Author: josean

I draw skulls, dinosaurs, girls, and things pertaining to Phish.
Original artwork and prints http://www.etsy.com/shop/joseeen
Select giclee prints http://josean-rivera.artistwebsites.com/
Ramblings and pics https://twitter.com/joseeen

Summer of the Skull

Summer’s on the way, which means one thing for me: 3 months off! Spring sprung up skulls back in my paintings, and I’m exploring new ways to work with them. My backgrounds are more coherent, although there is still a bit of randomness and chaos. I find it humorous the extent that color plays in my work, since about 6 years ago all my work was void of color. I figured I’d get to it at my own pace, which happens to be perpetually late.

Here are 2 of my most recent paintings. ~~I’ll have prints available for sale in early June.~~ Boxy Skull prints now available! or wear it on a shirt

Although I plan to have a cohesive body of work, I don’t plan to limit what I paint. I do plan to start offering commissioned work and portraits for a limited time. If anyone is interested, feel free to email or message me through my Facebook page.

Lastly, the newest issue of Gigantic Sequins is coming out real soon (any day now). This art and literary magazine will be featuring art by Jennifer Maidment, Joshua Gabriel, and a couple of my drawings, plus lots of literary goodness. Issues will be available at select shops in Boston, NYC, and Philadelphia (other cities TBA), or you can order a copy through Gigantic Sequins. Preorder now, and you’ll be automatically entered for their Welcome Summer Raffle, which offers ten multi prize packages you can win! That’s ridiculous! Check out their site for details.

skull paintings

Tags art, bold, bright, josean, paintings, skull

Paintings

2 Legit 2 Quit

Tags art, calavera, painting, portrait, skull, spray paint

Misc Paintings

Haters Gonna Hate

New painting! This may be a start of a new series, more to come soon..

Get it on a shirt:

haters gonna hate by joseanrivera

Tags art, calavera, haters gonna hate, painting, print, shirt, skull

Misc

Pre-order Gigantic Sequins 2.2!

Post author By josean
Post date May 16, 2011
No Comments on Pre-order Gigantic Sequins 2.2!

Pre-order Gigantic Sequins 2.2!.

I have a couple drawings in the upcoming issue of Gigantic Sequins, a Philadelphia based art and literary journal. The issue will be available in select locations, or you can pre-order a copy directly from their website. Lots of good artists and writing, well worth it!

Tags art, gigantic sequins, magazine

Paintings

The Girls – Spring 2011

I just recently had my easter break (10 glorious days) which gave me the time and motivation to do some painting after a bit of a hiatus (work and some freelance stuff was taking up all my time). I’ve been working with oil markers a lot lately, and have been incorporating it more into my paintings. Although a bit tricky at first, I was able to utilize them to create a painterly effect with more control. This control allowed me to do what I’ve wanted with acrylic, to a point I am using very little of it. These paintings are mainly spray paint, oil marker, and masking fluid, built on layers in a more consistent manner than my previous paintings. At 25, this is my largest series yet, and it seems it may continue for bit more.

Click on the pictures to view in detail in a new tab.

girl paintings

Tags acrylic, art, bright, girl, painting, portrait, profile, psychedelic, spray paint, vibrant, woman

Misc

New T shirts

2 new t-shirt designs now available! New designs will be added soon, so check back regularly!

Tags art, cat, design, heart, shirts, skull, tshirts

Paintings

X-Ray Vision

Acrylic, spray paint on multi-panel canvas (12×12)

New painting, I might try a couple more like this. Prints available soon.

Tags art, face, girl, painting, portrait, skull, woman

Some New Girls

Girls 19-22

11×14 each

Oil marker and spray paint on canvas

It’s been a while, but I recently brought the series out of retirement for my friend Tracie, who with TnT Collective holds a Glam Gala every Dec 20 in the Harrisburg Area. This year is the Bearded edition, which calls for bearded art, men, and women. These paintings will follow the theme with removable beards while they are exhibited at the Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center, a great bar/gallery/music venue a stone’s throw away from the Pennsylvania State Capitol

I found it hard to make the beards permanent, so I created removable beards out of laminate, which allow your choice of painting

The originals will be available for sale during the exhibit, and art prints and canvases are now available for sale online

portrait paintings

Misc

Esther Suite prints now available for sale

Post author By josean
Post date December 9, 2010
1 Comment on Esther Suite prints now available for sale

I’m now offering my Esther prints for sale through FIne Art America. Individual prints are available, or you can purchase a print of the entire series for as low as $22.

One of my earliest printmaking endeavors, it was inspired by the song of the same name by Phish. A haunting, melancholy song, “Esther’s” music is “lyrical, evoking a circus mood, soaring flights through the clouds, and helpless drowning”. The descriptive song lyrics allowed it to be interpreted into images, resulting in the this suite.

Here’s a video of Phish performing Esther in Philadelphia 11.25.09

phish prints
esther prints

Tags Doll, Esther, girl, Phish, print, sale, story

Drawings

You Should Come To This Gig…

Post author By josean
Post date December 7, 2010
No Comments on You Should Come To This Gig…

I love music. It’s one of my biggest influence, and I can say that the majority of my artwork has been done while listening to music. After several failed attempts at playing instruments, I figured early on that making show flyers was the closest I get to the music world. Most of my friends are musicians and have gone on to be in bands, so it’s only natural that they would approach me to draw something up for them. This has led to being lucky enough to make the flyers for bands in the Harrisburg area that I enjoy listening to. Here are a few..click on the links to check out their sites and check out some songs you can stream.

Brave The Day