Frogbite

Justin Sweet at Nucleus

2011-11-12T23:50:00.001-08:00

Last saturday night I went to see Justin Sweet's exhibition held at the Nucleus Gallery in Alhambra, California. I was looking forward to seeing his oil paintings for the first time. For those who know me, Justin Sweet is one of my favorite artist and you can see a lot of his artistic influence in my work. Sweet is known mainly for his digital paintings that have exquisite color harmonies, strong compositions and powerful scenes. I had only seen his work thru the web with an occasional siting of his Gilcee prints (I happen to own one).

As I entered the gallery I didn't know what to expect, I thought maybe it would be like seeing his work on a monitor but just in a gallery setting, or worse maybe the paintings would not match the level on his site. Either way I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I soon found out that neither would be true as I walked around the wall that divided the gift shop from the main gallery. As I looked at the paintings with studious eyes trying to catch every detail every brushstroke a couple things struck me, one the large size of the paintings and the how the oil paints gave the work a visceral quality. In so many words, I was inspired.

It was truly a treat to see them in person. I got to meet Justin as well, he was gracious, answering some questions that I had about his process and some of his views on art. I encourage anyone remotely interested in good art to check out the show, you will be inspired by visions of battles, adventures and beauty. Here are some more pictures I took, enjoy!

Mess of Me

2011-08-19T01:37:00.000-07:00

1776

2011-07-04T15:05:00.001-07:00

In the summer of 1776, the brave men of the Continental Congress signed their names to the Declaration of Independence which formally stated the colonies separation from England. The United States has fallen on tough times of late but in my opinion it's still the best country to live in. America is not so much the physical land, even though it is home to some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world, but it's an idea. The idea of equality, freedom and pursuing what brings one happiness. My aunt got naturalized last week and while attending her swearing in ceremony I couldn't help but feel "proud to be an American" as I listened to Lee Greenwood sing God Bless The USA.

"The greatest motive I had or have for engaging in or for continuing my pursuit of painting has been the wish of commemorating the great events of our country's Revolution."

-John Trumbull

PMCA

2011-06-02T22:54:00.000-07:00

The Pasadena Museum of California Art held it's 100th Annual Gold Medal Juried Exhibition. The show featured the best in contemporary realism. I had the opportunity to see some great painters work like Mian Situ, David Leffel, Steve Huston, Richard Schmid to name a few. Following in the traditions of the great masters these artist are bringing back the high level of draftsmanship that was forgotten until recently.

The Pasadena gallery is a nice size and spacious with a cool yet inviting interior. It has that cozy feeling that the Norton Simon has. Here are some of the pictures I took at the gallery.

Mian Situ

David Leffel

Steve Huston

Joseph Todorovich

"L" oser!

2011-03-17T22:53:00.001-07:00

Wow its been two years since I've posted anything! Many things have happened in the time between my last post and now. A new president, a historical election. A brand new Super Bowl champ in the Saints. A familiar Super Bowl champ in the Packers. An event I have to wait for every four years for and no its not the olympics! It was the World Cup in 2010, and what a cup it was! From the opening game with England to Donavan's goal that united our country in a single moment to the bitter round of sixteen exit. It was a great World Cup with a well deserved new champion in Spain, which the US beat in the Confederations Cup a year before. I am in a sports mood lately due to the fact that my Chicago Bulls are currently #1 in the eastern conference as of today.

In a more serious note there have been three major earthquakes in the last two years. These disasters are a sober reminder of how frail life is. Are we closer to the end of the world than we think? I am not an alarmist but I am just saying..... Which brings me to technology and how it makes these events more real and less real at the same time. Information is so readily available to us that sometimes the truth is hard to find amidst the age of "everyones is an expert" that the net has created. And even me posting on this blog and writing in it has made me wonder why do I post? I don't purport to be an expert on anything and to quote sir Charles "only God is an expert"! (I can't believe I just quoted Barkley) but I think its good to write or draw or paint or sing or dance. Although I don't think you can dance or sing in a blog, oh yeah youtube! but I digress.

This sketch was done on my iPad which is just a lowly first generation! And Apple why do you dangle new and improved gadgets that make me feel I got the short end of the stick? Don't get me wrong I really enjoy my "magical and revolutionary post pc" device. Some of the digital painting apps are great and I have managed to make half a comic book using the iPad, but I still use it to read a lot more than drawing right now. I call it the poor man's cintiq tablet. I hope you all like it.

Appeal to Heaven

2009-04-06T16:18:00.001-07:00

Untitled

2009-03-24T20:49:00.000-07:00

Untitled

2009-03-19T23:24:00.000-07:00

Norton Simon Museum

2008-09-13T21:32:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I had the chance to revisit the Norton Simon Museum. Its a really nice museum with two floors and a garden, its fairly small compared to the Getty and LACMA. I was surprised to see many well known painters works like Degas, Picasso, Van Gogh and Rembrandt. I took some pictures of Rembrandt's portaits and Degas sculptures. The pictures don't do them justice! Ok I may never be able to paint like him but at least his work can grace my blog!

The Dream

2008-01-22T19:31:00.000-08:00

I started this portrait of Martin Luther King Jr. yesterday, hoping to get it posted on MLK Day. Sometime in elementry I was exposed to his life, I remember watching the movie on his life which really moved me and shaped a lot of my views on racism. His speeches still give me chills. He is definetly one of my heroes and his life is a tremendous example of courage and faith.

speed paintings

2008-01-15T23:56:00.000-08:00

I've been meaning to do speed paintings for a long time! The first two are from pictures I found on the net, I felt that I was starting to get too tight by using the airbrush. I really like the clean look it gives, but I start noodling on small details without paying attention to the whole. After doing the first two it really helped me loosen up and also to think about color (something that I really need work on). On the third one I wanted to maintain that "loose" feel. I kept each of these sketches at about half an hour.

Catch of the Day

2008-01-09T23:55:00.000-08:00

Fighter

2008-01-03T00:26:00.000-08:00

Untitled

2007-12-26T21:32:00.000-08:00

Man its tough to get posting again!.... Well hope you guys like it.

Malcolm T. Liepke

2007-12-15T19:57:00.000-08:00

Today I got a chance to check out the Malcolm Liepke exhibition at Bergamont Station in Santa Monica, I first heard about this artist a couple years back. When I saw his work online I was drawn to his figures and compositions and most of all his command of paint. Those pictures really don't do justice to how rich and lush his brushwork is! So seeing his work first hand was like a kid in a candy store gazing into jars full of candy. His brushwork reminds me a lot of Sorolla and his moods feel much like Hopper. I was really inspired, now if only I could break my procrastination and get my easel and paints out!, well hope you guys like some of the pics I took.

Space Marine (part 2)

2007-08-25T00:18:00.000-07:00

I wasn't going to post this sketch but after discovering and playing around with the filters in photoshop, I kinda liked the way it turned out. The textures that the filter gives the piece a tactile feel to it.

Untitled

2007-08-24T23:39:00.000-07:00

I started this one in painter and then played around with some filters in photoshop.

another "work in progress"

2007-08-21T19:10:00.001-07:00

My sister wanted me to paint her with her boyfriend.

Underdog

2007-08-18T18:55:00.000-07:00

Untitled

2007-08-02T23:52:00.000-07:00

Sea Monkey

2007-08-01T19:24:00.001-07:00

My version of one of my childhood toys?? pet?? larvee?

self portrait (work in progress)

2007-07-31T21:26:00.000-07:00

My first attempt at a self portrait, I did one in college that was more of a drawing. Jamin LeFave's blog inspired me to take a shot at this. I think I need to block in values more, kinda feel like i am noodling at this point (too many values and muddy color). Hopefully it turns out well!

Untitled

2007-07-04T23:57:00.001-07:00

"Hold the Line"!

2007-07-03T00:55:00.000-07:00

I used reference for the face, tried to keep it as painterly as possible using mostly the "oil glazing round" brushes for the face and dull charcol for the background.

Untitled

2007-05-03T16:50:00.000-07:00

Portrait of Ma

2007-03-23T20:58:00.000-07:00

I finally just got back from Peru, after two weddings, four wisdom tooth extractions, one root canal, goooood grub!!!(Peruvian food is some of the best food ever!!), and if that wasn't enough taking a oil painting workshop taught by three awesome artist. I have really been blessed with family and friends that were so good to me while I was over there, and If your reading this, Thank you. Well I didn't think I would finish this portait of my mom but it came together (thanks Merian for the "a la bestia" way of painting).

Pin-Up

2007-02-01T23:49:00.000-08:00

This one was fun. I am starting to really like the airbrush because it gives a soft rendered look. Alright too much girly stuff got to draw monsters!

The Apprentice

2007-01-31T18:40:00.000-08:00

Untitled

2007-01-30T00:30:00.000-08:00

Sakura

2007-01-29T00:17:00.000-08:00

I just downloaded the new version of painter and its way faster!!! I really like some of the new brushes they have (artist oils, mixer thin flat) Its cool because the paint runs out. Well hope you guys like it.

Crash

2007-01-28T00:01:00.000-08:00

Miner

2007-01-27T00:04:00.000-08:00

Gift

2007-01-26T00:02:00.000-08:00

Armor

2007-01-24T01:07:00.001-08:00

Untitled

2007-01-22T20:06:00.000-08:00

Hover Bike

2007-01-19T21:18:00.000-08:00

2007-01-18T22:58:00.000-08:00

Favorite "A.I."

2007-01-17T20:11:00.000-08:00

Battle

2007-01-15T19:39:00.000-08:00

Mongolian warrior

2007-01-11T16:29:00.000-08:00

Save the Trees

2007-01-05T01:05:00.000-08:00

Hunter

2007-01-05T01:00:00.000-08:00

Untitled

2007-01-05T00:50:00.000-08:00

Samurai

2006-12-31T21:45:00.001-08:00

Untitled

2006-12-28T18:05:00.000-08:00

Valkarye

2006-12-28T17:43:00.000-08:00

Treasure Island

2006-12-25T02:37:00.000-08:00