Do You Want To Be Famous? Dex Fernandez

From my photo shoot with Dex

When I was at the Vermont Studio Center I added a new dimension to my portrait project. In addition to my photo session with each subject, I also conducted an interview. What I really want to know is, "do you want to be famous?" In a culture where one can be "famous" for something as easy as posting a Youtube video, fame is no longer reserved for that lucky someone who is discovered in New York or Los Angeles. Some want it, some have what it takes, and for others...it's just not their cup of tea. So, the question remains, do you want to be famous? 

Here is my interview with internationally renowned street and gallery artist, Dexter Fernandez. Does he want to be famous? See for yourself.

Painting by Erin Fitzpatrick of artist Dex Fernandez

Fitz: Where are you from?

Dex: Caloocan City, Philippines

Fitz: How did you start doing street art?

Dex: It was 2007, when a friend of mine influenced me to do a street art piece, it was fun and full of excitement.

We threw a "dirty thirty" birthday for fellow artist, Libby Barbee, in Dex's VSC studio. Dex dances.

Fitz: What/where is your favorite street art piece that you ever made?

Dex:  My main medium  when it comes to street art is wheatepasting poster, because its easy to do, then my secondary medium is sticker, co'z I can do it whenever and wherever I go, from bus to public toilet room and to phone booth, etc... My favorite piece is gone already, it was a big poster like 9ft height x 5ft width. now I love sticking stikers ;)

Original art by Dex Fernandez

Fitz: How long has making art been your career?

Dex: Since 2007 when I decided to go on full-time ... it's not easy, but  with the help of my friends, I got support from them in so many ways, now I am giving back the support to younger generations who I'd like to see enter the arena of art world .

Poster for Dex's solo show at VSC

Fitz: Do you want to be famous?

Dex: Yes of course! I want to be famous, co'z the art scene is like showbiz industry, aside from the talent that you have, you should be the full package, from the way you present your look, your attitude and character...people around will love your way as long as you are true to yourself. And secondly, if you are famous enough, everything will be easy.

Dex on Halloween. He made is costume in under an hour!

Fitz: What are some things that inspire you?

Dex: Anything that has something weird and mysterious about it... you know the point, but its hard to figure out. You understand the feelings. 

Fitz: What do you daydream about?

Dex: I dream about money, and lots of opportunity to travel around the world. My thinking is life is too short, and I wanna enjoy the rest of the world. With money, I can buy everything that I can share also to my friends and family.

Original art by Dex Fernandez

Fitz: Where is your favorite place in the world?

Dex: None yet, but if I ever find it, it's a place where no one knows my name.

Fitz: What are three things that you always take with you when you travel?

Dex: toothbrush, ballpen, camera

Keeley and Dex are so cute!

Fitz: If you had three wishes, what  would they be?

Dex: I want to famous. I want a big savings account. I want a big house where there is enough room to live with my family, and I will adopt also the families of my brothers and sisters and my parents too... and my studio is on the roof top. 

Original art by Dex Fernandez

Fitz:  If you could meet anyone in the world who would it be?

Dex: I'd like to meet Yashitomo Nara, a japanses artist.

Fitz: When is your next exhibit?

Dex: I have an upcoming toy launch on feb13, here in Manila. The gallery is called SECRET FRESH. They cater to urban artists and low brow art.

Original art by Dex Fernandez

Fitz: What are you excited about now?

Dex: I'm excited about my solo show... co'z i have a lot of things in my mind right now.

Fitz:  Is there anything about yourself that you would like people to know?

Dex: Hmmm I have a lot of secrets in my life, but one thing that I could share is that I'm a liitle bit sex maniac too! Hahaha!

Fitz: OMG! Thanks, Dex!

Dex: Thank you too Erin!!! im having fun with this...

See more of Dex here and here!

Wedding Portraits

So, you have some pretty cool friends who are getting married.... You don't have anything against Pottery Barn or Williams-Sonoma, but you are going rogue on the registry and want to gift something one-of-a-kind. What else would you consider for the friends with great taste who have it all?

Maybe it's just me, but I think custom portraits are a BRILLIANT gift idea. Below are paintings 3&4 of 2012, and they just happen to be... a wedding gift.

Here's how it works: 
Send me an email
We confirm cost
I send you a gift certificate for the bride and groom
A photo shoot is scheduled
I paint and deliver fantastic portraits


It's so easy! 

TGIF y'all.

xo,

Fitz

Manic Monday

I spent a few days in NY last week. Went to a couple openings, ate at Balthazar, drank too much, got to see some NYC buddies, and my Vermont Studio Center besties. Y'all know who you are :) Anyhoo, probably the best thing that came out of the whole trip is that I landed upon a house sitting opportunity that will put me in BK for almost three weeks. And it starts on my birthday. Love to be out of town on my birthday.

As my most recent plan involves moving my portrait series from Baltimore to NYC, this little faux residency will be a great jump start.

In other news, I'm freaking out a little about my upcoming applications. That's all. Feel free to email me with any sage advice.

This guy is my second completed painting of the new year. I'm trying out a 5 day straight studio work week this week (usually I break it up,) so just maybe I'll have a couple more to post at the end of the week. 

I have to run, so I'll catch you on the flip.

Peace and love,

-Fitz

News: 2012 Week 1

Hi y'all-

I know the first week isn't quite over yet, but I'll be in NYC for the rest of the week, so I thought I'd check in on how things are going so far. 

Fitzbomb in Baltimore by Hand

Way back in 2008, then Baltimore Sun blogger, Christy Zuccarini, first wrote about my Baltimore Portrait project in her blog, Baltimore by Hand. Now, three years later, as the project is reaching momentum, I had the pleasure of working with Christy once again. Check out my latest interview here.

Erin Fitzoatrick/Fitzbomb Baker Artist Nomination

I'm definitely not finished yet, but I've been working on revising my Baker Artist nomination in time for the January 15th deadline. Although you may have seen a lot of my work through checking out my portfolio, I'm working to verbalize my concept into writing on the Baker site. If that's boring to you, there are also LOTS of pictures to look at. Check my nomination here.

First Painting of the new year...

The holidays are over...and I'm still commission city. I'm not complaining, I'm just sayin'. Bailey, the cute fluffy buddy above marks painting numero uno of 2012. 

Alrighty then, I have to run, but I'm sure my New York trip will provide some fun material for your viewing pleasure.

Ciao ciao for now,

-Fitz

Hello 2012

(visit my flickr and click all sizes to see image enlarged)

At the beginning of last year, I was having a major post-holiday bummer fest. I had had a fairly productive 2010, but hadn't shown any work since the fall, and didn't have anything new coming up. With a boo-hoo-I-don't-know-what-to-do-with-myself attitude I sat down to write my resolutions. 

I wanted to feel the adrenaline that accompanied the rush to fulfill a deadline, and the nerves of waiting to see how viewers would react to my work...all of the time. I didn't want to slack off in between shows anymore. Since I knew I wouldn't be booked 24/7, I had to set some goals that would keep me working. I needed to make goals that helped me transition from painting as a half-time habit to working as a full-time artist...art as a career, not a laughable claim on my tax reports. These were some of my goals.

1.  Stop working on the couch. Make all artwork in the studio.

2. Work full time. Even if the money isn't rolling in, log 40 hours...EVERY week.

3. Apply for at least 3 things that I am intimidated to apply for.

4. Read 25 books.

Except for the book part (I think I clocked in around 10...,) and maybe something about being faithful to the gym,  I met and/or exceeded these goals.  They were measurable things that I couldn't make excuses about. The awesome result is that painting is no longer a hobby. I feel comfortable saying, "I am an artist." This is not to say that I think I have my art all figured out, that would be silly, but rather that I finally have the ball rolling.

That said, here are my goals for 2012.

1) Apply for 5 things I am intimidated to apply for and write proposals for 3 grants.

2) Submit paintings to 5 publications.

3) Go to New York at least once a month (unless on a residency.)

4) Complete a series of NYC portraits (20 paintings.)

5) Don't be a pushover when it comes to charging for my work.

These goals should keep me pretty busy. With the momentum of 2011 pushing me on, I'm in a totally different mind set than I was at the beginning of last year. I'm excited. I can't wait to see what's next.

Happy New Year,

-Fitz