Gallery Show For Lisa Nguyen

Here are a few pieces I'm donating to the tribute show for Lisa Nguyen. It was a very moving experience working on these pieces for the show, something very unique to what I'm accustom to. I make stories, create characters, and try to find drama and adventure with my art. But here, I was trying to find... something of Lisa Nguyen, a woman I never really knew. This was very difficult for me, until as I looked over a few pictures of her, spoke to friends that knew her and searched for my memories of the very few times I met her, it dawned on me that I'll never really know her personally, and it would be silly for me to even try. I couldn't "find" Lisa Nguyen, because I didn't know her. But I could see how special she was to all her friends and all the people in her life, and that was a very real and very strong place I could work from.

Now, I've seen alot of pretty pictures, awesome comics and amazing works of art, but there are VERY FEW things in life more beautiful than someone who means so much to others. THAT is true beauty.

The Fabulous Life of Lisa Nguyen
A tribute show
February 6 – 10, 2011

Opening Reception:
Sunday, February 6th in the Werby Gallery, 5:00-7:00PM
Student Gallery courtyard at Cal State University, Long Beach

Gallery Hours:
Monday – Thursday, 12:00- 5:00PM
Wednesday 12:00-7:00PM

Proceeds from the sale of work go toward the Lisa Nguyen Memorial Scholarship

SHOW AND TELL ep. STEVE MARTINEZ

Painter/Illustrator/Storyboard Artist Steve Martinez shares some very amazing artwork with us directly from his studio!

Independent ANIMATION... IT'S ALIVE!!!

I had a great time participating in Jim Lujan's latest Cartoon festival "WE DON'T NEED NO STINKIN' BADGES" at GEEKS comics in Whittier! It was really well done, from the great diverse selection of animated shorts to the superb job of hosting that Animator/Podcaster Raul Aguirre Jr. did. And the Press was there also, taking interviews, and adding to the excitement of the evening, along with a really great crowd of fans and supporters. It was a fun, inspirational and overall very satisfying evening for all in attendance I think, and I'm very appreciative to have been a part of it. I've also got to mention Animator Ken Mora, who was also very instrumental in putting the show together as well as the NUVEIN foundation. Ken, Raul, Jim and NUVEIN, thank you for giving us animators such a great venue to showcase our independent cartoons in!

Animators in attendance (L-R) Dominic Polcino, Raul Aguirre jr, Gras Rodriguez, Jim Lujan, Steve Sievers, Jose Cabrera, Ted Seko, and Ken Mora

Even More SUPER MAN-MONSTERS!

After I gave up trying to literally follow my pencil rough this one came together for me. I just focused on what the image was about, instead of what it looked like and that was the anchor that kept the piece grounded. Of course, if something only looks like something to you, then I wonder, does it REALLY look like something? Does a tree really fall in the woods if nobody hears it fall? Hmm, sure it does! In that case, this one is okay!




This one is pretty straight forward, though again it only started to work once I stopped trying to follow my pencil rough. Painting really can show me what something is when I stop trying to "Draw" it. Thanks Painting!

SHOW &TELL ABOUT IT ep: Javier Hernandez

Self-Publisher Javier Hernandez shares some of his favorite comics with us!

SUPERMONSTERS CARTOOOOON SHOW!

I finally finished editing and revising my flashtoons into the SUPERMONSTERS CARTOON SHOW! for Jim Lujan's upcoming animation show at Geeks, a local comic shop in Whittier. I did several versions of this piece until it came out just the way it should be. And it took a buddy of mine, self-publisher Javier Hernandez who tossed a common phrase I use BACK at me to go that last bit. That phrase? "Are you gonna cr*p it out or CRAFT IT OUT? I'm really appreciative of Jim for motivating me to put together something for his show... he's an incredibly talented animator, but more important(in my opinion) he's truly superhumanly Driven and Focused!

This is one of those projects that I feel really satisfied with. It's like when I made and xeroxed my first minicomic and held it in my hand sitting alone in my room. It's cheezy, full of flaws and inperfections, but it looks good to me and I'm proud I made it!

BULLRED VS THE TENTACLE!

Yet Another Painting Sketch!

Here's the Post Apocalyptic Version of Zombieman Zero. I was worried his body type was too generically buff, AND his split face was again TOO generic, but that's just who he is. Don't be afraid to be generic when the situation calls for it. That goes for more than just art too. Now Go get me a sandwich! (J/K... just making fun of my Mr. knowitall big mouth!)

Another study for SUPER MAN-MONSTERS project!

Painting a profile/portrait of a character is a great way for me to really figure out who they are. Here's another one for my new SUPER MAN-MONSTERS project. Once I realized it was okay to paint a person WITHOUT using flesh colors it came together for me. Part of me says, "Hey, you can't paint a person without using flesh colors, it doesn't look right", but then the Other part of me says, "Yeah? well I just did, and it looks fine to me, what you gonna do about it?" and then the first part says,"Okay then, it's your painting now, go to town..." Sometimes you just have to take control of yourself!

SUPER MAN-MONSTERS!

Yeah, I know, last year was the year of the SUPERMONSTERS, but hey, this is the year of the super "MAN"-monster!