TREY GALLAHER

YEAR OF THE DRAGON

2012-01-23T10:25:00.001-08:00

Being the year of the dragon... I had to post this one, a blast from the past!

I completed this watercolor many years ago now and have long since evolved in many different directions since, but this has always been one of those pieces I return to from time to time remembering how far I have come.

This was a "biggie" for me in it's day both in it's physical size and magnitude coming in at almost 22x30 in. (big for a watercolor). Art is weird that way, it's not just an expression of that moment in your life but a record of who you were and what you have become. It took some time to complete this one, and I labored over it back in those days, but it taught me the value of not only watercolor as a medium, but sticking to it and holding true to your vision. I am still proud of this one and how far I have come!

Below are some detail shots (click to enlarge). Enjoy... and Happy New Year!

Artwork: "New Years"
watercolor on paper
22x30 in.
©Copyright Trey Gallaher

MOTORCYCLE MADNESS

2012-01-13T13:34:00.000-08:00

Classroom sketches.

Artwork: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

DEMO 1: ACRYLIC STUDY

2011-12-16T22:26:00.000-08:00

THE OBJECTIVE & SET-UP:

I often do quick painting demos for my classes using a live model where I introduce some basic medium information, materials and discuss color theory for beginning, intermediate and advanced painters. There are many ways I work with acrylic paint but in this demo I will summarize a portrait study I did of my model Karen using acrylic paint very loosely and applied in thin transparent washes. One of the advantages to the fast drying time of acrylic paint is the ability to build up layers of color and shadow very quickly! Enjoy!

THE DRAWING:

This can be done in pencil (2B graphite), but here I used a synthetic round brush (#6) and phthalo blue acrylic paint. I concentrated on blocking in the major forms, lights and shadows, and paying particular attention to proportioning. This is done loosely with watered down paint. I am attempting to establish a three value painting, creating highlight, middle value, and core shadow areas. The phthalo blue could be applied in a light wash over the top of a finished graphite drawing later if you prefer to do the drawing in graphite first.

THE MULL:

A mull is anything you do to the surface of your painting in the form of a wash applied uniformly over the entire painting. I even get a little loose and throw some paint around creating drips around the edges. In this case I added a cadmium orange wash thinned with lots of water. A touch of alizarin crimson can be added in to deepen the orange. By having used a blue paint to do the drawing I now have established a chromatic relationship with the highlights set in a warm cadmium orange and the shadows in a cool phthalo blue. Using color to strengthen your forms makes for more interesting and colorful work.

SKIN TONES & LOCALS:

I now added more alizarin crimson (thinned with water) in the form of washes to help transition from the warm cadmium highlights that I established in the mull to the core shadows I established with the phthalo blue drawing. It is in this transition to the core shadows that I establish a local color, in this case a rosy colored (blood-flushed) cheek. I also add some of the alizarin crimson to the head wrap that was violet colored. I apply the color more thickly and saturated to help "colorize" the the wrap.

DEEPENING SHADOWS:

I now need to deepen my shadows to provide a more full set of values and create contrast. There are a number of color combinations that could be used for this (mixing cool-compliments for example) but in this case I reach for one of my favorite shadow colors paynes grey. Paynes grey is a great color that is deep enough to feel like black but is actually a blue-greyish color. Using solid black would only de-saturate my existing shadow colors and flatten the illusion of form. Using paynes grey can deepen shadows while preserving a harmonious color palette.

HIGHLIGHTS & SPECS:

To finish up this study I add some bright highlights and what we call specular highlights. Specular highlights are the reflections of light on moist or wet surfaces making them read as smooth in texture. This can be the most fun adding finishing touches of paint (very thickly) that create the greatest impact in their effect. Don't over do it though, preserve the bright whites for the truly bright reflections. The greater your contrast in your lighting set-up, the easier it is to see where these highlight areas will be applied.

High contrast images are fun and easy to render and look at, but remember truly GREAT painting comes in the subtleties of color mixing, value, and application of the paint. So enjoy the gradual build up of color and discover the world of mixing color, creating contrast and mixing paint.

Happy painting!

Artwork and Demo: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

"Karen Head Study"
11x14 in.
acrylic on bristol

JOURNAL 3: LEGION OF THREE

2011-12-08T15:56:00.001-08:00

Drawings from Journal: Hummingbird
(click images for larger preview)

©Copyright Trey Gallaher

BACK TO THE FIRST GRADE

2011-12-03T23:54:00.001-08:00

Last year a friend, illustrator and old classmate of mine Kristina invited me to visit her daughter Mia's first grade class. It seemed that the budget for art at their school was a little shy and needed some voluntary inspiration and instruction. I jumped at the chance to work with a younger crew of artists than my usual batch of salty dawgs. Meet Mrs. Stephens first grade class of Pleasanton, California.

My charge was to lead these youngsters for fourty-five minutes during their allotted creative art making hour. Portraits it was! They were welcoming of my company and steadfast in my command, but a little uncertain of my credentials at first. But after a brief introduction and a few samples of my work I brought along, these scally-wags were ready for my lead!

Paint began to fly as I guided them through the rudiments of proportioning the face. Slowly I began to see the wheels start to turn and the look of determination and fury fill their eyes. I couldn't have been more excited. It was working! Even with our limited bunch of poster paint colors and brushes the magic was happening. My crew was hard at work!

Fourty-five minutes past and these youngsters weren't about to quit! They were carefully studying their subjects faces and capturing the likeness. Teaching them to mix primary colors to get skin tones and hair color had them green with envy and anticipation. In their eyes I was conducting magic, coaxing their brushes to make colors appear out of thin air! They were really in love with Color Theory!

I was a little worried about blowing past the deadline but Mrs. Stephen's said "by all means continue, I didn't think they would last twenty minutes". By the time an hour and a half rolled around we were hangin' the work up on the walls and studying their efforts carefully! Smiles appeared on the bright faces of my new found cohorts and feeling of accomplishment. Hi-fives all around!

I want to send a hearty "thanks" out to my dear friends Kristina and Mia for asking me to be a part of this class. It was a fantastic experience. I will never forget it. I also want to thank Mrs. Stephens for her patience in letting us paint past our deadline. And to my new young artist friends, great job and thank you for letting me work with you.

The thing I came away with the most from this visit was the importance of keeping that youthful spirit in everything you do, to not be afraid to learn something new, to remain open minded, to keep asking honest questions and to just keep trying, even if you make a mistake.

These little people gave me more inspiration that afternoon than any artbook had in a long time.

photos: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

SUMI DRAWINGS

2011-11-29T22:33:00.000-08:00

drawings and photos: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

BIRDMAN

2011-11-29T22:12:00.001-08:00

Every Quarter at the school I teach at we hold a "Concept Art Jam". It's a contest of sorts for students to draw and paint new ideas on the fly. I usually hire a model or two in costume to pose for several hours for reference and inspiration. The students sharpen their rendering skills while spontaneously inventing a new concept on the spot. We award first, second and third place prizes at the end of the Jam. Often I paint with them or demo specific techniques. When I walked in the classroom one afternoon and saw the model I hired wearing this amazing and creepy bird-like head piece and robe I just had to try and capture it's haunting quality!

Painting: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

JOURNAL 2: ODE TO BEN SHAHN

2011-11-26T01:55:00.000-08:00

"Ode to Ben Shahn" from Journal: Hummingbird

©Copyright Trey Gallaher

LIFE DRAWING 13

2011-11-18T10:31:00.000-08:00

Artwork: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher
11"x14" charcoal on paper

Additional drawings are available for purchase: HERE

A NEW LOOK

2011-11-11T14:51:00.000-08:00

Every once in a while you need to brighten up the surroundings and keep the walls looking fresh. I recently updated my main website www.treygallaher.com . Just a few changes and rearranging for clarity and navigation. If you haven't been by in a while you may notice a few differences starting with the Portfolio Page where you will notice that in addition to my portfolio categories there is now a small list appearing off to the right!

Say 'hello' to the Recently Added list. If you are a more frequent visitor then you will notice this list changing more than anything else. Any new work that has been posted will show up here too. This list will save you time from navigating through work you have already seen and get you to the new stuff faster!

If you haven't been by in a while then feel free to poke around and take your time looking through the portfolios. For up-to-the-minute info you will notice the DIRECT Facebook and Twitter page links located on each categorical page.

To each portfolio page I have added a lot more space for readability and to showcase larger works. As many of you may know I have been working in oils and on larger canvases for several years now. This new layout will allow for larger images in order to showcase those gritty details and brush strokes.

As always I want to plug the Events page to showcase any exhibits or shows I may be appearing in. Check back here to find out when & where!

Check it out NOW --> www.treygallaher.com

GETTIN' BUSY...

2011-11-11T13:53:00.000-08:00

Apologies to everyone out there in Cyber-land! I haven't posted in a few months now but I have been a little preoccupied in my personal life... I GOT HITCHED! You never realize what goes into planning a wedding and all the craziness until you plan one yourself... Let me just say we kept it simple, beautiful and sweet... and it still had a huge impact on the rest of my life. It was totally worth it however and things are now settling back down to a normal groove again, I'm painting like a mad man again and should be posting-up more soon!

WONDERCON '11 - 25th ANNIVERSARY!

2011-04-03T22:00:00.000-07:00

Get 'em up folks ... and get your GEEK on... for San Francisco's own...

25th Anniversary of WONDERCON!

DAY 3 of Wondercon was a beautiful and sunny one in the City by the Bay. It was great to see all the costumes and personalities as usual. I like to attend the third day of the Con as it is usually a bit less crowded and the venders are anxious to unload inventory rather than take it back home.

BILL SIENKIEWICZ is a legend in the business of graphic novels, comics, movie posters and many other areas of illustration.... and a personal favorite of mine. It was great to meet him after all these years. He autographed my copy of Voodoo Child... YES!

DAVID MACK was in the house and it was great to catch-up with him and hear about his latest projects with Bendis and Maleev for Icon Comics. David's a great artist and nice guy. I've been collecting his work since the nineties when he first started.

BARRON STOREY (my former professor and mentor) and his wife Petra are old friends by now and were both in attendance connecting with old friends and some of the new rising talent. It was good to catch up with them again.

AND... NO CON is complete without a visit to STUART NG BOOKS! After prying myself away from their wonderful imported artbooks and graphic novels I came away with a few small treausres without going broke.... YAY! (not easy to do)

All in all it was a great afternoon and I am already looking forward to next year...

If you have never been to Wondercon, put it on your calendars now, usually around April 1st.

Here is where you can find more work from these artist friends of mine.

BILL SIENKIEWICZ --> HERE

DAVID MACK --> HERE

BARRON STOREY --> HERE

WONDERCON --> HERE

LIFE DRAWING 12

2011-01-06T19:04:00.000-08:00

Artwork: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher
11"x14" watercolor pencils on paper

Additional drawings are available for purchase: HERE

COLLISION COURSE

2010-12-05T01:43:00.000-08:00

I'll be exhibiting a few new pieces in this eclectic and fun show. I won't be attending the opening Monday night, but there should be lots of great art exhibited along with numerous practicing poets and performers. Don't miss this short, sweet, and power packed event at San Francisco's own METREON, Brief Space Art Gallery.

Event FACEBOOK link --> HERE

JOURNAL

2010-11-16T15:18:00.000-08:00

Image: "european woman profile" ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

LATE NIGHTS

2010-11-16T14:54:00.001-08:00

A lot of late nights have been spent here at my drawing table. Countless illustrations, drawings, paintings, color-comps, and research have been poured over here at this table. In the silence of the late night I pause to pay my respects to this shrine, this temple, my temple I call home.

On the Wall (from left to right): Howard Pyle poster "Attack on a Galleon", Austin Briggs original drawing on illustration board "Les Connoisseurs", (down)Humphrey Bogart portrait, (up top) Albrecht Durer self-portrait, (down)post card of Egon Schiele drawing "Nude Girl with Lowered Head", (right)portrait of Norman Rockwell,(down) Fantin Latour print "A Studio in the Batignolles Quarter", (upper right) Artemisia Gentileshci print "Judith and her Maidservant with the Head of Holofernes", drawing of Sherlock Holmes, (right wall blocked by curtain) "Spring Evening at Kimtaikyo Bridge" print by Hasui Kawase, cowboy drawing by Murray Tinkelman.

photo: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

LIFE DRAWING 11

2010-08-03T12:30:00.000-07:00

Artwork: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher
oil studies on paper

LIFE DRAWING 10: HEAD STUDIES

2010-07-20T20:14:00.000-07:00

20 min. oil studies on paper, 14x17in.

Images: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

RIGHT OR LEFT?

2010-07-20T20:10:00.001-07:00

Can you guess which hand did which drawing?

Have a preference?

Image: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

PECAN PIE

2010-06-23T23:31:00.000-07:00

Song: Jeff Tweety

Video: Trey Gallaher

LIFE DRAWING 9: PART 2

2010-06-18T03:35:00.000-07:00

Artwork: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

STUDIO WALL

2010-05-15T21:24:00.001-07:00

Image: "All That Is Sacred"
25x30 inches, oil on canvas
©Copyright 2010 Trey Gallaher

RE:BOB and BARRON

2010-05-14T18:34:00.000-07:00

One of the greatest influences that helped shape my artistic career has been my former teacher Barron Storey whose inspiration and mad drawings have kept me on my toes ever since college. Last Friday night was the opening for Mr. Storey's latest exhibition of drawings that were inspired by the lyrics and poetic stylings of none other than the great Bob Dylan. Now in my book, it just doesn't get any better than these two in each of their respective fields, let alone together. The work of these two men has single handedly kept a pulse on the conscious collective for well over forty years and four generations of American subculture, influencing and delivering many talented artists that would follow.

If you are in San Jose or even the greater Bay Area, make that extra trip to San Jose to Anno Domini Gallery on South First Street in downtown San Jose (my old stompin' grounds) and see the work of these two legends together!

The show runs: May7 - June 19
Anno Domini
366 South First Street
San Jose, CA

www.barronstorey.com

LITTLE MAGGIE

2010-04-22T03:26:00.000-07:00

Video: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

WORKIN' IT OUT

2010-04-17T19:59:00.000-07:00

Been in my studio furiously workin' on a new series of oil paintings. Twelve hours in the studio yesterday, exhausted and fired up at the same time. Just thought I would drop a couple of studio shots on ya.

Images: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE FURIOUS

2010-04-07T11:33:00.000-07:00

I have three pieces in this group show and friends exhibiting here too.

OPENING RECEPTION:
Amsterdam Cafe
April 12, 2010, 7-11pm
937 Geary Street
between Larkin and Polk streets

I'll be arriving late to the reception as I will be stuck teaching that evening, but come out and support the talent and find some sweet gems to decorate your pad or add to your collection. It promises to be a fun eclectic show for sure...

LIFE DRAWING 9: PART I

2010-03-29T01:42:00.000-07:00

A GREAT GIFT

2010-03-07T22:08:00.000-08:00

My great friend, singer-songwriter Richard Marchetta everybody... If you are in the greater LA area try and catch one of his performances... a true gem! Enjoy more of his music and info at the following...

Richard Marchetta My Space Page

THEY'RE BACK!

2010-02-18T13:48:00.000-08:00

I love this time of year. In the middle of a blistery California winter (yeah right), my favorite flowering fruit tree makes it's short but powerful debut all across this fair city! Second only to the Japanese flowering plum tree, the Japanese cherry tree is the most common and beloved tree throughout the city by the bay. For approximately two to three intense weeks these otherwise non-descript trees come out of their quiet dormant state and make a sensational flowering appearance in the darkened surroundings of a winter climate. The city streets are lined with them casting off a beautiful shade of pink or white, blood red buds, and speckling the sidewalks with white snowflake-like petals that smell of sweet bubble gum or cotton candy.

The next time you are out strolling the city streets, stop, take a look around you, take a deep breath and smell those wonderful delicate flowers for very soon they will be gone for another year.

Images: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

KICKIN SOME 'JETPACK' ASS!

2010-01-28T15:12:00.001-08:00

Just a quick shout-out to my Pre Production Team (for animation) Fall '09 class. Great job you guys, it was a hectic, sometimes trying quarter, but we made it with a solid base for your Production Teams to follow. It was a pleasure watching you guys become a team, a family. There were times it got rough for all of us, and our patience wore thin, but you stuck together, knuckled down, took charge, and got 'er done with style! You should be proud of the work you have accomplished in one short quarter! I'm proud and thankful to have worked with you all. Good luck on the competition in Chicago this year! I'm behind ya all the way...

Photo: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

LIFE DRAWING 8

2010-01-19T17:22:00.001-08:00

Artwork: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

EXTRA, EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT HIM!

2010-01-09T18:09:00.001-08:00

I am proud to announce the debut of my long time friend, painting colleague, former roommate and classmate the prestigious Wayne Jiang as he graces the front page of the Silicon Valley's weekly newspaper the "METRO" this week.

There are few times left in this crazy, fast paced, high tech, action-packed, 3D world of ours when the media will take the time to embrace the beautiful work of a painter (of all things)!

Please, please if you are in the South Bay this week, pick up a copy of the "Metro" and learn about the great work of this local artist. Then go see his solo show being featured right now at the San Jose History museum in Kelly Park.

EVERYDAY SAN JOSÉ: PAINTING BY WAYNE JIANG runs through May 30 at the Leonard and David McKay Gallery at the Pasetta House in History Park, 1650 Senter Road, San Jose. (408.287.2290)

the article --> HERE

Wayne's Website --> HERE

THIS YEAR'S CARD '09

2009-12-30T18:04:00.000-08:00

So this year's card almost didn't happen. With the fall season came the recovery of my knee, which seriously prevented me from doing a lot of activities like teaching, painting, shopping, driving, bending over, sitting on the throne, showering and just about anything else other than laying in bed (and even that wasn't easy). I wont go into here, but post surgery things are finally healing up and I'm getting my muscle tissue back into shape again. If you want to know about ACL's hit me up, I know all about 'em and I can refer you to one of the best orthopedic surgeons in the Bay Area! (Click image to see larger)...

All that aside, I didn't get to my shopping or card making until very late. So I thought that this year I would do a drawing or sketched out idea, with the intention that next year I would paint it. This would show my process a bit and give you something to look forward to next year. So here it is, and I'm sorry to all my good friends out there who didn't get a printed card in person or through the mail but at least I can share it with you here. Happy Holidays!

Imagery and Artwork: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2009-12-30T17:34:00.000-08:00

Video: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

Original Song "Who Will Buy"... written by Lionel Bart

Winter Landscape Painting in the Background: William Glen Gallaher I (my grandfather)

FASHIONISTA

2009-12-07T11:18:00.000-08:00

Images: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

A GOOD WEEKEND

2009-10-28T01:26:00.001-07:00

Last weekend was open studios for San Francisco's SOMA district, and Friday night was a terrific opening night for the "Oddists" studio where I was exhibiting. I work out of this studio almost weekly for life drawing sessions and painting and my fellow artists asked if I would show with them. I was honored.

The four piece jazz band kicked off about 7:30pm with a number of standard bossa nova tunes to set a relaxed comfortable mood. The wine and cheeses were laid out, and people began showing up in numbers. The walls were hung thickly with works from eight different artist's exhibiting in the large studio located in the historic Odd Fellow's Building on Market Street and 7th in the heart of San Franciso's downtown.

Many friends and visitors were in attendance and a fun time was had by all. It is truly one of the great moments for an artist to be surrounded by supporters and onlookers who have questions and experiences to share of their own. The art becomes a place to build bridges between people and their lives. Sometimes the art finds it's way into a new home or sometimes just acts as an ice-breaker for a new friendship or an exchange of ideas.

From the creative side you begin to survey the body of work that you've been working your ass off on as it resonates (or not) with audiences. New strategies begin to formulate as you see both your victories and your failures pass with a glance. You begin to see how what was once a small uncertain idea you started with a year or two ago, has now manifested itself throughout your various works and grown beyond where it started. Sometimes it grows into something new, sometimes it doesn't, but open studios isa special place for artist's to see if the work they are producing is reaching it's potential. A chance to directly connect to audiences, outside of the sometimes intimidating gallery.

Artists are truly appreciative to just hear questions, or comments, good or bad about the work they are doing. It is a lonely road for them and every persons' response is valid and collectively adds to a framework or strategy. Sometimes a piece is adored and sold, sometimes it is simply walked past in the blink of an eye, but in the end, every artist has to listen to what their audience is responding to and to find the courage and strength to continue to dig down deep and explore, even if it means accepting failure.

This may not seem like much effort to some, but to the artist it is everything you have, it's part of your genetic calling in life and you spend countless hours pursuing it. It can mean a great deal when someone takes the time to ask about your work or express their feelings in response to your work. It takes dedication and courage to pursue one's dreams and to not give-up. Open studios is a time celebrate that effort and to begin a new.

A special THANKS to my fellow ODDISTS for including me in their exhibition. Please take the time to look them up.
Richard L. Perri
Stephan Crawford
Tom Crawford
Randall John
Paolo Salazar
Aladin C. Stadlin
Kellie Peach Nash

A SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Wayne Jiang
Patricia Delich
Steven Kendel
Shan Senaratne

for whom without their help, I would have missed this opportunity on account of a gimped-up-knee. They are life savers.

Photos: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

OPEN STUDIOS: FALL '09

2009-10-22T17:57:00.000-07:00

I am participating in San Francisco's Fall OPEN STUDIOS this weekend Oct. 23,24,25 2009. Come by and check out my (recently) GIMPED-KNEE and keep me company as I air out the paintings and drawings. Maybe find something nice to take home for a great price. I will be dropping prices like bombs on work that's GOTTA GO to make room for new stuff comin! I am showing with a group of artists I frequently draw with at their studio space in the ODD FELLOWS Building located at 7th and Market Street. The band Just Freinds will be performing at our opening reception this Friday night Oct. 23, 2009 at 7pm. Doors will be open for the remaining weekend Saturday and Sunday from 11am-6pm. Hope to see you all there!

ADDRESS: 26 7th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 #202 2nd floor

LIFE DRAWING 7

2009-10-20T01:19:00.000-07:00

male studies, oil on paper, 14x17in.

Images: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

JOURNAL ON THE WAY

2009-10-04T20:29:00.000-07:00

I'm in the closing pages of my next journal I'm calling "HUMMINGBIRD" that has been in the making for at least three years now. Here is a little preview of some of the images.

If you are interested in seeing more of my journals you can click --> HERE

Images: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

LAST DAYS OF SUMMER

2009-10-04T19:58:00.001-07:00

The air has changed and so have the seasons, Fall is on the way. I caught this evening sky in Carmel a couple of nights ago... breath taking!

Image: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

CHEEZE BUCKET

2009-10-04T16:24:00.000-07:00

video and imagery: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

FRIDAY NIGHT WHITES

2009-10-03T18:44:00.000-07:00

Friday night I busted out ten new canvases and papers and prepped them or upcoming paintings. I love this part, almost as much as the finishing painting. Every stage has its charms, but seeing all the white space is exciting when you think of the potential that lies ahead.

I worked for pretty much most of the evening and into the night, but when I was done it was a beautiful clean sight. All that white under the lights. I paused for a moment to enjoy the calm before the storm, turned out th lights and went to bed. The clock read 4:10am.

photos and movie: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

PROPS TO MY PAINTING PEEPS

2009-10-03T16:50:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to throw a BIG SHOUT OUT to my painting people this last summer quarter at the Art Institute of California, San Francisco. It was a tremendous quarter and as usual you all showed up and kicked butt! There were some real gems that were painted this quarter and I just want to send out a big THANK YOU to you all for working so hard, learning so much, meeting those deadlines and producing some great work that made me proud! I wish I could show them here. Maybe we could try and get a show together in the library or something??? (I'll have to work on it).

The other class I wanted to send a warm THANK YOU out to was my Color Theory class, my FIRST Mid-Quarter Start class (meaning started midway through the existing quarter). It was intense at times, a little experimental, and like that family car-drive across country on summer vacation (insert movie soundtrack for Vacation), we made it and covered a lot of powerful and useful ground. You all made it fun for me and fun for each other and it was truly a pleasure watching you all in action, THANK YOU! You too made me proud!

LIFE DRAWING 6

2009-09-30T18:32:00.001-07:00

This first one was done as a demo in my painting class I taught this summer. We did a (2)four hour session portrait painting unit. I'm happy with the direction this is taking, but could really use another hour or maybe two for those finishing touches that makes portrait painting a real art-form . When painting from life, or a live model (and not photography), I stop when the model stops. I have found you are never as good on your own when capturing the likeness of life. This portrait was done in acrylics. The rest of the images below were done in oils at my weekly life-drawing session.

Images: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

PALACE OF FINE ARTS

2009-09-26T16:07:00.000-07:00

I finally finished this a couple of weekends ago. I had actually started it almost a year earlier and was waiting to get back to the right season and sun. We are finally heading into the fall season now (our best season for weather here in San Francisco) after a looooong extra-foggy summer. Clear, crisp beautiful days... I can't wait to get out there again and capture those cool California colors and "blue sky of perfect lost purity" as Jack Kerouac describes about San Francisco in his story The Railroad Earth. Soon the pumpkin-spice latte's will be everywhere in the city, a feeling of coziness, staying close to home, early evening sunsets and the fall "open studios" will blanket our prosperous and creative city. There is no place I would rather be!

Image: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

NIGHT AT THE ROXIE

2009-09-23T23:15:00.000-07:00

Tonight was the Animation Festival for the Art Institute of California where I teach, held at the Roxie Theater in the heart of San Fracnisco's Mission district. It made me proud to see the work of my students on the big screen. Our program is growing and getting stronger with each quarter.

Just a couple quick pics of the poster I designed for the Seven Deadly Sins competition that was part of the festival. The original design can be seen on my website. They liked the illustration so much, they used it again for the Festival poster and promotion too.

Original Design --> HERE

Photos: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

THE PASSING OF A LEGEND

2009-09-22T00:05:00.000-07:00

I am saddened to hear of the passing of a great legend in illustration...

Bernie Fuchs (1932-2009)

"Thank you Bernie for all the wonderful pictures and inspiration. You leave behind monstrous shoes."

Read more about Mr. Fuchs at the Washington Post--> HERE

LIFE DRAWING 5

2009-09-21T23:23:00.001-07:00

Images: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

FORGOTTEN DRAWINGS

2009-09-18T14:53:00.000-07:00

So recently I was cleaning up stacks of drawings and papers from under my bed (my temporary archive)... and I came across some drawings I forgot I even did! WOW... talk about feeling old! Ok, ok, old is relative but relative to my memory and life... I'm older than I have ever been before... and when you completely start forgetting something you spent some time on (like your ART), well it's time to quit trying to remember and just enjoy the bliss that goes along with being "out of touch".

The drawing shown above was a piece I did for myself when I was starting to use more pastels in my illustrations and I was experimenting a bit with the textures I could create. I was toying with this idea as a series for a while and loved the feeling I was getting.

I first saw this one. Then it started to come back... "Oh yeah", I did these with this friend of mine Tami when we were hanging out in Stern grove for the music in the park one time... three years ago! Again, where does the time go???

Tami is seen here with a really great hat I remember she was wearing. It was a fun afternoon in "The Grove" for the yearly concert in the park series they have.

Anyway, I just felt I had to share with you yet another way to experience time lapsing, in fact floating right on by while you are not paying attention.

Your art can catch you slumbering with a sobering and detailed reminder of just how much you are "losing it" as you think to yourself, "I have no recollection of drawing those lines on that piece of artwork that has my signature on it and is obviously drawn in my style..."??? YIKES!

Usually drawings make people and events remain longer in my memory and with more detail. And I guess they did in this case too, but only after I stumbled across them in a dusty old portfolio. Maybe I'll go look for more buried treasure and memories.

Images: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

SAN FRANCISCO BAY BLUES

2009-09-12T14:30:00.000-07:00

Here is a little late-night "ditty" for ya off my Sony Ericsson phone... after an all-night jam session with my buddy Wayne Jiang following his exhibition at the Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica California. It was a fun night. Enjoy!

Video: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

LIFE DRAWING 4

2009-09-11T17:50:00.001-07:00

Imagery: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

PLEIN-AIR DRAWINGS

2009-09-04T17:00:00.000-07:00

One of the things I love doing on weekends and vacations is grabbing my pastels or paints and heading out on a hike. Two of my favorite things together, nature and drawing. It's a radically different experience working in the "field" than in the warm studio under the lights. Sometimes you just gotta get out and breath it! Being out in the "elements" while working can be both a nightmare and a complete full-fillment of the senses. Frustrating at times when the wind blows your pastels all over the muddy ground or that feeling of moisture creeping through your jeans when you've realized you've sat in "something"... or coming home two hours later to a burnt forehead and dehydration. Lesson here is, like a boyscout, be prepared with more than just your art supplies.

But it can also be those beautiful mornings on the California coast, soaking in all those beautiful colors that are absolutely glowing! Capturing just a taste of the beauty that nature has to offer ranks up there with some of the finest of human experiences. Your senses are your guide, you are listening as you draw to the birds chirping, the couples walking by, or the gentle breeze through the trees. The smell of dew or moist salty ocean air can wake you right up quicker than the first sip of morning coffee! It's all working together, your eyes, your ears, your nose, your mind and your putting it down in real-time.

The time honored tradition of plein-air painting, refers to a manner or style of painting developed chiefly in France in the mid-19th century, characterized by the representation of the luminous effects of natural light and atmosphere. Strictly speaking plein-air paintings are executed out of doors and represent a direct response to the scene or subject in front of the artist. The impressionists like Monet and Cezzane were masters of observation from nature. I enjoy painting outdoors and in one complete sitting from beginning to end (usually about two hours). While the work is slightly less labored and looser, it usually captures a fresh and vibrant appeal unique from my other studio-based work.

Here is a little of how it works...

STEP 1: Getting set-up and looking at the world in front of you. Soak in nature's work first! Whoaaa watch the dog shit right there to your left... (What the hell people, pick up after your damn dogs!)

STEP 2: Begin to lay in the drawing. Basic forms, lights and darks... oh and watch that perspective people! Where is that horizon line? Remember, there is only one.

STEP 3: Start working in the colors, lights and shadows and all degrees of tonality in-between. This part takes the longest but truthfully is the most fun part. It's like mediation, you are concentrating and relaxing at the same time in response to the environment around you. You are living in it, co-existing with it. You are one with nature, the sights, the sounds, the vibrating colors... the hours pass...

Get out there and try it people! You don't have to go very far to find that beauty. It's a great way to enjoy the weekend and learn a little something too. Don't be too hard on yourselves, it's about the feeling and experience and the results will get better with time. You'll take in nature in a whole new way, with an awareness of more than you might get from a casual hike or walk. Stop, listen, look, enjoy and even take home a souvenir from your experience. I promise you, you will remember your adventure more clearly.

Here are a few other excursions out.

The Redwoods Park in the East Bay.

Cannery Row, Monterey.

For more of my Plein-Air Drawings check out my website
click on Drawings --> HERE

Imagery: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

RIGHT THROUGH THE HEART

2009-09-04T16:58:00.000-07:00

Photo: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

LIFE DRAWING 3

2009-08-12T23:36:00.000-07:00

Images: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

SEVEN DEADLY SINS

2009-08-12T23:12:00.000-07:00

Recently completed this promotional poster for a school wide animation competition we are hosting for our animation students. A great topic that I was glad to get the chance to illustrate! Juicy subjects like this are an illustrator's dream!

Images: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

HUMMINGBIRD

2009-05-14T19:02:00.000-07:00

So if you follow this blog you might remember several months back my family and I laid to rest our eldest and most kindered spirit my grandmother Alice Gallaher. Her sweet face and impression has continued to linger gently reminding me that the time we have in this life is precious, to relish it and not take it or time for granted. Do what you have to today, be smart, but don't waste time in doing what is right.

I wanted to do a painting for my family to commemorate her long life in full rich color. I had done a drawing of her in black and white ten years earlier while she was still alive, but this one had to be in juicy, brilliant and celebratory color. A while back I had started painting in oils for my personal paintings and gallery work and have found them to be quite a learning experience, testing my last bit of patience while pushing my knowledge of the medium and painting that much further with stunningly rich results and depth. As an illustrator I have primarily worked in acrylics and water-based mediums for their versatility, interchangeability, cleanliness and faster drying nature that allows one to do amazing things with these modern mediums and with a faster turn around time (the name of the game if you are in business).

I have never been one to celebrate medium over the importance of content, but there is nothing like facing tradition straight in the eye and realizing that as much as you may have learned in your time and place, there is so much more to learn and appreciate that came before you, from great masters that have accomplished things long ago and with far less technology at their disposal. I realize the journey has only begun... yet again. Painting has taught me this about life too and so has my grandmother. Life is a journey, with many wonderful things to learn and learn again. All you have to do is open yourself up to it, take a deep breath, and soar.

"Remember to remember me, standing still in your past, floating there like a hummingbird" - Jeffrey Scot Tweedy, Wilco

Images: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

SKATE THIS ART

2009-05-11T19:53:00.001-07:00

Well it was a packed house on Market Street last Friday night! The Market Street Gallery to be exact and everyone was in attendance to see a cool assortment of skate deck art that ranged from the out of this world to... "Is that Gene Simmons's tongue on that board?".

The Chronicle was there, the MOMA was there, and most of all the love was there for the Roaddawgz Homeless Youth Drop-In Center!

The silent auction started around 6:45pm and all eyes were on the look out for the favorites. The work was exceptional. This being my first skateboard show, I was thoroughly impressed with the diverse directions people took with their boards.

There was everything from acrylic paint, to wood carving, to even some interesting grip tape cut outs on the top!

There was the phallic to the sculptural to the scenic, and that is what truly made it interesting, variety!

This was definitely a great, fun, rewarding show that I look forward to next year already. The exhibit runs through May 31 so swing by and check out the show while it's up. You wont be dissapointed.

SKATE THIS ART HERE --> HERE

Images: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

SKATING AWAY

2009-05-04T20:41:00.000-07:00

A little history lesson here... I was a big skater as a kid back in the day. It was sometime around 1982 that I got my first skateboard. What a piece of crap it was... A "Kamakazi" was what it was called... The choice in those days of the Toys R' Us mass-produced variety was that.. or a Ventura skateboard (Michael J. Fox had one in Back to the Future Part I)... and well, in my book who could deny the Japanese style Rising Sun design that was on the bottom of the deck complete with copers, ribs and a skid plate...

A few years later (and a whole lot more practice) I would ride a Santa Cruz Bullet... my first serious skate... a classic ramp style board complete with OJ2's and German Speed bearings... I skated the shit out of that board... I would eventually skate a Lance Mountain and many other thrasher decks through a skate shop in Fair Oaks California called the WHEEL ZONE... My brother (a better skater) was sponsored by Blockhead and was a fearless street-style skater. We were both complete with long bangs and ridges cut into our hair, and the Circle Jerks played on our blasters. We stood in awe of the likes of a young Tony Hawk, Mark Gonzales(Gonzo), Rob Roskopp, Christian Hosoi, and Lance Mountain among many others. Check this out.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZIIhgLhB0k. Here is another one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p8fXhWBMlU&feature=related. The tricks were sad by today's standards. I gotta give props to the kids who have continued to push the tricks into gawd-knows what sickening combinations I've seen on You Tube!

Cut to twenty-seven years later and I was presented with the challenge to paint my own deck design on two different boards as an art-fundraiser for the Roaddawgz Homeless Youth Drop-In Center here in San Francisco. The reception is THIS Friday night May 8th at 1554 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94102. The show opens Monday the 4th and runs thru the 31st.

Check out http://www.skatethisart.com/ for more details, and be sure to come by Friday night 6-9pm and check out all the fresh decks that are on display and up for auction. In the meantime enjoy these process picks of my own. Started with a sketch and worked up my finished decks in acrylics. I designed them go together as a theme but they could be displayed separately too. They are called "Heaven and Earth (Ascending and Descending)"

The finished pieces (not shown here) are both on display and up for sale at the show, so swing by and check them out. Hope to see you there on Friday! Skate or Die!

SKATE THIS ART website --> HERE

Images: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

Life Drawing II

2009-04-26T22:32:00.000-07:00

Images: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

SURREAL DIGI-BAND

2009-04-23T20:07:00.001-07:00

It is very surreal to see your own look-alike avatar on-screen playing an instrument in a band that doesn't really exist. Gotta love it! Had fun with some of my kid-friends creating our own band and jammin' for hours!!!

We look like a cross between a retro Nirvana grunge band and a fifties Jersey-du-opp-band! Weird but fun...!!! Wiiiiiiiiii... Look Mom boxing gloves for hands!

LIFE DRAWING

2009-04-16T12:08:00.000-07:00

I still go to life drawing sessions every week (these are from last week), and I still love it. For me it's relaxing and a good way to keep up on your chops.

Images: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

PORTRAIT DEMOS

2009-04-11T12:20:00.000-07:00

At school I am often doing demos showing technique, medium, drawings etc. I often grab models or students to get a drawing down before I start throwing the paint around. Here are few to give you an idea...
"Eva" (above)
acrylic and pencil
-in-class exercise.
"Julie" (right)
watercolor pencil
-one of my most favorite sketching mediums, great for on the fly or when you can't stay long enough to paint it out... just add water later!!

"Andrew"
acrylic and gesso over ink and pencil
-messy is best, let it ride, go with it!!

"Elizabeth"
gouache over gesso and pencil
-it's all about the light.

"Diane"
acrylics
-quick drawing directly with the paint.

Images: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

DOS SOMBREROS

2009-04-05T18:54:00.000-07:00

Couple of juicy charcoal life-drawings. Christopher our model wore this SWEET Mexican sombrero at life-drawing a couple of weeks back. So I decked him out drunkard style! These were twenty minute drawings done on 18x24in. Canson paper using the heaviest, darkest Char-Kole (the brand)I could find. Great fun!

Images: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

SFIAAFF '09 TWO'FER

2009-03-22T02:17:00.000-07:00

Made it to the SFIAAFF '09 San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival again this year... and there are two films I recommend for sure if you can catch them either in the festival here or coming to a film festival near you... or there is always Youtube... but I wanna throw some props out to these two outstanding films.

The first is HP Mendoza's FRUIT FLY which I caught at the film festival on it's premier night in the Castro Theatre and loved it. A San Francisco based setting is perfect for this film, and it was well received in the Castro. A great movie by a very talented artist, director, filmaker, songwriter all in one! And, if you haven't seen a movie in the Castro Theatre, then you are missing something truly special. Here is the trailer...

The second is Harry Kim's Documentary DIRTY HANDS: THE ART AND CRIMES OF DAVID CHOE about street artist, illustrator, and hard workin' punk ass David Choe. Now I have been fan of David Choe's energy and talent for years and I am always glad to see a fellow artist who puts his ass on the line taking risks and becoming immortalized in something like this, but lets not overlook the fact that David has paid a heavy price or two for a life like his. But I have been watching the clips of this documentary role out for over a year and the life and times of Mr. Choe guarantees to make interesting documentary film subject matter, so HOLD ON!

Go see 'em folks... get out and support your next generation of film makers and support the SFIAAFF !!!

BLOSSOMING

2009-03-21T22:43:00.001-07:00

Every year at the end of February here in California and specifically San Francisco my favorite blossoming fruit tree takes it's turn to remind me of many precious things in my life. About the time of my grandmother's recent passing several weeks back, I was sweetly reminded of her every morning that I walked passed all of the blossoming Japanese Cherry trees that line the many steep sloping streets of this fair city. After reading up a little about the tree and others found in San Francisco, I was surprised to read that the Japanese Cherry Tree is the second most common tree in the city! Second only to the more popular and slightly more exquisite flowering Japanese Plum tree which looks almost the same but with slightly more brilliant pink flowers. The plum tree also has a twin albino version of it that is even more rare and is a white flowering tree with green leaves instead of the red leaves. Everyday for about two weeks I was taking pictures of the magnificent sweet color that these trees bring to the beautiful clear blue back drop skies that we get here in the winter. And if you stop, and smell the gentle breeze, you might just catch the lovely sweet scent of bubble gum that these flowers give off. It is good to be alive! I am reminded to take time... and enjoy these pics, and one of the true treasures found on the planet.

Photos: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

WONDERCON '09 WRAP-UP!

2009-03-10T20:37:00.000-07:00

It was a blast! Another year of WONDERCON which seems to be growing year to year. I went with two of my friends Shan and Gary. There were a lot of regulars and a lot of new faces to see. Like....

RICHARD KIEL!!!! JAWS to you and me. Yes another childhood dream checked off the list of to do's... "Get picture being choked by JAWS"... (the villian in the James Bond movies The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker).

A FRIGGIN RAD CYLON! Yes RAD... For you younger folks this was a dream that maybe you can't relate to, but if you grew up in the 80's, nothing struck more fear and fascination in you than an old-school cylon from Battle Star Galactica... complete with humming, oscillating red eye... You just had to be there... the 80's I mean!

And even something for the kids and perhaps the coolest costume there... I can't believe there is a guy under all that... My pal "G" gettin a shot for his three year old who couldn't believe dad met Bumble Bee...

Other great highlights were...

meeting up with one of my favorite graphic novel artists David Mack of his very successful series Kabuki... http://www.davidmack.com/

Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill... (Carrie Fisher ROCKS!!!! What a cool chic!)

we missed Adam West...

Erin Grey from Buck Rogers in the 25th Century... (again you had to be there...the 80's)!

Darth Maul (the guy that played him Ray Park)...

the storm trooper who actually said the lines "these aren't the droids we're looking for" ... Anthony West (who was a very cool cat)

and that guy from Children of the Corn... you know him from and a ton of great 80's and 90's movies... the blazing red-headed punk...Courtney Gains!

It was truly a fun day that I look forward to every year. Autographs from some has-been movie and tv stars, some great artist, great art, great BOOKS on art, portfolio reviews of art, comics, action figures, costumes, creatures and contests. If you have never been, even if you DON'T like comics, you gotta check it out at least once... there is something for everyone! Actually I'm already plannin' for next year.

check out these Youtube videos to sum it up...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0EkiYALymM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irCvbNsBMYM&feature=related

Thanks to my buddy Shan Senaratne for the great shots!

Images: ©Copyright 20009 Trey Gallaher

ALICE'S WONDERLAND

2009-02-13T19:11:00.000-08:00

My grandfather William G. Gallaher was the painter in our family, and though I never had a chance to know him in my adult life, I have always felt an intimate connection with him through his work (perhaps the reason I became a painter). But it was my grandmother that shared with me his many talents that remained hanging in her house. Growing up I would spend weekends at my grandmother's little house, just hangin' out and discovering the wonders of her mystical property shrouded in oak trees and hideouts to be discovered.

Alice Gallaher was a grade school teacher in her day, who loved learning. My sister reminded me on the phone recently, how she remembers everything was always about learning with grandma. This struck me in a peculiar way, maybe because I too am now a teacher, and I began to be reminded of all the things she did teach me that I never really thought about but somehow still remember. The little things in childhood that we hold on to in a distant memory, almost a dream-like place. There were some very clear specifics too, like her mannerisms, the way she spoke, paused, breathed, hobbled along, hummed a crackly tune. They are the wonderful nuances that we carry very deep in our memories and hearts throughout our lives, and even after theirs...

My grandmother was a crafts person, she collected, always widdling away at something, some project, a book, some music on the piano, a church program. Never anything fancy, or even noticed, but steady, steady the way grandmothers are in our lives. Almost like she could spend hours alone just noodling away in her own little world, cozy and safe. I remember her always showing me her latest painted-china piece she had been working on, or digging through an old closet way in the back to find some little puzzle we could work on together. Letting me explore and discovering on my own.

Decades later I was poking through a bunch of my grandfathers paintings, documenting them, trying to make some sort of record of all of his work that is scattered throughout our family, when I came across this painting, not signed, and hanging in my aunt's house. My aunt was quick to remind me that this was a painting her mother had done, NOT her father. I was taken aback... "This?" I thought... "Grandma? I didn't know she painted too? This is good! Really good!". I kind of wish I could find more of her works like this, especially now that I'm really into the impressionists and painting alla-prima! (a painting term for immediate quick, thick, impasto painting technique).

Though this painting may never be seen on the walls at Christie's, I am proud of my grandmother's painting (one of the only paintings she ever did) and amazed at the many secret gifts she had, the many projects she was always chipping away at. It's funny how we often think we know somebody all of our lives, only to discover something brand new about them, something that we see in ourselves that explains our own behavior and interests. I look forward to learning more about my grandmother's many secrets as well as my own. I guess we are still working on that puzzle together.

Painting: ©Copyright Alice Gallaher

1915 - 2009 a.d.

2009-02-13T13:18:00.000-08:00

R.I.P. Grandma G.

Thank you for...

being easy going, peaceful and gentle with me
giving me your wide smile
being a good teacher
teaching me to play my first piano song (Silent Night)
having your doorbell and letting me ring it over and over
teaching me to love home-made whole wheat bread
teaching me to love almonds
teaching me about painting on china-ware
teaching me to love the great oak trees
teaching me to collect stuff and value the little things
giving me a sense of family
teaching me about my family
showing me my grandfather's paintings and telling me about him
making me feel safe
always giving me love and looking after me

I will miss you and your sweet smiling face,
I love you always...

NEW YEAR NEW PAINTINGS

2009-02-07T11:40:00.000-08:00

With the New Year comes a new series of paintings I have begun. Last Year's SAGACITY series was a success and I continue to make new paintings in that series. But I have recently begun another venture that I am excited about... they are in oil paint. I'll be the first to admit I do not have a long tenure with oils (being an illustrator) but I am experimenting to find my method of using this bold and versatile medium. But let me say this, ITS FUN!!! This shot above is Easel #1, a piece I am doing in oil for a friend.

Mixing, mixing, mixing those oils. The colors are rich and deep. JUICY!!! I've been using Windsor and Newton's Artisan oils which I am finding really great. Being a mostly water based medium painter, these babies are great medium for me. They make clean-up hassle free, and are not nearly as toxic as using turpentine or mineral spirits. Just soap and water for clean up and they can be mixed with regular linseed oil or any other medium of choice... ain't technology grand! I've been reading a lot about these oils (water based), and they have been around since the seventies for professional printing, but have really begun to take off in the painting world over the last twenty years as a healthier alternative to traditional methods, while still delivering the rich buttery and deep color effects.

I've been prepping a bunch of new canvases and boards as well. I love painting on wood panel and have never been real fond of stretched canvases. Being a draftsman and a lover of drawing, the bouncy surface of canvases is like having sex on a springy matress, it can be wild, but not much control. But none the less I am doing a few on canvases too, mostly portraits.

Easel #2 features a piece I am finally getting back to after my SAGACITY show, and is part of a series of pieces I started a couple of years back and have been slowly building on.

On Easel #3 I'm finishing a piece that there was no more room for in the SAGACITY show at Sweet Inspiration last September. I really wanted to put this one in the show, but it didn't make it in time, and there wasn't any more wall space anyway. Almost done.

My boy Ti-Jean... Jackie Delouz... angelic skid-row bum... Kerouac, looking back at me from behind the clutter... never far from my thoughts! Great writer of sadness, savior of my soul, again and again always picking me up and putting me back together, making strange but truthful poetic sense of all this madness we call life.

Pickin a few Dead tunes out in-between paintings. For me, my guitar and harmonica are never far from my easel. To me music and painting go together, like illustrations and literature. Painters and musicians, musicians and painters. Most painters I know also play music, somewhere in there lives.

Photos: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

JOYFUL FACES

2009-01-05T23:40:00.000-08:00

Among the shopping, traveling and festivities I had a blast finishing this portrait assignment over the holiday break. I've always loved the happiness that completing a portrait brings. Capturing a person's likeness is a challenge uniquely set-aside from other forms of figurative painting and drawing. People are often most critical and self-editing of their own appearance and the trick is to not just capture their outward physical appearance but to make it express what they want to see in themselves. This involves a deeper investigation than just the cold hard reality found in a casual photograph. But if you get it right, there can be no greater joy or sense of pride for an artist even if it is only an audience of one.

Image: "Momma Chu" ©Copyright Trey Gallaher
conte crayon and gouache on toned paper

THIS YEAR'S CARD

2008-12-25T20:30:00.001-08:00

For almost fifteen years I have been illustrating my own Christmas cards to give to close friends and relatives. I print and assemble them myself and usually end up delivering them by hand. This years card is from a drawing I did over three years ago. I rediscovered it while going through some old drawings a few weeks back. I had ditched this drawing last minute for another piece I had going at the time. This piece was drawn from Union Square San Francisco watching the Christmas tree trimmers go through their ritual of decorating the city tree.

I remember the shapes of the decorations, the tree, the crane structure and the composition looking interesting to me. I remember wanting some color in it but not wanting it to feel like a painting, but more like a drawing. It's funny, sometimes when I look back at old work, I get a fresh view of it, an almost detached feeling (or seperation) from ever having done the piece, and it allows me to enjoy it all over again or in a new light that I missed before.

Images: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY

2008-12-25T19:26:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and a BIG thanks for all your love and support over the last year. It was a great year filled with a lot of new exciting work coming out of my studio. My Sagacity series was a big success and my show at Sweet Inspiration was a great kick-off. I received a lot of insightful feedback and already have plans for new additions to the series as well as future exhibitions. I'm now back in the studio again working on some new pieces for another new series. The upcoming year hopes to be productive. I'm also continuing to upgrade the website including some new sections and adding more work so check back. Be safe everybody and love one another... Cheers!

Photos: The family pooches by the fire (Klaus top), (Klaus, Kurt and I below)
©Copyright Trey Gallaher

ALL YOU HAVE ARE YOUR DREAMS

2008-12-16T02:33:00.000-08:00

It was almost fifteen years ago that I painted this humble little scholastic piece for a Christmas card to send to my family and friends back home (usually to build sympathy for more money and food). I was months away from graduating from San Jose State University with my new bachelors degree in graphic design and illustration. I wasn't sleeping, eating, showering or shaving but pulling all-nighters to barely finish paintings before day-light and the end of the semester. I remember being filled with sweet anticipation, hope and a far-off dream of my future that propelled my classmates and I forward with such passion and determination.

Not much has really changed since those days. I'm still up all hours of the night, still making my illustrations and paintings and still dreaming of what I want to do with my work, but now I'm suddenly wondering "where has the time gone?" and that it really is true what they say that all we have are our dreams. It's not whether you became what you thought you would, made that money you struggled so hard for or became an over-night sensation but that you continue to dream for tomorrow. For this I am grateful, grateful for the people that believed in me and stayed by my side, listened and didn't let me give up. And now that I am a teacher, and watch my own batch of tired, sleepy-eyed, hunger-panged, dream-filled potentials drag their heels through the classroom door to make that one last deadline and critique, that I stop and laugh, a joyous laugh down deep at the vigor and determination of my own youth, the youth that still lives in me and that our dreams never really leave us but simply mold into something even more encompassing and more beautiful and that all we have to do is to live it, keep believing in it and to share it with whomever will stop to listen.

Image: ©Copyright 1995 Trey Gallaher

ACCEPTANCE OF THIS FILTHY ROTTEN SYSTEM

2008-11-30T02:04:00.001-08:00

STOLEN HEART

2008-11-30T01:39:00.001-08:00

WHERE ARE YOU JACK

2008-11-30T01:10:00.000-08:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

2008-10-27T11:17:00.000-07:00

Did this a couple years back for a newspaper... "Witch Hunt"

Enjoy some cool pics from around town lately...

Noe Valley Harvest Festival

tall tales...

it's the little differences you notice...

Happy Halloween everybody!

COMIN' UP NEXT ON THE CW

2008-10-16T00:06:00.000-07:00

Yours truly here... BUSTIN' IT OUT on my favorite local tv station the "CW"...

There I was, chillaxin' with beer (a BASS) in hand at the radio Alice 97.3, Now and Zen concert in Golden Gate Park, when right next to our blanket was my local t.v. station (that I tune into late at night for shows like, Family Guy, King of Queens, and South Park cause I refuse to pay for cable) shooting ad spots for their station I.D.s . Their t.v. spots are pretty home-spun, but clever and funny, featuring local citizens sing out their funky theme song. I couldn't resist...

some stills from the take...

I guess I made the cut because they sent me this link to YouTube... and my scheduled appearances for the week of Oct. 15-19... (hang in there I'm at the end too doin my thang!)

My promo spot is scheduled to run at the end of the show in that show’s credits.

So, if Will & Grace at 11:30pm shows underneath my name, then make sure to tune into the CW at about 11:50pm. You catch me singin' and dancin my ass off and tellin' you what's "...comin' up next on the CW..."

Sometimes the operator will cancel these promos at the last minute, so if you miss one, you can tune in the next day.

Also I may appear in a Station ID. These are the :05 second spots that run at the top and bottom of the hour.

Have a laugh on me everybody, and tune into the CW, 44 on your rabbit ears, and 12 on your cable...

...and get your funk on people!!!

SO HERE'S THE STOREY...

2008-09-23T19:05:00.000-07:00

NOW GO OUT AND BUY IT FOLKS!!!

I rarely so gratuitously support such capitalistic brandings... but this is one of my heroes featured in this months issue of Juxtapoz Magazine (Oct'08)... "one of the greats" in my humble opinion... and if you are lucky enough to learn about Barron Storey, or even better learn from him as I had the luck to have, he might just change your art, your perspective and maybe your life. David Choe the interviewer is an original artist in his own right who serves up his own brand of story-telling questions, and sets the scene for us.

It's on the shelves NOW people, and if you are a fan of Mr. Storey's artwork as I am... it's definitely one for the collection!

Barron Storey's Webpage --> HERE

Barron Storey's Blog --> HERE

A BS Fan website --> HERE

David Choe's Blog --> HERE

JUXTAPOZ --> HERE

Photo of Barron Storey for Juxtapoz Magazine by Jon Dragonette

SWEET INSPIRATION

2008-09-18T12:30:00.000-07:00

Sunday, September 7, was a great afternoon and a chance to share ten months worth of blood, sweat and tears with colleagues, family and friends. Everyone gathered at Sweet Inspiration on Market Street, San Francisco for a fun afternoon of cake, more cake, and my most recent series of paintings titled SAGACITY.

I had a chance to see some old friends and fellow artists I hadn't seen in years, eat my way through way too much cheese and salami, and swap some old stories as we mingled amongst the work and the pinot. The work was received well and the usual customers were suddenly asking... "who is the artist?" I spotted a few patrons sneaking looks from behind their laptops and baked goods long enough to ask... "is that you in your underwear there?"

I was overwhelmed in preparing for this show by the love and support of the people that came out and even the ones that wanted to but couldn't. It made me feel just how lucky I am to have people around me that support what I do. I have to admit it is hard at times to be an artist in ways you might not even think of. It can be simply by being locked up in your studio slaving away night after night, weekend after weekend, putting those friendships and relationships on hold with years going by before you stopped to realize just how long it has been since you called on that dear friend. But at times like these, you are rejuvenated by and reminded of those friends that never gave up on you and that friendships truly are in the heart, not the flesh and that time is of no consequence.

I watched as old friends reconnected as well, getting caught up and reminiscing about the old days, a party they once crashed together and that night they lost their keys at a beach bonfire in Santa Cruz somewhere after drinking too much peach schnapps. It was like watching a memory unfold in front of you, relationships were rekindled and new ones solidified. You begin to see your life as a whole, through a different sort of lense and then you realize just how blessed you really are, truly... a sweet inspiration.

The smiles were the most fulfilling. All those smiles... everybody... happy to see each other, happy to be alive, happy to be among friends sharing... being inspired and inspir-ing...

...it was the greatest gift I received from this show in return for the months of seclusion and focus.

The location of this show couldn't have been more sweetly appropriate for the unveiling of this new series of paintings I have embarked on. This is art amongst the people, my people, the ones I know, the ones I don't, but the "people" none-the-less, living their lives... in a coffee shop, at home, in a relationship, alone...getting caught up in the glory of it all.

These works are about them, their inner lives, the lives we all live, everyday, doing the mundane, the rituals, but dreaming about our past or hoping for our future and in a moment sagaciously deciding that life is short and beautiful and that we must take time to live, really live and sometimes follow our hearts desire so that we may live to dream again.

Coincidentaly, this show has been a proud moment in my career for at this very time, THREE of my favorite artists are also exhibiting in San Francisco simultaneously as me, Frida Kahlo at the Museum of Modern Art, Mary Cassatt at the Legion of Honor (Women Impressionists Show) and Shepard Fairey at White Walls in the Tenderloin. If you haven't checked out any of these exhibits... do so soon... and while you are at it swing by Sweet Inspiration for truly something sweet and check out my show, it has been extended until October 4th.

Frida Kahlo Show --> HERE

Mary Cassatt Show --> HERE

Shepard Fairey Show --> HERE

Trey Gallaher Show --> HERE

Photos: ©Copyright 2008 Trey Gallaher

SHOW IS UP!

2008-09-02T10:29:00.000-07:00

Well it was the beginning of a wonderful weekend and the end of a long year as I watched my newest body of work go up on the walls of Sweet Inspiration Bakery last Saturday morning. It came down to the line as I finished up and framed the last of the pieces into the weee hours of the early morning. On no sleep, I loaded twelve of the newest of my works (and largest), into the back of my girlfriends car and we arrived to the bakery by almost 9am.

The place was buzzing at that hour already, as Market Street frequently is at almost any hour. In-between slugs of my favorite Americano and crumbly pieces off some fresh baked pastries from the bakery itself, I was underway installing the exhibit. I got a lot of nice compliments and questions as we hung and it was magnificent seeing the work go up before my eyes. All that work, all those hours paid off as I watched and hung the pieces throughout the walls.

The pieces are big (for my work) which was one of my goals for this series (to work larger), and by the time the pieces are framed with glass (pastels), you are talking a pretty good twenty pounds to be hung from the ceiling hooks. I used some pretty heavy cable to hang with and to provide reinforcement in case of earthquakes etc. A ton of bubble-wrap provided great transport, but was a pain to unravel and stow-away. Thanks to Judy and Barbara who were there to help clean up behind me as I frantically flowed the work around the room and customers... Yikes! But nobody was bothered and in-fact inquiring minds were peering from behind papers and soon brought forth great questions.

There were literally no problems, aside from a quick re-set job I had to do to one piece whose glass slipped slightly in transport, but did not crack. The hardest part was stayng focused on no sleep. Robert (the curator) was there to help align things and to set the labels out for me. The pieces are for sale and are ready to take home as is... papered backs and wired. I assembled all these frames myself and they use all archival quality materials.

The show will be up for the month of September and the opening is next weekend the 7th from 4-6pm. Advantage of a Sunday in the city is, the parking is free everywhere, especially for you out of towners. I look forward to seeing you all there and catching up. Make sure you try some of the wonderful baked goods and pastries while you are there. Sweet Inspiration is well known and frequented by locals in the city, and you are most sure to find something to tempt you!

I want to thank the following people for their contributions to and support of this exhibit. Without their help I might never have made it...

Robert Vo
Wayne Jiang
Patricia Delich
Koen, Guinevere and Gary Pilapil
Hedwig De Ocampo
Barbara Allie
Barry Ebner
Kandi and the hard working girls behind the S.I. counters (thank you thank you)
Judy Chu
Scotty Nghiem
Stella Chu
Josh Nghiem
Mike Chu
Jeffrey and all my new friends in the Cheap Pete's Crew
Gram B.
Gram K.
Gram G.
Clayton Warren
Stephanie Harms
Mom and Steve
Dad
Mom Gee and Bill
Inch Family
Sheana, Mathew and Anthony
my Art Institute of California, San Francisco family...
Hayward Bittikofers
Fresno Bittikofers
The VIZLUB and all my talented hard working students... keep it going guys...

Photos: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

24 AND COUNTING...

2008-08-29T02:50:00.000-07:00

ALMOST SHOW TIME

2008-08-25T03:03:00.001-07:00

Well it's been a long, hard six months working towards this show. I am excited to present my new works titled SAGACITY. I have been painting this new series for almost a year now and have watched the work develop into a language and message of it's own. Working in series has taught me a lot about continuity, manner, and message through painting. A "voice" is something an artist develops over time and test, and I am beginning to hear my own voice more clearly through these new works. They speak from a more personal place and echo the silences in new and refreshing ways. Whats weird for me, is that I never thought I would produce so many pieces about one subject, and after completing thirteen new works, I am only excited to do more and see where it takes me.

I have been working with a great frame shop here in town (San Francisco) called Cheap Pete's who have been instrumental in getting my pieces framed at an affordable rate. Doing most of the assembly myself I have cut a lot of my cost. Any artist will tell you that framing for a show can be a huge expense and finding a way to do it on a budget is quite a trick. I have been saving my pennies and learning how to do the work myself. I have always framed my own work, but never at these sizes... thirty by forty inches is a big jump for me, but the larger painting area has also opened up a new playing field for paint application and medium!

Before I frame a work, I shoot it in sunlight with my digital high-resolution SLR camera (Olympus), and archive a digital copy and later for a website image. Living in San Francisco can be a very trying for this very reason. I usually shoot in late morning sunlight for best color balance, but trying to find any sunlight in my neighborhood (in the summer months especially) is frustrating. A month of f-ing FOG and stil no signs of clearing... I forgot what the sun looked like waiting for glimmer of light to poke through this white-out...

I use 4by6 a postcard making company in the east bay... they deliver great color and pretty quickly via a very smooth FTP-ing process from your desktop. They have a pick-up location in the Haight that I use quite a bit. Postage is another expense for self-promoters and it can be timely process labeling out to all your friends and followers! If you didn't get one from me, and want to, email me a line and I'll get you on the mailing list...

With most of the pieces framed up by now, I am a days away from hanging them at Sweet Inspiration... finishing touches here and there, hanging wires across the back and wiping finger prints off the glass. It's show time! Hope to see you at the...

reception: Sunday, September 7, 2008 from 4-6pm.
Sweet Inspiration 2239 Market Street, San Francisco, CA, 94114

SAGACITY Show at Sweet Inspiration -->HERE

STUDENT TIME TRAVEL

2008-08-25T01:11:00.000-07:00

I run a club at the Art Institute of California, San Francisco called the "VIZLUB". This club is gathering place for primarily animation and game-design students (though it's open to all majors) to learn more about how to develop their own visualizations, illustrations and concept art. The focus is on both drawing, rendering and the ideation process and it is here that students are exposed to a wider range of skills to help round out their education.

Over the last year the students and I organized a time-travel landscape painting project to be exhibited in the school's main gallery, which I am proud to say, finally took place last week. Out of their own research (on top of a full-load of classes, internships etc.), students worked in and learned more about painting and rendering in natural mediums such as acrylics and watercolor to add to the digital skill-sets they get from their classes.

What they learned about drawing, color, value, perspective and picture making deepened their abilities as visual artists regardless of the medium. I am proud to say Jason Forney, Brandon Jones and Tyrone Schieszler set themselves apart from the rest by accepting this challenging process with enthusiasm and countless hours of burning the midnight oil.
The turnout by faculty and students was great and brought many interested and proud expressions. Nothing makes a teacher prouder than to see their students shine, and it was a bright afternoon in that gallery.

For moreInformation on the VIZLUB, the exhibit, and to see more pictures from this show check out the club website...

VIZLUB Website -->HERE

Photos: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

BUSY SUMMER UPDATE: "SAGACITY" SHOW...

2008-07-08T13:50:00.000-07:00

VIDEO: ©Copyright 2008 Trey Gallaher
This video may NOT be copied, edited or redistributed.
All Rights Reserved.

SWEET INSPIRATIONS EXHIBITS --> HERE

SWEET INSPIRATIONS --> HERE

SAGACITY (TREYGALLAHER.COM) --> HERE

TREYGALLAHER.COM --> HERE

IMPORTANT !! - THE ORPHAN WORKS ACT

2008-05-13T12:39:00.000-07:00

I was forwarded this recently... and needless to say, I was shocked, though somehow not surprised... (here we go again)...

If you are a professional visual artist, commercial artist, or freelancing artist of almost any medium or discipline working today or hoping to work in the future...

YOU MUST CHECK THESE LINKS OUT.... regarding new copyright legislation and the - ORPHAN WORKS ACT - being introduced as we speak, that if passed may take away the copyright protection of your work and future works....

Get involved and learn how you can participate in protecting the copyrights of your work, future works and your industry practices... WE CAN'T LET THIS SLIDE... ACT NOW, NOW IS THE TIME!!! It's the future of our business...

The following interviews, information and related links are cited from leading professional illustrators in our industries who have gathered together at the ... IPA-Illustrators Partnership of America - an online watchdog organization interested in protecting the rights of industry professionals, practices, the business of illustration and keeping an overall healthy freelance marketplace for the future...

About the Interview with Brad Holland:
http://www.sellyourtvconceptnow.com/orphan.html

Audio Interview with Brad Holland:
http://www.sellyourtvconceptnow.com/orphan/orphan_works_information.mp3

What You Can Easily Do:
http://capwiz.com/illustratorspartnership/home/

IPA website with discussion groups:
http://www.illustratorspartnership.org/index.php

THE WEIRD AND THE WONDERFUL

2008-03-28T13:12:00.000-07:00

Isn't YouTube WIERD!!!! Ahh the mysteries of what you can find out on the internet with just a click away...

Ok, so upon visiting one of my favorite illustration and drawing websites DRAWN!... I was lead to watch this first YouTube video showing us the exquisite nature of Chinese brush painting combined in a unique way with digital 3D medium... Wow, what a pleasure to the senses and artistic sensibilities...

Soon after seeing that wonderful video...

I saw in the YouTube sidebar THIS video, which hardly seemed related... then I thought WOW, what GREAT technological visuals for an even more FAR OUT conceptual piece...

Then after that video, things got EVEN weirder but strangely more pleasurable with even MORE realistic looking visuals combined with technology....

Don't you just love the happy positive voices and rapid fire visuals, with dance club music, and laser blast sound effects in the background???? ... way more entertaining and fast paced than American commercials.

Ok, at this point I decided I better log-off and get back to work...

Looks like technology has struck again, and carved yet another nitch into consumerism... thereby bringing all of us in the free-world together again. The coming Olympics looks to be even more exciting.... China, here we come!

God bless the internet, the Chinese, and their weird and wonderful commercials....

Happy clicking!

PS: I NEITHER ENDORSE OR CAN TESTIFY TO THESE PRODUCTS....

DRAWN! --> HERE

KID AT HEART

2008-03-18T01:24:00.000-07:00

My little buddy Rowan (4 years old) and I traded portraits of each other last year when she and her family came to visit San Francisco. I love her drawing! It is permanently taped up on my wall. It ALWAYS makes me smile, especially when people stop and do the same... She's gonna be a true artist!

DIGGIN' THE DOGPATCH

2008-02-28T00:08:00.001-08:00

Sunday night I swung into the Dogpatch Saloon with a couple of friends to check out the much anticipated live jazz scene the old saloon is famous for. It being my first time, we arrived early to what appeared to be a typical cozy Sunday afternoon locals scene in the neighborhood known as the "Dogpatch" (not just the name of the bar). After getting ourselves set up with a couple of cold brews and some small talk the musicians took to the small stage and started to play led by the legendary Vince Lateano. They eased into the set and led up to a few nice numbers with a real steady beat. Candice (a regular singer at Shanghai1930) warmed the audience with a sultry set of numbers that loosened everybody up and put smiles on faces.

An hour later and knee deep into both the Dogpatch Saloon and the music, the whole scene came alive! Many of the areas local jazz musicians were pouring in through the doors and lookin' to sit in on the excitement.

Everybody would take turns rotating in on the set adding feeling and passion to the music.

The legendary Babatunde (a fantastic percussionist) was added to the second set and things really started jumpin'. His congo-like drums shook the floor and my chest and brought us all together. I grabbed my journal in the excitement and started drawing to the beat of the room that was being thwarted by Tomoko Funaki on bass. The place had come alive!

Greer took a nice romantice visionary solo during this set. Later I would have a nice chat with him after the gig. A possessed man dedicated to his passion. Spanish Caravan was one of the hottest numbers for the night with an extended solo by the great Babatunde... I was lucky enough to have him share a little introductory percussions lesson and technique with me during sets.

Musicians changed yet again between the second and third sets, this time featuring the Three Sax Players, and a nice vocal messaging by Linda for two numbers. The night would see a healthy third set and a wonderful closing drum-off between Vince and Babatunde calling out to each other with a dramatic and powerful peak.

A wonderful night was had by all and I definitely will be returning to see this rare and special weekly event. A jazz family reunion where sooooo much talent is packed into an affordable locals joint that yields a wonderfully intimate setting, solid drinks with housemade chilly and a wonderful musical experience that takes one back to the days of Jack Kerouac's beat generation jazz joints where the musicians came to play after hours, after their gigs, with respected friends and family.

Images: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

WONDERCON WEEKEND

2008-02-25T00:29:00.001-08:00

This weekend's Wondercon was a wet one but was a good chance to get out of the studio and see some eye candy, buy some great rare art books, see some great artists and their work up close, catch up with some old friends I ran into and reflect on my childhood while staring at old Battlestar Gallactica actors, a Jawa, and the Hulk....

Nothing like a comic book convention to make you feel old and young at heart at the same time. My mind raced and I felt like a kid running wild and free in a candy store again... and this time with more pocket change to get in trouble with...

I arrived to Moscone Center about noon on a soggy Saturday and was looking forward to hearing an artist speak who's work I have watched develop over the last eight to ten years. Being a collector since I was a kid (go...Teen Titans), I first became aware of David Mack's Kabuki series sometime in the late nineties. I had always liked the way he used mixed medium techniques to achieve a fantastic visual storytelling approach. He developed his own character and storyline for Kabuki (while in college) and combined it with a sensitive use of watercolors, drawing, and visual composition to produced one of the most visually stunning graphic novels I've seen in the genre.

His list of accomplishments is long as he has covered many different storylines and characters including Dare Devil, the Avengers and Alias among others. In his speech he was quick to point out that most of his readers "say" they are not comic readers or collectors, which everyone had a chuckle about. But on some level I knew what that meant. For many of us who were budding artists out there in the early nineties, graphic novels became another promising avenue to making great pictures and illustrating stories with more impressive art. Technology and efficiency were getting better by the day it seemed and the early artists were taking bigger leaps in self-publishing and allowing the graphic novel medium to take it's own shape and spread it's wings with a much more painterly artistic vision.

Thanks to artists like Bill Sienkiewicz, Dave McKean, George Pratt, Kent Williams and David Mack among many others, who have stuck by their guns, stayed true to their artistic vision, originality and haven't settled for a lesser product... the medium has grown tremendously and transcended it's predecessor... and in return they have gained many faithful readers and inspired many to enter this under-appreciated genre with a whole new vision for it's future...

It was great to talk to an innovator like David Mack in person, a great guy who is very open to sharing his thoughts, ideas and methods, and to ask him a few questions of my own. This is the purest, most wonderful and un-pretentious thing about events like Wondercon and Comiccon! A place where ideas are shared and discussed and the creators can meet face to face the people that they serve. Budding artists can have their portfolios looked at, they can meet their inspirations up close and walk away filled with hope and a few pointers that they can achieve their dreams. Both the young and the old, geeks of all age, race, creed and color (green too) can come together and truly "geek-out" about being a kid again. I know I did...

(I grew up watching this guy every friday night 7:30pm as the orginal Incredible Hulk (no C.G.) followed by the Dukes of Hazzard, and "CHIPS".... life is strange)

(when I'm angry version)

Wondercon Website --> HERE

David Mack --> HERE

David Mack Guide (fan site) --> HERE

Lou Ferrigno --> HERE
All imagery is ©Copyright Protected by their respective names and titles.

WORKING IN SERIES

2008-02-12T15:57:00.000-08:00

One of the hardest things I have had to learn to do as a painter (not illustrator), is to work in lengthy series. Being trained in the art of illustration never left me with much attention span for working at any great length on any one subject.

In-fact usually the objective is to summarize uniquely, sweetly and with vigor and to not draw your message out over forty plus paintings (books excluded). Always being afraid that the the ever decreasing attention span of the everyday audience would most likely NOT stick around to figure out what was being said. Hit-em' hard and fast... eye candy with a powerful message. The sophistication comes in the method of delivery.

Many great illustrators and teachers like Robert Weaver would remind us of the ever more importance of CONTENT and to report on our experiences and feelings directly. Weaver did work in series as a reportage artist, but as an illustrator was not allotted the time to have any ONE series of illustrations that could run the length of his career. From what I can tell, it seems just not be in the job description or lucrative for an illustrator in his or her professional career to stay with one subject for THAT long. Styles can carry over oviously, but the message changes...

Many in the arts might consider this a negative aspect to picture making, and would cower to the looming deadlines that hang overhead. To be able to research and immerse yourself in the message immediately and tell the story in a few short images is for the brave and fearless who are quick on their toes.

But most illustrators and designers I know, accept this as an even greater challenge and for this I have always held a tremendous respect for the discipline it takes. Yes it's more constricting, YES there is less time, but YES it requires more skill and intelligence to summarize it better with less.

I once interviewed Jane Eisenstat for my thesis. Being a professor of illustration, historian and collector of the artform and lifetime artist herself, she told me this... "there are no amateur illustrators".

Though I am now much more at ease thinking as a painter these days, it took me several years to get the rhythm right to working in series with a slower softer more calculated voice. Now that I am painting as much as I'm illustrating (or all the same depending on who you ask) I have finally grown more comfortable with the idea of speaking in these terms... For those of you who know my personality this has been quite an accomplishment that I am proud of...

I have been working on my Chinatown series off and on for several years and have now added a new figurative series that will be unveiled later this year... I also have running, several smaller series I am toying with, such as my Hats and Koen series (not out yet).... There are many other ideas on the horizon as well that fall victim to time like everybody else... So much to say, so little time... and all the while, with all the other seemingly more important shit going on in the world, one is left wondering if what he does is really worth any value at all... and to whom....

ahhhh, the life of an artist....

...but alas, it's back at it, cause it's what I do...

For the smaller works and illustrations I use my trusty drafting table I have had for years and work at a much closer range.... for the larger stuff, it's upright and on my easle or the wall....

Seen here are some newer smaller Chinatown pieces I'm preparing for a show... again smaller and in-series...

Images: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

SWINGIN' LEFT

2008-02-08T04:44:00.000-08:00

Here is Rich playing another original of his called THE EL RAY THEATER...

Wayne Jiang has a been a long time friend of mine since San Jose State when we were both illustration majors... Wayne is a hell of a painter and not a half bad ukulele player, but that is only one of the many string instruments in his arsenal...
If you ever see him play with Swingin' Left or by himself, you will most likely see some really unique traditional early American instrumentation as well...

Here is Wayne bustin' out the Woody Guthrie classic TRAIN 45

I have some footage of myself solo-ing on a few originals of my own, but haven't gotten the files uploaded yet... so check back...

Here is a photo taken by my friend Barbara Allie of me jammin' on my friend Wayne Jiang's (tenor)bajo-lele at her their open studios...

Wayne Jiang's website --> HERE

Richard Marchetta's website --> HERE

Barbara Allie's website --> HERE

Image and Performance: ©Copyright Wayne Jiang
Image and Performance: ©Copyright Richard Marchetta
Image and Performance: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher
Image: ©Copyright Barbara Allie

The Blue Line ©Copyright Richard Marchetta
The El Ray Theater ©Copyright Richard Marchetta
Train 45 ©Copyright Woody Guthrie

STORMY WEATHER

2008-02-06T03:26:00.001-08:00

ZOO GRADS

2008-01-21T18:47:00.001-08:00

About a month ago I took my first graduate level class (as a teacher) Advanced Expressive Life Drawing to Flyshacker Zoo here in San Francisco, otherwise known as the "San Francisco Zoo", or the ever-more-popular "Mass Media Mania Extravaganza" or the even-more-unjustified "Killer Bengal Tiger Teasing Retreat".

Yes folks, just days before the media would descended upon the helpless zoo after an escaped tiger got his claws into a few rookie antagonizers, my tight-nit group of animators spent a lovely afternoon on the zoo grounds capturing all the majestic qualities of life's beautiful creatures through our sketchbooks, drawings and paintings. And guess what... nobody got hurt!

Jacqui (left), Todd, Aron, Christiano and myself like normal intelligent primates on THIS side of the bars, enjoyed ourselves greatly, had lunch, had fun, did some drawings, learned a few things about the critters and returned home in-time for a 6pm class without antagonizing the kitties!!! Go Jacqui!!! Wooooohoooo!

We soon wandered into the rainforest building and drew the birds and the beasts.... Get'em guys, stay focused...

Christiano (above) would linger behind as we made our way back towards the front entrance hoping to catch one last gestural line of the magnificent polar bears that would look so sad (and hot) hanging out on the warm concrete.

Lets go Christiano... the park is closing soon... and we're cold!!!

We soon stand right outside the den glass window and draw the very same tiger(s) that would seek to score one for the animal-kingdom not days later... Here is some great work we brought safely home! Check it out... Enjoy

"R"... is for rompin' "Roo"

"P"...is for pretty peacocks... prrrrrr

steady Todd... keep your eyes on the nice sharp gator teeth...

draw quickly... they move on ya! Especially when preaning for the Morgellon's...

In order to protect the identity of the alleged killer kitty, all drawings of the cats have been removed until further notice. Please forgive the inconvenience and enjoy the other animal drawings we brought back... (more to come)

The contributors to this website would like to send out a warm thank you to the men and women of Flyshacker Zoo for providing us with a great experience and a safe environment to learn and draw from these great creatures from nature. We know you work hard 365 days a year to preserve this controlled habitat for us to enjoy. We will be back!

Photos: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher
Likenesses of individuals have been printed here with permission

Artwork: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher
completed in graphite and gouache on watercolor paper

Artwork (where noted): ©Copyright Christiano Carvalho
completed in graphite and watercolor on paper

Artwork (where noted): ©Copyright Aron Shay
completed in markers on newsprint

GOODBYE AND HELLO

2008-01-05T13:06:00.000-08:00

Let me apologize for the delay in this posting and my absence in the last month or so from this blog. My life has had several new changes in it recently (positive) that have kept me away from this journal.

The biggest change being that I have moved AGAIN. After moving last year, I was ready to stay in my comfortable lodgings on Sutter Street downtown San Francisco for quite an extended stay. I had a comfortable functioning apartment and studio in the heart of it all. But when a trusted artist-friend mentioned looking for a roommate to search the dicey San Francisco housing market for a live-work space, I couldn't pass up the potential for more creative space!!! A tough thing to find in this city for sure...

BUT I am pleased to announce I am in an amazing new live-work space that is even more satisfying and inspiring than before... YAY!!!! Something I wasn't sure I could ever find.

Another delay in this posting has been due to having problems with my scanning driver software (Microtek) not working with my new system upgrade into Leopard. I am awaiting a new driver update that will allow me to operate my scanner again. I have many entries and imagery waiting to be scanned... so keep checking back.

But with every change, there is the fond and sometimes sad reflection looking back, where you've come, what it took to get there and the personal sacrifices you endured that you are now leaving behind. Kurt Cobain once said...

"I miss the comfort in being sad."

As an artist, looking back can be as encompassing and educating as looking to the hopeful future. I have always felt looking back is something I resonate more with. Looking at history, the past, the great accomplishments and the failures means knowing one's "self" and moving forward with greater foresight, contextual understanding and the potential for growth! Like the saying goes...

"Knowing where you are going means knowing where you have been."

Image: "Sutter Street"
©Copyright 2007 Trey Gallaher

SCARY LESSONS

2007-10-14T13:50:00.001-07:00

One of the most profound but scary learning experiences I ever had in my art training I had while studying with Barron Storey back in the late nineties. Mr. Storey would challenge my understanding of the picture-making process, push me to my limit and simultaneously catapult me light-years ahead of what had been my current art-making path. Studying with him taught me that there are teachers who better serve the student at different phases of their academic tenure. For me, Barron Storey happened at the perfect time, a time when I had the skills and professional experience to match his challenging assignments and the maturity to value his meaningful lessons. I would not have been prepared for him four years earlier and would have missed the wisdom of his words and may have ended up down a completely different path.

I had already finished my bachelors degree and was safely working in a corporate design/graphic art related job market not two years out of school. Safely behind the paycheck and benefits, and freelancing by moonlight. Life was good. I was snug, happy, in-love and all was well living in the booming Bay Area of the nineties. But creatively I was at a stand-still.

The good-life can be disastrous for an artist if not careful. When life comes too easy, without a challenge mentally or creatively, nothing can send the creative mind spiraling into a static-pit-of-hell faster than sleeping in, late breakfasts, extra cash in the pocket, and too much drinking with friends. The spirit of the artist comes from suffering, angst, emotional roller-coasters and good ole desire, passion and pain. The stuff that great art is made of.

I had been trucking along, secure in what I thought would be my comfortable artistic style I had been noodling for years, secure with the many talents I had strapped down during my undergraduate studies in the illustration program at San Jose State. I had pinned down a solid foundation, craft, and professionalism but was completely lacking in the development of a personal statement, artistic vision and direction. However, to the credit of my undergraduate study, these things do take time!

I have always been the kind of artist who prided himself on skill, craft and above all delivery. These have been THE key ingredients to being a professional, holding down a job as a creative person, and running my own business. But at that phase of my early art career... I was missing the essential rational for even wanting to be an artist... the voice, the vision to lead the talent and skills to a higher plane of understanding, mental aptitude and even greatness. Higher education and family influence had bread in me the survival instincts but not even touched on the "WHY"- I wanted to be an artist, or "WHAT"- I wanted to say with my art.

This was a scary feeling for someone that had pushed himself to be so focused for so long, remaining dedicated to his studies, responsibilities and grades; only to end up lost. But I was missing direction, a voice, and felt like I was going nowhere! This was when my true artistic education would begin, after college, on my own, and every day since.

But this part of my art education, and my attempt to not be lost, began with my return to San Jose State to study with Barron Storey. I decided to return to night-school to try and re-invigorate myself and to get a closer look at the mind behind such great artwork. Barron Sotrey arrived at San Jose State during my bacheloric study and began teaching classes that unfortunately I had already taken. I never had a chance to study with him as an undergraduate. But now, trapped in the throws of corporate working life, I was thirsty and Barron Storey was just the quencher I was looking for. He soon had me thinking about the responsibilities of being an artist and illustrator, the human soul and conscience that is laid upon him or her who dares to bring it out, to show the people their inner thoughts and perversions, and that Illustration as a mass media artform has an even TOUGHER RESPONSIBILITY than that of the self-indulgent fine artist; requiring a greater awareness and read of the cultural climate, history, prevailing attitudes and reflections and that illustration, good illustration, is fine art!

I would begin to dig deeper on a more personal level and investigate my approach and process, beginning with technique and medium. This piece seen here was a testament to the new "ME". It depicts the (then) current-day political scandal of the Clinton administration and the alleged romantic interludes that would penetrate the White House. Mr. Storey challenged us with setting a current day scandal with a back-drop of a fairy-tale or fable. I set President Clinton out to be Icabod Crane in the classic Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Kenneth Star, the prosecuting district attorney, plays the feared Headless Horsemen chasing down Icabod(Clinton) and throwing the alleged names of the women Clinton had had affairs with while in office (initials carved in the pumpkins). The press is lurking behind the headlines waiting for the frenzy to start. While all the while, Monica Lewinsky is seen winking in the moon and benefiting from all the publicity. A complex set of characters and moral judgments with an even more twisted plot.

Ok, maybe a stretch... but it was an exercise and an experience that would shake down the art-making bedrock I thought I knew so well. Not so much in the comparisons, but in the process of making the picture. Anybody that has studied with Barron Storey knows what an incredible experience it can be and you can either be shut-down by it or embrace it. I chose the latter. I will never forget the feeling I had the night before I would return to class to turn-in this fragile piece.

Wanting to make an impression on my hero, and to have is ultimate acceptance of my efforts, I had spent days building up the surface, tearing it down, rebuilding it up, only to tear it down again. Drawing after redrawing, I poured out the sweat on this canvased battle-field and worse, I felt completely lost by it's completion, or even if the piece was finished. I didn't know "what" or "where" I was as an artist. LOST AGAIN! My vision of was all over the place, filled with passion but un-able to see it's fruition in a way that made any sense to me. I had been inspired by my teachers work and demonstrations but felt I had missed the mark completely. I felt I was the world's worst Barron Storey student!

I walked into the classroom that evening holding my piece low and keeping it in my bag and out of sight. When my turn came to show my pathetic efforts, I held it up in complete anticipation of what promised to be a guaranteed rejection in front of a bunch of lesser experienced classmates. Mr. Storey stepped up with hurried anticipation and said to me...

"YOU FUCKING DID IT..." "YOU FINALLY LET GO..."

I was shocked. All along I had felt he didn't understand the pain I was suffering in trying to re-define myself... coming from such a well structured education and formal training... to crawl out from the middle-class life I had been raised in, by parents that would always teach me to play it safe and to not take uncharted risks... But he did, he did understand! All along he had been watching me peer out from behind my safe, likable, romantic, realistically painted images waiting for a chance to challenge my own soul, and to brave the bigger, desperate, uncharted waters that is the creative depth of the artist. I was certain I was to be swallowed up by the jaws of criticism and misalignment, but instead, he was there to champion my courage and the results. This changed my life forever. I would come to realize the results of what I had put down didn't matter in this case, it was that I challenged myself for real. I faced those demons of insecurity and kept trying anyway, and that this was the beginning of something new for me. A door had been opened.

I have spent the better part of everyday since that evening in class, trying to brave the big waters once again. Day after day, painting after painting, drawing after drawing, illustration after illustration, ambitious hope after ambitious hope; always keeping that scary lesson in the forefront of my mind. Mr. Storey said someting to us (his class) that semester that I have never forgotten. It isn't all that unusual, but he made it real for me in that class. He said,

"You are not truly growing unless you are afraid."

And though to him that evening in class may have seemed like any other with just another student, just another class, just another critique, to me it remains the beginning point of my art education and the torch that keeps the path lit in the darkness of the soulful creative depths. For I learned something about what it means to be an artist, to put yourself out there, to be yourself, to take chances and to see your potential. I could have easily fallen on my face that evening, played it safe.... or maybe not, but at some point if I ever do fall, I can rest assured I'll have fallen on my own and with courage.

©Copyright 2007 Trey Gallaher

Image: "Icabod" ©Copyright Trey Gallaher
12x14.5in. mixed medium on illustraton board

4-4-4-1

2007-09-16T13:02:00.000-07:00

I was fortunate to have studied closely with Murray Tinkelman throughout my entire graduate residency at Syracuse University and I owe him a lifetime of gratitude. Mr. Tinkelman has a great student illustration exercise that he has given out for years (normally to undergrads) but challenge me with equally. It teaches students how to paint and compose like the great illustrators. It goes something like this...

1) Pick four consecutive decades.
2) Pick four well known historical figures from the same profession or area of study
but each must be a representative from their respective consecutive decade.
3) Pick four successful illustrators - one from each of those same consecutive decades.
4) The Assignment: illustrate a portrait of those well-known people from the same profession but in the style of an illustrator from their respective decade.

4-Consecutive Decades, 4-Famous Persons, 4-Famous Illustrators (styles), 1-illustration student assignment.

This was a real learning experience and a fun exercise. It not only teaches the student (through their own research and investigation) about the evolution of style and vision of varying artists over consecutive decades but also about the finer points of medium handling that students may not have explored on their own. Imitation can be the biggest and most humbling form of flattery.

For myself I picked American poets of the 20's, 30's, 40's and 50's.

THE 20's: W.C.Wiliams illustrated by J.C.Leyendecker

William Carlos Williams was a famous American poet who came out of the twenties and was a huge influence on my favorite poets of the forties and fifties. One of my absolute all-time favorite illustrators was Joseph Christian Leyendecker. A god! His craftsmanship and graphic nature was untouched and long before it's time. A true legend and picture maker. He did it with style and class and was very successful in his own time, but most notably in the twenties for his Arrow Collar shirt adds.

THE 30's: e.e. Cummings illustrated by John LaGatta

e.e. Cummings was a revolutionary poet who changed the poetic playing field entirely. His structure and word play across the page were radical, penetrating and challenging, a true original. An illustrators work that I had not even discovered until doing this assignment was John LaGatta. Only now years later do I find myself going back to his work over and over studying his drawings and use of pastels. His imagery was sultry and fashionable for women of his day. He was once awarded the title of "Best Womens Be-Hind" painter in the business. In my book he is the Degas of the illustration world. He too was prolific, successful and respected in his own time.

THE 40's: Theodore Roethke illustrated by Al Parker

Theodore Roethke was not known to me before this assignment so it was a learning experience to research his work. He grew up around a greenhouse as a child and used a lot of natural imagery and rhythm in his work. He experienced several family deaths as a child that would shape his psyche and writing style. He was most notable for his work in the forties. He would influence a great many writers like Kurt Vonnegut and his book Slaughterhouse Five. Another big influence in the forties illustration world was Al Parker. One of the fathers of American Illustration and graphic design in general. With a style that would change over the years from decade to decade, Parker always found a way to ride the edge. A true innovator with many talents.

THE 50's: Allen Ginsberg illustrated by Austin Brigggs

Perhaps my favorite poets of all time were the Beat poets of the fifties. Both on the east-coast and west-coast alike, this group of young men and women were really coming into their own as writers, artists and visionaries. Perhaps their spiritual guru and leader was the young poet Allen Ginsberg, most recognized for his ground breaking poem Howl that was read at the famous reading held by Kenneth Rexroth, October 7, 1955 at the Six Gallery in San Francisco. Austin Briggs is another legend and innovator of his time who would see tremendous success in this same period. A master draftsman and painter from the comics to the pulps to the covers of magazines and advertising campaigns Austin Briggs was a giant. It was hard to narrow down a specific look of his many talents that would summarize his efforts, specifically in the fifties. Quite literally he could do it all!

For more Information on:
J.C. Leyendecker click -> HERE
John LaGatta click -> HERE
Al Parker click -> HERE
Austin Briggs click -> HERE

All Imagery: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher
Work of those artists as labeled here by their appropriate names are protected by the parties that represent the estates and ownership of those artist's work.

COULD I HAVE BEEN

2007-08-27T22:08:00.000-07:00

I recently picked up the latest Dave Mathews Tim Reynolds cd LIVE at Radio City Music Hall (I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT, it's a little more of the "old Dave" sound we have all missed). The acoustic disc took me for a nice little stroll down memory lane listening to some great now-old-songs mixed with a few fresh acoustic originals and a couple nice covers. Towards the end of disc two, one of my favorite Dave originals Dancing Nancies hauntingly summoned up several flash-backs with Dave posing the question...

"Could I have been... anyone other than me".

This got me thinking... professionally (for money) I have been a lot of things other than an illustrator and an artist, some I am proud of some I am not... some were easy as pie and some I will NEVER forget... here are a few I was humming to Dave's playing...

Could I have been...
A door to door Fruit Salesman...
Could I have been...
A animal Poop-Scooper
Could I have been...
A Landscaper and Grass-Clipper...
Could I have been...
A Car-washing-detailer
Could I have been...
A Dish Washer and Grease Trap Dumper...
Could I have been...
A Pizza Delivery Boy...
Could I have been...
A Cook in a restaurant
Could I have been...
A Graphic Designing Artist
Could I have been...
A Musician in an acoustic rock band
Could I have been...
A phone-answering Office Assistant
Could I have been...
A home-audio Salesman
Could I have been...
A Sandwich-making Deli-man
Could I have been...
A Retail Bookseller
Could I have been...
A Dark-Room Film Developer
Could I have been...
A Bar-Back and Beer-Poorer
Could I have been...
A Retail Customer Service Representative
Could I have been...
A Substitute Teacher
Could I have been...
A Print-Production-Layout-Binding-Specialist
Could I have been...
A Waiter and a Bus Boy...
Could I have been...
A College Professor
Could I have been...
A Heavy-Shit-Lifter...

Could I have been anyone other than me? The answer is still NO! But I am sure the list will go on...

Lets admit it... we've all got our own list of what I like to call "SHIT JOBS", but making drawings and paintings is the only thing I do better than everything else and I would be lost without it. To this day I still struggle to do it in the capacity that I dream about, but guess it's what keeps a guy going...

A true artist-inspiration of mine once said to me when I was feeling frustrated and distracted by having to spend all my time trying to survive and not being able to make art (and it always kept me going):

You "ARE"(defined by) the first thing you think of and the last thing you think of in a day, and the rest is a just what you do cause you have to.

The image was one I did a long time ago for a class assignment while studying with Barron Storey. We were illustrating a short story by Annie Proulix called Heart Songs. A quote from the text read "tall trees are my jail bars".

Image: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

WORKING WITHIN THE BUDGET

2007-08-19T13:48:00.000-07:00

This was a sketch I did for a full color poster design for a spring fashion show. The poster was to be quite large and fill a kiosk display in a large public area. After settling on the initial project deliverables, the organization then decided they wanted a low budget black and white flier to hand out in casual venues like coffee shops, breakrooms, the street etc... We were set on the core graphic from this initial sketch for the use of the poster, but there was no budget left for further design. I allowed them the use of this actual initial sketch for a smaller black and white flier design. It worked like a charm, kept the consistency of design, stayed under budget and made the client very happy.

To see the finished poster illustration click --> HERE

Image: ©Copyright 2000 Trey Gallaher

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JERRY

2007-07-31T03:37:00.000-07:00

August 1st is Jerry Garcia's birthday. I celebrate it every year by writing it in my calendar and to reflect back on all the great music he left behind. He is sorely missed by all the loving fans that new him, his music and the love he and the rest of the Grateful Dead gave to their fans through their music. I think there is a lot of mystery about what the Grateful Dead were really all about, and most people get it wrong. It is my opinion, they were best as a performing band and have many wonderful unforgettable archived recordings out there to listen to. Find one you like and before long you will hear Jerry's old familiar guitar licks and voice come haunting you from the past like it was just yesterday at the Filmore. You will miss a true legend in American culture and San Francisco history if you don't learn about the music of Mr. Garcia. Few people even know of his bluegrass work outside of the Dead which to me is some of his best guitar picking and vocal work ever. Unfortunately we only heard the beginnings of his range. Jerry has been with me for years in my studio and will continue to be a big inspiration, serenading me as I paint.

I did this piece back in my undergraduate studies at San Jose State University in my very first illustration class. I was learning to use pastels, and after pulling an all-nighter to finish it for class, my next door (dorm room) neighbor Steve-O stumbled in all sleepy eyed, scratching himself, still waking up and says... "hey man nice picture of Kenny Rogers...". We still laugh about it to this day.

Image: ©Copyright 1994 Trey Gallaher