Recycling Old Paintings to make NEW ones...

Recycling old paintings to make new ones at Live Art Events.

I am not asking for anything, I am writing for you all to understand my point of view. At the age of 14  truly understood that painting was something I want to pursue. I was super lucky to be accepted at the High school named : LaGuardia High School of Performance and the Visual Arts, in New York City . All I knew then was that it has saved me from the abnormal family life style that I called normal.. and that I was misunderstood often by my behavior. *Trust me, my behavior wasn't that drastic, I was just not expose to many things that I found that others took for granted. such as, buying clothes, hanging out with friends, eating quality time with family etc etc...


High school finsihed, and I had to enroll to college. Just didn't know how to? When I entered College, State University of New Paltz, I got a scholarship. I actually thought it was for the entire 4 year stay, but it was for one semester. Thus I gravitated to the enter the armed forces. I made such a pursue for the arts that I joined the Army National Guard to get me further to the arts, in the most useful way possible, in an era that WAR wasn't as crucial as we see it now. The President Clinton Era. I got the G.I.Bill..

The realm of my understanding of art, then and now:
From high school I was TAUGHT, that we as people must learn from the past to learn where we are in this WHOLE picture called life. I took that to the heart. I also learned that If I don't paint, I do naturally feel very uncomfortable with life, and myself. I feel absent, and feel like a drone. I have worked part time since the age of 15 years old, and I remember being also in school doing art as well. Everything balanced itself. But to explain the NEED to make art, I simply can not explain in words... must paint... or do something creative.

On 2007 the LIVE ART scene has presented itself to me, channeling my need to paint. I had no clue what it was? what or how would this affect me. I did a few at local bars here and there, and the mood was a cozy one. Family and friends attended these cute venues, with ton of LOVE for me and my brothers. These events then began to grow into large one,where a lot more people, and more talent and showcasing to a lever that I didn't imagine.

I was blown away when Art Battles presented itself as one of these special venues where Art is held high, and the joy of witnessing these art evolving within a strict time line, had sharpened the artist intend and sure did mine.

From 2007 til now, the growing demand for these venues, where artist paint "LIVE" at these many different events, fundraisers, functions, support and encouragements for awareness in partnership with current art movements in these places, has made it a bit strenuous for us as well.
             I will explain: Painting in general is always a thrilling experience, the music and the people, both in the events and those that are the audiences, make the experience a memorable one as well as a profitable one. Profitable for either the people holding these events and maybe the artist.... As the events gets more borderline running along side the entertainment stream, where "well know" musical artist, or any one of popularity/celebrity are in the same facility, the Live Art performer arnt compensated equality. Ok ok, I am not on TV, and not famous. I'm not shooting for that either, I just love paining. But there comes a time where the efforts to be "understood for our work" needed to be paid close attention to. I give so much respects for the Live Art performers such as myself, because there are many things we go through before we get to a venue. As equally important are the musicians that BRING in the people.

I place this into perspectives: 1.) The cost to purchase canvas for each show. 2.)The cost for paints used and to replenish new paints. 3.)Transportation. Why is it an MC, or a DJ get a flat fee given to them by requesting them, not be the same in consideration painter?

I will be honest, I get requested to paint live all the time, and I love it! I love painting and sharing the time with others that do appreciate my art. I do love painting. But I dont get nothing in return to keep me going. I am now looking over my old paintings and I am in a place where art must go on. I am now currently painting on my old paintings to continue my love for creating. And it isn't bothering me a bit.

The following are just a few out of many works of art that I have already painted over, and have created other art over it.