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 in Palm Springs where I first sold my colorized photos in 2006, achieving remarkable sales success.
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 by any artist that year, further expanding my clientele. This upward trajectory continued in 2008, when I was featured as a Trendsetter and Emerging Artist in Art Business News Magazine. My unique approach to colorizing artworks even laid the foundation for a theory of visual cognition, which I defended while earning a doctorate at UCLA in 2014. My art is predominantly published on stretched canvas, with sizes ranging all the way up to 70x56.
In selecting my subject matter, I am guided by an affection for vintage black and white photos 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 required varies, ranging from trivial tweaks to extensive overhauls. Since 2006, I have crafted hundreds of color compositions, and in each piece, I aim to merge the nostalgia of the past with the vibrancy of contemporary colorization, inviting viewers to experience a renewed perspective on historical moments.
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 by any artist that year, further expanding my clientele. This upward trajectory continued in 2008, when I was featured as a Trendsetter and Emerging Artist in Art Business News Magazine. My unique approach to colorizing artworks even laid the foundation for a theory of visual cognition, which I defended while earning a doctorate at UCLA in 2014. My art is predominantly published on stretched canvas, with sizes ranging all the way up to 70x56.
In selecting my subject matter, I am guided by an affection for vintage black and white photos 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 required varies, ranging from trivial tweaks to extensive overhauls. Since 2006, I have crafted hundreds of color compositions, and in each piece, I aim to merge the nostalgia of the past with the vibrancy of contemporary colorization, inviting viewers to experience a renewed perspective on historical moments.