is this thing on? every once in a while i'll come back and see what everyone is up to. most of you i have friended in FBLAND, and since having joined my attention span has grown very very short. [i blame it on FB itself. and, of course, my own self absorption. :P]

had a post it note show yesterday that was a lot of fun, the second we've done at East End Studio Gallery. and surely not the last.

things are well with me. same old, same old.
working, painting. painting, working.
life is great.
need to get into better shape, but a recent visit to the doc for bronchitis was not fraught with "we need to run some tests", so that's good, considering genetics and my middle age spread and sedentary lifestyle.
but after seeing photos of my butt recently left me desperate to begin lunges. :P

working on a new series [kinda new, i started it november] called Electric Ladyland.
here's something:



i've done a number of these in the same style. lots of fun.
having fun with acrylics again.
but still working with oils and trying to explore different techniques, striving for more photorealistic pieces, kinda like this, my latest:



having fits with my website. the host i've had for years was hacked and they were not that great to begin with.
so i recently found a new host then managed to screw things up with trying to tweak it in wordpress. fortunately, a good friend of mine is trying to help out with that.

well, just thought i'd take a break from FB and come say hi. hope you all are well. :)
can't believe it's been that long since i've updated. i had another solo exhibition in L.A. in december, it was awesome. :)

stolen from tricia [who snagged it from theresa]

List 15 all time fav movies that will stick with you forever, take only fifteen minutes

1. Parenthood
2. To Kill A Mockingbird
3. 2001 : A Space Oddyssey
4. Dr. Strangelove
5. CarWash
6. Blazing Saddles
7. Life of Brian
8. The Ten Commandments
9. Harold and Maude
10. Kikujiro
11.Grave of the Fireflies
12.Lord of the Rings Trilogy
13. Pollock
14. Be Kind, Rewind
15. Lost In Translation

memorable photos from the exhibition :)



shop talk with george yepes [and mugging for the camera. lol]

( Read more... )

[from Gallery ChimMaya's site]:



Dia de los Muertos

What began as a cultural curiosity, has now grown to become a
'significant' yearly celebration of communities throughout the
world, and is celebrated in one form or another around the globe.

'Muertos 2010'....this year's annual DOD group exhibition, will feature
artists from California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Illinois.
Along with our resident artists and gallery favorites...we're pleased to
include the work from several new artists to our gallery.
__________________________________________________________________

'New Works' by Julie Zarate....Texas artist, Julie Zarate will open her
first solo exhibition at ChimMaya, simultaneously with 'Muertos 2010'.

With each new piece of art she creates for ChimMaya, Julie's work
consistently captivates and charms our audience.

Almost a year in the planning and execution, this show is a much
anticipated compliment to the annual DOD show.

As a longtime resident artist of our gallery, ChimMaya is pleased that
this incredible and vibrant artist will accompany her work for the opening.
__________________________________________________________________

We invite you to meet Julie Zarate, ChimMaya resident artists,
and the many invited artists featured in 'Muertos 2010'.

Artists:

Resident:
George Yepes, Yolanda Gonzalez, Emilia Garcia, Juan Solis, Maria Kane,
CiCi Segura Gonzalez, Julie Zarate, Gennaro Garcia

Invited:
Esau Andrade, Ernie Anguiano, Cathy Ashworth, Joe Bravo, Emily Costello,
Pamela Enriquez-Courts, Ofelia Esparza, Sergio Hernandez, Aunia Kahn,
Steve Leal, Jose Lozano, Lourdes Moreno, Francisco T. Norzagaray,
Robert Palacios, Rafael Delgado, Chuy Rangel, Gilbert Reyes, Alex Rodriguez,
Rudy Andrade, Hector Silva, Benjamin Thomas, Richard Valdes

positivity begets positivity.

i've cut out some cancers in my life;
learned to not tangle myself in the webs of negativity;
or perpetuate things that hurt. **


i've found my outlook has shifted .. in a wonderful way.

why am i JUST learning this?
guess it's something you have to go through yourself
to really appreciate the value.

carry on.



** [with the exception of those ribs at the dallas cowboys, but they had it coming]

is this thing on?

been crazy busy lately ... got a solo exhibition on October 25th at Gallery ChimMaya in Los Angeles that i'm really excited about. been recently named Resident Artist there, which is a HUGE honor for me as i'm in the ranks with one of my art idols who exhibits there ... George Yepes.

julian and i have our tickets purchased and arrangements made. more excitingly, is getting to see kimberpixie and family :)

took an art class earlier this year which did wonders for me. it was very elementary, and everything covered was stuff i learned in high school or had learned on my own. but what it did for ME, well, that's beyond explanation. it validated one of the things i've struggled with as far as how i learn ... it said "okay, that's right, you got it" to the way i have done things. and that, well, that finally put to rest me insecurity and shame. :)

after taking the class, i tried my hand at doing a reproduction of john singer sergeant's "Lady Agnew":



just off the cuff to get out of my comfort zone, i really enjoyed it and have been looking for images that i could work on. around the same time, i created "Dirty And Sweet", yet another step out of my comfort zone, but not a reproduction, just using what i'd learned in class and the new found confidence.



the old bold black borders are making less and less of an appearance in my work these days. i miss them sometimes and will bring them in for old time's sake, especially on a very pop looking piece like this one from last week, Black Magic Woman:



but mostly they're nonexistent, like in this piece i finished yesterday, Matilda:



so things are going very well, and i'm very very happy and very very busy. how are you, lj?



----------------
Now playing: Four Tet - As Serious as Your Life
http://foxytunes.com/artist/four+tet/track/as+serious+as+your+life

just a reminder, i don't post much on lj anymore. any relevant updates [like art and shows] are posted on my blog at www.six06.com. i have a feed for lj if you don't want to visit the site:

http://syndicated.livejournal.com/six_06/profile

love peace and chicken grease!!
-jz

march 20th, come join us for the grand opening of Iyollo Gallery; featuring a one of kind installation by artist Daniel Anguilu and works by Julie Zarate
7-10 p.m. at 700 Silver St.; Houston, Tx 77007
in the beautiful Historic District of 6th Ward Houston


"Iyollo Gallery was a concept I've had as a young painter. Houston’s art scene 10 years ago was different than today. There were limited venues to show work of a certain style. I fell into the category of “PM” work, according to most restaurants, art spaces, galleries, and non-profits. They viewed the art as a little dark or disturbing. I feel the most impressive art is work that communicates the environment of each period. If everyone is creating “AM” work, work that is comfortably displayed in a lobby. Carrying no emotion, no deduction to the paint, the excitement of creating something new, or the heart to display what you really want to express. Then that art is muted, neutered from what that work could have been. I’d like to display “PM” work outside of warehouses in bad neighborhoods, I’d like to display the work of people having to show in poorly lit bars because of a lack of support. Iyollo’s mission is to bring respect to underground work of local artist and underground artist from around the world." - george m., curator and owner of Iyollo Gallery

. . . . . . . .

also, at the Continental Club Houston, a night of music and art featuring Karina Nistal, DubTex, DeSangre and others, with visual artists Christian Navarrete, Azul Frida and Julie Zarate:



----------------
Now playing: DJ Shadow - High Noon
via FoxyTunes

the show was a great success. as usual, most of the sales are from prints, so i did pretty good as i had made sure i had plenty on stock at a good price. i'm so exhausted. i'd like to sleep for the next three days, please.



these are just a portion of the new Pink Series that i'd been working on since last week. LAST WEEK! can't believe i did that many in such a short time ... and that's with having to go to work and doing the shows on the weekend. i'm only halfway through march. sheesh.

here's the rest of the set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/six06/sets/72157623479485089/

warning: although my works do not contain any nudity, there are other works that may not be suitable for all viewers [including my own].