"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

July 2008: Studio Work

July came and went faster than ever. Throughout the month, I managed to kick out three new pieces on canvas. These paintings have been lingering around in my head for quite a while. I've always wanted to paint a portrait of Diego and it's been an ongoing exercise to do a plan study of downtown Fredericksburg. The "Babylon" series is actually a continuation of a number of studies and paintings I initiated back in New York and it's pretty exciting to return to that way of "constructing" a cityscape. Anyway, click the images to enlarge the view and enjoy:

"Portrait of an Artist as a Young Boy", Mixed Media on Canvas, 18"x24" Sold

Diego collaborated with me on this one. He painted the blue background and I used pages from his sketchbook as collage material to build up the texture on his hooded sweatshirt."The River Is The Portal", Mixed Media on Canvas, 30"x30" $700

Seen up close, you can read the history of the city of Fredericksburg and Stafford, Virginia. It was pretty interesting to learn how the Rappahannock River played such a crucial role in the early exploration of this area and how it guided the development of the city's planning, commerce, and trade. It's funny how today so much of the city's architecture seems to turn its back on the river rather than integrate it into the public sphere.  This painting won First Place in the Mixed Media category at the Bi-annual "Uniquely Fredericksburg" Juried Art Exhibit.  The exhibition will run for the months of August and September at the Central Rappahannock Regional Library (1201 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg).

"The New Babylon #2", Mixed Media on Canvas, 24"x12" $450

This series stems from my studies in Architecture initiated over fifteen years ago and was inspired by our view from our apartment in Brooklyn back in 1999. Although this composition is "fictional" it embodies the density, complexity, and inherent beauty that only an urban environment can offer.  This piece is also on exhibit at the "Uniquely Fredericksburg" show.

"Destinations: Places Traveled, Placed Dreamed" - Art First Gallery 2008

March 5th-30th, 2008. My featured artist show with Carol Iglesias opened at Art First Gallery in Fredericksburg, Virginia last week. "Destinations: Places Traveled, Places Dreamed" features recent paintings that are inspired by places visited and imagined. Below are some of my paintings exhibited in the show as well as a short video of the gallery. To view work by Carol Iglesias, you can visit her new website.

"Upon Arriving at Plaza Libertad", Mixed Media on Wood, 30"x40" $900

"Landscape Triptych #1", Mixed Media on Paper, 37"x28" $1,200

"Leaving La Mancha", Mixed Media on Canvas, 48"x17" $700

"Sage Summons The Spirit For Sight", Mixed Media on Canvas, 24"x24" $800

"Lion Capital", Mixed Media on Canvas, 24"x18" $600
"Metropolis Maze", Mixed Media on Canvas, 24"x24" $600
"The New Hieroglyph", Mixed Media on Canvas, 20"x20" $500
"The Last Pharaoh", Mixed Media on Canvas, 40"x30" $800 "Dream Towers" , Mixed Media on Canvas, 72"x40" $2500
"Sunset Bridge", Mixed Media on Canvas, 12"x12" Sold "Scarlett (Black and Gold)", Mixed Media on Canvas, 12"x12" $200

If interested in purchasing (during the month of March), please contact or visit Art First Gallery: 824 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 540-371-7107 Hours: Mon-Sat 10-6pm, Sun 12-5pm

January 2008: Works In Progess

I'm getting ready for an upcoming show this March at Art First Gallery in downtown Fredericksburg. Fellow member, Carol Iglesias and I will be exhibiting new paintings for the month. The tentative title for the show is "Destinations" and will feature work inspired by places traveled and places dreamed...

Check out the show this March. Opening reception is Friday, March 7th 6-9pm at Art First Gallery 824 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA.

Here are some recent pics of the studio:

"Present Tense" Show: Opening Night

October 8th, 2007: Opening Night for the "Present Tense" show that Scarlett, Rob Landeck, and I put together at Bistro Bethem (309 William Street). Thanks go out to all of those who came out to support the local art scene in Fredericksburg, and honestly you couldn't go wrong: with temperatures in the 90s and a Monday holiday, it felt more like a Friday night in July.

DJ Bredren on the wheels of steel spinning the rockers....

Scarlett and I feeling relieved that the show is finally up.

Below is a cross-section of the work that is on display for the "Present Tense" show at Bistro Bethem. The exhibit runs until December 8th, 2007.
If interested in purchasing or viewing more, hit us up with an email.

Scarlett: spons@scarlettwares.com, Rob: robartist@earthlink.net, Gabe: gpons@ponshopstudio.com

"Rose Window I" by Scarlett Suhy-Pons, Ceramic Wall Hanging with Red Bronze Glaze (sold)

"Wind Bowl" by Scarlett Suhy Pons, Ceramic with Sea Green Glaze $180

"Rose Window II" by Scarlett Suhy-Pons, Ceramic Wall Hanging with Antigua Yellow Glaze (sold)

"Rose Window III" by Scarlett Suhy-Pons, Ceramic Wall Hanging with Satin White Glaze $85
"Ode to the Stratocaster I" by Rob Landeck, Oil and Collage on Canvas 30"x40" $750
"Play It Low" by Rob Landeck, Mixed Media on Canvas, 12"x12" $125
"Devil Drummer" by Rob Landeck, Mixed Media on Canvas, 12"x12" $125
"Jammin' on Julia" by Rob Landeck, Mixed Media on Canvas, 16"x24" $225

MONO Longboard Series by Gabriel Pons, Spray Paint on Plywood $120 each

"Standing Between Sand and Sea" by Gabriel Pons, Mixed Media on Canvas (sold)
"The Last Pharaoh" by Gabriel Pons, Mixed Media on Canvas $750

"New Hieroglyph #1" by Gabriel Pons, Mixed Media on Canvas $400

Fredericksburg All Ages Anniversary Show, Sept. 2007

Saturday, September 8th 2007 marked the one year anniversary of The Fredericksburg All Ages Shows. The celebration took place at The Third Floor (810 Caroline St.) in downtown Fredericksburg and included music by Rocky's Revival, Statehood, Le Loup, and The Travis Morrison Hellfighters.
While bands played, I stepped up to the wall and painted an 8' by 4' canvas which was to be included in the raffle later that evening.
Special thanks to all of the Fredericksburg kids and University of Mary Washington students for making this a night to remember. Also, props go out to the Panta Rhei Project and Apple Music for all their efforts. Of course Mark Eyestone of Fred Skates pitched in and took all video and photos for me that evening too - muchas gracias. To learn more about the Fredericksburg All Ages shows (FAA), or to volunteer for future events, visit their MySpace Page.