Hello

Justin Kaufman · 03-23-2004, 03:16 AM

Hello everybody, my name is Justin Kaufman, and I am a fine artist and illustrator living an San Francisco.I happened upon this site recently, and have been lurking round for a bit. Gotta say I am humbled by the caliber of work around here. Pretty amazing stuff. About myself, i am originally from El Paso Texas, where Igot my start in the arts as a graffiti artist. I began painting portraits in spraypaint, which i still do from time to time, only legally now.

In 1997, I moved out to San Francisco to attend art school. I went to Academy of Art college for three years studying traditional illustration. Currently, I work as a conceptual artist in the video game industry, and am a founder and administrator over at http://www.conceptart.org a great entertainment arts forum of almost 8,000 members. While production art pays my bills at the moment, i am trying to transition myself over into the fine arts a bit more, and have been painting for exhibition for the past couple years. Please feel free to check out my website at www.coro36ink.com
It's kind of a mish-mash of artwork, and it's sort of all over the place, but I am still trying to find my voice. I look forward to being a part of this great community.

Here is a painting I did last year. it was a 5'6 by 7'6 foot oil on canvas. Thats me in the foreground, for lack of a better model!

Julie Deane · 03-23-2004, 09:01 AM

Welcome - glad you're here- cool art! Thanks for sharing it.

Chris Saper · 03-23-2004, 10:34 AM

Justin,

Welcome to the Forum. I just love the painting you've posted! It's original, daring, extraodinary in design, and beautifully executed. Can you post some close-ups as well?

I look forward to your participation.

Jean Kelly · 03-23-2004, 01:24 PM

Hello Justin,

I've visited your site and am truly fascinated with your work. In Madison there has been a war on "graffiti" art, and my husband and I have been right in the middle of it. My step-son was the #1 villian, criminal, arch-enemy of the state, evil-doer, and all around nasty person for the crime of painting works of art on ugly buildings. Now he's getting paid to do the same work.

Your work is so strong in composition and originality, also the social commentary is thought provoking and heartbreaking. I'll show your site to my step-son, I've been pushing him to get the fine art training that he needs to take his work to the next level. Welcome to the forum, I look forward to seeing more of your work.

Jean

Justin Kaufman · 03-23-2004, 03:47 PM

Jean,

Thanks so much for the warm welcome! My mother had to put up with my graffiti evil doings as a younger lad, so I'm sure Icompletely know what you're going through. I have to say that to some degree graffiti saved my life, as I probably wouldn't have pursued the arts without it.

I come from a part of the country where the arts weren't too prominent, and spraypaint murals were the best way to get one's art out. If not for graffiti, I would probably be dead or in prison, with most of the people I grew up with. It is a solid foundation for making art, as it encourages deftness and confidence more than a lot of mediums, as well as the added pressure of it being a public activity, exposed to the eyes of the world throughout its creation. I must admit I still enjoy it from time to time, but I only do legal pieces now. I hope your stepson continues his artistic training, as we need more Graffiti artists in the fine art world, as well as the production art field!

Justin Kaufman · 03-23-2004, 04:04 PM

Chris, thank you so much for your kind words! I appreciate the warm welcome from such great artists. I am truly flattered you like this piece, it was a lot of work but very enjoyable to execute. I will post some close-ups as soon as I get home from the office tonight.

Justin Kaufman · 03-23-2004, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julie Deane

Welcome - glad you're here- cool art! Thanks for sharing it.

Julie, thanks very much! its an honor to be here!

Michele Rushworth · 03-23-2004, 06:07 PM

What a striking and beautifully executed painting -- in other words, very cool.

I just checked out your site and I love your work, especially the street scenes. They seem to be very personal statements, and they're so strong and dramatic compared to most work in that genre that I see in galleries these days. I also really like your spray can still lifes. Now that's my idea of a great still life subject! No more of these stuffy pears-and-bowls I see everywhere else.

It was interesting to hear your story, moving from perhaps difficult beginnings, to graffiti art, to fine art. Welcome to the Forum! I look forward to reading more of your posts, and seeing more of your work.

Allan Rahbek · 03-23-2004, 07:13 PM

Hi Justin,

Welcome to the club. Just lean back and enjoy the inscrutable ways of painting.

From another newcommer, Allan.

Geary Wootten · 03-24-2004, 08:45 PM

Wha!? Dustin Hoffman has joined?!

Oh....sorry Justin....I misread. hehe.

Your stuff kicks copious butt man! I'm new here, too, and a native of California. When I was a teenager visiting San Francisco I spray painted on walls, too. You may've seen it........ " ERIC CLAPTON IS GOD! "

From a "former" Bay Area trouble maker,
Geary