Alex Chiu the Artist.

"Paper Airplanes" Solo Show @ Flock Shop

2012-01-21T12:51:00.000-08:00

I will be having a solo show of my newest paintings at
FLOCK SHOP in Chinatown.

here is my show burb...

Description

ALEX CHIU will be showing his newest series of paintings
entitled "PAPER AIRPLANES"
These paintings explore the theme of staying young.

Opening Reception will be on SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11 from 7-10PM.
There will be complimentary beverages and cool stuff to see. Please join us!!!

FLOCK SHOP is a fun, friendly, and affordable art and gift boutique
in the heart of LA's Chinatown. It is open on weekends. Please visit!

943 North Broadway #103
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 229-9090

Stewie Ain't Impressed, Gallery 1988 X Adult Swim

2012-01-07T17:06:00.000-08:00

Stewie Ain't Impressed

Stewie Ain't Impressed

Series for an Adult Swim themed show at Gallery 1988,
opens January 13th, 2011

Judgement Tarot Painting

2012-01-02T10:38:00.000-08:00

This is my painting for the HIVE Gallery Tarot Card Show.

Show opens on Saturday, January 7th at the HIVE

I was given the "Judgement" card.

This is the original Rider-Waite Tarot Card version below.

FMLY FEST Installation at Chuco's, Inglewood

2011-12-26T16:16:00.000-08:00

Art Installation for FMLY FEST 2011 music festival

This will be on display at Chuco's Justice Center, Dec 30th

Creature Dolls, Screenprinted Plushies

2011-12-13T00:18:00.000-08:00

Screenprinted Plushies
Hand printed, sewn, and stuffed by me.
Even the tags are hand made.

Collab with Luke Ramsey

2011-12-03T17:39:00.001-08:00

Collaboration with one of my all time favorite artists, Luke Ramsey.
I believe he started this one in 2008.

I finished this a couple weeks ago.

http://lukeramseystudio.com

Colorful Critters

2011-11-24T13:38:00.001-08:00

Shoes

2011-11-18T09:21:00.001-08:00

Small Paintings

2011-11-05T14:11:00.000-07:00

small paintings for upcoming show

Works by Scott Aicher, Stephen Umana, & Alex Chiu

Thurs, Nov 10, 7-10PM @ Groundwork Coffee

108 West 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA.

$25 each, grab and go.

Show open through Nov/Dec.

L.A. Zine Fest Poster Image

2011-10-28T23:10:00.001-07:00

http://lazinefest.com

Cosmic Cat

2011-10-27T18:27:00.000-07:00

Commissioned painting for

Ghost and Flower

Recent Collaborations... Theo Ellsworth, Jose Angeles, and Shalo P

2011-10-18T21:32:00.000-07:00

Collaborations with Theo Ellsworth...

collaborations with Jose Angeles and Shalo P....

Grass Hut Gallery, Alex Chiu and Itokin Park Show

2011-10-18T21:21:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos from my latest show at the Grass Hut Gallery in Portland.

I had a split show with Japanese toy maker Itokin Park.

check out the photos....

This is Bwana Spoons. He is the owner of Grass Hut and one kick ass painter, cartoonist,
and toy maker as well. It was a huge honor to have a show there.

If you are interested, there are still more of my paintings for sale.

you can purchase a painting HERE.

Eyeball Burp at APE, 2011

2011-10-18T21:05:00.000-07:00

Eyeball Burp had a table at the Alternative Press Expo 2011 for the first time!

It was balls of fun.

We premiered our newest issue of Eyeball Burp, Issue 6!

Full color with screen-printed covers.

We had the honor of sharing a table with the amazing
Yumi Sakugawa!
Check out her awesome comics....

Epicenter 2011 Flag Installation

2011-10-18T20:49:00.000-07:00

During the month of Sept, I hand printed, sewed, and installed grommets in 300 flags

for an installation at the Verizon Amphitheater for the Epicenter Rock Festival 2011.

These are some photos from the flag installation process and some photos from the day

of the festival....

Video on Me by JSalvador

2011-10-13T09:13:00.001-07:00

Face

2011-10-13T00:03:00.000-07:00

How to Buy my Paintings

2011-10-11T00:15:00.000-07:00

If you are interested in the small paintings from my recent show
or even some of my larger paintings...

you can purchase them on Grass Hut's website.

here is a LINK to their online shop or click on the image above

Please support my friends at Grass Hut in Portland and spread the word!!!

Small Paintings for Grasshut Show

2011-09-30T12:19:00.000-07:00

Grass Hut Interview

2011-09-25T23:26:00.000-07:00

I had an interview with Grass Hut Gallery to promote my show with Itokin Park in October.

Reception is on October 6th from 6-9PM.

read the interview HERE or click on the image above..

Lightening Bolt Brains 12ft Sculpture Animated GIF

2011-09-24T09:34:00.000-07:00

12 ft Wooden Monster Scuplture, Process, Epicenter 2011 Installation

2011-09-24T09:19:00.000-07:00

Flag Making

2011-09-15T18:31:00.000-07:00

Crew Salon @ the LAB, Costa Mesa

2011-09-09T20:55:00.000-07:00

I am currently showing three large paintings at

Crew Salon

2930 Bristol St.

Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Crew Salon is located at the LAB in Costa Mesa.

The space is beautiful with a ton of wall space.

They already had some amazing artwork hanging from local artists.

These of my two newest paintings. 4ft X 4ft.

My Collaborative Piece with Daisuke Okamoto

I'm excited to be making larger paintings.

JangoJim and Alex Chiu Collaboration

2011-09-09T00:41:00.000-07:00

Read A Book Partcards Available!!!

2011-08-30T20:22:00.000-07:00

made by

EYEBALL BURP!!!

Lightening Bolt Eyes

2011-08-30T00:09:00.000-07:00

Put On the Glasses, Web Design Website

2011-08-27T14:50:00.000-07:00

I drew a few black and white designs for my friends' website. The website launched today.

If you are looking to design a kick ass website, check out what they have to offer.

http://www.putontheglasses.com

man and his bunny

2011-08-27T10:44:00.000-07:00

loopy loops

2011-08-27T00:43:00.000-07:00

I see Diamonds

2011-08-26T08:24:00.000-07:00

barbarians!!!

2011-08-22T22:05:00.000-07:00

Barbarian Swords

2011-08-21T21:23:00.000-07:00

Power Head Painting

2011-08-20T22:19:00.000-07:00

horned beast

2011-08-15T00:15:00.001-07:00

head

2011-08-14T06:06:00.000-07:00

Eyeball Burp Collaboration

2011-08-07T10:50:00.000-07:00

Collaboration with Daisuke Okamoto

2011-08-07T10:30:00.000-07:00

Mini Method Designs

2011-07-31T00:34:00.000-07:00

these are some designs I made for Baby Onesies and Kid's Apparel for

Black Thread Method

Put on the Glasses, Website Concept Design

2011-07-28T10:08:00.000-07:00

Theater MAB, Entrance of Illusions

2011-07-26T00:52:00.000-07:00

Eyeball Burp was asked to decorate an entrance way for a theater group called Theater Mab

that hosts experimental performance nights called MAB Nights.

We created a fabric installation called the Entrance of Illusions.

The installation we created consists of several bed sheets that A'misa and I hand painted.

My studio walls still have the residue of the painting process.

These huge sheets really transform a space in a big way.

I'm happy how they came out.

They make for interesting set design I would say.

The opening night of MAB Nights was amazing!
It can be described as an experimental type of theater experience.
The theater group performs a number of short plays in different parts of the room.
They literally ask for the audience to rotate their chairs after each performance.

Please come out for the second performance.

MONDAY, AUGUST 1st | 8:30PM | $5

The Church at Ocean Park

235 Hill St., Santa Monica, CA 90405

Chain Letter, Shoshana Wayne Gallery

2011-07-25T00:48:00.000-07:00

A'misa and I were both invited to participate in the Chain Letter Show at Shoshana Wayne Gallery in Bergamot Station in Santa Monica

The concept was interesting. Each artist invited to show is then responsible to invite 10 more artists to participate in the show. Over time, I'm sure that Thousands of artists must have been invited to participate.

The line was pretty long to submit artwork. A'misa and I must have waited in line for almost 3 hours.

This is a piece I saw while in line.

The show was rather amazing to witness. I was really impressed by the overwhelming feeling of it all.

This is A'misa's piece.

This is mine.

Here are more photos from the show....

You can read more about Chain Letter at

http://shoshanawayne.com

Onesies

2011-07-22T01:27:00.000-07:00

The Mission Restaurant, Mission Beach, San Diego

2011-07-19T12:40:00.000-07:00

I recently set up a full art installation at THE MISSION restaurant in the Mission Beach location, San Diego.

The show will run between July 19 through August 28 during the month of Comic Con.

Here's a preview of the installation...

my original paintings will be priced super low and are available for purchase through the restaurant.

Rad Robot will be there.

Come check out the show and eat some breakfast.

Jody and Dave, the District and Store Managers of the Mission Restaurant.

For more information about THE MISSION restaurants, please visit

HTTP://THEMISSIONSD.COM

Kimmy's New Shoes

2011-07-15T17:27:00.001-07:00

War Scene Skateboard

2011-07-14T09:28:00.000-07:00

The Lazer Eye Gang Skateboard

2011-07-12T02:20:00.000-07:00

Hive Gallery, Urban Masters Show

2011-07-10T03:11:00.000-07:00

Hive Gallery, Urban Masters Installation

2011-07-09T12:20:00.000-07:00

Giant Rainbow Paper Mache Head

2011-07-06T22:44:00.000-07:00

Wooden Sculpture Characters in Progress

2011-06-29T21:19:00.000-07:00

White Sheets

2011-06-28T16:40:00.000-07:00

I've been drawing on Large White Sheets recently so that I can

transport these large drawings easily and staple them anywhere I go.

Sheet 1

photo of details...

Sheet 2

details...

Read A Book

2011-06-26T19:35:00.000-07:00

Hot Garbage!

2011-06-22T23:27:00.000-07:00

Live Art @ Five Star Bar

2011-06-21T22:20:00.000-07:00

Photos taken by Chance Road

www.chanceroad.com

Thank you Dominique Lopez for making the event happen!

Urban Masters @ the HIVE

2011-06-17T02:35:00.000-07:00

Mark you calendars!!!

The Seed

2011-06-16T10:41:00.000-07:00

Lazer Head Painting

2011-06-08T09:19:00.000-07:00

Rainbow Paintings

2011-06-03T10:03:00.000-07:00

NOVUM, Art For All

2011-06-01T11:01:00.000-07:00

7pm Saturday 6/18/11
Avenue 50 Studio
131 N. Avenue 50
Highland Park, LA, CA

Featuring:
Evelyn Serrano
Elizabeth Chin
Alex and A’misa Chiu

Evelyn Serrano is a Cuban interdisciplinary artist, educator, independent curator, community organizer, and mother currently living in Los Angeles County, California. Serrano obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in Baltimore and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the California Institute of the Arts, School of Art, in Valencia, California. Prior to that, she studied visual arts, design, art theory, epistemology, and literature in Havana, Montevideo, and Miami. She has exhibited her work in many solo and group exhibitions nationally and internationally. In addition, she is honored to have worked with talented artists, choreographers, writers and performers in many exhibitions, projects and art events she has organized and curated throughout the United States as well as in Montevideo, Tel Aviv, Tijuana, and La Habana. Serrano currently teaches at the CalArts School of Theater, and has lectured and led workshops at the New World School of the Arts in Miami, the CEART in Mexicali, the Center for the Arts in Eagle Rock, the University of Texas in Dallas, and the Instituto Superior de Diseño Industrial in La Habana. She is the founder of NOMAD LAB, a laboratory of pedagogy, the arts and social change in the heart of Valle del Oro, Newhall. Her work is focused on context-specific practices that advance the impact of the arts as a tool for social change.

Evelyn will talk about NOMAD LAB, a laboratory of creativity, collaboration and community for youth and their families, located in the heart of the Valle del Oro neighborhood in Newhall, Santa Clarita. NOMAD LAB designs and implements free inclusive arts, capacity building and leadership programs to address the rise in criminal activity in the neighborhood, and to offer a safe forum for dialogue, learning and community engagement. NOMAD LAB’s multigenerational and multi-locational programming makes use of vacant apartments available in the community. It moves to different locations throughout the neighborhood as the apartments it occupies become rented, hence the “nomadic” nature of its programs. NOMAD LAB is a truly collaborative project that relies on the passion, commitment and strong partnerships with community youth, parents, teaching artists, property managers, policy makers, and City staff. Through its inclusive and innovative pedagogical approach and community-based programs, NOMAD LAB aims to be a laboratory for “home-grown” change. Beyond its impact in the Valle del Oro community, NOMAD LAB plans to continue to work closely with policy makers, City staff, community organizers, and educators to design neighborhood-specific inclusive and integrated alternatives to traditional gang-suppression and graffiti abatement strategies. NOMAD LAB is committed to developing a community organizing and engagement model that can be successfully replicated and implemented in other low and moderate-income rental communities in Los Angeles County dealing with issues of neighborhood violence and intolerance.

Elizabeth Chin is an anthropologist whose work has focused on race and inequality, children and childhood, and dance. Her book Purchasing Power (U. of MInessota Press 2001) was a finalist for the C. Wright MIlls prize. She has taught at Occidental College since 1993 and in the fall will join the faculty of the Media Design Matters program at Art Center College of Design.

Elizabeth will present Katherine Dunham’s Magnetic Circle which explores the work and legacy of Katherine Dunham, who was a pioneering dancer and anthropologist. This performative presentation explores the technique that Dunham developed, examining its ethnographic basis in Haitian vodou practices and principles, and in the process argues that Dunham’s intervention in the dance studio was radical for its challenge to the elite, racist practices ingrained in the world of concert dance in her time.

Alex and A’misa Chiu are the publishers and editors of Eyeball Burp Press. Alex is an illustrator who has built a reputation for himself in the underground art and comics community. He creates stream of conciousness drawings. A’misa is an artist who is exploring subconsciousness and the role of dreams through collage and writing. Through Eyeball Burp, they build, experiment, and collaborate with fellow artists, musicians and thinkers, in an attempt to create new ways of expression & community.

Alex and A’misa will talk about their personal experiences within art communities (what works, what doesn’t, and the importance of like-minded people). They will touch upon do-it-yourself education (alternative schooling), throwing events beyond trying to make a buck (transforming spaces and engaging people), trends in the artworld (honing in on the zine and doodle movement), and the importance of publishing and blogging.

ART FOR ALL| STROPHE

Forest Friend

2011-05-26T01:50:00.000-07:00

Eating Fruit

2011-05-26T00:30:00.001-07:00

Saatchi Online Magazine Interview

2011-05-25T18:15:00.000-07:00

I was recently interviewed for Saatchi Online's Magazine.
Click HERE or the image above for the interview.

G40 Video

2011-05-25T10:24:00.000-07:00

Here's a video walk through of the G40 show in DC.

Find out more at http://artwhino.com/2011g40

I managed to catch a glimpse of my Laser Cat board in it.

sweet.

The Dronetones Tour Poster 2011

2011-05-22T10:14:00.000-07:00

THE DRONETONES

Commissioned Drawing of Los Angeles

2011-05-21T17:34:00.000-07:00

I was commissioned by the product/project manager of Saatchi Online
to make an enormous drawing of a Los Angeles cityscape.

I've documented the drawing process of the commission.

Here are some photos from beginning to end.

Used some of David Choe's cityscapes for reference.

Day 1

The commission included 14 portaits of his friends and major landmarks of LA.

Day 2

Day 3

Final drawing image.

Pork Magazine, Issue 1

2011-05-19T13:34:00.000-07:00

I was featured a couple months back in the first issue of PORK Magazine!

I had the honor of being featured in the "Art War" section.

I wrote an essay about doodling and cartooning.

The guy who produces the magazine is an amazing cartoonist and comics artist.

His name is Sean Aaberg and goes by Goblinko.

The magazine is AWESOME!

Full of esoteric artwork, comics, kitsch, smut, punk rock, and other cool stuff.

and it's FREE!

sexy.

This was my favorite.

pineapple pants.

classic.

Pick up and issue if you see one!

Based out of Eugene, Oregon.

visit

HTTP://INTERNETPORK.COM!!!

Yoji, Live Art @ Club Circus

2011-05-16T23:00:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I did Live Art at Club Circus in Hollywood. Here are some photos...

my live are setup.

me.

John Park

Jinx

Daisuke Okamoto.

Yuki Miyazaki

Radhika Hersey

JNGL

The Dronetones, Oakland Roadtrip

2011-05-13T12:09:00.000-07:00

I went on a roadtrip to Oakland with the Dronetones last weekend.

This is everyone except Joel who was taking the picture.

Let me introduce the crew....

Brian Generik on the left

Scotty Oinker

myself, Alex Chiu

ARTOO

Joel Kaneshiro

and General Lee Williams

STU aka Garfield the cat

The core of the Dronetones is Lee and Artoo, a bad ass couple of dudes.

We droned on the side of the road a bit. it was fun.

We stayed at an amazing house in Oakland, home of the band Saything.
These are a couple of robot sculptures that they owned.

We visited this landmark called the Albany Landfill.
It is this amazing concrete sculpture garden.
This is the castle.

The artist Swampy made an enormous painting near the castle.

I painted next to him.

Rad.

The landfill is covered with art. Check out these installations....

That night we set up to play a set at The Space Station Art Compound.

This is Lee with the Wiggles Guitar.

We hooked the thing up to a loop pedal and a massive bass amp.

We made it sound evil.

The night was called The American Dream and featured music, food, and movies.
Check out the film It Felt Like a Kiss. This pretty interesting.

Good times. I hope we can do it again soon.

Thank you DRONETONES!

Check out the music!!!

Zine Fiend @ Bookmachine

2011-05-12T00:51:00.000-07:00

Zine Fiend opened at Bookmachine on May 6th.

Here are some photos from the event....

thumbs up to the huge Xerox prints.

photo prints by Olivia Jaffe and Chris Hanke

Bookmachine Shirts by Jesse La Tour

Group Poop and Eyeball Burp!

Jackalope Zine!

We filled a full shelf with our zines and books!

artwork by Jesse La Tour

Bookmachine Store Front

Live reading by Jesse La Tour

A'misa Chiu

Narinda Heng

and Janice Lee

even my mom came.

Eyeball Burp crew with Sylvia Masuda (middle)

Lazer Cats Skateboard

2011-05-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

I asked my wife what I should paint on a skateboard.
See told me to paint cats shooting lasers out of their eyes.
Thus, LASER CATS were born.

This board will be on display at ART WHINO's G40 Exhibit in Washington DC.

Check it out if you're in the area!

Rubber Duckie Zine

2011-05-05T02:36:00.000-07:00

I self-published a new

FULL COLOR zine called

RUBBER DUCKIE!!!

if you are interested they are $5 + shipping

It's official release will be at the

Zine Fiend Show

at BOOKMACHINE

223 W. Santa Fe

Fullerton, CA

Friday, May 6th 5PM - 11PM

Readings will start at 6PM

variant covers!!!

logmen

2011-04-29T01:17:00.000-07:00

flight

2011-04-28T01:50:00.000-07:00

spiritual truth

2011-04-28T01:45:00.000-07:00

MEATBALL

2011-04-27T00:42:00.000-07:00

A Tangled Mess

2011-04-26T00:09:00.000-07:00

Indoor Mural @ Bell Park, Preliminary Drawings

2011-04-26T00:05:00.000-07:00

Here is a preview of a mural project that I will be in charge of at Bell Park in Gardena, CA.

The painting day will be on Saturday, May 14th.

The public is welcome to participate. It will be a paint by numbers sort of deal.

I will keep you posted if you are interested in helping.

contemplate your soul

2011-04-24T23:29:00.000-07:00

Hellish

2011-04-22T03:37:00.000-07:00

140 by Nathaniel Osollo

2011-04-19T23:37:00.000-07:00

My friend Nathaniel Osollo recently self-published a new comic....

Issue 3 of 140

the concept of the comic is that all the dialog in the book is

compiled through submissions he receives from Twitter.

I contributed a pin-up for the back of the comic.
Great work Nathaniel! Check out more of his work at
http://www.coroflot.com/eyedraugh
and check out his comics at
http://www.issuu.com/eyedraugh

Broken Board

2011-04-16T23:49:00.000-07:00

broken skateboard painting for

Venice Clinic Skate Benefit Show
May 20 @ Track 16 at Bergamot Station
2525 Michigan Avenue, Bldg C-1, Santa Monica

http://theveniceartwalk.org/art-walk-skate-surf

Hive Gallery Bathroom Mural

2011-04-13T23:35:00.000-07:00

I stayed over at the Hive Gallery for a few days and painted their bathroom.

Here's how it turned out.

Spiral God Head

2011-04-07T01:11:00.000-07:00

Learning to make things move.

Monkey Punk Russian Nesting Dolls

2011-03-31T12:42:00.000-07:00

Line and Pixel Visuals @ Area 33, Culver City

2011-03-28T01:15:00.000-07:00

Grey Hash and I did some Line and Pixel live visuals
at Area 33 in Culver City.

The space is amazing. has that Burning Man feel.

This is Grey setting up his Alchemy visuals.

We had a set up where we used both and overhead projector and digital motion graphics at the same time.

With the two visuals combined, it looked like this.

We used clear transparency images and colored water and oil to create some analog visuals.

Grey saw some samples of this at a live show before. not entirely our idea...

Omar Mohsin joined in on the fun as well.

So did this girl.

For more of our Line and Pixel artwork, check out

http://lineandpixel.blogspot.com

Honey Monster from the Fire Lands

2011-03-25T17:28:00.000-07:00

Line and Pixel / Holy Mountain

2011-03-22T23:45:00.000-07:00

http://lineandpixel.blogspot.com

Googly Eyes

2011-03-22T01:06:00.000-07:00

might use this for a painting. not sure yet.

Rubber Duckie!!!

2011-03-17T01:00:00.000-07:00

Jackalope IV Zine Release Party

2011-03-16T01:21:00.000-07:00

I had a blast at the Jackalope IV zine release show at the MIME.

here are some photos from the night...

Jackalope IV Zine is available for sale on their website.

http://www.jackalopezine.com

buy a copy and support the cause.

help make it so that we can do more art, music, events, and other cool stuff.

Jackalope IV preview and L.A. Art Walk

2011-03-11T14:48:00.000-08:00

I had a long and interesting day yesterday. here's what I did...

Went to the MIME in LA and set up for the Jackalope IV show.
That's Chris Hanke on the ladder, the guy to publishes the zine and is organizing the show.
That painting in top left of the photo is rad.

This is my installation in the corner.

My friend Lefty Joe Torres also invited me to do some live art at the LA Art Walk.

After that, Ann and I grabbed a late night meal at the Stray Cat Cafe.

I went to visit some of my friends at the Hive.

This is my friend Tom McDermott.
We do a couple of collaborative projects together including inLimen and Line and Pixel.
He is currently a resident artist at the Hive

We sat and drew with Dominique Lopez, Alex Schaefer, and Jim Snow who is not in the photo.

Dominique drew Tom as a zombie

how's the resemblence?

She proceeded to draw us all as zombies.

This is Dominique's painting.

This is Tom's painting.

This is a woman doing a puppet show.

This is a puppet.

Interview by Cody Allen, March 2011

2011-03-07T11:52:00.000-08:00

I was interviewed by a friend of mine, Cody Allen, for a public speaking class at the Art Institute of Orange County. He's a student of Graphic Design. This is probably the most comprehensive interview I've ever done. Here's more information about myself than you probably ever wanted to know.....

Cody Allen interview, March 2011

What got you started with art and how did you decide to do it as a career?

I’ve been drawing my whole life. Like many artists say, I started drawing and coloring like everyone else as a young child, I just never stopped. The notion of being an artist as a career is an interesting concept to me. In retrospect I think my decision to become a professional artist came from youthful fantasy and naivety. However, without that naivety, I don’t think I would have even tried. I’m glad I chose to live an impossible lifestyle. It made my life more interesting.

About 5 years ago, I had this crazy idea that I was going to be a graffiti artist for a living. It was probably due to all the media attention that graffiti art was getting at the moment. Two years into that fantasy, I realized that graffiti artist wasn’t the best occupation when I was sent to court with 6 counts of vandalism on me.

Graffiti did however teach me about the power of images and the idea of propaganda. In the short period of time that I claimed to be a graffiti artist, I had legitimately established a certain level of fame and recognition. The experiment was to draw small characters on every bus stop or bench in a college campus. After only a few months of doing this, everyone on campus could recognize my characters to the point where people were posting the characters as profile pictures on Facebook. It was fun and exciting to me.

My early experiences in graffiti gave me the confidence and evidence to believe that I had the power to affect people through my artwork. It was this that probably encouraged me to take art more seriously and pursue more legitimate forms of art making.

How did you get to the position in the art world that you maintain today as far as getting your name out there?

I continued to pursue art in a more legitimate fashion in college by hosting art exhibitions through the UCSD student galleries. I also did a number of t-shirt designs and flyers whenever people needed artwork. When I had graduated, I was fortunate enough to land a publishing deal with Billy Martinez of Neko Press Comics. I published the book Chocolate Milk and Doughnut Doodles in 2007. This was a blessing to me and jumpstarted my career as a cartoonist in a big way. Billy invited me to promote my new book at the Wonder-Con in San Francisco and later the San Diego Comic-Con. Though these experiences I was exposed to a large portion of the cartooning and comics scene in the west coast.

Since then, I would say that I jumped at every opportunity that was given to me that had anything to do with art at all. I claimed many different titles as an artist. I marketed myself as a live painter, a fine artist, a graffiti muralist, a comic book artist, an art teacher, and a graphic designer. I really had no idea how to do most of these things, but I learned as I went. I’ve come to think that is may be the only way an artist can survive now a day, but that is only my opinion.

Through the hustle I was able to hone my craft and make a name for myself. If you check my artist history, I’ve probably done over 100 shows and been published in over 50 magazines and art publications in the past 4-5 years. The internet helped a lot too. Despite what people might say now, MySpace was a huge deal for me as a new artist. I got a ton of shows and opportunities through that network. As time went on I was given better opportunities and better compensation. Life still isn’t easy, but I’ve become far more comfortable in what I do.

Who are your personal inspirations and favorite artists?

Over the past few years, I’ve been inspired by a growing drawing and cartooning movement. It has yet to be adequately definitely in my opinion, but it is something that I have been following and participating in for the past 5 years or so. I would describe it as having its origin in comics and art zine culture. The drawings appear to be stream of consciousness, pattern based, psychedelic, cartoon cluster images. I call it the doodles art movement, but I’m sure it will acquire a better name in due time. A few of the artists who seem to define this movement include Luke Ramsey, Marc Bell, Michael Deforge, Shobo Shobo, and Paper Rad.

Yesterday I watched the movie the Social Network. I’ve been inspired by Mark Zuckerberg and the whole Facebook phenomena. Other things that inspire me include films by Alexandro Jodorowsky, music by David Bazan, Lewis Carol, Shel Silverstein, Salvador Dali, Super Mario Brothers, Burning Man, circuit bending, the internet, and Cirque Du Soleil.

What kind of physical environment do you find suitable for when you are producing your work?

I usually work wherever and with whatever I can get. The best space I’ve ever had access to was a two car garage that I converted into an art studio and gallery space. This space was great for working on large scale pieces. At the moment, I’m converting a shed space into my new studio. It’s about 18ft deep, 4 ½ ft wide. I finished insulating it and I’m currently dry walling it. I can draw anywhere though. I used to draw for hours on buses, trains, coffee shops, donut shops, whatever.

What is your favorite medium(s) and surface to create it on?

I prefer painting on wood rather than canvas. Wood panels are sturdier and allow for rougher styles of mixed media work, including techniques such as carving, nailing, collage, and toner transfer. Lately I have been using enamel house paint rather than acrylics. I’ve also started playing around with my jigsaw and have created some interesting wood sculptural pieces.

What is the most controversial thing you have done or been hired to do as an art piece?

I once painted a piece called Naked Dance Party. It consisted of a bunch of rainbow colored naked cartoon characters with flapping penises and boobs. They were dancing. It was for a Christian organization. The theme was race and multi-cultural acceptance. I’m not anti-Christian or anything. I really thought the painting worked for the theme. They made me redo it.

How was it designing and working with Hurley and Volcom? and what was your creative process behind the designs you came up with for them?

I worked with Volcom first. I only sold them one design, so I didn’t get very involved with that particular company. They chose a piece that I’d already done from an art zine that I had published. I then reworked the pieces so that the logo would be in the design.

A promotion company found out about me later and interviewed me for Hurley’s website. Hurley did the same with me and chose three designs that I had previously done. Since then I’ve worked on three custom designs for them. I’ve participated in an art show for Hurley as well called the “Anti-Canvas Art Show” in Honolulu, Hawaii.

There’s isn’t much of a creative process for coming up with custom designs. It’s more about giving them what you know they want. For the most part, I think companies want what you are already creating at the moment. You don’t want to stray too much from your established style.

How did you come about developing your style of drawing/art?

I started seeing certain types of these stream of consciousness psychedelic illustrations in art books and illustration magazines. Over time I began to recognize artists such as Luke Ramsey, Marc Bell, Peter Thompson, Ron Rege Jr., and Paper Rad. This came at a time when I became frustrated with spending days on well rendered acrylic paintings. I soon began to “doodle” obsessively. I drew 3-5 drawings a day on 6inX8in drawings paper and started giving them away. I probably drew and gave away over 100 of these drawings. This obsessive drawing helped me establish a visual vocabulary of characters, fonts, patterns, and themes. I am now able to apply these patterns and themes to more refined and well rendered pieces.

What kind of music (if any) do you listen to while creating art?

I typically listen to whatever I have access to. For a while I lived with a DJ who would burn playlists for me to listen to. He was into Dub-step music, Anticon Records, and Animal Collective. I also tend to listen to the music that my friends make. I know a lot of musicians and tend to listen to their music a lot; a rapper named ARTOO, Left in Company, Old Man Hands, Telepathik Friend, Denizen Kane, Mista Cookie Jar, the Drone Tones. I also listen to independent radio. In LA I listen to a lot of KXLU, 88.9FM. In OC I listen to KUCI.

What is one goal with your art that you aim to accomplish in the future?

I want my food, clothes, and shelter to come from the art that I create. I want to know that my art is what keeps me alive. I guess I've been doing this for a while now with part time jobs here and there, but I want to develop a system that makes this process a bit more sustainable. I also want to be exposed to artwork that no one has ever seen and I want to meet the artists that create that stuff. I guess these are two goals, but I think they are both important to me.

And lastly, what would be your words of advice to someone such as myself just starting out in the art world?

You need to realize that creating art is what you should always be doing. Don’t get caught up in networking, self-image, schmoozing, or politics of the art world. Just produce artwork and continue to do it. The only way that you can hurt yourself as an artist is to not create new artwork. Keep producing until the canvases are piled to the roof, then set them free to the world and start over.

Recent "Doodle With Me" Collabs

2011-03-07T01:56:00.000-08:00

A'misa Chiu and Alex Chiu

"Taffy Colored Clouds" group collab.

check out more collaborations at
http://doodlewithme.blogspot.com

Cuatro Dias Wine Tasting

2011-03-06T00:01:00.000-08:00

Today Ann and I went to a place in Torrance called Winestyles.

My friend Greg Allen was hosting a wine tasting for his Cuatro Dias wine company.

He gave me a couple bottles of the Syrah that I designed labels for.

I was super excited to see the final product.

The wine tastes delicious as well.

Peek-A-Boo Party at UCSD

2011-02-28T22:37:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, I hung my Peek-A-Boo Party exhibit

down at the UCSD Price Center Theater Lobby.

The official opening will be on March 3rd, but the show is already up to see.
the closing reception is postponed!

I will keep you posted on the details!

My friend ARTOO hung out with me, as shown above.

Here are some preview photos of the show...

Peek-A-Boo Party Wood Sculptures

2011-02-25T02:32:00.000-08:00

Check out my wooden sculpture pieces that I'm working on for my solo show at UCSD, Peek-A-Boo Party.

PORK Magazine interview

2011-02-23T02:42:00.000-08:00

Artist Sean Aaberg asked me to be a part of a new publication called PORK MAGAZINE.

Here's the interview I did....

I saw drawing "coming back" in the early 2000s, when Japanese art & design magazines started featuring drawings in their pages, since then, it feels like the lower echelons of the fine art world have accepted drawing as an acceptable medium. Still, the broader public has a certain weird attitude toward drawing, insisting on calling finished pieces "sketches", always seeing painting as the highest level of the tiered art system, etc. Then, add on the style of drawing which might be along the lines of Heta Uma (Bad Good) or the Manic Doodling style & people have an even harder time seeing the work as "serious" or "relevant", when I feel that this work is some of the only work worth looking at out there. Are they just old & out-dated? Can we convince the public that we are right? What do you think?

Islands Fold was the first publishing company to introduce me to this new culture of psychedelic, stream of consciousness, pattern based, cartoon cluster drawings. The tumor-like doodles were incredibly inspiring to me. They filled pages like cancer and I loved it. The first artists that I noticed producing this type of work included Luke Ramsey, Andy Rementer, Marc Bell, Peter Taylor, Peter Thompson, A J Purdy, Ron Rege Jr., and Michael Deforge. Today, I’ve noticed hundreds of artists producing similar types of work, some of which are gaining a lot of popularity.

I’ve been producing my own style of black and white ink drawings for about five years now. In 2007, Neko Press Comics helped me publish a book of “doodles” entitled Chocolate Milk and Doughnut Doodles. The following year, I exhibited my drawings in a number of art shows and sold my books at various comic book conventions and tabling events. I have to admit that my career as a professional doodler was and still is a tough one. For the most part, the general public perceives my book as a children’s coloring book. I would also agree that most people are not willing to accept black and white ink drawings as finished art pieces. Over the years, I’ve had to develop different techniques of incorporating my drawings onto painted surfaces in order to find acceptance in the gallery world.

However, I am not discouraged by my past experiences and still see the drawing and doodling world as gaining momentum and popular appeal. As I learn more about the genre of art that I create, the more I realize that there is indeed a history and cultural significance to it all. I would say that the movement is very much inspired by figures like Keith Haring, Philip Guston, and Robert Crumb. I personally give a lot of credit to the artists Marc Bell, Luke Ramsey, and the group Paper Rad. As time goes on, I’m sure that many of the newer artists creating this type of work will gain more credibility and bring more light to what is going on. There is way too much of this type of artwork floating around the internet, printed in books, put on merchandise, and hung in galleries for it to be dismissed as irrelevant or silly.

At this point, I feel that it is up to the critics and art historians to get it together and start defining this movement. I am sure as hell that this type of drawing and doodling is an important part of the visual culture of the new millennium. I’m just waiting to see the rest of the world realize it as well.

Are octopi evil?

They are kind of creepy. I don’t know about evil. They do sort of sliver around though. That’s pretty sinister. I love that scene in Old Boy when the man eats the live octopus, tentacles squirming and all. It’s sort of beautiful.

What is the most exotic thing you've eaten?

There’s a fruit in Asia called Dragon Fruit. It’s like a cross between an orchid, a pineapple, and a kiwi. It’s pretty delicious.

"Taffy Colored Clouds" Revisited

2011-02-16T16:24:00.000-08:00

Taffy Colored Clouds

New Artwork and Group Show curated by Alex Chiu

Rothick Art Haus

Anaheim, CA

January 8th, 2011

After a couple years of creating and hoarding my artwork, I decided to organize an art and music event to display the work. In conjunction with the show, I invited 10 other artists that I knew and worked with to show along with me.

Come inside and check it out.

This is me (to the right) and Randy Nelson in the "Taffy Cloud" mask that I made for Halloween last year.

It took me 3 full days to hang this show. I hung approximately 150 pieces of my own artwork, from large 4ft by 4ft paintings to mini wood cut characters.

The turnout was better than I could have imagined.

I don't event know who this guy is, but it looks like he's having fun. I stole most of these photos off of Facebook. Thanks Emily Kaneshiro for this one!

The show consisted of artwork from two pervious solo shows that I've done over the past couple years and a new series that I painted just for this show. This piece was part of my "Pixel Power" series where I started working with wood, stencils, and optical illusions.

Graham Curran and Alex Gardner, two of the group show artists are in this photo to the left. Photo from Sienne Mascareñas Diaz via Facebook.

This is a sculpture that I started with a bunch of scrap wood that I had. I also included about 30-40 framed ink drawings and comic strips in the show.

The clustered installation of my artwork was inspired by the Beautiful Losers, specifically Barry McGee. I love that guy's installations.

This is my Duck Dog Puppy. I painted it one a cabinet door that I collected after I broke down a garage full of old furniture.

Ian Paul is in the middle of this photo. He's talking to Mariya who is another talented artist.

I originally did this piece for my Kingdom of Doodles show at King's Cafe in Culver City. King's Cafe is a great place to hang out. The owner, Omar is a nice guy.

This robot was also a part of my Pixel Power show. I originally made two of them.

Music for the night was povided by Mr. Technicality, shown above. The duo is Gil Gentile (left) and Thomas Trudgeon (right).

I was honored to have my friends from Honest Iago play as well.

I used to do live art with these guys at bars and venues around San Diego. It was an honor to work with them again.

Group Show Artists
I would personally like to thank and recognize all of the artists involved in the group show. These are some of the most talented and professional artists I know.

Alex Gardner:
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexkgardner)

Graham Curran:
(http://www.grahamcurran.com)

Scott Aicher:
(http://www.planetsixtyseven.com)

TD Flynn:
(http://www.tdfillustration.com)

Brendan Waegner:
(http://bwaegner.blogspot.com)

Yumi Sakugawa:
(http://www.yumisakugawa.com)

Michael C. Hsiung:
(http://www.michaelchsiung.com)

Ian Paul Montelongo:
(http://www.ianpaulart.com)

Allen Oka:
(http://delmaroka.blogspot.com)

A'misa Chiu:
(http://colorishdreams.com)

Also, a special thanks to the Rothick Art Haus for letting me have this show!

Thank You Nick and Kelly!

The night was a great accomplishment for me. I'm glad I got to do it. Thank you all for your support to allow this to happen.

Special Thanks to:
Pablo Aguilar (for letting me stream your music playlists)
Nathaniel Osthello (for coming out to do live art)
Dave Castro of Taco Comics (for helping me publish Taffy Colored Clouds zine)
Justin Nakasone (for letting me use your PA system)
A'misa Chiu, Emily Kaneshiro, Jason Jue, Weena Chiu, Scott Aicher, Sienne Mascareñas Diaz, Snow Mack, and Brendan Wae (for posting your photos from the show on the internet)

Peace and Love!

Recent Paintings and Drawings

2011-02-15T17:54:00.000-08:00