Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Proposal piece- call to artists

Upon receiving this call to artists, I couldn’t wait to respond by creating a design for this Fullerton, SoCo wall. Southern California is muse to my first creations in painting and in painting large surfaces. The time I spent on California’s streets lives on in my blood and brush today.

The design I submit for your approval reflects my enthusiasm for living in Southern California, a place which treasures its public art. I was amazed by the abundance and diversity of the public art I encountered in California, quite unlike my experience growing up in Washington DC where art is confined to museums and galleries. I have long looked forward to an opportunity to make murals in the part of the world where I was first inspired.

I have over ten years of mural experience and have been painting and making art for as long I can remember. I have designed and executed interior mural works for the high profile recording studio Laundry Room Records [Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Presidents of the USA, Bush, Melvins], Seattle’s legendary live music venues RCKCNDY and Moe, as well as exterior mural works for several prominent local businesses in Seattle, WA.

My style is sought for its energy, whimsy and fun. Characterized by bright, bold color and strong lines, my influences range from the iconic, (tattoo culture and design), to the idyllic/ graphic (children’s book illustration and comic book art).

I visualize the Fullerton mural as an oversized postcard inviting people to experience the uniqueness of the SoCo District and serve as a calling to return and visit again. My plan will incorporate elements from Fullerton’s history as a town built on westward expansion, innovation and transportation. Present in my design are stylistic elements of Asian and Hispanic art to reflect the threads those cultures have woven into the fabric of Southern California culture. The railroad, oranges, Fender guitar, avocadoes, surfing, skateboarding, and OC punk rock icons all integrate in a vibrant testament to the forward thinking that has made Fullerton the place it is today.

My painting process is efficient and expedient. I love what I do and that is reflected in the quality of execution, the pace at which I work and the themes I choose to work in. I utilize rollers, brushes and acrylic/latex water based paints. I do not employ the use of aerosol propellants or paint sprayers. I use a traditional, free-hand grid enlargement system to transfer an original idea to a larger surface. On a wall the size of the proposed mural site, I would expect to complete creation within seven full working days.

Upon reception of my proposal, Fullerton’s once bare SoCo wall will sport an energetic mural that will celebrate and enhance the neighborhood, become a favorite among its vibrant collection of public art and lend a strong new voice to the telling of Fullerton’s story.

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