REFLECTIONS:
A Few Words From the Artist on The Digital Works
On Style:
As a freelance commercial artist and designer I've been designing, experimenting and creating for over 20 years. While my stay in Connecticut, I had the opportunity to attend numerous New York Art Expos and their seminars - to keep up with what’s new and distinctive - this is why I'm excited about the Jazz Series –Digital Art. I'm convinced they fall in this category.
I've used the airbrush for over twenty years and experimented by incorporating various mediums and techniques - always with the emphasis on originality, These computer works, for instance, are a combination of a high-tech digital painting using shadowing techniques learned while airbrushing which have resulted in a personal, distinctive, digital style. And, by purposely, maintaining a low resolution on these digital paintings, it served to give them a unique, jazzy, impressionistic feel that appealed to me as an artist.
The "Jazz" series are a compilation of sheik high, fashion figures, jazz musicians and other performers in nightclub settings. "I'm sure you'll agree - this style have never crossed your path."
On the Computer as an Art Medium:
When I first heard of computer graphic/art programs I was skeptical, because I felt an inanimate high-tech machine would stifle and limit one’s creativity, or have limitations. It seems, I was wrong on both accounts because, of course, no medium limits anyone's imagination, or, is limiting in itself. The bottom line is that if you enjoy the medium, the medium will work for you.
Because it was new and challenging, I enjoyed exploring this high-tech medium and learning to manipulate the various, programs’ tools, to achieve the desired lines, planes, colors nuances and textures to create these images.
All of these works started from scratch on a white screen, as opposed to manipulating imported digitized or scanned images. And, like the airbrush, which I have worked for over 20 years, it also suits my style, temperament and attitude. Although, neither the airbrush nor the computer are conventional mediums, and neither is it considered a viable art medium by common standards, I maintain that any medium can be used to create, and, if the artist enjoys it, that medium is "viable".
You will also notice that these prints are not smooth or refined, but maintain a stark, raw digital quality. This is because the printer on which the pieces were printed, was an old, HP PaintJet printer which only printed at 280 dpi, compared to today's laser-like quality printers. I especially liked this, because the low resolution print gives the images a surreal, impressionistic feel, that, I feel, compliments the works, and gives the overall work a brassy feel that complements the brassy, jazz theme. Overall, it presents a different look in art.
The Missing Link: This style of images, probably, could not be created with today's high-resolution software and printers. I, therefore consider them the missing link between the heavy pixilated art of the past - to today’s high definition and glossy ads and images seen in magazines, etc.
All the works seen here are original, and go back to 1991. Unfortunately I lost the original files of these works, because in January of 1993, I inadvertently erased the hard drive containing the files, and lost a few months worth of works including various sketches and ideas. Luckily, during the past couple of years, I had downloaded and saved hard copies of most of the files, which is you see here.
It's ironic that something that took a few months to create could be wiped away at the stroke of a key - in a techno-second. I think of the lost works being out in some kind of ‘techno-limbo’. After this loss, I shed some tears and learned a lesson –not to clean up a hard drive while drinking - sort of like - ‘Do not Drink and Clean your Drive’. After the tears I resolved that there was nothing left to do but go forward.
Conclusively, I feel these computer-generated illustrations/art are testament that passionate, sexy art can be created with an inanimate cold, lifeless machine, like the computer. For example, I think - "Piano Bar" or "Blowing in the wind" and "Light my Fire" are HOT pieces as one can feel the passion behind there creation!
More Relfections On the Themes of The Jazz series: You can see the respective images at http://www.gaticaart.com/Digi%20Art%20Samples%20PG1.htm. From here you can peruse the virtual gallery of Digital Art Deco.
A Few Words From the Artist on The Digital Works
On Style:
As a freelance commercial artist and designer I've been designing, experimenting and creating for over 20 years. While my stay in Connecticut, I had the opportunity to attend numerous New York Art Expos and their seminars - to keep up with what’s new and distinctive - this is why I'm excited about the Jazz Series –Digital Art. I'm convinced they fall in this category.
I've used the airbrush for over twenty years and experimented by incorporating various mediums and techniques - always with the emphasis on originality, These computer works, for instance, are a combination of a high-tech digital painting using shadowing techniques learned while airbrushing which have resulted in a personal, distinctive, digital style. And, by purposely, maintaining a low resolution on these digital paintings, it served to give them a unique, jazzy, impressionistic feel that appealed to me as an artist.
The "Jazz" series are a compilation of sheik high, fashion figures, jazz musicians and other performers in nightclub settings. "I'm sure you'll agree - this style have never crossed your path."
On the Computer as an Art Medium:
When I first heard of computer graphic/art programs I was skeptical, because I felt an inanimate high-tech machine would stifle and limit one’s creativity, or have limitations. It seems, I was wrong on both accounts because, of course, no medium limits anyone's imagination, or, is limiting in itself. The bottom line is that if you enjoy the medium, the medium will work for you.
Because it was new and challenging, I enjoyed exploring this high-tech medium and learning to manipulate the various, programs’ tools, to achieve the desired lines, planes, colors nuances and textures to create these images.
All of these works started from scratch on a white screen, as opposed to manipulating imported digitized or scanned images. And, like the airbrush, which I have worked for over 20 years, it also suits my style, temperament and attitude. Although, neither the airbrush nor the computer are conventional mediums, and neither is it considered a viable art medium by common standards, I maintain that any medium can be used to create, and, if the artist enjoys it, that medium is "viable".
You will also notice that these prints are not smooth or refined, but maintain a stark, raw digital quality. This is because the printer on which the pieces were printed, was an old, HP PaintJet printer which only printed at 280 dpi, compared to today's laser-like quality printers. I especially liked this, because the low resolution print gives the images a surreal, impressionistic feel, that, I feel, compliments the works, and gives the overall work a brassy feel that complements the brassy, jazz theme. Overall, it presents a different look in art.
The Missing Link: This style of images, probably, could not be created with today's high-resolution software and printers. I, therefore consider them the missing link between the heavy pixilated art of the past - to today’s high definition and glossy ads and images seen in magazines, etc.
All the works seen here are original, and go back to 1991. Unfortunately I lost the original files of these works, because in January of 1993, I inadvertently erased the hard drive containing the files, and lost a few months worth of works including various sketches and ideas. Luckily, during the past couple of years, I had downloaded and saved hard copies of most of the files, which is you see here.
It's ironic that something that took a few months to create could be wiped away at the stroke of a key - in a techno-second. I think of the lost works being out in some kind of ‘techno-limbo’. After this loss, I shed some tears and learned a lesson –not to clean up a hard drive while drinking - sort of like - ‘Do not Drink and Clean your Drive’. After the tears I resolved that there was nothing left to do but go forward.
Conclusively, I feel these computer-generated illustrations/art are testament that passionate, sexy art can be created with an inanimate cold, lifeless machine, like the computer. For example, I think - "Piano Bar" or "Blowing in the wind" and "Light my Fire" are HOT pieces as one can feel the passion behind there creation!
More Relfections On the Themes of The Jazz series: You can see the respective images at http://www.gaticaart.com/Digi%20Art%20Samples%20PG1.htm. From here you can peruse the virtual gallery of Digital Art Deco.
These Digital works of Art were created on an old Commodore Amiga 500 computer using the DigiPaint software, and printed on HP PaintJet printer.
"Solo Flight:" This illustration was created, while I lived in Connecticut. The poem, which was written a few months later, was written during the lonely times and periods of solitude and loneliness described in the poem. You will notice this theme recurring –because that is the life of artist - a lot of lonesome time is spent in the development and creation of ideas etc.
During periods of creation, as one submerges oneself into a state when one loses connection with the now, the mind takes off-wandering as it sorts thoughts and memories of family, close friends and lovers, future ambitions and lost opportunities. And even, for brief moments think dark thoughts where one even contemplates "suicide. The “Solo Flight” poem was written to convey this concept. It reflects my feelings of how our muses may, actually, save our lives, by carrying us over those dangerous periods of depression and loneliness into the light and safety of another day.
You will notice that most of these works reflect a music theme, more specifically, a jazz theme. I assume it is only because of my subconscious desire to have pursued a musical, jazz career - who knows? Or, maybe I have been affected by the lonely artist and musicians’ mystique, - just like every one else. One thing is for certain, during my time, I have listened to countless hours of music jazz, and rhythm and blues, it — has always been played in the background, in my studio as I created, and, is reflected on these works.
"A Woman's Place" is a tribute to my mother and all women. I think they are all beautiful and consider them fine art, and feel they belong in the galleries and museums of our hearts.
“Looking for a Gig" In this piece, I thought of the parallel between struggling musicians and artists, and their passion and tenacity, as they pursue their art. It seems, that we are always pursuing, knocking on new doors that may lead to the final major lifetime gig -you know the one - ‘the major record label producer, art publishers or investors that the will fund us, while we create’, allowing us to surpass the struggling starving artist syndrome - to end the struggle of being an artist. This is the idea behind "Looking for a Gig". This piece illustrates a musician in a dark lonely street about to open another metaphorical door, to another gig - hopefully his last.
“Wendy in New York” A typical scene in on a blustery day in The City. Just like “Frolicking in the Park” one can feel the wind and see the as it blows on the subjects. Even the colors reflect blustery day, I think.
"Frolicking in the Park" I must have been a happy mood the day this piece was created, so I took a stroll in the park via my imagination and the computer to create this piece. When I look at this piece I can feel the glare and warmth from the sun and the wind gently breezing though the sleeping willows and I can smell the freshly mowed green grass. It was especially enjoyable watching the dogs and the butterflies frolic as they entertained each other. This piece can also, be appropriately titled, "frolicking at the keyboards", because I had fun spontaneously, creating this one.
“Piano Bar” takes me back to a time when I used to work in a hotel in Phoenix. During breaks and when it was slow I used to go into the lounge where they had live musicians and I would watch the performance. My favorites were the female singers being accompanied by a pianist as they performed smooth R&B and jazzy tunes.
In Conclusion: The rest of the images are self-explanatory. They are just inspirations by artistic performers I have seen over the years. They are also exercises for drawing the human form, which has always been a favorite of mine. I also enjoyed manipulating the tools to create interesting colored shapes and forms. In most cases I did not necessarily start out with any particular thing in mind for a painting, I simply started creating color shapes on the screen and then as something interesting came about, I would then expound on it, and what you see here are the results.
I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed creating them.
Thank you for visiting...
Sincerely
Ray Gatica
You can see more similar art at www.GaticaArt.com. You can email us Ray@GaticaArt.com.
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