I discovered the art of Brian Viveros in June, 2005 at a Cannibal Flower Group Show at one of my fave galleries, CoproNason Gallery in Bergamot Station, Santa Monica. I was totally knocked out by Crow-Bar. I researched him online, but few of his "smokin' babes" were posted yet [he's added a few, so check out his site]. A combination of Louise Brooks and all those flappers -- the first rebels of the 20th Century, and battered, abused survivors, and a lot of other elements appealed to me in ways no other art ever did. I'm not into deliberate cruelty, but I know what it's like to be verbally abused and beaten from early childhood. I'm not a victim, but a survivor. But it's nothing compared to Holocaust survivors, so I'm not blaming anyone or letting it hold me back. Not any more.
So I related to this as a typical resident of a society that looks down its nose at artists and then co-opts what the artist creates. Notice how people and companies brag they are punk while they push consumerism? We all know what it's like to love and get our hearts broken many times. Many know what it's like to work hard and never make enough money to get the car or teeth fixed. And finally, we only have to look at the last 27 years, the last 7 in particular, to be dismayed at what our "elected" officials from both parties are doing to us. And the majority say and do nothing . . .
So I salute the smokin' babes, especially Crow-Bar. I love her determined attitude that nothing and nobody will get her down.
I wrote to Brian about a year after I discovered him. We exchanged emails about art. I pleaded with him to make a limited edition of Crow-Bar, which he recently did (and set one aside for me).
One evening, while working, I previewed an attachment that slowly revealed itself as I scrolled down. I was shocked, delighted, surprised when I realized what I was viewing. He was inspired by the Polaroid of ME on my home page. He interpreted ME as one of his "smokin' babes!"
Nothing could be more flattering. I'm so camera shy (I know that is rather ironic). Always struggling with my weight. He gave me an Audrey Hepburn swan neck and so much more.
I finally played with it while redesigning my site. I have a great pressure sensitive Wacom tablet. I was too lazy too hook it up. Pretty good results using a mouse in right hand considering I'm left handed.
I'll continue to work on it when I'm done with the site. I'll pull out the tablet and start over. Us artists never know when to stop.
Brian wrote that he's very pleased with my input.
Nothing makes me happier than collaborating with artists I admire. That's something I've wanted to do all my life. More than any other dream. More collaborations in the pipeline. I never imagined anyone would use ME as his inspiration. Famous or legendary people I shot, yes; me, no.
Thank you, Brian Viveros. And be sure to check out his updated website at http://www.artatlarge.com/pages/VIVEROS/VIVEROS.htm.
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