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Art in Public Spaces


My fourth showcase of art in a public space was at Buena Park City Hall in the Council Chamber. A solo opportunity and a big space to fill for one little artist (for perspective, pictured here is just one wall.) I brought 30+ pieces to show with plenty of room to hang. This was strictly a no sales show, but of course my mom asked (as always and with the best intentions): "Did you sell anything?" My stock answer: "First, I strive to be familiar."


There were six council meetings during my showcase and my web traffic jumped 700% as a result. Not too shabby an effort towards familiarity and as the pastor of the church I attend once told me, "The ROI is in God's hands."


The pieces that grabbed the most attention and were most commented on were City of Fallen Angels, L.A. Woman, and Hello the Damned, three dramatic creations that seriously poke for attention wherever they show. They are what I like to call my Trifecta of Troublemakers.


Pictured: City of Fallen Angels, L.A. Woman, Hello the Damned


Other public showcases: Here are a few other public spaces my art has shown for the benefit of the community—Ontario International Airport, California Welcome Center of Yucca Valley, and another solo showcase at Center Gallery in the downtown Anaheim Community Center.


Pictured: Ontario Airport display, California Welcome Center wall, Center Gallery of Anaheim


Worth a big mention is Big Waves Laundromat in the heart of Santa Monica. They put out a call every few months for local artists to submit their coastal-themed art. They have some beautiful pieces on display, treating patrons to a little eye candy as they fold their unmentionables. Not a sales opportunity, but artists are permitted to put their contact info on the title cards. As a result I've sold a few prints courtesy of this busy little 'mat. A frequent seller is Daydreamin' at the Laundromat. A piece slated for a two-month tenure and has now been hanging at Big Waves since 2020. However humble an opportunity, never underestimate it or take it for granted.


I consider it an honor to be invited to show anywhere, and feel as thrilled today when I'm accepted into a show, large or small, as I did when I first started this journey in 2019. I'm thankful for anything that increases my reach and recognition as a visual communicator. I like to think I'm just getting started and will go far, but I'm not the engineer of this conveyance, I just go—and enjoy the scenery along the way.


 

Paints on Things

I may be a digital artist, but once in awhile I paint on things by hand—and have a ton of fun doing it in what I call my painting parties of one.



About four years ago (maybe five—at my age the years tend to blend together), a friend gave me an old surfboard that needed a repurposed life and told me "Let's see what you can do with this."


It took two years before I got around to primering it, then another two years to slap some paint on it. Life gets busy. Work gets busier and, gotta be transparent here, painting on things and having fun doesn't bring in the Benjamins. This has been a four year-work in progress, but it's close to being finished. I just need to fine tune it and detail it before the big reveal. I dedicate this one to Abba Yahweh and don't plant to sell it. It will be a showpiece, to show that, yes, I can paint on things.



Sneak peek before the big reveal


Other things I've painted on: Other hand-painted projects include two guitars for the Guitars for Veterans organization, and a skateboard deck for the Schoolz Out backpack project. My painting on things thus far hasn't been for the benefit of my pocketbook. The best incentive is seeing how much I've improved since my first hand-painted project when considering I hadn't hand-painted anything for almost 30 years.


Perhaps I'll get used to painting on things again, like canvases (novel concept). In which case my digital implements will feel mighty neglected. But then again, likely not. I have as much fun with my digital layering technique as I have with my painting parties of one.


Pictured: Release the Kraken (Guitars for Vets), Beauty Will Out (Guitars for Vets), Skateboard Deck (Skoolz Out)


 

Until Next time, For His Glory


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