The Old Sketchbook

In high school, a friend of mine told me a brief story about his favorite musician and song writer. The artist carried his journal with him to jot thoughts down when he had free time. He told me about how he wrote music and poetry on his train and bus rides around the city. My friend said that his favorite song of all time was written while this artist was sitting on a crowded bus. My friend pointed out that it was fascinating to know that this artist was carrying his journal everywhere. If he was too lazy, uncomfortable or embarrassed to write on that bus, my friend’s song may have never been written.

I have carried my sketchbook with me since I was a senior in high school, often remembering my friend’s story about his favorite artist. Since then, I have filled about 10 books with spontaneous thoughts, chicken scratches, emotional journal entries and drawing after drawing.

2010
07/20
POSTED BY
Adan Bañuelos
CATEGORY
Drawings
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A Closer Look

Here are a couple more images of the 3D model of this concept. There’s something about this design that balances a fairly simple aesthetic with functionality. I think it suits the small, efficient workspace I’m working on putting together. I’ll be starting on the construction this coming week.

2010
07/04
POSTED BY
Adan Bañuelos
CATEGORY
Furniture
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A Designer’s Desk Chair

Ive been working on improving my workspace at home. I’m always shuffling between sketching, painting, computer work, and back to sketching. I’m putting together a desk to work on large drawings and to provide an efficient layout for my laptop and stacks of projects. With these things in mind, I began to expand on the idea of the chair above. The seat is mainly inspired by the old desk chairs from school and the over-sized masonite clipboards for large drawings. I think the bright white really brings the simple design up to date.

2010
06/30
POSTED BY
Adan Bañuelos
CATEGORY
Furniture
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Back to the Drawingboard

School is out. I am slowly getting my old creative drive back now that the semester has ended. I’ve learned to really value my spare time! I’ve been keeping busy at work, enjoying my regular schedule again. I am ready to apply myself to the new things I’ve learned this past semester. School is helping me focus and manage my creative tasks with responsibilities. I’ll be happy to share my upcoming projects with you as I move forward.

2010
06/01
POSTED BY
Adan Bañuelos
CATEGORY
Drawings
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Showing Work at Finally Made

I finished putting up a new group of work at Finally Made last week. I hung 3 drawings, 2 paintings a butterfly knife, and my favorite, the black chair. Stop by the shop and see how it looks. You’ll find the artist statement by the door.

I want to thank everybody who has been supportive. Thank you to every one who went to check out the show, Almost True. I recently sold a sketch at FM and I sold a butterfly knife piece from the series, Friendly Conversation at Lulubell. If you are interested in a piece or in working on a design project, just send an email.

2010
05/14
POSTED BY
Adan Bañuelos
CATEGORY
Events
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Lulubell Group Show

The opening for Almost True last saturday was a lot of fun. Lulubell is one of the absolute coolest places in Tucson, without a doubt! I am really happy to be a part of another exhibit at the gallery. I am currently showing the shoelace painting, Delusions of Grandeur and the 4 foot tall butterfly knife, Friendly Conversation.

My working process has really slowed down since I started school. I am enjoying the classes I’m taking, but I miss the flexability I had that allowed me to focus on making artwork. Also, I wish I had more time to write out my thoughts and plans here on the blog. I have come to realize that blogging isn’t only a way to show my work process and finished pieces, but it is a good way of logging ideas and patterns of thought for my own record and reflection.

Visit www.lulubelltoys.com to check out my pieces that are for sale, and to see more of the artwork!

Thanks to every one who showed up !

2010
04/16
POSTED BY
Adan Bañuelos
CATEGORY
Events
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Upcoming Event

I entered two pieces into this Saturday’s opening at Lulubell Toy Bodega, Almost True. Group shows are always fun because a bunch of people always show up. There are about 20 other artists showing at this event and I’m really excited to see how everything comes together.

The opening is Saturday, April 10 from 6pm to 9pm. Lulubell is located at 439 N. 6th suite 187, Tucson, AZ 85705. The work will be up April 10th through the 30th. Come by to check out all the artwork.

2010
04/07
POSTED BY
Adan Bañuelos
CATEGORY
Events
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Keeping Busy

Here’s another drawing from December. I’ve been keeping busy with a few new things. I am taking a gallery/museum practices class and a design class at Pima Community College. I’m also in the middle of painting a small piece for a show called Almost True: based on true events.The show will open Saturday March 3rd at Lulubell Toy Bodega. I’ll post a picture of the finished piece when I finish it.

I am showing some of my work at the student gallery at the Pima West Campus, a hallway above the cafeteria that leads to the presidents office. I hung two new painting, the set of butterfly knives and the black chair. I’ll post images of the paintings as soon as I get back in there with a good camera.

2010
02/06
POSTED BY
Adan Bañuelos
CATEGORY
Drawings
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No Fine Line

I have continuously questioned my desire of the things I want. I have noticed, in myself and others, that many of us develop habits from our wish to have things. Over-spending, selfishness, obsession, and addiction can drastically affect the way a person lives his or her life.

There was a time in life where desire was simple. A blanket or stuffed animal could put us to sleep. My artwork reflects on the transition of simple, innocent desires to negative, obsessive desires. I work around this idea because when I think about life and about what I want from myself, I think of my childhood and the happy years I shared with my family. I am constantly reminded of priceless memories that have nothing to do with any of the dreams and desires I have now. Beautiful moments that could never be replaced. Remembering those moments makes me take a hard look at what my priorities are in life.

This piece is a collage of black and white photographs which analyze an aspect of this transition. The photos focus intently on the sneakers, jeans, accessories and so on, illustrating an obsessive and self-conscious attention to detail.

2010
01/25
POSTED BY
Adan Bañuelos
CATEGORY
Artwork
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Jordan One

This one of may favorite pairs I own, along with the all-gray TKs and my lime green SBs. I have to admit, I was not brought up with the luxury of always having cool new sneakers. I never owned a pair of Jordans as a kid. I honestly never cared about shoes until high school. Funny how our priorities change so drastically!

I’m working on a sculptural piece that I’m very excited about. It’s an idea that I had a long time ago, right around the time that I started painting. Also, I recently recieved an invitation to participate in a group show at Lulubell Toy Bodega.

www.lulubelltoys.com

2010
01/20
POSTED BY
Adan Bañuelos
CATEGORY
Drawings
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