My first solo art show, Mass Hysteria!, is all about my favorite pop culture crowds. The inspiration to do large, crowd-based pieces started with my early work in Gallery1988's group shows, so when they asked me to come up with a theme for my own show, I thought it'd be a fun challenge to see how far I could take that motif. I like showing iconic characters surrounded and overwhelmed by the environments from their respective properties. Then I realized how much work it was to illustrate over 500 individual characters, but it was too late to change my mind.
After I decided on my main theme, I made a list of movies, tv shows, and music videos that I really liked and whittled it down to the ones that could fit within my theme's criteria. A lot of them were ones I've always wanted to do illustrations of, like Big Trouble In Little China or The Warriors. Basically, I just wanted to draw a really cute, squeezable Kurt Russell.
The show will feature over 30 prints, including a 9.5-foot panoramic print that I'm really psyched about.
Mass Hysteria! opens Friday, February 6th and runs through February 28th at Gallery1988 East, 7021 Melrose Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90038.
Opening reception is Fri, Feb 6th from 7-10pm. Treats will be provided by Cafe Dulce, with coffee by Grounded on Melrose.
