Brandon Maldonado's Iconic Art

Brandon Maldonado resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico, an environment rich in hispanic arts and culture. His religion-inspired art, full of somber grace and ceremony, speaks for itself. 

 “The visual language of art has the ability to communicate beyond the confines of spoken language. I believe this quality is the essence of visual arts and is the medium’s greatest strength. Throughout the course of humanity art has been used to inform civilizations, functioning as a powerful propaganda tool with great success. With this in mind I pick up my paintbrushes and attempt to use art as a vehicle for inspiring change.“

This was originally published on the homepage of Eclectix, 

in the Iconic issue, Feb. 2012

For the Iconic online exhibit, click here.

Daniel Martin Diaz’s Eloquent Dead

Daniel’s art is a modern day take on old school paintings - yellowed like papyrus and mysteriously somber like church stained glass windows. His beautiful ability to merge decorative motifs, with Gothic calligraphy and iconic imagery is uncanny. With his Hispanic background, death and religion obviously play a predominant role in his works, creating a poetic and surreal afterlife of their very own. Weathered and mysterious, his art speaks richly of a secret historical  alchemy.

 LINK: To Daniel’s Website & Portfolio

This was originally published on the homepage of Eclectix, 

in the Iconic issue, Feb. 2012

For the Iconic online exhibit, click here.

The Illuminators of Christopher Ulrich

Christopher Ulrich is a painter of surreal, iconographic images. He is influenced by the richness of ancient mythology, the mystery of alchemy, and the vastness of cosmic reality. He is one of the most influential artists of his generation of pop-surrealists, respected as much by other painters as by patrons and the general public. He has been a great mentor to young artists, continuing a great tradition he began with artist Burne Hogarth nearly two decades ago. Christopher has already begun working on the final chapter of his Christ Chronocrater Cycle. The Reckoning will debut on December 7th, 2012 at La Luz de Jesus Gallery. - Via LaLuzDeJesus

LINK: A wall of Christopher’s Illuminator series   

LINK: To Christopher’s Website & Portfolio

This was originally published on the homepage of Eclectix, 

in the Iconic issue, Feb. 2012

For the Iconic online exhibit, click here.

Nihil’s Saints Series

Nihil is a French photographer and digital artist with a huge portfolio of fantastic imagery. Pictured here are just a few from his beautiful Saints series. If I could speak French I would tell you more, but alas...

LINK: To Nihil’s website & portfolio

This was originally published on the homepage of Eclectix, 

in the Iconic issue, Feb. 2012

For the Iconic online exhibit, click here. 

The Art of Pale Horse: Decks, Christos & Popes

Floridian Chris Parks is the owner of Pale Horse Graphic Design and is a darn fine artist. His style is very graphic, lots of brilliant colors, bold black lines with a heavy metal punch. A visual stew of biker art, Hispanic murals, cartoons and vibrant street art.  

"The Last Fiesta’ is my 12-skateboard deck shout-out to Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’ with Jesus Christos and his 12 Luchador apostles getting down one last time.” 

He has some really beautifully designed tee shirts for sale as well. Quality, dynamic & well designed imagery!

LINK: The Last Fiesta skatedeck series

LINK: Pope art - The Mushroom Cult

This was originally published on the homepage of  Eclectix, 

in the Iconic issue, Jan. 2012

For the Iconic online exhibit, click here. 

The Spirits of Tatomir Pitariu

Tatomir was born in Romania and currently resides in Los Angeles. His heavy metal spirits borrow from Transylvanian rituals & traditions, Greek mythology, paganism, the elements and folklore. On Tantomir's website, there are fascinating texts & tidbits about each piece - explaining the subject, background and evolution of each image. Very inspiring and full of spiritual gusto.

 

This was originally published on the homepage of  Eclectix, 

in the Iconic issue, Jan. 2012

For the Iconic online exhibit, click here. 

The Sacred Science of Aleksandra Mir

Born in Lubin, Poland, Aleksandra is a citizen of both Sweden and the USA. She currently lives in London. Her collage series - The Dream and the Promise, combine religious iconography with images and symbols of space travel. They allude to the complicated, and not always contentious, relationship between science and faith. 

“If angels and astronauts share the same sky, 

isn't it time they were introduced?”

This was originally published on the homepage of  Eclectix, 
in the Iconic issue, Jan. 2012
For the Iconic online exhibit, click here. 

Serbian Painter Zeljko Tonsic

Zeljko creates lovely symbolist beings in mythology and religion-based narratives. A loving quote about him from his bio: “And he continues to love and lets us feel that love. Love in the eyes of Archangel Gabriel, the bearer of good tidings, the comforter and helper of men. Love in the eyes of Eurynome, most important Goddess of Pelasgian myth. Love of all those, who were, and will be born on his white canvas, uniting religions, habits and understandings."

His Website Link

(Originally posted on the homepage of the Eclectix 

"Iconic" Issue, Dec-Jan. 2012,

 along with the permanent online exhibit of religion related art, LINK HERE.)

Announcing the New Eclectix Issue: "Iconic", Volume 11

Art by Shawn Barber

This new Eclectix issue pays homage to icon related art. Religious, pagan, pop culture, altars, rituals, mythology, gods & goddesses.

Artworks, news, artist interviews, calendar events, online exhibition and religious trivia. 

Link to the Eclectix homepage

Link to the permanent "Iconic" online gallery

Splendors of Faith/Scars of Conquest In Oaktown

Visited the Oakland Museum for their exhibit-

Splendors of Faith/Scars of Conquest

Arts of the Missions of Northern New Spain,1600-1821

This exhibition had a great span of religious art and iconography, focusing on the scars and casualties of religious zeal. The wars between the Protestants and Catholics and the martyrdom of the devout. Lots of creepy yet breathtaking imagery here; bloody and scary yet fascinating and engaging. Apparently the art traveled to only two spots here in the States and it was nice to see Oakland get a shot at such a fabulous exhibit. I have always loved mission artistry and this show didn't let me down. The Catholic church has produced and influenced many masterpieces, many hidden away in little churches on frescos. Even though I am not religious- the Gothic dark moodiness, the serene emotional expression, the ornate decor of altars and sacred spaces - have always intrigued and haunted me, in a good way. And if you are fond of skull and skeleton art, you can't beat the depictions of "Hell" in religious art.  Included in the exhibit were altar pieces, sculptures, frescos and paintings - a somber, ethereal and beautiful exhibition. The show has now ended, my apologies for not getting to this post sooner - it would have been nice to inspire some extra visitors to the museum. At the very least - here is a virtual look/see for you to visit.

Also on display was a companion exhibit titled -

Contemporary Coda

This exhibit caused a bit of an uproar, (small-minded uproar) mostly centered on one piece by Alma Lopez, which Eclectix posted about here. Her piece was one of the best in this small show but Manuel Ocampo's Diptych blew me away. I have always loved his paintings and it was great to see these up close and personal. Do a Google image search on Manuel, it is well worth it... (couldn't find a website for him). Here is a link for a film about the artist.