HAPPY ANNIVERSARY GALLERY 1988!

Gallery 1988, which is owned by Katie Cromwell and Jensen Karp, is celebrating the gallery's 5th year of existence this coming Thursday, April 2, with a show called "Idiot Box". The theme is based around the guilty pleasures of TV. Three years ago, I was fortunate enough to exhibit my first piece with them called "Battle For My Affection":


So for me, it's sort of an anniversary of my gallery relationship with them as well. Thinking back fondly to that time, I've created a similar piece called "Another Battle For My Affection" for this show:


So, my relationship with Katie and Jensen began as a patron, after purchasing a beautiful Kawasaki piece from them in 2005. The following year, there was an art contest where the winner would be included in the I AM 8BIT exhibition at Gallery1988. Dreaming of showing my art in their gallery, I put together "Battle For My Affection" and won, much to my surprise! So at drop off, I remember Katie saying something like, "Hey, I know you!". What an honor it was for me as well to find out that Katie later bought my piece! They then took a chance on me in group shows to see how I'd do. After a handful of shows, they asked if I'd like to be represented in Los Angeles and San Francisco through the gallery, and of course, I said yes!

Because of their friendship and support, I have been able to meet so many wonderful people, have been inspired by the art that they surround their galleries with, and have grown as an artist. It's been so much fun to be part of their gallery family, and for that I am truly grateful. I wish them continued success, health, and happiness.

NICE TO GET OUT

I hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend and had a nice Valentines Day!

So I've been dealing with an ankle and knee condition for a few weeks, which is slowly getting better for now. It could flair up again, but we'll see. The problem has pretty much disabled me and has kept me couped up in the house and in bed away from the easel and paints. Lots to do because of my physical problems, so time to get back to painting.

During this time, I received a new camera, a Lumix LX3. The camera has a ton of capabilities for a point and shoot that I'm still learning about. I was able to take a few shots here and there while dealing with my illness so I thought I'd share a couple. Valentines Day was the first day I had been able to get out of the house for enjoyment in quite some time, so I took a picture of one of our favorite desserts from our evening. We also took a family day stroll at one of our local outdoor malls yesterday, which was nice. I've got some pics from that as well. Hopefully, more art posts will follow shortly.

Bradley in black and white

Sleepy Tyler

Flourless Chocolate Cake is so good

Tyler and daddy enjoying the fresh air

Mama and the bus

Rainy in SoCal today so Mister is enjoying the dry indoors

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