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.