sneak peek

What I've been up to these days:

Live for the Sake of Your Soul

Thank You, But No Thank You

Do Not Breathe in the Moon

(Untitled)

Recommended Reads
-Art as Medicine by Shaun McNiff (if you're into art therapy/psychotherapeutic philosophies)
-PostSecret by Frank Warren (if you need inspiration in life)

busy is the month of november

November's been an eventful month for me. Via conceptart.org, my portfolio was reviewed by Jon Foster and Carl Dobsky who are impeccable artists as well as critics. Many thanks to them and to Chris Lee who financed the tuition for my review. I owe you my soul, Chris.

This past weekend was the reception for three charity events:

Tata Gala in Sarasota, FL

Juxtapoz 15th Anniversary Auction in LA

ArtBox in LA

(photos coming soon)

Other than that, I've been indoors, sleeping till sunset then painting till sunrise - yes, I'm aware that it's cancerous to be nocturnal. But hey, it's getting me 200+ blog followers. Thanks everyone.

happy weenie day

I finished painting We Vomit Carcasses of Unattended Thoughts just yesterday. I guess you could say it's an allegorical representation of the phrase "spilling your guts out." 14"x20" acrylics and color pencils on Rives BFK paper. This, along with When Red Days..., will be sold at Aqua Art Miami.

Oh, and Happy-Weenie Day you all!

Final:

buy me

I've finally opened up a shop to sell some prints and originals (here). Only a couple of works (Our Flutter-some Ordeal and For the Lost and Unfound) are available for printing and currently no originals at the time, but do keep a wary eye. The sales are open to international shipping and can be made via email (mail@trannguyen.org). Prints of other works may be available through personal inquiries. All proceeds will go toward financing my relocation to California....good cause, no?

If Only There was Sulphur in Dreams is framed and ready to ship for the boobies exhibition. Hella yeah!

post - eden fair

Unfortunately, I didn't get to attend the Beyond Eden Art Fair (photos) and from what I hear, the turnout was extraordinary - over 6,000 spectators. Out of my three contributions, Our Flutter-some Ordeal was purchased by a very kind buyer whom I'm so grateful to, and the other two will be re-showcased at the ArtBox. The ArtBox is an art exhibition in which 25% of the benefits will go towards the Heal The Bay Foundation of southern California. It's scheduled on Nov. 13th (the day before the Tata Gala) at:

BOXeight studios
1446 E. Washington Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90021

The gallery space is absolutely phenomenal, kind of like some of the historical buildings here in Savannah.

Speaking of Savannah, Director Robert Redford has been filming The Conspirator, starring James McAvoy (Atonement), about a block from my apartment. I took this photo around 4am while coming home from work. Apparently, they closed off the square to shoot a climatic scene with the help of some epic lighting, artificial fog, and I think I saw a cow there too (random)? It'd be pretty nifty if I was able to shadow the production crew and see all the behind-the-scene, cinematic process...or meet James.

if only there was sulphur in dreams

This painting is probably the largest I've done this past year - 16"x20," acrylics and color pencils on Rives BFK. I think it took about the span of a week to finish.

If Only There was Sulphur in Dreams will be showcased at the Tata Gala exhibition in Sarasota, Florida, on November 14th. The event will be advocating breast cancer awareness, in which proceeds will go towards the Susan G. Komen Foundation. I'm hoping to be there in person but from the looks of things, I may miss out. But if you're in the Sarasota area, please come share the love for some amazing artists including Francis Vallejo, Erik Jones, Nathan Fox, and many more.

Final:

Aside from that, I've been invited by Thinkspace Gallery to partake in Aqua Art Miami in December. I'm especially looking forward to this since it's concurrent with Art Basel Miami Beach, and I'll hopefully have a chance to meet Joao Ruas, Nathan DeYoung, Scott Radke, and so on. I've also been invited to do a group show in New York with Giant Robot but that's still in its obscurity. I'll update as soon as it's confirmed.

Also, I watched Where the Wild Things Are the other day and it was like frolicking in a field of visual bliss...I felt damn awesome.

pre - eden fair

I'll be showcasing some of my newer paintings along side Thinkspace Gallery at the Beyond Eden Art Fair this weekend in Los Angeles, CA. The event will be held in the LA Municipal Gallery at Barnsdall Park, featuring works from other galleries (of course, Thinkspace) such as Nucleus, Copro, and many more. Some pre-show snapshots:

(photos courtesy of Thinkspace Gallery)

artist visit

I got to meet Automatic Art and Design's Charles Wilkins, a spunky, well-known graphic designer/illustrator.

when red days settle in blue hours

The following is When Red Days Settle in Blue Hours. 20" x 14" acrylic on Rives BFK paper. (I don't have my high res. camera and had to record with my phone's...which sucks)

Process:







Final:

doodle of the day

stolen bike

So if you're currently living in the Savannah-Chatham area and you happen to see the bike listed below (stock photo), a notification would be dearly appreciated. Though it's an inexpensive bicycle, there's a lot of sentimental value in it. I'm almost certain that retrieving it would be improbable but I figured I'd give it a try anyways.

Details:
Next 24" Boys' Power Climber Bike - Frame type: Mountain, Frame material: Steel, Suspension: Dual Suspension, Tires: 24" Black

back in savannah

I recently finished a commission for a client in France, who I have to overtly say was a pleasure to work with. If every one of my clientele were as cordial as she was, I think I'd have the best job ever...not that I don't already. Sorry for the bad quality in some of the photos.

Final:

I modified her tattoo design as well.

In other news, a collector generously bought my set of Frog Prince illustrations shown below. I do greatly appreciate his support.

And a friend notified me about the publication of my work in the 2009-10 SCAD catalog (special thanks to Professor Drummond for the recommendation).

juxtapoz charity event

This coming November 9-19th is the Juxtapoz 15th Anniversary Art Auction, which is a charity benefit presented by Upper Playground in collaboration with Power House Project of Detroit. It's an online art auction in which the proceeds will help renovate/purchase abandon houses in Detroit. I donated my "Furiae" painting for the event. Along with other contributors are Todd Schorr, David Choe, Sarah Joncas, Catherine Brooks, Jon English, Swoon, Clayton Brothers, James Jean (one of my favorites), and many more.

It's nice to know we can give back by doodling.

recess from savannah

So...I haven't been all that productive lately, hence, the lack of art updates. I'm back in my hometown (Augusta) for a family visit and left most of my supplies behind. After my recess, there will be a plethora of updates on new work now that I've just secured a solo show with Thinkspace Gallery for 2010.

For now, do enjoy these marvelous Magic: the Gathering cards, personally made by the ever-so amusing Matt.

busy-body

I've been quite the busy-body this past week - concluding my studies at SCAD, private commissions (crucial for paying rent), packaging work, solidifying my obscure post-graduation plans...

Also, I'm smothering myself with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows as well as revisiting Moon's Art and Soul: Reflections on an Artistic Psychology. Two exquisite doses for summer reading.

Earlier in the week, I had quite the scare. An unwary driver nearly sandwiched me during a bike ride into town. While my heart heavily pulsated, I managed to thrust myself forward by kicking off of her tire right before the tapering gap between her SUV and a parked car closed in. I was a tad bit irritated, but she fervently apologized which dismissed my anger.

On the brighter side, the dismantling of my dental armor has finally taken place *yippy*: