The Outsiders Show

Look familiar? It's my "Horny Deer" painting I did for this tutorial.

Earlier this month I was featured in a local underground art show called The Outsiders! It was a wonderful little art fest that lasted a week and included a different event every day. I love shows like this- the variety of artistry and talent really brings the entire creative community together. It mainly focused on getting exposure to up-and-coming artists (AKA "Outsiders") as opposed to seasoned art show veterans. Anyone who was brave enough to submit pieces was allowed to show their work- this brought a lot of fresh faces out of the wood work for their first ever art showing. There was also a number of live performances from bands of a variety of different styles, with everything from a David Bowie cover band to Middle Eastern flute playing.

It was a great lineup that proved to be a very unique artistic experience. My favorite event by far was opening night, where everyone was given the opportunity to take up paintbrushes for a massively interactive painting fest. Dozens of wooden palettes and doors were available for anyone to make their mark on. The energy was very cool and inspiring- there were tons of creative minds all working together on a single task at once.

Me amongst the crowd painting my little corner while a live band played in the background. Not one of my most glamorous looks (it was very hot in the building) but I was happy to contribute to this awesome interactive artwork anyways.

All the best local artists came out to paint that night, including my friend Erin and my cousin Ederick. I loved seeing all the different styles that people painted in.

Speaking of interesting styles, there was a lot of really intriguing work in "The Outsiders." I was amazed by the amount of talent that had previously been undiscovered. Here's some of my favorite pieces I spied during the show. By the way, all the photography was either taken by Eye Ball Art or Katherine Wooton. Thanks for getting some really getting nice shots of the art!

The works submitted by Steve Delong were especially fascinating because I could never figure out exactly what medium they were. Apparently, this effect was achieved by changing the color of metal with chemical solutions. Pictures can't really show how beautiful and shiny this piece is in real life. Never seen anything like it before!

Nina Rego made these gorgeous paper maiche figures. I would really love to pick this artist's brain, she seems like quite the character. About this piece, she said: "Hunger in Darfur never looked so colorful."

It's an artwork by me that this blog has never seen before! It's a modernized copy of Ralph Steadman's "Aspen Nights" I did for an assignment in school.

One of the walls with all the artwork hung on it.

I see you,  Skeleton Man! He eerily stares at viewers from behind band equipment. I submitted 6 artworks to the show in total, including a few familiar faces.

I love birds, especially when they're made completely out of buttons.

Another sculpture by the same artist, Crystal King. This was the first time her work was ever seen in a gallery, and she had some of the most engaging pieces in the show.

Check out this incredible hand made clock by Dan Diehl! It is constructed completely out of wood, except for a small motor that winds the clock, and it's 100% functional. Very old school.. just imagine how precisely the gears have to be cut out in order for everything to work right.

I wish I knew the whole story behind this wicked neon lights shark. I suspect it's made out of recycled materials? All I know for sure is that the artist's name is Eric ElectricDirt...(Cool name, man)

Since we're on the subject of recycled materials, I definitely should mention this series of odd skeletal figurines by Tony Prete. As the story goes,  he was instructed by his employers to take some lead to a landfill, but instead he melted it down to make these eerie sculptures. I am told that the glass enclosures were also rescued from being thrown away. This guy has great taste when it comes to "trash!"

One of my favorite artworks I've ever done, and I haven't even really documented it on this blog yet. You will hear more about this piece one day soon, I promise!

Above is work by the very popular Tim Showers, who is a regular in the Charleston art circuit. He shares a wall with a very shy artist who is showing her artwork to the world for the first time. I think that this is symbolic of "The Outsiders" show's ability to bring a colorful variety of people together for the simple purpose of celebrating art.

Phil Hyman in his natural habitat- spray paint and intricate stenciling work.

Lastly, I have to mention that all of this was organized by this awesome artist and curator named Phil Hyman. He does almost all the cool shows in the Charleston area. If you're in the historical downtown district of South Carolina and see a quirky collection of local bohemian art, chances are it was because this guy made it happen. I am grateful for people like him because it isn't an easy thing to run an art show, despite the fact that they're completely vital to keeping the art community alive around here. I just wanted to shout Phil out to let him know that his dedication to bringing art to the masses really does make a difference in many artist's lives. Thanks man, it was an awesome experience.  (And make sure to like him on Facebook!)


UPDATE: I've participated in another show by Phil! Check out the new art here.

My AP Studio Art Concentration

As some of you already know, during my senior year of high school I took College Board's daunting year long AP Studio Art course, and I barely survived. Fortunately, I did manage to force out a pretty interesting concentration in the process. If you don't know, a concentration is a body of work all relating to a specific medium and concept. The Studio Art portfolio requires you submit a concentration as a part of your portfolio. I knew that it was supposed to have some sort of profound concept to go along with it, but honestly I started this series with just an intense urge to work with a material I had hardly used before- fabric.

I don't know exactly why I gravitated so strongly towards this medium, but something about the perceived "permanence" of the textiles was very appealing to me. Using fabric is different than drawing on regular paper. Its much more durable and forgiving at times..you can do a lot of different things to fabric to change it's appearance without the fear of it falling apart. It also opened me up to an exciting variety of colors, patterns and textures, and a new way to approach creating a cohesive image. Still, I used many of my "traditional" art skills while experimenting with this new unknown. I manually painted in the details of many of the works that were further embellished with stitch work and applique. On some pieces I even used a few oil pastels, which had a great effect on even the loudest of patterns.

Speaking of using traditional techniques, all of the subjects in this concentration were done directly from life observation. Yes, I was a crazy person that forced people to pose for me while I hastily sketched them on a tiny scrap of fabric. I drew peers, strangers, friends, or anyone that held still long enough for me to copy them down.

"Ten and a half Chins" acrylic paint and scraps of textile. Machine stitched.

"Eight your Face" Acrylics on textile. Machine stitched.

"The Mirror" The only piece that didn't include sewing.  Modeling paste, gesso and acrylics on textile.

"Seis Face" One of my favorites of my concentration. India ink and acrylics on textile scraps. Machine stitched.

"The Waiting Clock" Textiles and thread.

"A Guitar Man"Acrylics on textile.

"John's Silk Beard" Oil pastel on textile and (silk) thread.
Machine and hand stitched.

"Lend Me Your Ears" Oil pastel on textile scraps.
Machine and hand stitched.

 I discovered the concept behind my concentration after I had nearly completed it. After I put all the images together at once, I realized that I had created something that sort of  resembled a quilt. This was eerily appropriate because life itself is kind of like a quilt. It has blunt patterns and repetition, but it also has vibrant colors and intricate details subtly sewn in with the threads of time. Tiny pieces taken from here and there all add up to one big picture. I like that.


The originals are not currently for sale, but high resolution 8 1/2" x 11" prints are now available. Contact me for more info.

The Emphasis

Differences from the "norm" are actually what make you special.

I have never been a person who could fit in with the crowd. For some reason or another (you make your own assumptions) I just stick out like a sore thumb. This is a blessing and a curse- needless to say, it guarantees to attract (sometimes unwanted) attention. When I was younger, being "different" was a lot harder to accept than it is now. I was ashamed of my differences instead of embracing them. Now I realize that being unique is something to be proud of. Being normal is plain and pretty much boring.

I made this piece while keeping all of that in mind. It may appear simple, but it has many layers and a wonderful texture. I achieved this by incorporating some gorgeous (and recycled!) paper doilies into the background. This was also my first real attempt at using  multi-color stencils, which were airbrushed in one by one.  I really enjoy this piece not only for it's concept but it's composition and technique. Its strong color palette and intriguing composition commands your attention.
This artwork was also featured in my AP Studio Art portfolio demonstrating the design theories emphasis and contrast.

If you're interested in buying the original, contact me for a negotiation of price.
Prints are also available. Each print is signed personally by me and come in a clear plastic sheet protector. 

$10.00

Maybe this piece can remind you to be strong in the face of adversity. It's COOL to be WEIRD!

The skeleton man

Skeleton Man- India ink

I did this piece a while back but I'm still pretty attached to it. You can imagine why, since it has all of my favorite obsessions wrapped up into one package. Naturally, the things you feel passionately about always inspire more intriguing works of art. For me, was skeletons, sunglasses, and Ralph Steadman. If you haven't heard of this guy before, he's an incredible political cartoonist that did most of the illustrations for Hunter S Thompson. He was called to my attention when I watched Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas on DVD. On the menu screen it shows a clip of him scrawling out the title of the movie with pen and ink. He's completely mastered the skill of haphazardly slinging ink everywhere. After seeing this video, I had to try it for myself.

So, this piece is definitely channeling Steadman. It was also one of my very first experiences using india ink, so it was nice getting to be so loose and reckless with my pen strokes.  To keep motivated in learning this new media (which is now one of my strongest and most favorite to work with) I kept a quote from my newly favorite artist in mind:

Concept sketches surrounded by doodles.

By Ralph Steadman

"There's a saying: 'In art there is no such thing as a mistake -- a mistake is an excuse to do something else. That's how I feel about drawing and writing. I couldn't draw very well. I kept blotting things by accident, so I decided to make mistakes part of my work."

  Some artists (especially me) always strive for perfection in their work. Tiny stray lines, smeared colors, a crinkle in the paper spells failure in the eyes of some. But who's to say that these mistakes cant be embraced? After many projects where I tried to be perfect, this idea was exciting to me. I allowed myself to make mistakes as I carved out the Skeleton Man in ink. It was very freeing. And of course, you can't really pinpoint any of the areas I messed up, can you?

An eerie closeup of his bony face...

Salt used on india ink

Another cool trick I experimented with in this work was using table salt on the wet inks. Allowing salt to dry on newly applied paint will absorb some of the moisture and pigment, leaving a beautifully speckled design on your piece.
For my skeleton man, I think it's the specks that really bring the whole piece together. It gives an extra sense of color and textured in areas that otherwise would've been plain.





Since this piece was featured in a local art show, it's already professionally matted and ready to hang. If you're interested in buying the original, contact me for a negotiation of price.

Prints are also available. Each print is signed personally by me and come in a clear plastic sheet protector.

$10.00

By the way, Skeleton Man returns in my other infamous piece, Death's Designer Shoes. I can't get enough of this kid.

On my own two feet

"My own two feet" - Acrylics on burlap

This piece really has a presence in real life. It's modeled directly from observation of my own feet and was done with acrylics and india ink. My favorite part is the harsh texture of the surface. I achieved this by piecing burlap scraps onto particle board.

Also, the board is a somewhat unusual shape. It's not perfectly square around the sides but instead crooked and frayed. I wanted the work to mimic an old weathered scrap of fabric, while the inside details looked more like patchwork.
Another special thing about this piece is that it can be turned any which way and still "work." It all depends on your personal preference which direction you want the feet to be facing,



This piece was also featured in my post about getting art supplies on a budget. I can proudly say everything besides the paint and glue is a recycled material!

If you're interested in buying the original, contact me for a negotiation of price.
Prints are also available. Each print is signed personally by me and come in a clear plastic sheet protector.

 $10.00

Death's Designer Shoes

I will admit that this is one of my favorite artworks I have ever done. There's just something about it that seems to speak to me. I think I relate to it... perhaps it's even a self portrait?
When I designed it I imagined an trendy "modern kid" lurking in his favorite indie coffee shop, doing what they do best ( which is drinking over priced lattes and chain smoking). And of course since this guy is malnourished and "dead inside," I made him a skeleton.

The lines were done with india ink, and I believe the browns and red are watercolor pigment. The whole thing was done on a tiny piece of scrapped wood that was likely a piece of a cabinet or furniture at one point.

I guess this is a "successful" piece because it was stolen from me shortly after it was created. Naively, I allowed it to be displayed on the wall during a school function, and the day after that it was gone. Whoever has the original, I hope you're enjoying it! The funny thing is, I probably would've made them something equally as good and free of charge just so that they wouldn't have taken this piece.

The concept sketch behind the coffee shop skeleton.

Even so, I still wonder about who has the original. I would love to meet this person. I'm not even mad, I take it as a compliment! I just wanna know what happened to it, where did it end up? Is it in a college dorm room now?  Was it a gift to an ironic hipster who has it hanging on the wall in his living room? Is it in the city dump? One day I hope this person is brave enough to step forward and admit that they liked my work so much they stole it straight off a wall. I would be tickled pink.





This piece was also featured in my post about getting art supplies on a budget because of my awesome scrapped wood find.


High resolution 8 1/2 x 11" glossy prints are available. Contact me for more details if you'd like a larger size.

$10.00

Genitalia face

An unusual abstract watercolor that has additional naughty hidden images inside it..

This oddball picture was an experiment in style during a sketchy part of my life. (I'm pretty sure I was having a mental break down at the time.) I did a series of these abstracts, all of them quickly scrawled out and fit together like puzzle pieces. This, however, is still my favorite of the series. I feel it has the most, erm, personality.

I like to consider my blog PG, but this is kind of pushing it a little bit. Luckily, you can't see all the "sordid bits" unless you have a perverted mind. So speaking of which, can you spot what's off about this image? How many crude representations of human genitalia can you find hidden in this evil picture?

Prints are available:

$10.00

All Smiles

This is a still life I did in colored pencils. Yes, I have skulls just randomly lying around!

This is a relatively small artwork with a huge amount of detail. It's a still life done on a textured piece of black matte board. I wanted show off my technical skills with colors and shading in colored pencils in this piece. The plaid was a real pain.. I didn't realize exactly what all went into that busy plaid pattern until I had to recreate it! Even so, I had a lot of fun doing it and it reflects in the quality of this piece.
 

If you're interested in buying the original, contact me for a negotiation of price.
Prints are also available here..  

$10.00