Patrick "STAR27" Deignan News & Updates

A Very Personal Note

2010-07-28T21:43:00.000-07:00

On the eve of the next three months and four gallery openings I felt the need to purge some thoughts. I am now wrapping up the last two of nine new paintings created in six months. With these, I am excited about the images that will be shown, however they have been created during, and chronicle a dark period in my life.

While all my work has personal undertones, with these I feel I will be wearing my heart on my sleeve. While some of the work has mystery, others deal with blatant subject matter that leaves my inner most thoughts hanging naked on the walls of New York and California.

It started with "Temperance", the card I was "dealt" for the Lowbrow Tarot Project. I finished this in February and is my largest work to date. To anyone who knows me, this is very ironic as balance in life is not the nature of this beast. I am quite happy with the results, though after six months of living with the painting, I would make some minor changes.

At the same time, I began working on the newer paintings for a series called "Somber Mourning". These I used as an outlet for the emotions surrounding the death of my beloved father. I worked on them before, during, and after his passing. They will be shown collectively at The Alternative Cafe in September.

I was asked to create a paining for "Blood, Sweat, and Fears" opening at Sacred Gallery NYC in October. The premise was for the artists participating to examine their greatest fear. I obliged, and not to spoil the surprise ended up with a self portrait in a somewhat "compromising" position. The line-up is stellar, and I look forward to hanging the work however dark it may be.

The first show to open in a few short days is at Last Rites, my first opening in New York city. Again, I was asked for my darkest work. I used some imagery that touched home to various things on my mind in these months that did not have any other place. In fact one painting I had originally decided not to create. Upon reading something of my Father's however, I knew it had to be purged.

While there was a little worry that a few of these paintings may alienate those who know me, one thing that these "dark" paintings (one of which I created solely for this reason) assured me of is that nothing is shocking.

I will not tell of the events leading up to this, but the particular painting that to me had blatant "shock" value was shown to a chaplain in my presence. The man did not bat an eye but simply asked the meaning behind it. At the time, what exactly the painting meant to me had not coalesced into words yet. So, I was left to find a way to make it "darker" and find out exactly what my story behind the piece was.

I will be putting the last touches on these in the next few days. Me and my work are left stronger. I will be exploring some new ideas and have an agenda to learn some new things and experiment a bit. It's time to become more deliberate in the direction I am going, and address some personal issues.

I will be taking a trip to Los Angeles for the opening of the Lowbrow Tarot at La Luz de Jesus, and in May of 2011 will be showing what comes next in my first split solo show show at The Congregation Gallery. I will be sharing the space with phenomenal artist Dan Harding.

I hope to see you all there, and that you enjoy the new work.

Fear and Courage

2010-06-15T13:39:00.000-07:00

Change is inevitable, and with change brings fear. The cooler subtle tones, eyes turned toward the darkness, the model is consumed. Courage is not a lack of fear, but the ability to walk through it. The model wears markings much like and animal or tribal warrior. Obviously still overcome with emotion, she looks toward the light and is enveloped in the warm tones.

"Somber Mourning", oil on canvas, 16x20"

2010-06-13T13:44:00.001-07:00

I picked this as the title piece because the image and the raw emotion it evokes is self-explanatory. The doll, in this piece represents the misery of the pain in loss, and her desire to hand onto it.
I used a slightly less soft finish to the face than I normally would. While the colors of her skin are vibrant, where she faces away from the light a cool green takes over the shadow.

Somber Mourning

2010-06-10T08:36:00.000-07:00

Contrary to my previous writing, I have decided to start posting a preview of a body of work I will be showing September 10, 2010 featuring Lawrence Yang, Gene Guynn, Jason Snyder and Patrick "Star27" Deignan. At The Alternative Cafe, Seaside, CA.

"Somber Mourning" is a body of work I was moved to create before, during, and after the passing of my father. It deals with the feelings associated with loss. The emotions, the comforts, the fears, and the harsh realities of our lack of power against the situation.

Each work has a personal connotation to it, which will be explained as best I can put put it into words. My hope is that the images strike you, and touch your heart, as we have all experienced some sort of loss in our own lives. Personally, by documenting, and revisiting the emotions, I believe it has purged them a little, and made me a little bit stronger.

Images and statements to follow.

In the Wake of My Father's Passing

2010-04-15T17:03:00.000-07:00

Three weeks and a day ago I received a call in the early morning from my mother informing me that she had found my father on the floor nearly in a diabetic coma. I knew he has had cancer for the last six months. A cancer which he had decided to let run its natural course.
I packed up my life, and moved into their house. He was in and out of the hospital for the next few days, as he could not eat much, causing his blood sugar to drop rapidly. I spent the next three weeks being a full time son, nurse, artist, and part time house keeper.
I found a strength not my own. As I watched my father's spirit cut by half with every passing day, I dispensed the very medication which had kept me as a walking dead man for most of my life. I spent late nights painting while he slept, and as the dementia rapidly onset and his hallucinations and delusions became greater, sat with him to assure him it would be alright.
Having been in these states before due to the vices in my past, I was the only person capable of knowing how he felt, and to what extent the fear had overcome him. As I had willingly walked to death's door many times, it assured me of what I knew already. I am not afraid of death, it is life that scares me.
The last two days were absolutely horrific. My father went out as he had lived, a fighter. Unfortunately, I knew he was scared of meeting a vengeful God. He wore a medallion around his neck which he took off a day prior to his demise. I did not read it until the day after his passing. On it were these words:

"He who wears lays wearing this shall not suffer eternal fire."

My father was afraid of hell, while in life, I have already been there.

Norman Patrick Deignan died April 13, 2010. He had spent the majority of his life on the beach, a fisherman. He always loved birds and raised homing pigeons and doves.
I was smoking outside, my parents' street was clear upon my mother calling me in. I ran in to express my love for him as he took his last breath. After standing beside my mother holding her for a few minutes, I returned outside to smoke and purge my tears. Seagulls had surrounded the house. They stayed and dove at nothing on the ground, as if catching small fish in the ocean for about ten minutes, then gently flew away.
Despite his fear, I know my father is in peace. I am relieved. Not that he is gone, but that his fear and suffering is over. I will be eternally grateful for the life he has given me, the the gift I was given to care for him and be his son for his last days.
While he was still lucid, he told me that he only wished he had "stayed around long enough to see me go somewhere with my art". What he may not have understood is that in the coming months, the greatest opportunities of my life have presented themselves.
In my time down here, I have six of my new pieces well on their way to completion. I love each and every one of these paintings. The pieces for my show at the Alternative Cafe are a new series titled "Somber Mourning", and deal with the emotions of loosing someone close. My paintings for Last Rites express young lust and anger. I will not be previewing any, including my painting for "Blood, Sweat, and Fears" at Sacred Gallery NYC.
I have much work to do, and I want to express my love and thanks to everyone who has helped me make it through this rough time in my life. It was the most difficult experience of my life, and the most rewarding.
Look out. Here I come.

March Showings

2010-02-23T19:11:00.001-08:00

G-40 The Summit @ Art Whino

The art show, called G-40: The Summit, calls itself an "artistic interpretation of the G-20 political summit." Each floor of the building will have a regional theme, including a New York gallery and a D.C. one -- naturally.

The free show, curated by Art Whino, will run March 3-27 at 223 23rd St., Arlington, Va., featuring work from artists including Kelly Vivanco (work pictured). A public preview with live painting kicks off the whole thing on March 3, 5-10 p.m. It's closed Mondays and Tuesday; check other hours here.

I will be showing a piece in the upcoming
EVERYTHING BUT THE KITSCH 'N SYNC
ANNUAL GROUP SHOW, March 5 - 28. Check it out!

La Luz de Jesus Gallery

4633 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90027

AND...3 pieces st:

The Congregation Gallery Presents
The 8th Deadly Sin Art Show

Saturday March 13th
Doors Open At 9:00pm
The Congregation Gallery | 7569 Melrose, Los Angeles CA 90046
The seven deadly sins are most commonly known as: Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy and Pride. When these sins become violated, one's mortal soul was in jeopardy of being lost forever. But what is the 8th... Apathy? Corruption? Cannibalism? On March 13th, The Congregation Gallery is hosting the 8th Deadly Sin Art Show, where artists from around the world will ask the question...
"What is the 8th Deadly Sin?"
We look forward to seeing you there,
-The Congregation Gallery

Dispelling the monicer STAR27

2010-02-17T18:33:00.000-08:00

I felt the need to write, in spite of, or in response to being surrounded by a lot of tragedy as of late. I thought it would be fitting to write this blog on my 30th birthday. This is my story, in relation to why I do not sign my given name, but stamp STAR27 on all my paintings, prints, etc., and always will.
I found my talent at a very young age, and began heavily using drugs as a quicker means of escape from what I saw at the time as a hostile world around me. Even with many friends, I was always the cast out and never felt a part of anything. Surrounded by a loving family, I still felt unlovable and had a built in self-destruction instinct that most are not born with and I still battle against today.
I found my love of oil painting when I was 16. At this time I was heavily influenced by psychedelic drugs, and the music the was made in response to them. My first painting was a triptych all in shades of blue. Three portraits: Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, and Janis Joplin. With some research I would soon learn they all died at the age of 27. One night in a psychedelic-induced state of grandeur I came to deeply believe I was bound for stardom followed by an untimely drug over-dose at that young age.
My addiction continued and my art suffered. I dropped out of three short stints at major art schools, and only painted when I settled in one spot, and was sick and hurting. My art reflected it.
At the age of 24, I was found in a massive drug overdose. No different than any other day, except for the fact that I was found. After being in the hospital for days, I got out in a haze of withdrawal, hopeless. I believed the space I was occupying was more valuable than my own life. That night I decided to take my life. I survived a major drug overdose and a bloody scene that left many, many scars on my body.
I cleaned up for 2 years. I had turned 27, and was going to school for to be a substance abuse counselor. I was not in any way happy with my life and fell into a major depression. After a few weeks of this, without realizing the year, or the day, I woke up in a panic attack, and in one split second made a decision to pick up a drug again.
Having vowed that if I ever did this, it would be the end; on March 27, 2007, I spent the afternoon and night introducing massive amounts of whiskey and heavy depressants into my body. There was no fun in this, and I reverted back to being a beast, not a man.
After consuming enough to surely do the job, I sat in bed with yet another bottle of prescription pills to take because I couldn't walk anymore, and knew the job was finished, however, I wanted to seal the deal.
I woke up the next afternoon with those pills spilled all over me. I had fell out immediately as I sat in bed. Somehow, someway, in a haze I barely remember, I couldn't stop using, but I made some phone calls with little to no strength to even speak.
My poor parents drove miles to pick me up, as they had called the cops, but couldn't remember my address. They had to still pry the drugs and alcohol out of my hands and carry me out. I survived.
A short time later, some friends who had seen old work of mine encouraged me to begin again. I took my obsessions and fixed it onto my artwork, and found the love for it I never had.
Within 2 months of picking up a paintbrush for the first time in 3 years, I had my first showing at Art Whino in D.C. I never looked back. I paint every day, be it 3 hours, be it 14. I obsess with better content and better technique. I paint the demons from my past, and my artwork has the sense of darkness and mystery that I found in the drug life.
It is my greatest passion, and outlet for the insanity and memories I still have, and am grateful for. I never saw my name as being as important as the image. Star comes from wanting to be a star, or as we "kids" used to say, "party like a rock star", and of course the number 27 is the age I always thought would be my last. It is when I started painting again and was reborn...

-Patrick "STAR27" Deignan

2010 Takes Off!

2010-01-21T12:17:00.000-08:00

Things are looking great already in the new year. I thought I would post some new announcements:

For the most part, I believe I have my hands full with work for this year. Right now I am working on my painting for the Lowbrow Tarot Project, to be held at Billy Shire Fine Arts in October. It stands just shy of four feet tall, and is unlike anything I have yet done, with some exceptions... keep an eye out in October!
For earlier in the year, I will be showing in March at The Congregation Gallery. The show is entitled "8th Deadly Sin". I would keep a look-out on their web page for the line-up:

http://www.congregationgallery.com

They are always showing some stellar talent.

I am also honored to announce that I have been asked to show at The Alternative Cafe in September with Lawrence Yang, Gene Guynn, and Jason Snyder.

http://www.thealternativecafe.com

I will be showing a body of ten new pieces.

Its going to be a fun and exiting year. I hope you all enjoy the same. I invite you all to check out the shows!

New Portrait

2010-01-04T08:40:00.000-08:00

I just wrapped up a new piece yesterday.

Bitter, oil on canvas, 12x16".

This small "portrait" will be part of an ongoing series that I started with SHAME:

My desire is to capture an emotion in each piece using slightly different approaches than in my larger work. The smaller pieces give me an opportunity to loosen up my paint application, or just take risks in general.

I have always used smaller pieces to break up work on my larger works during drying time. Personally, I don't enjoy working on one painting every day (unless a deadline demands it). As I learn something new from every work, I can take that to the other pieces I am working on at that time.

I happen to be working on a very large piece right now, so expect more portraits to come.

End of the Year Wrap-Up

2009-12-29T06:00:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone. I have let this blog go astray for many months now. So, New Years resolution: keep it current! Look for new pieces on here that may not appear on my (newly updated) site, as I will be showing select works only. So here's what has been going on in the past 6 months.

In early July, I made a much needed move into a new apartment with a "cozy" LITTLE studio. It beats painting on the floor by far. I immediately got to work on some new work. It got a little insane, the coffee turned into Red Bull, smoking turned into chain smoking, you get the picture. In the last 6 months, I have completed all the works in the "Human Condition" gallery on artstar27.com

Now, its time to slow down and get my health back on the eve of my 30th birthday... never thought I would make it.

As for showings, there was little. I hear the show JoKa curated a Jinxed went well. Then there was Halloween time:
First, on October 2 there was Dark Art 3 in Ft. Myers, FL which was curated by Curse Mackey (also curated DRAW). He pulled together an AMAZING bunch of artists into this sleepy little town. It included works by David Stoupakis, Carrie Anne Baade, Daniel Martin Diaz, Molly Crabapple, Matthew Bone, H.R. Giger, Maralyn Manson, Clive Barker...many more.

On Devils Night, I also showed a piece in Detroit at The Damned 2009. Also an amazing line-up of artists. From what I heard, it was a great show.

For right now, I can say I will be a part of Lowbrow Tarot Project, which will be showing at Billy Shire Fine Arts on October 9, 2010. Check it out at:

http://lowbrowtarot.com/

I'm not even going to begin listing the 23 artists participating, you will be hearing a lot about this show as it gets closer I am very sure.

Some final things, you can catch up with me on:

http://twitter.com/STAR27_

or:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/profile.php?ref=profile&id=1467009269

New paintings...

2009-08-06T09:33:00.000-07:00

These are the first of the new paintings done in my new studio. I have re-thought the direction my work was taking. Expect darker themes and images. These are the first to be finished. Two small portraits to get me back in the swing of things after a couple months of downtime due to the relocation.

ORIGINAL SIN, oil on canvas, 12 x 16".

SOMETHING LIKE DEATH, oil on canvas, 12 x 16".

UPCOMING

2009-07-12T06:31:00.000-07:00

Haven't Been At This...

2009-07-12T06:24:00.000-07:00

I have been lagging on this blog. Time to get my act together and let you know whats been up, and keep everyone better posted.
Here are some shows that happened recently:

The Hive Group Show, LA, CA. June.

"Dark and Creepy to Bold and Fruity", Zahra's Studio Gallery, Beacon, NY. 2 Person Show, May.

2009 Preview

2009-01-18T13:39:00.000-08:00

I am working on a new portfolio for mid-late 09. I have some new ideas...here's a preview.

DIRTY SHOW 10

2009-01-18T13:32:00.000-08:00

Dirty Show 10 (copy and repost please)
Current mood: ecstatic

DIRTY SHOW-2009
10th Anniversary Celebration
International Erotic Art Exhibition
February 6-14, 2009 • Detroit

Bert's Warehouse Theater
2739 Russell St. Detroit, MI 48207
Located in the heart of Detroit's Eastern Market

Only 1 month away!
Advance tickets are now on sale.
Avoid lines and guarantee your place inside what promises to be the biggest Dirty Show® in history.

Weare doing everything we can to insure our Ten Year AnniversaryExhibition will be something to remember. After a long, incredibly harddecision process, the jury has selected an amazing collection oferotica from a record number of entries. We are bringing back a few ofthe favorite interactive exhibits as well as creating some new treatsfor your eyes.

This will be the Dirty Show® you'll tell yourchildren about…well, on second thought that probably isn’t a goodidea…might scar them for life or something.

For more information go to www.dirtyshow.org

EXHIBITION SCHEDULE:

February 6,
Friday Evening
OPENING NIGHT

7:00pm - 2:00am
21 & Over
Tickets $15 Advance

February 7,
Saturday Evening
7:00pm - 2:00am
21 & Over
Tickets $15 Advance

February 8,
Sunday
DAYTIME Only
12:00pm - 6:00pm
18 & Over
$10 No Advance

February 13,
Friday Evening
7:00pm - 2:00am
18 & Over
Tickets $15 Advance

February 14,
Saturday Evening
Valentine's
Closing Celebration
7:00pm - 2:00am
18 & Over
Tickets $15 Advance

*Age Restrictions apply

Eclectix "Fierce Fashion Show"

2008-12-16T19:39:00.000-08:00

Upcoming Shows

2008-11-30T20:24:00.000-08:00

Eclectix Gallery "Fierce Fashion" Group show

Exhibit dates: Jan. 16th thru Feb. 22nd, 2009
Eclectix
10082 San Pablo Ave.
El Cerrito, CA
94530

I will be showing one piece: "Gothic Vogue".

Art::Raw Exhibit NYC
Category: Art and Photography

I will be showing 2 pieces in the Art:Raw Inaugural Exhibit in NYC, February 19- March 21. TOYS I & II.

Inaugural Exhibit Featuring Special Artist Show

Art Raw gallery will feature a 4-week show for its inaugural exhibit. On view will be 100's of artworks created by emerging international artists. Opening night will stream live on several websites. The event is scheduled to coincide with many art fairs in NYC.

Opening reception: Feb.19, 7-9pm

Live stream: watch here

Gala night: Feb.21 (private view for collectors by invitation only, strictly enforced)

Art Raw Gallery

210 Eleventh Ave, 905

New York, NY 10001

Tel:212-810-6503

Wrapping up some projects...

2008-10-21T15:21:00.001-07:00

"SEX TOY", oil on canvas, 24x18".
This is the second painting to wrap up the 2 I hope to be showing in the DIRTY SHOW

dirtyshow.org

Which will be taking place on the weekend of Valentines Day, in Detroit.

NEW PIECE

2008-10-12T15:41:00.000-07:00

One of 2 pieces for a project I am working on for a February show TBA.

STILL WET, oil on canvas, 18x24".

NEW WEBSITE

2008-09-25T15:08:00.001-07:00

INTERVIEWS

2008-09-08T18:39:00.000-07:00

Read the August interview at:

http://www.tampabaymuse.com/

Interview with "Confessions of Diseased Minds"

Star27 is an artist based out of Florida and has made his focus in his art showing the world just how the predatory side of our population does to those niave souls seeking the american dream. Taking aside pretense and showing us the ugly all coming from true life experience. Being one that has seen all the angles of the freakshow that has spawned out of the pursuit of what we Americans think of as glamor the East Coast artist going only by Star27 had this to say in response to my asinine rabble.

Read more at: http://bew18.livejournal.com/

August 29, 2008

2008-08-29T18:28:00.000-07:00

New doll paintings in the works, as well as a series of paintings featuring the lovely artist, model, costume designer, hairstylist....JESSICA NOVA. Here's a preview.

detail

RECENT PHOTOS FROM "MY WALL" AT THE AUGUST LA LUZ DE JESUS SHOW