jet propelled robot

Vein

2011-12-23T19:15:00.000-08:00

The image above was used as the title page graphic for a book bound print exchange, Fall 2011 printmaking class. The image below was considered as a final treatment for the same project but, as you can see, was reworked. The title of the book was "Vein".

In the E.R. or The $11,000 drawing

2011-12-23T19:13:00.001-08:00

Pinkeye

2011-12-23T19:11:00.001-08:00

Artist Statement, Portfolio, Resume

2011-07-07T17:51:00.000-07:00

Artist Statement

Floating effortlessly on paper wings. Grounded by heavy hands. Light captured through lead lined lids. A place for us to dream. In this moment the world falls away. I see you only. I feel weighted. Can we bare this? Is there light? What is to follow? Be still and the quiet will break open. Wait for it. It will break with thunder and light. Wait for it. There is no hiding. Covers are no shield. Don’t tell a soul. This is for us alone.

My work is an exploration and representation of physical and emotional vulnerability. Allowing ones self to be vulnerable, or open to the possibility of failure and rejection can be both frightening and exciting, but is essential to forging meaningful relationships or creating success. The imagery I create is a combination of anxiety and tranquility, maturity and childishness, seriousness and humor. My characters find themselves in vulnerable positions, on the precipice of change. The work becomes a tour through my own experiences and emotional landscapes. Keeping a visual journal of this journey is a way to release the anxiety of my own vulnerability. These situations are captured in snapshots of those still, quite moments worth reflection.

The work is as much graphic design as it is illustration as it is fine art. Each of these disciplines continue to inform my visual vocabulary. I fill my canvas with a combination of sparse vs. dense and grand vs. unpretentious, all containing an underlying theme of understated elegance. Awkwardly beautiful figures pepper my work. Clunky robots find themselves starring as human emotion. Exposed characters, through their raw vulnerable complacency invite the viewer to observe and in turn be observed. In all this rest my goodness, fascination and apologies.

There is an intentional elementary approach to my visual aesthetic that has been fuelled by a steady diet of comic books, fashion magazines, skateboarding, popular film and reoccurring memories from my own childhood. I rarely draw or paint from life other than to use it as a form of exercise. I take this elementary approach to my work very seriously. Exploring what my mind has absorbed, retained and filtered is the objective. Drawing from within, whether it be from the mind, the heart, inspiration or a mixture of each, is what I find compelling. I feel it is the purest extension of the self.

It is my intent to create a nostalgic laced invitation for the viewer to reminisce their own childhood and what they have carried with them into adulthood. The most important aspect of my work is the emotional journey of the physical experience of living day to day. Visually there is an energy and directness found in my sketchbooks as well as a balance between finished (protected) and unfinished (vulnerable) areas. Ultimately there is a quiet noble resilience radiating from beneath awkward and sweetly vulnerable situations each figure is placed in. Within these moments I have found a testament not only to the frailty but ultimately a hidden strength of the human experience that is far to often over looked.

Resume

Education:
B.F.A. 2007 Painting/ Printmaking Academy of Art University, San Francisco

Grants/Awards
2001 Third place, Sculpture, Academy of Art University Spring Show
2006 Third place, Printmaking, Academy of Art University, Spring Show
2006 Third Place, Book arts, Academy of Art University, Spring Show
2007 First Place, Silkscreen, Academy of Art University, Spring Show

Solo Exhibitions
2004 Black Licorice, Mimi Barr Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2005 Black Licorice, Ken Milo Gallery, Salt Lake City, UT
2005-2006 R.A.G.(Residents Apparel Gallery) Exclusive artist, San Francisco, CA

Group Exhibitions
2001 Academy of Art Spring Show, San Francisco, CA
2004 R.A.G. (Residents Apparel Gallery), San Francisco, CA
2005 Evarize Gallery, Berkeley, CA
2006 T- show, Space Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2006 Print Show, Space Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2006 Holly Mae Pendergast and Friends, Milo Gallery, Salt Lake,UT
2006 Academy of Art Spring Show, San Francisco, CA
2007 Live Painting, Space Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2007 On the Cutting Edge Of... 688 Sutter, San Francisco, CA

Commissions
Pottery Barn Kids, Illustrations
ESPN XGames, Skateboard Illustrations
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Illustration

Luxury

2011-04-03T19:22:00.000-07:00

Ever had to make do with what you have? I think it's a concept to which any one of us can relate. What separates the individual from the mass, within this concept, is how limitations and advantages are perceived. Some are happy to accept what they have and make no apology for not having more. Others fail to see what they have and focus on the advantages of others.This advantage is often seen as a "Luxury". However, the concept of luxury is relative. What might be a luxury to one may be common place to an other. Like magic luxury is an illusion. And is not an illusion easily created. Make no mistake, luxury is a burden.

If you are interested in owning this print it is for sale in my Etsy online shop.

Weight Gain, Hair loss, and Sunburns or Pork Crisps

2009-09-03T12:57:00.000-07:00

Tube Top

Sunburn Study

SPF 45 (head study)

The Ripening (sold)

Overload (Vitamin D) (Sold)

Oslo Garden (NFS)

Oh it's an Apple (Sold)

The Fairest One of All

Sketchbook Slideshow vol. 2

2009-06-15T09:59:00.000-07:00

Sketchbook slide show

2009-06-12T16:34:00.000-07:00

Looking through my old sketchbooks I decided to chronicle some of the highlights and favorite scribbles. Here is the first installment. Most of the work is from the early to mid 2000's. Note: The actual slide show looks better on Photobucket. Blogger has a different format for the viewer window. The link is found below, "View all images".

Dismantled Remantled

2008-12-03T12:18:00.000-08:00

Orange Stealer

2008-12-02T07:10:00.000-08:00

8.5x11 Silkscreen, Sharpie, Prismacolor markers and pencils, ballpoint pen, gel pen, metallic marker and graphite, 2008
This was reworked from a page of an old sketchbook where a marker drawing had bled through.

"He took off his shirt to show me his sweater"

2008-12-02T07:07:00.000-08:00

8.5x11 Pen and ink on back of an Academy of Art notification, 2008

Bleeding Heart

2008-12-02T07:02:00.000-08:00

8x10 Ballpoint pen and Prismacolor pencil
I found this in an old sketchbook I've been reworking. I think it's from 2005.

History and Fashion

2008-10-14T21:51:00.000-07:00

Title: "History and Fashion"
Client: Academy of Art San Francisco Fine Art Department
A poster illustration promoting the departments study abroad program in Italy
Medium: Digital
Size: 10x10 inch @ 300 dpi

Macy's AIDS Fashion Show and Party

2008-09-22T07:55:00.000-07:00

September 17 and 18
I was asked to assemble a team of artists and art direct a mural for Macy's Passport AIDS party and fashion show. It's an annual event held in San Francisco. It's purpose is to raise money and awareness for the cause and to have a good time while looking great.
As with any major event there are always some miscommunication. I prepped an image for a 10 feet high by 15 feet wide mural. Once I got there I saw it was the other way around. So I had to do some quick sketches on the wall. Above are a couple of them.

On the 17th we got to work prepping the wall. The basic concept was layers and layers of rolled paint- like when graffiti gets covered, or buffed. Megan Wolfe has roller in hand as Steve Javiel looks on. Lisa Alonzo is synchronizing her swatch. -(Parker Lewis Can't Loose any one?)
It's coming together. On the first day we had two ladders. A tad short for our needs but they worked out. By tomorrow a mini skate park will be built in front of the red door on the right.
On Thursday the 18th, the day of the event, we were asked to do a smaller painting inside the event pavilion. This is the quick sketch lay in. I just did the lay in and a few detail strokes. Lisa and Steve did 98% of the work on this one. I don't have a final image of this piece but if you are ever in Ryland's living room you can see how it turned out.
A mid painting sketchbook review with Ryland Behrens. I'm not sure what we are reviewing because the sketch for the wall behind us is on the wall behind us. If you look between Lisa and me you'll see a white patch. That is where we have painted around the chosen sketch. Most of the face in this lay in was painted over and moved more to the right. I wanted it to be centered and more stretched out.
Putting on some of the final strokes.

By 8pm the sun had set, the lights had come on and the event at the V.I.P. reception, which is where we were, was winding down as the fashion show was getting started in the pavilion next door. So we packed up and went home.

By noon the next day the painting had been taken apart and removed from the site.

I always enjoy having the chance to work large. And especially enjoyed working with some good friends. Lisa Alonzo, Ryland Behrens, Steve Javiel and Megan Wolfe, Thank you. It was a pleasure.

Though there is no cure as of yet and I hope there is one some day soon. AIDS in the U.S. for the most part is avoidable and very preventable. And in the case some one contracts it they can still live a rather normal healthy life style thanks to effective drug combinations. However, in other parts of the world this disease continues to spread and to be passed from father to mother and mother to child. Many of these people lose their parents or their lives and never know why. It is to the overwhelming number of innocent children who suffer needlessly in the grips of this destructive plague that I dedicate this mural. Though they will never know of it. And if they did they wouldn't care... I do hope fashion can save them.

In the mean time and closer to home. Since the storm is already here, instead of standing around getting wet, at least put on a raincoat if you aren't going to be wise and stay inside.

Stars and Pearls

2008-08-15T09:07:00.000-07:00

If you have been checking in on the blog for a while you may recognize this image from one of my sketchbook posts. This image will also be up for auction soon. (edition size 10)

Augustina Emerge

2008-08-15T09:04:00.001-07:00

It's been a while since I have updated. Here is a piece I have finished recently. We are having the annual faculty auction in the next little while. I'll post more on that when it get closer. This will be up for auction then. (edition size 5)

On The Way Home

2008-02-04T20:22:00.001-08:00

Home Is Where The Heart Is

2007-12-17T10:25:00.000-08:00

Ball point pen drawing, 9x6.5 inch

Brad

2007-12-17T09:51:00.000-08:00

Lino cut 6x8 inch

Stars Pearls and Swirls

2007-12-11T08:38:00.001-08:00

The More We Get Together

2007-12-11T06:50:00.000-08:00

8x8 inch

Where Do I Stand

2007-12-10T10:26:00.000-08:00

Silkscreen, ink and scorched yogurt 10x6

Oh

2007-12-10T10:07:00.000-08:00

Ink on Paper 8.5x11

"How Can I Leave When You Follow" sold

2007-12-06T20:17:00.000-08:00

Astronaut Goals

2007-12-06T20:08:00.000-08:00

NFS

L1NKN

2007-12-06T19:50:00.000-08:00

For my nephew;

Monk Portrait One

2007-11-27T18:47:00.000-08:00

The Monk in natural light.

In Memory of Archer

2007-11-27T18:14:00.001-08:00

This one keeps me quiet.

Monk Sketch One

2007-11-27T18:09:00.000-08:00

Monk is one of my son's favorite toys. He has had Monk nearly from birth and he connected with him almost immediately. Monk has been a pleasure to paint. It sure helps that he has the ability to sit for long periods of time with out needing a break.

Mono

2007-10-30T14:41:00.000-07:00

I caught the last 7 minutes of Mono's show at the Independent on October 29. I had to work late that night and the buses felt extra slow but I told my self as long as they were still on stage I would go in. This is Mono, one of my favorite bands.

I would like to spend more days like this

2007-10-30T13:23:00.000-07:00

Follow Soy Panday for a skateboarding tour through Paris. This film is well shot and paired with an enjoyable soundtrack.

PARISien
Uploaded by prospective

Art Giveaway

2007-10-16T19:14:00.000-07:00

There is a free art give away on Pepper's Blog. I have been cleaning and organizing the past few weeks and ran across a bunch of different pieces I thought needed a new home. So I gave them to Pepper and she is helping them relocate.

Sketchbooks

2007-05-16T11:57:00.000-07:00

"Jenny and David" 2006, Ink and Gel Pen in Recycled paper sketchbook, 8.5x11
"Octopus" 2007 Recycled paper Sketchbook, Ink and Gel Pen, 11x17 (cropped)
"Heaven Sent", 2006, Small Rainbow sketchbook, Pen and ink and colored pencil. Roughly 7x10.
"Sketchbook Portrait", 2007, Large book from Chris Rolik, This is the backside of the drawing the ink has bled through. The tape from "Tape Cloud" is visible on the left edge of the book.
"Who Do You Mean When You Say Lord?",2007, Recycled paper sketchbook. 11x17 (cropped), Ink and Gel Pens, White Out strips
"Weeping Ghost and Masked in Mini-skirt" 2005, Rainbow Sketchbook, 5x7 Ink and colored pencil
"Tape Cloud", 2007, Big Sketchbook from Chris Rolik. Masking tape and Marker

Hairy Man Child and Mass

2007-05-02T11:20:00.000-07:00

Happy as twigs in slop

2007-04-18T18:00:00.000-07:00

2007-01-15T21:32:00.000-08:00

"On This Day I Am Beautiful. (January 12,2007)" Finished. The cardboard box drawing in the upper right corner is one of mine as well. He is lovingly referred to as, "Corn Dog Boy."
This is the raw plywood office entry way, in the Book Arts room, in the Academy of Art building,located at 60 Federal.I asked if I could do a painting here while the school was on break. Graciously they said yes. This is the initial lay in. Two archers with bubble background sketched out in white and blue chalk. (Don't use blue chalk again. It doesn't remove easily.) Blocked in with white latex paint. Instructors were there, going in and out of the office. It was helpful to have wood exposed so I could work and they could walk.
Once I got to this point I knew I needed to make some changes. There were some things I liked about it but it wasn't all working together. Even though I had loads of fun making drips down the step face they were distracting from the actual image. I didn't like the figure in the foreground. And the color scheme was almost overwhelmingly red, white and blue. The only thing saving it was the gray. The design had gotten away from me and no longer sat comfortably in the room.
So on a day when I was there all alone I took out all the things I didn't like. I still like this stage very much. I think it works beautifully. But I didn't feel this was the right space for this image. So I took a photo and said goodbye.
In this one the figure gets filled in and the gray dress covered up. The gray frame of the stairs is established.
And now it's done. I don't have any progression photos of this image because it came together so quickly.
Big and simple. She now sits quite comfortably in the room.

2006-12-28T18:36:00.000-08:00

Over the break and before the baby comes I am doing a painting at school in one of the rooms. These are some of the sketches I have worked out.
Ribbon and hair
Going and gone
Dressed to maim

2006-11-22T23:28:00.000-08:00

This is an abstract figurative painting. I had never worked like this before and was pleased with the outcome.

2006-11-17T12:55:00.000-08:00

Lawn Chair Girl.

Lawn Chair Girl. She is one of my most loved paintings. She was for sale at RAG for a while and wasn't selling. Pepper and I kept talking about it. She really wanted to have it. The day I went to pick it up it was gone. Some one had purchased it just a few hours earlier. The money was never worth it.

2006-11-17T12:50:00.000-08:00

These are some skateboard images I did for a charity event at the XGames. I was a little disappointed by the way the some things worked out but I like to hope that some money was raised to help some kids in need. And I like the work that was submitted.

Clutch

Water Rose

2006-11-17T12:38:00.000-08:00

Dot Pattern and drawings Set two.

Smashed

Marching

Swimcap with Burst

Ann Teneia

At the time I made these drawings I was looking at the work of Ashley Wood, Sam FLores and Julie Mehretu. It's all in there.

2006-11-17T12:31:00.000-08:00

Dot Pattern and Drawings

Girl in underwear

Gasoline

She in Helmet

Dark Star Underwear

Some of these were drawn for a silkscreen book I made, Hydrophilic Lung. The others were drawn and printed separately.

2006-11-17T12:09:00.000-08:00

From my Childhood.

Blind shot

Airplane

Parka and Marlon Hill

Red Archer

Growing up one of my favorite toys was my red bow and arrows. I would shoot targets on cardboard boxes and maybe a can every once in a while. I never shot an animal with it though. But I am sure I tried. It wasn’t until later when I got a BB gun that I actually took out a bird. Two in fact. And that was it. I never killed again.

Red Archer sold to a Man in Florida. It was a Christmas gift from his wife. Parka on Marlon hill was traded to a friend for some work she had done for one of my shows. Airplane fell off the wall and broke into three pieces. It has since been repaired but the fractures are still visible. As they should be. They are marks of it’s history. Blind shot I still own.

2006-11-17T12:04:00.000-08:00

More Tree Paintings
One Ghost Hill

Clearing the Gathering. This one was based on a photo I took with my camera phone in downtown Salt Lake City in the early fall.

2006-11-17T11:53:00.000-08:00

Tree Paintings. Inspired by some work of Tom's. It looked fun. I thought of them as characters and gave them little personalities. Even if it’s only expressed in the title.

Mother and Child 24th St.

If I could see you I wouldn't be alone

After take off, two floated down

Miss your wings

More time spent waiting for birds

2006-11-17T11:39:00.000-08:00

Cardboard Paintings Two

This is a concept drawing done for a resume book showcasing drawings paintings and concepts. I like how the white paint pen glows on the dirty cardboard. The skirt is a cut out paper towel.

This was done for a friend that sells jewelry under the name Luv Kat. It was a fun project I am glad she asked me. We met through RAG.

2006-11-17T11:17:00.000-08:00

Cardboard Paintings

Bird Ballet was done as a resume piece for Anthropology the clothing store.

Beth was done for me. It was later sold. She is still one of my most loved drawings.

Three Heads was done for a show at RAG in Hayes Valley. I think it is now hanging in my wife's office.

2006-08-23T16:34:00.000-07:00

I think everyone should love to remember those they have love and lost. The ache reminds us of who we are.