LAB Art 2012: The Artist and Gallery

Thought i'd spent a few moments telling you a bit about myself as an artist, my art style and the themes I am most interested in.

I first started out 'really' experimenting with art in 2007, my first year of university. Of course as a kid, I loved to draw, paint and do creative things, but this was that moment when I realised that art was something I wanted to make part of my life. It was kind of weird how it happened, I was looking at rock album covers on my computer and came across one that had a drawing of a lady with puppet strings attached to her, huge chest and she pretty much looked like a prostitute. So how did that inspire
me, you ask? Haha, well I looked carefully at the drawing, a brilliant executed drawing by the way, breaking the picture down into its most simplest lines, and thought I can draw that. So i picked up a permanent marker and an A3 piece of paper, and started with her eye brows. From there, the drawing came into itself and the end result was what I had hoped for, a picture that showed me I could draw.

Since that day and that moment, art has been a big part of my daily life. I am most interested in drawing people and communicating their feelings, actions and inner most demons visually and sometimes verbally. I focus on relationships between people, and how a person relates to the world, their own struggles and others. I wouldn't call my art dark but just like life, it is sometimes hard to look at or face. I try to keep it real, or at least symbolically real.

I do love painting and am trying it more and more these days, but my real passion lies in drawing and sketching cartoon/comic book style characters and situations. I draw with either pen, fine liner or permanent marker and then digitally add the colouring. So most of my art is print style at the end.

When painting my favourite medium is acrylics because they allow me super bright colours and work well with the speed in which I like to work. Once I have an idea or inspiration, I start immediately and am usually finished with the art work in at most an hour. My art is like my personality: impulsive and wrapped up in the moment.

If you haven't noticed, I love colour. The brighter, the better. At the moment I am working as an art teacher for an elementary school, and I am constantly telling my students "add more colour, make your painting pop, colour is beautiful and it is everywhere". Thats just how I like to see the world, and I hope my art communicates my viewpoint.          

To date I wonder who would my art appeal to, how can I get it out there into the world and what can I do with it. I can't stop now and so far I have not sold any artworks. I am hoping that dream oneday becomes a reality.

For now though, I am happy I have art as one of the biggest parts of my life.

As Andy Warhol once said: " An Artist is someone who produces things that people don't need to have, but that he - for some reason - thinks it would be a good idea to give them".

So from me, LAB, to you, I give you my art, my thoughts and the way I see the world.

pLAylist 2012: Selah Sue

Selah Sue released her debut self-entitled album in 2011 and it was a massive success. I came across it this year and its been on repeat on my pLAylist ever since. Her music is reggae/soul/alternative and if thats not your vibe, her voice will have you quickly coverted.

Best tracks on the album include:
- Black Part Love
- Peace of Mind
- Raggamuffin
- Crazy Vibes

She collaborated with Cee-Lo Green on the track Please. It's not my favourite track but worth a listen if you are a fan of his.

Check out Selah Sue's website for more info on this lyrically amazing lady and her jams: www.selahsue.com.

And add it to your pLAylist of course :) peace

LAB ART 2012 - Be Free

It's a New Year

It's about high time I re-enter the blogosphere. I apologise for my absence, the universe just swallowed me up and spat me out into the new year with champagne explosions, amazing firework displays and alot of christmas food keeping me warm. SO HAPPY NEW YEAR :) lets do 2012 some justice! That movie 2012 just came to mind, lets make sure we see 2013 afterwards ok! i've definitely got alot on my mind so i'll make sure to extract it from my head and write it all out on here. Watch this space... if you want to :)

My pLAy list is looking a little like this at the moment:

** Sean Paul - She doesn't Mind

** Carter Burwell - Nova Vida

** Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Maps

Peace out and don't forget to press pLAy ;)

pLAylist 2011: The Kooks - Junk of the Heart

The Kooks new album Junk of the Heart hit the shelves just the other day and as we've come to expect from this British band, their new album is an indie-pop-rock mix. It's that chilled music that is great for a lazy sunday.

Best Tracks Include:
* Carried Away (Bonus Track)
* Rosie
* Eskimo Kiss

The lead singer Luke Pritchard's voice is really what I love most about The Kooks. It doesn't matter what he is singing about, just the quality and unique sound of his voice is enough for me to always have this band on my pLAylist :) so press pLAy... :)

pLAy List 2011: Example - Playing in the Shadows

If you haven't heard of Example yet, he has just released a new album that is flipping amazing and in my little opinion his best yet. It's called Playing in the Shadows. Its been doing re-runs on my ipod all week and should be added to your 2011 pLAylist asap.

Best Tracks Include:

*Midnight Run

*Changed the way you kiss me

*Lying to Yourself

Pretty much the entire album rocks. Its a pop-electronic-rap mix but I think everyone will like it :)

Press pLAy and get out the dark ages with this new age magical mashup :) 

Staropramen Lemon - When Czech Beer Gets Old..

As if it were possible to get sick of Czech Beer! But for those days when you've already carbo-loaded to the max and you know a beer is going to make you explode, there's Staropramen Lemon. I'm loving this drink at the moment. It tastes like beer but with a fruity lemon flavour. Its not high in alcohol but its refreshing and a perfect alternative to beer. Try it out! The Czech Republic hasn't quite keyed into the ciders market that is aimed at the female drinker, but this drink is close enough and an excellent addition to the liquor isle.

pLAy List 2011: Foster the People - Torches

I'm loving the new album Torches by Foster the People. It's electronic indie pop, a heap of creative tracks including Pumped Up Kicks and Don't Stop (Colour on the walls). Keep an open mind when listening to their sound, it's a little out of the box but in the best way possible.

pLAy with no deLAy :)

pLAy List 2011: Theophilus London - Timez are Weird These Days

Ever heard of Theophilus London? If not, then let me tell you this guy can sing. He's Hip Hop mixed with an Alternative sound and its a brilliant combination. Listen up for his single I Stand Alone and on his album Timez are Weird These Days the track Love is Real is just as good. This guy is going places and best you get with the times and keep those eyes and hears pointed in London's direction.

pLAy it :)  

New to the pLAy List: David Guetta - Nothing But The Beat

David Guetta's new album Nothing But The Beat recently hit the stores and its well worth the buy. The beats are sick and really a good play for getting in the zone for that awesome night out. It's cleverly crafted and shows the master skills Guetta brings to DJ world.

pLAy it now :)