I Keep Moving | Lopez, Steven - New Art

It’s about time!!

admin — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:39:50 +0000

Sorry for the delayed post for this final installment. I would like to thank a few of you who reminded me to get it done. Well the final day of painting was a party in itself. I my students were feeling really comfortable with themselves. Some of them took the liberty to paint their entire faces. I don’t know if I could do that… but hey, what ever floats your boat. I’m very surprised on how fast this mural was built. Within a three week period we were able to go from an idea, to a sketch, to a final draft and then to the wall. I hope my students understand that they were a part of something great. I know I was. Thanks you guys!

India Arie- “Strength, Courage and Wisdom”

admin — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 07:33:19 +0000

India Arie- Strength, Courage and Wisdom from ikeepmoving.com on Vimeo.

A beautiful woman that let her presence known in 2001 was armed with a voice and a guitar. I’m attracted by artist that are multi-faceted. The song that I chose helps me reflect on my own hardships and rising above. The first time I saw her in concert was when she opened up for Sade. That was a sight to behold. Her stage presence stood above her studio recordings. I’m please to have Ms. Arie as part of the After Midnight series.

Aretha Franklin “One Step Ahead” (EZ remix)

admin — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:18:10 +0000

Aretha Franklin- One Step Ahead (EZ Remix) from ikeepmoving.com on Vimeo.

I can not ignore the voice and sheer talent that Aretha Franklin has showcased. Let it be known that she is the quintessential Queen of Soul. I’ve always enjoyed her popular songs such as, “Respect”, “Think”, and “A Natural Woman”. Such hits were created when she signed on to Atlantic. Her albums, “Lady Soul” and “Soul 69” show how deep the woman can go.

When I got older I started looking back at her years when she was with Columbia Records. I was taken back to hear a different sound than what I was used to. I heard a strong jazz influence. I loved it! Songs like, “Nobody Like You” and “Skylark” are some of her best songs from Columbia. A deeper appreciation for her music came from my soul searching of Aretha. It was her Columbia years that I chose the song for this episode.

I was happy to have on board Dj Drez remixing her song, “One Step Ahead”. He gave it a little update that I find enjoyable and fitting to my style of painting. Drez has been a strong pillar in LA’s Hip Hop culture and continues to push the sound to new levels. Having him on the After Midnight series is a blessing and a new direction.

Dj Drez album cover

admin — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 06:41:03 +0000

If you guys haven’t heard of this guys music, you need to check it out here on itunes. The link will take you to his album that is setting a new sound of hip hop and indian music. The image that I produced above is for his second Volume of Jahta beats. In order for me to paint his cover he hit me off with a copy of the music and let me tell you… it is off the hook. I’m really excited that I was able to do this cover. I hope you guys like it and please support Dj Drez… aka Doctor EZ… click here for a bigger look at it.

The finish line is near

admin — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 08:53:41 +0000

The details are starting to fall into place. My students are feeling really comfortable with themselves and the group. They are working at such a fast pace that I sometimes have to think of new ways to keep them busy. My students are the cats pajama’s! As you look at the pictures below, you can see the finish product peaking out from the scaffolding. the orange group had the challenge of making that rainbow as clean as possible.

My red group started to understand the importance of tones as they had to readjust the shades of the tree and snake. I mentioned to them that all the forms needed to be distinct from one another so that wouldn’t guessing as to what the viewer was seeing.

The blue and purple group were chugging right along with minor changes. I told them that this was it. This is where the idea was coming to life…so no messing around!

another painting

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 07:18:33 +0000

This was commission I did while I was up in Oregon. I spent about 6 hours on it. Little freestyle for the lady. I believe the canvas was 60″x48″

New painting

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 07:10:52 +0000

I started a painting for someone on monday. I had to work on some other projects before I could begin on it today. I started lolli-gaggin’ for about an hour so I’m calling it quits for the evening. Once I’m finished with it I will give the low-down for who it’s for. I’m sculpting this puppy so colors may change at any moment.

The person I’m doing it for is a Disc Jockey that bridges hip hop with his yoga way of life. The blend is cool and the music that he makes with it is off the hook!

The Mint Club tonight

admin — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 23:42:08 +0000

Once again…I’m back at the world famous Mint club. I’ll be painting to the sounds of the Kevin Kanner Quintet. Check out this video of Ro Hargrove blessing the audience..

We keep moving

admin — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 05:57:45 +0000

The color white was here and it allowed for all the tones to follow. I created color charts for each picture frame. I wanted them to understand what colors they needed for their sections and I wanted them to depend on themselves for creating colors. I always told them that I’m not responsible for the micro-management of their projects. That was to be their land of rule. I prescribed everyone into 4-6 groups to tackle the wall. I had people working on the sky scene, tree-horizon line, the green banner and the picture frames.

I had to make sure that my students were being very definitive in their fill-ins and outlines. I did not want the mural to be good from far but far from being clean. I wanted all colors to meet where they were supposed to; and I wanted the colors to be solid… not porous from the cinder block surface.

I also wanted them to be in total communication with each other…

And as the day grew darker I noticed that everyone was still here. They are Diehards!

you can see the tree line coming into effect and everybody is noticing their small sketches coming into grand reality. I taught them in the beginning that we were not going to do gradients and fades. I thought this would be too challenging to some and it would leave the mural to unexpected risks. So my peoples in the red group tried to sneak some fades into the painting… sorry guys… gotta stick to the program.

the first night of real painting was an astounding one. I can’t believe we did this all in one night. At this point I knew we were golden to finish in time. From here on out… it was going to be all about tightening the painting over and over again.

NPR KLCC interviews the students and I

admin — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 04:18:03 +0000

My students and I were interviewed by KLCC/NPR about the mural. It was a chill day for an interview.

the first to speak was Melena. Scott was second, followed by Helms…after him was jennifer and Barbara. The girl on the left of the two is Lilly. Nicole was next and then Kirby was the last to say his thing.