WE WILL MISS YOU NORM SCHUREMAN

I was extremely saddened to learn that someone who made such a huge impact in my art life and countless others, passed away this Saturday evening due to a completely senseless act. I was fortunate to have taken Norm Schureman's Viscom class at Art Center, which helped me become the artist I am today. It was a great privilege to have known him and learn from one of the best.

I started art late. I'm guessing late for most people with aspirations to become an artist. Especially from what I saw when I was trying to get into Art Center. I was a terrible sketcher, and even having a sketchbook intimidated me. I was always embarrassed to show my sketchbook to others and was surrounded by other artists who knew they wanted to become artists since they were kids. Most had sketchbooks in which every page could be framed and shown in a gallery. Norm's Viscom 6 class was dedicated to the sketch and sketchbook with a simple black ink technical pen. I absolutely needed this stuff.

With line, he showed us how to focus on what was important, and indicate what was not. It was great going to museums to sketch dinosaur bones, trips to botanical gardens to study foliage and environments, and even break down and combine various animal species that we would sketch. He made the class fun but still intimidating, which actually helped me be less intimated on some level. I mean, you really need to get your nerves in check when he asks two students at a time to draw on the chalk board in front of the whole class. It wasn't always easy, but with his patience and teaching style, I was able to get the confidence and the tools needed from him to help me try and succeed.

His kindness, expertise, and fun loving attitude for his craft will be something past students were fortunate to experience, but something that future students will dearly miss. You will be missed Norm.

LAST NIGHT

My friend and artist bud Ruel Pascual invited me to an artist preview night for a show he is in at La Luz De Jesus Gallery here in Los Angeles. The opening reception for Everything But The Kitsch 'N Sink is tonight, March 5, from 8-10 PM. There are well over 100 artists involved and over 300 pieces at this show. Here are some pics from last night.


My pics do not do Ruel's pieces justice, and if you have the chance, you should see them in person. I'm really enjoying his use of a limited pallet. His pieces are driven by his personal experiences which I can appreciate, yet sometimes feel I could put myself within the piece, and even relate to something that could be completely different to what my have been on his mind. They open up my imagination and I find myself immersed within them.

Last night was a great time! Since having the boys, it's been tough for me to get out to shows and mingle with other artists. So it was really nice to see some familiar faces and make some new friends.

ARRESTED MOTION INTERVIEW

The kind folks at Arrested Motion did a mini interview with me on the upcoming Whispers group show at Gallery1988SF. The interview also touched a little bit on my past, as well as my though process. Check it out if you have a chance. Link to the interview:

Arrested Motion

WHISPERS GROUP SHOW

I will be involved in a 4 person show at Gallery1988SF on Friday, February 5. Opening reception is from 7 to 10 pm. Its great to be in a show with the amazing talents of Tin, Kendra Binney, and May Ann Licudine. Here is the postcard image:

I believe this is going to be the final show in Gallery1988's current space before they move to another location. I will always have a place in my heart for 1173 Sutter Street, the site of my first and only. Wow, it's crazy looking back at those pieces.

So, I've been messing around with some white backgrounds on my pieces, which is new for me. Nothing overly deep behind it. I've always liked the aesthetic, there is purity about it, and I feel it could sort of represent a rebirth for me and my art. I hope to take it to new heights if I am so lucky to have more opportunities. I enjoy how it allows the subject to stand more on it's own, and I really enjoy painting clouds, and the white lets them have some more attention within the confines of the canvas. The white really allows me to play with negative shapes of the subject and clouds. Here are a couple of peaks of what I have coming for the show:

Propelled

Venting

He-Man Show

Happy New Year! The first show I will be involved in this new year is the "Under the Influence: He-Man and the Masters of the Universe" show at Gallery1988 Los Angeles, this Friday evening, January 8.

This show should be a lot of fun. I hear that the gallery is transforming into a mini Castle Grayskull, so along the same theme, I've created my own version and tribute to the castle itself, called "Gray Skies":


I had a good time with this piece, and kept it more towards the backgrounds. I tried to go a little looser with it, and while painting, thought back to some ideas of painting as a concept artist. 2010 seems like a good year to do some exploring with some technique and ideas so we'll see how it goes.

Gearing up for a February show at Gallery1988 San Fransisco and will be trying a couple of different things there as well. Now, it will be just small things here and there, so no worries. I'm not going to start painting pretty ladies, or skulls everywhere. Actually, the He-Man piece was partly fun in that this was my first skull ever! Probably my last.

FEATURE ON MONZUKI

I wanted to thank the friends at Monzuki for featuring my work and sharing their kind words on their Blog post "Swimming In The Sky".

They have a wonderful blog, which aims to share and publicize creative people from art and design. Please check out Monzuki for some coolness.

LAST VIVISECT PLAYSET

This Black Friday evening is the 6th and final Vivisect Playset, which has been curated by Luke Chueh and Gallery1988. The title of my piece is called "Last One", which depicts playful Narwhals and the imminent death of a balloon. Or, is the balloon making it's way to safety? The piece:



Thanks to Luke and 1988 for including me again. It's been fun!

Glad to be involved in this show with these talented artists: Adam Alaniz, Alex Pardee, Amy Sol, Angry Woebots, Anthony Ausgang, Brandi Milne, Brent Nolasco, Dan May, Daniel Elson, Daniel Valenzuela, Dave Pressler, Dia, DrilOne, Ewelina Ferruso, Ghost Patrol, Irma Rivera, Jimbot, Kamala Dolphin Kingsley, Leecifer, Luke Chueh, Mari Inukai, Mark Brown, Motorbot, Paul Barnes, Peek-A-Boo, Persue, Peter Gronquist, Rachel J. Wong, Scribe, Travis Louie, Walt Hall