Aqua went AWESOME! It's so good to have work on the east coast. Next year Aqua, I will send larger work, ( more money!). The La Familia Gallery is working out to be a good place to show and the people are great. I think this year I will concentrate on showing in Washington State. I would love to have a gallery in Grays Harbor or La Connor. I am also going to do more fine art fairs and less craft fairs. I had a great run of craft fairs this year it showed me what the game is about, now I need to take my work to the fine art audience.

This has been a great year, I have had a lot of shows! I showed in Miami Basil at Aqua, I got 2 galleries and entertained my illustration ideas. This year also put in to prospective where I want to go with my work. If anything, I learned my abstract side is an important part of my art. In 2010 I plan to focus back on my abstracts with a new muse. In one way I feel I left my collectors wondering "What the hell is he doing?" All I have to say is, some times you have to step outside yourself to see yourself, you know forest from the trees? By doing this I didn't come away with any "New Vision". What I came away with is the reaffirmation of why I painted in the first place. This year I got to play the "Celebrity Painter" by attending fairs and being out in the public. I also got to paint with quantity as a goal. The experience helped me to understand where to place dollhedz in my work, it also helped me to take my interest in OOP computer programming to a new level. Next year will be good, I can't wait. My goal is to take my new frame of discovery in to my abstracts and my dollhedz in to my Flash design. One last thing for today, the biggest thing I realized is that my abstracts are about discovery of imagery and persona, even if those images fall in to the non traditional portrait. I do have some new work I just have to photograph it. :-)

Well its been a month... 10 days in Sayulita Mexico were I painted 6 paintings in the sun and pool. Tuff? yes! You try to be in paradise and work. I really can't call it work since I love painting. :-) So here is a run down of this month. I had: Solo / Little Olympia Theater, "Architect dream" Group / Gallery Zero, Portland OR., "Big Ass Art!" Group / Art Not Terminal, Seattle WA., "Rock the Terminal" Group / Fremont Abey, Seattle WA. Here is the work I did: 3 paintings for Aqua Miami Basel 9 paintings for the 5x5 show at La Familia Gallery 2 commission painting for private collectors 1 personal oil painting for my private collection Fremont Sunday market. That's quite a bit of work for being on vacation and still having 9 days left in the month. Well on a different note, you know when you go on a vacation for more then 5 days, you start to loose sense of yourself because you have to see yourself in relations to the new surroundings, even if they are temporary. 10 days in Mexico is enough to get you in touch with survival mode . In 10 days you also get the opportunity to remember how to relax, if you can trust your surroundings. It's through this clarity I came to some realization about my art and where I am going with it. One thing I realized is that every painting I have made in the last year seems to be focused on the portrait. I have been painting masks and faces. This led me to realize we protect ourselves with personality persona that acts as armor in our everyday life. For example disarming some one with cuteness, scaring some one with a sneer or getting some one to submit by authoritative gestures and actions. All of these persona act as armor to protect or "soft inners" or emotions and feelings. This is how my Dollhedz, Muertos and Abstracts all fit together. They are all metaphors for persona armor, even in the materials I use, wood, steel, acrylic... they all represent some sort of skin or armor. Its just good to know what you are doing so you can get to what you are saying with the language you chose to say it in.

Here in Mexico, with my acrylics, sun, water, roosters, fish , tacos... yeah I know, you think this is all fun agames but let me tell you I have finished 4 full paintings since I got here 3 days ago. One of the local galleries, Clay-Brom, has asked to show my paintings. It just so happens I have painting with me. So I guess I know am an international artist. Anyway i will upload some photos of Sayulita soon.

I am starting to work a lot in Acrylics, mainly because of drying time and and durability. If you don't know, oils take at least 6 months to a year to dry to the touch. Then they can take up to another year or so to completely cure. Once the work is cured the oil film is very sensitive to scratches and dust. Since I started doing markets and fairs, I have had to transport my work and subject it to the outdoors, rain, dust and constant handling, besides the transport. Acrylic seems to be able to stand up to mild wear and tear. My true love is oils and it will take some time before I fully understand acrylics, however my acrylics are teaching me a lot about oil. Next year I am looking into traveling to the Southwest and maybe the Midwest for some art fairs. It's time I take the my work outside of Northwest. LA and SF would be closer but people tell me Santa Fe and Austin are the places I should go to show my work. Who knows, I won't know till I get out there. Well, I am off read some WarMachine and Pop bot. DeLeva...out!

title: Stag Dream title: Raven Dream title: Cupie and the Raven The Above paintings will be showing at 2009 Aqua, Miami, Fl. Busy Busy This week, I went to Portland to hang a show, then I when to Oly to hang a show, then I brought 6 paintings to La Familia gallery, 3 going to an auction, 3 going to Aqua, then I have a holiday show at the Mourning Market, then I have 9 5x5s to paint along with a 4'x5' painting for the Gallery Zero, and then the Fremont market. Thing are going good.

I saw a stag last night. I talked to a raven on a wire I fell back ward on tilted slowly to let the rain in my mouth. Now, I am no longer. Thank gawd for jumper cables I was out of juice.

I was at the Sunday Market in Fremont this weekend, it was like a dream. It was cold the whole day because I was in the shade, the light seemed to be perpetually 10:00 am. I talked to a lot of people that needed to tell me things, 3 people in particular. It was like talking to people in dreams, everything seemed to have a deeper meaning. It was a long day from 5:18am to 12:42 pm, but it felt some how I passed threw gates or passed a test... It was good day.

What a month! I felt the key turn just a little. 1. I have a gallery in Seattle. It's the La Familia gallery in the TK building. I have been working on getting a Seattle gallery for the last 14 years. Some people don't have to work so hard, to them I say; Good for you, now its my turn and I am ready as all hell. 2. I got into the Mourning Market October 18th at Motor in Seattle, 1950 1st Ave. This should be a great show for my Dia Del Los Muertos work. 3. I'll be showing in at the Little Olympia Theater in November for a play called "the Geek". 4. I have decided to set up a small gallery at the Fremont Market. My goal is to be there year round. For the last 2 months I have been at the Ballard and Fremont market, I decided to be consistant at the Fremont market, so come see me. 5. There is a chance I will be going and showing at the Miami Basil Aqua. I will keep you up to date on that. 6. In November I will be in a group a show at the Gallery Zero in Portland. ILU Portland! I will try to take photos of my newest work and post them by this week end. Come visit me at the Fremont Market.

I saw through fog some shimer of gold the light in my eyes old as the night so hard to keep the balance from dark and light this icicles hang from the chimney with care soon in hope that air will be there. I looked further in to the light All I saw was the rabid glow of foggy steel foggy gray steel like the after glow of a large fire in midday. I walked passed the flames in to the Davey Grey dawn I am still walking but at least my mind is more quiet.

I found a small stone in my head today. Yes, it is smooth. Yes, it is the perfect shape for skipping. Yes, it is flat. Yes, it is charcoal gray. now I just need to see it grow.

Crazy Crazy, boy have I been going through some change. I almost don't know if my name is DeLeva any more, lol. So as of last week I have finally landed a gallery in Seattle, the La familia gallery. YEAH!!! I will keep you up to date with that, I might even be going to Miami Aqua this year. Today I am headed to the Fremont market to show off some new paintings and check out the crowds. On October 3 Ill be at the Mourning market with my Dollhedz, this should be fun. I'll keep you up on that.

Been a little lets see what I have been up to: 1. Take down show from Corridor gallery 2. Put up show at Zero Gallery Portland 3. Saw some Huskies win 4. When shooting with my lady and her father. 5. Working on a commission for 1800-Autopsy 6. work at Utrecht 7. 4 paintings for Clay Brom gallery Salulita MEX 8. one 3'x5' painting for Zero Gallery 9. getting ready for the Mourning Market at the Motor pub George town October 18 10. Ballard and Fremont Sunday market 11. Group show in Fremont in November. 12. Show a show at the Olympia Little Theatre set for November. As of today, I think that's it for the next few months? Who knows. I am Busy, so don't get mad if its hard to get me to do anything in the next few weeks LOL! I will try to post a little more. I got some new paintings on the way.

Portland- the Gallery Zero

Portland was good. Their was a good turn out of people and some good art. I didn't get photos because I forgot to take my camera, but there should be plenty of other show because the Gallery Zero has asked me to show more work with them. The Gallery Zero is located in Portland's Belmont district which is just north of Hawthorn. Forget about your typical white painted walls, the inside is painted black and red which can be seen half a block away. I love the red walls it makes my work jump out at you. I am currently working on a new painting for Zero's next show. Ill keep you up to date.

Title: Bee Medium: Oil on wood panel size: 8"x10" I took down my show from the Corridor Gallery today. I always love showing in Pioneer Square. First Thursday always brings large crowds and downtown Seattle attracts the art collectors. Next I bring my work to Portland for a group show at the Gallery Zero. This looks like it is going to be a great show with all new artists. I will be there for First Friday so if your down there come and buy me a Cognac and meet some good artists. I will try to get some photos.

Dreaming of Living Acrylic on wood 14" x 18" 8, 2009 El Jefe dreams of living. He talks to most every one that comes to stay in his underworld. He can only dream of what people tell him about their life.

New paintings

Here is what I have been up to in the studio for the last 2 weeks. This is called Jax Rabbit. It's an oil painting on wood panel 20"x20". It will be showing in Portland at the Gallery Zero. Hope you show.

The Gallery Zero

Here is the Group show in Portland. I will have 4 paintings in this show. It should be a great, one Come see it!

Yesterday I spent all day getting slide packets together and mailing them out. Next, I went out to the Liquor Store, bought a bottle of Glenmorangie scotch. Then ran off to BBQ, stopped by the Patricia Cameron gallery for a great show. Next, I picked up my Utrecht buddies, took them to Denis Fitzpatrick's house for etching, printing and Glenmorangie scotch with Jameson when the Glenmorangie ran out. Couldn't have been a better night. Damn, I feel lucky :-)

Last First Thursday

The Corridor gallery show went well, lots of people stopped in. I love watching the crowds, being a fly on the wall is one of my favorite things to do. Honest reactions are like diamonds in the grass. Currently I am working on the 4th painting for The Gallery Zero show in Portland. Last night I finish painting #3. Jax Rabbit. I will post it as soon as I get photos of it. On to the next

Corridor galley Seattle

We hung the work today, I have a lot of small paintings in this show. At first I thought the space was too large for my small paintings until Lynn helped me realized my paintings need a lot of breathing room. I usually smash all my work together so you can't get a good look at each individual piece. Out of the 3 shows with Corridor this one looks the best. TNX Lynn, I love the way this show looks. It's really good to get outside your work and see it out of the context of your studio and look at it as a spectator. More to follow after first Thursday. De Leva

I would love to see you at the Corridor Gallery August 6th from 5 to 9 pm This is work from the last 6 months, the paintings are the result of going back to my roots.

Wow, was it HOT with no breeze, it made for a long fair. Sunday was the good day, the best part of Sunday was people where talking about Leviathan, the second was that I sold "Grave decision" to one of the few female grave diggers in this state. :-). That is my favorite kind of sell, like when I sold Copernicus to a Mathematician. Any way its time for me to get ready for my Corridor galley show. De Leva...OUT!

Boy Bellevue is HOT in the 90s easy. Not large crowds but lots of families. Not much to say from my end except I got a lot of dollhedz.com hits, that's about it. I don't think my demo is here and if they are they ain't stepp'en up.

Bellevue day 2.

Yesterday saw small crowds, scouts no doubt for today. I have no doubt that today is going to be hopping and hot, 9o degrees or so. Justin Hillgrove, my fair mentor and booth partner, did pretty well. His work is on the mark, great color irresistible images and all around fun. Here is a link to his work: http://www.impsandmonsters.com We are located in the International Jeweler's parking lot, 8th and Bellevue way. Hope to see you there.

Bellevue art fair

Last night was the set up for the Bellevue art fair, in down town Bellevue amidst the sky scrapers and commerce. Justin Hillgrove and I are in the International Jewelers parking lot. I feel like we are in Orange County, SoCal, we are just missing the surfers and valley girls. Anyway, this show should be good. Ill keep you posted.

Corridor Gallery Show

Link: http://www.artaccess.com/images.cgi?m=1&p=91 Here's a link to my Show at the at CORRIDOR GALLERY in Pioneer Square Seattle, it's on first Thursday august 6, from 6:oo to 9:oo. See you catz there.

MoNA

I wanted to thank Monika Cassidy for purchasing " Surrealist " at the Museum of Northwest Art annual auction. Thank you for adding me to your collection.

Current work

This is Leviathan. I am still working on it. It needs another week or so.

Current work

I recently got a few emails from collectors that asked me " What are you working theses days." Above is one of the most recent painting I have finished. This piece will be in the Corridor Galley, in Seattle's Pioneer District at the beginning of next month and then it will make its way to the Zero Gallery, Portland Oregon. This painting has come to me in stages, it crystallized over 3 weeks. This work has to do with the the American economy and what is the future for America and the Middle East? I am not a political painter. I have no stance on these issues, only that I wish we could come to a conclusion that works for everyone. I listen to a lot of talk radio when I paint. I hear the news every 15 minutes so it has a way of sneaking into my work at times. Sorry the photo is so dark, it just means you will have to come see it. :-P De Leva...OUT!

Bear with me

Bear with me please, I am a painter not a writer. Last night I had 2 people ask me if I had a blog so that they could see what it is I am working on. I said to them, I tried Myspace, Facebook and Twitter and instantly lost interest. I tied blogging before but felt I was giving out too much information about myself, I am a little paranoid that way. However, in the last year I did find myself posting on the Steel Battalion fourms everyday. Maybe it is because the main interest is the game not painting. Maybe painting is too close to me so anything I write about seems like I am writing in a diary, you know TMI. Well Those 2 people above convinced me to start blogging today so I will try to keep it going. De Leva...OUT!