Viva Vincente! A tribute to the King of Ranchera music

 

"Vincente Presente!"
10/2022
Mixed Media on Wood

El Velorio returns to Plaza de La Raza for 2022. I have been part of this art show every year except last year. Antonio Pelayo Productions have been organizing and producing this art show, celebrating Dia De Los Muertos, showcasing art, live music, a fashion show with curated vendors. 

This year's theme is paying tribute to the great Vincente Fernandez, the King of ranchera music.

I painted him as a child to honor him way before his success as an artist/musician/singer. The other message of his piece is to honor a person's legacy, their work must be passed down to the next generation.

In the piece, I painted a hummingbird flying up to the bird house in the cosmos to signify his spiritual homecoming.

This piece is for sale and part of the proceeds go to Plaza de La Raza so that they may continue to serve the community and advocate for the arts and culture. 

Waking Sleeping Giants

Earlier in the year, the ladies of Kaleidoscope Kollective asked me if I wanted have a solo show to kick off their art show program. Safety protocols were loosening up but things can change depending on the upsurge of COVID cases. We had a zoom meeting and there was so much uncertainty. Should we have an art show? Should we ask the patrons to come to the store and stay masked? Should we invite other people to vend? What if too many people came? What if not enough people came? How do we keep the staff and patrons safe when they enter the store?

One thing for sure, after two years of isolation and not being able to gather, the presence of community is much needed. After meditating and praying, I decided that I needed the challenge. I needed the action and the movement. I needed to see this show strictly for my well-being and growth. If I made 8 pieces, so be it. If I made 50 pieces, so be it.

As with some artists, I was not creating during the stay-at-home safety protocols. Isolation had me focusing on the essentials- focusing on God, my family and my peace. Looking back, I had periods of deep depression, particularly during the holidays. I tried to hardbody it, passing the time away and making sure the heaviness doesn't settle in. But due to public restrictions, there were little we can do to distract ourselves. There were no festivals, no indoor events, no restaurants, no gyms or classes. It's me and my thoughts.

I did manage to paint a few canvases during isolation and I showed it at my show. 

The show itself was fun, feeling more like a mini reunion as we unsure about gathering, yet excited to catch up with people. It was the same night as the Oscars (same one with the unfortunate event between Wil Smith and Chris Rock) so attendance was lighter than I am used to. I will say this, the people who were there, MEANT to be there and their presence was the medicine I needed.

I will be posting more about the paintings as the days come.



 

 

El Pino Piece for a Loteria Themed Artshow

"El Pino: Wake Up, Little One"

Alfie Ebojo aka alfienumeric

8"x10"x1.5" wood panel

Mixed media (acrylics and gold leaf) on wood

Philippine Goddess of Morning, Hanan, is waking up the last pine tree and transitioning it from winter to spring. The pine tree is seen as a sacred tree symbolizing protection and healing. This piece signifies new beginnings. 

This piece was created on July 2022, specifically for Cactus Gallery’s Loteria VIII art show.  I have been wanting to show my art at this gallery for years! Cactus Gallery is a local gallery, showcasing work from artists of different disciplines, both emerging and established. The gallery is Latina-owned and independently operated by Sandra Mastroianni, who stays dedicated in providing this space and supporting local artists.

This annual show is dedicated to Loteria, a popular game of chance from Mexico. I was assigned to the "El Pino" card 49. As with any art show that I do, I tend to focus Filipino references no matter what the theme is.

For more information on this piece, click here

 

"Art is the highest form of hope."

((Tap tap tap)) Is this mic still on?

Volumes of stories had happened since the last time I have posted on here. "Posted?" Is that still the correct term when it comes to blogging? Don't I "write" a post? I guess it is the same thing.

Social media has definitely shaped the way I think and communicate. In many ways, it finetunes my messages, allowing me to be short and concise. I have learned how to communicate in 150 words (thanks to Twitter) and then down to a picture and 30 hashtags. 

We have been highly sophisticated machines, processing all the information, whether we are aware of them or if it is given to us subliminally.

Things start happening in nanoseconds. Efficiency is a beautiful thing to machines, but it is at the cost- our humanity. I find myself feeling pressure to perform like a well-oiled machine. I started caring about numbers and figuring out algorithms and how they worked. I started caring about making reels and tiktoks, making sure they are not too long and choosing the trending music. I felt like I am constantly promoting something. I started thinking that it is the only way I can exist as an artist.

I started caring more about being seen but not what I am showing.

I'm slowing myself down. I am going to resort to old school ways. I am going to document my life not for the sake of  being seen but so that I can look back and see the work I have done and the kind of emotions and thought processes it took in making that creation.

So if you find yourself here, welcome or welcome back. My writing is not how it was 15 years ago but i am going to find my voice soon. Until then, thank you.

 

 

 

 

Gemini Moon 2019

"Gemini Moon"
Mixed Media on Canvas
48"x36"
2019

"Gemini Moon" is one of my newest paintings in 2019. Originally, it was supposed to be a woman, holding a reflection of herself, touching upon the idea of self love and self healing. But the more I progress, I realize that healing self also requires a person to have a healing circle, a group of trusted individuals who are there for you, uplifting you and rooting for your growth and healing.

The connection is signified in the shared braid between the two women. They are also holding both hands, one near their heart and another near their womb. The expanding galaxy is what synchronicity and growth to your cosmic, higher self feels like. The moon, though not seen very well in this picture, has a lavender iridescent glow.

This is one of those pieces where I was completely mesmerized by each time I worked on it. No digital photo could do justice on how the colors vibrated on the canvas. Though I am missing this piece in my home, I am so happy that this piece is in the home of an art collector who works in the field of uplifting women, promoting self love and body positivity.

Upcycling Beer Coasters: Coaster Art

 

Long Beach, California: Public Beer and Wine Shop: August 2016 Group Art Show

 



I produced and curated a show at a Downtown Long Beach bar called, "The Beer Coaster Show." The concept is simple- collect promotional beer coasters that are normally tossed after one use and make them into mini art pieces.

So many turned out for the show and quite a few pieces have sold. You can check out some of the art work in Jasmine and Onyx.


Here are some of my pieces. I was focusing on the subject of healing. Women need to be open and vulnerable in order to for them to heal emotionally. These subjects have crowns of succulents, plants that miraculously tend to come back to life if given proper but little care. They also feature a healing crystals when exposing what is in their chest cavity. This is a head nod to all those who find comfort in storing healing crystals in the cups of their bras.

 

 

La Bulla : A Lucha Libre Experience

 

 

 

I am super excited to be part of the lucha libre (Mexican masked wrestling) art show that is curated by Los Angeles legend, Man One, for the second year in a row. Here is a sneak peak...

 

 

"Natural Born Fighters" may not be directly about the industry and the rich lucha libre world. It was just something that I have been wanting a paint- the irony of wild animals with lucha libre masks on. How they are magnificent to look at but their real life fight is about survival and they only way to live another day is to make sure they eat and that they dodge each prey's move.

 

Detail of larger work "El Nino"

 

Last year, I did a kid character called "El Nino" and had him wearing a sharp suit with a mask, sitting on a golden throne with two owls sitting beside him. I dedicated that piece to my nephew, who is half Mexican, and his whirlwind energy. When he was about four, I bought him a mask similar to what I painted while visiting Olvera Street. As any young kid would do, he put it on and a new character emerged with him. It was awesome seeing him run around wearing the mask!

 

Sweet Nothings Art Show at Hammonds Gourmet Ice Cream in San Diego

New Artshow: Subdued Sentiments in TPG2

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC • ALL AGES
www.TPG2.net

a B&W group art exhibition

Art by

ALFIE NUMERIC
BRYAN TIPTON
DAVID ADAME
E.VIL
HANNAH SHIN
JACKI GEARY
JAMIE LEE C.
JC CARINO
KRISTEN PALUMBO
NONIE CRUZADO
PAUL NAYLOR
RACHEL KIM
RICCI ALES
SEAN BAUMGARDNER
SOMARAMOS
VICTOR VILLA

more artists TBA

About Thumbprint Gallery

Founded in 2009, Thumbprint Gallery curates monthly exhibitions featuring emerging, mid-career, and established artists with a focus on urban art and pop surrealism. The gallery seeks to provide an engaging atmosphere to view art by bringing people together in appreciation and support of local, national, and international artists.

TPG21475 University Ave, San Diego, California 92103

Gifts from the Heart

I understand the value of investing in the community. Sometimes, if I can't make a monetary donation, I donate art. These were love gifts for a nonprofit organization and were auctioned off.

New Work: El Niño

Here are progression shots of my newest piece that will be showcased at La Bulla, a luche libre (Mexican mask wrestling) art + music + wrestling event held at Plaza De La Raza.

 

I rarely draw and paint little boys so this piece was super fun for me. Rather than painting masked men and sexy masked women, I painted El Nino, the storm embodied into a little boy wrestler with two baby owlets as his protector. Dedicated to all the little boys finding their courage and strength even though they sometimes cause havoc.

A little sneak peak of the work that will be at La Bulla.