"Haunted" group art show in Costa Mesa

New series

I just finished three new paintings and had some prints made. All can be checked out via my Etsy shop. Some of these works are currently touring various venues in Southern California. They are being shown separately but they all share inspiration from the same horrific real-life event.

A few months ago, there was a double homicide committed nearly down the street from where I grew up. It was particularly unsettling because of the calculated viciousness of the killer, who, in between murders performed two stage shows in front of an audience. He was an amateur actor at a local theater and actually killed and dismembered one of the victims inside of a theater on a military base. To top off the story, said killer was arrested at his bachelor party, one day prior to his scheduled wedding date. The second victim was an acquaintance and classmate of my wife and we attended her funeral. The general feeling from everyone that knew the killer was... why? He seemed like a decent guy until he just snapped. You can read more about the story here.

www.chrismelgar.com

October show coming up

These are some in process details from 3 new paintings to be unveiled Oct. 7. They will be on display at the Frankenstein Art Show in Costa Mesa. I am excited to show these as I have spent a bit of time on them and am pleased with their presence in my studio. I will also be making limited edition prints available through Etsy in the coming weeks. Please come out to the show if you can! < 3 Chris

wheeeewwww

It has been a busy week! I've moved back to LA. My wife and I are living in a bigger apartment now which means, among other things, a better workspace! I now have all my belongings in one accessible area instead of tucked away at various houses, storage spaces, garages, etc. Also coming up, I'll be unveiling three new paintings for the Frankenstein Art Show in Costa Mesa. My pal Steve is throwing up this little Halloween treat at his piercing shop, Barbella. It will be up Oct. 7 and showing through the end of the month. So come see some art. Get something pierced.

Die Nacht Reisende

Acrylic, oil, graphite, glitter on wood
18" x 30"

Urban Renewal

Here are some shots of a wall I painted at Urban Outfitters in Costa Mesa. It is located in a back hallway so it isn't visible to anyone besides employees. It gave me a chance to really get down with some spray paints and sparked a new love affair for the medium. I will definitely be incorporating aerosols into my future work.

Top secret projects in development

Here is a detail from a piece I just finished today...

...and several details from a project that has been in the works for some time. It will be my largest format piece to date. I got to take my time and be very experimental with it, so it was a real learning experience.

Both of these will be posted in full on my website after the 25th!

all images copyright Chris Melgar 2009.

new moleskine drawings

I'm starting a large painting right now, but have also had time to do some drawings. Here are a few of them:

Guantanamera

Size variable. Mixed media and digital.

Rebirth of a Unicorn

9" x 15". Acrylic on wood.

chrismelgar.com

My website was just launched with portfolios and other good stuff. It will be the official home for my work. Please check it out! www.chrismelgar.com

Projects in development

Two details from an upcoming "Runic Triptych" (acrylic on wood):

"Laguz" panel

"Eihwaz" panel - in progress

Detail from "Trephination (let the right one in)" ink and acrylic on paper

Also, look for chrismelgar.com coming very soon!!

Hoist That Rag

Here's a project I've been working on for a little while now... a portrait of Tom Waits. I don't need to say much about it - the man is a legend. I wanted to portray the crackling, electric energy of his voice and music:

Mixed media and digital

Empire

12" x 17" acrylic, ink & graphite on illustration board

This is the first in a series of monument/skeletons based on themes of expansion, decomposition, and (in)organic machinery.

Another Day

"Another Day"
Acrylic on illustration board
13" x 18"

Today, however, is not just another day. It is the first day of the Obama presidency. I feel like I can see the light from the bottom of this abyss.

Big Fish

"At last, they caught their hooks on one as it drifted alongside the bluff.
But as each man ran to catch a line, the magnificent creature lifted higher."

Work done on paper with charcoals and pastels. 15" x 15". I am currently seeking a good printmaking service for some of my work. If you would like to recommend one to me, please do!

Updates - compositions

Here are a couple works for a composition class:

"The Crab King" - mixed media on masonite

"Organ Grinder" - mixed media on masonite

Campus gallery showing

Mine -

Reborn

9" x 12" oil on canvas panel

Dreamscape with manta rays

12" x 16" oil on canvas

This marks my first class illustration assignment and the first time I've used oils. I think it's a medium I will use often - I was happy with the result.