dreXeL's Blog

I finally made it down to the Whittier Law Library to take photos of the actual display.  It looks really different with the display tiles than just the original paintings, so I thought you might like to see it.  Or not.  Either way, I’m SHOWING you!  XO Erica

This is “Where the History Comes From” with the display tile I made to go behind it.  Whoever can guess correctly why I named it that will win something COOL!!!  *Disclaimer:  You can’t be someone who I already told.

This one is called “Pretense” and it was sold opening night.

For some stupid reason, this window isn’t letting me type above this painting only below it.  So ok…this one is called “Walking Away” it has acrylics, nail polish, ink, and spray paint all over it.  Fun!!!  Ok more to come… XO Erica

technorati tags:whittierlawlibrary, painting, displaytile, artshow

Blogged with Flock

Thank you all sooo much for coming to my art show last night and showing your support. I had a wonderful time and hopefully you all did too. I got very positive feedback from a lot of people and I found the whole experience very encouraging and satisfying.

This is only my second solo show, and the first one that I sold a painting opening night. So that makes me happy. Here’s a pic of the one that sold:

Thanks again! XO Erica

technorati tags:painting, whittierlawlibrary, artshow

Blogged with Flock

This is a painting I did based on a photo I took when leaving the Tate Modern Gallery.  It will be in my upcoming show.

XO, Erica

technorati tags:art, painting, acrylics, spraypaint, aerosol, london, tatemodern, mixedmedia

Blogged with Flock

Here’s a new painting that’s going into my show. I’ve dedicated it to Banksy, an amazing artist, a man who has no idea how much he has inspired me, and creator of the best manifesto in the history of ever. He reminds us that we aren’t asked by the media whether or not we’d like their message shoved down our throat in public, so it’s completely within our rights to communicate OUR message publicly. You’re right, man, forgiveness IS easier to get than permission. <3

technorati tags:art, painting, mixedmedia, aerosol, acrylic, london

Blogged with Flock

Well, a LOT has happened since I last posted anything. So it’s time to get back to keeping my friends et al updated.

I’ve been working on getting all the paintings done for my new show. Opening night is Feb. 1 at the Whittier Law Library in Costa Mesa, CA. 7 pm. I’m still trying to find out if I can have food and drinks there, since it’s a Law Library and I’ll let you know once I find out. 20 of my paintings will remain there for 3 months, so if you can’t make it opening night, you’re free to stop by any time for 3 months afterward…if you’re so inclined.

I’d love to stay and chat but I’ll be up til about 4am painting for the next 2 weeks or so, so I’d better go. I’ll leave you with one of the new paintings. It’s called “Morning Cafe”, and it’s a place I had breakfast near the Mansion House tube station in London.

More to come…

XO, Erica

technorati tags:art, painting, mixedmedia, acrylic, aerosol, spraypaint, oilpastels, whittier_law_library, mixed_media, spray_paint, oil_pastels

Blogged with Flock

I have had a recent epiphany about art, and about my own art.  It goes something like this:

My art education is mainly classical.  I learned mostly about dead artists throughout history.  Meanwhile the most amazing things were happening all around me, Keith Haring, Kenny Scharf, Julian Scnabel, and the advent of graffiti art.  And it was all happening in New York, the same state where I was in school.  I missed it all. 

Fortunately for me, I’ve made a friend who’s art education comprises all that mine lacked.  And he’s taught me about stencils and spray paint, and he’s shown me books of amazing graphic artists and graffiti artists.  From all this I realized that I had so many rules in my head from my own education that it really limited my view and what I was willing to do in creating art.  I painted in oils or acrylics, I drew in pastels or charcoal.  I never mixed anything with anything else.  Some colors of paint were to always be used sparingly as they “didn’t mix well” according to some teacher at some point.

2 weeks ago I just gave the finger to ALL OF THAT.  Those rules, the conservatism, all of it.  I have discovered the most amazing artists and the most fantastic art that they’ve created.  And I am suddenly inspired.

My first attempt at mixing media is this commissioned portrait of a friend of mine.  I hand cut my first stencils, and I used spray paint for the first time…and some acrylic.  AND to top it all of, I painted exclusively in the colors that I’m supposed to use “sparingly.”  Now I say a big, giant FUCK YOU to those who attempted to keep my mind closed off to new ideas in art school, those who said my application of paint was “wrong” and an even bigger thank you to my friend who helped me get to this point.

technorati tags:art, painting, spraypaint, acrylic, stencil

Blogged with Flock