I recently decided to take my ongoing Type Face portrait series to the walls. Here is the third which was also my contribution to Wall Therapy in Rochester, NY. These are part of my ongoing body of work involving mixed identity portraits. This time the emphasis is on juxtaposing different languages and typography. Enjoy!
Type Face Wall 2
I recently decided to take my ongoing Type Face portrait series to the walls. Here is the second. These are part of my ongoing body of work involving mixed identity portraits. This time the emphasis is on juxtaposing different languages and typography. Enjoy!
New Series In Progress
Recently I added another series of work to my plate that I call Phase Value. I will be painting & fabricating duplicates of the same face each with a unique treatment. I am interested in phases regarding identity, and visual perception. Below is just the beginning. To be continued...
Limited Print. Limited Time.
I have just released another Print with 1xRun. The Original Painting, and Sketch are also available. Here is an interview I did with them and a link to where you can purchase. http://1xrun.com/runs/Softball_Cap_Original_Artwork
Show Recap: Visual Mixtape
VISUAL MIXTAPE
by Sam Rodriguez & Public Meridian.
A compilation of our favorite multinational subjects visually manifested through graphics and custom bracelets.
The Show
Last week I came together with Public Meridian for our debut collaboration to celebrate internationality. This is the first in a series we are beginning on cultural blending and common interests that have been rising on a global level. Musicians were the topic of choice for this first show since they have such a universal impact. The “playlist” was based on our collective likes and what we think is important to our hosts, Cukui. The criteria for this compilation was that it had to have an international and local feel to it.
We hope you enjoy!
-Sam
The Goods
Original Paintings, and a box set that will includes a signed limited edition print and a custom bracelet that illustrates selected musicians. Cukui also made a limited edition tee based on one of my paintings. There are only a few of them left available through Cukui.com.
About Public Meridian
Public Meridian is an independent label from San Francisco that produces custom and limited edition bracelets.
Bjork Box Set: Signed Print & Bracelet (made from Aqua Terra Jasper and Amazonite). Limited to 8 Editions.
Erykah Badu Box Set: Signed Print & Bracelet (made from Amethyst and Leopard Jasper). Limited to 10 Editions.
J Boog Box Set: Signed Print & Bracelet (made from Lava Rock, Bayong Wood, & Wood Chips). Limited to 10 Editions.
Mac Dre Box Set: Signed Print & Bracelet (made from Snow Obsidian and Multi Color Stone). Limited to 10 Editions.
Click Images to Enlarge...
First Friday Releases
I am excited to announce that beginning this January 2014 I will be releasing signed Limited Edition Prints on my website every first friday of the month. There will also be special discounts as a thank you to continued supporters who have subscribed to my mailing list. I am also going to be adding a catalogue of available original works including sketches. Prices for originals will be available upon request. I would also like to extend an invitation to any viewers of my site to vote or suggest a piece you would like to see released as a print. How to do this? Simply contact me or comment on images posted to my site, or social media accounts. Thanks for your support!
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Process & Self Discovery
I have finally completed a piece that I am somewhat satisfied with. This was also one of the most transformative ways I have ever worked which included many stages in the process. The result has been very rewarding and I think I am beginning to fine tune my voice as an artist. It started as my usual random sketch which I selected from an instagram post awhile back and then turned into a loose digital mock up which finally became the schematics for a mixed media frenzy that you see here. I guess you can say it went from software to hardware. I think the reason why I am content with this one is because it mixes all of the things I love most in visual art such as graphic design, portraiture, sketching, digital references, 3D architect modeling, patterns, and graffiti marks. I especially loved working with less with paint and more with the hardware. One thing that stood out about the process was its similarity to cooking in that I needed to prepare the "ingredients" ahead of time which were the cuts and shapes that would later be applied to the final. I call this piece "Notes" inspired by the different tones in music and mood. This will be the first of many to come. Enjoy and feel free to comment!
Vote YES in the comment box for this to be the next First Friday Release!
Wood Works 2
Yesterday I completed the first piece in many to come using 3D objects with paint marks to render a composition. It left me with more "what ifs" and a new list of possibilities. So far I am seeing this new work as a prototype for a monumental structure. I need to explore more wood and material options. The work is inspired by portraiture, typography, graffiti, design, and especially topography. The process as shown in the photos posted have helped me to become less attached to images I make. There is an important transformation that happens and each stage offers a problem. Solving it involves re-arranging a reference point at every single stage in the process. Starting from a sketch of a randomly selected internet search image, to a larger scale painting, and the final image, the image is constantly changing and unexpected. I intentionally use internet searches. We live in a digital age and something tells me I need to be exploring that, especially during the reference process. Stay tuned as more thoughts and process develop about this series. Thanks.
Vote YES in the comment box for this to be the next First Friday Release!
Source: http://samrodriguezart.com
B.I.G. Step By Step
The following are some step by step photos of my process in creating a recent piece for my upcoming show at Cukui.
For the most part, I try to avoid painting portraits of celebrities because I feel the work may lack a sense of wonder, and mystery. I also worry if people won't see passed their mental image of who the iconic figure is. Most times I prefer anonymous faces to begin paintings with because I use them as a starting point. I usually try to keep just enough to highlight a certain expression. This sensibility is probably from my experience through graffiti where you basically tweak and reinterpret legible typography based on your feelings and movement.
Well for my current show, I am going against my usual thoughts on portraiture. For a while now i have been wanting to paint a series based on various musicians through my own artist lens because music has provided so much inspiration and therapy for me. Due to my own prejudices on this type of portraiture I have avoided it. But damn it, sometimes you just gotta let it out! I hope to go past what a photograph can capture by absorbing a feeling and releasing it through the work.
Who is The Notorious B.I.G.? Certainly I don't know. Is he a Coogi pattern with shades, and a crown? I started with these elements, which are so very graphic as visual identifiers, and decided to abstract them and find new forms and compositions. I'm not sure what you get from it as I cannot dictate your feelings but I definitely stumbled onto some unexpected results and stopped the painting at a place that I feel is new and interesting. Enjoy!
Source: http://samrodriguezart.com
Work In Progress.
It's been a pretty busy fall and end of summer. Luckily though I have been able to manage between family and work really well thanks to the new studio space. I still have yet to do a full post about the recent installation over at Oakland Museum of CA because I need to get proper photos.
The good news is I have had to jump right into new projects. The first is a show I'm working on for December of this year at Cukui. The pieces will be what I call a visual playlist. Basically it's a series of portraits dedicated to international and local musicians. Public Meridian, a San Francisco based brand that makes custom bracelets will be creating pieces that coincide with each painting. It should be interesting to see how they translate the music and my art into bracelets. I am most inspired by music when it comes to art, and various types at that. Of course it's really challenging to distill so many great musicians into a small handful to be painted so we voted on some of our favorites based on their international, and local impact, while being conscious of Cukui brand and their following. Since this series can be expanded on, we will most likely continue afterwards.
Meanwhile, I am also working on releasing more prints with 1xrun as our first release was a success. I am also going to be doing a Japanese pop series with Yamamoto Industries that will be produced as iphone cases and limited edition prints.
Lastly, when this is all said and done, my goal is to begin a new series of pieces. They will still involve bits of typography, hybrid identity, and topography but rather than painting the dissection as I have done in the past I would like to actually cut through the surface using power tools and other building materials. I think this will open up many more possibilities on how to think about the topic.
Here are some in progress pics.
Enjoy!
