R5 Blog

G40 Art Summit exhibit installation

R5 — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:13:00 GMT

This is the installation that I did for the G40 Art Summit curated by ArtWhino Gallery. This is an amazing show with so much artwork, installations, murals and events that its hard to wrap your head around the exhibit. Thanks Shane for looking out on the invitation to participate in such a great gathering of artists and creativity.

For my install I chose to use the same background as I used in my latest watercolor (center piece in purple frame) this background consists of hand cut typefaces on different colored papers, then collaged on the wall infusing my artwork alongside with the overall look of the installation.

Here is a link to where you can find out all the information about the G40: http://www.artwhino.com/g40/

Greenroom event flyers

R5 — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 04:53:00 GMT

These flyer designs were done for my friend Gabe-Brycon and Top Shelf Music and the events they do in nor-cal in Sepastopol.

The Engaged Bridal event program book design

R5 — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 04:45:00 GMT

This is a design I did for an event (rescheduled due to snow?) at the Willard International Hotel. I did the program for Laura Waetherly's Engaging Affairs. Laura is my good amigo's JC's wife & an excellent wedding planner & fiction writer.

Mushroomfinity watercolor painted live (partially

R5 — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 04:34:00 GMT

This piece was started during the "X project" event in DC mid-year, I painted the center piece live during the event, later I painted in the background and just recently finished the pencil outline. This is my last finished piece for 2009, may the next year bring a barage of creative endeavors and projects...=)

Red Bull Art of Can Miami entry

R5 — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:49:00 GMT

This is my latest entry to Red Bull's "Art of Can" competition. I have no expectations on this piece and will be happy just to participate once again. The concept behind this piece is the Ying-Yang symbol which is laid out on a sphere twice, yet each Ying-Yang is shifted from each other 90 degrees. This slight shift allows for an interesting geometrical intersection and thus the title of the piece is "Ying-Ying Yintersection".

New Balance & Shoes-up sneaker design contest entries

R5 — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 05:44:00 GMT

Back in June/July Shoes-up out of France alongside with UK New Balance held a wold-wide "design" contest. For this unique opportunity to design a shoe I worked really hard on my proposal and concept, including illustrating templates for the side and back views of the 576 model as well as the layout and art within.

I delivered 2 separate proposals using the "new balance" concepts where I provided the company with the opportunity to use the project and sneaker as an avenue to create some change and therefore bring forth a "new balance", as well as reflecting the concept ideal within the materials.

Unfortunately this will not be the avenue that I can cross to bring my dream of sneaker design to fruition, my next-level and innovative approach to the design made the shoe un-manufacturalbe as far as the contest is concerned. Ultimately the finalist chosen only did a play on the colorway and materials in the shoe but no graphic or fabrication work/design was chosen amongst the finalist. (they never mentioned any type of limitations in the contest description)...

Tribal Balance concept

The “Mukluasin 576” is inspired by native american tribal footwear as well as some of their graphic iconography. The two main influences present are the mukluk boot and the moccasin shoe. Traditional materials have been used in order to maintain not only the look of the shoe but also in part the tradition if craftsmanship used by indians. This New Balance 576 model interpretation is a homage to native american indigenous cultures and their heritage.

This concept offers the opportunity to benefit native american indigenous communities by using the literal translation of the words “new ” and “balance” as an ideology to benefit others and bring forth a new balance. This can be done by involving the indigenous communities in the project by sourcing the beadwork elements from the shoe to native american tribes. Additionally awareness can be raised during promotion or packaging through mentioning some of the modern plights of the indians or as a tribute to their culture and legacy on society at large.

Water Balance concept

The “On The Level 576” is inspired by water & liquid. The two main influences present are the visual beauty of water in motion as well as the use of high-tech materials for a waterproof/resistant shoe construction. Modern materials have been used in order to achieve an extremely durable & lightweight shoe that challenges the established materials commonly used in manufacturing. This New Balance 576 model interpretation is a homage to the essential life force “water” that not only maintains us but also constitutes humans and everything around us.

This concept offers the opportunity to benefit & raise awareness to affected communities with water related problems by using the literal translation of the words “new ” and “balance” as an ideology to benefit others and bring forth a new balance. This can be done by targeting communities that need afordable, efective and low-maintenance water disinfection systems and supplying a “UVWaterworks” system to filter water. Additionally awareness can be raised during promotion or packaging for the shoe by mentioning some of the modern global issues regarding water or as a tribute to the awesome natural power of water which must be respected and cared for.

Couple more comments:

The Tribal Balance 576 shoe has; debossed suede, mocassin style sinew stitching, horse hair, suede tassels/fringes, leather laces, gum sole, fringe cuts and traditional style beadwork on the "N" & back diamond. This concept is based on ancient techniques and materials used to manufacture a sneaker/shoe.

The Water Balance 576 shoe has; perforated neoprene, Gore-tex xcr, nylon stitching, Poron permafresh & Poron performance, Nora, Vibram idrogrip sole, Madrilen, Liqua-care gel insoles, liquid gel-filled "N" on tongue, builders water level on back and the use of a lenticular plastic/lens in the mid of the shoe (3 lenticular photos/lenses of a droplet falling onto water and rippling out, so the shoe would look like water drops and ripples away as you walk). This concept is based on modern technology and materials used to manufacture a sneaker/shoe.

Mixed media artwork for Art Basel Miami at ArtWhino exhibits

R5 — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:05:00 GMT

This mixed media illustration/artwork will be on exhibit during Art Basel in Miami at the exhibits held by ArtWhino gallery. This piece is very large in scale measuring roughly 7 x 7 feet. The background consists of paper circles that have been collaged on a mounting board as well as a multi-colored ballpoint pen - line illustration, weaving in & out of the red grid.

Hedgehog Herbie - Custom Yoka for DKE exhibit at DesignerCon in California

R5 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:57:00 GMT

This is a custom Adunture - Yoka figure for the exhibit DKE toys is putting on during the DesignerCon (Vinyl Toy Network). I was happy to receive an invite from Dov & Sarah for this exhibit, for it will be seen by a lot of people & may also travel to other venues as well. The concept behind this custom was to create a natural environment for the figure, and display it like a specimen in some museum. I enjoy using stones in my customs and these crystals are no exception and in my opinion are the stand out factor on this guy. This custom has inspired me to get a pet hedgehog for myself in the near future.

Live design collabo with Grahan Jackson for MediaArts party on halloween

R5 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:48:00 GMT

During the MediaArts party on halloween my good friend Graham and myself did this design live during the event, the design was projected on the wall for the public to see. We only worked on this for about 1 hour each at most. I did the drips as well as the skull pattern inside the drips. Here are 3 versions we came up with.

Custom Teddy Troop toy

R5 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:35:00 GMT

This small Teddy Troop figure was customized for an exhibit at ArtWhino gallery. The theme is "ofrenda" (offering) and displays the Teddy Troop making an offering, set in an environment all its own..

Custom Teddy Troop toy customized live

R5 — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:27:00 GMT

This glow-in-the-dark Teddy Troop toy was customized live for an Artwhino gallery exhibit about a month ago. I worked on this one off and on for about 3 hours.

Xghetto666 designs pack for Nike "Day of the Dead"

R5 — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:08:00 GMT

My extremely good friend XGhetto666 from the "Da-Flow Team" collective to which I belong, designed this pack of shoes for Nike.
Im SOOO super happy for my homie, and this is his second pack of shoes with Nike, having previously designed the "Lucha Libre" Pack.

This pack is titled "Day of the Dead" and uses native Mexican design elements such as Mictlan (god of death) and the "papel picado" (cut paper) that is commonly used in the ofrendas (altars) in Mexico on such day.
Actually we collaborated on a shoe design together for this exact pack nearly 2 years ago, yet the collabo didn't go through, sucks for me but YAY for him!!. He's always been a top-notch friend and we have known each other for years on end, and seeing him accomplish another pack with Nike makes me happy and proud for him. Here are all 3 shoes in the pack (AM90, Dunk-Hi, Dunk-Lo), as well as the collabo designed I did using his "papel picado" graphic. Viva Mexico!!!