Andrew

Andrew Leonardo is one of the best young artists I have ever met. I was lucky to see his work and talk to this smart talented young man during my stay in Chicago this summer. I saw him at several house parties and in passing where we exchanged a salute. It wasn’t until one night that my roommate and I began running around my building that I truly understood his talent - when I went through an open door to this amazing place full of colorful paintings.



Anyone would think Andrew is majoring in art, but the truth is he’s studying psychology with a focus in Health Management. It is hard to relate these two areas and to think his career has nothing to do with his paintings but the truth is that studying the human behavior allows us to see the small details that take us beyond the usual, inspiring an artist like Andrew.

He, however, is strongly influenced by different artistic mediums like graffiti art, using principally throwups and tags. (A throwup refers to written words with a layer of spray-paint often drawn as bubble letters filled, or just outlined. They are generally one or two colors. A tag, refers to an artist's signature written by a marker or spray-paint.) Andrew is also influenced by flash art, skateboarding graphics, Japanese prints and tattoos.








It's important to mention that Andrew's deep interest in Japanese tattoos has brought him to research back to the early 1600’s, during the Edo period at the beginning of the early modern period in Japan. At this time, tattoos where used to identify criminals who marked themselves as a symbol of strength and power. These drawings were usually of dragons and demons, which not only reflected evil but also were symbols of luck and protection, just as Andrew’s paintings intend to project.

As we can see on the right hand side, some of his paintings reflect these styles fused together, while others are inclined to one style in specific, making his pieces diverse, rich in color, and kinetic. As a result, they leave a very original and unique work of art.

Andrew is currently living in Chicago, where he is working on murals for clubs (like the Funky Buddha, Butterfly Lounge and Orange; all social clubs in downtown Chicago where they display his work) house parties and private apartments.

Andrew's beautiful art, caused by a brilliant mind and an outstanding talent, is continuously spreading throughout Chicago, and I have no doubt it will soon reach other cities around the world.


What inspires you?

What motivates and inspires me the most is watching other people mastering their craft. For example, I love watching Paul Rodriquez shred at the Dew Tour and watching him kill the competition. When I see him push himself to skate better I push myself to paint better. I love watching bboy battles, skate videos, basketball, fixed gear videos, and watching other people paint. I spend a lot of time on the internet watching videos on youtube, vimby, and vimeo.

When did you first started painting?

I started painting on skateboards with spray paint my freshman year in College. I painted peoples names on skateboards for about a year and I realized that the process took way too long. The skateboards looked like a machine painted it since it was super clean with out any over spray or drips but it was way too tedious. I started [really] painting my Sophomore Summer which was about a year and a half ago. I didn't know exactly how to paint with acrylics but I just experimented, read articles, and watched other artists paint.

POGO

Electronic music has become an essential popular genre in the last 40 years. However, it's history goes way back to the 19th century when the first electromagnetic intruments were made. It's nowadays that this music has burst and lead to a new path of creativity and carries music, painting, architecture, film, etc. fussing to become a worthy beautiful piece of art of the 21 century.

I've heard many musicians say that anyone can make electronic music; they believe it is about copying, pasting and mixing samples and tracks to create a new song. But it isn't about just doing those few things, there must be knowledege and talent, and it takes a good ear to create a song that will generate some kind of feeling within the listener... It's like saying anyone can be lawyer or a doctor - it takes skills, time and dedication to become a good one.

I'm constantly trying to discover new artists and musicians. A couple of days ago in my pursuit of finding a good artist, a friend showed me a video that caught my attention. It was an electronic piece of art manifested in music, from an animation titled Alice in Wonderland, a Disney classic. Pogo, the mind behind the music "Alice", samples specific sounds from scenes in the film and then arranges them to form a new song which plays along with clips of the movie.

Pogo is a 19-year-old film major at the University of SAE in Perth, Western Australia, where he was born. He is currently studying 3D animation and visual effects, while working as a electronic music producer and a DJ of his own creations. He has used the same idea from "Alice" with other movies like Harry Potter and Mary Poppins. Pogo is a true example of how creativity is still expanding; taking us to new horizons, bringing along the genius minds from the past that have left a legacy that continues to grow.




For more tracks:
http://www.myspace.com/pogotracks

Debussy

There is no theory. You have only to listen. Pleasure is the law.
Debussy

Bon Iver

Bon Iver is without doubt one of the best indie bands of all time. Justin Vernon's high pitched mellancholic voice surpasses space and touches your soul in the most exquisite way.

Bon Iver performing live:

Bon Iver - Wolves (act I & II)

Bon Iver - Skinny Love

Dax Norman

I recently discovered a true genius in art and animation called Dax Norman. His creations open your eyes to a world of art seen from multiple perspectives and sensations. The bright colours and superposition of different objects and images make you feel almost a psychedelic experience by touching the deepest and utmost part of your creativity. Check it out!

(Above, a painting by Dax Norman representing Benjamin Franklin)

Rafter Juicy Music Video Sweaty Magic by Dax Norman

also see: www.daxnorman.com

Coeur de pirate à Mange ta ville

Que rico es rascarse cuando te pica un mosco

Este blog esta dedicado a mis ideas y pensamientos que muchas veces gritan por manifestarse de alguna forma, y como a través del "interné" casi todo es posible pues aquí está. A todos los Católicos Apostólicos Romanos, los Budistas, los Hinduistas, los Musulmanes, los ateos, los Bahais, los cienciologos, los negros, los blancos, los amarillos, los ricos, los pobres, los enfermos, los sanos, los bonitos, los feos, los músicos, médicos, abogados, arquitectos, ingenieros, los obreros, los plomeros, los mensajeros, barrenderos, mis amigos, mis enemigos, los inteligentes, los ignorantes, los ignorantes inteligentes, los sabios, los colombianos, los "gringos", los franceses, los ingleses, y en fin todos nosotros que continuamos cambiando el mundo, esperen mis comentarios al respecto.

... los moscos no pican