"Juanito as Mil Mascara" Oil, Egg Tempera, Gold Leaf on panel, 2012

I have hundreds of images and ideas ready and waiting to be painted, but it’s often the surface that peaks my interest first. I visit lumber yards, frame, and thrift shops looking for material that speaks to me. I look for materials like shaped panels, old table tops, chairs, or vintage frames. “Rusty gold” is the term I have heard used, which for me means wood or metal with some character and the potential to become a ” Art.”

Oval Print portrait found at Thrift Shop

At least, this is what gets the wheels rolling for me. I then take it into the studio and sand it, break it, glue it, cut it, or whatever my instincts request I do to it. Sometimes its what my wife calls “Work for work’s sake.” That is, if the process calls for me to get my hands dirty before I can get to painting then that’s what I do.

People who call themselves artists are often asked the question “What’s your work about?” That’s not a question I try to define as it might dilute what someone else feels about my work. What I do like to talk about is process.

In the past I was guided by images and making painted pictures. Today although I am still inspired by images, they are fused together with the  physicality of object making.

Potential.

]]> http://sergioartblog.wordpress.com/2012/01/07/process-and-composition-paintingthe-oval-wrestler-portrait/feed/ 4 sergioartblog OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Rusty Gold http://sergioartblog.wordpress.com/2012/01/01/2011-in-review/ http://sergioartblog.wordpress.com/2012/01/01/2011-in-review/#comments Sun, 01 Jan 2012 02:08:26 +0000 Work and Progress http://sergioartblog.wordpress.com/?p=3957 ]]> The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 3,700 times in 2011. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 3 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

DRAMA

1. On the Water Front,  (1954)
2. The Bicycle Thief (1948)
3. Rocky  (1976)
4. Cool Hand Luke (1967)
5. Forrest Gump  (1994)

ACTION

1 .The General,  (Buster Keaton 1926)

2. The Warriors (Over Frank Millers 300 any day, 1979.)

3. 13 Assassins ( a must see, 2011)

4. Karate Kid (Before Rudy or Lucas, 1984.)

5. Mad Max/Road Warrior (1981)

COMEDY

1. Slap Shot  (1977)

2. Rushmore  (1999)

3. Shaolin Soccer (2001)

4. 40 year old Virgin (2005)

5. Animal House  (1978)

6. Bad News Bears (1976)

Honorable Mention: 

Nacho Libre (Despite this movie being heavily influenced by Rushmore in obvious ways it still has two great things going for it, Masked Wrestling and Jack Black, 2006.)

” The effort of walking influences the arrival.” -unknown

I can’t remember where I heard this quote but it haunts me. Learning how to find my way past the bumps in the road was why my childhood experiences were so valuable. They made me resilient and efficient. Those times also taught me that motivation can be where you least expect it to be.

VOL.7  MEMENTO

“Am I under water?”

“I am under water! “(Bubbles)

 ”mmmmwAAA!” (Bubbles)

“Don’t panic. Follow your bubbles Follow the F-ing bubbles.”

As I got closer to the top I saw a blurry figure and as I got closer it became clearer.

” CHARLIE!!
I have been looking for you everywhere!”

“I know little bro..me and…. “

“…..Shelly? “

“GAASP!”

“I’m so sorry! Are you o.k.?”

“cough! cough!”

“What did you say?”

“I said I’m sorry for leaving you behind”

“Ahwe… I feel kinda dizzy.. must of landed on this rock?”

“..Where’s your skateboard? “

“WHAT!?” no!..NO!”

“It’s gone!” At that very moment my heart sank.

The sky thundered. I began to cry.  Rain came down on me and Shelly.

“Damn you Augustine! and Damn you Pavement!” I screamed towards the clouds as water hit my face and ran down the warm bump on my head.

 She lifted me. My body dangled like a Pieta

“Come on! Get up.”

“Take that rock Shell. Take it and put me out of my misery!”

“Alright, alright.”

She gently placed me into the car.

A FEW WEEKS LATER…

The bump on my head had subsided but it felt as though the wound was still fresh. I needed a new board and it was painful to not skate for so long. I decided to take on a paper route and mow lawns for extra cash and to keep my mind off the obvious. I also kept the piece of asphalt I landed on when Augustine clocked me back on the street in front of that church. I’m not sure why. I guess maybe it was a sign or symbol of some kind.

“Hey! Nice hat, paper boy. What you up to?”

” It’s a part of the uniform. Going to work.”

“Bummer and on a Saturday.What’s the rock for?”

“Protection..motivation.”

“Hey, why don’t I come with you?” she asked.

 I put the bag over my shoulder.

“No, Shell.”

Text and original block-print Images © by Sergio Teran

Rolling City Vol.1

Rolling City Vol. 2

Rolling City vol.3

Rolling City Vol. 4

Rolling City Vol.5

Rolling City Vol.6

Rolling City Vol 6.5

The Matrix

This is a 18″x 12″ x” 1/4 sheet of linoleum I mounted on particle board. My style of painting and drawing is often very tight and rendered. Block printing forces me to loosen up because of its inherent “thick-line” process.  After roughing out a sketch, I draw with a sharpie and allow the block-printing chisels to guide the the form of my drawing.

Arapiama Portal (Navy Blue)

This image was inspired by prehistoric arapaima and the theory that ancient Mayans and Incas had contact with extra-terrestrial beings The composition was inspired by a painting by one of my favorite Flemish renaissance painters, Peiter  Bruegel.

Layer one: Rainbow Split Fountain

I wanted a warm red to reflect the beautiful colors seen on the scales of the arapiama.

Registering the block to fit the image again was the most difficult part of making this print.

I thought it would be funny to add to the viral meme (meem) seen all over the Internet and posted on Facebook and Twitter. The game was easy; take the image of pike spraying peaceful protesters but change the context of the situation for the purposes of satire. Then, post for all to see.  Make a joke while stating a point. Right up my alley.

My first interpretation was a”no brainer” I put Pike in the most obvious unspeakable act, cruelty to cute animals. Who would do such a thing? Officer Pike could. “This is too easy and fun,” I thought to myself. Next I moved toward pop culture. A satirical nod to Twilight and Star Wars. But the Piéce de résistance was Piking hating on Thanksgiving, via beloved cultural icon Normal Rockwell.  My wife egged me on, and we laughed to ourselves.

After hours of poking fun at the pepper spray wielding cop, I realized I had to get ready to go to work. As I began to pack my materials cart I proceeded to secure my load with a bungee cord, when one slipped and hit me square in the eye.

I hit myself hard enough to have a moment of panic and seek medical attention. Doctor placed a patch over my eye and prescribed some drops and a dose of humility. After the whole incident I couldn’t help to think”Yup there it is, Karma is a Bitch” and During all of my indulgent and mocking humour, I never saw it coming.

No! not the puppies!

"This is for team Jacob!"

Pike hate's Thanksgiving too.

"Not my twilight Zone Marathon's, PIKE! You bastard!"

Karma's a Bitch!

Sergio Teran recent paintings. 2008-2011

I will be at the Audubon Art Center at Debs Park (<<click on link for directions ) Talking about my recent projects and showing some of my recent paintings.  Sunday! November 20th. I will be there from 9:30am-5p.m.   Bus tour stops in my location @ 10:50 in the a.m. but individuals may visit at any time between tour hours.  I look forward to meeting you all.

There is a self Guided tour more than 100 artist in the Highland Park, Eagle Rock Mount Washington and Neighboring areas really worth seeing all of the wonderful artist.  more @ Arroyo Arts Collective Discovery Tour

Lucha Girl 2010, Egg Tempra and Oil on Canvas

We don’t ever force our son to work inside of  boundaries when it comes to the arts nor have we ever given him any lessons ….we just familiarze him with material.

Bit kid

Papa: Who is bit Boy

Emilio:he runs in a rainbow and fights evil aliens.

explode

Papa: Whats happening here?

Emilio:  self destruct BOOOOM!

papa

Papa: Is this suppose to be your father?

Emilio: its you in a robot costume.

Papa: Why does he have a cannon?

Emilio: thats because i am in battle armor.

Papa: What is it and whats it drawn on?

Emilio: its a giant tank and its drawn cardboard.  cause i found the carboard.

Papa: Is this a comic?

Emilio: YES!

Does this robot have a name?

Emilio: x49 and his name is named after a code.

Papa: What kind of Robot is this?

Emilio: a giant battle robot.

The Tarot Reading in Brooklyn 13.25" x 14" ,Oil mix media on wood, 2007

Table-top compositions have always inspired me because of there potential to depict the everyday narrative. I find it to be an excellent platform to tell a story of the human condition.  Artist like Caravaggio and Edward Hopper are two of my favorite painters who both depicted stories, symbolized through table-top activity.

1.Edward Hopper, "Suir Bleu" (1914) 2. Caravaggio, "CardSharps" (1594)

“Down and out”, folks having a moment of solace, reflection, indulging or plain taking a break.

I have always been fascinated by images that tell stories and the tarot cards are no exception to the standard. Every card has an image with symbols that connects meaning, relevant to the sitter. The tarot reader like a musical conductor, orchestrates the dealing of the cards to give the sitter an understanding of there “higher self” as spoken through their very energy (sitter) and translated into the cards.

My mother and her sisters learned to read the tarot as teenage girls and made it an event for their friends and family to get together on weekends. As a child I vividly remember the ladies gathering over appetizers, taking turns reading and laughing. On other occasions crying and consoling one other over money and love troubles.

This little painting (The tarot Reading In Brooklyn) will be on view at the AAC Discovery Tour Preview Exhibition @ Future Studio 5558 N. Figueroa in Highland Park  beginning November 12 from 7 – 10 pm. 

A.C.C. Preview Exhibition  on facebook

By accepting this award, I must follow some rules…

These are the rules that come with it.

• Thank the person who gave you this award and link by to their blog.
• Nominate 15 Bloggers for this award, and notify them about the nomination
• Tell  your readers 7 things about yourself.

Thank you Cha for the Versatile Blogger Award. I am happy you considered me but disappointed I can’t use you as one of my own 15… please check out Charlotte’s blog where she shares her art about her favorite shows, celebrities, places to visit/ travels, all seen through the discipline of watercolor.  I love Charlotte’s blog post and the spirit she puts into her watercolors. @dontchawannadream.wordpress

I never win anything so this is really important to make all of my rivals jealous!…..just kidding ….I do win things!   What I should get an award for is typos “By the way, sorry for all the typos folks. I am working on it.”  O.k.! here are some bloggers much more interesting then myself. But what I lack in interest factor,  I make up in taste for blogs “checkem’ ouwt !”

Fiction Writer

Cheryl Klein’s:  Bread on Bread

Photo

 Steve Lam Photography blogspot

Fine Arts

Acts of Art in The Afterlife

Marielise Laviolette

Susan Moloney art  blog

Fine Art Painters

Juliet Rose

Megan Hinton

Illustration and comix

Axel #13 blog spot

Orcs sketchbooks

 merryminnow

I nominated 10 blog sites I already know of. In the coming months  I will be adding 5 more new folks  I have yet to discover.

7 Things about myself

1. I was a fanatical skateboarder in my tweens and currently draw/carv and write a graphic novel based on my experiences.

2. I am a coffee lover unless its in foam cup.

3. I am a work-a-holic and a family man.

4. Love reading biographies about artist and watching documentaries about anything.

5. One of my all time favorite records Tom Waits swordfishtrumbones.

6. One of my all time favorite movies is 1984 Amadeus, directed by Milos Foreman.

7. I have used the phrase “oh my girsh!” since i was a 8yrs old and every since I was told not to use gods name in vain by a scary aunt.

BTW This is a hologram if you look sideways he sips coffee.