technique

My goal was to develop a style inspired by the gritty, energetic and constantly changing world of street art, where every piece is unflinchingly authentic and bold colors and compelling content are the norm. I envisioned paintings that paid homage to these themes in an approachable way, and could be transported and displayed with ease. I realized that accomplishing my goal would require a thoughtful combination of traditional and non-traditional media, common artistic methods, and materials and techniques usually employed only during construction and landscaping projects.

Hours of experimentation and countless failed projects followed, but I eventually developed a successful solution. My process creates pieces of art that appear to be 300+ pound slabs of solid concrete or brick, but in reality they weigh 20 pounds or less.

While some details must remain private, I have shared a 3-phase summary of my process below.

  • Construct

    I build each wooden canvas by hand to exact specifications. During this phase, I also spend time considering and planning how I will execute every detail of the painting, which helps ensure the final product brings my vision to life. After construction, I sand, clean and prime the canvas in a way that complements the specific concrete mix and paints that are applied later in the process.

  • Cement

    This phase transforms the surface of the canvas so it becomes indistinguishable from the exterior of a real concrete building or wall. First, I spread a proprietary cement-based mixture that permanently adheres to the wood. The substance contains number of ingredients, and when blended in correct proportions the resulting medium matches the look/feel of authentic cement structures. When dry, the surface is receptive to the paints and other media that are applied in the last phase. This part of the process can be tweaked to create backdrops of any color, shading or texture, and I can even make them look aged, stained or damaged.

  • Create

    After the surface has been treated and closely resembles cement or brick, the final painting begins to take shape. In this phase, I apply spray paint, acrylic paint, charcoal, chalk and other media to create the content. This phase varies considerably in every project because each one is unique and oftentimes specific requests need to be considered, but the key is always authenticity. Once I am finished and the paint has dried, I cover the entire surface with an invisible sealant. This substance insulates the paint and concrete in place without altering the aesthetics of the piece, eliminating the risk of fading colors and chipped paint or concrete. It also protects the piece from the harmful effects of moisture, UV rays, and potential damage.