A LOVE project

When I'm going through an artistic block I look to my friends for inspiration. Soooo...in tiny 2x3 canvases I inserted some love for some friends of mine.
I usually go through several of my sketchbooks first for past ideas that could be reused. And sitting on the inside cover of one of sketchbooks Love spoke to me.
It took me a day and a half to paint them and send them out. I received awesome praise and nothing says I love you like a tiny painting that says I heart you for being an awesome friend to me.

My family and my friends are my lifelines and without them I wouldn't be as strong as I am. Friendship starts with a foundation and upon that you keep building up to something solid and long lasting. Your friends make you laugh, help you out in tough binds and keep you going when you don't think you can. 

Thanks for keeping my head high when all I wanted to do is bury my head in the sand and blubber like a  baby. 

Late pictures from Faces in the Wild Auction

I was very honored to be part of this auction. Faces in the Wild is an annual art auction sponsored by Humanscale in New York city and benefits the Wildlife Fund.
The event was held November 18th in the Humanscale showroom.
Here are some pictures from that night courtesy of their Facebook page.
http://www.facebook.com/facesinthewild

My "Night Owls" painting is right smack in the middle with other fellow artists. It was my first fancy NYC event. 

The Vice President of Humanscale won the bid for my painting. It was a pretty awesome feeling to meet a person who admired my work. I don't usually paint animals or use them in my work. However, I'm considering using them now. I was very pleased with the positive feedback.  My cat Chi Chi would be a good guinea pig for future paintings. 

S L O W P r o g re s sion

My paintings can take anywhere from 3 days to 6 months. I'm almost done with this painting. My process is taking longer these days. I use up all my energy at work and when I get home my painting suffers. I put my own energy into all my paintings to give them a little life. So when my battery is in the red I cannot offer that painting the life it deserves.

This is my interpretation of the phoenix rising again sort of. A woman with a torn backside. She's been cracked and just wants her past demons to be released. She chooses to finally release her negative thoughts and use them to create positivity and look forward towards a brighter future. The death of the negative to produce life and more positivity into the world. 

Estimated to be done by the end of this month. 

Art Therapy

 I am starting to realize that the more I paint my emotions the better my mood becomes. I'm generally a very happy person which is why some people are surprised by my content sometimes. I'm not always open to talk about my feelings but I can paint the hell out of them!

Working finally!

It seems fitting to paint on a rainy day and listening to the Sondre Lerche radio on Pandora. Cool, breezy and rainy weather in Brooklyn right now. I'm taking full advantage of my day off.

 My message to the world is to find a way to release all that negativity that harbors inside. Your insides will feel so much better. People are so ugly when they wear it all the time. 

Halloween Costume - Dia de los Muertos sugar skull

First attempt is on the left. I underestimated how long it would take me to paint everything on. I used stage makeup and added a simple ribcage to my chest. 

My second try was more planned out and I loved the results.

  

Tattoo Awesomeness

My friend asked me to design him a tattoo last year.
He wasn't too particular about the design so I just went with the flow again. I gave him the sketch and he took it to a local tattoo shop and got it done!
I designed the tattoo and the tattoo artist refined it with black and white colors and a touch of red.

The tattoo is a man with a twisted face and a heart bulging out of his mouth yet being held in by some bars. When I was designing the tattoo, I was thinking how many men in my life are like this twisted face. I know that can be more emotionally open and available, yet they choose to keep their emotions simmering inside until the day it almost explodes. This doesn't necessarily apply to every man, just a few. 

Quickie piece for Art Party Birthday smash

I am usually a planner when it comes to creating my own pieces. However, it is always a great challenge to just sit down and go with it. I was invited to an art party where every guest needs to bring a piece of art and I wasn't sure what to do for the event. I just sat myself down with my roommate and we went to town!
Here are the results.

Progression

The first idea was to compare the differences in women's outer beauty. I wanted to include myself as consumer of all of it.

Growing up I was faced with so many ideals of beauty, that I found it difficult to decide which ideal fit me best.

An unexpected turn of events changed the initial direction of the piece. Heartache can also lead you down an interesting path.

Love and relationships have us go through so many phases. Break. Hurt. Relief. Forget. Past. Move on.
The experience can you leave aloof.

But in the end what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.
And onward to the next painting.

Artwork for Faces In The Wild Art Auction

I was asked by friend Laura to donate a painting for The Faces in the Wild Art Auction this coming November. I do not usually paint animals or include them in my work but I gave it a try. I decided to paint the Margay. They are wild cats native to Central and South America. These cats are known for being nocturnal so I went for more glow in the night and not a super realistic rendering of them. 

CURRENT work in progress

Funny how long one piece can take to complete.