Small Works: 4x6 Framed Prints

"Equilibrium 4x6 mini prints" - set of ten, signed by the artist.

December 2008: As we wrap up the year, I'm excited to announce that I'll be finishing another sketchbook project. "Equilibrium" is a chemistry textbook (approximately 8.5"x11" when opened) that I've been using as my collage book over the past three years. The pages that have reached completion were used to make this series of "mini" prints. Click images below to enlarge.

"Equilibrium 4x6 mini: page 520", Digital Print $18"Equilibrium 4x6 mini: page 518", Digital Print $18"Equilibrium 4x6 mini: page 418", Digital Print $18

"Equilibrium 4x6 mini: page 416", Digital Print $18

"Equilibrium 4x6 mini: page 514", Digital Print $18

"Equilibrium 4x6 mini: page 528", Digital Print $18

PONSHOP Skateboards featured in "Northern Virginia Magazine"

I'm pleased to announce that the PONSHOP is featured in Northern Virginia Magazine (January '09)

(Click Image to Enlarge)

"Quiet Storm" Painting

"Quiet Storm", Acrylic and Spray Paint on Canvas, 40"x30" $800
(click pic to enlarge)

December 22, 2008. These are exciting times. Obviously, Scarlett and I and our family have been riding the currents of life quite high since the birth of our second son, Cairo Pons, in November. As many of you fellow parents know, our daily lives have become significantly more structured around the new family member. Fortunately, through both our friends' and families' support, I'm able to get to work and continue to keep our studio well maintained and active.

This recently finished painting, "Quiet Storm", is one of the most formidable for me in terms creating a picture on more on a personal, point-in-our-lives, kind of thing. Its true inspiration comes from our trip to the beach this summer, spending the mornings with my family by the ocean. There's a certain serenity on the shore that can't be found anywhere else.

"Quiet Storm" to me is the Venus of Willendorf circa 2500 AD. I've always been interested in fertility idols of different cultures and over the past six months, I've been sketching and studying female forms that portray the mother with child condition. At the same time, I wanted to give my own aesthetic to the theme - showing a "structural" and "mechanized" look to the figure while still adhering to clear shapes. I took cues from Scarlett, who, throughout her pregnancy would describe to me how her body is changing to accommodate the additional weight of a baby. Lately when I paint on canvas, I'm trying to let the paint to the bulk of the work and leave my habits as a draftsman/illustrator to other things.

12"x12" Canvas Series: December 2008

Architecture school warped my life - I can't get away from those squares...Check out the new paintings below. On exhibit at Art First Gallery and LibertyTown Arts Workshop in December. (Click Images to Enlarge)"One of the Tribe", Acrylic and Spray Paint on Canvas, 12"x12" $200

"Vasquez in the Moonlight", Acrylic and Spray Paint on Canvas, 12"x12" $200"Neptune's Daughter", Acrylic and Spray Paint on Canvas, 12"x12" sold

"Fatima in the Garden", Acrylic and Spray Paint on Canvas, 12"x12" $200

Skate to Create: October / November 2008

Below are photos from this Fall's "Skate to Create" workshops. I was fortunate to have some really great kids who were excited about designing their own skateboard graphic. It was interesting to see that the students seemed to lean heavily towards the Halloween theme this time around...(click images to enlarge).

Alec and Jakob are hard at work cutting stencils...The finished decks ready for the street.Ty and Jon incorporated some text into their graphics.

For a current PONSHOP Class schedule, click here.

Intro to Street Art: October 2008

Alec participated in the October "Intro to Street Art" workshop and had an opportunity to turn one of his sketchbook drawings into a 48"x24" painting. I gave him instruction on some fundamentals of spray painting (can control and safety while painting) while letting him explore creating lines and fills with spray paint.During the final class, Alec made one additional stencil for the "Oblivion" Text.

For a current PONSHOP Class schedule, click here.

"Contents Under Pressure" Exhibit

MONO Spray Can Set (left to right): History of Bombing, MONO Queen, MONO Towers $100 each.

I'm excited to announce that I'm one of the contributing artists in the "Contents Under Pressure" Show at Jackson Street Gallery in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The opening is Friday Night - December 5 from 7-11pm. Click This Link to read the Freelance Star Article published on December 4th.

MONO Bamboo Spray Can, $100

[Click Image above to enlarge]

"Noviembre" (November) 2008

November 12, 2008: We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our baby boy. It's a very exciting time for the family and we hope everything goes smoothly. Above is a photo taken last week of Scarlett and Diego. I can't even imagine what kind of character this next boy will have...

"Leviathan", Acrylic and Spray Paint on Canvas, 47"x17" SOLD

I've been busy finishing up this piece (above) for the month of November. I've been drawing and painting this octopus form for months - and this painting kind of brings resolve to all my studies and sketches. Two years ago I had this vivid dream that I was on a floating plinth in the ocean and right next to me this giant creature rose to the surface and moved next to (and below) me. I didn't really see any detail of the animal, but (as in dreams) I felt this really great sense of terror, awe, and respect for whatever was around me. That dream was the inspiration for taking on this whole octopus series. On a different angle, I've been joking to myself how this painting is almost a self-portrait: these days I feel like this multi-limbed animal, with my hands in all these different endeavors. "Leviathan" is currently on exhibit at Art First Gallery, Fredericksburg, Virginia.

ROCKTOBER

October is officially renamed to "Rocktober" in the Pons Family Calendar due to rock and roll lifestyle that we're living: face painting, pumpkin patch rides (see the D digging it above), Saturday morning skate sessions...

This is why I've grown to love Virginia - early October weather in the 80s and no humidity: Brooks Park panorama.

B. Smithson (above) blasts frontside for a transfer...

Matt has initiated the Fredericksburg Area Skatepark Association which is a non-profit organization that seeks to improve the quality and conditions of local skateparks through youth involvement and community support. Check out the link and get involved!

Adult Drawing: September 2008

Full Scale Self Portrait: Krissy (left) Gabe (right)

September ushered in a refreshing Adult Drawing Workshop. My student, Krissy, is a high school Junior whose interest in drawing and painting brought her to take this workshop. This workshop encourages students to make a habit out of drawing by keeping a sketchbook and practicing exercises to "strengthen" the students way of seeing and drawing. Below are some examples:

Need a model to draw? draw your hands...(above)Marker sketches of statues in still life. (click to enlarge)

For a current PONSHOP class schedule click here.

Intro to Street Art: September 2008

Nick followed up his "Skate to Create" workshop with the "Intro to Street Art" class. He was interested in creating his own style of letters, so we wasted no time getting down to business with sketching and painting...

Nick learned some "can control" while making his outlines and fills (above and below).

The finished product for his bedroom wall...

For a current PONSHOP Class schedule, click here.

Skate to Create: September 2008

Jedi had one of the most ambitious skateboard designs for a ten year-old. He worked very hard and the results were really impressive. In fact, he continued to improvise and paint up until the end of the class. Nice Work!

The original pencil sketch (above) - kind of reminded me of "Killer Croc" from Spiderman...
Some process photos of the first stencil application (above).

For a current PONSHOP class schedule, click here.

Art at the Mill - Artists' Reception

October 12, 2008: The Pons Family made a trip up to Millwood, Virginia for the Artists' Reception for this year's Fall "Art at the Mill" event. Scarlett and I both contributed to this group show. I gave an artist demonstration throughout the afternoon, but Diego's painting endeavors attracted much more attention. Below are some pics from that day.

Works in progress...(above) click to enlarge.

Jon and Christina Burge volunteered for the day's event.

supermodels (above)Composite photo from Micki and Will's house in Berryville, one of our favorite places on the planet.

Career Night: Salem Church Library

We paid a visit to the Salem Church Library last month for a "Career Night" presentation to local students participating in the "Our Space" afterschool program. We had a chance to share with students our experiences as professionals and how we made decisions that informed our career choices. The goal of Career Night is to encourage young people to think about all the opportunities that their future can offer.
Participating professionals (left to right): Dr. Jacinta Topps- Pediatrician, Sandi Holland -Teacher, Gabriel Pons - Artist, Scarlett Suhy-Pons - Artist, Lena Gonzales-Berios - Librarian, and Sgt. Turner - Recruiter US Marine Corps. not pictured: Kori Terrel - Ballet Instructor.Special Thanks to Francis Fourie (above)- coordinator of the "Our Space" after school program at Salem Church Library.

PONSHOP at Fredericksburg Academy

September 26, 2008: Gabriel Pons gave a guest workshop to the 4th and 5th grade students at Fredericksburg Academy about Map-Making. Pons gave a brief slide presentation to students which showed his collection of maps from around the world and how his architectural studies led to his endeavors in painting and collage.

Map of Easter Island (above). Stone Moai (below).Detail of Florence, Italy (above). Ponte Vecchio (below).A composite projection of downtown Fredericksburg, Virginia.

...turned into a mixed media painting on canvas. "The River is the Portal" by Gabriel Pons, 30"x30"

Students were then given a drawing exercise to map several items that hold importance to them in their lives: their home, school, the downtown, the river, and other landmarks. Line, shape, and symbol become the coded language for their drawings.

Student drawing (detail)

At the end of the session, students had a chance to share their maps with one another - "how are they different, how are they similar?"

Thanks to Art Instructor Mirinda Reynolds and the faculty of Fredericksburg Academy. This "Visiting Artists" program is now in its second year and, from the students' response, an event to look forward to.

"Point of Connection" Exhibit: October 2008

Scarlett will be participating in the "Point of Connection" exhibit at LibertyTown Arts Workshop in October. This exhibition is an exclusive collaboration of painters, fiber artists, and ceramic artists at LibertyTown.

This exhibition runs from October 1-30, 2008
Opening Reception is part of Fredericksburg's First Friday Art Walk: October 3, 5-9pm
LibertyTown Arts Workshop, 916 Liberty Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia

Visit This Link on Fredericksburg.com for an overiew and video of a selection of the artists.

I'll be posting some select photos of the work soon. For more information, visit the LibertyTown Website.

"Art at the Mill" Exhibition: Millwood, VA

Scarlett and I will be participating in this year's "Art at the Mill" event at the historic Burwell-Morgan Mill in Millwood, Virginia. Sponsored by the Clarke County Historical Association, this juried art exhibit will feature paintings and ceramics from numerous artists in the region. For more information about this event, Click Here.

The show runs daily, from October 4-19, 2008
Sunday through Friday 12-5pm, Saturdays 10-6pm

I will be doing an artist demonstration on Sunday, October 12 at 1pm (prior to the Artist's Reception).

Scarlett and Diego (and baby) posing in front of the restored wood mill...

MONO Octo Decks in Effect...

I'm busy kicking out the latest deck series for this fall. The MONO "Octo" decks come in 7.5", 7.75" and 8.0" widths. Each deck is individually sprayed, signed and numbered and comes with griptape. Want one? hit me back with an email and $50 plus shipping or get on down to Fred Skates (604 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia). Of course, decks will be at the PONSHOP (916 LibertyStreet, Fredericksburg,Virginia) too...

(Click the image below to enlarge)

Whispering Weekend....August 2008

I had the pleasure of taking a quick trip down to Norfolk, VA to check out Whispering Winds:

Thom White-vocals, Mike-guitar, Nic-drums, Dan-bass.
Check the clip below - "Rearrange" performed live at The Boot...

Thom gave me some original lyric sheets - I'll make a mint on E-bay in 2020Pinot the cat laying on thousands of dollars of artwork...I had some duties too: photographer, roadie, agent, number one fan...
Thom White is an architect/artist/musician/eccentric/creative fun guy...known him since 1992Thom collects neat stuff: This toy is the the most interesting piece of Pop Culture novelty that I've seen in a while...(check the video below and rock it like a Beverly Hills Cop)

Mixing The Media: August 2008

In the "Mixing The Media" workshop, students combined scraps of paper, acrylic paint, spray paint and stencils to create their compositions. Grace and Jeff were excellent students and methodically layered their boards with images,color, and form until complete.

Grace used xerox copies of earlier sketches as well as magazine clippings and some stock stencils in her collage.

Jeff brought his own artillery of stencils to the class and used them to adorn the perimeter of his collage. We concentrated on creating a "space" for the figures in the foreground, using layers of gesso and spraypaint over the newsprint text.

As a quick painting exercise, Grace painted a 6"x6" wood block portrait of her dog Farrah.

Thanks to all students that participated in this summer's workshops.
For a current PONSHOP Class schedule, click here.