High School Art Flashbacks

I thought I wouldn't get to take pics of this until I went back to Cali to visit the familia. However, a few weeks back, shortly after the previous post, I got a surprise email from my brother Adrian with the attached pics, and an email busting my chops saying the following:

"Hey Gonzo, your slacking! Check out the detail in your first rendering!! " End of email.

As mentioned in the previous post, I did this pencil rendering in my high school art class. Must have been junior or senior year in Mrs. Peter's art class. I don't know any guys in high school that didn't try and attempt to copy a Frazetta or a Derek Riggs EDDIE from Iron Maiden. It was almost a right of passage.


My uncle Art used to come back from his art classes and show me how to add shadows and volume to my dorky superhero drawings by shading them with pencils other than a 2B. They make different pencils other than a 2B for drawing?! (12 year old Augie's brain explodes)

My high school art classes were my chance to attempt what my uncles were doing on a scale that was bigger than my Pee-Chee covers. I remember that they had those big art-o-graph projectors in my high school class, so that you can blow up your image and trace it at any size you wanted (Man. I'm getting flashbacks of HUUUGE pastel renderings of Nagel women on black paper that were always being done by someone in class).

Anyways, I always thought it was cheating somehow to use the projectors, so my stubborn Puerto Rican side talked myself into not using the projectors and just copying it by hand by just eyeballing it. Seems like you would learn more that way, or not. Just took longer I guess.

Highschool art class was the only class I looked forward to. You had all the time in the world to work on stuff. Not like now. Now, as a "grown up" you need to make that time to do personal projects. If you don't, someone else will and you'll get left behind. Make the time kids. Don't be a Gonzo slacker! (Thanks for the pics bro!)

Dr Teeth vs Molly Hatchet

Here's the painting I did for the 2nd Muppet Rawk show. I think like the last Muppet Rawk painting, I tend to lean towards the album covers that were painted by artists that influenced me as a kid. That was half the fun of buying vinyl back in the day. Being able to listen to your favorite band while staring at a huge cover of illustrated art. That was the best. It seems to be something that is lost today in a digital, downloadable world. Oh well. Time for the old man to shut up.


This painting was all acrylics on a 24"x 24" canvas. Title: "Flirting With Homages". If you're not familiar with the Molly Hatchet album that this cover was from (titled "Flirting With Disaster") you've probably seen it and just never knew it was from that album. If you had older sibs or cousins/uncles in the 70's-80's, you probably saw this image hanging on their wall, or you saw it airbrushed on the side of a van. If you're not familiar with the artist that painted said cover.........shame on you.


The artist that did the original painting that was used on the cover is the legendary artist Frank Frazetta. If you haven't heard of him, I'm not sure what to say. I can write up a storm on this blog and tell you all the reasons why he's one of the few artists you can attatch the words "legendary artist" to, or you can just check out the link and go do some homework. In fact, I would insist.


Anyway, had a blast painting this. It was actually fun to disect a Frazetta painting now that I know a little bit more about the process. On that same note, it also made me realize how much more there is to learn. As a kid I remembered there was so much detail in this painting. There totally is, but so much of it is implied with strategically placed shadows. The actual focal point of the painting has all the detail and you can see where he spent most of his time on this particular piece.

Like I said, I can talk all day about Frazetta's work, but I don't want to bore you with things that have already been written far better by others before me. I will confess that this was one of those paintings that I did copy of in high school art class. I went through a box of pencils trying to copy this thing and teach myself how to shade and learn value. I'll have to dig it up when I go back home and take a picture of it so I can post it.

One last thing. If you're in Seattle, don't forget that the Jim Henson exhibit starts this weekend at the EMP and runs through August 16th. Get the details here. Can't wait to check that out.

Muppet Rawk 2

A few weeks ago, Ouch My Eye in Seattle, hosted the opening night for the 2nd Muppet Rawk show. From the obligatory crowd shot above, you can get a sense of the crowd that was coming in and out all through the night. Muppet fans from all over came out and saw their favorite Muppets combined with some classic album covers.

First off, I have to apologize for some of the blurry pics. My camera chose that week to break, so I had to use my buddie's camera (thanks Dave!). Here are the pics that actually came out. Above is Aaron Jasinki's take on the famous Nirvana cover, Nevermind.


Memo Diaz does Statler and Waldorf vs the Crue's Theatre of pain.

Marsha Walinger does Blizzard of Fozz.


Jordan Kotzebue's take on the Clash.

James Ma's Electric Mayhem vs Queen.

Rob McDaniel's 3d entry of Bert vs Quiet Riot


Marc Palm did this awesome take on R. Crumb's Cheap Thrills cover. Make sure you check out his Flickr account for some of his pencil sketches of his Muppet rawk piece.

As you can see, the show was a blast. Still not sure what artists did what and who does and doesn't have websites. Ouch My Eye Gallery should have a complete list of artists and art up their site soon. If you want to see some shots of the rest of the Muppet Rawk2 pieces that were in the show, check out our friend Lara's Flickr account. Thanks much Lara!

I'll post some pics in the next day or two of the piece I did for the show. Managed to get a few in progress shots before my camera decided not to work. Anyway, enjoy.

Custom Skully Show

This Saturday, Chuckwa Gallery, in Fullerton, CA., will have a custom toy and traditional art show inspired by Urban Warfair's Skully figure. The OC Register has a nice breakdown of what the show is all about

Here are a few,"work in progress" pics of the skate deck I entered into the show.

Muppet Rawk 2

Muppet Rawk? "What's that?", you might ask? Just like the flyer says:

"A pop culture tribute to the imaginative world of Jim Henson and the art of rock album covers."

This Saturday will be the opening night for Muppet Rawk 2 at Ouch My Eye Gallery in Seattle, WA. If you want to check out the post from the last show with some photos from the opening night and the piece I did for that show, click here. This year's show is already getting some heat online. Here's an image of one of the pieces over at Boing Boing (in Borat voice: "Very nice!") There will also be prints for sale of most of the pieces the night of the opening.

This month, Seattle's EMP will also have a huuuuge Jim Henson exhibit. The exhibition features 100 original artworks, including drawings, cartoons and storyboards that illustrate Henson’s talent as a storyteller and visionary. That exhibit will be up from May 23rd-August 16th. That is a definite DO NOT MISS exhibit. Can't wait to check that out.

Well, I just handed you a double dosage of Muppets that you will be able to check out this month if you're in Seattle. I'll be posting my piece soon, and will hopefully have pics from the show to share, so, stay tuned.

Hope to see you this Saturday!

This post was brought to you by the letters, A-U-G.

MUPPET RAWK2 info:
Opening reception May 9th, 8pm, 21 plus
Gallery hours are Monday - Saturday, 12-5pm, First Thursday and by appointment.

Art Jam IV Leftovers

I've gotten some more pics and links from friends over the past few weeks regarding Art Jam. Just wanted to do a quick follow up post and post some more pics.






Ok. I confess. This post was really just an excuse to post more Bob Ross photos.

I mean, c'mon! Chris came fully prepared with fan brushes and palette knives in his arsenal. Note the fancy palette. The real Bob Ross would be proud.


Here's a better shot of the final piece. Just so you know, Chris doesn't normally paint like this. He kicked it up a notch for Art Jam. You raised the bar brutha!


Here are some finished pieces laid out on the art table/ shuffle board. All these pieces here sold that night. People got some deals for sure.

Here are some better shots of the finished pieces from Angela179 (above) and the three artist collab (below) from Karin, LAW, and Suzzanne.



I also wanted to give Sean Quinn some props for coming all the way out from Boston to round out the DJ set. Seth, Dave, and Sean definitely throw down haaaaard with the jams. In my mind, they give the night a certain vibe that the artists and the crowd feed off of. Mucho importante.

"What kind of music do they play. Aug?" Well, the Boston Phoenix called Sean Quinn "-the guru of Boston’s rising funk tide." Take that Seattle. Thanks for coming out to the left coast to spin at Art Jam Sean!




Here's Shane finishing out his collab with Travis.

Here's another collab that I didn't get shots of. Luke and Ryan jammed out this killer piece. Always fun to see these two throwing down.






I finally got a chance to get up on the boards at the end of the night when things were a little less hectic.




I was also thrown off that night after almost slicing through my thumb. (cut AWAY from yourself kids!) My head has been in Muppet land lately (getting ready for this Saturday's Muppet rawk show), so, Dr. Teeth was the first thing that came to mind.



I guess this gives away what Muppet I'll be doing. What album is it? Hmmmm, stay tuned. Anyway, I hope this post wasn't redundant. just wanted to get in some last minute pics. Much thanks to Cecilia, Dave, and Karin for letting me use their pics. You can check out more of Cecilia's pics from that night on her Flickr account.

Anyway, I'll post the details for the Muppet Rawk show tonight. I've already seen a few pieces, and I think this show is going to blow out the last one.

Art Jam IV Aftermath

Last Saturday night at Georgetown's 9lb Hammer, we put on the 4th Art Jam. Basically, artists from near and far came out to create live art, drink, catch up, drink, and make more art. All the art then gets sold off that night at the bar. First come, first served. Profits from art sales go back to the artists so they can pay their bar tabs, and Art Jam gets some too, so that we can replenish the supplies and have more nights like this one.


This time around, my partner in crime, Corrie Greening had the genius idea of asking artists to bring in old unwanted or unfinished art for other artists to paint on. Corrie mentioned that she had a painting she would contribute, which was the inception for the idea. I expected something on the smaller side, but the above painting of her mom was what she brought. Below, is the outcome of that painting.


Local artist John Ohannesian was the first to take on Corrie's painting.

Georgetown tattoo artist Joby, from Artcore studios, put his spin on the piece.

Another Artcore tattoo artist, Christopher Gay, also contributed. Bob Ross, also rose from the grave and filled in the word balloon. More on that in a bit.

Another piece of art that was sacrificed to Art Jam artists was a landscape that John Ohannesian did above. Local comic artist Shane White went to town on this and came up with his monster vs robot battle scene.
Now, we have to take a minute to thank painter Bob Ross (aka Christopher Pfeifle) for coming back from the grave so that he could grace our presence for one last gorgeous landscape.


Chris Pfeifle, um, I mean, Bob Ross, was definitely the crowd favorite that night. Not only did he look like a dead ringer for Bob Ross, but Chris stayed in character even as he painted his happy little trees. Armed with his fan brushes and palette knife, Bob Ross cranked out a gorgeous mountain landscape as only he can. I still giggle when I look at the pics.

Here's an early pic of Portland artist Ryan Bubnis on the left, getting his art groove on. Next to him is Keith Carter starting his skull painting.



Here, we got Memo Diaz in the above pic, busting out a very funky piece.


Here, we got Luke Erwin (aka FILTH) ,up from Portland, rocking his pen and ink style. Next to him on the right, was another "up for grabs" painting that Chris Gay from Artcore attacked with his collage technique.



Another Seattle artist, Maija Fiebig came out to add her touch to the night.


Here's a three way jam with more local artists, Karin Yamagiwa Madan, Lawrence Ruelos, and Suzanne Kaufman.



Georgetown artists Ed Matlock and Steve Wright jammed on this burly piece.
Wade Schin came out again with his funky art style. If you're diggin that piece in the above pic, check out his book for more Wadestyle art insanity.


Here's Lawrence Ruelos starting his piece. Lawrence is one of the artist that will be putting on next months Muppet Rawk show (plug,plug).

We finally got Travis Kotzebue up on the boards doing a collab piece with Shane White.



It was nice to see local artist Angel179 in the house for the first time. Here's the first of two pieces she did that night.

It was also great to see another artist up on the boards for the first time at Art Jam. Here's local artist Robert "Farmer Bob" Hardgrave throwing down his art style in this three pic progression.



Below, is another good example of a contributed piece from Ed Matlock. His vertical painting of a brain hovering over a Commadore 64 keyboard was tag teamed by Corrie and local artist/DJ, Dave Mazak. I hear the Rainer can helps level the painting while you work.


Anyway, that's a quick overview of the Saturday night shenanigans. I can't thank everyone enough for helping out before, during and after. There will definitely be another post with more pics. It was hard to document everything on my crappy camera while helping coordinate. I know I missed pics of pieces when I was up there painting, and also when I sliced my thumb (dumbass=me). I hope everyone that came out had a good time. Stay tuned for more pics folks!