Threshold Exhibition

Union Street Gallery presents : Threshold April 13- May 5th , Opening Reception Friday April 13th- 6-9pm

"Threshold features 8 emerging artists from Illinois. These artists are at the beginning of their careers, but their work is beyond expectations. These artists have creating smart, dynamic and cohesive bodies of work and have already begun to establish themselves as professional  artists. Work exhibiting is exciting, engaging, provoking, cynical, whimsical, nostalgic, and fun.

The opening reception will be Friday April 13, 6-9pm. This exhibit and opening reception are free and open to the public. Many of the exhibiting artists will be present to engage the audience." -as described in Union Street Gallery News letter

http://www.unionstreetgallery.org/

I have the honor of exhibiting my current work at this exhibit. The opening reception will be this friday, April 13th from 6-9pm.  The list of artist may be found below!! Its going to be a great exhibit, the work from the other artist that are also exhibiting is AWESOME!!! check them out below!!

Jonathan Casserilla http://www.jonathancasserilla.com/index2.php#/home/
Adrian Chin http://adrian-chin.com/home.html
Rebecca Chmielewski http://rebeccachmielewski.com/home.html
Lauren Harlowe http://www.laurenharlowe.com/paintings/older-works/4840392
Hector Manuel Hernandez http://hectormanuelhernandez.com/home.html
Luis Sahagun http://www.wix.com/lsahagun2/artanddesign
Amanda Voltz  website n/a
Michael Webster  http://michaeldwebster.com/section/272696_Mark_of_Work.html

Botanic / Organic 2012

 Botanic / Organic- National Exhibition 2012

February 29-March 31 | 2012  

Juried by Elizabeth Whiting, Curator for the Union League Club, Chicago, IL

Opening Reception Friday March 2nd | 6-9pm

This was a great exhibition! Alot of governors state university student artist work were in the exhibit, along with the university's alumni and current professors.  You may go to this link to see the online exhibition as well  http://www.unionstreetgallery.org/botanicorganic2012.htm

It was exciting for me to hear that Juror Elizabeth Whiting selected my work to receive Honorable Mention!! Thats a total of 2 awards this year!! haha sry can you tell its my first art awards :)

But please check out the online exhibition there are some pretty awesome pieces there!!

2012 Illinois Community College Juried Exhibition

The Visual Arts Gallery located in Governors State University,(where I work as a graduate gallery assistant)is having their 2012 Annual Community College Juried Exhibition. It is for all student artist enrolled in a community college in Illinois. This has been a super tough exhibit to organize but it has also been a lot of fun and a great learning experience (working with young students). I was responsible for designing the Prospectus, promoting, doing all the data entry for the exhibit, and well all the good stuff that goes into doing a large exhibition. The exhibit is up and running, there is some awesome artwork come check it out!! Reception and awards ceremony is Saturday March 3rd from 1-4pm.. Here is a link to the exhibit facebook page http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.339432779420521.84788.164905230206611&type=1 ICCJE Numbers 2012 Entries: 236 art works from 93 students from 9 schools 11% College of DuPage 1% Heartland 1% John Wood 23% Joliet Junior College 31% Kankakee Community College 1% Malcolm X 9% Parkland 10% Prairie State Community College 8% South Suburban Community College 12% [unknown – entry forms incomplete or missing] Selected Work: 55 Juror’s selection (55 art works from 34 students from 7 schools) 23% Percent of total entries (77% were eliminated from the competition) 6 College of Dupage 0 Heartland 3 John Wood 17 Joliet Junior College 8 Kankakee Community College 0 Malcolm X 11 Parkland 6 Prairie State Community College 4 South Suburban Community College 0 [unknown – entry forms incomplete or missing]

Janus on Cardboard-

The concept is Janus the greek god of beginnings and transitions. This is a self-portrait, personal piece of my transition of letting go the past and moving forward.

Its literal transitions from layer to layers- from the wood pieces, to cardboard then to gesso the charcoal transitions and adapts to its new texture overcoming the obstacles presented.

release of freedom!!

Working on one of my latest pieces, prob gona title it "prisoner". Its a complete mixed media piece- in my opinion that is :) I worked on it with nero lead, paper mache, clay, acrylic, cardboard, graphite, spraypaint, and oil paint. It is still unfinished the face and hand will be technique mixte (realism) and will transcend to the sketch..so the idea is to keep it expressive and emotional. well see how it ends up!

Ive been at Governors state university as a graduate student in the painting dept for a year now..wow time flies, but this is the first piece that I feel really captures what I have to offer as an artist at this point. Im trying to mix street art and academia together..so its kinda like where pop, abstract and realism meet. Thats what I try to do. holla!

I will keep posting pics of my travels in the art world.

oh and check out my website!!! http://www.wix.com/lsahagun2/artanddesign

let me know what you all think!!

Artist Statement!!!

If you tremble with indignation at every injustice, then you are a comrade of mine-Ernesto Che Guevara.

My artwork takes a critical view of social, political, and cultural issues. Good vs. Evil and an introduction to an invisible war that justifies pain, suffrage and the difficulties of human life. Often time’s humanity faces questions of spirituality, moral beliefs and deities. I attract attention to these issues and tell the stories that I believe should be heard.

I attempt to deliver the stories by marrying academia and street art. Consequently, the artwork then contains historical references with urban materials and processes. I do this in an attempt to attract multiple audiences, especially younger generations that may be drawn by the popularity of street art but have yet to understand the entirety of art- which may be reached through university studies.

While I use a variety of materials and processes in each project my methodology is consistent. I strategically apply a design process. The process begins with an idea, which then is fueled by extensive research. Learning what artwork has been previously constructed allows me to further enhance and develop my artwork.

Currently I am working on assemblages that are composed of burned cardboard, screen prints, spray paint, photographic image transfers, acrylic/oil paint, and found objects.

Luis?.."el mexican Senor Bob Ross"..

So I was invited to paint for little children (as opposed to large children..lol) at the Homewood-Flossmoor park district..the theme was "Something, something in outter space?..did I spell dat right?..prob not..anyways...As I was sayin yuppers!! I turned into the paisa Bob Ross...jaja its not the first time a mexican does this tho..you guys eva heard of Eugenio Derbez...hahaha from derbez en cuando...classic...ANYWAYS.. I decided to accept the invitation and paint for children!!!!

It was an awesome experience!! It was my first time doin such a thing and it was fun!! although I'll tell you what..what...lol jk The kids where a tough crowd for a little bit, but for the most part their excitement made it worth while!!! So i posted sum pics of me painting for da little humans :)

Aww man I bet I sounded like Senor Bob Ross...I was like ...lets paint a happy little space monkey that flies around in space...lol Oooooh, that is a happy mistake...the monkey likes bananas?..lets paint him a banana..lol haha actually it was alot more fun painting and talkin at the same time..not like at home..maybe I should apply this strategy when I paint alone at home!! jaja ay wey!!

i hope You guys enjoy the pics!!!! and my cute little vest as my jerk friend commented on the pic once :(