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Abstract Expressions - Artspace Anna Maria
Recently, I had my show at Artspace Anna Maria, which is an amazing space right on the beach on Anna Maria Island, run by the amazing artist Deborah Webster. I'd say it's pretty much like a fusion between an art gallery and beach paradise.
The show was a lot of fun and a real challenge. I had a lot of ideas and concepts of things I wanted to try out, but these things never go as expected, so you have to go with the flow and see what comes out.
I wanted the abstract pieces to be a bit of an appetizer to help get people into the mind frame and feeling of what I wanted the show to be. It's more about playing with colors and forms and shapes and having fun.
I wanted to show a little behind the scenes into the creative process before they got to the main show.
And the ladies, well they're the ladies, the main attraction. I played with different techniques on each of them, trying to capture different feelings with each one.
Each one was a bit of a different journey, never really coming out how I expected. But since one of my main focuses was trying something new, I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.
I did have a blast with the technique, it does get a little stressful because there isn't much control. But that might be one of my favorite things about it.
So, it's definitely a style I'm going to stick with and keep developing and pushing. The only trick will be finding space to fit all of them down the line, at 2x4 feet each these ladies are not small...
Process, Ideas and Experimentation
I'm working on a new series for the Gallery Artspace Anna Maria here on the beautiful Anna Maria Island. They have and amazing location right by the water and I'm just really excited for it! It's gonna be on August 11 - 24 and the title will be Abstract Expressions and I'll be posting process and all that through my Facebook.
For these pieces I really wanted to fuse my drawing style with some of the abstract style I use for my experimental paintings. The experimental abstract paintings are great creative release for me, because I just play around with colors, splatters and just try and stretch my wings a little.
But they're missing a big part that would really elevate them into being a final piece. For this series I decided to tackle that.
This was my first attempt. I started with some strong reference and a very clear idea and I set forth to paint it. This was my first mistake because I am more of a draftsman than a painter, and especially for an experimental process like this, it was a bit of a risk having so much of the piece riding on those skills.
I don't dislike the piece, I learned a lot from it, and there is a process and a technique that can be developed there later on. But it wasn't what I was looking for for this series.
So I started over with my same idea and my same reference. Then it hit me "Why am I not drawing?". I've been seeing a lot of street art lately and I'd always been interested in wheat-pasting but I never had an oppurtunity to really use it.
Except for now.
And just like that I found a fun way to fuse my ink work with my abstract work. There's still a lot more experimentation and fine tuning that will go into it. What you see will probably be the half way point before the final.
The main thing is I have a lot more room to play around and experiment, because the underlying artwork is already there. As long as I let that shine through and just focus on blending the styles, I'll be able to have as much fun as I want with it.
Remember, this is just a teaser. Feature presentation won't be out till August 11!
ROSE THORN
So, a lot of stuff has been going on. Thanks to Art in the Park I met a business partner that runs a clothing factory and wants to work together with SuarezArt to bring some new life, fresh blood, and sick art to his business.We've been building some brands and clothing lines, I think I've drawn more these last 3 weeks than I have my whole life. I don't know if that says something about how much work I've done now, or how lazy I was then...
Anyways most of the stuff is hush hush but I will post the things that are Suarezart related.
This girl was drawn on my first day in. I just went at it like no tomorrow.
We wanted a design to be unique, so he showed me this screen printing process that actually prints around the neck hole, and that set off my creative juices.
From there I started thinking what would look best draped around your neck. What would look cool? I started thinking Mucha, and hair. I love drawing hair, but I needed something cool so I wanted some barbed wire/thorns because I also wanted a flower as a design element.
This is the final shirt design, the thorn and rose are gold foil. There might be a few changes during production, but I think this is strong.
And here's she is all nice and fixed up ready for a poster. This process is much more difficult to explain because it's mostly trial and error, throwing layers and all kinds of stuff on top of each other until something pops out to me.
It's actually usually the funnest part!
Print is available here, and follow me on facebook to receive updates on when the shirt is available!
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New Print Released! - Time -
Time
In the blink of an eye,
time stands still.
Beauty frozen,
suspended in the arms of destiny…
...
HA! Yeah right.
Could you imagine if I was that corny for real? I did write that little sample though, so maybe there's some poetry writing in my future, not so heavy handed next time though.
I'm going to be releasing a few older pieces as prints finally, so stay tuned!
Also! use this link to get FREE SHIPPING on all prints worldwide until March 17!