Tinted by Tar & THC, the Sepia Collages of Cliff Maynard

Talk about recycling! 

Eclectix featured artist - Cliff Maynard uses the paper from roaches to compose his artworks. Tiny little frail pieces from roaches are taken and flattened, sorted according to color and then carefully arranged and glued into the final image. Each piece of paper resembles a watercolor brushstroke in the completed works, with the layering adding a textured and mottled depth. The process is slow and methodical, with images taking hundreds of pieces to complete. The results are beautiful, subtle colorations of sepia, ranging from the darkest almost-black browns to light pale tans and golds.

“I was studying mosaics in school” recalls Cliff. “I just remember sort of making this connection in my head between the tiles and roach papers.”

Cliff's Website Link

Originally posted in the Eclectix BURN Issue, July 2011,

 along with the permanent online exhibit of fire-related art, LINK HERE.

New Interview With John Seabury

John (sometimes known as Pynoman) is a local Bay Area artist who has shown with Eclectix a number of times. A skilled artist, graphic designer and comic illustrator, he is also a skilled musician, playing formerly with his band Psycotic Pineapple and today with The Deep. He has a fantastic wealth of gig posters he’s done over the years, as well as larger fine art silkscreens. Some of my favorite works are included in his two books,  his journals of collected black and white doodles and drawings - just chock full of wonderful characters, pineapples, curves, shapes and metamorphosis.

To read the full interview and view a gallery of his works click here.

Moonlight Mile by John Seabury

True Goth Art, Kevin Llewellyn

If you have ever watched LA Ink and noticed that killer painting (and frame) in the background of the tattoo shop (like I did), it is The Virgin Mary by Kevin (above). At first glance I mistakenly thought it was a Shawn Barber - just love this piece! Kevin’s work is about as “goth” as it gets, nice and dark, in subject matter as well as lighting. Obviously an experienced and adept painter, his images are cool and creepy, moody portraiture with a classic old-master feel. Some have a overly pornographic element, with a cheap shock value - whereas subtle, more erotic touches would enhance his works more. Of couse, that is my humble opinion. He is a young artist and shows a lot of promise, featured here are some fantastic favorites. Kevin currently has a solo show at Wonderland Gallery in LA.

Kevin's website here.

New Eclectix Interview With Dean McDowell

"Dean is an exceptional newbrow artist who has shown works with Eclectix in the past. His acrylic portraits have a wonderfully deep base of fleshy, thick textures and layered strokes, hints of mummy wrappings. The images evoke emotion, red eyed from crying, some bruised and bloodied by life or it’s vampires, some lipstick smeared and hinting of violent encounters. They may have been victims, hardened by abuse; becoming cold and indifferent as a form of self-defense and survival. In spite of it all, beautiful and sensual colors bleed through, and a strong and silent resolve seems to mature..."

For more images and the entire interview with Dean click here.