Sketching in public

I don't care what other people say, I happen to like the cliche image of the artist at work in his local coffee shop. It's not the only place one can create and it's maybe not the first option we choose. We do however crave exposure, if only for a moment of validation from a passerby. If the world is not exposed to us then how will our ideas grow? Not to mention the lure of coffee and free wifi access whilst being around other like minded individuals in need of getting lost in a crowd of strangers. Often cliches exist for a reason. Perhaps they are useful.

Erykah Badu aka DJ Lo Down Loretta Brown

I had the great pleasure to finally see one of my "divas" in action this week. A friend and I went to see Ms. E. Badu herself drop beats and spend records for our enjoyment at the Prophet Bar in Deep Ellum. It was an early birthday present for me and I was so excited. We had been talking about seeing her for months and we just knew that we couldn't miss her next appearance now that I had moved to the area, I planned on being a firm supporter.

The night began simple enough with a jam session with local DJ, and then some live music from the band. They were amazing and it was such an experience to hear her music in a live setting and feeling every nuance of the melodies. When Lo Down Loretta Brown arrived we sat back and listened to her spin her favorite artists and mix influential beats. It was an evening with a friend in a harmonic discussion of music. "I just play what I like, I dunno what ya'll do" she stated on the mic. Toward the end of the evening I could hear her music coming in to play, and I will admit to waiting to hear the artist play with her own material.

My favorite song, "I Want You", began, and my friend and I began to lose it. Then as she began to appear to leave as the night was drawing to a close, an excited scream came from the back of the crowd as Nazeled Hazel made her way to the front of the stage and grabbed the mic. Our perseverance at the from of the stage was about to really pay off. We stood in disbelief that we would hear the songstress not only belt her famous soulful melodies, but also funk out the song to an approving audience. If you want RaDiO you are in the wrong place, was the anthem of the night. I couldn't stop moving, I couldn't take my eyes off the spirit of creativity I was witnessing.

Ms. Badu is indeed a creative spirit and a major influence on me and my art and it was a great honor to be in the presence of hers.

My favorite scribble.

Among the faces that came out, almost 50 now, this is one of my favorites.

FACE!

I got in the mood to make a series of faces for fun. Sometimes you have to make art for the joy of it, and remember why you loved it in the first place.

Halloween Ram Horns

First, Mount to Board and Shape Wire

Second, Papier Mache!

Third, set out to dry.

Fourth, create texture, GET THE ROPE!

Fifth, spray paint, matte black.

Final, attache to headband, and WEAR!

Entry Portfolio: Art Takes Miami 2012

Johnny Perez
Hello all!
If you like what I do, then please give me a vote in this competition. Thanks in advance!

Dallas Comic Con

This year I got to attend the Dallas Comic Con at Irving Convention Center.  This was my first con, and I had a great time.  The real reason I attended was to get the chance to meet one of my favorite celebrities Felicia Day!  She's an inspiration and as I found out an incredibly sweet and genuine person.

Felicia Day as "Codex" from her awesome web series The Guild

I got to meet some industry folks as well in the Artist Alley.  I spoke with Rob Thornton whose work can be seen here.  We had a good conversation about keeping a portfolio and breaking into the biz.   I also got to meet Thomas Dougherty an upcoming illustration artist with a published children's book.

I spent way too much money, but walked away with bags full of inspiration.  It was great seeing all the costumes and effort fans put forth.  It was fun to talk to new people who understood what it meant to be a geek or nerd, etc, and feel genuinely free to be different.  I can't wait to go next year!

"Lost Fey" - Ink

Here is drawing of a melancholy fairy.  This piece is special because it is reminiscent of work in which I focused on a melancholy mood through the use of hidden faces behind flowing black hair.  In this piece I updated this to include a feeling of being lost along with the idea of fantasy gone wrong.  I was struck by this idea when thinking of fantasy work to do, but didn't want a carbon copy of everything else out there.  This strikes a chord because its more human than anything and brings the magical world more into reality.  Instead of drawing the viewer into a world of myth, our idea of this world is called into question.  I can't wait to explore this more, and have found many artists using the fantasy world as a mirror to our human mind, and I thinks its great!

"Waves" - Ink

Here is a new drawing of a woman wrapped in waves of fabric and wind.  I love doing drapery in motion as well as water type imagery.

Sketch. Paint. Video!: Eye

Here's another sketching and paint speed video of an eye.  I always seem to draw a lot of eyes, I think they are just my go-to doodle.  Enjoy.

Sketch. Paint. 2: Lips

Here's another video I did real quick of some lips from sketch to paint! Mute if you don't like the music, it was just too quiet for me!

Sketch. Paint. Video! : Self Portrait

Here's a speed video I did of my self portrait from sketch to paint!  I've wanted to do some of these for a while  and I had some time to kill, so this is pretty simple.

6x6x2012 Project Show

"Goldfish"

"Lobster"

"Scales"

"Tentacles"

"Anemone"

Entries to the 6x6x2012  Show. All watercolor, ink, 6 inches x6 inches. Will be put up on gallery website for sale for $20 on June 5th.

New Year, New Series

Reflecting on this past year, I've noticed such a change in myself.  There was a lot I wanted to accomplish that I didn't get to.  There was even more that I could've done if I had found the motivation.  Words such as love, success, happiness have changed meaning, for the better I hope.  A series like this may not have been possible in years before because of the deep emotional impact the themes have on me.  As an artist I admit I was afraid to explore them.  I was afraid of being exposed.  I know that artists before me must have felt this when they created.  Art may be a reflection of life, but more accurately, an artist's work is a reflection of his own life.  How can I ignore what is important to me?  For what reason do I create, if not to express myself?  My work has dealt with pain before,  but not the cause of it.  That is, the love that was there first, and how it grew into all its beautiful complications. That is the initial concept, and what I will be investigating in the coming year.  I hope you find it relevant to you.