Work is sucking the life out of me.

I need more time to make art

and enjoy life.

It's been a long time since I've updated, but with the Factory B event quickly approaching, I'm back in my "zone". I've been at internal war with myself throughout the process of producing and choosing new work for this show, fueled by the looming pressures of outdoing my recently passed exhibitions. Add sponsorship by Blue Canvas magazine and Red Bull, and the anxiety builds. I'm confident, though, because I know I generally work best in these kinds of situations. I know the work is good -- probably my best thus far -- but the headaches, constant speculation, and knots in my stomach won't subside until I crack my first beer on the evening of the 7th. It's just difficult to wrap my mind around following up the success of the Soapstone show, and selling three pieces.

Here's a peak at a submission for the event, Factory B #2: The Portrait -- just a week and a half away. Visit my facebook for event details, or email me at aaron.valentin@yahoo.com for info.

Factory B #2: The Portrait

August 7th, Bruckner Bar & Grill. Back to work... Factory B: The Portrait

Amazing night, for the most part. Great show put together at Soapstone by Mike McManus, and I'm glad that I was able to help and put my eye and experience to work. Really happy about the way it all went and the reception of my work -- especially after selling two pieces. I spent so much time talking about my work with people, and even ran out of business cards within an hour, which is definitely a good thing. The show exhibited some really good talent, and I'm always ecstatic to be a part of something so amazing.

I really can't believe how incredibly this whole month came together, but nonetheless, I am humbled, and beyond inspired. Huge thanks to Vanessa at Gitana Rosa Gallery, "The Faculty" at Factory B (Bruckner Bar), and Mike McManus at Soapstone Gallery, all for giving my work a look, and the privilege to hang on their walls. My own walls at home are all bare, and it's definitely a good feeling. Let's see what July has in store...

Finishing touches, and hung in the bedroom until Soapstone. See it in person. On to the next...

I've been moving along nicely lately. I found this glowing-red piece of plywood in Brooklyn, and couldn't resist dragging it via subway back uptown. Took me a while to figure out the attack plan, but, as usual, once I got started it flew. I think it's headed in a good direction, and it's a nice departure from the darker monochromatic stylistic tendencies I've working through recently.

An homage to Jean Michel...
"SAMO(C) IS DEAD" (homage to Jean Michel) -- work in progress, mixed media on found panel, 51x12.5"

I'll be showing an older, larger drawing of mine this Friday at Gitana Rosa Gallery's "Ars Graphis" Group Drawing Show. I've spent some time working for this gallery -- through thick and thin -- and it's gonna be fun to share the walls with the artists I've come to know and love.

The drawing show details, and the rest of GRG's weekend event info can be found here: http://ymlp.com/zN3b9K

Learn from every experience. Move forward. And look at new art every day - fecalface.com.

In my boredom, I revisited my DeviantArt account, which I haven't looked at, let alone submitted to, in years...probably since junior year of college. It was sort of inspirational to see the progression through the work, and the huge variety of styles, mediums, and techniques I used to explore. I've picked a few sketches, experiments, and finished works to share that I think are definite highlights...Mind you, most of them are very academic, and were created in early Foundation Art classes. Enjoy.


Untitled, charcoal and chalk on paper, approx. 20x24"


Giacometti, charcoal on paper, approx. 24x32"


Giacometti 1, marker and watercolor on paper, 14x17"


Giacometti 2, marker and watercolor on paper, 14x17"


Dean, Prismacolor pencils on paper, 8.5x11"


Untitled Cityscape, pastel on Masonite, approx. 8.5x11"


Pelham Parkway, acrylic on bristol, 8.5x11"


Painter, ink and charcoal on paper, approx. 24x32"

Musculature Study, pastel on paper, approx. 24x32"


Joey with Bass, oil on canvas, 36x48"


Joey, graphite and acrylics on paper, 8.5x11"


Self Portrait, acrylic on board, 6x4"


Untitled (sketchbook page), ink on paper, approx. 6x4"


Self Portrait-After DaVinci, charcoal on paper, approx. 18x24"

Red Study, oil on canvas, 36x48"


Pink and Yellow, acrylic, watercolor, and collage on paper, 24x32"

Yellow Study, Prismacolor pencils on paper, 9x14 cm


Worn, charcoal and chalk on paper, 20x24"


Train Sketch Series, graphite and watercolor on paper, 9x14cm each


Still Life, oil on canvas, 18x22"

There's definitely something very meditative about gessoing new surfaces. Something just gets me about the process -- it's very mindless, mechanical, and involves very little, if any, creative effort. Plus, since I've been working with alot of found materials (which has made me pretty proficient at harvesting usable panels from discarded furniture and the like), prepping has become about 75% of my process -- especially with how quickly I actually work on creating a piece. Since found wood, particle board, and laminate panels don't necessarily provide the most ideal surfaces to work on, I usually spend a few days dropping layers upon layers of primer. It's nice though, when all is said and done and I have 5 or 6 (free) surfaces at my disposal.

One of two new works, to be shown at "Factory B", film/art/photo mixer @ Bruckner Bar & Lounge... June 17th in the Boogie Down, stay tuned for details, and many more June show dates. Busy....


Untitled (the soldier), acrylic on found board, 25x14"

I've been working like a maniac lately. Antagonist Art Show @ Niagara (ABC City) set it off, sold a piece and got a nice kick in the ass to move forward. Big ups to Dennis and Mike McManus for making it happen. No time now, but look forward to updates on the site and blog.


Dennis hanging my drawings @ Niagara