Portland Art | Pistol River Creative

Inked up at 1928

SuperDylan — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:48:37 +0000

As an artist, I figured I could design a tattoo fairly easily. How hard could it be? Turns out, I’m an idiot. I sketched up this little sun, had it put on my arm and for about 3 years now I have spent time wishing I would have done things differently. Tattoo artists have a very complex understanding of the nature of skin. It stretches and moves, did ya know that?! They also understand placement based on the muscles of your relaxed and active body. Lastly, I have found they have an understanding of how much skin to cover, and how much to expose. These are all very critical points in the tattoo scheme.

Here is my original tattoo…

Note the ovality of the center, this is one of the things I was unhappy about from the start. Due to the placement of the stencil, the sun looks distorted almost any position my arm was in. Also, as my most visible tattoo, I wanted something more bold and awesome.

I landed at 1928 on NE Alberta by 29th street. Shauna is awesome! She helped figured out how to cover the sun while incorporating my ideas to make a memorable tattoo that I would be proud to display.

First sitting was all the line work, and the cover up. The cover up actually proved to be some of the most painful tattoo I’ve had. Mostly because of the nerve it runs over, but also due to the multiple shades of red, black and white used to give the rose it’s depth.

The second sitting, a week later – finished up all the color. One more shot to go in for touch ups, but this tattoo is already stunning, I love it!!

* A special thanks to my wife Kim, for holding my hand through the painful parts, and documenting my adventure. See her take on this episode at NE Portland Findings.

What’s in a name?

SuperDylan — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 18:07:33 +0000

I have this abstract painting that was finished as part of a set. The first two were quickly scooped up – this is the last one left. I have a few ideas on this painting for a name, but it’s always fun to see what other people think. These types of paintings are also interesting because as they rotate you can form different opinions and moods about them as your eye focuses on different parts. The viewer is allowed to use their imagination and creativity together with mine to make their own meaning.

So here is the game, look at the few pictures I have in the gallery below. Pick the orientation you like, make up a name and we’ll see if it sticks! The painting will be seen on the Street of Dreams tour tomorrow all day by the Encore North of NW Overton on 10th in the Pearl.

Simple Hallway – PDX Graffiti

SuperDylan — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 00:55:23 +0000

Last monday I posted a mural for beer trade offer to the twitterverse at 2 pm. By 10 am tuesday, @sonialexandra was ready for paint. Via Twitter and email, three days later - the mural is complete. My only request was that I got to paint whatever I wanted. Check out what a 12 pack of Rogue’s Dead Guy may get you if you follow me @SuperDylan on twitter.

Sonia’s Before picture:

After:

First shot at Montana

SuperDylan — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 05:52:41 +0000

Today I painted my biggest mural yet. It marks a turning point for me – I got to paint with montana paint for the first time. I used the 400ml hardcores and see why people love montana. The low pressure can makes the paint smooth and easy to control at low speed. I’m not fully adjusted to how this changes the limits of what I can paint, the added control would allow for drastic increases in detail. The paint color selection is much better, and I also like how cans are shipped capless with the color on the collar of the can.

The mural is for a Gym in Hilsboro called Sweat360. I like the color scheme and how clean the lines are. After adjusting to all Montana has to offer I think I can step up lettering to the intricacy I can accomplish on paper. The next transistion is to figure out how that happens.

“GOT THAT STEEZ” Graffiti Spray Can Creatures

SuperDylan — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:26:00 +0000

So this may still be a work in progress – I’m considering another background layer. I really like how the letters gave this painting so much depth. Props to Special K for helping to turn a painting blunder into a success with the broken letters.

Graffiti Spray Can Creatures

SuperDylan — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:24:31 +0000

Here is round 2 of the spray can creatures. This is a current work in progress, the next step will be to add graffiti to the background for increased depth and interest. Which ones are your favorites?!

“Powder” – Graffiti for your walls

SuperDylan — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 23:12:05 +0000

I had painted a “powder” painting a friend quite a while back. I hated the way it turned out, and ever since I turned it over I feel like I have been asking to paint over it. This marks attempt #2 at putting “POWDER” on a 36″ x 36″ canvas. I think I need more room.

The Clearing Cafe – New showing in NW Portland

SuperDylan — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 19:45:12 +0000

Got hooked up with this show at The Clearing Cafe very last minute. Asked to hang on tuesday, and the paintings were up friday afternoon. The show turned out cool for the small little cafe off of NW Thurman and 28th. This marks the first showing for Steven Tyler, and one of the best pictures I have now of “Not A Simple Solution” Thanks Kim!

Canvas Vineyards – Great Wine with Custom Labels

SuperDylan — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:55:05 +0000

Canvas Vineyards is a San Francisco based wine company that features custom hand painted labels. Very unique and fitting for multiple occasions! The first two bottles were a thank you gift to a friend who has done some work on my house, his nickname is “Full Throttle Caudle”

This next series of 4 is my first to be released with Canvas Vineyards. Currently we plan to release a larger second set fairly soon.

Etsy – Custom Graffiti Warhol Quote painting

SuperDylan — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:54:38 +0000

Finally made a connection and sale from Etsy. Check out the Super Dylan Etsy shop here. I listed Bubble Gum Graffiti on Etsy a while back. Jessica from Florida commissioned me to do this piece for her friends birthday present. I found that shipping to Florida is only slightly more expensive than I thought, but packaging is complicated as all can be!