Qilin in nightglow.
setting up
bring out the depth
now the glow
This fantastic space found its way to me by good fortune. Although a bit last minute and fully improvised, setting up under limited circumstances quickly became a blessing in disguise. Thanks to my friends for helping me out. Also shout out to www.gsuarezphoto.com for capturing these memorable photos. And of course, to everyone who came through.
*for full photo set click here
title: Lovestains year: 2009
COLORFUL AMOEBA CELLS / DELICATE DROPS OF WONDER NECTAR / MAKE LOVE / IN HARMONY
title: Pho+osyn+hesis year: 2009
We can extract unlimited positive from Plant Life. Embrace their presence and reciprocate in balance and sustenance. Create more than we destroy for their existence generates Growth for all beneath the Sun.
title: Guan Gong Rides the Lion 關公騎唐獅
mixed media, 36 x 48, 2011
Guan Gong (or Guan Yu) is a deified general who lived during the era of the Three Kingdoms. Wielding a Crescent Blade (青龍偃月刀) and rocking a graceful beard, his spirit radiates a majestic presence. Guan Gong's is respected as an epitome of loyalty and righteousness. Similar values stand true for the temple lion, a mythical creature known for warding off evil spirits and protecting lives with stern dignity. This painting embodies such values and celebrates the importance of staying true of self. It's more than just about keeping it real, it's about keeping it right.
limited prints available here
Tune in while you enjoy this piece, these sounds inspired the visual:
http://8tracks.com/djembeandcanvas/sound-dimension
Guan Gong Rides the Lion is on display with 2 other new paintings for nearly 2 months starting this coming Saturday. Please come by on selected dates, or whenever! The show's info is below:
title: Water No Get Enemy year: 2011 40 x 60 mixed media
I will be painting at Crewest for the Eye to Eye exhibit's opening reception this coming Sat 8/6 and for Artwalk the following Thurs 8/11. Below are preview close-ups of my paintings that will be present. Come through everyone! I will be attending to the wide lion piece.
Water No Get Enemy, 40" x 60" (2011)
sneak viewing of upcoming wood panel series (only during painting dates)
come see this grow
The following blueprint represents my second collaboration with Neoclassics. This past Spring we printed limited edition Ts for relief in Sendai, a project I was proud to be a part of. Needless to say, this new juncture is inspired by another simple, positive, and original direction. The concept is to visualize a modern take on "joker" in Ukiyo-e style poker card format.
After researching some of Utagawa's finest and their deliverance on form, posture, and fabric patterns, I decided on a kabuki dancer for the art form's comparable traits in all things avant-garde and the unimaginable bizarre.
Keeping true to swaying fresh, the whimsical figure romanticizes with a boombox rather than a fan. Only higher decibels can sustain his funk. He's bboy by nature, kabuki by discipline, a natural blend between the new and the old, a timeless transition between the modern and the ancient, a rebirth in NEO and CLASSIC.
In recent shows many have inquired how I free-hand the 3D effect on my paintings. Although I can't explain from a scientific point of view, I can explain how technically it can be achieved. Let's use my recent piece as an example:
title: Black Magic year: 2011
In the darkness / we make love / Black Magic the promise the premise the endless the scene we travel / On to arrive at the very beginning of where we started / Journeying onward into the black and deeper into shadow / Life will bring trust / It will bring and install the memory you unravel *inspired by Jose James' "Black Magic"
I start by painting the background colors first. This is the most spontaneous part of my process, as I splatter and drip colors of various medium to achieve contrast in texture. Some paints are glossy, some matte, and some are more reactive to light. This makes an interesting base with conscious abstract values. From then I would paint the subject matter by layers with fluorescent-based hues to create the 3D effect. If you view this piece with chromadepth glasses, you will notice the flowers in pink/orange outlines come to the foreground, while the yellow outlines remain in the back. Similar effect with the birds, the bottom one comes forward, while the top one stays behind.
Since the hues I utilize have fluorescent values, some of my paintings offer another perspective under inverse lighting, or in most cases, black lights. Below I will refer to another painting to showcase this effect:
This piece is entitled Qilin and under black lighting the painting glows fluorescent. The intensity of the fluorescence can be manipulated by the brightness of the light source. The white/yellow outlines on the creature now glows green, and certain parts such as Qilin's belly goes from red to bright yellow. Since fluorescence also amplifies the contrast of each layer, if you view the piece in this mode with chromadepth glasses the 3D effect becomes even greater.
Although I ultimately want viewers to enjoy my work as they are, this technique generates greater depth to the pieces and offers multiple ways to enjoy the same painting.
*Black Magic & Qilin are both now available under shop
DJEMBE&CANVAS Compassion Timelapse from alfa smog
Fortunately for me, the talented folks at alfa smog approached me to document a timelapse of my painting process. The following was shot in 3 days with 2 cameras and ~15 hours of actual painting. Enjoy!
This piece is entitled Compassion and you can view the finished painting HERE.
Many big thanks to alfa smog (Benedict, Sasha Esfahani, Blaq Panda) for making this happen. Also shout out to Neil Fernandez and Lucky Finn Productions for assisting.
Yosaku - Braza (March 2011) 320kbps download by yosaku
mix by: YOSAKU cover art by: DJEMBE&CANVAS
When the organic side of Brasil meets the electronic. Tune in.
NEOCLASSICS x DJEMBE & CANVAS : a collaboration of HOPE & COURAGE
Hope & Courage shirts for Japan are now available.
The front design is the piece I painted in tribute to Northern Japan. The central figure is Date Masamune, a historical icon of the Tohoku region and the founder of Sendai. He is wounded and battling defiantly to protect the koi in his arms. The spirit of Masamune represents the courage of all the relief efforts and the koi symbolizes the people's hope and resiliency.
The back design consists of the rising sun and Sendai's crest (2nd symbol). This represents a collective tribute from NEO (wreath headphones) and D&C (yours truly). My favorite part is Neo's idea of featuring the logo of Sendai to convey sympathy & respect to all those who're living through this.
These sublimation Ts are each meticulously hand-pressed. The fabric is very soft and comfortable. Please spread the word and contribute. All proceeds are donations to Stand Up for Japan, a project aimed at providing IMMEDIATE relief to the survivors. Their direct routing system can be viewed HERE.
shirts are available for purchase HERE.
Thank you and bless Japan.
"We lost almost everything, but we have one thing. That is hope. Today is better than yesterday and I hope tomorrow will be better than today."
title: FURAIJIN 風雷神
dimensions: 24 x 60
This is the focus piece for a recent interview with Jose, a writer at Nerd Reactor. We met at CES earlier this year, and he was kind enough to send over a few questions about my work. We both share an interest for Japanese Art and how the culture evolves aesthetic beauty through so many colorful depictions of mythology & spirituality. Above is a wide panel for Fujin & Raijin (Wind God & Thunder God), a pairing known as protective deities under Buddha's Messengers of Heaven. I found inspiration for this piece through Towaraya Sotatsu's famous painting. My aim is the innovate a contemporary expression while respecting the traditions of the past.
title: Falling in Love
dimensions: 36 x 60
Cranes represent longevity and grace. The flocks ascend a champagne symphony, where love is blessed upon those who simply believe.
Reflektions on CES: Looking back on the Future
When I came across this article by Kamarr Richée, I felt very fortunate to be on the receiving end of such inspiring words.
Thank you, Kamarr. Your message is one with the spirit of giving.
It's folks like you that make doing this so worthwhile for me.
title: Musashi
dimensions: 24 x 48
Miyamoto Musashi (c. 1584-1645) was a peerless samurai who evolved the Niten-ryū (dual-sword) technique and the writer behind The Book of Five Rings (五輪書), a practice of strategy, philosophy, and self-mastery that incorporates the understanding of nature's essence.
I met Mark de Clive-Lowe earlier last year and had the privilege of painting for his new studio. When I asked him what he was feeling, he envisaged colors of red & gold...and the energy of Musashi's legacy. When I tune in to Mark's music, a reflection of his soulful, positive energy radiates. I had to keep this piece as 'lively' as possible because I felt this common characteristic was key.
Energy. Life. Progression. These are core values shared in both Mark's musicianship and Musashi's fighting spirit.
MdCL DJ set with Hayagriva ;-)
www.mashibeats.blogspot.com/2010/06/new-artwork-in-studio.html
Tune in to Chaka Delic's World of Music @ www.cyberchaka.podomatic.com
Afro-House Wonders will guide your spiritual rhythm into the sunset. This piquant blend of auditory pleasure will heighten your senses. I'm particularly proud of this collaboration. Chaka's decision to use 'Yakumba' for the cover of his Afro-House mix could not be more timely.
I had just finished watching Femi Kuti's Live at the Shrine and became deeply inspired by his demonstration of the Human Spirit. This painting came to life shortly after. The lion represents courage (freedom from resentment), a conviction celebrating unity through self-improvement. The butterfly stands for our constant curiosity to understand Truth, along with all of its facets, without losing our moral balance. Yakumba is about how we can grow together. As is Afro-House Wonders. It's about how we can move and sway together.
