Despite In Other Web Media

As an artist it is always nice to have people do project about your work. A photography professor that I know asked me to be part of one of his photo projects that was focusing on religious interpretation. At the time I was working on a stencil of Buddha. Fourth photo here: Interpreting Religion by Brent Bergherm

Another designer friend of mine did a magazine about "creative living in the Northwest" for her senior project. It turned out spectacularly and I had the privilege of being one of her featured artists. You can see my bio and the rest of "Flannel" here: Flannel Magazine by Trina Yeo

Details of Recognition

I finished a large piece last week with some new stencils I cut called "Recognition." Below are a few detail shots of it. I desperately wish that I could show you the whole thing, it is 4'x4' and I think it turned out well. You'll have to wait for the gallery show, or if you're out in the world and won't be able to attend, I'll post full images of each piece at that time.

Studio Randoms

Layered painting with stencils is a time consuming process. There is a lot of waiting that goes on while paint dries. Stencils are cut, blocks are carved, other paintings are started, or sometimes I just take pictures of different things that catch my eye in the studio. Below are some of those pictures. Enjoy!

A Stencil Sequence

Below is a step-by-step walk-through of a simple three layer stencil process with some background printing and a final word layer. The image is a self-portrait that I first sprayed on canvas several years ago. Hope you enjoy the pictures and learn a bit about stenciling.

This is the first layer. The red background was spray painted and the block printing is done on top of that. 

The first brown layer is the midtone layer. Often this layer will be the entire outline of the shape. For this piece it has been reduced to save paint. The midtone layer is always sprayed first and is really the foundation of the image.

This particular stencil series requires that the shadow layer be sprayed next so that the white highlights in the eyes aren't covered up. Generally I prefer to spray the highlights now and the shadows last.

Here you see the highlight layer has been sprayed, as well as some touch up at the bottom of the black to fill the space at the bottom that was originally red. Touch up with spray paint is difficult and requires some tricky shielding to keep overspray from getting on the finished parts of the piece.

The final step for this piece, and many like it, is the DESPITE.

A Series of Unfortunate Events

I've had some unfortunate technological difficulties recently and it has slowed my would-be frequent photo posting to a halt. Hopefully that will be resolved shortly because things have been happening in the studio!

Linoleum Block Set Up

Linoleum block printing set up. I'm using house paint and a small roller instead of ink and a brayer. The paint dries faster than ink and is more readily available. Most of my prints are far from perfect. I like that each is unique and that they have a grungy look. I am using a block print rather than stencils for the background because it is easier to tile that way.

Tiling the prints. When you're not to concerned about perfect quality prints, covering 8 square feet of surface with 6 inch block prints goes faster than you might think.

A Short Declaration of Existence and Why You Should Care

Art is whatever you make it. For me it is a hobby, a source of income, and a large part of my education. It could also be said that art is whatever you USE to make it. You won't find that I often use tiny brushes and photo-realistic detail, I'm more of a spray paint kind of guy.

That said, welcome to the despite design blog! Here is a little rundown of what you'll find. I'm doing a big project for part of my degree. It is a self-taught art study and I chose to focus mine on street art, primarily stencil work done by the likes of Shepard Fairey and Banksy. I am particularly draw to the mixed media work that Fairey does under the OBEY Giant name.

For my project I will be creating artwork on canvas and wood in a similar style that you might expect from these two artists. I will be using a combination of stencils, printing, and collage. At the end of my study, in about ten weeks, I will be having a gallery show of the works created.

This blog serves two purposes I suppose. First it will show a bit of the process of creating this style of art, and second, it will hopefully promote the show and give those of you who are flung all over the world a chance to keep up with what is going on in the studio.