THE BEASTIE BOYS SHOW

Happy New Year! The very first show I will be involved with this year is Under The Influence: An Official Tribute to The Beastie Boys at Gallery1988LA, Thursday, January 8. It's going to be a great show with an amazing line-up of artists:


I enjoyed painting a larger piece for Vivisect Playset, so I decided to try even bigger at 40 X 30 with this one. Again, it was a challenge, but I had a great time doing it. I was inspired by the Beastie Boys song Alive. Particularly the positive messages in the song and the imagery from the music video. If you haven't heard the lyrics or seen the video, please check it out.

"Socialize"

Have a great year everyone!

VIVISECT PLAYSET 5

I will be part of the annual group show Vivisect Playset curated by Luke Chueh and Gallery1988. The show opens tonight, 12/5, at Gallery1988's San Fransisco space. The theme for the show is depicting animals in a human situation or conveying human emotions.

The piece I did is the largest piece I've done so far at 32 X 24. I've worried about the results I would have working bigger but I have to say I'm pretty inspired to create more pieces this large or larger in the future. It was a challenge but I found it very enjoyable.

My piece is titled "Fleet" and is the first work that is truly dedicated to my wife and baby boys since they where born. It's based off a drawing called "Fleet Study" I had previously done. I wanted to show a determination and pushing forward in life as we raise our family. My wife Joy is the strength and backbone of the family and I wanted to portray that as our boys are just starting the ride of life and playing along.

"Fleet"

BLACK MARIA GALLERY SHOW

I'll be part of a group show at Black Maria Gallery called "Black Market At Black Maria: Skip The Mall" this Saturday, November 22. I visited the gallery for the first time at drop off and I really liked the place. The people I met were really nice and I was surprised how close the gallery was from my house.

I was thinking about my boys when coming up with a concept for one of the paintings, which also brought out some issues when I grew up which was the theme for the other one. There are just some fears I have as I hope to be the best father I can be. I'm sure this is not the last time these themes occur.

I'm also trying to incorporate a bit more line work using ink into the paintings. I feel there's a disconnect between my drawings and paintings, as if a completely different artist created them. So I'm trying to create a bit more cohesion. It's a process and we'll see how it goes. Here are the pieces for the show:

"Untitled"

"Hothead"

"A Space In There"

PHILLY SHOW

I will be participating in "The Inaugural Show" at T&P Fine Art in Philadelphia next month. I'm excited and honored to be a part of their very first show and to be among an amazing lineup of artists. If you're in the area, please check it out and eat a cheesesteak from Pat's for me. Yummy!


I've been trying to mess around with more organic on organic love with ink and pencil on wood. Here is one of three pieces I'm submitting for the show:

Also included in the show is another rolly-polly piece. I like dandelions - well, only if they're not on my lawn. And of course, I like rolly-pollys.

PETS ARE AN INSPIRATION TOO!

I recently completed a fun project for a fellow cat lover. The request was to incorporate her and her husband's cat Mulder into a painting similar to a drawing that I had done before. Having great affection for cats, I really enjoyed creating this piece for them.

Painting with Mulder

My cat Mister patiently modeling for me

TRULY AN INSPIRATION

I find it appropriate that with my first post on my art blog, I introduce two little guys that will be a source of inspiration on not just my art, but more importantly, my life and everything that revolves around it. On 9/11, 2008 at 9:18 PM, our little twin towers of all things good came into this world. An infamous date we know for our country, but a date that is so wonderful beyond words for our family. We are so happy and blessed that they are here with us!

Without further ado, here is Bradley Tamayo, birth weight at 4 lbs., 15.7 oz., and Tyler Tamayo, birth weight at 5 lbs., 7 oz.:

Tyler left and Bradley right


First family picture

A huge thank you to God, and our family and friends for your love and support! And thank you for reading this and for your interest. I'll be updating the blog periodically with my life's art but first, we are going to try and get some sleep when we can! :)