"Familiar Ground" Exhibition

Familiar Ground is a body of work which journals a personal family history. It is a panoramic view of my manhood. It is delivered through old world traditions in a modern era. With fragments and layers of the men in my family, I illustrate the living contradictions, which surround me. The patriarchs of the family battle over what manhood means between them and those whose lives they seek to guide. The aggressive physical expressions amongst each other and women often collide and merge like two rivers in a rush to certainty. The sexual appetite we posses is always building up until its ravenous desire overpowers our intellect. The minimal communication we participate in often alienates us from those we love and care for. The sibling rivalry and competitive nature regularly ostracizes the more gentle souls amongst us and our restrained emotions anchor us to further self-isolation.

Drawings

Most of my work is graphite on paper, canvas or wood. Creating a new piece is a labor-intensive process that can take hundreds of pencils and or graphite leads, and up to hundreds hours to complete.

As a base for my drawings I apply multiple layers of gesso with thick bristles, to leave behind the relief of brush strokes. After every layer I gently sand down the surface, a process that leaves behind tiny grooves like those of choroid fabric. This resulting layer creates a nuanced, interwoven texture that serves as a base for the steps to come.

I prefer to isolate my subjects on the surface, much like a string of islands adrift in a vast ocean. My subjects then receive several layers of flowing cross-hatching. Calculated lines that dance with the fluidity of wet paint create the illusion of depth, or realism.

My drawings are like a personal journal, cataloging past insecurities, insults, and painful memories. Each piece is like an oversized blanket that is, by turns, comforting but almost suffocating. But for those willing to dig deeper, my art serves as an optimistic roadmap that depicts the intimate, honest struggle against hatred and betrayal - a struggle that ultimately leads to salvation and redemption.

Paintings

This body of paintings began in 2000. The monochromatic work picked-grew like a gathering storm while the color work went into hibernation. This is less portraiture, less experimental and more thematic in focus. They are figurative and more political to be frank. Painting is a very physical endeavor that keeps me in the studio. I enjoy working on large scale and in long stretches of time. My work went through a metamorphosis during 2000-4 years.

Printmaking

For my small prints I use my Excelsior Press which was manufactured by Kelsey Company first manufactured in 1875-1975. I use mine to make small linocut prints. The larger prints are hand pressed.

Atelier Visit: An investigation of the creative process
Ateliervisit.com

Almost twenty years ago, I had an idea for a project. I wanted to publish a magazine about the established artists I knew. More specifically, I wanted to capture the conversations that we had. The emphasis wouldn’t be so much on the work but instead the process of making art. However, for lack of: time; funds; storage space; technical know how; experience; scalability and/or network of contacts the project didn’t happen. Time has certainly changed all of that; the most significant change being the Internet and the “open source movement.” There is a new spirit of collaboration that makes my vision timely. Niche publications and low production cost are now the future of publishing. Through this beautiful opportunity I am able to compose a modest online publication.

I am a Visual Artist publicly and have been consistently exhibiting work since 1984. I am mostly a Los Angeles artist wanting to do my own work wherever it may be welcomed. While continuing to search for my artistic voice I worked as an Illustrator, Designer, Art Director, Production and Creative Manager. Through the last twelve years I have spent in publishing, I have learned not only about content management, but the technical aspects of putting together print and online publications. I have worked with more than forty publications throughout the course of my career. I am fortunate to say that I’ve worked on daily, weekly, monthly and annual publications with large, small and no staff. This experience has given me a realistic expectation of what is possible.

Atelier Visit, for now, is only a two-year project in the form of an online magazine with January 01, 2010 as the planned soft launch date. Since there aren’t enough funds for a launch party or a full marketing campaign, the promotion and marketing of Atelier Visit will begin with social media and RSS feeds. As opportunities make themselves available, promotion will be made.

Atelier Visit is an investigation of the creative process as our contemporary art makers practice it. The project’s objective is to document the creative process by interviewing, broadcasting and archiving video interviews of artists in their creative spaces. Video, written work, and photography will make the core of Atelier Visit’s content. It will be available at no cost online over the next 24 months with a planned annual print edition. This project is a labor of love so I do not expect to make any money. I do, however, hope that funds from online advertising will help offset equipment and print costs.

Collaborators will include Visual Artists, Writers, Editors, Filmmakers, Poets, and Musicians.

In the spirit of collaboration the interviews will be in the artist’s native language. Translations will be made available when they are possible.

Major goals hoping to accomplish

* Exposure for Artists
* Educational resource for other artists, curators and art lovers
* Introduce artists to the 2.0-generation
* Create an artists’ registry

Coffee Works

These are my coffee paintings. They are typically painted on paper with burnt coffee and on occasion a drop of ink. This series date back to 1988 when I wondered the city with a used cheap little brush and a cup of coffee to stay warm. I don't have many in possession any longer but are amongst my favorite paper works.

Published Documents

Most of these documents were originally in print and were later scanned to document and archive.