reflection

Since I was let go from my job-a job I utterly loathed and despised- the thought of ever being at such a dreadful place, or situation as this again, makes me reflect on my career, and the relativity of personal perspective. . . sometimes you can work really hard for something and seemingly, never achieve it, others just fall in your path and it comes as such a surprise. It is definitely hard to define what success is. I guess it is different things to different people. As I was reading a blog by Heather Bailey, a craft genius, she had sited a great quote by  Ralph Waldo Emerson, that I think can really keep things in perspective if you tend to toil over what is personal success and failure:

"To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children; to earn the approbation of honest citizens and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give of one's self; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived - this is to have succeeded."
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

Fangoria Show Deck

This is a deck that I did for the Fangoria Magazine, "Night of the Living Decks" show. This is kind of a crappy picture and I am working getting some slides of it.I'm pretty happy with the results otherwise, i might re do the lettering. . .. but anyway. .  I took some of my drawings of nosferatu and cut stencils of them. Working with stencils is new for me and this whole experience, painting on a deck, really made me want to run out and get an air brush and compressor. But spray paint was a pretty decent substitute. I got two decks for the show and only completed one-now I am certain that I am suffering from burnout. But I have faith that it wont last too long and  I plan on replenishing my creative juices through some heavy meditation. They are hosting some shows in the near future show I am excitied bout preparing for that.

Getting "Unstuck"

As I am leaving my job for better opportunities I realized now how hard it is not to get stail and to keep rediscovering. I have just realized in the last week how badly I am burning out from this job am very glad to be leaving. That place widdled me down to a nub and now I am trying to find ways to refresh my creativity. I can't think, talk, or even motivate the way I used to-scarey! I can't recall things, I'm all over the place! I think a steady diet of heavy meditiation and beer drinking shall make me more limber,LOL! 

But seriously, I do have alot of little projects that I should start on. A few weeks and I'll be back into the swing of things. Maybe next week I will make 4 foot paint brushes.. . !

german expressionism

I cannot imagine what art would be like today without the German Expressionist movement. That would include for me film as well as painting. Its my favorite style and for as long as I can remember it has inspired me. The styling, emotion, distortion of reality/dreamlike qualities, specific color palette are so boggling to me. The use of yellow green and red is especially shocking to me, especially revolutionizing mood and later became horror movie poster's signature colors.I feel like I see something new and more intricate about it the more paintings/woodcuts/films I see from this genre. I am recently finding the woodcuts style to be especially inspiring as my work heavily influenced by the angular qualities of the lines, and dark macabre tone. I'm trying to look as much inspiration as I can. 

These are so cool

These photos are from the NYU broadway windows. They are all made out of felt and delicately assembled with straight pins. I just love how quirky, fun, and theatrical they are. They are very appropirate with all the Fangoria convention events going on too. i couldn't resist, I had to snap a few for my blog inspiration.

Process

This is a piece i did a while ago that I wanted to post becuase of all the work i've done i feel like most of it is heading in this direction in terms of style. This has a strong influence of German Expressionism, which I love and its a bit cubistic too. The colors, which i didn't realize when I did are very classic horror movie-esque. The decks I am working on are going to be in the classic yellow, red, and green horror colors and probably some other colors too. I am looking to go in the direction of "suggestive" in tone or mood. I think its more successful when there is less effort to push an idea in someone's face. Its really a western approach to be in your face in my opinion. and as a westerner, I'm getting pretty tired of see that same old shit.
We should be elevating our culture and our concepts not conforming to them as commodities.

Fangoria Magazine Show

I am participating in this show on June 25th at Avenue A Restaurant Gallery. This will be the first time that I am translating my work onto a skateboard deck, but I'm really excited because they're coffin-shaped decks! All decks will be monster, ghoul, and macabre inspired and will all be on display for purchase. This is going to be a fun event, you should check it out!
I have a lot of work ahead of me, I exploring different methods in which to transfer my art onto the decks. U might paint directly on or heat transfer my design on. heat transfer, I've heard can get expensive, especially for "one off"s." I was also thinking of doing something fun with the no skid paper that goes on the front of the board. Maybe a diecut of Frankenstein silouette would be funny. Damn I got a lot a shit ta do! But sketches first. . . .

Work is a four letter word

It has been four months since I've posted here and much to my dismay. I created this blogspot to strengthen my skills and focus on my work. . . . and have found myself trapped at work unable to meet my personal creative goals. Oh well, i can't complain, I am working after all but who knows for how long? This economy threatens everyone's security and as much as I like Obama, I really don't wanna hear about him and his wife jet-setting to Manhattan for a fancy dinner.Its really putting salt in the wound, come on dude, are you kidding me!?! I'm not going out for dinner! I can't afford it. Hey Obama, fix this economy and keep your evening rendezvous to yourself!