THOUGHTS BEHIND SPECIFIC PIECES

SEPTEMBER 30, 2014
PORTRAIT OF VAN GOGH
11x14 Acrylic & Impasto on canvas
2014


As some of you may already know or have heard me say that I don't draw/sketch often. I have no formal training in art which leaves me to a thought process of my own to figure out how to create what's in my mind. 

Portrait of Van Gogh:
This is the second painting that I've finished of one of the great artists (Van Gogh) seated in one of his own paintings of his postman and friend, Joseph Roulin (1889). I'm experimenting with this ongoing idea (series) in which I place old-school artists into their own paintings, adding a modern twist to the piece. As you see here, I've slipped Van Gogh into an 80's hot pink Polo with popped collar. Yep, I'm an 80's kid.


This painting, along with Seated Picasso (which you will find below if you scroll down) are two pieces that have been accepted into Terrain 7, 2014. An annual, citywide, one night art and music performance event. This year 142 artists. 255 Artworks. 10 bands. 1 night.

Terrain Spokane










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May 30, 2013
Modi Meets Picasso
Acrylic & Impasto on canvas


It just occurred to me today that there are more pieces of mine that have thoughts behind them. Some simple thoughts, some more complex. This one in particular (Modi Meets Picasso) is based on...if Modigliani and Picasso had collaborated on a work together, they may have come up with something like this. I really enjoyed creating this one.

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DECEMBER 26, 2010
RETRO-MOSAIC

When my first daughter was 3 years old,

she would take a black crayola crayon

and draw a continuous line with various

twists and loops until she felt the need

to stop. She would then fill in each

space with different colors. I was

always intrigued with this concept and

of the unconscious effort she exerted.

It was very automatic, innocent,

free-spirited and beautiful.

Eight years later in '04 while

reminiscing on her childhood artwork, I

decided that I would create my own

design and series based on this concept.

It would be dedicated to her. The

design would be Retro in feel, yet have

that Mosaic piece vibe. Thus...

Retro Mosaic was born and is one of my

most popular designs yet. Each piece is

one of a kind and as like my daughter

would do, I paint each with that same

spontaneous and automatic flow.

You can view more Retro Mosaic pieces:

www.amiaart.com

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AUGUST 12, 2008

SEATED PICASSO (Picasso Tribute)
16X20 ACRYLIC ON GALLERY
SATIN VARNISH

SEATED PICASSO (Picasso Tribute):

a. The basic thought behind this was to simply seat the

Great Picasso into his own painting he did of his lover Marie

Theresa Walter (1937. Picasso Museum/Paris).

b. Picasso spent a lot of time in his studio where he

would sit in his chair, have a cigarette and study the work

he had completed.

c. He often wore a variety of comfortable laid back things

in the studio. Boxers, shorts, suede slippers, leather

sandals, a wide leather belt, even no shirt many times.

I used the black and white striped tank in this painting

from a photo of him wearing it in his studio.

d. The eye off to the right side of his head is from a

sketched self-portrait he did of himself in 1919 at the age

of 38.

*This is the first painting I did of one of the great artists (Picasso) seated in one of his own paintings. I'm experimenting with this ongoing idea (series) in which I place old-school artists into their own paintings, adding a modern twist to the piece. Seated Picasso, along with Portrait of Van Gogh (above) were both accepted into Terrain 7. An annual, citywide, one night art and music performance event.

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STRUCTURAL MAGNITUDE
4'x6' MIXED MEDIA ON GALLERY
SATIN VARNISH

UPPER PANEL

LOWER PANEL

CLOSE-UP DETAIL

*STRUCTURAL MAGNITUDE*

STRUCTURE: A building or other object constructed

from several parts.

MAGNITUDE: The great size or extent of something.

BLACK/SILVER SECTION:
a. Raw, cracked, unfinished. In process.
b. Represents an area undergoing construction.

TEXTURED RED SECTION:
a. A finished surface.

b. Red represents love, struggle, strength, sacrifice,

determination, joy,
passion, courage.

RECTANGULAR BLOCKS:
Inspired by the symmetrical works of abstract

expressionist, Mark Rothko (1903-1970). These

shapes bring a simple and pleasing quality in contrast
to the distinctness of the other parts.

WORDS:
a. All colors (red, blue, silver, black, white) from the

entire piece come together
here.

b. Inspired by the amazing modern day urban works of

Jose' Parla', this last small, yet significant space is a

compilation of 36 words (or phrases) that come to mind
when referring to a bridge naturally or symbolically.

There are many layers here of the repeated words.

*ROAD. COST. ACCESS. HISTORY. SELFLESS.

SWEAT. BLOOD. TEARS. STORIES. STRUCTURE.

STRENGTH. TRANSITION. FUTURE. CONCRETE.

WORK. CONNECTION. FRIENDSHIP. THE BRIDGE.

GOLDENGATE. FORM OF COMMUNICATION. NO

ISOLATION. COMMUNITY. VISION. BROOKLYN. LIFE.

DEATH. GOD. GENERATIONS. LAYERS. FAMILY.

MONROE. SACRIFICE. JESUS. FRIENDSHIP. LOVE.

INSPIRED BY JOSE' PARLA'.

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THE AWAKENING
36"x48" 2 PANEL
ACRYLIC & IMPASTO
SATIN VARNISH

Note: The buyer of this commissioned piece requested

that it have a deep spiritual meaning based on his belief

and faith in Christ. Amia was able to make it work.

THE AWAKENING

FAR RIGHT SIDE:
a. Cracked. Weathered. No foundation. Neutral colors.

Flat shapes. Without God, man is one dimension. Man

builds foundation upon himself. Self-reliance. Thinks God

is not necessary. Solid black vertical line represents sin.

Sin separates man from God.

b. Green and gold tower: Man tries to do things in his own

strength to reach God (Tower of Babel). No stability. Man

fails at all attempts to "reach God".

c. Gold blocks on tower: Man builds earthly treasure.

It topples.

d. Circle under tower: Empty place in man that can only

be filled by God himself.

MIDDLE OF CANVAS:
a. Simple wooden doors: Jesus came poor and humble,

not rich or eloquent. Red tone on wood represents the

blood Jesus spent. No man can get to the Father (God)
but through Jesus (his son). Jesus is the entryway.

b. Solid red/brown line: The foundation. Strength. God

himself in which all things come from and are, and

should be built upon.

LEFT SIDE:
a. When truth comes, man is awakened. He has

revelation of God.
b. Man's life then takes on shape. Vibrant color and

dimension is added.
c. Golden, luminous staircase leads to radiating white

light. Heaven. Eternity.
d. Focal point leads to blue sphere. Blue represents

royalty (God). Solid, yet
luminous. Sphere represents Gods never ending love.