Artist Statement
My journey as an artist began with a deep-seated fascination for vintage prints and photographs—a passion I've pursued since around 2005 when I started collecting these historical artifacts with the intention of opening a booth in an antiques mall. Equipped with a wide format printer, I initially saw potential in creating art with these old images, often freshly breathing life into them through digital restoration techniques. From this process emerged a newfound skill for colorizing black and white photographs, leading to the acquisition of a gift shop/art gallery in Palm Springs where I first sold my colorized photos on stretched canvas in 2006, some as large as 66x40, achieving remarkable sales success. My art was the first of any artist to be afforded long term exhibition in the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce, where numerous pieces have been on exhibit for many years.
My collection primarily consists of vintage black and white real photo postcards, focusing on high-value street scenes from the 1930s to the 1950s, especially those showcasing California. These scenes are at the heart of my artistic creations. In 2007, I experienced a breakout moment when I secured three awards at the California State Fair Fine Art Competition, the most of any artist, further expanding my reputation and clientele. This upward trajectory continued in 2008, when I was featured as a Trendsetter and Emerging Artist in Art Business News Magazine and won a fourth award from the California State Fair. My unique approach to colorizing artworks even laid the foundation for a theory of visual cognition, which I defended while earning a doctorate in Information Studies at UCLA in 2014.
KBI - The three states of mind that interpret visual stimuli.
In selecting my subject matter, I am guided by an affection for vintage black and white photo postcards and bookplates depicting botanicals and wildlife. A compelling scene for me is one that features vintage cars, architecture, and people, elements that encapsulate the essence of bygone eras. My inspiration is drawn from historical images that unveil various facets of American life and culture, and the evolution of our cities as captured through photography.
The uniqueness of my art lies in its intricate technique. I begin by digitizing images at a considerably high resolution, allowing me to use Photoshop to meticulously dissect them into finer elements intended for colorization, right down to the minute detail of the pupils in an eye. Every detail that is to be colored must be carefully isolated and addressed. The level of restoration of the artifact itself varies, ranging from trivial tweaks to extensive overhauls. Since 2006, I have crafted hundreds of restorations and color compositions, and in each piece, I aim to merge the nostalgia of the past with the vibrancy of the present, inviting viewers to experience a renewed perspective on historical moments.
Dissertation:
Casinos and Clubs on Fremont Street, Las Vegas 1948
Original artwork installed in a law office in Las Vegas.
Casinos and Clubs on Fremont Street #2, 60x46, coming out of the printer, an Epson Stylus Pro 11880, on Epson Exhibition Canvas.
The same image seen above after being stretched and glazed with epoxy resin.