Vinyl Toy (Inspiration Alive)

Keeping the inspiration alive is as simple as finding blank space on virtually anything. In this case, it was a penguin shaped vinyl toy. Is it possible to sustain your style on more challenging mediums? What would a penguin looked like if I it were to cross my imagination? Perhaps some would be thrown off by my interest in painting a toy however, it was the child that became interested in art in the first place, I decided to pay tribute to Valentine"s Day which can also be interpreted as my love for art itself.

Frida Live

A colorful interpretation of the iconic Frida Kahlo.

Available
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/frida-live-mando-padilla.html

iPhone Case
http://pixels.com/products/frida-live-mando-padilla-iphone5-case-cover.html

Pets - A Facebook Post

Art Available At "Adorn" Boutique Ramona California

Recap ---
This year has been fruitful.
Let's start with the Gallery Exhibit in July "which you can learn about in the older posts".
Immediately after, I designed a tee for a movie campaign involving Sylvester Stallone.
Next came a girl's soccer team banner and after that, I hammered out a bunch of art pieces for "Dia De Los Muertos".  I also experimented with a few online stores.
Immediately following those projects I did the "Dia De Los Muertos" event at Coast Highway Traders.
That was followed by the fundraiser at Offbeat Brewing for Escondido Municipal Art Gallery.

A month later, my art is in a boutique.
Not just any one, but a boutique which specializes in women's fashion.
I believe my work fit in perfectly for the fact that the styles in "Adorn" are charming with an edge.
The following items are available from my line
- Christmas cards
- "Paper-doll series" paintings
- surfboard, shoe & sugar-skull ornaments.

https://www.facebook.com/adorninramona

The Surfing Skeleton Gallery

These pieces gravitate away from the typical photorealism of seascapes. The colors are as bright and careless as crashing waves. Mariachi surfboards sing the songs of the ocean translating the hymns of those compositions below. Skeletons frolic amid the waves. The idea was to merge the surf lifestyle with the "Dia De Los Muertos" theme. While doing so, I stumbled upon a familiar yet undiscovered world.

16" x 20" x .5"

Prints & originals available here ::

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/armando-padilla.html?tab=artworkgalleries&artworkgalleryid=364608

First Print Available Online

http://fineartamerica.com/products/three-jewels-armando-padilla-canvas-print.html

To The Future Artists

I realize how many people have been educated with blinders on. These types of people chug their beer & swallow their food without tasting. They look at art but don't feel it. When eating ethnic foods, you're not eating a label ...you're tasting ... a culture. I realized what the people of these various cultures (Filipino, American, Chinese, Mexican, & Italian to name a few) have in common is that they they're all happy. Because of that, I wanted to learn a little about them which allowed me to apply that happiness to my art. That is why my collectors have "joy" hanging on their walls. Art doesn't stop at the greats like Picasso, Rembrant or Dahli. You can get posters or replicas but they will not paint a picture for you. We, the artists of today only can. Same reason we cannot paint the moments after our own passing. It is therefore important to embrace the value of the artist in every youth. Being able to paint and raise charity for events is powerful. Only artists are able to capture the spirit of the moment when asked to join charities. Like their collectors and culinary connoisseurs, they "feel"...artist just don't go through the motions. We'd rather savor a little than consume tastelessness in abundance. We don't ever feel the need rebel, we are here to serve a purpose. I am enlightened at how many artists think more about the future rather than about themselves. This need to create is from enlightenment. As an artist, I understand the responsibility of decorating one's home or office. What better way than positivity. Giving back to the community meanwhile, expresses how grounded artists actually are with their environments. Tomorrow's people can also live without the blinders which would make for peaceful conclusions thus a better world. After all, we ultimately live for them...not for ourselves.

This box was donated to the Municipal Art Gallery of Escondido to raise money for charity.
The charity buys art supplies for educational activities for the children.

Municipal Gallery & Offbeat Brewing

I Encourage All To Attend This Spectacular Event

http://www.escondidoarts.org/details/dayofthedead.html

Coast Highway Traders Display

Thanks to all collectors & attendees!!! :o)

Surf Frida

SOLD

This painting was inspired by Frida Kahlo & Southern California.

The Glass

This is the beer glass which will be sold for charity at Off Beat Brewing on Saturday, November 2, 2013. The art is based on my painting which was used to promote the event.

Wall of MP Art

This is most of my paintings to be part of the "Coast Highway Traders" sale on Saturday, October 26, 2013.

Dia De Los Muertos

http://www.escondidoarts.org/details/dayofthedead.htm

Here's a painting I did for this event.

October 26th I'll be at Coast Highway Traders

https://www.facebook.com/CoastHwyTraders

Bathing the Paint Brushes

Heeee Hawwww!
I'm pretty stoked that Sugar Skull Cowgirl #2 is complete so that's the first thing that came to mind.
I'm not sure if she is a twin of the first cowgirl or what but ... Heeee Hawwww!!!! Know what I  mean?

As I was painting her, I unloaded the extra paint onto a black piece of 8" x 10" card stock. This is becoming common where I actually make a sort of abstract painting during the process.

Due to the lack of solid direction on the abstraction, they contrast pretty heavily compared to my upbeat style. I'll admit...I get the chills when cleaning off my brushes. It is an exciting kind of chill. It is more like a roller coaster drop.

The main thing that they have in common is the color pallet as well as having the same artist.

My alter ego MP Skelletree totally kicks in during the transitional phase between the two pieces. It is almost spiritual phasing between the two. Does that sound deep & serious? It is a crazy kind of spiritual. Almost like this excited conglomerate of juvial Skittles candy, flavored seltzer fizz & Pop Rocks.

Cowgirls & dark tunnels ... make what you will of the abstract. All I hope is that it takes you somewhere fun & eerie. I see art like a Funhouse. A Funhouse that transcends beyond the living and deeper into a whimsical place of infinite enlightenment daring yet safe. My art is not meant to harm ... only to create enjoyment & wonder.

I think that part of my imagination which would otherwise be tossed away is saved simply by cleaning my brushes.

MP Skelletree would see it as being summoned by a different dimension.

Indeed it is but what better madness than the freedom of art.

Meanwhile, my brushes are clean awaiting anxiously for their next bath.

:o) MP

Key Chains - Appreciating Your Own Art

I'm really sleepy right now but I see that I have a "Key Chains" headline up top so I'm going to try to write something about it.

Well, the only logical explanation that I have for making the key chains depicted is because they came in groups of four. Well, they didn't come that way,

• the canvases were purchased blank
• the paint was purchased tubed
• my mind was blank until it filled with these ideas
• then I painted the ideas that were in my mind onto the blank canvases with the clueless paint

The four Mariachi Cyclops paintings were made in my former house in Valley Center, California.
They were completed shortly before my first son was born. He'd later learn the words.

• painting
• violin
• guitar
• drums
• trumpet

Prior to that, I was introduced to sign language so in reality, his first sign word was the motion for painting. Now, he is a music fanatic. 

These paintings hold sentimental value because of this however, I was willing to let them go at the Exhibit. Paintings around them found new homes but they stayed which may be for a reason. 

Just a few days ago, I finished the "Sugar Skull" series. You can actually see the progress of them where they transform from a funny Neanderthal look to a more traditional skull. Because I purposely made two of each style, as a four piece they work. 

This was the same concept I used when I designed with the Mariachis. The difference with the Mariachis is that I used two styles of backgrounds each with their own color scheme. At this stage in my artistic journey, I find it more complete to do a series as opposed to just a one piece like I did with the "El Boracho" drawing. Perhaps I'll make it a three...or four since it sold. 

Speaking of El Boracho, around the time of that drawing, I used to have a keychain with a bottle opener on it. It was a Winnie the Pooh shape but nobody.... especially a drunkard could tell nor care. The important thing was releasing the drink from the bottle and draining it into your stomach pit in order to contaminate your blood with a temporarily fullfilling ahhhhh buzz.

My sons "yes I have two now" don't know what beer is. One day I'm sure they will. The important thing right now is to continue being a solid father to them and just be this portal for these skeletons. I know that they exist or have existed...otherwise it would be impossible to make them up.

"M.P. Skelletree....we command you to close your eyes. We are not your weariness...we are your energy and we need you to lie down so that we can escape into reality."

"But, don't you need me to paint you?"

( long silence ... whispering)

"You don't ... we do."

Sugar Skulls Series One Complete

Dear Armando,

Please release us from the confines of your imagination...or is it? We are the darkness in the hallways waiting for you to bring us forth to the light. If you are unable to accept the fact that we are in fact talking to you, then please consider yourself our poltergeist. In fact, you Armando, you do not exist. Let us summon instead M.P. Skelletree. We know that such madness exists only in the fascination of the term itself. Madness as they all know it is a non-reality turned into a simple reality to us known as laziness. You on the other hand Armando...we mean, M.P. Skelletree, are not lazy. Even if you are, we command you to pick up your paint brushes so that we may reveal ourselves. 

Your interpretation of us is not an interpretation at all. It is in fact, who we are and how we like to see ourselves. In our world, there are no mirrors, just infinite reflections. Without you M.P. Skelletree, these reflections are impossible. We have met genies whom continue to encapsulate themselves because of the mirrors that entrap their nonexistence. We however, do exist even though some may think that we don't. We have other friends Mr. Skelletree that also wish to be released. Since genies do not exist, please do not seek them for mirrors will only deceive you. In fact, when you look into a mirror, you will only see - what is - a glimpse of your soul disguised in mortal drapery. Your soul however, remains free without mirrors ... unlike the non-existant genie. 

We are sugar skulls, sweet and colorful. We choose you M.P. Skelletree because only you understand us. The inversions of our black hearts personify true love. Our sunken pin prick eyes remind the world that our views are full of life. Our bear teeth express happiness. The decors of our face represent the wonders of the universe. In fact, we come not from the earth. 

We come from the deep warmth of the soul. The corridors of which travel even faster than light. Your physical body M.P. Skelletree cannot compete with the dark corridors of your imagination. It is through these corridors that we have chosen to reach you. We are not part of your imagination. We are real. We may not live like the physical human form... but that is only what mirrors believe. 

Let us remind you of the genies. How could we have met them if they don't in fact exist? Because we have met many things that have never existed. Take for example yourself. We summoned you. We used your nonexistence to reveal ourselves. Why then would we want to be revealed by nonexistence? Because the only way we can exist is by knowing that non-existance really does exist. Therefore, you do exist M.P. Skelletree. 

We are reminders that you have one life to live. Dia De Los Muertos is not only a day to celebrate the dead...but a reminder to celebrate your life "today"! Remember what you told her Armando...we mean M.P. Skelletree...you wanted to be present for your own Day of the Dead celebration. Well now, there are more of us that wish to come celebrate with you.

Salud!

- The Sugar Skulls

New Skelletree Merch Store

http://www.zazzle.com/skelletree
I started this new store to cater to my new line of art. It was also created to extend my fine art to a wider audience.  The sugar skulls follow more traditional designs with my own twist. It is important to maintain originality in art.
For this store, I go under the alias MP Skellettree to coincide with an art piece. Hence the store name "Skelletree". I find it refreshing to reinvent myself which transcends with progression.
Soon the name will make note sense but for now, enjoy the store.

Top 5 Reasons To Become An Artist

1. To
2. Express
3. Yourself
4. Freely
5. Because

just ask yourself why 5 times.

why? to
why? express
why? yourself
why? freely
why? because

you can become an artist but like most of us.... chances are, you already are after finding out later.
i found out later after it was brought to
my attention how much I actually drew 
& painted.

those 5 reasons however are the best advice I'd give.

La Mosca

This painting started out as a blotch of paint I made cleaning off my brush. I finished it this morning at midnight while packing up for the night. There. Is a series um working on so I end the night painting these skulls. Acrylic on black card stock. I am at the Del Mar races right now waiting for the rest of our party. This painting was a funny skull that happened to have a fly land on its head. It must've been a hot night.

Mando's Skeleton Art Store

I have opened my fine art store online in conjunction with Good Smiths.
Please share the link with art collectors & skeleton enthusiasts.
Bring some originality & life to your office and home decor.
My art is eerie-cheery-sassy-classy!
Each piece is one of a kind .
Please click the link below to shop.
Thank you & enjoy!
- Mando

https://www.goodsmiths.com/mando-s-skeleton-art

Nocturnal Baby

Nocturnal baby 
You shine as bright 
As the sun in the light 
Except, it is night 

Nocturnal baby 
My eyes grow faint 
But since you're awake, 
I'll stay up and paint 

poem by Mando Padilla 

acrylic on black, 65lb card stock

Buy this painting here ::
https://www.goodsmiths.com/mando-s-skeleton-art/nocturnal-baby?p=ae84bbfe662226282b2c8b64eadb0451

Skull Sketched Nap

This is based on a vision I had from a nap today.
A very quick & expressive piece, it was intended to capture the quickly fading vision.

Medium - crylic on paper. 

It is important to capture these moments of calm clarity. 

This skull was dreamed and created in a peaceful state. What i like about skeletons is their lack of ethnicity. this idea makes them universal. ethnicity may be suggested in their context however it still raises a silent question.

i encourage anyone to express their dreams. this was a one time only thing of course but it will inspire my subjects for sure. nothing in your life should ever be thrown away. even as you sleep.

Late Night Snack for Artists

This is my table where it all happens never sure when I will sleep knowing  the finished pieces never will even after I do.

Not much too it. Just a cluster of randomness in appearance but once behind it, things just start to happen.

Each brush and paint has its flaws which somehow unify to make a perfect flaw.

No matter what you have....it is all in the vision.

These visions are trickles of my past intertwined with the world where I truly belong.


I look at the messy table and then become one with it.


If my art brings you joy & laughter then I've accomplished my dream.

MP 2013 - & The Circus Leaves Town

Thank you all.
To be continued...

Neanderthal Professional

5" x 7" acrylic on canvas
Each with pink & white attire
From my funny "Modern Neanderthal" series. Characterized by the inverted "black heart" for the nose.
$30 each or all 3 for $80

Ending In A New Beginning ( Gallery's Last Day )

What I learned about the gallery was a lot about the people who attended. Sharing the visions & passion was surreal. I never got into art...its always just been a part of my existence. This collection accumulated over years of expression was never really intended for the public. To my surprise, my wife put it all together with a solid team of family & friends. I am beyond thankful towards & for her. Seeing the appreciation for the art gave me a strong surge of inspiration. It really is hard to keep up with it all. As the gallery comes to an end this Saturday I'm torn between sadness & excitement. Sad to let part of my collection go to new owners yet excited for the joy it will bring to them. To be appreciated at that level is beyond words. There are two sides to me
- The compassionate human
- That infinite artist
Living in this body is limiting to the spirit inside - like this enormous dragon in a little body. This is why I take care of it....to prolong my existence in order to share my freedom, joy & passion with everyone. That energy of open mindedness we all bonded over was worth it all. The conversations transcended beyond how we were taught to think. It is spiritually empowering
& liberating... a personal enlightening of our spirits that no book can ever teach.

What's in the future?
Because my ideas are coming out crazy fast, I have a great set of similar yet different art. It will all have those characteristics which appeared to get guests talking about certain pieces. My new direction will be like a "best of MP Exhibit" with totally new & fresh subjects. I will also do a limited run of a successful series with a twist so like I said...it is going to get good.

If anyone would like me to do a personal showing...contact me.

Otherwise....come down to the last exhibit date Saturday August 3rd from 2 - 4pm. Deals on the "Legill Alien" series & sculptures. Look...I want everyone to take something that they like home while I am still alive so - why not now? :o)

Meanwhile, I look forward ......

Animal Magnetism

16" x 20"
Acrylic on Canvas
The inspiration behind this was spiritual freedom.
This is a total one of a kind since I will now focus on a series of non-abstract art. I tend to allow these types to emerge like once a year on average since the "People of Mass" types of art.

Tio Rojo

Canvas board
5" x 7"
mixed media
Complete today
$70

"This character had me laughing so hard because I think its the funniest person I've ever done. The decorations are pieces of an old graveyard drawing from my archives. After putting it together, I realized it had a deep story. Can you see it?"

Re-Vamped Exhibit Wall

The "Legill Alien" series is now on display. This alter ego rearranged headlines into positive messages atop mixed media.
"Ice Cream Dreams" is now on display as well completed July 25, 2013.
Thank you to the visitors today who described the gallery work as "vibrant".

Decisions Pastel Z & X

2" x 4" on black canvas board signed & titled on back.
If interested in these limited pieces ( which will all be unique) please contact me.

This Saturday

From 11am - 12:15pm
Come say hi to me & Myles & grab some yummy art!

Wall of Shoes - Shoes or Storytellers?

These miniature shoes are hand sculpted and painted. They are made out of baked clay. They are finely detailed despite my fuzzy eyesight. Many of them depict mariachis and funny jalapeño scenes with hot skeleton women. 

Another depicts a baby in her grandmother's arms. 

Another is a wedding scene with wedding bells on the bottom.

 I felt that the bottoms should be painted so that art connesuers could enjoy every inch of these miniatures. The first one I ever did resembled an elf's shoe. 

I painted little candles along the side which quickly evolved into the theme of flames and jalapeños. 

Two of them depict pink jalapenos. 

The curve of the inside of the shoes have skulls. These were challenging to paint because you had to get the eye sockets and teeth in just the right spot because of the imperfect-wavy surface. I usually nailed it but if I didn't had to go back in carefully to correct it. On the later versions, I added a hole to the back of the shoe in case someone would like to use them as an ornament. 

I think the wedding one would make a great gift. My wife and I received a Dia De Los Muertos wedding box that we got tattooed onto each other. As an artist, I found it important to contribute the scene by taking it a step further by including the entire wedding party. You'll find symbolism throughout the piece "see the white dress in the photo above? That's it". 

There is also the finely detailed mariachi show "bottom shelf, back". I honestly didn't know what to do with that shoe which I'd painted a random pattern onto. Soon, one mariachi showed up and I just kept adding them. At one point I felt like I was spending way too much time on it but knew the end result would be worth every second because you can hear music just by looking at it. The soundless musical shoe. Imagine.

Each of these little shoes aren't only works of art, they are also story tellers. 

Golden Note Pink Guitars

Acrylic on black mini canvas 2" x 4" Titled on back in black acrylic paint.

Mini Lavender Decisions

Limited 2 acrylic paintings
2" x 4" on black canvas

Mini Pink Decisions

Limited run of four acrylic paintings
2" x 4" black canvas

Hanging With MP Exhibition Visitors

The vibe at the exhibition was totally inspiring. So many interesting guests I'm still absorbing it all.

The quote of tge evening comes from the artist who called my work "
Yummy!
"

Wall of MP Exhibit Guests

MP Exhibit 2013 opening reception was a great experience. Thank you all for choosing to hang out with me & all of the attendees. I found you all to be equally inspiring for future work.

Sneak Peak

Its almost 10pm. Here's a sneak peek at a new mixed media on 16" x 20" I just finished for Saturday. It contains pieces of the guitar strap i used in 
Meagan's Jar. 

MP Exhibit Flyer

MP Exhibit 2013
Opening Reception
Saturday July 13, 2013
5:30pm - 8:00pm
Escondido Arts Partnership Municipal Gallery
262 Grand Avenue
Escondido, CA 92025

What to expect:
* Earliest work "Meagan's Jar" Art
* "Current" Collage / Mixed Media
* Dia De Los Muertos Style Acrylic on Canvases
* Dia De Los Muertos Style Hand Sculpted & Painted Shoes
* Drawings "on black paper" from Mando's Personal Collection

If you like bright, bold colors on art with sometimes deep yet whimsical messages, this collection is for you.

Mando will be in attendance to answer all questions so feel free to approach him at any time during the reception.

MP Exhibit Birthday Party

This is a photo taken at my birthday party & gallery exhibit.