Geek Tatoos

"Geek Tatoos", nuff said.

This is Juan.

A bit of back story here, many years ago I was contemplating the possibility of creating a series of paintings that were just based on observation of my life. At the time, I was painting off of magazines such as COLORS, Maxim, Harpers Bazar, and other fashion/ world publications. The notion of painting from photographs of people and places in my life was unappealing to me. I found it more like a class assignment, novel, void of any kind of interest or fascination.

The painting above is my stepfather Juan. It was the first painting that caused me to think there is something here, a concept, idea, whatever that I can work on. This is the reason I am blogging about this particular piece in order to illuminate what is being sought after in my work. Personally I love working from him and he has become one of my favorite models. I find his expressions quite engaging and it also helps that I know him personally to an extent. The approach I used in this painting was that it originated from the photos of the Colors magazine. Many of the photos of people are taken in a face forward and a rather stiff stance. For me it always framed an awkward sensibility that translates well.

In the next couple of weeks I am going to discuss certain paintings I have done or are in the process. In full disclosure I will not go into too much detail on the person or place for two reasons. One it may alienate the audience in the sense that I rather have a person take something away of there own interpretation of the piece. Second, well these are real people that I am close too and I would rather not disclose all their personal information. So there will be editing.

Swoon

Swoon is a street artist in New York. I recently saw her work in the Ft. Lauderdale Museum of Art and found it to be worth the mention. There really isn't anything else to say about her so simply enjoy.

Beatiful Losers

I’m a bit hesitant about writing this entry on this documentary film Beautiful Losers about these mostly “West Coast Artists”. For some time now I feel as if I have had my lips permanently attached to their asses but the problem is that I simply can’t help myself. The film features favorite artists such as Shepard Fairey, Barry McGee, Margaret Killgallen, Mike Mills, etc... It’s a great film if you want to see the latest art movement from their beginnings in New York’s Alleged Gallery to where they are now and how they seem to feel about it.

However Mike Mills summarizes the film in the last two minutes by adding quite accurately that the audience should not believe anything anyone says in the film. Due to the very nature of documentary film; everyone has their own side of a story. It was a tongue and cheek cautionary note.

Art Basel Hangover

Well this past week and weekend is over and I have had time to recuperate from all the events and art. A bit of history, I’ve been going to Art Basel and its events since it opened in 2001. I have witness its evolution to what it is now. Which is to say it is a short time for a huge amount of artwork in general, good and bad depending what your taste may be. Personally, having been born here I am very happy to have one time in the year were a bunch of contemporary artist come to Miami to show off, it does beat the monotony of the summer. And in the end it’s great to see something different, kind of like a carnival. Although I have had years where I have been a bit annoyed with the events but I digress.

Last year was soooo over the top with the events that this year’s fairs are far more tamed by comparison but this is a good thing. There seems to be more quality work in my eyes and found Aqua Miami to be the best show this year from all the satellite fairs. Last year Pulse Miami was my favorite but they refined themselves in a bad way. There was not enough effort to show new work. I don’t know how balanced my opinion is due to the fact that I am bias to California Artists these days but I was very impressed with what I saw and just simply with the fact that it was all in one place.

One of this years surprised for me was the CIFO show of video art. The Bill Viola piece really snuck up on me. I remember going to a New York retrospective of his many years ago and felt that I have become quiet accustomed to his work. Do not misunderstand me, I really enjoyed the New York Exhibition but after having all the pieces together and seeing it kind of diluted me. Perhaps it’s time, but Viola’s video at CIFO was very good on a social level. More than other videos I can remember.

Last but not least was the graffiti around the City of Wynwood which is always impressive. The Primary Flight exhibition was awesome. It is nice to get in your car and drive around and see really cool stuff on the walls. Also it’s an exhibition that truly does not close so I recommend anyone to take a look.