Under The Influence: HE-MAN

My latest painting, "EVIL," will be on display at Gallery1988LA's new exhibition, opening tonight -- UNDER THE INFLUENCE: HE-MAN & THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE! Dig the info in the press release below:

TONIGHT marks the opening a huge group show paying tribute to one of our favorite childhood cartoons and toy series of all time: He-Man and the Masters of the Universe!! Come see how 100 of your favorite artists have re-interpreted these cherished characters. ALSO... don't miss seeing the gallery transformed into Castle Grayskull!

We are also extremely pleased to announce that 15% of the Gallery profits from this show will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles.

The opening reception will be TONIGHT
Friday, January 8th from 7-10PM

Gallery1988 Los Angeles
7020 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 937-7088 / gallery1988@aol.com

"EVIL"

Low and behold, my first finished painting of the year -- "EVIL." Originally, I was gonna make a romanticized portrait of Prince Adam (He-Man) and Kringer, but this piece is much more in line with what excites me creatively, these days. Also, I'm tired of themed group gallery shows, and modern-cartoon pop art. So I figured I'd better do something I could really sink my teeth into that (hopefully) would stand out in a room chock full of art. With my fine art, I want to create images that are raw and emotive... energetic and enticing. I think I pulled it off, here. Now I just need to wait and see what the viewing public thinks of it.

I've got two more "Dangerous Women" paintings coming hot on the heels of this one! Stay tuned....

Up from the depths,
- King Gum Crosland

First New Painting of 2010

"Evil," pencil drawing on canvas

So I'm kicking off 2010 with a visual bang! I've been slugging it out with a couple self-written comic projects, making new freelance moves, and digging deeper into my latest series of "Dangerous Women" fine art pieces. In line with the latter, the above pic is the sealed pencil drawing for my first painting of 2010 -- "Evil."

The piece is a tribute to Evil-Lyn, and will be on exhibit at Gallery1988LA's "Under The Influence: He-Man & The Masters of the Universe," which opens Friday, January 8th. Evil-Lyn was always such a badass bitch on the He-Man cartoons, and even in the movie. I mean, remember that whole Dolph Lundgren whipping scene?! So I wanted to show her at her finest, rocking the mad witchcraft she's known for. I'm pulling lots of musical (and I guess visual) influence from Miles Davis' Bitches Brew. And I'm also feeling very inspired by the works of the American Impressionist, John Singer Sargent. Check the pic below, to see what I mean.

At this point, I've done the drawing in a soft pencil on a pre-stretched canvas. Then I've sealed it in with an acrylic matte medium. The sealing in is where the uber-fun begins, because that's where I start to build up my tones and shading.

Unfinished version of Madame Pierre Gautreau
by John Singer Sargent

I'll be posting more step-by-step shots of this throughout the week, so stay tuned.

Happy New Year!
- Dave Crosland aka King Gum