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.