Hello

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

Marvin Mattelson · 03-25-2004, 11:56 AM

Justin, it's nice to have you here. You bring a new perspective and energy, which is nice. I really enjoy the Conceptart forum as well. I particularly like the tutorials and seeing the life paintings and drawings. That's one thing that I think we're missing here. Figure painting from life is THE best way to prepare yourself to be a good portrait artist. Maybe some day I'll post at your forum as well. Now if there were only 48 hours in each day.

Justin Kaufman · 03-25-2004, 05:23 PM

Wow! I didnt expect to get so many positive comments! Thank you all so much for the warm welcome!

Marvin Mattelson: I'm very happy to be posting here, and hope I can contribute something to this great community you all have going on here. You go to the conceptart forum? Wow! I never thought when we started it two years ago we'd be getting such support from the fine arts community as well. Its been a wonderful bonus. We try to show as much as possible that good production art, as well as portraiture begins with a solid understanding of foundational thinking and execution. All the answers are found in the paintings from the old masters. I'd love to see you post over at conceptart! We need more painters of your caliber showing how it's really done!

Heidi Maiers: Thank you so much! My site is a bit of a mish-mash of things, I tend to jump around a lot in terms of subject matter and execution, as it keeps the work fresh to me. I am glad you liked the stuff, and I am truly very happy to be here!

Garth Herrick: Wow! I feel the exact same way about your works! I was going through your thread and i absoultely love your paintings and sculptures. It is your works that are beyond brilliant! I would love to put a demo together. I'd be very curious to see how you work as well. if you do a demo, I promise I will!

Geary Wootten: I tease my parents to this day about the phoenetic similarities between my name and Dustin Hoffman's. They say they didnt realize it rhymed. Thats what I get for having hippies as parents! Did you know that Eric Clapton is one of the worlds foremost collectors of graffiti art? I think it might have something to do with the whole "clapton is god" thing. Thanks so much for responding, and I'm really flattered you like my stuff.

Allan Rahbek: Thank you Allan.

Michele Rushworth: Thanks! You know, the street scenes seem to be my most steady sellers. I seem to be able to move more of those than anything else. I greatly enjoy doing them. I am very fascinated with the city aesthetic and the play of light off the buildings, cars and whatnot. I look to the ashcan school for inspiration on those. Hopper and Bellows are my guides. I am also happy to hear you liked the spraypaint stilllifes! I had never though to do that until recently, and i had a lot of fun with them. Art saved my life. I can really attest to the importance and positive energy that the love of at can bring.I am thankful every single day i found it!

Thank you all again for the warm welcome!

Garth Herrick · 03-24-2004, 08:49 PM

Welcome, Justin,

I am breathless after glimpsing at the scope of your amazing talent. Your works are beyond brilliant! You are truly an asset to this forum and I look forward to your posts. Perhaps a painting demonstration would be interesting.

Garth

Heidi Maiers · 03-25-2004, 01:26 AM

How bizarre, unique, and imaginative. I was compelled to check out every image on your site and truly enjoyed my visit there. Such a wide range of moods in your work. Glad to have you aboard.