Another quick study done through Image and Idea, using charcoal on toned paper. This belonging to another 5 series of different guns. Still experimenting with movement and concept..stay posted to see results.

Recently I had the HONOR for Robert Standish to come to the studio. For the those that don’t know, Standish has been a major role in contemporary art through his photo realism perspective.

Yes…this is a painting oil on canvas 13.5″ by 19.5″

..another RETARDED painting!! oil on canvas 92.5″ by 62″

Robert is by far a huge influence not just for his skill but wisdom. Robert has been through the depths of the gallery Fine Art world. Being in galleries that hold the same paintings of masters of cubism, pop art, to sculpture and other multi-million dollar artists. This man has dove deep and swam with every species of gallery sharks created in today’s industry. 

And through the experience to this day, Robert’s tells me, that this is NO FORMULA. No individual, let alone an “artist” can scribe out what is going to happen. But staying true to one’s self, and continuing to work hard pays off within itself. Understanding the fact that none of it really matters….do you!

Thanks goes out to Robert Standish.

Jordan came down to start up his right sleeve, this piece is still in progress, the top reference through Bernini, a sculptural representation of God, then working our way down to hell. Thanks goes out to big Jordan for the opportunity.

The Pico Youth and Family Center gave me the oppurtunity to help support Desiree, age 12 whose father Adam was killed in Venice in Sept. 28, 2008.

Artists from all over the westside came down, such as Malissa Shriver, Maya, Vox, Ernie Lucero and many more to help support the girl through auctioning off the works of art.

All profits raise went straight to Desiree’s college fund and to her family. Thanks goes out to Oscar DelaTore and the people of PYFC for the opportunity. Love goes out to young Desiree, and may her father ride in peace.

The homie Juan gave me the honor to create this portrait of Emiliano Zapata. In these tough times it was soothing to do a piece that reflects the time. Moms, Dad’s and kids, at the end of the day we are still soldiers…..

…like my man Forest. The big homie still holding through this long piece, still not done. Thanks goes out to Juan and Forest for coming through, keep it moving..

This and the following images were all done as studies. It was surprising to me after AGAIN, another peer I encountered  went off about money and fame and how the world of Art today revolves around it. Listening to him speak as if this thing called “Art”  really belonged to him.

These 20 minute sketches I wanted to repost so that the foundation isn’t lossed. Painting has changed, Drawing has changed, and Tattooing has changed, but on the flipside, they are and always will remain in the same in essence. Before the painting there’s the rough composition, before the drawing, there’s concepts of light and dark contrasting positive and negative forms, before there’s the needle, there’s the freehand or stencil…

So as homie goes on, he continues on about how much money is possible in this or that, how this market is made to tailor this or that and the dillusion is official. To all my fellow kids, for I myself AM a youngster–this is no game, Art dosen’t belong to you, or me. Understand that there’s a process, and we as artists or designers are conscious of that process. 

Understand that the great mentors like Jose Lopez or Mister Cartoon, spent over 20 years working restlessly, constantly defining, rebuilding, and STUDYING the perception of reality, just as Da Vinci, Sargeant, and Warhol did in their time.

So stop. Get off the myspace, and turnoff the photoshop. Don’t rely on anything else besides your present state of mind and use it to build a foundation. Create to create, not to a means to an end, or some imaginary goal of being rich and famous. Stay true, stay selfless and pay your dues.