.:UM DROPS:.

title drop?

2010-10-14T15:12:00.000-07:00

well it's been fun. a good time.

my blog must have abandonment issues.

dog's been going to the dog park. vegan menu options. my health has been improving.

vulnerability has it's rewards.

interview I did with The Dirt Floor

2010-08-12T21:48:00.000-07:00

Here is an interview The Dirt Floor did with me...

Could you tell our audience a little bit about yourself?

Sure! I live in Portland, Oregon with my wife, two dogs,and our cat. I just moved to the west coast from Texas on a whim. Most of my time is spent working on my drawings in my workspace while blasting music through my ipod. Finding new artists and musicians is a passion of mine so I try to go to as many shows as possible. Most of the time I have a few projects going on and I will go back and forth between pieces. Like right now, I'm working on this pretty large drawing and I've got a large bird skull sculpture drying in the kitchen. For the most part, I like to keep my eye on the prize and don't take myself too serious.

How would you best describe your work?

These days, I try to keep a cohesiveness from piece to piece. For a long time I would make a body of work and try to see how different I could make each piece but now I'm more focused on keeping a flow going. A person can look at a piece I did a month before the one I just completed, and see a relationship between them. I couldn't say that my work is definitively this or that because it's ever developing. It's important for me to stay true to the moment I make the work.

Your father was a heavy metal musician, how do you think that has influenced your work?

My Dad and my Mom are both very creative people and seeing them enjoy expressing themselves did rub off on me. My Dad would have these records from Megadeath, Motorhead, Iron Maiden and other albums from a bunch of metal musicians. I remember being a young kid and looking through them and initially being a little scared by them, but that is also what attracted me to them. The artwork was so epic and beautiful. My mom was the one who showed me about the technical side of drawing and showed me tricks about drawing proportionally.They were both very supportive of me pursuing an art career and when I would draw pictures of zombies or skulls, they would just smile and it made me happy to see my parents giving positive feedback to my drawings. During my teen years, I had a group of friends that exposed me to a wide spectrum of music and it had a profound effect on me. At an early age, I saw this relation between the visual and the musical side of art and it's just always captured me.

What do you find most inspires you?

I find myself always looking at artwork on the internet or in books and magazines. Music is a big inspiration for me too. Sometimes I will hear a song and try to illustrate something that depicts the mood of the song. One of my pieces, "It Struck A Nerve", was titled after a Bad Religion song. The lyrics inspired me and I could relate to it. Immediately I began sketching out the ideas for it. It usually works that way. I will hear a song and it gets stuck in my head. Often, I will put a song on repeat and clear my head to let the song become the only thing I focus on. Then I begin sketching out ideas, compositions, words, or whatever feels right. I've always looked up to artists like Menglef, Pushead, Mucha, so in my own way I like to send some sort of a message back. It's kind of difficult to explain, but I see art as a visual language and I'm just trying to contribute to the conversation.

How do you think the people closest to you would describe you?

Hmm... They would probably say I am a goofball. Honestly, I don't know. You would have to ask them. My guess is they would say I am pretty easy to get along with. I'm laid back for the most part. My Christopher Walken impersonation is spot on about half the time. The other half, it is way off. When my wife and I are at a restaurant and I catch people staring at my tattoos, I like to look them in the eye and smile freakishly happily at them. I will stare for a long time too. Staring is fun! Oh yeah, I'm the king of staring contests. I challenge anyone. My eyeballs develop this glaze and I can go a very long time without blinking. It could get to the point where it seems as though I'm awake but I'm asleep and I'm staring. Everything gets drawn on around me. If there is something to draw with and a surface, I'm drawing on it. Oh, and I will never ever take the blame for a fart.

What are some of the things that people most often ask you about your work?

I get asked what type of mediums I work with, which would be primarily watercolor, gouache, and ink. Arches watercolor paper is my favorite! I soak the paper in the bathtub overnight before I begin drawing on it. It stiffens it up and I like the way the watercolor works with it after it's dry. The other things they ask are pretty much answered by the other questions being asked here.

How do people react to your work?

Mostly I get positive reactions from people. My imagery is considered unsettling by some but that's because the original idea came from something that was disturbing for me. It's kind of like a way to reach out to those who feel the same way I do so it doesn't bother me when people say I make artwork that is dark, because I would have to agree. I've been commissioned to do artwork for people and I really enjoy it. It makes me happy to see a person get something back from the hard work I put in.

What's the smartest thing you ever done and the stupidest thing you ever done?

Going to the Art Institute of Dallas was a good decision. Originally, I started out studying animation but switched my major to graphic design. Traveling to different states and living there for a while has been a good decision for me because I've been able to see how people from all over live. As far as the stupid choices I've made, there have been too many to list! Ha ha! No really, I have done some fucking dumb shit! It's undecided if dropping out of college two weeks before I graduated was the stupidest choice though. On a family vacation, when I was in middle school, my sister was sleeping in the back of the car and I thought I could singe a few hairs on her head with a lighter. I'm not really sure why that sounded like a good idea at the time but a rebellious seventh grader with a lighter and bored to tears is not a good combination. Sure enough, her hair caught fire pretty fast and my sister woke up to me smacking the back of her head, trying to put the fire out. My parents pulled over because they thought the funny smell was coming from the minivan. My sister never told on me and she kept it a secret from my parents so I owe her big time! Ha ha ha!

If you could have one superpower what would it be and why?

If I had one superpower, it would probably be the power to explode things with my mind. If I had the ability to fly or time travel, it might be too obvious I had the power and scientists might try to dissect my body to gain access to the secret of my power. By exploding things with my mind, it can't really get linked back to me. I can just imagine going to see Gallagher perform live and exploding all of the watermelons before he had the chance to. Haha! Wait, is Gallagher still alive?

What is something every artist should always remember?

It would probably be a good idea to remember why any creative person makes artwork in the first place. For me, it goes back to when I was in kindergarten and made those macaroni artworks, it just made me happy to do it. The same feeling of happiness comes to me these days, but perhaps even more so. As we become adults, we get distracted with bullshit that really makes no difference in the grand scheme of things. The only person anyone has to answer to at the end of the day is themselves. If you know you are on the right track, then keep going.

My website is www.alexdespain.com
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexdespain/
Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/DeSpain
Blog: http://alexdespain.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/alexdespain
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AlexDeSpain

playing catch up

2010-07-30T21:57:00.000-07:00

Here I am. back again. for yet another update.

Last Thursday Art Walk was fun and I had a good response from the masses. Chanel 8 news did an interview...

The City of Portland usually funds the security and port-a-potties but it seems as though we the people must find new ways of funding the event.

The Screamer Company released their issue of "Four" in Austin, Texas on July 30th. There are some pretty amazing artists in there and it is The Screamer Company's first full color issue, I believe. There is a page for me but I have yet to see the publication. Anxiously, I await next to the mailbox.

However, Cartilagine Magazine sent me a few copies of their "Beautiful Maladies" July 2010 issue. It was pretty amazing to see my 2 page spread of "Close To The End". They did a great job and hopefully I have the interest of a few more people. The work of the other artists in their was outstanding. It feels good to be associated with something as unique as that.

There are still a few "Evo" tee shirts left. I only have size large and medium left. Should I make another run? We'll see.

Today, Vanessa and I took the tram just to see the view. It lifted us up over the city in a shiny vessel that dangles from a wire. The swaying made me a little nauseous. here are the photos I managed to take.

Tee Shirt Mania

2010-07-22T00:51:00.000-07:00

well well well...
I now have tee shirts made. "Evo" design.
They have been pretty successful so I may make more. Last Thursday is coming up. Prints have been made, shirts are ready. This production of work is fun and I enjoy prepping everything. A couple from Texas has commissioned me to do their wedding photo, only as zombies. My other piece has come to a stand still until I finish this new one.

2010-07-10T23:23:00.000-07:00

mover showed

2010-06-12T09:38:00.000-07:00

Let me just say, wow... the past three weeks have been difficult, stressful, and so beautiful.

hard to explain.

finally our mover showed up. it was an absolute nightmare and i found out they are on a white collar criminal list. the moral of the story- anything you want done right, do it yourself. we should have done more research before hiring such a horrible moving company (Final Destination Van Lines).

here are some more pictures of what we have been doing in the past week or so...

Here is a view from our back yard... we get rather large birds visiting us.
We have stopped in to a few of the art galleries and they are pretty amazing. Here is a piece from an artist we saw in the Alberta District.

The different types of flowers and plants that grow here are unlike anything I have ever seen.
Many buildings have artwork on the sides, painted murals and more Thai and vegan food than anywhere we've ever been.
...a lot of boats along the river....
at the carnival downtown. i think it is open most of the year?

the visitor center

wine! everywhere!
The forecast for the next week is looking like great weather. We weren't anticipating the movers to rip us off so bad so the money is tight right now but I keep picking up shifts at work and Vanessa has been interviewing a lot. By the end of June, we should be pretty settled, I hope.

More pictures and blog updates to come.

From Idaho to Oregon

2010-06-03T10:35:00.000-07:00

Well we finally made it to Portland. The Columbia River Gorge was astonishing and I can't wait for us to take camping trips there. The drive into Oregon was the most beautiful from the trip. Despite a few minor set backs (movers not showing up for another week, job transfer issues, internet issues - Thanks Starbucks), we are doing just fine. Our neighbors are really nice, Jeremy and Suzanne. The weather is very different from what we are used to in Texas, it is much colder here. However, the downtown area is amazing and complex. There are a lot of bicycles and bike lanes. Public transportation is pretty good but I have yet to put it to the test. Right now, it is just Vanessa, the pets, and I living in a big empty house. We saw a coyote travel through our back yard and some very large birds land in our yard. Nature is everywhere! Now all I need is my art supplies so I can start drawing this stuff. The studio is all ready for it.

Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho

2010-05-30T19:47:00.000-07:00

left Texas, currently in Colorado

2010-05-29T21:43:00.000-07:00

So we left Denton, Texas at 5 am on Friday. Our first stop was in Oklahoma City to say goodbye to friends and family. North West Oklahoma is pretty boring landscape but getting to drive through New Mexico was absolutely beautiful. The land was mountainous and the clouds were the most bizarre I've ever seen.

Once we got to Colorado Springs, My folks took us through the town. I especially liked the lawn gnomes.

This is a shot from Pikes Peak. The elevation was 14,000+ feet. There was still snow on the mountain tops and it is almost June. The air was dryer which I am not used to, but really enjoyed it.

This is Vanessa at the Garden of the Gods. It reminded me a lot of early Star Trek episodes. There was one rock formation that people say looks like two camels kissing... I could maybe see it? just looked like rock to me. Pretty though. So is Vanessa.

My mom and I at this great spot on Pikes Peak. She is loving her new Colorado home. Steve can't wait to move here too.
Oh yeah, see that rock formation in the center top part? well that is the two camels kissing. Like I said, it's rock.

Rorschach was being a good boy today.

When we returned back to our stop, Vanessa took our other dog out and had a close encounter with a bear! Her eyes got really wide and she said "Look look! a bear outside!" Really freaky but awesome too. Tomorrow morning we head to Boise, Idaho. 14 hour drive, here I come.

Going to miss you Adam(s)

2010-05-25T06:35:00.000-07:00

Well I just said goodbye to one of my best friends, Adam Reaves. He is headed up to Oklahoma City today because one of our friends from the Art Institute ended his life two nights ago, Adam Murray. Reaves was closer friends with Murray than I but we all used to party a good bit back in the Art Institute days. It is the year of funerals and weddings. One of my best friends, Patrick Phillips ended his life in February and it was absolutely crushing. It gave me a new perspective on schizophrenia and now I see it as a terminal illness.
Adam Reaves is a real bad ass. He told me this story about how he was in Austin, Texas and saw a girl getting choked by some crusty punk guy and intervened. Unfortunately, Adam would up getting his nose kicked in during the brawl.I'm really going to miss him.

Silly Bandz

2010-05-16T19:27:00.000-07:00

yes, the latest craze. Silly Bandz. One wears them like a regular bracelet but when you take it off, it retains a particular shape. I am slightly amused by this.

http://www.brainchildproducts.com/sillybandz.php

should I get the Western Set before leaving Texas???

navigation system

2010-05-16T19:18:00.000-07:00

We purchased a GPS system for the Mazda today. She has an English accent and is a rather bossy little piece. However, I know I will grow quite fond. My schedule has been exceptionally busy but I am still finding time to make artwork a top priority. Who needs sleep?

Normally I do not eat fast food, but with a refrigerator empty, I gave in and went to Burger King. The BK VEGGIE meal to be exact, I'm vegetarian. Just watch Food Inc. Tasty at first, but it really pisses my stomach off. Right now I am very uncomfortable and my body is mad at me.

goodbye friends

2010-05-13T20:22:00.000-07:00

Wes and Meaghan took Vanessa and I to dinner last night at The Green House. We had a great time and it was very sweet of them to do that. Tonight, Tristan and Brittney took us out for dinner, that was pretty awesome too. It is sad to part from good friends, especially because they are so rare and hard to come by.
...

Wes just texted me. They are having a girl. I had a feeling it would be. They will be good parents and it makes me think about maybe having one of my own... but I'm not even that awesome of a pet owner.

box towers

2010-05-11T09:35:00.000-07:00

Our entire apartment is boxed up and ready to go. It looks like it is going to be dining out for the next few weeks because we have nothing to cook with. I still find time to work on my current collaboration piece. There are two other pieces that are partially complete but they are packed up with the rest of my supplies. It is really hard to not just have everything set up and I'm doing what I can to resist the urge to unpack all of my art supplies.

This Magazine, The Dirt Floor is going to post some of my work on their website. It is very nice of them to help me get my work seen. I'm really looking forward to it.

assorted photos

2010-05-02T07:34:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos of artwork and things from my little niche. Since I haven't been the best at updating this blog, and photos are worth a thousand words, here is me catching up...

my frame shop

during our trip to ChicagoRorschach, our puppy

afternoon nap

2010-05-01T19:35:00.000-07:00

Today was spent with the in-laws at their yard sale.
I put a floor easel up for sale, five bucks, no body bought it.
In reality, I'm just trying to get rid of as much junk as I can before Vanessa and I move to Portland. It is less than a month away and I am ready. It's not that Denton, Texas doesn't have much to offer... scratch that. There are some great people here, and the friendships made have made the past three years here worth while.
Tonight Vanessa and I have her adopted five year old brother with us for a sleep over.
I took a nap under a tree today. The weather was beautiful. Just staring at the back of my eyelids and hearing all the ambiance around me was just what my mind was craving. Even though the road ahead is very unknown, there is a sense of peace about it. This experience wouldn't be the same if I were a few years younger. It probably would be much more stressful. With my wife by my side, I feel like everything will be alright no matter what.

It has been a while since I have really worked on any new drawings. Most of my materials are packed up in boxes. I'm using this time to soak up as much as I can so I can squeeze out the new ideas as soon as we move.

In other news, I am feeling nerdy... more nerdy than usual.Who knows?

paint pens

2009-11-23T23:28:00.001-08:00

im discovering that paint pens work really well for intricate detail on acrylic paintings. this year, i hope to purchase a power sander for the wood panels. a little hesitant to put resin over the final product but fingers crossed it will make for a good effect.

acrylic

2009-11-17T08:53:00.000-08:00

its been a while since my last blog post. last month i married Vanessa and we went to Cabo, Mexico for our honeymoon. time just hasn't been spent drawing or painting very much. usually i am not a fan of working with acrylic, but lately i have been experimenting on wood panels with acrylic paint. the colors are much more flat but there is something fun about it. i have more work to put on the website, i just need to take decent photos of them.

TROLL 2

2009-07-28T12:23:00.000-07:00

Such a wonderful movie. Bad acting, goblins, witch, what else could you want?

MCA has cancer

2009-07-20T20:40:00.000-07:00

Beastie Boy MCA cancels tour because of cancer. It is really depressing for me.

video smarts

2009-07-10T18:36:00.000-07:00

I remember when I was a kid, my mom bought me this. It was my first obsession with technology, followed by the v-tech.

clay figures

2009-07-09T15:56:00.000-07:00

Here are some clay figures I made for inspiration for future paintings. They were a lot of fun to make so I will most likely make more in the not too distant future.
"Roostus"
"Cow Devil"
"Screw Worm"
and "Slerm Worm"

Sarah Applebaum

2009-07-07T14:54:00.000-07:00

I have really been enjoying the work and installation pieces of Sarah Applebaum. I put a link to her website under my links section. Here is a glimpse of the type of work she does but I highly suggest going to her website

carpet spotted paint

2009-07-07T09:15:00.000-07:00

I have no hopes of getting my deposit back on this studio space. Carpet in a studio is never a good idea. The next space will have to have a wood or tile floor.

antique toys

2009-07-07T09:08:00.000-07:00

While in Eureka Springs, I went inside an antique store and found these toys which caught my eye. Mostly Disney characters were on this shelf but there were also some others in the store. A few characters I had never seen before were in there and also some home made dolls that had a spooky look to them.

eureka springs arkansas

2009-07-06T21:59:00.000-07:00

I had a good time in Eureka Springs, Arkansas this past weekend. The roads are winding in every way and the landscape looks like fields of giant broccoli. The seven hour drive was meditative and the weather was a lot cooler than in Texas. It is a land full of biker friendly diners, antique shops, hotels and bars. I sang karaoke two nights in a row and stayed at a "haunted" hotel that had a great view from the balcony. Although I did not experience any ghostly encounters, the architecture was vintage and the creeking floors were a creepy addition. In my drunken evening, I thought I heard someone walking the stairwell and when I looked around the corner there was nobody there. Photos were taken at the gift shops of old toys and nick knacks that would give a dog a bone.

all work no play

2009-07-02T10:21:00.000-07:00

Hopefully my html coding is not too awful but there is only one way to find out. I slammed my left index finger in the door last week, which makes typing rather bizarre because of the dead nerves in my fingertip. It sure does make me appreciate my fingers more. Imagine, a world without fingers...

2 months

2008-12-13T16:05:00.001-08:00

that's how long it's been since my last post.