CONTEMPLATION.....5..... 8 YEAR EVALUATION

The best thing about writing stream-of-consciousness for New work is coming back to those statements 8 years later and finding out things you've learned about yourself in Life or things that have happened. The psychologies of those pieces change and develop. You end up adding additives that you wouldn't normally add subconsciously because you are dealing with specific issues or turmoil’s at that time. It's very self-analytical. It’s amazing what your initial statement is and then your statement is 8 years later when you found out some of the things you've been dealing with were exposed in those pieces. In 2010 I had a anger toward women, a disrespect, and grudge. 8 years later I find those scars are healing and through the eyes of my daughters drastically changing. Through maturity, understanding and love, I see the beauty in that form again on a pedestal rather than objective. Progression is a blessing…..5……

FYI: This piece is now framed up and the price point is different. progression is expensive. images coming soon.

PRICE: $690.00 USD

SIZE: 9x12 in resin frame 

Ghost in the Machine, 2016

PORTRAIT FOR KEVIN KLOPP, 2016

Certain people come into and out of our lives at different time to change us in some way. The universe puts these people into our path to help us navigate through life better. The change could be as minimal as a creative idea or as large as the connection with a spouse. Kevin is a friend I met through my wife’s collection of dance friends. His focus on success and his social abilities were something I have been challenged with for years. I’m not a very social person and my path to success in a career has been a bumpy road. Kevin and I’s conversation one night got me really thinking. He was talking about certifications in his business and how he gets certified in everything he can, just as a reference on his resume. This got me thinking. I have always been the type of person to not care and even think about what anyone thinks of me. This is a good trait in some ways but can also be prohibitive. I never thought of resume as that important. Not necessarily just career resumes, but life resumes, relationship resumes, parenting resumes, etc etc. He defiantly gave me an idea that is currently changing my perspective, on who I am, and what I need to work on in life, even if he doesn’t know it.

The title of this piece, “Ghost in the Machine” has duel meaning, no pun intended if you are aware of the book. One is the concepts of this is that the intelligence of computers will allow them to take over the world in the future, this concept movies are made from. Kevin is in the computer field so I thought this would be an interesting title, But secondly and probably more profound is the theory behind the 1949 book “Ghost in the Machine”, this basically expanded on the concept of physical self and mental self. The universe, an ever changing circuit board of life & energy, and that people put in your path to empower your life. This of course is simplified, the book is more complex. But it has defiantly got me thinking and keeps me pondering what is next for me, my wife, my kids and my friendships. Thanks Kev…..5…..

 

…..5…..

The Summer's Residence

The Summer’s Family want two separate custom built projects completed. One was a built in entertainment center, they wanted built into a niche they had in their family room. My Summer’s requested two extra flat screens, so he could watch multiple sport games at once, and frontal surround sound built in.

They also wanted a built in office in another room. This office desk was built wall to wall with adequate storage for a printer and filing.

The Perkins Family has a beautiful home in West Broward that was just purchased. They had a coat closet that they never used and wanted to turn it into something unique. I suggested going through the back wall of the closet and creating a wine cellar out of the space.

The only thing missing is an oak and glass paneled door to replace the current door. So when you enter the residence you can see right through to the cellar.

The Elephant Exhibit, 2015

Opening night: Saturday July 18, 2015
Location: 1310 Gallery, Sailboat Bend Artist Lofts

Produced: Niki Lopez of Niki Art Studio, Alana DaCosta & at 1310 Gallery

The Elephant  – art exhibition is a group arts exhibition featuring work that challenges both artist and viewer to consider their choices about what in our lives, should be revealed and what should be hidden.    We want the elephant out in the open so we can find release…

“The Elephant” as in ‘the elephant in the room’ is metaphorical idiom for an obvious truth that is either being ignored or going unaddressed. The idiomatic expression also applies to an obvious problem or risk no one wants to discuss, It is based on the idea that an elephant in a room would be impossible to overlook; thus, people in the room who pretend the elephant is not there have chosen to avoid dealing with the looming big issue.

My entree for this show was a piece of mine called “ As I See It.” The elephant in the room is addiction and the impact it has on a family. Below is my description of the piece.

During the course of my betterment I decided to quit drinking alcohol. It was terrible for my health as well as my relationships with my wife, my kids, and my friends. What I did find is that it was extremely difficult to change my habitual patterns considering I had been doing it for 20 years or so. I thought o’crap I’m an alcoholic, what do I do from here. I started an outpatient program for alcoholism, where I learned some tools in dealing with my habitual self. A lot of this training was through the alcoholics anonymous book, but in general it was thoughts and concepts on managing your mind, and they work in other areas of life as well. Being the philosophy focused person I am, I really appreciated this way of thinking and still do to a point, minus any god implications. I rook this journey as a betterment of my mind and body it allowed me to focus in areas I hadn’t been able to focus before. So I added Bill W. to my list of admired philosopher and thinkers. He might not be of philosophic pedigree, but his did expand on a great way to gain control; of your mind and focus on your personal development....5.....

About the producer: Niki Lopez is a multi-media artist.  Known for her vibrant color palate, Lopez’s often ‘other-worldly’ art has been exhibited across South Florida, New York, and California.  Lopez is also a Graphic Designer known for her community spirit and avant-garde art shows.  Niki is passionate about community & outreach.  Lopez has been an integral  part of the creation of the 1310 Gallery space located within the Sailboat Bend Artist Lofts, where residents create monthly art programs.  As Web Master, Niki created the community’s on-line presence, and is a contributor to the 1310 Gallery brand via Social Media.

AS I SEE IT.....2015

During the course of my betterment I decided to quit drinking alcohol. It was terrible for my health as well as my relationships with my wife, my kids, and my friends. What I did find is that it was extremely difficult to change my habitual patterns considering I had been doing it for 20 years or so. I thought o’crap I’m an alcoholic, what do I do from here. I started an outpatient program for alcoholism, where I learned some tools in dealing with my habitual self. A lot of this training was through the alcoholics anonymous book, but in general it was thoughts and concepts on managing your mind, and they work in other areas of life as well. Being the philosophy focused person I am, I really appreciated this way of thinking and still do to a point, minus any god implications. I rook this journey as a betterment of my mind and body it allowed me to focus in areas I hadn’t been able to focus before. So I added Bill W. to my list of admired philosopher and thinkers. He might not be of philosophic pedigree, but his did expand on a great way to gain control; of your mind and focus on your personal development....5.....

Curriculum Vitae

Last updated Jan 22nd, 2016

Group Exhibitions:

2016 - Ice18 - The Verbeke Foundation in Belgium
2016 - The International Collage Exchange, online, New Plymouth, New Zealand
2016 - 18th International Collage Exhibition: Percy Thomas Gallery, Stratford, New Zealand
2015 - The Elephant, Nike art studio, Alana Dacosta, & 1310 Gallery, Fort Lauderdale Florida
2012 - Coalition on Homelessness, San Francisco, California
2011 - 5 in retrospect(Solo Show) Rolling Stock Gallery, FAT Village Fort Lauderdale Florida
2010 - Love Dub, Sea Monster Night Club, Fort Lauderdale Florida
2009 - Muiltiversal @ Art Basel, Miami Beach Florida
2009 Though the eyes of Love, Art Center, Miami Beach, Florida
2008Group Exhibit, Gallery 101, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Online Exhibitions:

2016 - Virtual Tart online collage exhibition, http://virtual.tart.co.nz
2016 - Out of Sight online collage exhibition, www.outofsight.co.nz

Solo Exhibition:

2011 - 5 in retrospect(Solo Show) Rolling Stock Gallery, FAT Village Fort Lauderdale Florida

Commissions:

2015 - "Family" in Greek, Jason Tjovaras family, Sebastian, Florida

Public Space Projects:

2012 - Bombing the Park, Esplanade Park, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
2011 - 213AOE pillar murals, NewEra Graf Expo, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
2011 - Be Found 5, Wall mural FAT Village, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
2010 - Death to Finance Panel, FAT Village, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
2009 - Will work for healthcare installation, Art institute of Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
2008 (began) - Think Pozitive Campaign, Various locations around Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
2004 - donor wall (design) Ronald McDonald House, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
2001 (began) - Blue Flag Campaign, various locations around Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Donations

2012 - 4lb Bag, to the Coalition on Homelessness, San Francisco, California
2008-2015 - Art Scavenger hunt, Donated art to various art collectors, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
2011 - Timeline wall, donated to Andrews Living Arts Studio, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
2010 - Time-lapse Misc. Donated to F.U.N. @ South Florida Ukulele Fest, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
2010 - Scream Collage, FAT Village Art District charity auction, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
2010 - 5G donated to BSO Pals clubhouse, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
2009 - 109472 donated to Miami Beach Health Center, Miami Beach, Florida

Print Media:

Home Magazine Fort Lauderdale, "Scott Roman Residence" cladding design, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Radio/Television:

"Urban Murals Decorate Fort Lauderdale" (interview), Channel 10 News WPLG, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Online Periodicals:

Artist profile @ Catapult Magazine 2011, http://catapult-mag.com
Artist profile @ Artistocats Magazine 2010, http://animoto.com/play/XUpliPU1KikNscnnocfhKg

Achievements:

2007 - American Society of Interior Design Professional Chapter, student Liaison, Fort Lauderdale Florida
2006 - American Society of Interior Design Student Chapter, President, Fort Lauderdale Florida
2005 - American Society of Interior Design Student Chapter, Vice President, Fort Lauderdale Florida
2994 - American Society of Interior Design Student Chapter, newsletter editor, Fort Lauderdale Florida

Education:

2004-2007 - BA Interior Design (incomplete), Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale Florida

New Zealand collage art exchange 2016

An artist out of Taranaki, New Zealand, Dale Devereux Copeland, holds a unique art exchange every year. Where artist from around the world send her artwork that is then sorted and used for a exhibit in New Zealand, as well as on two different websites www.outofsight.co.nz and http://virtual.tart.co.nz . After the exhibit is over the best pieces from each artist makes their way to Verbeke Foundation in Belgium where the collection will be donated as a public collection for the year.

ENGLAND THE BEAUTIFUL

 

The first mural is also a full large scale collage cut into 12 smaller collages. This mural was titles "England the Beautiful" and features a beautiful young lady who passed away during child birth. She is passionately missed by her family and her daughter who survived. It represents the beautiful thing that come out of England. 3 of the 12 collages were given to the family as a memorial. The other 9 went to the exchange.

WORKING CLASS

The second mural is also a fulle large scale collage cut into 9 smaller collages. This mural was titled "Working Class" and features a different aspect of English life. There is no running image in these collages. The over all imagery is working class life, gane life, sex, and poverty. This is the opposite of England the Beautiful, the underbelly. Random images scoring the page like graffiti on a wall.

Bath pieces starte with a combination Applica of 4 pound bags, and drywall compound. From there hand cut stencils are applied with spray paint in a collage format. Once that process is complete the flags were added and the pieces were cut into smaller sections for the exchange.....5.....

New Priority

It’s been almost a full year since I have posted anything on here or created art for that matter. I’ve been concentrating on myself and my humanity. Fine tuning all those broken or dysfunctional parts to make my journey in life more productive and empowering for my marriage , my children and, of course, myself. How sick and selfish I was in the past letting my personality get tangled up in melodramatic imagination and false perceptions of myself and the world around me. What a lie I lived for so many years and how close I came to disaster. One of the biggest changes in the last year was the elimination of Alcohol from my diet. Not only did that effect my health dramatically it also changed my awareness of the world around me, and the people I love. I was much more able to appreciate the little things I had been missing for years. One amazing thing I experienced was the change in the bond with my daughter. I spend part of every morning watching cartoons and cuddling with my kids for a couple of hours. At about four or five weeks of not drinking at all I took the same position cuddling with my kids and I took a good hard look into my daughters eye, and she looks back for the first time. Prior to this I felt that her possible developmental issue was the reason for her distant stare and her lack of connection. But little did I know she had been there the entire time. It was me that lacked the connection. What a great journey I had with her that day. We sat there staring at each other, playing and laughing. This is what people mean by clarity. All I can hope for is more of these perfect experiences, jumping back into the production of my art and pushing forward toward a great life…..5…..

Ronald McDonald House Broward General Location

Sponsor Board Design 2004

In college, 2004, I had the opportunity to design the sponsor board for the top sponsors to the Ronald McDonald house.

The concept of the entire space was of course Florida, beaches, ocean, and sunshine. ASID student chapter painted a mural I designed for the play room and every 2 chapter members were given a suite to design themselves. The entire project came out great but my favorite part was the sponsor board. I created a wave like board in bright south Florida colors. Since in was for outside, I wanted to use a weather resistant material. So we had the board made of composite materials and acrylic signage plaques. This way if it weathers over time it can be refinished and polished again, plus these material work great outside. 

Overall I think the design work great for the space and hope they enjoy it as much as I do.....

What is 305?

WHAT IS 305?  2010

DRYWALL COMPOUND, AEROSOL PAINT, LATEX PAINT & WOOD STAIN ON PLYWOOD

 Size: 48” X 72” Frame-less 

 What is 305?  Expands on the development of the greater Miami area;  giving a brief history of icon facts and terminologies. It displays a propaganda like poster style to represent to strength and power Miami has on our national economy. But even being one of the top cities in  America still we see mass unemployment and major city decay. Which leads me to believe even with power  and strength, if 1% run America, it  will always have major failure, and we  will become the laughing stock of the world no matter how will we       market our selves as powerful and dominate.  Remember the Romans.....Currently part of the RS Gallery Collection.....5.....

The Simple Man

So there's confusion about men that men are simple and not complex but the reality is men are very complex yet hold simple standard and principles. I watched a movie recently that hit me at home it was about a man who live not such a positive life but loved his family extremely. He loved his daughter, loved does wife, he tried hard to balance these two worlds and found out that no matter what those two worlds would end up meeting up.  I read once that children are a mirror, they are the mirror of all the things we do wrong in life and where we need to do to progress. They are the key to why we are successful as human beings without them sometimes we just have ourselves and sometimes yourself are not enough.  Children make us better people no matter how awful we were in the past. They explain the future better than any elder ever could. They are the reason some of to live and their mentors in their own right. What will give up for family is endless. We strive for the best for our children but sometimes realize that the best is only what we envision ourselves and not what our children vision. There has to be an understanding of Hope, Love, care, and consciousness that goes into parenting even know not everybody understands or respects this theory but it shows up in countless forms of  media, movies, books, and our minds.  there is only one reason bad boys become good dads and that is children. Love you baby girl.....5.....

IN 2008 I WORKED ALONG SIDE SCOTT ROMAN FROM HARVEY HERMAN INTERIORS, AS A CONSULTANT ON THE TILE AND STONE FOR THE PROJECT, WHICH WAS LATER PUBLISHED IN HOME MAGAZINE

HOME MAGAZINE AUG/SEPT 2008

GLASS MOSAIC ACCENT WALL FOR THE POWDER ROOM

STONE ACCENT WALL FOR THE LIVING ROOM

TEXTURED PORCELAIN LARGE PROFILE TILES FOR THE FLOOR 

MILESTONES

ISLA BARNES BORN MARCH 4TH 2013

For years I have felt trapped in quicksand, not able to get out and move up to the next milestone. Left stagnate, waiting for that child to begin our family, that forever child. Now that veil has been lifted, new life can begin, wasted years are behind us. She came to us and now she is finally a permanent part of our family.  The quicksand feels like it is loosening and the fear and stress of the responsibility ahead engulf my eagerness. The fog has clears the stairs are visible and I am climbing. It’s a bit overwhelming thinking about the responsibility ahead but I am defiantly up for the challenge. I can’t wait to see what tomorrow bring and look very forward to the milestones.

ISLA IN HARD TIMES

Milestone seem important in life. They direct as well as set the footing for our next step. I never really paid too much attention to milestones in the past thinking they were just trees passing by in my travels. A nice thought but they are more than this, they are foundations being forged. They are the rise of your steps to your next point. Lack of concern for them creates a loss of drive and a decrease in forward momentum. We need milestones to show us we are heading I the right direction. Without them we are flying blind. By doing this we take the chance of going in the wrong direction or even worse sometimes going in no direction at all. Milestone also build your respect and enforce your relationships with family and friends. The more milestone you share with family and friends the closer bond is developed.  Graduation, They are a scrapbook of our lives allowing us to look back and see where we succeeded and where we failed, but most of all where we are heading and how we can get there quicker. Marriage, Children, Car accident, Promotion, New home, Prison, 25th anniversary, etc etc etc. No matter how small the milestone. How positive or how negative, all of them hold a place in our hearts that will drive us, even negative milestone can drive us forward if they are looked at correctly and seen for what they are. If not, they can limit us and stall us from achieving the next milestone. They can stall us for minutes or they can stall us for decades.

 I sit wondering what the future will bring, what is out there for us and where we will be in 10 years. I make suggestions and comments to myself hoping the energy will maintain the excitement. She is ours and we are her netting. Her only defense against this world in which we live. The only protection from that which is dark and unmanageable. Do I put blinders on her and school her like a horse for success, or water her like a flower and let her grow in her own unique chemistry. So many questions and no answers. Lots of options but no facts. It’s a scary road to not know where the next pothole is, but we will strive through it. Build this house solid and large. Filled with love and charity. We will develop ourselves to be that family with communication and understand. One that helps you through in times of need and gives space when you need it. I hope I can show you everything you desire to see and I hope I can teach you everything you desire to learn. I see that energy within you. That enormous, powerful, power which you convey. How luck the world will be to experience even a faction of what you are capable of, and can you imagine what you will be capable of in the future. 

Farewell Letter to G, for now.....

I ventured to the supermarket the other day to see you and your family standing there, you looked amazing. I spent the last year and half scared to death that you were not safe, protected and loved. I also spent that time missing you tremendously, that great smile and your unmistakable call for “Daddy” will always resonate in my head. I didn’t want to say anything cause I didn’t want to confuse you or create anymore turmoil in your life, you have gone through so much already, so I just walked on by, wowed that I finally got a chance to see you again. I hope you didn’t see me I wouldn’t want you to think I forgot about you, far from it. I’d rather you live your life and be happy. But I was glad I got to see you healthy, and well kept. It gave me some clarity of your future and even know I
will still worry daily, at least I know you are likely on a good path.

I want to thank you for being a part of our lives and creating so much love in our home. You brought a lot of joy to our family and I hope the time you spent with us brought that same amount of joy. You helped me through some trying times, and helped me grow as person and most of all as a parent. More than you will even know. I hope the skills and goals we instilled in you while you stayed with us, bring you much joy and happiness. I hope to, someday in the distance, see you again. See how you have developed into a successful young lady. And watch you walk with confidence, strength, and beauty into your future. I wish you everything the world has to offer and hope you receive it. I will always miss you, and of course I love you very much. Best of luck my little girl.

Love

“Daddy”

Time 'tick' 'tick'

TIME SCAPE

Time is an interesting element in our lives as human beings. It can be used as a punishment (prison), used as a pleasure (vacation), used as a measure (work week), or even used as a threat (you have 6 months to live). Whatever it is used for, it will never stop, and never reset. Its unforgiving in that way. There is no pause, rewind, and fast forward. There is just time with no concluded end

When young time seems endless; open to new possibilities and hopes. The sun seems to never set and new horizons seem to grow almost in an instant. There is no value put on time at this age because it seems so endless. When age starts to show its ugly head, time seems to go by faster leaving you wanting more but not able to accomplish it within the quicksand’s of the hourglass. No matter how hard you try things begin to slip out of your grasp, you fall behind, your list become smaller because the longer lists from before are no longer attainable. The older we get the even more quick time seems to pass by. Instead of hours missed it becomes days, weeks, months and even years. We forget and the pass erases all existence of the events. Maybe this is why legacy is so important to most people. Why having a clean image is more important than being honest and true, no matter how horrible the truth. Why are our lives set up with such a parameter. Is it so we value time and thus live, if so than why do we as humans not see the value of time till in most cases it’s passed us by. Is this the cruel reality of time’s plan to make us aware late in life of our wastefulness of it.

I’d like to think that time somehow continues after death. But being realistic there is probably a slim chance of this. I like to think I’m going to be more then fertilizer in my absence but until that day comes I will never know, and of course I’m not too much a gambler with common ideas that are supported by no evidence. So in retrospect I will wait to explore that avenue and see what it brings. For now I chase time, trying to catch as much of it as possible and harvest as much of it as I can. Spend as much of it with family and friends, and as little of it with doubt and depression. It’s way too short to waste on simple thing like that and I’m way to busy looking at the better things in life.

Think Pozitive ….. 5

WAR DESIGN

WAR DESIGN  2009

Warhol’s film “Blow Job” spoke of a principle of early Soviet film theory, the “Kuleshov effect,” in which shots taken on different meaning depending on their juxtaposition with other images. Does this concept along with extra images form an alternative meaning? Does the use of the term “The End” or the image of an abstract tank form a military or war like design?

 

Though this piece would be apropo to what is going on in the Soviet Union right now.....cheers.....

ACCOLADE, 2010

ACCOLADE  2010

Enamel Paint, Aerosol Paint, & Ink on  Stone

As seen on  Oxygen’s Bad Girls Club, Season  5, 2010

Curves and formations, the softness of the skin, even on hard and challenging surfaces , the finer lines of the human body show depth. On stone, which is porous, elements  absorb into the source, almost bleeding into it . But even with all these curves and all this beauty, it still remains flat, texture less, and shallow, with evidence of vanity.....

STATS, 2009

STATS, 2009

AEROSOL PAINT, LATEX PAINT, & COLORED WOOD STAIN ON RECLAIMED CABINET PANEL

(On viewing at  Miami Beach Community Health)

 

109,472 is the number of HIV+ people in west palm beach, Broward and Dade counties alone. Or at least the closest number I could find searching the internet for two hours. Why are these kinds of facts so hard to find, especial when we have three cities out of ten in the top 10 cities for HIV infection in the nation. You would think that these numbers would be important in bringing awareness for both the infected and uninfected…..Think Positive…..

BROKEN - DEMONS

 

BROKEN - DEMONS

Everyone has demons. Some are vague and only show their heads at times of extreme weaken and some are extremely powerful and control a large percentage of a person’s life. Some people have one or maybe two demons and other may have many that they have to deal with. I think the older we get the more we recognize these elements in our lives as toxic and we begin to extinguish them one at a time, But again some are very powerful and take a much longer time to eliminate. Sometimes we eliminate demons by trading one demon for another, maybe a less harmful demon. We sometimes see ourselves in a continuous struggle with our lives because of these demons. This struggle can affect our self-esteem, our attitude, our view of the world and sometimes our entire mental state. Suffering develops character if it is allowed to be objectively looked upon. When people suffer they either learn from the experience or they claim victim to the experience, either way they eventually will build some character from the experience, may it be good or bad. At what point during this suffering do we as human being to either cross over and progress as people or give up and fall victim to one’s self. Why is it that some humans can have enormous amounts of suffering, yet progress as if nothing detrimental had ever happened, and other experience a small amount of suffering and it encapsulates their entire life. Is it just weak genes or a weak mind or is it something deeper inside us. Is it the teachings of our parents to take suffering in stride and keep moving on, instead of giving up or is it instilled in our souls from something else. Where ever it comes from we need it as a motivator, a guild to keep us focused and directed. It comes in many forms, from a laughing baby, to a document on a wall. Some may seem strange or odd to other but they are the driving energy that power them. Broken is a state of mind a point where you have given up and stopped. It’s weaken, disease, quicksand. This suffering is how we learn, but only if we allow ourselves to gain that knowledge from it. Unfortunately this struggle can only be concord by one’s self. There is no support group, or program, or lifestyle that will help us unless we first find peace and resolution within ourselves first. So the solution is there is no solution; it changes from person to person with an infinite number of recipes based on a specific individual’s situation.....