"Semblance" Art Opening

(Putting the finishing touches a couple minutes before the opening)

This past weekend was the opening of "Semblance" my first solo art show at the Fox Tax Gallery. It was such an amazing time to have so many people come out and see the work I have been producing.  A special thank you to Fox Tax Gallery for giving me the opportunity in showing at their beautiful gallery and thank you to everyone that came out and made that evening a special one to remember.

With this show I wanted to push my paintings in a new direction. I wanted to explore the boundaries of modern art that is influenced by colors and patterns and see if it can sustain with a classical/neo classical figure. The figures were kept in a classical pose with patterns and bold colors intersecting through out the body and background. I was definitely not in familiar territory when producing these paintings which also made it more exciting to create. I think as artist we must always evolve and see how far we can challenge ourselves. For me the challenge was going outside my comfort zone of painting still life's and figures and try to produce a body of work that is unique, original and speaks to me.

The other half of the show was dedicated to ball point pen drawings. They are unique in their own right and thought having them with my paintings was only a natural thing to do. I wanted to draw people with beards for the most part, I have a fascination of interesting faces with cool mustaches or crazy looking beards. Either way its destined to produce an interesting drawing...hopefully.  Ball point pen drawings have always been a form of practice for me, I can't always carry a brush and paint everywhere I go so drawing with a pen has been the closest thing.  I never really thought of showing these in the past until my wife saw them and thought it would be a good idea to start showing them.  These drawings I made for the show were a lot of fun as some of these models were found locally at shops or people I ran into in the streets. The drawings were as fun to produce as the paintings were.

(This night before the opening.)

As you can see from the picture above, I mixed the drawings with the paintings as far as set up goes. This gave a good flow from one drawing to one painting. The following pictures are in order how it was set up in the show.

"The Bearded Lady"

Ball Point Pen

"Darling"

Oil on Linen

"Ultra Man"

Ball Point Pen

"Logic & Belief"

Oil on Linen

"Curly"

Ball Point Pen

"Catching Light"

Oil on Linen

"Seiler"

Ball Point Pen

"Ivan Kramskoy Study"

Ball Point Pen

"Lady Sublime"

Oil on Linen

"Ruben & Ribera Study"

Ball Point Pen

"Technicolor"

Oil on Linen

"Prismatic Repose"

Oil on linen

"Ruffles"

Ball Point Pen

"Hypnos"

Oil on Linen

"Old Sport"

Ball Point Pen

I wanted to say a special thank you to my beautiful wife. The person who helped me with my work in improving them with her sharp eye and constructive critiques, I can not imagine the results without her.  The person who made sure I didn't have to worry about anything else other than getting ready for the show.  She is truly the best thing that has ever happened to me and I am really blessed to have her by my side. Thank you!

"Semblance"

"Catching White"

16 x 20 in

Oil on Linen

Hey everyone, I know you probably do not recognize me, it has been way to long since I have last posted. I have not painted alla prima paintings in a while as I have concentrated more on my personal work. I have been busy getting ready for my first solo show at Fox Tax Gallery in NE Minneapolis. I am posting the first painting I completed for the show as well a new ball point pen drawing.

 "The Bearded Lady"

6 x 5 in

Ball Point Pen on Paper

If you are in the area stop by, the show will be up from October 2 - November 9, 2015. Opening reception is on October 2 from 6 - 10 pm.

Address: 503 1st Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Au revoir!

Art Show

"The Gypsy Life"

36 x 48 in

Oil on Canvas

There was a great show this past weekend that I was lucky to be a part of. I showed two new pieces and four older ones. I collaborated with three new pieces as well. It was a lot of work getting ready for this show but worth every moment of it. Here is a great video showcasing opening night of the show and artworks from the other participating artist.

This painting I hold very dear to my heart. I have been wanting to execute this one for about 9 years. Its a story I came up with when living in Florence, Italy. Narrative paintings have always been a direction I wanted to go with. Telling a story and connecting with the viewer with my paintings is something I am getting into and very excited about. 

Closer view of the "The Gypsy Life"

"Eve"

35 x 25 

Oil on Linen

Sorry for the bad picture of this one and of "The Gypsy Life", I am in process of getting these professionally shot. 

The space the event was held at is called "Architectural Antiques". Great venue with so much rich history with every antique item. There was also a band playing while the show was going on. These pictures were taken the day after the opening, I did not have time to take photos of the show on opening night due to how busy it was.

My ball point pen drawings.

This was the space leading to the other side where the bar was and more art work was embedded with surrounding antiques.

Entrance to the show.

One of the main rooms with a couple pieces from Peter Geyen. 

This was one of the collaboration pieces Peter Geyen and I worked on. I did the painting and Peter completed the sculptures on top. Always great to work with Peter on these projects. 

"Cutting Board"

16 x 20 in

Oil on Canvas

I painted this one about a year ago and finally got it framed. Was excited to show it with the frame for the show.

Another piece Peter and I worked on together. I drew the portrait in oil pastels and Peter completed the rest.

This one was another piece Peter and I completed. I completed the drawing in charcoal on MDF board. What I enjoy about working with Peter is always trying different mediums and different ideas that push me as an artist. 

The show was so much fun to be a part of, by the end of opening night I had no voice and extremely exhausted. Thank you to everyone that made it out and made it such a great event. I am looking forward to many more.

Cheers!

Art Show Opening

Ball point pen gestures in my sketchbook.

Its been a long time since I posted. I have been very busy with prepping for a big show coming up. I will be participating in a great show with three other artist in Minneapolis. The show is on May 9, 2015 from 5 - 10 pm. You can find out more details on http://www.neartshowcase.com/ . I am very excited for two new paintings I have produced for this show. I am showing a total of 6 pieces and 4 - 5 collaboration paintings. I have been experimenting a new approach to painting with the new direction I am going for. I have wanted to do narrative paintings for a long time and have finally dove into it. Doing this has slowed down my production with daily paintings, but it is something I needed to do in order to progress my artistic voice. I will go into depth more of the technique I have been exploring with and the reasoning why once I upload photos of the paintings after the show. The paintings for now are under wraps until the show. For now I sharing my gesture drawings from my figure drawing class I teach and some gestures I have done in my sketchbook.

Gesture demo's for my figure drawing class. These were done in graphite.

Drawing of the model while she was on a break between poses.

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you at the show. Here is the info again,  http://www.neartshowcase.com/ 

Poseidon

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"Poseidon"

3 x 3 in

Ball Point Pen Drawing

The last time I was in Miami, FL I went with my wife, sister in law and her fiancee to a museum that had this sculpture. The lighting of it and design really grabbed me. The light hitting it was so natural and dramatic. I also loved the design of the face and beard, I knew when I saw it I had to draw it. This drawing is not an alla prima painting or drawing, it was definitely not done in one sitting. 

With this drawing I tried a different approach in the beginning stages. I started with placing the important markings of the subject stating each height and width to each section. I keep the lines light since I'll render over the lines and do not want them to show in later stages. Here is where the change comes in with the process, I start stating all the values at once very lightly and keeping the edges soft. What this does it shows me how the final value scheme will look, also it gives me a clearer path to take each section to a finished look. Then I take the top half of the portrait to a finish. I do the same with the bottom half.

Thank you for stopping by, happy Holidays everyone!

"Tony" ARC Salon 2013-2014 Finalists

Please email me if interested in purchasing

"Tony"

3 x 5 in

Ball Point Pen

I hope everyone is having a great start to their summer. I have been extremely busy, as usual, and have finally found time to post. Very excited to announce I am a finalists at the ARC Salon 2013-2014 Competition. You can see more of the finalists here.  I have always wanted to apply and finally was able to. The Art Renewal Center is an incredible site to find amazing artist who are trained in the classical method. You can also find accredited ateliers around the world at the ARC.

The story behind this portrait starts with shopping at Trader Joe's. I noticed "Tony" working there and approached him to draw his portrait. He was a little hesitant at first, but after showing him some of my work he agreed to pose for me. There is something unique that attracted me to draw his portrait. You never know when you find your next drawing/painting subject matter, but when you do you have to jump on the opportunity. "Tony" was a blast to draw, looking forward to painting his portrait in the near future.

"The Butcher"

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"The Butcher"

7 x 5 in

Ball Point Pen

This portrait is of our local butcher that I have been wanting to draw for quit some time now.  I stopped him one day and finally had the courage to ask him to pose for me, to my delight he agreed.  I enjoyed drawing this portrait for many reasons, one of which is that I know this person but at the same time I really don't know him that well.  To try to capture him through the drawing was a challenge in that aspect, but since seeing him so much at the store I feel like I got a good idea of his personality.  I wanted to keep the background blank to frame the portrait and have all the contrast in the center.  To say I enjoyed this drawing is an understatement I hope to do more of these in the near future.  Thanks for stopping by hope you enjoyed! 

"Senior"

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"Senior"

8 x 6 in 

Ball Point Pen

I've always loved drawing it was my introduction into this crazy art world and always find refuge when I need to escape it all.  I especially love drawing in ball point pen rather than any other medium, there's something about its permanent quality that attracts me and motivates me to fully concentrate with every mark I make.    I saw this picture in a publication a while ago and was immediately drawing to the simplification of tones and beautiful textures in the skin.  Not really into politics to make this drawing a political statement, just wanted to try to render it the best that I can.  Needless to say this is not an alla prima drawing, it took more than a day to complete I actually did not jot down the specifics on how long it took, it did take me a while though.  I hope you enjoyed this one!  

Detail.  

"Grandfather"

"Grandfather"

6 x 4 in

Ball point pen

I've been away for the past week visiting family in Key Biscayne, FL.  I usually go to visit my parents and sisters but this time it was different, my grandmother was visiting from Argentina.  She came to celebrate her 85th birthday which coincidently falls on the same day as my fathers birthday.  I created this ball point pen drawing for her of my late grandfather, it was amazing learning so much of his history through her.  My grandfather was an amazing human being, I remember the summers going to Argentina  and spending so much time with him.  He was a gentle, always well dressed and very articulate man.  Drawing this portrait was a great experience and extremely honored and happy that I was able to surprise my grandmother with this gift.  I apologize for the poor picture quality, I took the picture with my phone.  

This picture is of the day I arrived in Miami and we went for a walk to the light house later that evening, it was one of the most memorable times that I've had with my grandmother.  As stated before my grandmother lives in Buenos Aires, Argentina I haven't seen her in couple years and wish I was able to do more often.  On that walk I asked her so much about my grandfathers life, it was amazing to learn so much and to hear what they survived and where able to achieve.  My whole family is from South America and my sister's and I are the first generation born in the United States.  Learning so much this past week of my families roots was an eye opener for me, its true what they say you have to learn where you come from before you know where you'r going.

This is a picture of my grandmother and father celebrating their birthdays 85 and 58!  I'm extremely lucky and blessed to have family like this, it was such a good time relaxing and celebrating their birthdays.  Now time to get back to the grinding wheel and make some paintings!

"Charles Darwin"

"Charles Darwin"

5 x 4 in

Ball Point Pen

Contact me if your interested in purchasing this drawing.

I know this is not an alla prima painting but I wanted to share one of my ball point pen drawings that I love to do, its a good break from the alla prima's that I enjoy so much.  This drawing I did a couple months back and finally I'm posting it, I was able to get a good scan of it and show it to everyone.  These ball point pen studies really are done for practice and I hardly even think of them as show pieces.  There is no particular reason why I decided to draw Darwin other than the fact that I came across his portrait and really loved the texture in his skin and decided to just render the heck out of it.  I really enjoy doing this drawings I apply what I learn to my paintings, I strongly believe that drawing and painting are so closely related.  If you'r a good draftsmen than painting will not be so difficult for you, a lot of people overlook drawing as not important but in reality its everything.  I always love to go back to drawing and brush up on the fundamentals.  I hope you guys enjoyed this one, thanks for stopping by!

Ball point pen drawings

These are some of my ball point pen drawings I have done in my sketchbook.  I don't know why most of them are political, I am starting to venture in different areas with this medium! 

 I hope you enjoy these as much as I have!!