art show #afterhoursartist
Just had to paint something before bed #goodnight #afterhoursartist
Old art, transformed #saladhead
Wish I knew who made this so I could give them credit. So cool.
Jealousy, etc.
Today, I found myself somewhere quite exclusive in LA - somewhere I had never been before. It was the penthouse level of some tall building. The city views were insane. The furniture was beautiful and comfortable. Tons of bright sunlight coming in through big windows. Â
All in all, just being there made me feel pretty special.
I’ve redesigned my website!  It’s now been two years since I came out as an artist and launched www.saladhead.la. I ALMOST forgot how anal I am about my websites. Yes, I will move that over by one pixel, thx.
In honor of the new website, I've rewritten my artist statement. Below is my first draft (the final version is nothing like this, btw):
I am a first-generation, Iranian-American. Born and raised in California, a graduate of UCLA & Berkeley Law. In my profession, people seek my help during stressful, vulnerable, and adversarial moments in their lives. I have witnessed lose-lose outcomes due to lack of empathy, lack of communication, or fear. But win or lose, even the darkest moments can bring transformation and empowerment. Transformation takes courage, and that's what inspires my art. Ultimately, my objective is to inspire empathy, particularly in difficult times. I typically paint on materials I find in the streets of LA, where I live. I enjoy using acrylics, spray paint, and water. My work is described as primitive, bold, and emotional. I mostly paint portraits.
When I first showed this to Krista, she basically said: “Keep it Simple Stupid.” LOL. Okay, yeah, you right, you right.
The last two years have been an adventure. I feel so much more me than ever before. Gotta count your blessings everyday, seriously.Â
Here’s to another 2 years of dirty, paint-encrusted fingernails... and... my new podcast (formal announcement soon ;)
Edit:Â
For those who can’t find my artist statement on the new website, here’s a hint: it’s on the home page.
CONFESSIONAL [debriefed]
My debut as an artist/curator
6 weeks from conception to execution
9 artists (7 Bruins)
4 sponsors
200 attendees
1 interview >> read it
Sponsored by UCLA Alumni Affairs
Confessional examined issues around diversity & power – particularly in the corporate world and workplace.
We have witnessed or experienced harassment or discrimination. Â We have witnessed biases play out in ways that are not always overt. Â
We believe in the power of compassionate dialogue. Â We believe there are healthier ways to bring awareness and overcome ignorance. Â
This was the guiding principle around Confessional.  It was a place where we, as artists and professionals, could express ourselves fully and unapologetically – and invite others to do the same.
What this team accomplished within 6 weeks was remarkable. Â We had zero team check-ins and zero individual check-ins, no call time, no typical signs of "management." Â
What we did have was core values. Â These core values included trust, ownership, and a relenteless pursuit of shared vision.
This project was about creating an opportunity for each team member to pursue their own personal mission within the team's collective shared vision -- authentic ownership. Â
We had no budget for this event. Â Every team member dipped into their own pockets to make this happen. Â And, after the show, we were glowing. Â Thank you to our family, friends, and community for showing us support.
Nothing pulls my heartstrings like a beautifully graffiti-ridden city #losangeles #paris #tangier #lisbon
So deeply honored to be showing my art at the UCLA Alumni screening of The Hunting Ground (a powerful, critically-acclaimed documentary about sexual assault on college campuses).
How Social Justice Lawyer Taneen Jafarkhani Became One of LA’s Most Exciting New Artists
Artist Saladhead’s Creative Challenge of the Corporate World
By Lanee Lee
A lawyer-artist? Taneen Jafarkhani may be the first one we’ve ever met. Jafarkhani’s profile explains the seemingly juxtaposed careers well: “Right and left brain must play nice.” We caught up with the artist — also known as Saladhead — at her Confessional exhibit during Downtown L.A.’s Art walk last week. The L.A.-based painter talks about her itchy scalp, inspirational fire hydrants and how corporate and creative go hand-in-hand:
What is your earliest memory of creating something, a painting or otherwise?Â
Saladhead: After law school, I started working at a big law firm in San Francisco. I worked long hours and didn’t have much time to explore and enjoy the city. One day—I couldn’t tell you why I did this—I hiked down into the basement of my apartment building (the basement was old, dark and full of spider webs). I found these old broken scraps of wood (literally broken and frayed at the ends). I suddenly had the idea to paint something on it; I dug up some old house paint samples and painted this deconstructed tree. The whole process brought me so much joy. I placed the painting in my teeny, sunlight kitchen and looked at it every morning. From then on, I’d always start exploring basements and dumpsters for discarded wood to paint on. Â
What inspired you to pursue painting?
It was a year ago, right around my birthday. My coworkers (I work at a national education advocacy nonprofit in Downtown L.A.) threw me the sweetest surprise birthday party and all pitched in to buy me hundreds of dollars worth of art supplies (spray cans, acrylics, even a gift certificate to Home Depot). I suddenly had art supplies that I had never even heard of (and I didn’t quite know how they were supposed to be used!). Despite being the attorney, I always took on creative projects in our office. My co-workers saw something in me and fed that artist inside of me. Once I was equipped with art supplies, I started painting almost every day. My apartment quite literally turned into an art studio overnight. For me, painting is like journaling.
What medium do you use?
My medium is anything I can get my hands on. I value resourcefulness. But typically, I work with spray paint and acrylics. I also love working with water — I love watching the water move across the surface and interact with colors. It’s like I’m watching the water create its own masterpiece.  Â
So, Saladhead has something to do with dry shampoo? Tell us more.
You can read this blog post for the full, tongue-in-cheek description behind the inception of Saladhead. But, Saladhead is much more than just a funny story about an itchy scalp. It’s about healthiness and cleansing, something that’s good for your soul. And of course, it reminds me of my family’s immigrant roots. Growing up, I was told that the U.S. was a “tossed salad” — a wonderful mix of different identities and cultures. Diversity and inclusion are major themes in my work. And, of course, Saladhead also reflects my own strangeness and spontaneity.
You proudly state being Iranian-American on your website. Does it affect your art or what you want to communicate?
I believe in diversity, inclusion, and compassion. This comes from my own personal experience as a first-generation, Iranian-American woman. I believe that all people are a product of their environment, and that there are many natural allies that are not aware of the impact of their actions. My objective as an artist is to inspire self-aware, compassionate, and socially mindful dialogue. I think it is critical that we create spaces where we can raise issues surrounding diversity and inclusion. This is what my work is about — not just the visuals, but the difficult moments and conversations that bring about transformation and empowerment.
Are you still a lawyer?
Yes! I am currently, and will always, always be a social justice advocate. Advocacy and advising are deep in my soul.
How do you juggle such opposite right and left-brain endeavors?Â
It is my deep belief that excellent attorneys are exceptionally creative. Although the practice can (and often does) get bogged down in best practices and adherence to black letter law, the reality is that few legal cases actually end up in front of a jury. It’s the creativity of the advocate and their ability to empathize that often brings resolution. Â
What was the inspiration behind the Confessional show held on March 12 during DTLA Art walk?
SH: No matter where I go, I cannot escape the dark side of the corporate world. Issues around diversity, power, and entitlement haunt me. I have been harassed and discriminated against (and have witnessed others being mistreated). I see biases play out in ways that are not always overt. Even when issues are raised, it is easy to “plausibly deny” the intentions and impact—a maddening experience. I might not be able to solve the problem, but I can show people in my position that they are not alone. This was the guiding principle around Confessional. It was a place where we, as artists, could express ourselves fully and unapologetically—and invite others to do the same.
Three artists, historical or current, you’re most inspired by?
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Tim Burton and Tony Hsieh.
Where do you go in L.A. for inspiration?
Downtown L.A. The fire hydrants, hash marks, chipped curbs, crosswalks, and of course, the street art. An L.A. model walking past the homeless man begging for spare change. This place is diverse, beautiful, haunting, and definitely transforming.Â
When is your next exhibition?
I am honored to be showing my work on March 30 during UCLA’s screening of The Hunting Ground. This documentary examines sexual assault on college campuses. My work is about raising issues, so it’s a great artistic match.
Wow, wow, wow.  My first artist profile!  Thank you, Perrier.  And here’s the reblog...
A Prologue To Confessional and the 10-day countdown begins.
Confessional is not just an art show - it's an experiment in team. As most of you know, I'm obsessed with cultivating talent and team development. The way this project has brought together this talented team is, for me, corporate-shattering. My team-theory is simple. It revolves around a relentless pursuit of shared vision, vested ownership, trust, communication, and unrestrained creativity. It revolves around taking great efforts and time to build opportunities for others. I’m interested in pushing the boundaries of self and team actualization – particularly around power and diversity – to generate actions that progress equality and equity. Â
My objective for this event is to curate a provocative, inclusive, and connective space that inspires self-aware, compassionate, and socially mindful dialogue.Â
Oh, and it's going to be a damn good party in a gorgeous historic bank building. With poignant pole performances between giant marble columns.Â
//
I'm obsessed with transformation, and my paintings demonstrate transformative moments. I express the sadness and shame that brings transformation and empowerment.Â
MANIFEST.OH!
I'm putting together a personal manifesto. Â
man·i·fes·to: a public declaration of policy and aims, especially one issued before an election by a political party or candidate.
I’m starting with the Core Values.  I think of Core Values as fundamental beliefs, guiding principles for every single decision I make.  When in doubt or confused, I go back to my Core Values.  I just put together a draft… let me know what you think.
SALADHEAD’S CORE VALUES
Humanity (BE)
Connectivity + Compassion
Gratitude + Grace
Genuineness and Self-Actualization: do you fearlessly and unapologetically
Creativity:Â analytical + imaginative (DO)
Curiosity + Personal Mastery
Maximizing resources
Progressive change and transformation
Audacity (REALIZE)
Be well and do good
Seeking and speaking out your life’s mission – allow the universe to conspire in favor of it
In which I bought a moleskin and it was a game.changer.
I always wanted to keep a journal. I wanted to generate a historical artifact for my own GD life. Except I kept forgetting to write in it (actually, I was only inspired to write in it when I was having relationships problems, thus all my journal entries are insecurity-fests that I will likely never care to revisit).Â
So, how did the moleskin change everything!??! Well, instead of keeping a journal near my bed, I threw a cool moleskin in my purse. I no longer write in it to reflect on the day, I write in it to keep track of my ideas as the ideas enter my brain. My moleskin is PACKED with doodles, ideas, questions, quotes, you name it. I'm constantly digging it out to jot something down real quick before I forget.
At the top of one page, I wrote "Where do I get my inspiration? Where are my influencers?"
And so far, here's what I've written (in no particular order):
My raw, undigested, or discharged emotions (and core values)Â
The corporate experience and power
Womanhood
The first generation experience; Iran and the Middle East (my ancestors)
The faces that I love and the faces that haunt me
Downtown LA (beautiful yet sh*t-smeared, transitioning) and Paris (duh) - both cities juxtapose old and new
Picasso (it's a love/hate relationship) and Tim Burton (so evocative)
Designer fashion/textiles and floor tiles (the symmetry, patterns, and colors)
Kim Kardashian and Taylor Swift (not apologizing)
Social media: my FB, insta, and quora feeds
The fire hydrants, hash marks, chipped curbs, crosswalks, and of course, the street art. The LA model walking past the homeless man begging for spare change.
We live in a beautiful but f*cked up world.Â
Flipped to a strange paragraph in a strange page in a strange book in a strange bookstore in a strange city in a strange country in a strange... gulp