Shoryuken

Shoryuken

9" x 12"

Acrylic on Wood Panel

2014

This May, I finally created the third installment to my "Street Fighter" series of paintings. Produced for "Game Over", a video game themed group show hosted by Giant Robot.
The foundation for this series comes from one of my more popular paintings: "Possessed". In it, my blood soaked bear is 'possessed' by the devil with a video game controller (Specifically an Atari 2600 controller). The segue between this painting and video game themed narratives seemed only too perfect.
After creating this third painting, it came to me that this might make a fun series of mini figure toys (in the style of Japanese Gashapan/Candy toys). If whoever wants to produce this series wants to do this, then I'm probably going to have to explore another 3 moves. I wonder which ones I should do...

Milk & Cookies

Milk & Cookies

8" x 10"

Acrylic On Wood Panel 

2013

"Milk & Cookies" was created for a Krampus themed group show hosted by Copro Gallery in December 2013. In case you're not familiar, while Santa distributed gifts to the "good" children, Krampus distributed punishment to the "bad" ones.
Upon further consideration of this relationship, I wanted to believe that Krampus and Santa were truly partners/colleagues for Christmas. Of course these characters are opposites of each other, but at the end of the day, they also need each other. I perceive them as being two sides of the same coin, and as such, this would mean Krampus would share in the spoils of Christmas, ie. "Cookies & Milk".
This painting ended up being the first in a series I'm hoping to explore in the future. Where most of my paintings are built around a simple formula:"light" characters in "dark" situations, "Cookies & Milk" reverses the formula, inserting a "dark" character" in a "light" situation.

"Love & Allergies" Silk Screen Print Release

Love & Allergies

16" x 20"
2014

On Saturday, February 1st, I'll be signing my limited edition 7 color silk screen print of "Love and Allergies", the painting I created for Cat Art Show Los Angeles.
Only 80-85 of these prints will be available. They are $250 a piece and the image is sized at 16" x 20." If you don't have to live in LA to buy them - you can email susan@catartshow.com to place an order!

The Cat Art Show and my signing are hosted by 101 Exhibit
6205 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90038

The signing will run from 2pm-3pm. 
I hope to see you there!

Crotch Talk - Year of the Snake

CROTCH TALK (YEAR OF THE SNAKE)

Acrylic and Ink on Panel

9" x 12"

2013

On February 2nd, 2013, Giant Robot hosted the "Year of the Snake" themed group show. As the name implies, February 2013 marks the year of the snake on the lunar calendar. 
Since the end of 2012, I've been looking for opportunities to try something different and create something a little more 'experimental'. Unfortunately I ran out of time, so I resorted to a series concept I've been holding onto for a while: the "Crotch Talk" series. 
"Crotch Talk" was going to be the sequel to "Head Space". Where "Head Space" is about the things inside my head, "Crotch Talk" would focus on my thoughts concerning sexuality. My original plan for "Crotch Talk (Snake)" was to incorporate something like the black mamba, or another venomous spitting snake. But for "Crotch Talk (Year of the Snake)", I thought painting the snake red and gold will be a nice nod to Chinese New Year. I guess I'll save the mamba for when I create the series to be displayed as a whole show.
I'm still not sure when I can bring this series to fruition, but I guess this as a preview of things to come.

Mission To Nowhere

 Mission To Nowhere 

Acrylic and Ink on Wood Panel

16" x 20"

2012 

"Mission To Nowhere" was created for "Marvelous Expedition", a show curated by Dabs Myla and hosted by Thinkspace Gallery. As the title implies, the theme of the show revolves travel and adventure. I thought the the idea of a monkey in a space suit, staring blankly at map would suit the theme nicely. 

The origin of this idea is actually rooted in the artwork of Mr. Clement with his "Astrolapin" toy. As a nod to Mr. Clement, the mission patch on the monkeys left shoulder features his rabbit.

Lukey Bean

 Lukey Bean

Acrylic + Ink

8" x 10"

2012

In August, 2012, my friend and colleague Scott Tolleson invited my to contribute a painting to his Nosellots themed group show, "Nosellots Super Show Shindig".
Nosellots are a series of plush characters Tolleson designed. I believe he has plans of eventually turn them into an animation, or a series of children's books. 

For the show he asked us to create something inspired by his characters. I choose to recreate "Lyle Bean" as if it existed in my universe. I renamed the character "Lukey Bean" 

"Nosellots Super Show Shindig" is hosted by Portland Oregon's Screaming Sky Gallery

Elementary School Is Hell (Izod, Not Le Tigre)

This August, Munky King will host "Memories Are Made Of This" a group art show curated by friend of the gallery, Super Cooper Berella. The theme of the show is 'childhood memories', and after giving it some thought, I decided to create a piece inspired by my elementary school class photo. In essence, it's a self portrait of me from 1983-85.

The painting features a bear with a classic bowl haircut, standing in front of a classic sky blue background. But the thing that takes me back is the gold and red Izod polo shirt he's wearing. 

Back in the 80's class distinction could be determined by the logo you wore on your shirt (and from what I can tell, things haven't changed after all this time). At the top food chain was Le Tigre (which featured a leaping tiger as a logo) next was Izod (now known as Lacoste, featured the crocodile), and if I recall, the bottom of the barrel was Britannia (whom used the bottom half of a Union Jack as a logo).

Considering the cruelty of children, I caught hell from the Le Tigre kids, and this is why I made sure to include the Izod logo in the painting.

Tragically, this will also be Munky King's last art show at their Melrose location.

For May, 2012, Giant Robot hosted "Game Over" a video game themed group art show. As of late, I've been using the group shows to create images that didn't feature any of my main characters. So for the "Game Over" I chose to illustrate the "Piranha Plant" or "Pakkun Plant" from the game Super Mario Bros. 

Pakkun

9" x 12"

Acrylic + Ink

2012

The thing that I find amusing about this painting is this 'chicken or the egg' type scenario I've created. What's exactly going on? Did Mario need to use the restroom and thus fall prey to a trap set by the Pakkun Plant? Or is the Pakkun Plan using the restroom cause he recently ate Mario? I'm inclined to say the latter since Mario's hat can be seen resting on the floor along with the metal buttons from his overalls. Thus suggesting that Mario came to the restroom to do his business when he was attacked and over taken by the plant.

My Little Pony Project 2012

For the past couple months, I've been working on customizing an 18" My Little Pony for the My Little Pony Project 2012, curated by Sweet Streets and hosted by Toy Art Gallery. Here's the press release for the show:

May 5th, 2012 marked the launch of the MY LITTLE PONY Project 2012 art exhibition, curated by Sweet Streets and hosted by Toy Art Gallery. Twenty-five notable artists have created their own one-of-a-kind painted MY LITTLE PONY 18-inch vinyl figures. The customized ponies will be available for sale during the run of the exhibition, ending May 26, 2012. Ten percent of the sales from the MY LITTLE PONY one-of-a-kind ponies will be donated to Give Kids The World.
MY LITTLE PONY Project 2012 features ponies by: 6%DOKIDOKI, 64 Colors, Ana Bagayan, Angry Woebots, Blamo (Mikie Graham), Blythe (Junie Moon), Chikuwaemil, COPE2, DABS & MYLA, Eimi, HIME+YOU, Indie, Jillian Kate, J*RYU, Julie West, Kano, Kukula, Lisa Alisa, Luke Chueh, Madoka Kinoshita, Martin Hsu, Mark Mothersbaugh, Miso, Miss Kika, Onch Movement, Perez Hilton, Shojono Tomo, Sket One, Spank!, TOUMA, and more.

Safety Word: Pony

Mixed Media

2012

When developing my design for the pony, I started by considering what it means to be a horse/pony, and one of the visual attributes that come with being a "beast of burden" is its brand. Horses/ponies were branded so their owners could easily identify them as being theirs. This branding is actually a key element of the My Little Pony design in the form of each characters "Cutie Mark". When thinking deeper about the act of branding, my mind drifted toward BDSM (bondage discipline sadomasochism) since branding and piercing are regularly associated with the lifestyle. I ultimately felt that paring this children's toy with an extreme adult lifestyle would make for a compelling design, so I ran with it.

For the brand, I researched branding iron designs and came up with a logo that incorporates the "M", the "L", and the "P" from My Little Pony. Branding Iron designs are very simple and complicated designs can easily get lost or distort when the scar heals. For the branding scar, I built up "scar tissue" on the pony right hip with epoxy clay (Magic Sculpt). 

Another key component to the My Little Pony is its accessories. The original toys usually came with brushes for their hair. For my design I choose to fabricate bunch of BDSM accessories.
I started by commissioning a seamstress at The Fabric Shop  to have the "gimp mask", corset, and hair tie created. For the branding iron, I had my "MLP" design laser cut from plastic. I also sculpted the cone shaped tip of the hot poker. I rounded out the accessories with bullwhip which I also had to customize so it would compliment the size of the pony. 
Finally I wanted to thank Jef Logan for coming up with the ponies name: "Safety Word: Pony"

Avengers Assembled

To commemorate the release of the first Marvel's Avengers movie, I was invited by Gallery 1988 to create a piece inspired by the comic book heroes. The movie features Black Widow, Captain America, Hawkeye, Hulk, Iron Man, Nick Fury, and Thor. 

THE AVENGER (ASSEMBLED)

Acrylic and Ink on Paper

9" x 12"

2012

For this painting, I simply assembled the trademark elements of each character. Black Widow's wristbands and pistols, Captain America's Shield, Hawkeye's bow & arrows, Hulk's green body, Iron Man's helmet and energy source, Nick Fury's eye patch, and Thor's hammer.
When discussing this painting, I jokingly say 'The act of assembling all these pieces into one character illustrates the idea of "teamwork" as seven characters become one "Avenger" :-P.' 
Upon further reflection, I hate to say it, but I actually agree with this assessment, despite how goofy it sounds.

Head Like A Hole

Head Like A Hole

Acrylic and Ink

12" x 12"

2012 

On April 21st, 2012 323 East will be hosting "Lyric", a group show curated by Glenn Barr. For this exhibition Barr had one simple request for each artist: Each piece of art must be 12 x 12 inches, paying homage to the timeless beauty that can fit on the cover of a vinyl record. Each artist has been given free reign to draw inspiration from their favorite artist, album, song or lyric and put their personal interpretation to canvas.

For this show I found inspiration from one of my favorite bands, Nine Inch Nails. Specifically their song "Head Like A Hole". To be completely honest I never really understood what Trent Reznor meant by "Head Like A Hole". Was he suggesting that the person/subject had a mind like a hole? Exactly what was the nature of this hole? If this hole was metaphorical, why didn't he write it as "Mind Like A Hole"? Is there a possibility that this hole was actually a real hole in the head? Maybe he's playing off the idiom 'I need ____ like I need a hole in my head'. Anyways, after giving it some thought, the above painting became my solution to these questions.

Also, a limited edition giclée print of "Head Like A Hole" will be produced by 1xRun, a partner of 323 East.

You Fucking Die

"You Fucking Die" was created for "Dig for Fire", a group show featuring art inspired by The Pixies, hosted by C.A.V.E. Gallery. The painting was inspired by a bit dialogue at the end of the track "Oh My Golly" from the album "Surfer Rosa".

I choose to create this painting because this dialogue is one of the first things I remember hearing by The Pixies. So whenever I think of them, I think of this bit of banter (a long with plenty of their amazing songs)

You Fucking Die

Acrylic + Ink

14" x 11"

2011

Luke Chueh Circa 1990

This September, I was invited to contribute a painting for "Stop It", a bully awareness show hosted by Munky King and curated by Super Cooper.


Here's a description from the shows curator:


Hello! My name is Super Cooper Berella. I am curating my own art show at Munky King Gallery for my 12th birthday called “Stop It!” The art show is about school bullying and cyberbullying. It is to raise awareness to stop bullying! I love your artwork and think it would be perfect in my show. The date of the show is September 10th, 2011 from 6pm-10pm. Would you like to be in my show? Your piece can be any medium or material.

Some of the proceeds of the show will go towards GLIDE (Gays and Lesbians Initiating Dialogue for Equality) and CHIME Institute (the school me and my sister go to). Some examples of bullying are: 13 year-old Ryan commits suicide because of getting bullied by some girls that were pretending that they liked him. Another example is Cyberbullying. It is when someone hurts someone’s feelings online.
Can you do a piece for my show please? If you cannot do a piece, I would love if you can attend. Artwork will be displayed at Munky King Gallery in Los Angeles.Here’s their address:7308 Melrose Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90046
Thank you for your help and awareness.
Your art friend, Super Cooper




For the show, I chose to create a self portrait of myself around the time when I was 15-17 years sold. At the time I experienced a lot of bullying myself and I felt that my manner of dress was a reflection of this bullying, and of my feelings toward the world I lived in. 
The reason why I chose to paint a rabbit (as opposed to a bear, which I usually use to represent myself) is because I most likely thought rabbits were cooler than bears at that age.

Luke Chueh Circa 1990

Acrylic and Ink on Paper

14" x 11"

2011

"THEME" ART

Here's three of my latest paintings, each of which were created for a specific group show.
The first was for "SMALL GIFT - SANRIO'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY".
The show will be opening next Friday (November 12th, 2010) at Barker Hanger.
3021 Airport Ave. Santa Monica, CA 90405
http://sanrio.com/smallgift

MY LIFE, MY MELODY
Acrylic + Ink
11" x 14"
2010

The second painting was created for "SUGIPOP!: THE INFLUENCE OF ANIME AND MANGA ON CONTEMPORARY ART", a group show hosted by the Portsmouth Museum of Art and Lebasse Projects.

STREET FIGHTER II SERIES - FIREBALL
Acrylic + Ink
14" x 11"
2010

Finally, the third painting was created for "THE IDOL HOURS", "A reflective study of great historical master paintings by a new generation of international Contemporary artists." This group show is hosted by London Miles Gallery (London, England).
Here's a little write up I created that explains why I chose to "remix" Andrea Mantegna's "Saint Sebastian" for the "Idol Hours" show.

My reasoning for choosing Andrea Mantegna's "Saint Sebastian" as my subject to remix and reinterpretation is rooted mostly in the raw brutality in the painting itself. Like Goya's "Saturn Devours His Son", the violence and gore of Mantegna's "St. Sebastian" truly caught my eye when I was introduced to it in my art history classes. And it basically then, that I decided if I had the good fortune of becoming an artist, I wanted to create stunningly violent paintings such these. But asides for the violence, the image of Saint Sebastian's arrow riddled body has an incredibly popular image, and is undeniably part of western societies visual lexicon. It has even popped up in music videos (such as R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion"). and has been remixed and reinterpreted through the filter of popular culture. One of the most popular reinterpretation is probably a photograph featuring Muhammad Ali, riddled with arrows, for a cover of Esquire Magazine.

THE MARTYR
Acrylic + Ink
16" x 20"
2010