New Painting in Progress

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549318_10150558024964956_1284033348735649579_nI thought that it would take me longer to decide when to begin a new project. After drawing a large sketch on a canvas I decided to begin a painting. Since it is Monday and this is my studio day, it is only logical to step away for the computer. Friday was a long day in front of it taking care of business. Art business is so much more than just painting or sculpting, specially when I take care myself of the changes to the website, the design of posters, cards, and other graphic design for marketing, not to mention writing for the blog. No, I don’t have an agent or a PR service to promote what I do. I’ve been blessed with awesome supporters who by word of mouth let their friends know about the parties, the art, and other events. Also, social media plays a very important role in the process. I am very thankful for all the followers.

I am considering several ways to approach the new painting in progress. I could use the same style and technique I used in my published painting which is very similar to the ink drawing you have probably seen through Facebook and Instagram. You can also see the paintings here in the website. I could approach the painting with not so strong lines and make the acrylic paint look like watercolors and keep the pencil lines showing, or just lines on a solid background as some of the torso paintings. Perhaps I could use the technique I used in my most recent painting. I guess that being a sculptor and not a painter allows for some experimentation. I’ll be posting updates on social media as I go. Make sure to follow and let me know what you think.

April Events

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11046452_10150556432919956_256256277014538678_nIt is almost unbelievable that April is already here. It seems like yesterday we celebrated New Years and we already went through 93 days out of 365 of the year. That left us with 272 days left for 2015 to be over. March was a very busy month ending with a fantastic private painting party with the ladies of the Orange Chamber of Commerce. April began with a great sculpting party at Cafe Atlantique in Milford, CT. We had a great time. The April events continue and I will encourage you to join the fun. We are going from Milford, CT to Monroe and New Haven.

First, we will be back at Cafe Atlantique April 16 for a painting party. We have a few spaces left. The next day we go to Monroe for a sculpting party at Grandma Josie’s. It is going to be our first time sculpting there. We had a few painting parties that went great. Call and sign up. Friday, April 24 we go to New Haven for a sculpting party at The Grove. For all these events you must RSVP.

11082603_10150553016684956_8808618767892817436_n-2I am glad I get the chance to do this and share this time with you. It is not just about sculpting and painting as it is as investing time in yourself. When was the last time you didn’t check your phone for 2 hours? When was the last time you disconnected from everything? The results are satisfactory not only in the results of the artwork, but also in how you feel about yourself. It is a great experience for all of us. I really enjoy each one of these events. You can also request a private party for your organization or group.

Those Drawings

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I’ve been drawing the last few days a little more. Drawing always takes me back to the college years when I walked around with my sketchbook just like Jack Dawson, the character played by Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic. Those drawings also looked very similar. Drawing was a daily activity at any given chance. I don’t think I developed a classical drawing technique but I always had fun.

It is always interesting to see people’s reactions. The reaction to those drawings is still the same today after 20 years. I wish I knew back then about attribution theory, although I think I asked the right questions to their curious and judgmental questions about the nude figure. People ask why are the drawings nude and why I don’t draw clothes on them. My answer is that I’m a figure artist and not a fashion designer. I wonder if people ask OB-GYN physicians to change their specialty to something less intrusive.

People assume that because the drawing is a nude figure it is something impure, dirty, or sexual. This is not surprising in a society that measures the value of a human being based on their sexuality and not in the intrinsic value as a person. The figure is just visually interesting. The human body is a beautiful thing. No, I don’t see people naked when I walk around. I don’t have x-ray vision. I guess, and attribution theory comes to play again, that people see the way they see because of who they are. People will produce and interpret things based on their condition. However, the intentions of the heart are exposed to One and I am not the One to judge or justify.

Sculpting and Painting Parties

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I previously wrote about making art fun and making art accessible. The sculpting and painting parties have been a lot of fun so far and there are more coming! People need that time to unwind and relax, to let go of the stress of the everyday life. Those two or three hours are very therapeutic. You can see the difference in people’s faces from start to end, at least most of them. Not only they come stressed but also you can see how nervous they are. I understand. It is intimidating when you don’t know what you are getting yourself into. People is also facing a self-imposed social challenge in these events: they are trying to prove something to others and themselves. That’s one of the things I try to break with in these events. We are not competing. We don’t have to finish if we don’t want to. We are here to have fun and enjoy the ride.

10850108_10150539186189956_1251308110360202395_nDuring the sculpting and painting parties I can also observe how personalities and ways of thinking are reflected or poured out on a painting. It is possible to develop an awareness of this fact if one pays attention to it. Many people can’t tell. Everyone is looking at the same scene and all the paintings look so different. I observe how they paint and sculpt and the pressure in their hands, the brush strokes, the colors, the lines, their attitudes and aptitudes are all revealed in the process. It is so much fun to see people challenging themselves, fighting against their own nature tendency to be stressed, but at the same time putting who they are in what they do.

It is also very interesting how many people have no idea of their natural talent and how peaceful it is to engage in the creative process once you immerse yourself in it. There are many talented people out there, but because they never tried before, because of time, and life choices, that talent remains hidden. Moreover, people don’t know that talent is not necessary to have a good time and relax, especially if that is what you are there for. I’m not expecting people to become master painters or sculptors in two hours. I want them to have fun while enjoying the benefits of art.

Join us!

Sculpting or Painting

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Sculpting or painting? There is no secret that between sculpting and painting I prefer sculpting. Yes, I like to paint, but I prefer sculpting much more. There is no secret that very few people sculpt and many people paint. When it comes to painting or sculpting parties, many people don’t know there are sculpting parties and by default they prefer painting until they try sculpting. If you visit a gallery today less than 10% of the pieces are sculptures, unless someone forgot a broom in a corner after cleaning and is calling it ‘a sculpture’. Many will disagree with me but placing an object in a room is ‘a statement’ not a sculpture. Sculptures are not many. In one of the books I’m in from about 350 artists only 5 are sculptors. Sometimes there are expressions that seem to separate sculptors from the rest of the artists like: artists and sculptors, call for artists and sculptors, accepting art and sculptures, and the like. Why is that?

Photo Nov 28, 2 13 40 PMGalleries and exhibit curators will justify this occurrence by pointing out the issue of space. Sculptures take more space and interestingly they often don’t have pedestals for them. Sculptures are also heavier and make it more work to display. Getting into art exhibits and shows is easier than coming in with paintings. They also might mention that collectors and people in general are more inclined to acquire paintings maybe because paintings don’t occupy that much space at home. I heard many times people with children who are afraid to buy sculptures because the kids can bump into them and because they don’t have much space at home. Artists justify the preference for painting over sculpting because of the cost of materials to produce, storage space, working space, mobility, in transit costs and risks, and did I mention space?

The world is 3D. It makes sense to me to translate from 3D to 3D. It also makes sense to me to translate from 2D to 3D. It also makes sense to me to translate images from 3D to 2D and 2D to 2D, but I prefer sculpting. When I am sculpting it feels like a conversation, a journey, an adventure that develops with every step. On the other hand, I’ve never been inclined to do what the majority of people is doing just because it is ‘the norm’, or cheaper, or easier, or more acceptable, or even more commercial. When many of people I knew were singing on stage I was doing comedy. The norm is not attractive to me. I enjoy sculpting. The fulfillment that comes with seeing my work alive is something I don’t feel when I paint.