 Reception: Friday Sept. 10th 4PM - 5PMStop by to view Kevin's new art exhibit for his first art reception! "Reincarnation: A Dance of Yin and Yang" created by Kevin Ngo A few words from Kevin, "I'm an artist who loves to tell a story that brings a deeper message, strong emotions, and fully expresses creativity without playing it safe!" Artist StatementGreetings ladies and gentlemen, my name is Kevin Ngo. So, what I've worked on is a series of characters from my epic adult science fantasy romance series. The story of Reincarnation: A Dance of Yin and Yang takes place in an Asiatic-like fictional world called Mortal World (or Mortal Realm), home to humans, animals, and spirits. The story is centered around the eight young adults from different nations and clans of two separate teams; Holy Beasts and Fiend Beasts. I made these images with colored pencils, watercolors, acrylic ink, acrylic paint, acrylic paint markers, and oil pastels. The inspiration for this project came from, tokusatsu, the martial arts films of Ang Lee and Bruce Lee, Akira Kurosawa’s samurai films, xianxia, and anime/manga. I’m also inspired by the Star Wars Original Saga (1-6), Lord of the Rings Trilogy, and Avatar: The Last Airbender. The main reason I created this series of artwork is to showcase that creativity can still make something new and fresh without relying on existing intellectual property or being unoriginal or creatively bankrupt (cough Di$ney cough). I'm an artist who loves to tell a story that brings a deep message, strong emotions, and fully expresses creativity without playing it safe, or bowing down to censorship, cancel culture, and political correctness fear-mongering bullies. This reflects my project's themes of authoritarianism / totalitarianism, extremism, political power, corruption, indoctrination, war and censorship. But at the same time, I would like to highlight; love, freedom, hope, family, humanity, balance, and the strengths of traditional masculinity and femininity. I hope you enjoy my art, I hope this inspires you to create your own vision, style, and creativity. Can't make the reception?
Visit the studio during regular hours between September 9th and September 23rd, 2021 to see Kevin's art on display Questions? Contact Artists First Phone: 314-781-4440 (please leave a voicemail so we can return your call) Email: info@artistsfirststl.org
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Pretty Shapes and Beautiful Colors |
 | Artists Statement Imagine this, a world beyond the stars a place of wonder and magic. Imagine bizarre lands, creatures, and societies. Imagine this place of humanity echoed in a kaleidoscope of characters. Imagine this, a world of war, love, violence, hope and the human spirit. I’m Ricky Douglas, I’ve been imagining other worlds my entire life. I enjoy drawing pictures of faraway lands and telling stories. I feel that my mental illness has given me a different perspective. It just proves that a seemingly negative occurrence can lead to a world of wonder. |
Opening Reception May 16th, 2-3PM
Image List
Sensitivity
mixed media on paper
9" x 11"
$80.00 framed
Desert
mixed media on paper
9" x 11"
$80.00 framed
Untitled
mixed media on paper
9" x 11"
$80.00 framed
Lizard
mixed media on paper
9" x 11"
$80.00 framed
Brian's Colorado
mixed media on paper
9" x 11"
$80.00 framed
Hearts
mixed media on paper
11" x 15"
NFS
mixed media on paper
9" x 11"
$80.00 framed
Desert
mixed media on paper
9" x 11"
$80.00 framed
Untitled
mixed media on paper
9" x 11"
$80.00 framed
Lizard
mixed media on paper
9" x 11"
$80.00 framed
Brian's Colorado
mixed media on paper
9" x 11"
$80.00 framed
Hearts
mixed media on paper
11" x 15"
NFS
Art List
Fly Into The Sky
I’m wearing a butterfly dress that I made. I like to think about flying with the rest of the butterflies.
The New Jack Frost
I’m wearing my Jack Frost costume that I made for this year’s Christmas walk in St. Charles. I like to impress people with my costumes.
Mortal Combat
I made this outfit of a fighter for my Halloween in 2018. The fighter in Mortal Combat is a Scorpion.
Wonder Woman
I made the shirt for this Wonder Woman costume. I like Wonder Woman she’s a fighter who helps fight crime and she’s strong too.
St. Patrick’s Day Spring
I always wear green on St. Patrick’s Day because I’m Irish on my dad’s side. I’m also Swedish, Japanese, Hawaiian, and Welsh.
Butterfly Dreams
Purple represents Butterfly Dreams, the organization that helps me do a special pageant. Every single November I get to dress up with a fancy gown. Last year my gown was my Haiawian dress.
I’m wearing a butterfly dress that I made. I like to think about flying with the rest of the butterflies.
The New Jack Frost
I’m wearing my Jack Frost costume that I made for this year’s Christmas walk in St. Charles. I like to impress people with my costumes.
Mortal Combat
I made this outfit of a fighter for my Halloween in 2018. The fighter in Mortal Combat is a Scorpion.
Wonder Woman
I made the shirt for this Wonder Woman costume. I like Wonder Woman she’s a fighter who helps fight crime and she’s strong too.
St. Patrick’s Day Spring
I always wear green on St. Patrick’s Day because I’m Irish on my dad’s side. I’m also Swedish, Japanese, Hawaiian, and Welsh.
Butterfly Dreams
Purple represents Butterfly Dreams, the organization that helps me do a special pageant. Every single November I get to dress up with a fancy gown. Last year my gown was my Haiawian dress.
Artists Statement
I like to dress up in many costumes just for fun. When I dress up I feel confident.
Comment by December 22nd to help us create this collaborative community arts project!
1.Patterned Planter
Purchase your painted planter take home kit at Artist First.
2. Cardboard Flowers
3. Painting With Everything But The Brush
4. Coloring Pages
Purchase your Artists First Budding Creative Gift Bag with two original coloring books and a set of colored pencils at Artists First.
Give A Gift That Matters
  | Artists First Holiday Cards Featuring original art made by artists, Brandon Harris Danny Speck Julie Hart Artists First Mugs Featuring original art made by artists, David Fishman Ricky Douglas Nakia Jones Steven McGee Artists First Coloring Book Featuring original art made by artists, James Holmes “Sir James Shepherd”, Paul Stanton, Melelani Perry, Jason Lee, Keith Glandt, Marcellus Andrews, Danny Speck, Luke Allison, Jhayla Boone, Ricky Douglas, Charles Baunach, DJ Thomas, and Steven McGee Jewelry Made by Nakia Jones and Alehra Evans Creative AF Stickers & Apparel |
Gain confidence and skill in your drawings. Open for all levels, even for those who say they can’t draw! A guided series of exercises.
About this EventJoin us in this Virtual Fundraiser presented by the Artists First Young Professionals Board. The Guest Artists Series features classes taught and designed by local artists to help Artists First make up for loss of funding from the pandemic including over 23 canceled fundraisers and events. Artists First is an inclusive, non-profit art studio empowering artists of all abilities.
This 60 minute drawing class will help you gain confidence and skill in your drawings. Speed Drawing is open to the public to enjoy at all levels and is even for those who say they can’t draw! Artist and teacher, Michael Holohan will guide you through a series of speed drawing prompts that will push your creativity. This class will help you connect to new brain pathways and discover the joy in drawing.
Supplies
Supplies included for local pickup one week prior to the class, 7190 Manchester Road, Maplewood, MO 63143
Monday October 19th through Thursday October 22nd, 10am - 3pm
- Drawing Paper
- Studio Pens
If you aren't local or prefer to have your own supplies, please come prepared to this class with a pen and several sheets of paper.
About Guest Art Facilitator, Michael Holohan
Michael has been aterlierista (a “teacher” with an arts background) at The Saint Michaels School Of Clayton since 2000. Under the mentorship of Ashley Cadwell, former head of TMSOC. Michael was provided several opportunities to visit and study in the municipal schools of Reggio Emilia while attending study tours. He is a graduate of University of Redlands, with a degree in studio art and minor in art history.
Michael is teaching this class in support of Artists First moving forward in the time of Covid. He was "happily challenged to help develop a remote class that could have an impact."
His recent artwork ranges from wood burned paintings on repurposed oak flooring to letter press drink coasters with messages and printmaking.
Instagram: @holohanmichael
Guest Art Facilitator Michael Holohan working in his studio.
The Maytals of Reggae fame, colors from the Jamaican flag.
54-46 on coasters, homage to one of Toots Higgins songs
Vote message, on coasters
Jimmy “Sir James Shepherd” Holmes
Since being away from the studio Jimmy has been spending time writing and drawing. He’s created many new stories for future comics!
Jimmy originally came to Artists First Studio to learn how create comic books. He enjoys coming up with characters that symbolize different aspects of society and the human condition. His stories are comically strange, but with more than hints of truth. His comics often highlight parts of his own journey to navigate the world around him in an abstract and allegorical way.
Jimmy originally came to Artists First Studio to learn how create comic books. He enjoys coming up with characters that symbolize different aspects of society and the human condition. His stories are comically strange, but with more than hints of truth. His comics often highlight parts of his own journey to navigate the world around him in an abstract and allegorical way.
Images from Jimmy's studio portfolio
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