Updates

Some Updates on a few new sketches in the works!

Dedication to Kevin & Reggie

Dedication to Vann*Update*

This Section I created is simply to document my thoughts and personal battles

at the exact time and moments that they occur.  Why would I make this section you ask?

Well it's simple, tomorrow is never promised for anyone.  I could likely lose my life today or tomorrow, no one knows.  Documenting my thoughts that directly relate to my artwork and/or are influenced and have influence on my art is my inner story..only translated in words as opposed to my life,history and everything else which is translated through my art.  Take from this as you see fit.  If it helps you grow, it was meant to help you grow.  If it sparks a flame, as I type this I do so with the intention of sparking a flame in you, just as people have sparked my own flame.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2009: 2:25PM

"Songs with words can often be misleading, which is why i usually listen instrumentals when I create. It allows self discovery rather than someone leading you down a predestined path in their own lyrics. The music ittself will help me find my own way on the canvas"

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2009: 2:00AM

 

-"Neither hero or villain.  He saves lives and hearts, but at the same time, won't hesitate to break a heart if needed.  He doesn't take lives though. Everything around him changes from black & white to color and occasionally it flips.  He is the color and everything else is black and white.  The color always remaining vibrant and fast paced while the black and white always remains almost frozen in time.  Right now I'm black and white..until I get back to the blue zone..Neptune, my zone.  The only way there is through the canvas.  But timing is important. God will tell me when it's time to flip the switch again, and the time is near...it's moments away.  And at that exact moment I won't hesitate.  And the color will return."

 

 2:11AM  -"Family can be the most uplifting people in your life, but at the same time they inevitably are the least likely to truly understand you.  You can be loved up and down and encouraged to no end.  And in the midst of it, everyone will feel in some way that they ultimately created you.  The line gets drawn there.  Family thats known you since your daiper days and seen you make mistakes and seen the stages you've gone through only to use all of that to remind you of what you were.  All the while hoping to see you grow, but nonetheless constantly subconsciously holding you down because there is something about you that can't be pinpointed. *Too deep? I'll go further* We fight the fight of being who we are, changes and all. Fighting against our past and against the false pretenses made against us, and against what people say you are and aren't.  But I say this, it does not matter to me that I grew up where I grew up or if I had grown up somewhere else.  I don't compare myself to anyone because none of us chose where we wanted to be born.  My past may have cultivated my present but it never will control or determine my future.  People are always so quick to belittle one another for the sake of what? Everyone has their own reasons so it would be a waste of time to even try to understand why friends or family would want to hold something over your head.  Everyone "thinks" they know you...they know things you've done, they know choices you've made, places you've been etc.  But do not be fooled by what you think you know.  I am not what you "think".  To you, I'm what you've made me in your own mind, and so that is all you see.  But no..there's much more than meets the eye."

MONDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2009: 12:36AM

"Don't be afraid to erase or start completely over.  Art is just like life, your not always going to get the outcome you want the first time around.  If you know you want something to be a certain way then make it that way.  You don't "always" have to accept things for what they appear to be.  There is no definite ending to a piece, it can change, morph, and go from one concept to a completely different one.  Nothings set in stone.  So don't be afraid to make mistakes.  Just be open to grow from them." 

MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2010: 7:28PM

"As an artist, we can never allow ourselves not even for a moment, to think that we've "arrived" or made it."

 

 

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2010: 9:17AM

 

 

"Don't allow anyone or anything cause you to be stagnant. Move up, move forward. Keep your head up and stay true"

Q & A

Here's an interview/conversation I recently had with a new friend.  I felt the questions and answers might be useful to any other artists reading this who may have the same questions. So I hope this helps you all out in understanding just a *little bit* of who Jeremy "8th" is, enjoy!

Vin Lane:  i love your art.

i also draw myself.

what inspires you?

Jeremy *8th*: "oh word?  thanks 

well i can say right now that

what inspires most of it would mainly be

every person in other countries who deserve to be heard and seen but are not.

Also, deceased relatives play a major part in all of my pieces. I first started drawing and painting when i was younger because of two people that meant a great deal to me who had passed away.  They both were always my biggest fans, even more-so than my own direct family at the time. One would always push me to write since back then and even now i loved to write, and the other one would show me how to do some basic drawings since i was only 4 at the time. But honestly theres countless things that inspire it, always something different..but thats the best thing about it"

Vin Lane: So im trying to do something different. Something that

i can unlock my feelings into because I always find myself drawing anime style. Sounds kinda funny maybe. But thats what i want to do. When i saw your stuff it really inspired me. What moves you?

Jeremy *8th*: yea i think everyone at some point starts out with anime/art because thats what we're into from the start.  

For myself, I used to only do anime because i wasn't at the point where I had any idea of where i was going with art when I was little.  Then there was this day when one of my favorite uncles who did some art back in the day suggested i shouldn't draw anime because that's what everyone did. So at about 8 is when I changed and started expanding what i considered art and since then its been one long crazy journey/growing process. But for you what should help is just..really throw away anything in your mind that you think art is, anything you've been taught anything you've done in the past with art. and focus more-so on what you feel is important to you.  The one thing i always tell myself and have to constantly re-teach myself is that you can't try to reveal yourself to art, but instead let art reveal you to yourself. the deeper you go in yourself and just let art be ittself "through" you, the more you'll start to see what your connection is. because anyone can be an artist, you look andy warhol and people like Basquiat and all of these artists who will go down in history just because of the fact that they went against what the world defined as "art" and instead they just did what they knew was art to them.  So its really about coming to the mental state of letting yourself be the venue that art flows through rather than you making art, let it make you..and it might be a hard concept to get but trust me once you do, you'll know immediately and everything that needs to make sense will make sense, the more you get into it, the more you'll understand..because art cant be taught. people can tell you how certain art was done, or tell you do something a certain way to perfect a particular style or form but you put a well taught artist next to an artist who wasnt taught but its their passion and life, and you can't tell one or the other that they are or are not an artist. 

Vin Lane:  i understand. and thankyou.

but this is where i lack. its like how do you let it reveal you to yourself.
how do you start. im so use to drawing the same thing. and never expanded.
 how can you be yourself.  does it just come from a little doodle
cuz i kno that is a hard concept to follow.
is it what make you drive. how art reveals you..
is it imagination? how does imagination flow. i feel as if im having a block.
because im use to the same thing
and basically your saying. even if your not taught. it doesnt define you as not being a artist.

Jeremy *8th*:  yea i mean i wasnt taught ANYTHING, i never took any formal art classes up until this past summer at an art program i signed up for.  Before you start anything when your about to draw, paint or anything//either think about what you trying to show or say, then think of the best way you can get that point across or the way you want to get it across.  keep a sketch book with you and drawing random things you see that u like is good for keeping you practicing and keeping your mind open to anything.  If you know a certain way you draw things then when your ready, set it in your mind that your not going to draw that style at all so that way your not just reverting back to that style to compensate. because really..and this is the most important thing you'll realize is that there isnt a right and wrong way with art. it doesnt matter if something looks good or bad because interpretation varies depending on who the viewer is.  To break that block or wall u have to really just know that u know that u know..that its not about it looking or being any way, it all comes down to how you express yourself and whats being said or if its not suppose to say anything thats fine too. not all art is telling a story sometimes its just to make you or someone think. And your question*is it what makes u drive*

its different for everyone. you have some artists who do drugs (which i dont suggest) but it actual plays a big part in their art. but its a mix of you being able to separate and mix reality and imagination whenever you choose and how you choose. when you see something you think is "great art"  dont look at it in a way that you think its better than anything you can do because every1 started somewhere. I can tell you just a few years ago i was not good at all but thats just because i hadnt made a commitment to it yet.  And sometimes thats what will happen. If your serious about it, the more dedication and time you put into it, the more it'll put bak to u and it'll start to show through your work

Update-

I've been m.i.a these past few weeks and I apologize.  There's been much going on with recent family deaths and finishing up these last days of junior college.  None the less I am transferring /moving to San Francisco this February 2010 to attend the Academy of Arts University.  At the moment I'm here at home behind the big wooden desk and 3 monitors at 1AM busily at work on some new pieces despite the hectic things that have been taking place.  This is an update to let you all know that I'm back on track and feeling great so check back for some new artwork on the way this month.

Van Dedication 3

This is part 1&2 of the third installment in the "Lost Ones"series of dedications to my Aunt Vann

Part 1

Part 2

Darfur Studies

Here's a work in progress that I titled "Responsibility" It is my take on a photo that I came across while doing personal research on the Genocide in Darfur. *mediums used: pencil & ink on laminated press-board*

"Richmond" Series

COMING SOON

*This series is directly in relations to and based upon the rape incident of the 15-year-old girl at Richmond High that took place during the last week of October 2009*

Never-Land Series

This is the first of many to come in a series titled "Never-Land"  The subject of the series is mainly focused on a friend who inspired me to start this series although there will be others in the series who are representative of what the title entails.  All I will say is that "Never-Land" in this case refers to two things.  I like to see what all of your perceptions and views are so Leave comments on this post as the series grows*letting me know what you think it is about, There is no wrong answer!

2nd Addition to "Never-Land" Series *work in Progress*

 

Math? I'm sorry I don't understand what your saying

Quick 10 minute sketch of a substitute teacher named "Stark" that I had recently.

"Growing Up"

Sketch that will be blown up to 24x36 as a late birthday gift to my younger sister. (the transition of her from when she was an infant to her age of 16 now....or is it 15?Shhh dont tell her I forgot.

 

"The Unheard" Process

"The Unheard" A sketch I did to inform you viewers of the Genocide taking place in Darfur. I continued and still continue to recreate this image as often as possible to generate more interest about the issue, so PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE look into it and most importantly "BE INFORMED and Aware"
Mediums used: Pencil,Digitally Colored 

 

History

First sketch: "The Gang"

Second Sketch: "Family Curse" which I later re-named "The Broken Curse"

The title broken curse entails the broken family curse that many fathers today

need to break. Family curses are long chains of behavior that are passed down through

family generations by way of either son or daughter witnessing firsthand (behavior and

actions that were done by their mother or father)then doing the same things and repeating the same actions

and behaviors when they themselves are older.  These things include drinking, spouse abuse, pornography addictions, drug addictions.  (a monkey see, monkey do process) The only way to break the chain is to make the choice and not accept the notion that it is ok to be a certain way just because your examples lived a certain way.  The sketch includes my own dad*right hand side* because he successfully

ended a long line of unacceptable lifestyles  that were common in my family's history and for that I thank him.
Mediums used: Pencil,Digitally Colored

Speed Figure Paintings

These are a few 5 to 20 minute speed figure paintings I did during a drawing and painting class at the Innerspark Program over the summer of 2009 at Cal Arts. (Some of which our teacher actually had us paint with our feet) The various techniques we learned in the 4 week class were designed to reform our perception of painting and developing figures, namely *the human body* Oddly enough, it had been the first time that I was really told that there are right and wrong ways to do certain things in regards to art (which I still disagree with) but being critiqued as much as I was during the course of the 4 week class opened me up to a whole different style and view of art.  We were lucky enough to have some talented generous live models that held poses for us from 2minutes to 2 hours! personally I know I could not hold a difficult pose for 2 hours with only one break time in between.  Mediums used: Acrylics, Conté crayons and Charcole

"Lost Ones" Series

This Ongoing series I recently began working on titled: "Lost Ones" consists of dedications to loved ones who have passed away in my family and other families. Please check them out and leave some comments

"STAY BACK"-1st Dedication to Keiko

1st Dedication to Van-Part1

2nd Dedication to Van  Part 1 & Part 2

 

About The Artist

There used to be a long description here about everything relating to my art and mission. But you know what.. I think it's time I start to completely let my work speak for itsself.  5/8/10

Musicians @ Cal Arts in Valencia

Check out the video-Group of musicians I happened across during my monthlong stay on the Cal Arts Campus*Innerspark Program*


Untitled from Jeremy Vernon on Vimeo.

A Day In Longbeach With the WildThings

Wild Things LONGBEACH ADVENTURE from Jeremy Vernon on Vimeo.

New 8thWonder Dedication To Lauryn Hill

Anyone that knows me, knows that this amazing woman is my all time, hands down beginning to end favorite songstress the One and Only Lauryn Hill.  When I was 6 years old I was introduced to her soul piercing music through my Uncle Brian (He typically is the one who has introduced me to anything I've come to love and appreciate over some years)  This piece I created titled "Natural Elevation" is meant to portray both the beauty that is Lauryn Hill and her music in and of itsself, as well as the struggle between dark(media) and light(her gift of music, poetry, acting etc.) Her music has inspired many of my projects and has also helped save me and lift me out of some of the darkest holes in my life.  "Natural Elevation" by the way is the definition of "Hill".  Lauryn Hill your music will live on forever in the hearts of any and everyone thats been touched by it.

"Natural Elevation"