ON THE COVER 2

Gracing the homepage of my website this month is a detail shot from this recently finished illo I completed titled "Sorceress". While working on this piece I was thinking about science fiction and fantasy writers whose work I am familiar with. I had recently watched an interview with the great concept artist Ian McCaig and remembered him being inspired by the American mythologist and writer Joseph Campbell. A few Google searches and thirty minutes later I was immersed in Mr. Campbell's life and work.

An amazing visionary, pioneer and savior of world mythology in the modern age, Joseph Campbell would have many interests and influences from the likes of Carl Jung, Sigmund Freud and Wilhelm Stekel. Campbell was great freinds with fellow writer John Steinbeck and even lived in Monterey, CA next door to the legendary "Doc" Ricketts of all people. Campbell would go on to originate the term monomyth or what would later become known as the The Hero's Journey and what has now become a standard in contemporary story writing structure.

Being totally blown away with Joseph Cambell's dedication to story writing and the survival of mythology in modern day society I decided to include a famous quote of his to accompany my illustration. They seemed to fit nicely together.

"Follow your bliss, and the world will open doors where there were only walls."

- Joseph Campbell (1904-1987)



For more information on Joseph Campbell click --> HERE

To see the detail shot of this work on my homepage click --> HERE

Artwork: "Sorceress"
                9" x 12" oil on paper
                ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

JOURNAL 5: KINDNESS, SOULS & EINSTEIN

From the journal "Hummingbird".

Artwork: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher. All Rights Reserved.

ON THE COVER

Recently I finished this pastel painting I call "The Guardian". I have had this piece working for years and had gotten away from it for a while. My new years resolution was to clear out some old pieces that have been waiting to be finished... starting with this one.

Years ago now my dear friends Gary and Guinevere had their first baby, Koen (now six). It was an amazing transformation to watch that little life come into the world and change so many lives for the better around him. Even in his earliest stages of life he was bringing smiles and joy to everyone and I saw my friends change in ways I couldn't exactly describe. Something different was happening, the focus, the protective nature, the intensity, the love, the hope, and the joy were bringing a new perspective on the world and our future.

I had set out to to do several pieces on this subject matter. I didn't want to focus on the baby, but on the social, cultural, and emotional aspect of going through this transformation in one's life; becoming a parent. This is not a picture about the baby, but about the people around the baby.




This month I am putting this piece on the cover (homepage) of my website as a tribute to Koen's sixth birthday, and also to honor another new life that has entered the world recently named Cameron. My friends Clayton and Stephanie have been recently blessed with a new life that is a smiling happy bundle of joy... and the transformation begins again.




"The Guardian"
27x20in. (68.6x50.8cm)
pastel on paper

Homepage --> www.treygallaher.com

Artwork and photos: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

TAKE A MOMENT

Just stop your busy lives for a moment... take a deep breath and look around. You might catch that gentle sweet smell of bubble gum wafting through the air. This time of year brings this special bloom for just a few short weeks. Amazing! Don't miss it, and have a great day!



























Photos: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

SOLILOQUY: BARRON STOREY

If you are in the LA area this weekend, check out one of the most innovative, original and inspiring artists you will ever meet. Barron Storey help shape my artistic talents and to this day remains an icon among artists, a great teacher and I'm proud to say, a friend. Barron has had an amazing career and has created cover art for some of the most prestigious publications in the country from Time Magazine, to Heavy Metal, to American Heritage. I grew up seeing his art on the cover of Lord of the Flies in my locker in high school. He has worked for the National Geographic, NASA, and has a piece in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. You will never find another like him... so check out his latest show at LeBASSE in Culver City.

OPENING RECEPTION: Friday night Feb. 11, 2012 is the opening from 7-10.

Artwork: ©Copyright Barron Storey

JOURNAL 4: AFRICAN MASKS

Sometimes a great way to get inspiration is to take a trip to your local history museum, art museum, or natural science museum for a look into our past, present and future! Here in San Francisco we are lucky to have all three close by. One of the most creatively inspirational places for me is the African Masks exhibit in the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park. Many great artists have been influenced by masks from Africa including the great Picasso and his influence on cubism. The shapes, the textures, the rich deep colors are incredible and remind one of the Earth's history and how long we have been making art that influenced the way we think and feel. The craftsmanship using bare hands and primitive tools and colors can make art with a timeless beauty that even today will chill you to the bone and remind you of what it means to be alive.

The next time you get a chance when you are in San Francisco, swing up to the second floor of the de Young and see the permanent collection. Spend some time being haunted and inspired as you stroll through it. But in the meantime enjoy these sketches I brought home with me in my journal.



















































Drawings: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher

YEAR OF THE DRAGON

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

JOURNAL 3: LEGION OF THREE

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

©Copyright Trey Gallaher

BACK TO THE FIRST GRADE

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

drawings and photos: ©Copyright Trey Gallaher