Alex Ross

Kent Williams

Jennifer Bain



These are artists that I'm looking at right now.
I like Alex Ross because of his sequential art.
Kent Williams figurative technique speaks to me. I don't really like the dark subject matter but he is definately skillful at painting the figure.
Jennifer Bain was introduced to me by my current mentor Jaime Brunson
I'm also looking at Jaime's work by the way.

Jennifer and Jaime display a calmness in their work that I like. I hope that I can somehow incorporate their ideas into the spirit of my paintings.

I'm still looking at the bay area figurative painters and Ed Hopper, but I think I'm finally, although slowly, growing into my own identity.

Jaime has asked me to try to put all my artistic interests into one painting. That's what I'm now trying to do.

I've been thinking about it alot. In my thoughts I've been building it up and tearing it down. Chipping away, and patting in certain ideas. I think I will still stay true to my Artist Statement, but I will be more layered and deliberate with it. Who knows though. It may lead to nowhere, but It's slowly coming together in my head.

Aesthetically, I think I know what will show:
Interesting textures and soft color combinations that subtly invites the viewers eye.
Asian and more specifically filipino images.
American symbols, concepts or themes.

The Asian or filipino images should show the unique traits of my culture and heritage, while the American symbols, concepts or themes allow for a "we are also similar" message.

I intend the Asian themes to be asian faces and figures. However the American symbols will be more like objects or concepts.

A prevailing example of an american concept that I will use is the Comic Book format. However, I will also include classic american toys such as the Tonka truck and the Barbie doll.

It just dawned on my that, when I was younger like in junior high, my friends and i didn't really have too many different interests or traits. The most important similarities were the toys that we played with. But as we got older, and our schools taught us how different we were, we drifted apart.

AND Another Thing.
I really like that my current paintings do not ask the audience to think too much. But it tries to invite them to feel instead.
I'm hoping that my new work will not loose it's invitation to feel, even though it will ask them to think a little more.

Anyway, that's that.

"the truth of a thing

is not in the think of it,

but the feel of it..."

so i started taking this class about painting Materials, Process, and Content. it's taught by Jamie Brunson, who is a wonderful and recognized artist. i'm hoping to learn as much as i can from her, with the limited time that i have.

since it's only an extention course that i'm taking with her, i somehow feel that i'm a lesser priority than the other students who are going for some kind of degree. i don't know. maybe it's just some sort of insecurity on my part. i'm hoping that somehow i'll be able to tell her all that i need to tell her so that she can help me get the proper tools that i need to succeed. i also hope that i will be able to listen and properly process all that she tells me. i want to ask the right questions that will help her help me easier.

i guess i need to figure out a way to really have her undivided attention and during a time when neither of us need to look at our watch to see if we're running late for some other appointment. i also feel like i have to keep her interested in what i'm trying to achieve and what i already have. i don't think she's impressed with the paintings that i have produced. but she seems to be impressed with my eagerness. i think i'm fine with that. i have never been one to make a good first impression on a teacher anyway.

but goodness gracious. for so long i have been wanting a mentor. someone who will guide me and help me think and process and produce the best that i can.

usually, when i'm talking to someone about my art, i'm quite concerned that i'm wasting their time or that they don't really care to hear me blab about my artistic mission or products. i feel that people's time are so limited and most people are so self absorbed that it's never a good idea to bombard them with all my seemingly arbritrary thoughts. but Jaime seems to understand.

i'm sure alot of it has to do with her job. i mean it's her job to sit there and listen to students and make sense of all the words that we say. but she seems to like being able to help lost artists such as myself. she did call herself an "artistic nun" after all.

anyway, there are lots of things that i want to talk to her about. including finding out where i fit in the multiple levels of art. like do i want to be shown in carmel or sfmoma. the yerba buena center or fisherman's warf.

you know stuff like that. i have a feeling that i will have to tear myself apart before i can get myself together, so my product may suffer in the meantime, but if it gets me to a higher plane of creativity and skill, then it's all good.