my fine art biography
Hello, I'm drewkidd and this is the true story of my life expressed through my creative works.
I AM an ARTIST, FOR LIFE!
This side of my site is a semi-autobiography of my life through my Art and Design and the many people that I have met and worked with through the years. There are many links to the different pages within the site and some videos on YouTube. More images, videos and info will be added periodically as well as a section covering my music.
Thank you for taking the time out to look at my work. - drewkidd
In the Beginning...
I started drawing at an early age scribbling on my toybox and using my mother's red nail polish as my first brush as I painted on her new wooden dresser and all around the porcelain toilet. Though she was not too happy with that, her and my father would always continue to encourage and support my creative pursuits through my life.
I loved all of my little Art classes in school and while in high school training to become a professional Draftsman, my English teacher (Mrs. Miller) asked me to work on the high school yearbook. Within a short time, I became the editor and designed over half of the book including all illustrations and the front and back covers. The Printer remarked that I should think about Graphic Design, and I switched my college goals towards that.
Items such as Album Covers, Cassette Tape Covers, Movie Posters, Comic Books and Music Videos were all influential to me. The Op Art & Psychedelic Posters of the 60's are what really inspired my early Graphic Design projects. Radiating Spirals, Circles, Triangles, Checkerboard Patterns, and Grids were building blocks I used to merge the technical, analytical side of Drafting with the intuitive, expressive side of Fine Art.
Blending these two elements together along with the presentational and other aspects of Desktop Publishing, this is the main under current of my work. Metaphysics, Fantasy Dreamscapes, Erotica, Architecture, Science, Health, Nature, People, Events... those pockets in-between reality and fantasy.
My earlier works were politically and racially charged, but that quickly changed towards Metaphysical and Fantasy themes as I was in love and exploring a new landscape that I had only seen in dreams...
Upon relocating to NYC with my girlfriend Angie G. in 1992, our final breakup a year later would inspire my "Four Faces" painting that I would use in my 1st group art exhibition in 1994.
Soon I was immersed in a large, creative environment, meeting and working with people from around the globe. I moved back to Cincinnati, Ohio in 2002 to continue my education, exhibiting, curating and working with other Artists.
Along the way, I have discovered new methods to express myself through my evolving Art, mixing many mediums while being presented to the public in different environments. This site is a semi-autobiographical account of my life through the areas of my creative journey from my first book in Kindergarten to my present creative projects. It will continue to be updated periodically.
Several Exhibition or Series based pages are in chronological order. NYC Exhibitions (1994-2009) were first, then the Cincy/KY Exhibitions (2002-present). The Paper Sculpture/Installation series begins with "Pink & Bleach" (2001) at the Gretsch Building in Williamsburg Brooklyn, NY and ends with "Explosion" (2010) at The Greenwich Gallery in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Over the years my work has branched into these areas:
DEVELOPED THEMES
SUBJECTS
SURFACES & AREAS
LIGHTING EFFECTS
VISUAL DISPLAY
MURALS
LIGHTING
SET DESIGN
THEATER
INSTALLATIONS
ENVIRONMENTS
EXTRA PROJECTS & COMMISSIONS
PHOTO DOCUMENTATION
VIDEO PROJECTS FOR PERFORMERS
ART LECTURES & WORKSHOPS
COLLABORATION PAINTING SERIES
CONSULTATION / PLANNING :/ARTISTIC SERVICES
DEVELOPED THEMES
BLACK ACID SOUL
LADIES OF THE NIGHT
SEDUCTIVE GLANCES
THE BOOK OF DARIUS VOL I.
THE DANCE
MOMENTEUM
RAMA
PINK & BLEACH
The VERTICAL POOL
RESTORATIVE EFFECTS
REPURPOSED OBJECTS SCULPTURES
SUBJECTS
COLLAGES - People, Facial Expressions, Pose Based
PORTRAITS - Illustrated(Ink/Pencil/Digital), Oil, Watercolor and/or Photographed
ABSTRACTS - Photography(Macros/Light/Environments),
DRAWING - (Pencil/Ink/Digital), Painting(Acrylic/Watercolors/Oils)
PEOPLE - Female/male Adults any race and fantasy figures
NATURE - Landscapes, Plants, Pets, Wildlife
CITYSCAPES - Buildings, Exteriors
PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY
INTERIORS PHOTOGRAPHY
SURFACES & AREAS
RAISED ACRYLIC PAINTINGS
GLOW IN THE DARK ACRYLIC PAINTING SERIES (4)
FACE & BODY PAINTING
LARGE SHEETS OF COLORED PAPER INSTALLATIONS & ENVIRONMENTS
SOUND ENVIRONMENTS generating music/mixes through amplified equipment: ATTAIN, GENESIS: An Artist Showcase, Blue Rock Café
BLACK ACID SOUL
What is Black Acid Soul?
The BLACK pertains to the raw, uninhibited emotion.
The ACID is the dissolving of old forms into the new.
The SOUL is the undying entity that resides in all of us that expresses itself throughout this process.
The purpose of my work is to show how SOUND, LIGHT, COLOR and FORMS affect me as a person in various emotional states. Unable to make up my mind about which direction to go towards, I separated my interests into three different areas:
1) The DANCE- Line illustrations depicting the human form and of forms in movement.
2) MOMENTEUM- Abstract paintings inspired by SOUND, MOVEMENT and PEOPLE in various surroundings.
3) RAMA- Portraits created by PAINTING, ILLUSTRATION and PHOTOGRAPHY or the combination of each medium.
ART LECTURES & WORKSHOPS
* 2013 MSJ/SPS GROUP : “The Business Side to Photography” presentation.
LIGHTING EFFECTS
“TO DIE IN SILVER”, CAPSULA 19, THE REAL THEATRE TRIPLE PLAYS
VIDEO DOCUMENTATION
DKNG, SPECIAL EVENTS, “The RED SHOES”
LIVE PAINTING LOCATIONS
SIBERIA BAR – Acrylic glow in the dark paintings
Manhattan Club (triangle bar- Lola made here)
Manhattan Club (body paint, sketches)
Havana Martini Club – large Blue Portal painting (silent auction)
Liquid’s Lounge Live painting (2x) Acrylic on large canvas
Blue Rock Tavern (Multimedia, Acrylic Found Object Installation / collaboration w/Chris Harris)
VISUAL DISPLAY
OAKTREE – 1st displays in windows and inside counters 1992-1993
UNITY UNITARDS – Event window display, flyer design 1996
FAO SCHWARZ - 3rd shift visual display installation crew 1998-2000
LIGHTING / SET DESIGN / THEATER / INSTALLATIONS / ENVIRONMENTS
LEVYLIGHTING Inc. – Grip, cables, photography, graphic design
Jean Cocteaux Theater – Stagehand: Stage Set ups and Tear downs
The Real Theatre – Set Design, Lighting & Sound Operator
Capsula 19 band member: on stage Lighting Effects Operator performed at S.O.B's
“To Die In Silver” – Momenteum Zone – Lighting Effects Operator
“The Vivian Richie Story” – W.A.H. band member /mini musical
ATTAIN: Erotic Art Exhibition event – Sound Operator, Face & Body Painting
GENESIS: An Artists Showcase – Sound Installation setup & operation.
FACE & BODY PAINTING
BLUE ASH DAY 1989/1990 FACE, ARMS, HANDS (KIDS)
W.A.H. ARTS FESTIVAL (LUCIA MODEL /ADULT FEMALE)
EROTIC FESTIVAL FACE, NECK, ARMS (ADULTS EBEN/3 WOMEN)
NYC CLUB – LEGS ARMS (4 WOMEN)
BRONX ITALIAN DAY FESTIVAL 1999 FACE, ARMS, (KIDS)
VISIONNATI EVENT – FACE, ARMS, LEGS, FEET – (4 WOMEN: SARAH, J-PHUNQ, JESSICA & walk up visitor)
EXTRA PROJECTS & COMMISSIONS
INDOOR BATHROOM PAINTING (commission)
HAND PAINTED ACTION FIGURES AND TOY DINOSAURS (temp job)
2 HAND PAINTED BRICKS FOR BREAST CANCER
CHARITY AUCTION
HAND PAINTED WOODEN MODEL (commission)
SECRET ARTWORKS – 2 5X7 PANELS FOR
SILENT AUCTION (for charity)
PEEPWORLD INSTALLATION OF MANNEQUINS AND LIGHTING EFFECTS OVER PERFORMANCE STAGES (commission)
CUSTOM TEESHIRT DESIGNS
FAMILY REUNION SHIRTS, POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS, “I’M GONNA WORK IT OUT” TEES, MONEY TEES, LEGACY TEES, FAMILY PET TEES
PHOTO DOCUMENTATION
DAVID SIDER’S CINCINNATI PUBLIC LIBRARY
MUSIC SERIES 2003-2005
CARTEAUX & LESLIE FINAL FRIDAY GALLERY OPENINGS 2004-2007
VIDEO PROJECTS FOR PERFORMERS
WATUSI TRIBE VIDEO SHOOT / EROTIC POETRY EVENT /
SPOKEN WORD PERFORMANCES
“The RED SHOES” w/ Virginia Dare (“guerilla style filming” in many locations, dancer performed on stage in front of the final projected video)
MURALS
STEVE’S ROOM (1ST ONE 1987)
Walnut Hills Store ( w/ Mayfield 3 Design 1990)
Vinyl Application on Windows and Vehicles (w/ Mayfield 3 Design 1990)
CONSULTATION / PLANNING /ARTISTIC SERVICES
JOHN WIRE (Sculptor): Outdoor exhibition assistance / Document and Image scanning, organization for presentation and archival purposes.
L’MODE (Former Modelling Agency): Strategic Consultations / Photo Documentation of special events and model shoots.
ICONS (Former Clothing Store): Wall mural painting completion inside the entire top perimeter of the store.
CARTEAUX & LESLIE (Former Bookstore & Gallery): Photographer for the majority of their Art Exhibition Openings.
Archived History of my fine art & creative projects
New York Exhibitions
Cincinnati & KY Exhibitions
Cincinnati & KY Exhibitions
My 1st of many there was in 1994 at the Village Vanguard. My last one there was in 2009 in Brooklyn with the Gelato! Art Collective.
Cincinnati & KY Exhibitions
Cincinnati & KY Exhibitions
Cincinnati & KY Exhibitions
Starting in 2002, I had my 1st of many shows in the city at the late
Kwame' Clay's Gallery on Clay Street.
Press & Awards
Cincinnati & KY Exhibitions
Press & Awards
A collection of Flyers, Photos and Press over the years.
areas of creative expression over the years
Live Painting
Live Painting
Live Painting
I have created several paintings live in clubs and at events in front of crowds of people. These are all done with Acrylic paints for a quick dry time.
Sculptures
Live Painting
Live Painting
Clay, paper, and mixed materials. All of my sculptures are either in collections or lost to time and too many moves.
Installations
Live Painting
Face & Body Painting
These were mostly based on environments created with large sheets of colored paper.
Face & Body Painting
Theater & Performance
Face & Body Painting
I started in 1989 at the Blue Ash Festival painting cartoon characters and horror effects on kids faces. Performances and Erotic Festivals were the areas I did this in over the years.
Art Exhibit Curation
Theater & Performance
Theater & Performance
Genesis was my 1st Art Curation Exhibit with 15 Visual Artists and 15 Music Performers. The 2nd exhibit had 18 Visual Artists. I also created the floor plan and brochures.
Theater & Performance
Theater & Performance
Theater & Performance
Lighting , Sound and Set Design for Black Box Theaters. Performance Actor in "The Vertical Pool", "Multiple Dwelling" and several original bands.
Video Projects for Performance
Video Projects for Performance
Video Projects for Performance
I started in the late 90's filming friend's performances in NYC.
In the early 2000's I was the videographer for RARA Ent. documenting it's roster of performers and in 2010 made my last video production for the one woman play "The Red Shoes" starring Virginia Dare (pictured).
Drawings
Video Projects for Performance
Video Projects for Performance
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This is my archive of sketches and drawings over the years. Some developed into larger themes, while others were quick inspirations in the moment.
Paintings
Video Projects for Performance
Commissioned Works
Abstracts, Portraits and Landscapes are my main focus while painting. I primarily use Acrylics, but from time to time will paint with Oils, and Watercolors or even mix them together.
Commissioned Works
Works Made for Auction
Commissioned Works
Paintings & unique, custom one of a kind items.
Works Made for Auction
Works Made for Auction
Works Made for Auction
Artwork made for auctions and charities over the years.
Collective Groups
Works Made for Auction
Works Made for Auction
I have worked with several Collective Groups starting in 2000. The 1st one was S.U.N. Arts (pictured: me with the founder, "Mouse" D. Balingit)
Custom Tee Shirts
Art Education & More
Art Education & More
A collection of my custom Tee Shirt Designs over the years.
Art Education & More
Art Education & More
Art Education & More
MSJU, ACA, Art Students League, Adcuity, SAMPLE and some early freelance projects that started several creative directions for me.
Childhood
Art Education & More
Childhood
Where it all began. This is a collection of my work from K-12.
Some themes have come around again and again and some images are now being updated for a new age.
printing techniques & themes over the years
Printing Blues & Proofs
Printing Blues & Proofs
Printing Blues & Proofs
Blues are Printer's proofs to check for mistakes before the final job is printed.
The Red 90's
Printing Blues & Proofs
Printing Blues & Proofs
Since Red catches the eye the most, I went through a phase where all of my promotional flyers were printed in red by my old friend Michael Sierra.
Rubylith Film
Printing Blues & Proofs
Starting Tools
Amberlyth and Rubylyth film were used during the pre-computer days. Acetate overlays were used to indicate different colors for printing.
Starting Tools
Paste Up Plates
Starting Tools
Starting as a Draftsman in high school my early drawing tools were a compass, cutting boards, olfa knives, T-Squares, pencils, pens, rulers and triangles.
Paste Up Plates
Paste Up Plates
Paste Up Plates
Before Desktop Publishing, images and text were placed on acetate sheets, boards or paper with glue or rubbed on press type then photocopied as black on colored paper or each acetate layer represented the CMYK printing colors (Cyan Magenta Yellow & Black).
printing blues & proofs
the red 90's
screen printing using amber & rubylyth film
paste up & plates
Check Out My Custom Art Merchandise
I have a series of designs (Abstract, Floral & Geometric) on several products. Above, is the "Kitten Films" collage design on a 14-inch square, faux suede pillow.