It started when I was working at an animation house called Maverix. It was around the end of 2007; a coworker introduced me to this link KQED arts program SPARK. It was a profile on his former colleague Rene Garcia Jr. who was a Glitter Artist. My mind was blown! I thought how fun and how brilliant! I loved the idea of sparkly paintings. So unique and one of a kind!
I was so inspired by Rene Garcia Jr. I began creating glitter art on my own. Trial and error ensued. First I used glitter glue and found it didn't have the right look, too bubbly and not enough glitter. So then I tried loose glitter on top of Elmer's Glue and that was perfect! I tried it on cardboard, witch was terrible. Wood worked the best. I first started with only 3 colors of glitter. Mixing them together in analogous colors. As my process grew I accumulated more and more glitter.
I had the opportunity to go to Project One (now Mercer) and see Rene Garcia Jr.'s art in person. I was amazed at his glitter art pieces. So large and bold, I wanted to stay among his work forever. What was even better was that Rene and I had mutual friends. Charlie Canfield offered to introduce me to Rene himself. I was so excited to meet Rene, so excited and so star struck! I followed Charlie across the room and stood there numb as he introduced me to Rene.
Rene shook my hand, smiled, and told me not to be nervous, 'I'm just a normal guy' he said. We started talking shop, witch was amazing since I had no one else I could talk about this with. We traded our techniques and ways we worked with glitter. Chatting my way from Fan to Friend he tells me "Just have fun with it" and with that I've been making glitter paintings ever since.
Just yesterday I got the news that Rene Garcia Jr. passed away. I'm in shock and devastated. Through these passed years he's been encouraging and sweet. I followed his art and his shows and I can't believe that he's gone. I can't find the words to express how I feel. Heartbroken. Rene has changed my life. Really would not be doing what I do if it wasn't for knowing him. Every piece I made I would wonder 'what would Rene think of this?" Now every piece I make will be to remember Rene.
(meeting Rene for the first time)
No comments:
Post a Comment