Thesis Progress

Thesis Progress:

      In hope of finding a way to blend my larger illustrative work into a more installation and 3-dimensional vibe, my thesis advisers suggested creating small machettes of potential compositions. It definitely helped me see the potential for my illustrations in real space but the works still felt too controlled by their environment and lack luster in comparison to the theatrical pieces I imagine. So, I built a 42"x72"x66" box out of black finished paneling and aluminum brackets. This has really given me a clean canvas for my hand to express line-work and start to bring to a head my grand composition.

    Referencing Da Vinci's "Last Supper" and incorporating my unique animal personifications, I'm working toward putting some of my characters in a "Last Supper" setting. Not trapped to the template put forth by Da Vinci's great work, but allowing for artistic expression to exist in a similar way I feel "The Weird Crew" has done with theirs. Im using a lion to represent the head of the table, I feel this draws from Aslan from C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia. I never really connected to church life or a studying of biblical beliefs but I easily comprehended Lewis's connections between Jesus Christ and Aslan. I also see lions in a personal light as a dormant figure capable of great things. My father's name is Daniel and the story of "Daniel and the lion's Den" always visually connected a masculine father figure to the animal.

My illustrative idols

the-weird-crew.tumblr.com/

The Weird Crew is collective German based spray paint illustrators. Their styles are all different but the group is astounding at finding common grounds through color and subject matter. The work are a new expression of size and charisma. My wall murals are still very small as i learn how to develop strong compositions at this size. My work feel a lot of the time a precursor to what im seeing here. Another difference between what I feel my work does is it feels more in touch directly with the needs of the community, not as much just the imagery i want to paint. Muraling can have a strong impact on the area around it and i believe that should be strongly considered. 

"Leonardo Da Weird" and a trademark Nychos dissecting skull

The Wanderer

Lots of little symbolisms surround this character that I plan to include in my developing narrative as an allegorical representation of time, perception, and fate.

Artist statement

Personality and charisma are projections of our character. My work visually addresses how character is expressed, and how those expressions alter our perceptions of identity. Ultimately, I work to blend the line between our animalistic and civilized natures.