Panel #1- Albert Ramos of San Francisco, CA

Greetlings artlings.

I come to you bearing gifts of creativity and joy. Now bask in the glory of the first panel of the project! Yes, you heard me right, I actually have an update on the Panel #1 [aka S.L.U.G]! and it's bad ass! And honestly, I wouldn't expect anything less than badassery from an artist like Albert Ramos. This guy is probably the most talented and disciplined person I have ever met and I'm honored to call him a friend. He's from Barcelona, Spain and has been studying Fine Art at the Art Academy University and is currently pursuing his Masters while training to get into the best physical shape of his life. Oh and did I mention he kicks ass and takes names at various national art competitions? Excuse me while I go look at my own work and slit my wrists. No, but in all seriousness, Albert's hard work and talents are quite evident in his work. His work conveys a clear understanding for anatomy, dynamic symmetry and energy and his true dedication to the arts is evident in his intricate detail and pattern work. Albert is also known for spontaneously busting out into B-Boy break moves and toprocking mid-conversation. It's just fantastic, really.

Don't forget to check out his website so you can verify my words as TRUTH! Cliiiiiiiiiiick...HERE.

Hello, my name is Albert Ramos. I am from Barcelona, Spain but I currently live in San Francisco, CA. I draw and paint people, things, and sometimes, places.

What is your earliest artistic memory?

I remember drawing super heroes and monsters with my buddy Edgard after lunch break. Everybody thought we were weird.

What are three words that describe your artwork?

Frustration, pain, accomplishment

What inspires you?

Great painters, dead or alive, traditional or contemporary. Persian rugs, patterns, geometry. Science and philisophy. My students. Spain, my family, and especially the memories I have of them.

What is your goal in life?

To be a full time painter and make a conformable living with my art, without selling out, is probably the number one thing on my list. Also, I want to be able to snatch 165 pounds over my head, single handed. And ultimately, I just want to be a better Albert.

Name something you love and why.

I love strength and power training because deep in my heart I want to be a silver back gorilla.

What makes you angry?

Copy-cat painters, modern society, crowds, television, propaganda, politicians, hipsters, hippies, street art posers... and the list goes on, but let's not talk about hate and focus on the good stuff, right?

What was your favorite toy as a kid?

I loved knives, shurikens and my pair of nunchucks when I was a kid. Then one day puberty kicked in and I started loving spray cans more than anything else in the world.

What is your favorite toy now?

Olympic barbells

What is your dream art project?

I want to find my own voice, I want people to look at my paintings and say "This is an Albert Ramos painting."That is going to take a long time, yup.

What have you been listening to while you have been working on your art recently?

Recently, I prefer silence, if the studios around me are quiet. If there is noise around me and I need to isolate myself, I play random music from Zingaro to Elphomega. Anything goes, really.

If you were a cocktail on a drink menu at a bar, what would your name be?

It would be a mocktail [non-alcoholic cocktail], and I would be called "Raging Ramos"

If you could go back in time and talk to "8 year old YOU", what would you say to him?

I would warn myself about who to trust and who not to. I think I would even make a list and give it to myself.

If you could collaborate with any artist [living or dead], who would it be and why?

I would go back to the late 1800's/ early 1900's and collaborate with Gaudi, Fortuny and Casas. Kicking it at "Els Cuatre Gats" in Barcelona, sketching with the greatest.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?

I have been given plenty of advice throughout my life. Painting wise, the best advice I have ever been given is "The Subject of a painting will determine the way the painting should be painted" by Kevin Moore.

If you had a chance to say one sentence for the whole world to hear, what would you say?

Listen you fuckers, you screw heads. Here is a man who would not take it anymore. A man who stood up against the scum, the cunts, the dogs, the filth, the shit. Here is a man who stood up. I always wanted to say that like Travis did.

That's totally more than one sentence, Albert! But since it's Taxi Driver, I'll accept it. NICELY DONE MY FRIEND~ Gorgeous work on the panel and wonderful words of inspiration, I couldn't ask for anything more! Panel #1 crew is killing it right now and I can tell this piece is going to be insanely amazing by the time it's finished. and by the way, there's only one artist left on the bill for this one- Justin Delacuesta of Sacramento. He's another solid artist with great skills and I know he'll finish it off in style.

Go forth and spread the word of COLLABORATION my art lovers!

ELROD

Panel #8- Phillip Garza of Ontario, CA

Gather 'round children, gather 'round! It's time to hear from our resident SoCal blogger, Ms. MellyMel Sanchez of LA [hoodeehoo]~

Hey Everyone!

You’re in for a treat with Panel # 8. Its made its way from the Bay to LA and back again! I have to say this panel has to be one of the most diverse group of artists to work together. I love how Elrod set that up!

Well, I’m excited to introduce you to one of the most talented people I know, Phillip Garza. I’ve known Phillip forever and always admired his mad skillz as an artist. As a youngin’ he started drawing portraits of artists such as Al Green from album covers. Into the 90’s he got into graff work and focused on tagging and airbrushing. That reminds me, I never did get my airbrush Tigger shirt. Back in the day he went by the name SOED, and still uses it as his mantra “start over each day”.

Lately, Phillip is focused on his creative roots of drawing portraits of people and realism with a 9b pencil on vellum Bristol. Check out some of Phillip’s work on his site here and appreciate the beautiful work he contributed to the project. Nice work SOED! -MellyMel

My name is Phillip "SOED" Garza, I am from Ontario, CA I.E reppin'.

What is your earliest artistic memory?

Trying to draw graff style pieces when I was 8. I used to carry around a shoebox with magic markers and paper.

What are three words that describe your artwork?

Honest, emotional, graff-fite

What inspires you?

Everything around me inspires me. my wife, my kids, my family, friends, assholes in line at the grocery store, everything. For my contribution I was inspired by all the people in the words that have to find the courage to face another day for whatever damn reason. If you go to school and there is a little dickhead that messes with you, you find the courage at the end of the day to say "you didn't get the best of me". To me, that person is rad or if you lost a loved one for whatever reason reason- death, divorce, incarceration- and you find the strength to hold on to everything because falling apart would be the easy thing to do. This piece was for every one on the grind and looking at a stack of late notices, for every single mother that makes sure her kid has twice the role model potential in herself to make up for what should have been a man. I did this for everyone that faces their struggle head on and says "What you got today fucker?".

What makes you angry?

Way too many things to list but my current list of things that anger me: People that drive and disregard the safety others from being drunk, texting or any other general jackassery. When you ask for extra ranch and they give you one. People who can't get past what was cool to them when they were 17...can't stand that shit. If hip hop is dead what are you doing to resurrect it? Sorry about that. Oh yeah, and I still can't find my iPod.

What was your favorite toy as a kid??

Star Wars Boba Fett.

What is your favorite toy now?

I'm not comfortable answering that. Next question.

What is your dream art project?

I usually react impulsively, so I am going to say a portrait if Einstein with a tattoo sleave of all of the characters from the Flinstone universe.

What have you been listening to while you've been working on your art [recently]?

My musical tastes vary. I was listening to Big Sandy, Vicki Tafoya, Errol Dunkley, Frankie Sugar Chile Robinson, Los Gatoe Locos, Downset and a lot of risque blues from the '40s and '50s.

If you were a cocktail on a menu at a bar, what would your name be?

I would be a glass cold and tall, filled with a drink called "Fukitol".

If you could go back in time and talk to 8 year old YOU, what would you say to him?

There are going to be a lot of people in your life, some of them good, a few of them not so good. Always try to be one of the good one in someone else's memories. Oh, and really does hurt later in life from popping your knuckles so please stop now.

If you could collaborate with any other artist [living or dead], who would it be and why?

I have so many people I look up to artistically, it would be hard to pick. For me, I would definitely say I would love to work with anyone that digs what I put out there and can vibe off of my interpretations. We can figure the rest out as we talk about the project.

What is the best bit of advice that you have ever been given?

Act as though you have some damned sense- My Mom

If you had one chance to say one sentence for the whole word to hear, what would you say?

If you are unhappy with something, in your life, fix it and when you order a burger at Tommy's, get the chili on the side [you get more so you can dip you fries without have to pay for the chili for the fries].

The panel has already made her great trip back home to the bay and is in the hands of the man, SAUNDERS HILDRETH. I anticipate great things from you, Panel #8. You will bring honor and glory to your family.

From the bay to the I.E- 402.1 miles

Good night and stay classy, San Diego.

ELROD