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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

It’s important to me to polish ideas as I get closer to the building stages of a project. It’s necessary keep an eye out for details in order to execute a complete, well organized concept.

I’m excited to get this project into the metal shop! The structure will be made of steel and wood, and topped with glass. When foirst sketching this up, I was aiming for innovative, unconventional structure and use of materials. I like how things are coming along. I’m expecting some trouble with structural issues and costs. In any case, I am very excited to work through the difficulties and see the piece finished, and on the gallery floor!

Here’s another drawing. I’ve been drawing more every week. Next step is to get them all matted and framed!

The plans for my next exhibit are slowly moving forward. I am working on a few things that I haven’t gotten around to posting here on the blog. So it might not look like a lots getting done, but things are coming along.

“The most important parts are the ones that are unseen. Wings dont make you fly, and a crown don’t make you king.” -Lupe Fiasco