About::

Art by Ren Adams - Plastic Pumpkin Designs
I offer unique, fun, philosophical, and intriguing artwork and crafts–for the discerning (and playful) collector. From Chinese brush painting and acrylics, to mixed media, oil pastels, and found object art, I hope to offer work that will expand horizons, make people laugh, and engage their minds.

Artist Statement
Much of my work is inspired by the Chinese masters, Taoism, philosophy, and the wonderful things in ordinary life. Whether it’s the slant of light as August folds into September, the brilliant orange of a Cheeto, or the playful humor of a kitten, I find the movement of art present in all things.
By observing the world around me, I create.

Chinese brush painting is part of my daily meditation. I take each stroke, each layer, and each subject seriously. Yet, in all that heaviness, there’s something wonderfully humorous. The lighthearted balances the grave. Such is the harmony of life.

About Ren Adams (that’s me!)
(here’s my official-sounding third person bio)

Ren Adams has been involved in art since she was a child. A native of southern California, she assisted her artistic parents with in-person shows, benefits, and gallery events across Los Angeles. Her mother, southwestern artist Rosalie Rushing (Rosalie Adams) is a talented artist living in Lancaster, California with over 35 years of experience in acrylic and mixed media. Her father (Craige Adams) is also an inventive stained glass crafter.

Ren studied art, music, anthropology, mythology, and poetry at Antelope Valley Community College, where she graduated with honors. She mentored in poetry under Charles Hood and Robert Peters and went on to attend the prestigious University of California, Berkeley, where she studied poetry under Thom Gunn and pursued additional techniques in art and writing. She has a B.A. from UC Berkeley and offers classes through the UNM campus (and through the Factory on 5^th Art Space).

She embraces her life as a New Mexico artist and is the publicist for the Factory on 5^th Art Space. She is also the co-founder of the Duke City Renegades Art Guild, an active local arts & crafts alliance devoted to living, sharing, and selling artwork. She is fond of Albuquerque and she enjoys spending time with other Albuquerque artists who are trying to make a difference in the art scene there.

She has always been fascinated by cross-disciplinary studies and she finds traditional Chinese brush painting to be the perfect blend of history, artistry, and harmony.

She began brush painting as part of her spiritual path. As a Taoist, she takes brush painting very seriously and paints as part of her daily meditation. Each painting is one step farther along the path of enlightenment, internal balance, and happiness. Each painting is one step improved over the last. Each painting is meant for someone special.

Her husband, Ken Murakami, is a talented silversmith and jeweler who calls himself a “texturist.” He also shows work in Albuquerque.

Kinda cheesy? Well, I guess it’s easier to write in the third person than to talk about yourself in first person.

I currently sell my work online at various venues, including my own secure retail shop, Etsy, Lov.li, DaWanda, ArtCardsWanted, and eBay. I also do shows, fairs, and events across the Southwest.

My MySpace Page.

Why “Plastic Pumpkin”? Isn’t that kind of a dumb name?
Someone once told us our name was dumb. It didn’t make any sense to them. They mentioned we might want to change the name to something that made sense to them.

We said: why not? Pumpkins are cool. They’re weird and impossibly orange. People like to carve ‘em up. People like to smash ‘em. Heck, some people even EAT pumpkin. From a designer’s perspective, they’re a wonderfully smooth creation with lots of character and a pleasant shape.

We like pumpkins. And for all you English majors out there, “Plastic Pumpkin” rates “excellent” on the Alliteration Meter.

We also like to use pumpkins in our kinda dumb photography. Guess it makes sense, afterall.