The Little Viral Gnome

If you've been on the internet in the past four months, there's a good chance you've seen this guy.

I made this GIF shortly after the 2016 presidential election. I was not feeling happy, and I just wanted to focus on making something simple and sweet for a few hours. It was nice to get an instant reaction when I posted it on social media, and then that reaction just grew and grew. The GIF was shared on popular Facebook accounts that I'd never heard of. Somone told me that her local bank had included it in a "thank you" email to her. More recently, Sarah Jessica Parker and Boing Boing both featured it on their social accounts on the same day. Someone in Japan left a comment saying they remembered seeing it on NHK, of all places. 

This little GIF is the most viral thing I've made to date. It's probably needless to say that in most of the instances that people saw this GIF, they didn't see a credit along with it. I'm pretty OK with that, especially because if you really want to know who made it, it's not hard to figure out. It's strange to have something go viral that I spent so little time on, but that's sort of how viral things usually work, isn't it? It's strange to feel happy about this GIF's popularity. But I am happy that the image seems to have connected with people in a genuine way. 

Domestic Bliss

Happy Valentine's Day! Nothing says love like doing laundry together. 

It's a Small Wall After All

Trump finally gets his wall in this G-rated video. 

Sound and music are by Maureen Boyle and William Steffey.

Sesame Street: I Don't Want to Live on the Moon with Ernie

To be honest, if there's anyone I WOULD want to live on the moon with, it WOULD be Ernie! (Lennon and Maisy should live with us too.)

I'm so excited to share this brand-new project that I worked on for Sesame Street—truly a dream come true. (Who knew that Sesame Street intersected with Mochimochi Land??) 

The animation concept and all of the characters and backgrounds were created by me (two of which, the Lucky Stars and the Joyful Oyster, are available as knitting patterns). My thanks to Maureen Boyle for her animation work.  

New Animation: Peak Alpaca

Made with help from Maureen Boyle; music by William Steffey and Tim Koelling.

This is the third in our tiny sheep trilogy: also see Happy Baa-lentines Day and Funky Fleece.

Group Show: Hello Kitty & 99 Friends at PiQ Grand Central, NYC

Sanrio has now created a total 100 adorable characters over the years, and to celebrate this achievement, PiQ has invited 100 artists to each re-create one of them in their style. I was thrilled to be invited to participate in this group show, and for my character I chose a little-remembered group called Polar Picnic. 

There aren’t too many images of thee guys online, but it seems that there are always a few listings on Ebay, so that’s where I started. 

Penguins and Polar bears are right in my wheelhouse. Here’s the Mochimochi Land version. 

I couldn’t resist include Kitty Chan herself—she’s hiding toward the back of the piece, disguised as a snowman. 

HELLO KITTY & 99 FRIENDS

APRIL 16TH-MAY 14TH
PIQ GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL 
SHUTTLE PASSAGE

Uppercase Compendium of Craft and Creativity

The Uppercase Compendium of Craft and Creativity arrived on my doorstep in December, and I can't believe I just now cracked it open. 

I'm so impressed with how Janine Vangool put this thing together—it's not just photos and interviews, but fully realized profiles with beautifully designed layouts. And I was surprised to find my work toward the front of the pack!

I'm looking forward to browsing the other artists featured. You can purchase the Compendium from Uppercase. 

Group Show: Playful at Melbourne’s City Library

There's lots going on in Mochimochi Land suddenly (including a new human baby)! Coming up soon is the group exhibition Playful, at Melbourne's City Library April 2-29th. 

The work I’m contributing are gnomes from 2015’s Gnome Genome Project, but I also made these tiny eggs with legs to go in a capsule machine that the show will include.

Here’s all the show info: 

​PLAYFUL GROUP EXHIBITION

Celebrating National Youth Week 2016 at Melbourne Library Service 

Opening: 7 April, 6-8 PM

Location: Gallery at City Library, 253 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000

Exhibition dates: April 2 – 29, 2016

Curated by: Sophia Cai

Artists: Anna Hrachovec (USA), Ashley Ronning, Beci Orpin, Christina Gordon, Cat Rabbit, Evie Barrow, Erica Fustero (Spain), Hiné Mizushima (Canada), Holly Leonardson, Isobel Knowles, Kenny Pittock, Luke Temby, Misako Mimoko (Spain), Philippa Rice (UK), Rosaleen Ryan, Soreureubear (Korea), Tessy King, Yiying Lee

PLAYFUL is a group exhibition that celebrates the power of play and imagination. Curated by Sophia Cai for National Youth Week 2016 at Melbourne Library Service, City of Melbourne, PLAYFUL features leading Australian and international artists with works in soft sculpture, ceramics, textiles, toy design, animation and illustration.

PLAYFUL is an exhibition that encourages fun and play. Come along to a series of four curated workshops during the month of April, and learn from artists Beci Orpin, Kenny Pittock, Luke Temby and Holly Leonardson to sew, sketch, make and cut your own works of art. (Workshops for ages 15+).

Local small press Helio Press and Sophia Cai are also producing limited edition catalogues for the exhibition that feature colouring pages by more than ten artists. Last but not least, the exhibition is also home to the exclusive PLAYFUL Gashapon toy vending machines, co-curated by Rosaleen Ryan. Bring $2 coins to join the fun!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

2015 Holdiay animation starring new Mochimochi Land characters the Generosi-trees! Made with help from Maureen Boyle; music by William Steffey.

Tiny Turkey vs Tiny Tofurkey

A little series I whipped up for Thanksgiving 2015. Happy Thanksgiving!