002 Cover contest voting

These are images from this evening at Colton-Farb Gallery here in Houston. The public had the chance to vote on the image they thought would be best for the cover. There will be the winner, followed by a second, third, and fourth place. The winner, obviously will get the cover, while the other three places will get press inside the magazine. I was #9.

My entry to 2011 002 Magazine cover competition

This year's cover contest theme was: "Our City". I struggled with trying to come up with an idea for this for a week or so and came up empty handed. Houston, to me is a very large city that has no real consistent 'image'. I can't think of any singular or even small group of things that say "Houston". Then, as I was starting to put up all my materials, after the original deadline had passed, an idea popped into my head- something having to do with mosquitos. We just had a tremendous number of floodwater mosquitos hatch two weeks after a day-long downpour. Then, I found out that the deadline was extended. This is the idea I came up with: a mosquito full of blood on a wall that is being shaded by bougainvillea. I decided to present an image that all Houstonians could relate to regardless of ethnic, racial, or class backgrounds. We all experience the beauty the city has to offer such as nearly year around flowers, and we all must deal with the pesky mosquito. So, I guess my explanation would be: Houston: The good, the bad, and everything in between.

Planning and Strategizing

I've been busy lately planning new strategies on how to exploit social networking as a means to get my art seen by a wider audience. Stay tuned- exciting things are coming. For now, I've uploaded some more delicious eye candy for your enjoyment.

First Annual Spring Street Studios Open Studios Event

Here are some images of my studio during the open studio party Friday, October 1, 2011- Saturday, October 2, 2011

I sold 3 pieces and had a nice amount of foot traffic.

His ambitious spirit
Guards his heart
Until love strikes

24"x12"
Acrylic on Panel

This is one of my favorite new pieces. The painting is based on one of the images from my photography session with my friend Jonathan. Not only is this the first painting in a new series I'm calling "Soldiers of Love", but it is also the painting I chose to enter into the annual Hunting Prize competition. The competition will have only one winner that will claim the $50,000 prize.

The black sheep Blue Jay
Stays behind
To experience Autumn

24"x24"
Acrylic on Panel

An exercise in Japanese Woodcut-style design

The last catch of the day
Proves difficult
Under an umbrella of thunder

72"x11"
Acrylic on Panel

This is the piece I will submit to the Art on the Avenue fundraiser on November 12, 2011

All the shelter in the world
Can not prevent
Adulthood

36"x24"
Acrylic on Panel

Sweeter than Dominican rum
While packing emotions
as potent

24"x12"
Acrylic on Panel

Technology is Amazing

I ran across this link today. I love, in particular, how the images look like impressionistic paintings. The world has changes so much in 10 years. I wonder where we'll be in the next 20.
http://gizmodo.com/5843117/scientists-reconstruct-video-clips-from-brain-activity

For some reason, this would not imbed. I will investigate. Check out the link- it's worth it.

Migration

After Facebook's new updates, I've been motivated to move much of the content I would post there to here. I guess their designers never learned that simplicity is the key to good design. Anyway, I found a link today online about a book that looks very interesting regarding to standing up to injustices. As a flaming liberal, this of course, interests me. LOL http://www.npr.org/2011/09/22/140252484/wwii-survivor-stirs-literary-world-with-outrage

As for the art making, I have been quite busy- just not busy posting updates. There is an event at Spring Street Studios October 1st from 5-9PM and Oct. 2nd from 11-5PM. The building will be open both days. The first day(night) will be more like a party with free drinks throughout the building. My studio is very easy to find on the first floor near the staircase to the second floor. I also have a very distinctive sign. Anyway, look for pics soon of new work.

Thought before bed:

I was just reviewing the artist roster for the Bayou City Art Festival and was reminded about how little art out there impresses me. I am hard to please when it comes to art.

End of March

I just wanted to give a quick update on the goings on in my world. I am very close to finishing my next painting, which happens to be of one of my friends who attends UT in Austin, TX. I have also signed up for a vendor subscription to The Red Vault website which will hopefully bring attention to my work to local Interior Designers. And last, but not least, I have been invited by my friend Joe to show my art at his house which will be on the East Montrose Home Tour in mid-April. Things are moving right along.

2011 Annual Starbucks Art Auction

I wanted to write a small entry on how much money my donation raised at the art auction benefitting AIDS Foundation Houston. I donated three of my 4"x4"x4" Bird Cubes that I created in 2009 this year. I visited the auction briefly last Friday night and at the time my piece(s) - it was auctioned as a set- only had two bids. Later in the evening when the bidding closed at 9PM a friend texted me that the bidding on my pieces went up to $250! That is right about where my painting last year sold for. I was super excited that I helped raise so much for a good cause.

Art as Gifts

The following pieces were done as Holiday gifts. The first is a 24"x24" painting of a Boston Terrier painted for my parents who have two of their own as pets. The second is a 6"x6" painting of a Clown Fish done for a friend as a way to inspire him towards his goals.

Another commissioned portrait

This one is of my friend Jon. Jon is an awesome guy and has been a loyal supporter. He owns three of my paintings excluding this one.

Recent Commissioned work

Here is one of the more recent pieces I've been promising to show. This was a commissioned portrait done with red/green color blindness in mind.

RE-BOOT

I took the month of January to reflect and take inventory of where I want to go in life. I will be uploading pics of recent paintings very soon and really ramping up my activity on here and other online venues. Thank you all for being patient. Here is a quote I came across recently that I just love: " Simplicity is complexity resolved." - Constantin Broncusi