Me Make Stuff...

IMPRINT - A Fabelist Exhibition

2012-01-30T17:17:00.000Z

'Simple Man' detail of my tea stained drawing

The Fabelist's exhibition IMPRINT opened on Friday 27th at The Serpentine Centre For possible Studies, London. For the last few months I have been part of an artist's collective called The Fabelist, working on our individual responses to the 'Imprint' theme. I created a set of new work and together with 29 other artists creations we unleashed them on to the public.

The visionary and talented young woman behind the exhibition and director of The Fabelist is Francesca Goodwin who also curated the works.

"I have a firm belief that art should be in conversation with the surroundings that it is exhibited in. I have seen with the Fabelist group how artistic practice is a really strong adhesive to building communities and I want to share that message with a wider public audience- to give people the opportunity to access contemporary art at whatever level they can identify with".

You can read an interview with Francesca Goodwin about the project, her goals and inspirations at Run-riot.com

Read more about Fridays festival of curiosities in this great write up by Nicola Anthony on her blog HERE.

The exhibition runs until the Friday 3rd February. 21 Gloucester Place, London W1U 8HR. 1pm - 6pm.

Exhibitors:
Chantal Powell, Hormazd Narielwalla, Abigail Box, Cassandra Batterby, Carlos M Burgos, Zoe Catherine Kendall, Dean Melbourne, EC, Raj Kaur, Nicola Anthony, Emilie Pugh, Anthony Boswell, Ryan Seslow, Nikki Schiro, Tamsin Relly Twinkle Troughton, Katie Ann Edwards, Matthew Lewis, Carrie May, Tahnee Lonsdale, Polly Bagnall, Darren MacPherson, Luke Thompson, Joshua Raffell, Francesca Goodwin, Laura Evelyn, Sarah Stewart, Tinsel Edwards, Sarah Perry.

Find out more about the works here: LINK

Photo by Frederick W T Thiede

Banquet by The Edible Art Movement

Festival Musicians

Poppy's Paper Doll Parlour

Good Vibes From California

2012-01-23T18:30:00.002Z

The 'London Calling' show at the OCCCA in Orange County, California came to an end on the 12th January after several weeks of hosting and curating a taster of the London art scene which seems to be popping up all over the art world lately. This time with the work of 29 artists working in different disciplines.

“London Calling is a great compact survey of what’s going on in contemporary art in London at the moment” said art visionary and visitor to the show William Moreno, who is president of the board at Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions, Hollywood Boulevard.

I was pleased to be showing two of my 'Peep Hole Boxes' which visitors of the gallery seemed to enjoy interacting with and giving in to their curiosity and peeping in. Also being exhibited was my lyric/text based drawing 'For What It's Worth'.

Photo by Stephen Anderson

My Drawing alongside Nicola Anthony's book piece

We've had some great feedback and responses from the show, here are a few:

“Nice to see a new International flavor represented in Orange County” ~ Tm Gratkowski (Artist / Curator / Flagstop, Director)

“Great exhibition from the UK, my favorites were Nicola Anthony’s text piece “David Copperfield” and Carlos Burgos sculptural pieces.” ~Michael Chomick (Artist / Sculptor) www.michaelchomick.com

“London Calling” is a refreshing POV expressing contemporary British youth culture.

The exhibition is filled with a compelling array of artwork embracing themes from pop to political, retro to hipster and figurative to abstract.” ~ Sasha Darling www.belljarsf.com

“ I came here to OCCCA see the work of my friend Carlos Burgos and was delighted with the entire “London Calling” exhibition.” ~ Kyriakos

I enjoy OCCCA and attend many artist receptions here – The “London Calling” exhibition is awesome – I especially loved the text Portraits created by text artist Nicola Anthony and also the interactive installation created by text artist Sylvia Morgado.” ~ Joni (Santa Ana based Artist / Dancer from The Santori Building) www.jonirenee.com

Take a virtual tour and navigate your way around this exhibition by following this link.

List of artists: Abigail Box, Agnetha Sjogren, Azadeh Fatehrad, Beth Nicholas, Carlos Martyn Burgos, Chantal Powell, Darren MacPherson, Katerina Stavrou, Katerina James, Kimi Wylde, Henry Wood, Joe Cruz, Lloyd Durling,Lyndsay Martin, Masa Suzuki, Nicola Anthony, Rachel Noble, Rosie Emerson, Robert West, Senghye Yang, Silvia Krupinska, Sylvia Morgado, Sun Ae Kim, Tinsel Edwards, Tahnee Lonsdale, Twinkle Troughton, Victoria Heald,Vikram Kushwah

Photo by Tahnee Lonsdale

Photo by Stephen Anderson

Peep Hole Boxes

2011-12-23T15:51:00.000Z

"We never knows wot's hidden in each other's hearts; and if we had glass winders there, we'd need keep the shutters up, some on us, I do assure you!"
Charles Dickens: 'Martin Chuzzlewit' (1844)

Peeping in...

Showing at the moment in California's Orange County Center for Contemporary Arts, are two rare pieces of work of mine, "LOSS" and "UGLY" which are 3D sculptures I call 'Peep Hole Boxes'. They are part of the group exhibition 'London Calling' which is currently on until the 12th January 2012.

Let me tell you a little more about these boxes of curiosity.

These are boxes built using foam board and varying in size, completely sealed except for the small eyeholes at the front, which you can 'peep' through revealing a 3-D scene within.

The Peep Hole Boxes

These cubes explore & try to simulatecuriosity and the mini private universes which we cary with us in our heads.Emotions, personal experiences which normally we don’t want to share. It’s asif we were spying on someone when they’re at there most emotionally vulnerable.Note the effect an enclosed and ‘private’ scene has on the viewer when he choses to look, it’s very different to that of an openlydisplayed image. There are issues of intimacy and privacy, broken slightly bycuriosity itself.

These were first developed back in 1998 in a series of boxes with scenes inspired by the book 'The Gashleycrumb Tinies' by Edward Gorey. Using paper and card only, I developed certain techniques that allowed me to play with perspective and give the illusion of depth. Later the construction of these boxes became more complex and four new original pieces were produced in 2002. Two of these are now displayed at the London Calling Exhibition in Orange County, California USA. LINK

The Gashleycrumb Tinies Book

X is for Xerxes devoured by mice. 162mm x 160mm x 154mm (1998)

Y is for Yorick whose head was knocked in. 162mm x 160mm x 154mm (1998)

Loss (2002)

Loss (detail-2002)

Ugly (2002)

Ugly (detail-2002)

Views from Barcelona

2011-12-20T15:06:00.001Z

Barcelona, a set on Flickr.

Here are a few photos I took when i was exploring Barcelona. All captured and edited using my iPhone 3Gs. Check 'em all out in my Flickr album.

Showcase in Barcelona

2011-12-18T20:05:00.000Z

Barcelona, Spain. City of art, culture, history and incredible architecture. A real feast for the senses.

Home of Gaudi and his amazing curvy buildings, one of them being Casa Batllo, which on Saturday 10th December played host to the first International exhibition of painting and photography, Barcelona Showcase 2011.

Saturday morning at 7am I got out of my hotel bed and began to get myself ready to leave to set up my work at the Casa Batllo. I cold showered myself in to a state of readiness. Packed my things and had some much needed morning grindage for the long day ahead. I had decided to walk to the venue from my hotel which i had done so the day before as a test. I put my heavy rucksack on, picked up my paintings by the strap I had secured around them and ventured outside. I knew this would be a hard and long 45 minute walk carrying all this stuff, but I was too busy pumping adrenaline and endorphins to care. I walked down the quiet suburban streets, greeting the street cleaners as I passed them by. My burning hands and forearms needing a rest every now and again by switching the weight of my paintings on wood from left hand to right hand and vice versa.

Reaching Gaudi's Casa Batllo at around 8:40 there was a line of artists starting to gather and grow and pour out in front of the entrance waiting to be let in. once in we were let loose and began setting up our spaces. The sound of hammers echoed through the hallways, and an array of international works were now being hung. Shortly this mixture of mediums, styles and practices would be unveiled to the people of Barcelona.

An ambitious exhibition that would open from 10:30am with a private view from 7:30pm until 12 midnight. Two large floors of International work from Portugal, France, UK, Spain, Argentina, Romania, Russia, Germany, Norway, Malaysia, Sweden, Greece, Switzerland, Australia, Lithuania, Latvia, Italy, South Korea, Iceland, Finland, Belgium, Denmark, Brazil, Colombia, Pakistan, China, India, Panama, Japan. There was a great atmosphere of artists taking an interest in each others work and a great range of visitors.

Security at the door and within the building were provided by men built like trucks in black suits and shaven heads who were extremely polite and professional. Spectators entered and explored. Their curiosity and eyes led them around the halls and they took their time viewing the many works on display, telephoning their friends whenever something captured their attention and urging them to come on down. Within minutes new groups of visitors would appear desperately looking for these recommended pieces.

A spanish review by Articularte had this to say: "Painting and photography, in an unorchestrated symphony, where each author interpreted their own melody. Sometimes in the middle of the duel of notes, a sound would suddenly elevate itself above the scores provided to capture the attention of the overwhelmed spectator". To my delight I received a mention in this review along with a few others.

Each artist had a story to tell of all the efforts made in getting themselves and their work to this exhibition, stories that united all of us and created connections that went beyond our work. Each had their struggles, logistical problems, some their nightmare journeys but their resolve, determination and excitement was something that reminded us all of the love we have for the path we have chosen as artists and the things we are willing to do to satisfy our hearts and creative minds.

The walk back to my hotel that night seemed longer and my bags heavier after the white wine now circulating throughout my body and my back wanting to give in but the buzz I was feeling and the smile on my face was worth it.

I stayed a further few days in Barcelona taking in the sights and architecture that I have always found inspiring about this city. My trusty camera and iphone at the ready trying to capture and make pictures of what I saw and felt. More on that in another post.

(^_^)

Pop-Up show - Art for £99

2011-12-04T21:41:00.001Z

Acrylic On MDF Board & Varnished
W127mm X H178mm X D12mm

Today I finished a small painting that will be part of a Pop-Up Shop fundraiser. A number of artists have created original postcard sized pieces on wood to be sold for £99 each and will be generously and professionally framed by our sponsor One Stop Frames. The money is being raised to help cover work shipping and travel costs for the artists selected to exhibit at The Orange County Center for Contemporary Art (OCCCA) in California, later this month. I will be one of those exhibiting in this 'London Calling' show in the USA.

RSVP on Facebook here

I won't be able to attend this pop-up show as on the same weekend I will be in Barcelona, Spain, exhibiting at Gaudi's Casa Batllo. However please come and see all the fantastic postcard sized works and get your hands on a bargain as most are worth over double the price!

The Pop-Up Shop will take place for one weekend only (10th-11th December) at Debut Contemporary gallery on Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill.

Our other fundraising platforms:

Indiegogo

Online shop

Lyrically Infused...

2011-11-27T19:23:00.001Z

In the making is another piece of work using words and lyrics from a song and making it part of the image. I'm slowly building this up paying attention to the contours of the subject of my image.

Here are a few of the other lyrical images I've made this year.

'One' by Metallica
http://carlosmartynburgos.blogspot.com/2011/01/one-by-metallica.html

'For What It's Worth' by Buffalo Springfield
http://carlosmartynburgos.blogspot.com/2011/02/for-what-its-worth-by-buffalo.html

'November Rain' by Guns n' Roses
http://carlosmartynburgos.blogspot.com/2011/02/november-rain-by-guns-n-roses.html

'Bullet With Butterfly Wings' by The Smashing Pumpkins
http://carlosmartynburgos.blogspot.com/2011/06/bullet-with-butterfly-wings.html

'Boot Camp' by Soundgarden
http://carlosmartynburgos.blogspot.com/2011/08/boot-camp-by-soundgarden.html

Published in Carpaccio Magazine, Issue 32

2011-11-22T20:27:00.001Z

We got our work published!
Early this year you may remember how I collaborated with artist Jonathan Ramirez and together we created five unique and colourful pieces of art. (LINK)

Carpaccio Magazine Issue 32, pages 156, 157.

I'm happy to say that Carpaccio Magazine (Spain) has featured some of Jonathan's new work and also one of our collaboration pieces 'Bullet with Butterfly Wings' which gets a two page spread in the magazine on pages 156 & 157 and Jonathan's amazing new work on pages 152 - 155.

"Carpaccio Magazine is a monthly online & print publication created to promote the work of ‘uncooked’ artists: emerging but very tasty artists. Carpaccio Magazine is published by the independent publishing house Atem Books"

Link to Carpaccio Magazine Issue 32.
http://www.carpacciomagazine.com/issues/2011/carpaccio-magazine-issue-32/

Its an incredible visual magazine with a beautiful lay out of art, illustration and photography. It's an honour to be featured.

Carpaccio Magazine Issue 32, pages 152, 153.

Carpaccio Magazine Issue 32, pages 154, 155.

Storyboarding Keith Lemon: The Film

2011-11-20T20:06:00.001Z

Lionsgate UK together with producing partners Generator Entertainment, have begun production on and is now filming a new comedy feature film starring Keith Lemon from 'Celebrity Juice' as well as a few celeb cameo's.

Keith Lemon: The Film, is a comedy about Keith following his dreams of becoming a successful entrepreneur. He comes to London from Leeds, becomes an overnight billionaire then loses it all before finding the road to redemption.

Over the last few weeks I've been doing some storyboarding for this production together with the films director, Paul Angunawela who also co-wrote the script together with Leigh Francis, creator of 'Bo Selecta'.

Paul Angunawela and me have worked together before, not only on another Keith Lemon project in 'Keith Lemon's Fit' DVD and other projects, but he has also written some unique pieces of work based on and drawing inspiration from some of my art work. These pieces of writing are featured in a limited edition art book of mine. You can also find a piece we collaborated on entitled 'Lechery' here.

In a statement Keith Lemon said:
"It's a privilege to have the power of sight, hearing, touching and feeling. But to make a film which I am going to be able to see myself in, hear myself in, but unfortunately not touch or feel myself in (because it's not in 3D) is even more'rer'rer of a privilege."

Read about my work for 'Keith Lemon's Fit' here. Link

London Calling at California's OCCCA

2011-10-30T13:07:00.001Z

London art continues to make an impression across the pond, this time at California's Orange County Center for Contemporary Arts. Following on from the success of the London Art Box at Flag Stop in L.A. back in September, I have been one of those selected to exhibit in the collective show entitled: 'LONDON CALLING' from December 21st 2011 to January 12th 2012.

London Calling at the OCCCA

The Orange County Center for Contemporary Art showcases emerging British artists represented by the London Gallery,Debut Contemporary, located in Notting Hill.

Their roster of artists reads like a who’s who of the young, UK art scene, including Rosie Emerson, Tahnee Lonsdale, and Agnetha Sjogren. Works by these and other collectible artists will be available for sale at OCCCA.

The founders of Debut Contemporary are husband and wife duo, Samir Ceric and Zoe Knight, named by the British press as, “one of UK’s most powerful couples in art and fashion.”

Perhaps the most exciting thing about this collective is that in our climate of limited art funding, the artists have taken it upon themselves to promote and raise the profile of the London Art scene overseas. They are working collaboratively to come up with creative solutions, opposing the diminution of diversity in art, and extending the reach of UK arts: Fundraising to get as many of the talented artists to LA as possible, to be true ambassadors of the London art scene. They are empowering themselves to create their own opportunities. Find out more on their fundraising platform and Etsy art shop.

List of London Calling exhibiting Artists:

Abigail Box, Agnetha Sjogren, Azadeh Fatehrad, Beth Nicholas, Carlos Martyn Burgos, Chantal Powell, Darren MacPherson, Katerina Stavrou, Katerina James, Kimi Wylde, Henry Wood, Joe Cruz, Lloyd Durling,Lyndsay Martin, Masa Suzuki, Nicola Anthony, Rachel Noble, Rosie Emerson, Robert West, Senghye Yang, Silvia Krupinska, Sylvia Morgado, Sun Ae Kim, Tinsel Edwards, Tahnee Lonsdale, Twinkle Troughton, Victoria Heald,Vikram Kushwah

Barcelona Showcase 2011

2011-10-30T12:44:00.000Z

On Saturday 10th December I'll be in the cultural city of Barcelona exhibiting some of my art in Gaudi's architectural jewel, Casa Batllo. My work was selected to be in the Barcelona Showcase 2011, first international exhibition of contemporary art and photography.

To find out more please visit their site: www.barcelonashowcase.com

FRIEZE 2011 art fair

2011-10-25T15:50:00.001+01:00

FRIEZE 2011 art fair, a set on Flickr.

A small selection of photos of my visit to FRIEZE 2011 at Regent's Park, London on 13–16 October.

The ninth edition for Frieze Art Fair, the leading international contemporary art fair.
Showing 173 of the world’s most exciting contemporary art galleries, representing 33 countries and showing new work by over 1,000 artists.

Including The Sculpture Park, which offered a rare opportunity to see a significant group of international work on a public scale. Presenting work by some of the most acclaimed international sculptors.

Steve Jobs iPad Tribute Sketch

2011-10-06T20:56:00.000+01:00

Steve Jobs (1955 - 2011)
Co-Founder & CEO of Apple Inc

Steve Jobs

Sketching On An iPad

2011-10-03T16:04:00.000+01:00

Created using the 'Brushes' for iPad app

Having got my hands on a second hand first generation iPad, I was eager to see how this would become a useful artists tool beyond a library of reference photos or source material. I wanted to see if it would serve me well in terms of sketching out ideas or working out colour compositions before painting.

There is a lot of exceptional iPad art out there but I only wanted to use it for basic playful sketches, not for finished masterpieces taking many hours or more to produce, but its nice to know it's possible. I like real paint and real materials, but this to me offered convenience.

My first sketch using SketchBook Pro app.

My first sketch on the iPad was with the app SketchBook Pro and my finger. I felt strange using my finger as I've spent forever using a stick, be it a pencil, pen, charcoal or paint brush - but you get used to it with practice. The app is great at mimicking real materials like the texture of a pencil etc.

The main problem with drawing on an ipad is that the tablet is not pressure sensitive... yet. So you have to learn how to play with transparency and opacity levels. The software tries to get around this by the speed of your movement, so the quicker the stroke the thinner it tends to be, not quite natural but you adapt to your tools.

iPad & Wacom's 'Bamboo' Stylus.

I decided to get myself a good stylus despite the fact that the iPad was designed for finger use. After some research I came across Wacom's 'Bamboo' Stylus and being convinced it would suit my requirements I purchased it. It is rather pricey compared to other stylus' out there but with Wacom being the leading industry in digital drawing tablet's, it has to count for something.

Wacom also has an app called Bamboo Paper to accompany their stylus, it's more of a notebook and very basic, like using gel ballpoint pen, but it works great with the stylus, no lag and it's smooth. I drew this character using this app and the stylus.

Sketch using BambooPaper app and stylus.

The stylus doesn't work well with certain apps like inspire pro, a great painting app when using your fingers only, I felt a lot of lag which is annoying. The app in itself is fantastic and worth getting.

I then tried the stylus using the app Brushes, I imported the drawing I did in the Bamboo Paper app as a base. The stylus was great and using this software was a pleasure, I liked it a lot.

So this was my initial experience sketching on an iPad and using a stylus over this weekend. Obviously there is a learning curve when using painting software and adapting to it but I'm pleased with what I've experienced so far.

The video below shows the painting process of my character using the 'Brushes' app.

London Art makes a splash in LA

2011-09-05T14:18:00.000+01:00

FLAG STOP at Torrance’s South Bay Lexus dealership

Some of my work has been showing in Los Angeles the past few days in the London Art Box - “a London ‘micro-gallery’ in which 13 of London’s most exciting and ambitious emerging artists have been invited to prepare a special exhibition for the landmark LA event, FLAG STOP”. Featuring the works of more than 100 of the nation’s top artists and curators.

Tim Gratkowski, came up with the idea of using large white PODS® containers as micro galleries

“FLAG STOP is dedicated to presenting the best curated examples of what, why, and how art is relevant today,” said Tim Gratkowski a Los Angeles-based contemporary artist. “The PODS® containers are perfect self-contained portable art galleries that allow us to showcase ground breaking contemporary art in a very unusual setting outside of mainstream art venues.”

Ambassadors of the arts: Kimi Wylde, Abigail Box & Nicola Anthony

Three of the 13 artists, Nicola Anthony, Abigail Box and Kimi Wylde, flew over to help curate the work and to represent the group of Debut Contemporary artists. Here is a little video of Nicola introducing the London Art Box:

The Flagstop event has recieved mentions in LA Weekly, Easy ReaderNews, Art Weekly, LA's Business News and a number of other art magazines in California with news that we have now been invited to exhibit at OCCCA museum in Orange County this December.

LA is overwhelmingly positive about London Art Box, and we have already been introduced to the key figures here who are also very excited about our work, the space, and the concept – Tim Gratkowski – FLAG STOP DIRECTOR, curator Howard Fox, artist Bob Zoell, Joella March influential art figure and curator at OCCCA, the curators of Torrance Art Museum, Peter Frank art critic, the distinguished Bernard Fallon from the FLAG STOP board, and LA Journalist Bondo Wyszpolski.

Artists part of London Art Box are: Vikram Kushwah • Chantal Powell • Tinsel Edwards • Nicola Anthony • Sylvia Morgado • Kimi Wylde • Abigail Box • Darren MacPherson • Katrina James • Robert West • Carlos Martyn Burgos • Azadeh Fatehrad • Twinkle Troughton

Journalists turn up to snap the LAB

My Peep Hole box: "UGLY"

(^_^)

London In Los Angeles

2011-08-31T15:36:00.000+01:00

On September 2nd a brand new alternative art event will be opening in LA. FLAG STOP!

Many high profile LA based curators and art industry types are taking part in the event including Lily Siegel who is a Curatorial Assistant at 'The Museum of Contemporary Art', Los Angeles and Howard Fox who is Emeritus Curator of Contemporary Art, 'Los Angeles County Museum of Art' amongst others.

Also participating in this event is London Art Box (LAB), a London ‘micro-gallery’ in which UK artists have been invited to prepare a special exhibition for this landmark LA art event, FLAG STOP. Showcasing artists from London’s Debut Contemporary.

As part of the Debut Contemporary collective I was selected with 11 other artists to represent the UK at this exhibition. The exhibition is being held on the grounds of a Lexus showroom. On the choice of this setting for the exhibition Flag Stop says:

"FLAG STOP’s mission is to present new and emerging contemporary art to a larger audience outside the mainstream art venues. FLAG STOP is searching for alternative venues in which to present the best curated examples of what, why, and how art is becoming relevant today. Each “STOP” will feature art which has been curated with some of the best examples of contemporary art, brought to you by some of the top professional, emerging curators and artists from Southern California."

Other artists taking part in this event are Vikram Kushwah • Chantal Powell • Tinsel Edwards • Nicola Anthony • Sylvia Morgado • Kimi Wylde • Abigail Box • Darren MacPherson • Katrina James • Robert West • Carlos Martyn Burgos • Azadeh Fatehrad

My work will be there as well as a few artists from Debut heading across the pond to make the presence of the art work and our gallery space known to everyone as ambassadors during the three days it is on.

This will be my US debut, so I'm very excited. I'll be showing three pieces, 'For What It's Worth', and two of my peep hole boxes 'Ugly' and 'Loss'.

For What It's Worth (2011)

A Peaceful Game Of Chess

2011-08-26T08:34:00.000+01:00

Thanks to all those that participated on Saturday 20th August at the 'World Within Worlds' event, where people got all artistic and helped create a work of art live in the gallery window at Debut Contemporary based on my design.

Each were given a section to draw and this was then pieced together to form a bigger picture. The result?
A riot policeman and a hoodie having a nice game of chess, in response to the recent London riots. Created by the people, for the people...

Here are the individual sections lovingly made by those that participated. In the space of a few minutes they became artists, were discovered and then had their work displayed in a posh gallery in Notting Hill!

Paul. B

Raquel. B

Audrey

C. M. B

Claudia. P

Duncan. C

C. M. B

Rob. M

Stephanie. O

C. M. B

Kevin. N

Ninman

C. M. B

Gabriela. P

Johanna. S

Sandra. O

Sean

Sylvia. M

Tiffani. A

Robert. V

Lucia

Sandra. O

A Meeting of Worlds Part III

2011-08-26T08:33:00.000+01:00

These are the five pieces of art Carlos M Burgos and Jonathan Ramirez created. Combining the traditional hand drawn with the digital. Created via long distance in London and Dallas. Combining two artistic visions. Art has no boundaries.

These pieces were shown for the first time on Saturday 20th August at the debut Contemporary Gallery in London, England. Together with three new pieces by Carlos M Burgos and three pieces by Jonathan Ramirez, showing their work as individuals alongside their collaboration pieces. The exhibition was called 'World Within Worlds'.

A total of five pieces of work were created, each of which are available as a limited edition Giclee print of five. Printed on high quality 100% cotton museum grade Canson Aquarelle paper.

Read part I here

Read part II here

November Rain - 2011 - 71x51cm

One - 2011- 71x55cm

For What It's Worth - 2011- 71x54cm

Bullet With Butterfly Wings - 2011- 71x54cm

Boot Camp - 2011 - 51x75cm

A Meeting of Worlds Part II

2011-08-25T14:19:00.000+01:00

Detail from 'For What It's Worth' by C M Burgos & J Ramirez

Let's continue with the story behind the recent collaboration between myself and digital artist Jonathan Ramirez. Having approached Jonathan with the idea of him adding colour and continuing to develop my ink drawings, he said yes and our work began.

We communicated mainly by Facebook and email. He was in Dallas and I was in London, so time differences were a big factor, getting to know when we were free to discuss things etc.

I scanned the drawings and sent him the files by email. I had decided I was going to trust his artistic vision and as a first time experiment was not going to say much about what to do, I wanted the piece to develop naturally. I would just tell him what I had in mind when making the drawing. I left my art work in his hands as to what he was going to do with them, the only thing I mentioned was the importance of the lyrics remaining visible. I was excited and nervous at the same time as this was my first collaboration with another artist.

Jonathan worked very hard on the drawings I sent him. It was now his turn to use his digital brushes and palette.

J Ramirez and his artistic tools

Jonathan:

"What i did on the drawings was use textures, also I'm into using colors but in a dark way, lots of vintage effects, make them creepy. I used Photoshop CS5 and Adobe Illustrator CS5 plus an Adesso CTZ12A Cybertablet 10x6" Widescreen Ultra Slim Graphics Tablet".

"I painted some by hand others by using tools like brushes and effects. Im a big fan of the 'Image Vibrance' tool, it brings life to my art, I use a high saturation on most of my artwork".

When collaborating with another artist it's strange seeing the results as you know and recognize your own art work but it's somewhat different now. It's interesting seeing how both styles fit and can complement each other creating a completely different image. Jonathan would send me each piece as soon as he finished it, I would take a couple of days looking at it, taking it in and getting used to this new style. We were both very pleased with our work and the results.

This was really my first collaboration, but i believe you have to respect each others work, methods and where its coming from. We had very different methods of working, Jonathan works digitally and I take a traditional approach, our styles differ. But I felt there were things we connected on. I think you have to have a plan of action, how will the work take shape, in what order etc. In our case I had created hand drawn art work and I decided I trusted in his artistic vision and gave him the freedom to then re-interpret the drawing his own way. Our common ground was our love for the same kind of music, so we were drawing inspiration from the same sources.

Jonathan: "Trust in the art of the artist you are collaborating with, Just think you are doing a collaboration where both artists enjoy each others art work. Never think of selling for a client or making it big into mainstream".

I had been a bit worried about the distance thing, but Jonathan is a great guy, sincere in everything he does. I trust his abilities and that to me is rare. Where you can trust and share your own artistic visions with another artist. We didnt talk much about what we were going to do, over thinking things, we just poured ourselves into our art.

Jonathan: "This is my first collaboration with an artist, and I'm glad it was Carlos, you have to believe in someone or something to be part of it, and Carlos believed in my talent and art, I think I enjoyed the fact that we are both far away. I mean collaborations don't have to be in the same room at the same time, in the same city under the same sky. We try to bring art together no matter what part of the world you are in, it all becomes one".

We created five pieces of work, each of which are available as a limited edition Giclee print of five. Printed on high quality 100% cotton museum grade Canson Aquarelle paper.

Approx print size: 710 x 550mm

Next I'll be showing you the full set of work. You can also see it here: Full Set

(^_^)

Read Part I of this post here

A Meeting Of Worlds Part I

2011-08-24T14:32:00.002+01:00

J Ramirez injects his style to my art work, 'Boot Camp'.

Saturday 20th August saw the results of a collaboration by myself and Jonathan Ramirez displayed at Debut Contemporary Gallery, London. Jonathan Ramirez (interviewed here previously) is a digital artist based in Dallas, Texas, and together we have produced five exciting new pieces of art.

In the next few posts I will be telling the story of this special long distance collaboration.

But let's start from the beginning. As some of you may already know, I've been working on a series of drawings inspired by some of my favourite songs or bands and incorporating their lyrics directly in to the art work. Songs by Metallica, Smashing Pumpkins, Guns N' Roses, Buffalo Springfield and Soundgarden. Making the lyrics form shapes and objects creating a narrative amplified by both the pictoral and written elements. These are images that can carry powerful meanings, messages and emotion.

These are drawn entirely by hand, taking up to a week minimum to design, develop and execute. Using technical drawing pens to be able to incorporate very fine details and text. Not much room for any mistakes and these drawings continue to develop as I progress.

I had always planned on adding colour at a later date to my drawings. As I wanted to keep these black and white versions as they were, I had thought about colouring them digitally as I had done with other pieces in the past.

However, time did not allow me to as I was also creating a series of paintings at the same time.

Busy Painting

Previously i had come across the amazing work of a digital artist called Jonathan Ramirez. He had posted a link to his work on a Facebook page at Juxtapose Magazine. The link was to a piece he called 'Tales of a Scorched Earth'. This got my attention as it reminded me of a song by The Smashing Pumpkins, I looked at more of his work and noticed that most of it was inspired by songs and lyrics, by bands that I also liked or knew. We turned out to both be Smashing Pumpkins fans and so I contacted him to make friends.

(His website: jonathanramirez.webs.com)

Some time passed and I still really wanted to add colour to these drawings. Then a thought occurred to me, it may be interesting to see what would happen if I asked Jonathan to add colour to these pieces. Although his style was different to mine, he understood where this work was coming from as he too was influenced by the same music. I really admired his work and style so I thought that it would be even more interesting if I let him continue to interpret the lyrics and my drawings in his own way, adding his unique style and vision. Fusing our styles and talents. I also thought our collaboration would be interesting from a cultural point of view too, he was from Mexico and I had roots from El Salvador, both from Central America.

I contacted him and asked him if he would be interested in collaborating with me, he said yes and our work together began!

(^_^)

Stay tuned for part II...

Read Part II here

Yesteryears...

2011-08-05T18:54:00.000+01:00

I introduce to you all the second in my World Within Worlds series, 'Yesteryears'.

A moment of fluttering thoughts in a field of memories blowing in the winds of time. A key locks away treasured moments but also opens the box we call our hearts.

'YESTERYEARS' oil on canvas 76 x 100cm

Boot Camp by Soundgarden

2011-08-02T12:07:00.000+01:00

Boot Camp by Soundgarden

boot camp

1. US slang a basic training camp for new recruits to the US Navy or Marine Corps

2. (Sociology) a centre for juvenile offenders, with a strict disciplinary regime, hard physical exercise, and community labour programmes

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003

Soundgarden gets the lyrical art treatment this time with their song 'Boot Camp'.

Soundgarden is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1984 by lead singer Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto.

This is my interpretation of an underrated song I feel is about conformity, longing for change. A society full of rules or social protocol. We long for something else but are still caught in the confines of the system.

Infant clones/drones stand in line, all with their heads down but one. Head raised and eyes wide open looking upwards towards the sky. A sky it has been told not to look upon. They must all follow the rules, but one dares to dream and question...

Boot Camp detail

The Y label on their foreheads is to show they belong to generation Y also known as 'iGen'. Born after 1981.
Characteristics of the generation vary by region, depending on social and economic conditions. However, it is generally marked by an increased use and familiarity with communications, media, and digital technologies.

I must obey the rules
I must be tame and cool
No staring at the clouds
I must stay on the ground
In clusters of the mice
The smoke is in our eyes
Like babies on display
Like angels in a cage
I must be pure and true
I must contain my views
There must be something else
There must be something good
Far away from here
And I'll be here for good

Soundgarden was one of the seminal bands in the creation of grunge, a style of alternative rock that developed in Seattle, and was one of a number of grunge bands signed to the record label Sub Pop. Soundgarden was the first grunge band to sign to a major label (A&M Records, in 1988), though the band did not achieve commercial success until they popularized "grunge" in the early 1990s with Seattle contemporaries Nirvana, Alice in Chains andPearl Jam.

Listen to the song:

The Dark Realms of Jonathan Ramirez

2011-07-18T18:43:00.000+01:00

Jonathan Ramirez

I recently came across the amazing digital art of Jonathan Ramirez, and we are currently collaborating on some pieces together which we will be exhibiting at the Debut Contemporary Gallery, London in August.

So here's a little chat with the man himself about his work.

Tell us a little about yourself and your background.

Jonathan Ramirez, 28 years old, been doing digital art for 10 years. I was born in Monterrey Mexico 1983, I moved to the USA when I was 16, now I live in Dallas Texas, but planing to move to a city with more art and music...

How would you describe your work?

I describe my art work as industrial, dark and Gothic with vintage touches. I dont get inspired much by other artists because I try to stay away from whats new, fashionable or the current scene, all that the 'new' generation is into these days. So I try to stay away from that and get my inspiration on music and lyrics from my favorite bands which are Pink Floyd, The Smashing Pumpkins, Tool, Radiohead. The Beatles are also my favorite.

What does being creative mean to you?

Being Creative means being different from others, being in a jar where no one gets in and I cant get out. I cant breathe the same air, i dont taste the same as others, Im just there alone, no space no gravity no light.

What inspires or motivates you?

Music is what inspires me, also dreams I have and some times just the mood I'm in like when I'm sad or depressed.

Whats playing on your mp3 at the moment?

Right now im Listening to Pink Floyd “The Wall” full album. I need some depressing music to create a dark feeling on this new art piece.

More from Jonathan Ramirez: jonathanramirez.webs.com/

www.behance.net/jonathanramirez

Prophecy

Tales of Scorched Earth

Swinging on to the next...

2011-07-06T13:49:00.002+01:00

'World within Worlds' series

For the past week I've been working on the second painting in my series of girls and landscapes. I will be calling this series 'World within Worlds'. 'Walking Through Clouds' was the first in this series, currently on display at Debut contemporary Gallery, London. Slowly nearing completion I hope to spend another week on this. I've set myself an initial goal of four paintings in this series for mid August. let's see how it goes.

This one is full of blue skies, fields, a sunset, black butterflies and memories...

Bullet with Butterfly Wings

2011-06-27T17:50:00.001+01:00

Finished another word art piece of mine using Lyrics. This time inspiration comes from the powerful song by The Smashing Pumpkins, 'Bullet with Butterfly Wings'.

Bullet with Butterfly Wings - Pen & Ink

"Bullet with Butterfly Wings" is a song by the American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. It was the lead single from the band’s 1995 double album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. The song won the 1997 Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance.

(Source: Wikipedia)

A rat sits caged in a girls head. Gnawing on the bars, trying to break free. In the eyes of the girl we read 'I still believe I cannot be saved'. A bullet with butterfly wings flutters above. Lyrics cascade down the girls hair on either side.

The Smashing Pumpkins is one my favourite bands, and this song for me has always been one of those that I would play repeatedly. Great beat, fast and beautiful lyrics. True poetry.

I get many things from this song, someone who feels trapped in a situation they have no control over or no control over their life. A society that just takes and takes, uncaring, cold, deaf, dictating our lives. "the world is a vampire, sent to drain". They're so angry and yet they have no influence over what will happen - "despite all my rage i am still just a rat in a cage" All about conforming, loss, sin, pain, frustration, change, etc... at least that's how I see it.

Something I think many of us have felt at certain moments in our lives if we're truly honest with ourselves.

(^_^)

Walking Through Clouds

2011-06-20T17:50:00.001+01:00

Detail (Walking Through Clouds)

The painting is now finished and I've just delivered it to Debut Contemporary Gallery today.

Measuring 100 x 76 cm and painted on canvas in oils, a girl stands with a stormy wind blowing through her hair. A tree stands bare, crows taking flight and circling above.

The first in a series of paintings fusing girls and dual landscapes.

Walking Through Clouds - oil on canvas 100 x 76 cm

Lots of wispy hair and other fine details in this picture, very time consuming but worth it in the end.

A closer look in the video below.

Now to plan the next one (^_^)

Paints & Brushes at the ready...

2011-06-14T22:22:00.000+01:00

100 x 76cm Canvas

Busy painting again. Working on something that I'll be delivering to Debut Contemporary Gallery soon. Here's a little peek at what I've been up to.

Work in progress...

La Chica del Atardecer

First in a new series following on from a small painting I did a good few years back, 'La Chica del Atardecer'. This time I'm painting on 100cm x 76cm canvas.

A fusion of girls and dual landscapes will dominate in this surreal series.

There's a set of photos on my facebook page showing some of the process of this piece. Link here

That's it for now, gotta get back to work (^_^)

My art in Notting Hill.

2011-06-03T18:24:00.001+01:00

After the fantastic June preview night held on Wednesday June 1st, I'd like to continue to welcome all to come down to the ongoing exhibition at the Debut Gallery in Notting Hill, where my work is still currently on display. My Profile

"For What It's Worth" pen & ink

See some more of my art by visiting my website:
www.memakestuff.com

You'll also find the work of some other excellent artists from all disciplines, more details here: ARTISTS

Debut Contemporary Gallery

82 Westbourne Grove

London W2 5RT

www.debutcontemporary.com

DEBUT CONTEMPORARY is an innovative concept for all aspiring and ambitious artists, showcasing the best of British creative talent across all art disciplines. Dubbed as “Kingmakers” (International Life Magazine) of creative talent, “London’s Top Tastemakers” (Time Out) and “One of the UK’s Most Powerful Couples in Fashion & Art” (The Times Magazine), husband and wife duo Samir Ceric and Zoe Knight, the “high profile couple” (Drapers Records) behind the launch of Wolf & Badger, Salon Contemporary (including Artist of the Week, Curator of the Month and Best of British competitions) and First Wednesdays, is now launching Debut Contemporary. Having already discovered some of the big names amongst emerging contemporary artists and fashion and jewellery designers in the last few years.

(^_^)

An invitation to hang out with 'The Birds'

2011-05-30T17:57:00.000+01:00

Come and hang out with some birds of a slightly different feather. My surreal taking on the term 'birds' and its use in the english language, drawing inspiration from Alfred Hitchcock's cult classic 'The Birds'. I'll be showcasing some of my work alongside work from over 40 other artists across all fields at the DEBUT Contemporary Gallery in Notting Hill, London.

Come along and have a fun evening. (details below)

Wednesday 1st of June
82 Westbourne Grove, London W2 5RT

1st June Preview event at Debut Contemporary from 6-9pm

Debut Contemporary are holding an event on Wednesday the 1st of June from 6-9pm as part of our monthly events programme, designed to mix business with pleasure in a 'creative networking environment'. Following on from last month's Artists meet Collectors event featuring an Auction for the Jennie & Jessie Gunhammar Lupus Trust led by Hugh Edemeades, this time we are introducing Artists to Curators at our trendsetting Artistic Laboratory gallery space on Westbourne Grove.

The gallery presents a colourful international flavour with some fantastic artists from Brazil, Greece, Poland and Berlin joining Debut Contemporary from June. Celebrating their arrival on the preview night, there will be live performance, exciting new Contemporary Art and a great atmosphere as always.

Please find your E-Invitation attached. All are welcome. Please confirm your attendance via rsvp@debutcontemporary.com.
For more information on the programme or any of the artists involved visit www.debutcontemporary.com.

E-INVITE

Lechery

2011-05-20T16:57:00.001+01:00

Lechery (detail)

I took a while in putting this up as it was supposed to be featured in an art magazine first. Alas due to difficulties the magazine was having with printers etc it has been delayed considerably.

So here it is! I present to you "LECHERY". Done on plywood with oils and subtle glazing techniques. I've had this idea dancing around my head for a good few years so it's good to see it finished finally.

I teamed up with my good friend script writer Paul Angunawela (director of Keith Lemon's Fit DVD), and wrote a short piece for this painting. You'll find it below. A short narrative that I think complements the image and its story.

LECHERY (60 x 100cm Oil on Wood)

LECHERY

◆

Empty words, empty expressions, screens, handsets, receivers.

Cables, interfaces, empty promises...

Intimacy...delete...replace....accessibility.

Love...delete....replace....possess....possess?....yes.

Emotions...delete....

Feel....no....path not found.

New directive....1] self gratification above all else.

Exchange needed....searching...

Locating all services required / need / want....

Prime directive 1] self gratification above all else.

No ties....connect only...

Displaying results....

File found:

* "The dream is always the same.

Serial memory : 1 001 10

We dine, dance, eat a little more, leave early.

Drinks on a balcony, a sonic peppered vista below. she turns and laughs at my joke. we fall into an embrace.

Move as one.

Morning light escapes and warms her dark curves, illuminates the love i am in. My fingers, the tips, caress the gentle hairs on her sleeping body. I hear bird song.

Tweet, tweet, tweet.

I remember those days of old. Romance, i think they called it.

With an 'ahhhhh'

Her breathing, her trust, her desire to stay with me, awakens my soul. I want to cry, laugh, entwine my nervous system with hers. Mind meld.

Not for long. I can hear footsteps. Boot clunks.

Slipping in, slipping out.

The dream is always the same.

But for the record, reality is a vulgar nightmare."

◆

File end.

Continue program....

Always online....stealth mode....24/7.

No complications.....

Keep distance... target....

Initiating...

Connect....no obligation.

Taste...entity...taste...

Feel....nothing.....path not found.....but....

System online...

Initiating neurotransmitter...

Initiating Dopamine.... 50%.....100%....increase....levels: high.

Disconnect.....no aftertaste or glitches.

Input, more input....more....require...need....WANT.....MORE...

MORE.

Possess ......

Detach...

Discard....

Next....

◆Carlos M Burgos

*Paul Angunawela

Lechery (detail)

The Art of Mark Sibley

2011-04-18T19:05:00.001+01:00

LUCY - oil on various canvases - 200cm x 171cm

I wanted to show you some of the fantastic work artist Mark Sibley produces.
I first saw his work when we exhibited together in a group show at The Brick Lane Gallery, I was fascinated by his drawings and the almost photographic nature of his images made up of intricate patterns that vary throughout. His portraits sometimes intricately made up of many canvases put together, each one different and isolating a part of the subject but at the same time speaking out to you visually all together in perfect harmony.

MR GREENBLAT b.1915 - oil on canvas 61cm x 61cm

VISIONS OF TITANIA

These are carefully planned works, intricately executed, precise and beautifully laid out. The tonal ranges in his pen and ink drawings made up of well thought out patterns and mark making. Despite his precision it never loses its playfulness and expression which I personally enjoy about his work.

BOBBIE - pen and ink

Currently he has an online virtual exhibition entitled "DECONSTRUCTION" at Exhibbit.com for the next few months.
Just click on the link above and download the 'web player' plug-in to experience this 3D gallery. Or copy this address: http://gallery.exhibbit.com/exhibition/3270f6e8-59af-4304-a959-54a44a416d72/

You can also visit his website: www.marksibleyart.co.uk

I hope you enjoy looking at his art as much as I have. (^_^)

An Empire Reborn part III

2011-04-05T17:00:00.001+01:00

So here you have it, the basic concept finished.

The lyrical warrior and the landscape of a hybrid London in ruins come together now, with Aztec sun stone designs in the background. A mixture of cultures.

A few further changes were made via Indio Lyrico's direction to keep with his concept for the art work which you will see when he is ready to release it... a special alternative version.

Part I
Part II

Indio Lyrico

Quiet But Busy...

2011-04-01T17:29:00.003+01:00

Yes I've been quiet lately, I know.

As well as other work, I've been busy working on a painting for art magazine REVISTA ORDINARIA based in El Salvador. The magazine Discusses and showcases contemporary art made by Salvadorean artists. If you've followed me on Facebook you'll know I've been working on wood again for this. I haven't been able to show you as much as i would like as you'll have to wait until the ~~April~~ edition comes out where all will be revealed, which will be very soon now.

(^_^)

An Empire Reborn part II

2011-03-21T17:30:00.000Z

Indio Lyrico

Here's a look at the next aspect involved in the art work for Indio Lyrico. In the layout you can see a large figure looming over the landscape, this is where Indio Lyrico will be portrayed as a lyrical warrior. The sketch only shows the pose and some basic key elements that were discussed, the rest has to be developed.

The warrior will have armour of some sort and other details and be in keeping with an indigenous feel and look and concept.

I came up with a design for the warrior mixing various aspects of North, Central and South American indian culture with a look tailored for Indio Lyrico. Using the decorative aspects of the curved blade in hand and headgear and staff, I incorporated this lyrical aspect of his character into each one.

A page from my sketch book.

These decorative details are very important, such as on the headphones making it feel part of the head dress and the face mouldings on the blade and staff, as well as the type of microphone used to be in keeping with this old world meets new look.

Now the drawing can begin. Starting with a sketch of the warriors pose I began adding the armour and details and making any corrections on the way. It was decided from the start that bold dark outlines were wanted.

I now start adding washes of colour and adding light and shade to the picture. I begin with skin tones and then start rendering the other aspects of the costume.

The next step now is to bring these two images of warrior and empires together.

An Empire Reborn part I

2011-03-17T12:48:00.001Z

I wanted to share a little bit of work I've been doing recently for London based Bolivian rapper Indio Lyrico (myspace page).

The concept is a mix of civilizations or cultures, London in ruins along side the ancient Aztec/Mayan pyramids. It's not meant to be anthropologically or geographically accurate, just a little bit of fantasy. I'll be showing you the full image very soon.

This is a bit different as its a combination of traditionally hand drawn work with digital painting and rendering. I wanted to show you a little bit of the process involved in the making of this image. The abilities you have for drawing or painting are transferred to the digital canvas using a digital brush as its basically the same. In this case I use a graphics tablet and pressure sensitive pen and software called Corel Painter. This program simulates all types of traditional art mediums and the possibilities are up to you and your ability in using them. A bit of getting used to is the eye-hand co-ordination. I prefer drawing traditionally on paper, so thats where I start.

This is the initial composition sketch to use as a guide to start from.

After thinking about perspective and proportions etc, the idea and layout develops a bit further, but its basically the same still.

Spatially it continues to take shape and become more defined... Also good visual references are a must. This is now the base for the entire picture.

I continue to draw and then add a bit of tone and scan it.

Once scanned I open it on my computer and continue to build it up and make adjustments by painting digitally. Adding light and shade and continuing to render the image with the digital brush.

There you have it, a very quick and brief overlook at some of the process involved.

more to come soon.

"November Rain" by Guns N' Roses

2011-02-17T14:05:00.001Z

Well here we are, another drawing made using lyrics from a song. This time it's the glorious November Rain by the infamous Guns N' Roses.

This drawing has a simple composition but required a lot more planning as it contains a lot of words and not a lot of places to place these amazing lyrics without distracting from the feel I wanted it to have. Also some of the words were a tight squeeze. The challenge is knowing how to distribute the words and how to separate them so they hold there own when reading them or placing them in a specific area of the picture to add to the visual effect of the piece. A very important aspect for me is also trying to create depth or form with the words, not just putting them in in any way possible. Little things like around the girls hips, the words follow the contours of her body to show its round and not flat. The umbrella benefits from this also, having the words wrap around the sections and the words sizing varying according to the distance of each section to try and create some added depth. I added some quick colour to it also in the special version below.

The song appears on the 1991 album Use Your Illusion I.
An amazing song that is still loved by millions around the world. Axl Rose apparently had been working on this since 1983 trying to get it just right. An earlier version from 1986 can be heard here: (November Rain Demo 1986)

The lyrics and the video are based on a short story by Del James called Without You. The story is part of a collection called The Language Of Fear, which was brought back to market in 2008 after being out of print. The new version of the book contains an intro by Axl Rose, who wrote: "Del James has a personal knowledge of most of the situations he writes about, and has a love of the gutter from having been there." James contributed lyrics to 2 Guns N' Roses songs: The Garden and Yesterdays.

(^_^)

"For What It's Worth" by Buffalo Springfield

2011-02-01T13:40:00.002Z

Here's the drawing I've been working on this week. Another picture incorporating words or in this case lyrics from a song. Last week was Metallicas "ONE". Link

This one is inspired by the 1967 classic by Buffalo Springfield "FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH".
Buffalo Springfield was a North American rock group that served as a springboard for the careers of Neil Young, Stephen Stills, Richie Furay and Jim Messina. Despite the band's short tenure and limited output it was one of the most influential bands of the 1960s. (Wikipedia)

A lot more complex than the last and taking a lot more time to complete, this drawing was a real challenge. I always liked this song since I first heard it as a child, it contains some incredibly well expressed lyrics that say a lot with just a few words. I've included below a short clip of the drawing from beginning to finished piece.

With so much social unrest going on just about everywhere, this song still holds its own. For many this song went on to symbolize worldwide turbulence and confrontational feelings arising from events during the 1960's. Even today it's lyrics are still relevant.

"For What It's Worth" - Buffalo Springfield - Lyrics

There's something happening here
What it is ain't exactly clear
There's a man with a gun over there
Telling me I got to beware
I think it's time we stop, children, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
There's battle lines being drawn
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
Young people speaking their minds
Getting so much resistance from behind
I think it's time we stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
What a field-day for the heat
A thousand people in the street
Singing songs and carrying signs
Mostly say, hooray for our side
It's time we stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you're always afraid
You step out of line, the man come and take you away
We better stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, now, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, children, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down

"ONE" by Metallica

2011-01-17T16:52:00.001Z

Forgive my neglectfulness recently. My health not being what it should recently did not permit me to pay due attention to my blog, however this mutiny on board this vessel I call my body is at an end.

I give you my finished drawing using lyrics from Metallicas powerful song "ONE". I used the lyrics themselves to form the picture. It's amazing how powerful words can be and I didn't want to lose that, so I put them in. A limbless body with disconnected veins and arteries where his arms and legs once were, eyes and mouth sewn shut and ears no longer of any use. A lot of planning was involved in word placement and making everything fit. Most of the picture was completed in a single non stop 8 hour sitting which was exhausting!

Lyrics are from the song itself but also includes parts from the music video which includes footage from Dalton Trumbo's film Johnny Got His Gun (1971), telling the tale of a soldier whose body is severely damaged by a mortar shell. His arms, legs, eyes, mouth, nose and ears are gone and he is unable to see, speak, smell, or hear. His mind functions perfectly, however, leaving him trapped inside his own body.
But I also think it speaks to many people as a metaphor, expressing that inner scream we want to let rip when we feel unheard and powerless...

Fit as a Lemon

2010-11-20T18:29:00.000Z

Keith Lemon & Deanne Berry

Just wanted to share with you all some work I did a few months back. I was asked to do some quick concept art for Keith Lemon's new fitness DVD "Keith Lemon's Fit", featuring the lovely Deanne Berry from the hit music video 'Call on me' by Eric Prydz. Very satisfying to see they followed the outfit I gave him in the sketch and polished off the titles I designed for it as specified in the brief. Had a good chat with the Director Paul Angunawela developing and discussing ideas, it also helps when your old friends. It was a pleasure working with him again and some of you may know that he contributed some writing to my Art Book last year.

I was pleasantly surprised to get the thumbs up from the man himself via a phone call. "Fanks alot Keif, nice one!".
Released on DVD through Lionsgate on November 22nd 2010.
Watch a brief video from your lifestyle guru... Mr Keith Lemon courtesy of Play.com.

Original video link here

Against Interpretation

2010-11-15T17:10:00.001Z

"Against Interpretation" was the title of the 1st Visual arts exhibition of CASA Latin American Theatre Festival 2010, which has now come to an end. This ran alongside the selection of theater performances from El Salvador, Colombia, Argentina and Uruguay.

Against Interpretation was an exhibition that "eludes the disparity of contemporary Latin American culture to show unified works whose momentum is so rapid, whose address is so direct that the work can simply be…. It is showcasing exciting Latin American, London based artists", such as:

Carlos Martyn Burgos (El Salvador ) www.memakestuff.com

Marina Cobra (Brazil) www.marinacobra.com

Marcelo Duchen Rodriguez (Bolivia)

Ofelia Diaz, (Venezuela) www.ofeliadiaz.com

Juan Carlos Farah , (Peru) juancarlosfarah.com

John Angel Rodriguez (Colombia) www.angelroka.webs.com

Otto Schade (Chile) www.ottoschade.com

Curated by Nina Brazzo and Diana Aramayo

A powerful image by Chilean artist Otto Schade

A great piece by Colombian artist John Angel Rodriguez

On the opening night, curator Ninna Brazzo dedicated an amazing poem written by herself to all the artists participating. I wanted to share it here as I think it's beautifully written and expressed.

Against Interpretation

Nina Alexia Brazzo Curatorship dedication to the artists:

The Time Of Times Will Come

These are times of more medicines

But less healthiness

More conveniences

But less time

More knowledge

But less judgement

When there is much in the window

But nothing in the room

Surpass the idea of content

Rise above the perennial interpretation.

No more poisoned sensibilities

No more revenge of the intellect

No more article for use

To the loss of sharpness in our sensory experience

Is this you?

Is this me?

Is this humanity?

This is not a gesture of the mind situated in some timelessness realm of capabilities

Attain alertness

Dispel the separateness

We can be together

Joint because under the creator we are one

Within boundaries we find expansion

Fighting the nafs of the subconscious

Yearning to return back to our innocence

Direct yourself to me

Free yourself from the itch to interpret

Freedom. Happiness. Simplicity.

Cultivate inside and out

Elude the otherness of contemporary culture and

simply

Be.

clearing up...

CASA Theatre Festival 2010

2010-11-08T13:58:00.001Z

I've been asked to participate in, CASA Theatre Festival 2010. Four of my pieces have been chosen and I will be representing El Salvador along side other visual artists from other Latin backgrounds.

CASA Visual Arts Gallery

Opening - 10th November, 5.30pm-7pm

supported by Cusqueña

For the duration of CASA Festival 2010, Oval House Theatre Gallery hosts some of the most exciting emerging Latin American visual artists and photographers working in the UK.

Please feel free to come along to the Oval House Theatre, 52-54 Kennington Oval, London SE11 5SW.
www.ovalhouse.com
www.casafestival.org.uk

Following successful CASA Theatre Festivals in 2007 and 2008, CASA returns with its most ambitious festival yet to celebrate the very best of contemporary Latin American theatre.

With a one week festival programme that boasts original performances from four brilliant award-winning companies from Argentina, Colombia, El Salvador and Uruguay all making their UK premieres, CASA offers Londoners a unique opportunity to discover the incredible riches of Latin American theatre.

The main programme will be supplemented events across London as well as by CASA Nuestra, a scratch mini-festival to discover the best Latin American talent working in the UK today as well as free live music every night, playreadings, spoken word events, visual arts exhibitions and much more.

All shows performed in Spanish with English subtitles.

Tues 9 & Weds 10 November 7.45pm
TERCER CUERPO
Timbre 4, Argentina
As five lonely characters search for love, they are drawn together in a way that will shatter the lies by which they live. Both heart-breaking and very funny, Tercer Cuerpo has become one of Argentina's biggest international theatre hits.

Tercer Cuerpo has won awards across the world including Argentina's National Theatre Award for Best Show, the Maria Guerrero Award for Best Play, and at the Teatro del Mundo Awards, it won Best Actor and Best Writer awards.

Tues 9 - Thurs 11 November 8pm
CABRERITA
Teatro del Alhambra, Uruguay
From one of Uruguay's most revered theatre makers, Eduardo Cervieri, this critically acclaimed play recounts the life and works of Cabrerita, aka Raul Javiel, Uruguay's most important 20th Century visual artist and intellectual.

A story of a great personal journey and a paean to the power of art to make us dream.

Cabrerita has won awards across Latin America including Uruguay¹s National Theatre Critic's Florencio Awards for Best Actor and Best Play.

Thurs 11 November 7.45pm
CASA NUESTRA SCRATCH FESTIVAL

Discover the very best UK-based Latin American theatre makers and tell us who you want to see at next year’s CASA 2011 Latin American Theatre Festival!

We’re giving six Latin American companies and/or artists who live and make work in the UK the chance to share a new project with you! Each company has 15 minutes to inspire you, to delight you, to move you with a new piece of work.

Then it’s your turn as we all move to the Oval House Theatre Cafe where you’ll have a chance to tell them (and us) exactly what you thought over a Latin American drink or, for the shy or very critical amongst you, anonymously through secret feedback forms!

Fri 12 November 8pm,
Saturday 13 November 3.30pm & 8pm
EL SECRETO MAS TERRIBLE
La Reaglo Teatro, El Salvador

Based on Eduardo Pavlovski's Argentine masterpiece Potestad, this powerful new play explores the disappearance and kidnapping of children during a Latin American dictatorship.
Hard hitting, moving, and tender, this is political theatre at its very best.

La Regla's Rene Lovo is one of El Salvador's most respected actors and has toured throughout Europe and Latin America.

Fri 12 November 7.45pm,
Sat 13 November 4pm & 7.45pm
ACEFALOS
Teatro del Presagio, Colombia
Acefalos (Acephalous: 'without a head') is a visually arresting physical theatre piece from one of Colombia's most exciting experimental theatre companies. The show explores the very particular phenomenon of violence in Colombia today.

Acefalos won Director Diego Fernando Montoya the Best Director Award at the 6th Cali National Theatre Festival.

Sat 13 November 11am - Late
SUPER CASA SABADO
1pm: Latin American Lunch!
3.30pm: El secreto mas terrible
4pm: Acefalos
4.30pm: El secreto mas terrible Q & A FREE
5.30pm Cloten: an Argentine clown show 7.45pm Acefalos
8pm El secreto mas terrible
9.15pm CASA Closing Party FREE

Alternative Treatment... "THE PILL I NEED"

2010-10-30T00:06:00.000+01:00

"THE PILL I NEED" version II

"THE PILL I NEED"

2010-10-27T19:09:00.000+01:00

The Pill I Need

"THE PILL I NEED" is the title of this sketch. Things, people or moments that give us that high or extra bounce in our step. Without it would bring us on a downer... real or not.

Well... that's one explanation anyway. (^_^)

Little Drawings

The Pill I Need (variation)

Toys Galore!

2010-10-21T18:35:00.000+01:00

As you can see I finally put toys in! I highlighted them in white so you can see them. Placing them has been time consuming as I didn't want to throw off the composition. For now this is it, but whether it will stay THIS way... I still don't know. The girls toys seem nicely cluttered, but not to much. The composition of the boys toys still needs a little more tweaking.

The layout of the front of the T-Shirt is pretty much done, you can see this in the mini video I put up in my previous post. Once the final layout is done for both sides of the T-Shirt, I can then work on cleaning it up and maybe add some colour. (Video Link)

That's it for now folks!

(^_^)

Creation Update...

2010-10-19T23:09:00.001+01:00

Development for the "MY INNER CHILD" T-Shirt is making good progress. I made this video to show you how it's going.

BANKSY let loose on The Simpsons

2010-10-13T16:03:00.000+01:00

Episode: MoneyBart, will be shown in the UK on 21 October.

Banksy was tracked down and asked to storyboard the famous Simpsons couch intro. Apparantly the first time an artist, not an employee of Fox etc, has been asked to storyboard any given sequence of the show. And as most of Banksy's work, will cause quite a stir as I'm sure it did when he submitted the storyboard.
I really like it, but take a look for yourselves.

Also not sure if it was a Banksy piece or not but recently there was this great image sprayed under a billboard opposite West Hampstead Station that I think has now been painted over. I'm glad I managed to take this picture when I did back in May!

Here's another piece of urban art.

West Hampstead Stormtroopers

A paste-up that also popped up around West Hampstead. Unfortunately its been torn and ripped... but here's a pic to how it looked in all its glory taken by n8kowald!

Writing in the speech bubble on the right seems to be a logo that says: 'sup:peeps!

"MY INNER CHILD" is getting impatient.

2010-10-03T20:26:00.001+01:00

Developing the Concept...

Here's a quick update on "MY INNER CHILD" T-Shirt concept.

Seriously looking in to ways of getting these printed once the design has been completed to make it available to all who want one at a good price and good quality. Been looking around and in some places the cost is too high, especially as it's printed on both sides.

Due to time not being as abundant as I would like, I'm still playing with the design and colours etc, I can be a tad obsessive with certain things as I know what I want. Anyway, I will be concentrating on getting the design done and dusted the next couple of weeks. I don't see this as a simple T-shirt idea, it has many other options as I mentioned in a previous post. A choice for Girl or Boy as well as other details and personalization options, but all in good time.

See the full concept here

Retro Photos on my iphone 3Gs

2010-09-30T18:50:00.000+01:00

A One Chance Only Moment...

Having taken some much deserved time off for myself, I had time to play with a really cool iphone app called HIPSTAMATIC. Camera phones are never a replacement for a really good camera, but because of their size and convenience can be useful and produce some nice impromptu shots when walking around etc.

HIPSTAMATIC is an application for the iphone that emulates the old retro camera effects or toy cameras with cheap plastic lenses. These by accident used to produce some interesting results.

Within the application you can change the lenses for different effects and also the type of film for different borders etc. You can also purchase additional lenses and films within the app.

What i liked about it it was also what sometimes you may hate about it, the fact that you don't know what you are going to get, if you don't like the result then you wont always get another chance. Once you have missed that moment, its gone.

It also takes a while to process your photo and ready itself up for the next shot and really drains your battery. But having said all this I really had fun using it as the results are a far cry from the sometimes charmless 'perfect' digital photo results.

The T-Shirt

2010-09-16T19:53:00.002+01:00

INNER CHILD - front

INNER CHILD - back

And here's the initial concept for the T-Shirt I've named "MY INNER CHILD"... well, at least one of them anyway.

YOUR inner child sits in a compartment driving/controlling/guiding you via joystick and levers, he peers out through a door with an opening. I'm liking this concept and have a few variations I'm still playing with, you never know, I might go with all of them and you get to pick which one you like (^_^)

I want to put a few toys behind the childs chair so any suggestions are welcome and I'll consider maybe putting them in.

Also there's still time to join in on the print giveaway i'm having over on Facebook, just follow the link below.
FACEBOOK GIVEAWAY

The Facebook Print Giveaway has started

2010-09-13T17:20:00.000+01:00

To show my appreciation to you all, I would like to give you a 12" x 16" mounted print of one of my favorite paintings "HOODIES".
All you have to do is leave a comment or a 'like' on this picture on my Facebook fan page and I'll randomly select one of you on Monday 20 September.

There are also 2 additional gifts up for grabs as well. A print of "OUT OF JUICE" and a signed copy of my Art Book.

Follow the link below:
ART PRINT GIVEAWAY

Add caption

My Inner Child & Other Ideas

2010-09-12T17:53:00.000+01:00

A while back I had an idea for a T-shirt. A few days ago I seriously started scribbling and thinking about it more. For the moment I wont say exactly what it is but I'm calling it 'My Inner Child'.

It's developing well and will come in two versions, boy or girl. I really can't wait to have it done and wear it and show it to you! I'm going to make this available online and hopefully others will like it and want to wear one. You'll be seeing more of this soon.

Slightly gross, I know...

The fleshing out of other ideas is also on the menu, working titles:

'Sick of Me'
'Staring at the Sun'
'Getting a Tan'

Really trying to stay productive with my ideas lately so stay posted.

I will also be giving away two prints on Facebook, starting tomorrow.
(^_^)

OZONE -The final sketch

2010-09-07T19:16:00.000+01:00

OZONE - colour

Two days late but I have managed to finalize my idea despite a week of distractions, obligations and flu. I went with this pose and decided to give her a bottle of sun lotion, probably factor 5000!

I scanned this drawing from my sketch book and opened it in Photoshop on my laptop, roughly adding and playing with colours until I was satisfied. Doing this can sometimes save a lot of time and effort and is very convenient as it allows me to rehearse, plan, play and try out many possibilities and variations without having to re-draw the whole image again and again.

This is pretty much the blueprint for the painting including the colour scheme. During the process of painting I'll continue to develop little details as I go along, making any adjustments I think necessary.

OZONE - final sketch

Sketches & considerations

2010-09-02T17:23:00.001+01:00

Through the distractions of daily living and what not, the idea for my "Ozone" painting is taking shape.

I have been playing with poses and angles for the main figure. This usually drives me a bit mad as there can be so many alternatives and there's a tendency to over think things (at least for me anyway) and I get rather impatient. I find that usually my first imagining of the image is best but there are exceptions. It just has to feel right to me.

These are some of the considerations I have been exploring. I want something simple but also dynamic maybe, so I'm also playing with low angle views, adding perspective to the figure and drawing attention towards the sky. However, I also like the simple straight forward eye level view...

Defining an idea for a painting

2010-08-29T20:49:00.000+01:00

Having recently discovered becoming unwittingly quite good at procrastination, I feel the need to relinquish this tendency and hang it up to dry and watch it shrivel up.

What better way to do this than by trying to finish developing an idea I had for a painting over a month ago. An old yellow post-it note was the medium for the quick expression of this sudden flash of inspiration of mine, an idea of something that I believe has potential.

Alas this is where it all ends, a yellow piece of paper with instructions in blue ball point pen to what could be a really cool painting.

So through this blog I give myself a week in order to define this imagery and concept.

The idea? "OZONE" A tongue in cheek view of the ever disappearing ozone layer and its effects, sun tans, skin cancer and sun worshiping beach babes.

A woman in a bikini stands with hands on hips looking towards a sky with meteorites or debris falling from the sky. Her head and shoulders are literally on fire, flames surrounding her head like a match. Almost a satire of sun lotion ads etc.

And so I begin...