PORTRAIT--LINOCUT

Low on budget, for my brother's birthday I decided to make him a birthday card. I've been wanting to work with linocut this summer and took the opportunity to make a portrait of my brother. So I drew the portrait in my sketchbook, traced it and transferred it onto my linocut and carved away. The size is 3 by 5, I think.

After my first print, I decided to carve in some lines into the black shadow for the finish. I used the back of a spoon as a press--I realized I didn't have an extra roller aside from the one with ink. Gotta do some more supply shopping. Anyway, I'm looking forward to working in this medium some more. I have a thinner surface coming up next, slightly bigger, as well as some different colored inks. Maybe eventually I'll be working on wood--ooo la la.

SUMMER CAMP

Summer Camp. Well--not for me, for the kids. It's what's been up with me the last 3 weeks. I'm one of the counselors for the 17 kids ages 3-4 in my classroom. It has its ups and downs but most of the time it's pretty comical. I bring my sketchbook with me wherever I go, but I normally wouldn't take it out while I work until one day, the kids were given blank white canvas sketchbooks---yes! Sketchbooks at the age of 4! Sure, they were a lot smaller than the ones we usually carry around but they got to decorate the front and work in it everyday.

Every morning I'm in charge of the "writing center"--really art center because 4 year olds can't write more than their first names. Anyway, I was sitting there one morning watching them draw and color pretty amazing stuff in their little books (I can already see the future artists stick out). So I thought it was the perfect time to take my sketchbook out and draw these kids that NEVER sit still unless they're drawing or being read to. I used whatever was handy that day: one day crayons, another washable markers, and today, cray pas. The kids enjoyed getting drawn (contrary to people on the train). I even had one girl ask me to draw her again: "But this time, don't draw me so serious..." Another kid drew me--I felt so special! :) Although sometimes they can be a pain in the behind, I do enjoy the happiness they find in simple things. I especially love their art-- it amazes me everyday.

TRAIN SKETCHES

I always get paranoid when I sketch on the train-- there are always people that I'd like to draw and I feel the need to whip out the sketchbook and sketch away... I wonder what they think when they see someone drawing them because getting drawn is different from getting a picture taken. Do they feel self-conscious? Annoyed? Proud? Weirded-Out? Do they feel like I have invaded their privacy? It's difficult for me to be in their shoes because I am on the inside, I know what is happening...

Then there's the part when you get caught. I've once been told to stop drawing--they seemed offended...or I'll get dirty looks. I guess in fear of this happening again I always go for the ones sleeping or really into their books and crossword puzzles. Sometimes I luck out and get a really interesting face or two. I'm not sure what to call this whole thing... you know, the unwritten rules on the train and in New York in general-- Don't get caught in the act of staring at someone. Which is pretty much what someone drawing is doing...Don't make eye contact...If you get caught, "WHATCHU LOOKIN AT?" And, especially in the Bronx, I've seen many fights start over "the stare"--which is almost as bad as stepping on the latest kicks. So I say "Hey, hey, make Art, not War." Then the other obstacle: timing. On the train, you gotta be quick, because you never know when they'll get up and leave or wake up and change position completely. I like this part better than getting caught which is probably why I still do it anyway.

SUMMER SKETCHES PT. 1

Summer break is finally here! It really couldn't come at a better time-- remind me next time not to take 21 credits in a semester... Anyway, every now and then, when I realize that I've been watching TV too long (I don't get to watch TV during the semester) I'll pick up my pencil and sketch. After a crazy semester, I can't help but want a short break from things I've been doing all semester but finally, I've felt the urge to draw--which is a good sign.

Above, we got mom watching some TV novelas with me. Below, a study of my bro.

The cut outs are from a class but drawn recently--within the last couple of weeks. It's a direction I want to go in right now-- we'll see where it ends up.





Another sketch. Inspiration from the Tayrona, indigenous culture in Colombia. I'll work more on this one so keep an eye out.


Happy Memorial Day everyone!

AIRPLANE SKETCHES & THEN SOME

During Spring Break, I went to San Francisco with my club, the Latin American Student Organization @ FIT. We had an amazing time and I'm looking forward to next year's trip. Here are some sketches from the plane ride over:





In one of our classes, we had to create an image using an easy cut block. I haven't used these things in years so this was my practice. It's my name in Maya:

Train feet!
Quick sketch I did to procrastinate doing science homework:
Well, that's it for now...gotta run to class--I'm already late! More stuff to come! Stay tuned...

AZZZUUUUUUUCARRRRRR! (SUGAR, for those who want the dull English translation)

Ironically enough, after the APW piece I've been feeling...inspired-- to make art fun again. All these classes, especially the ones that are required to graduate by the New York State's standards (AHEM, AHEM, science), have been sucking the life out of me! Not good. I wonder sometimes if I'll make it alive after this semester. Enough of my whining. New project, celebrity portraits. I'm trying to think back....nope, I haven't done this kind of stuff since I started art school. But it IS something I'm excited about and it's making me enjoy the process of making art.

I kind of don't want to say who it is but I know some just really have no clue even if it hit them in the face. Celia Cruz. As far as Salsa goes, she's Queen. Interestingly enough, I have another queen in the making so stay tuned. I wanted to draw her because she is such an extraordinary life force, even if she is physically no longer with us. I had her greatest hits on loop in my playlist and there was never a dull moment throughout this process. Annd...I've probably watched her performance of "'Quimbara' live in Africa" on youtube about 50 times within the last 2 days...
Anyway, here are studies, thumbnails, sketches and finally a color sketch. I'll update soon with the finish.






_______________________
EDIT: At first I thought of this as a digital piece but after working on it I thought the old fashioned way worked best.

APW-- EZLN

My idea was to make an image portraying the Zapatistas in a less militaristic way, as their general message is just that. They're just people who want peace and equality. Enough with my soon-to-be- ranting... So for the APW gallery I am entering in I decided to make a short series of Zapatista images in this peacful setting. All work was to be on a scale of 12x12. APW WEBSITE I went with a Zapatista woman extending her hand out to "the viewer" to help them up. I think I was so concerned with people getting the literal point of view that I forced my colors. Went with the blue with clouds, that way people know its the sky and I the dress was orange because it went well with the blue. But honestly, I wasn't feeling it. This is my rough color sketch, right on top of my first sketch.
I did another sketch, the show of the palm made it look more peaceful and more of the feeling of entering the viewer's space, I thought. The body was looking a little too manly so changed that as well, but I liked the idea of the hands looking strong and not delicate.
Once I started painting on my panel, I really wasn't into the colors and thought purple was the route to go.
That didn't work out so I thought maybe if I added some detail to the dress that it would make it look better. It didn't.
I went back to orange thinking it didnt look that bad. I liked the idea of the sun's rays touching the palm but it all wasnt going in the direction I wanted it to. I really wanted to simplify it--and it wasn't easy.

It then hit me that maybe it didn't matter if people couldn't get it right away or maybe I was being too hard on myself. So I went with my gut and used the colors I really wanted to use and ironically enough, the former background actually helped with the new background. I wanted to play around with the sun lines but I had a deadline. As for the other pieces, once classes started, my inspiration was long gone working on other projects. That's not to say that once I get a break from school projects that I won't be working on more pieces like these. :)

BYE BYE BREAK

RECENTLY TOUCHED UP PIECES PT. 3: "QUETZAL EN LOS POROS"

As promised, I have "finished" my first oil painting since 3 or 4 years! This one was originally for an oil painting class--everyone had to do a portrait of someone. We were strongly encouraged to stay true and devoted to our photo references. I'll walk you through...
The sketch. I pretty much knew where I wanted to go with it from the start. If every project were this way...*sigh*
I simplified my sketch and transferred it onto my board and started to block in colors.

Adding in some more colors to my palette. I wanted to make it a limited palette but I was working with restrictions from the professor to stay true to references--also was told to get rid of the "abstract background" (indigenous pattern, but that's a wholllllleee other story...) as it was competing with the subject. I didn't mind that one so much.
Professor also had a problem with the orange she said it was too much and to use a dark--not to happy about that one but I did what I had to do.
This is what I handed in at the end. Sadly couldn't finish it. What kept my spirits up was that I had the break to finish it and make the changes I wanted to make. Don't mind my headphones at the bottom... :/
Worked on it for over a day and voila! I added my orange, worked on the fingers, incorporated some oranges in the "hair" and face and a little sparkle in the Quetzal's eye. I'm satisfied with the way it turned out. It did take a while to finish and sometimes wished I could take some more liberties with it-- but it was good to do something different from the way I usually work. I like the concept a lot and I might revisit it and take another stab at it in a different style. Pray for me to have time to do so!

NEW OLD STUFF

Right now I'm repainting a project assigned last semester. My break cannot end until I feel I am satisfied/finished with it. I will post it up once I finish it this weekend-- if not tomorrow. Anyway, speaking of stuff I did last semester, the one you see above was done within an hour or two for a school newspaper (W27) article. Something about which red lipstick to choose for the winter...the editor apparently asked for a lady with red lipstick which kind of didn't make sense as the newspaper is printed in black/white only...hmm. Although I had a bunch of projects to finish and finals to study for, I happily worked on this as a favor for my friend Charlitos, president of the Illustration Club. :) It was good to procrastinate and not have to worry about end of semester stress for a good hour or two.
Anyway, it's back to work for me!

YEY OBAMA!

So I feel terrible that I haven't been updating my blog as often as I originally intended. I've let myself down. :( BUT! I am working on a couple of paintings so it will be a while until you see them...I figured I can stay dedicated to my blog by updating little sketches I do in my book here and there-- I was a couch potato all day yesterday watching the inauguration so my little sketch here was inspiration from that (not the whole being a couch potato thing but...). Hasta mañana!

QUIMBAYA MASKS PT. 2

As promised, the Quimbaya masks are back! Don't they clean-up well?! :P I've been playing around with color here and there but there haven't been any breakthroughs...yet. I'm thinking about making these into little promos for my blog and contact info...and in the near future hopefully, a website! Perhaps...stickers? What do you guys think?

SUPER VALLENATO MAN-- 1ST DEBUT-- TO MEET YOUR VALLENATO NEEDS!

Earlier in the summer, a few of my comrades made a group on facebook requesting submissions on a topic--just for fun. I thought it was a marvelous idea however, I just couldn't get around to it. One time the theme was SUPERHEROS. I can't remember if he/she were to be rotund but I DO remember that I immediately thought about this guy and quickly made a thumbnail on the closest receipt I could find so I wouldn't forget.

Today, I decided it was time to further develop SUPER VALLENATO MAN and here he is in his sketch form:

Valllenato is one of the most popular music genres in Colombia. In fact, it was created there--thus the name: "born in the valley" specifically, Valledupar (Valley of Dupar). This is vallenato in its traditional and most pure form: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycrmCSZ3v28 and this is vallenato as it is heard today (you'll also see how big it is in Colombia): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwSxGfzsruA Vallenato is mostly played with an accordian, caja (kind of like a little bongo) and a guacharaca (which gives songs the raspy sound in the back). Stay tuned for more from the adventures of SUPER VALLENATO MAN!