Taking Requests

I am working out the details of theep3 store, right now I am trying to work on a format so that all the work on my site can be delivered framed or unframed.  The cost of the frame is going to be a lot cheaper than most art sites (these frames cost more than the art itself!!!).  I am including them into the cost of each picture.  The first "set" of all my works will be framed and then after that the individual prints may be purchases.  If there are any requests for any of the work on my website to be available to purchase please contact me via the website under the contact tab. 

Early Work

So before I was ever exposed to any serious art classes,  my main form of "art" was through paint by numbers, puzzles, and those little kindergarten art class that everyone did.  A lot of my friends used to draw and make funny sketches during church, physics classes, and other random boring times.  It wasn't until my last year in high school, that I actually sat down and took the time to try and draw something.  The picture to the left was my first "real" drawing.  To me the feeling of drawing a picture is like breaking down something to its smallest parts and then building it back up.  I put in a lot of time trying to get the proportions and shading just right.  The feeling of finally finishing a picture was so good that I had to do it again, and later drew this:

These pictures were the first seeds I had of being an artist.  2 years later during my Sophomore year in College, I decided to just try an art class to see if I would like it.  My first assignment was a project dealing with lines and elements of design and composition.  The picture to the right is what I came up with.

It was just a simple assignment, but if you knew how long it took me to do this piece, you would have known then how much I loved creating art.  My professor was Thomas Morphis and I took many classes from him.  He had the biggest part in shaping me as an artist.  And as I look back on things this simple assignment changed my life forever.

The Black Mamba Givaway Details

It's less than one month away from the release of "The Black Mamba", so I thought I should give you more details about the contest.  In addition to the release of the new artwork, it will also be the opening of the www.theep3.com online store.  As a result I will be giving out some free prizes.  On August 24 at 12:01 A.M. EST, the store will officially open.  Be one of the first 24 people to purchase "The Black Mamba" and you will be eligible for the free prizes.  After you make the purchase, you will receive a confirmation (to the e-mail provided) within 12 hours that you were one of the first 24.  During that day I will Tweet/Facebook/Blog a secret codeword.  Be the1st to respond to me via my website "CONTACT" tab and you will receive the Grand Prize.  The 2nd through 8th that respond will receive the Runner-Up Prize, and finally the 9th through 24th that respond will receive the Consolation Prize.  The Prizes are as follows:

Grand Prize

• Limited Edition 1of 24 "Black Mamba" Print on Varnished Canvas
• "Mamba" Custom Matting w/ Deluxe Frame
• "Crazy 8" Original Painting w/Frame
• "Black Mamba" American Apparel T-Shirt

Runner-Up Prize

• Limited Edition 2-8 of 24 "Black Mamba" on Watercolor Paper
• "Mamba" Custom Matting w/ Frame
• "Crazy 8" Original Painting

Consolation Prize

• Limited Edition 9-24 of 24 "Black Mamba" Print on Poster Matte Paper
• "Mamba" Custom Matting w/ Frame

DMV Spotlight

 

Being a native of The DMV (District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia) and an artist, I've come across many local galleries/events/art shows/etc. Every month I will be featuring a few of the ones that have found to be interesting.  If you ever check any of these out, let me know what you think:

• HIRSHHORN: AFTER HOURS -  Whenever I go to a new city, one of the first places I try to find is the modern/contemporary art museum.  From The Pompidou in France, to the MOMA in New York and San Fransisco.  Washington D.C.'s modern art museum is the Hirshhorn, and in the summer the museum is open from 8pm to midnight on certain days.  With live music it is definitely something fun to check out.  The next night the museum is open is July 23, so if you want to check it out look for tickets HERE.

• CHUCK CLOSE PRINTS: PROCESS & COLLABORATION -  If you haven't seen my Top 10 Artist List, you should at least know that the most influential American Portrait Artist to me has been Chuck Close.  This summer the Corcoran Gallery of Art features an exhibit with a huge collection of his pieces.  If you have never seen his work, I highly recommend it.  Be sure to go on Free Summer Saturdays anytime between July 3 - September 12, 2010.

Work of Art: The Next Great Artist

For those of you interested in reality tv show competitions (The Apprentice, Survivor, Top Chef, etc.).  Check-out Bravo's new show "Work of Art".  It follows 14 artists and puts them through multiple design/art projects with one person being eliminated each week.  It reminds me of my design and composition classes in college, but on a much larger scale.  My money is on Abdi Farah to win it all, and I have been pretty impressed with his work.  I would love to go on that show, so if anyone has any information on how to get on season 2 let me know.  Check out the latest episode tonight on Bravo at 10:00 PM EST or if you haven seen the show watch past episodes HERE.

Sneak Peek

Looking forward to the month of September.  I have begun a series of work entitles "half-man half".  My goal is to finish this work by September 31, 2010.  I will be submitting this to the Washington Post Art Contest.  Look for the complete series to drop in September, (one month after "The Black Mamba" is revealed). Here is a preview of one of my pieces.

Poll 2

Last year's poll asked, which athlete people wanted me to make a picture of.  The winner was "Tiger Woods" and the work I started should be finished in the next couple of months.  This year's poll will be for which female celebrity you want me to make a portrait of.  The poll will be up until January 1, 2011 so vote as many times as you would like before the year is over.