Tattoos and Creatures in Epic proportions

As my body of work continues to grow for my solo show in September at FM*Gallery, my scale of work does as well.  As I had mentioned in my previous post it is the combination of story telling with tattooed models that I’m working with.  I have become more interested in complex compositions, using more models and movement.  Although the backgrounds will likely tend to still be more subdued it is the multitude of panels, figures, and tattoos that will change the dynamics of the work.  The figures not only will be covered in tattoos, but are no longer subject to just one animal per model.  As with every person we are not subject to one persona, or the contrasted anima/animus.  Our personalities are multi faceted and the new work celebrates such intricacies.

I just had photo shoots with two models, and have several more lined up.  Some are tattoo artists, some are Dominatrixes, and some are teachers.  It is not my plan to depict the tattoo world, but to use tattooed models with their personal symbols with my own to create a more intricate mythology.

I’m currently working on fairly large canvas (42”x78”) that is intended for a side panel for a triptych.  I’ve always been interested in alter pieces and triptychs, but have not fully explored this until now.  I’m looking to create an elaborate wooden frame for all the pieces, so that this particular triptych can stand freely and be arranged in various ways (subject to change).  I will have to find more funding and time to create not only the work, but to be able to frame the pieces as well.  Very excited about such a intricate work, so must keep up the energy and continue the progress.

From frustration to deity.

What started as a portrait of my fiancee, turned into the creation of red headed raven demigod.  The major transition took place after I came down with a cold, which I stubbornly ignored, and continued to stand and paint for hours on end.  This led to overworking everything, especially the face.  Frustrated and disappointed, I let it sit for a week before returning to it with sandpaper in hand, and completely removing the head.  I then replaced her head with that of a red raven, and added more tattoos than she actually has.

The tattoos have become a new focus since my piece “Prodigal Return,” which depicts a fully tattooed woman.  The question comes up routinely as to whether or not she actually has all those tattoos, to which the answer is yes.  Although I am still interested in painting portraits of tattooed models, it is the combination of my story telling that I’m more interested in.  The “collaboration” of the models, the tattoo artists, and myself will add an entirely new and interesting layer to the mythologies I am creating.

The raven is a recurring character based on the Trickster of North Western Native American mythology.  I grew up with my mother reading me stories from all over the world, but she was particularly fond of those of Native American cultures.  The raven always stuck out in my mind, and continues to be of great importance in my life.  My raven remains the Trickster, present in many mythologies around the world, another aspect of the self.  It is responsible for pushing us beyond our comfort zone, despite our realization or not.  It is neither good nor bad, but never fond of banality.

The Storytellers. . .

As of late I’ve been taking a lot of time to figure out some things by sketching, reading, researching, and with that comes distracting myself with studio cleaning and rearranging, setting up blogs on Chicago Figurative artists, and of course movies and such.  This has got me thinking of directions and other artists working in the same vein as myself, who explore allegory, myth, and grandiose story telling.  Not just representational figurative work, but something that goes beyond reality and therefore not bound by its rules.  Artists such Stephen Cefalo, Pamela Wilson, Gail Potocki, Riva Lehrer, and Lauren Levato are but a few who I feel share that passion.  Many names of movements ran through my head that I’ve heard before such as magic realism, symbolism, fantasy, surrealism, and the list goes on.  However I feel that some of those seem dated and no longer appropriate for contemporary artist, so I started to think other ideas.  I deemed the “movement” as The Storytellers.  This does not include such work from pop surrealist or lowbrow,  strictly academic realists and romantics, but combines the like with grander stories and allegories.  I will be writing a lot more on the subject in the future, and continue to explore the depths of this movement.  Until then keep painting and always remember the best place by the fire is kept for… The Storytellers.

Steven Cefalo

 

Pamela Wilson

 

Gail Potocki

 

Riva Lehrer

 

Lauren Levato

 

Rory Coyne

 

 

Equestrian Parade…

In the last seven months or so, I have re-identified with the use of horses in my work.  The horse first came about in 2004 during my first year of grad school at University of New Mexico, at first inspired by the ever present painting by Henry Fuseli, “The Nightmare”. A Horse represented the lust and want for sexual satisfaction when I first moved to New Mexico. The symbol did not feel right at the time and was not fully realized until about 6 years later when I did a finished drawing entitled “Solid Ride.”  The horse needed to mature from the want of to the actual fulfillment of sexual satisfaction.  It now represents the self empowerment I developed after a necessary break up.  This rediscovered confidence was further fueled by love that grew between my now fiancée and myself.  The symbol of past relationships and their longing feelings, the Rabbit, has now been replaced by the confident and gratified Horse.

FM*Club: Artist Talk Series

If you missed the opening of “F*ck Em/ Forgive me”, then join me this thursday (2/2/12) for a great night at FM*Gallery. Hear what some of the artists have to say about their work for the current exhibition “F*ck Em/ Forgive Me”.  It’s BYOB for a low key but great event. I will also have my new work on display as well as anything new on the easel.  Have questions, don’t hesitate to contact me. Follow the link to the FaceBook event below http://www.facebook.com/events/371928686165934/ “All of the artists will talk about their technique, inspiration, and why the heck they did what they did for the F*ck Em show.”The first rule of FM*CLUB.. is that we talk at FM*CLUB.” This will be the first of monthly sessions where a featured artist will discuss their upcoming work or solo show. Maybe you’ll even see one of them punch a gallery director in the mouth! A great way to find out more about what we are doing at FM*.    BYOB event – share your booze with me… I’ll share my snacks!”

New Images Up. . .

I finally got around to getting some images made of two paintings.

“Anger is a Gift” is a painting of a doll I found in a classroom at the University of New Mexico.  Most people find the doll creepy and disturbing, but I fell in love with it.  I always had plans to paint him, but it wasn’t until recently that I finally did.  At first it was going to be a study for a larger composition, but then became an individual “portrait”.

“Anger is a Gift”

11″x14″

Oil on Linen

Available at FM*Gallery

 

“Prodigal Return” was part of a themed exhibition at FM*Gallery, “F*ck Em/ Forgive Me”.  We were asked to create two of the same size pieces, each reflecting one part of the title.  My F*ck Em piece was “De Kooning” inspired, because I have no love for his work.  So I painted my model in 25 minutes while loosely imitating Willem De Kooning’s “Woman V ”.  I explained to Franklin, the director of FM*Gallery, that this piece would not leave the gallery in one piece.  So as part of my “forgiveness”, I would destroy it at the opening.  The “Forgive Me” painting in turn would reflect my more accurate painting technique.  (Watch the video here)

“Prodigal Return”

20″x24″

Oil on Linen

Available at FM*Gallery

 

New Year. . .

Since the new year has started in earnest, I find that it is time to change some things in my art life.  So updating my artist statement, bio, images, and paperwork.  I have a new commitment to writing about my art on a weekly basis, and sharing more thoughts and progress images.  Planning more trips to galleries, museums, studio visits, meetings, openings, talks, artist interviews, and inviting more people to come by my studio at FM*Gallery.  I am more determined to be even more disciplined in productivity in both painting, drawing, and applying to exhibitions and curating.  Also if I play my cards right, I want to get back into an etching studio.  Sooo many things planned and little time to do it in, but determination and hard work prevails all.