PONSHOP is on the Move

Scarlett and I are excited to announce that we’ve acquired a storefront in Downtown Fredericksburg (712 Caroline Street), and will be moving from our studio at LibertyTown this month to have our doors open in our new space in April. The PONSHOP mission remains the same – creating and educating through our respective arts, however we’re expanding to accommodate a retail dimension which will offer up artisan made and eco-friendly items for all. This has been an aspiration of ours since living in New York and we’re happy to be taking such a big step. On behalf of Scarlett and I, we’d like to thank all of the people that we’ve worked with and supported us over the past five years and look forward to strengthening the arts community in Fredericksburg. The new PONSHOP location opens April 2010.

August 2009: Mural Commission

August, 2009: I picked the hottest days of the year to get out there and do this mural commission in Falmouth, Virginia - but it was well worth it. Below are some images taken over that week. Thanks to our client, Professional Maintenance, and thanks to my assistant Jeff who whose help was exceptional. If interested in commissioning PONSHOP for any interior or exterior mural project - contact me here.

The completed piece....

Artists working to better their country through the construction and appreciation of art.

Work In Progress

mixed media work in progress - August 14, 2009 (Detail) - click to enlarge

The Lost City #1 - Behind the Scenes

"The Lost City #1" (detail), Mixed Media on Wood, 12"x36" $800.

July, 2009: As a follow up to the "Pagoda" Skateboard Decks I initiated in June, above is a detail of my most recent painting, "The Lost City #1". As many of my friends and colleagues already know, my background in architectural drafting and model making was how I got into making stencils in the first place. By the same token, my architecture education made me pretty obsessive when it comes down to doing this stuff (painting, drawing,etc.). Below is the completed painting (left) with a composite drawing of my stencil layers (right). Click images to enlarge.
One thing I really enjoy about turning my sketches into a mixed media painting is that I can use all of my arsenal (collage, acrylic paint, spray paint) to achieve the desired image. In a lot ways, the mixed media painting has informed me on how I can approach the stenciled deck series differently.

"The Lost City #1" will be on display at Art First Gallery for the month of July - check it!

Latest Painting: "My Baby Wants to Rock and Roll #3"

Below is the most recent painting completed: "My Baby Wants to Rock and Roll #3." Many have seen and/or worn this graphic over the years, and I've always wanted to keep pushing it and explore some new aspects. I did this by building a wood panel and using collage (made from newspaper and magazine scraps as well as printed song lyrics). This led to some interesting conditions between the pattern and text in the background and the stenciled figure on top.

"My Baby Wants To Rock and Roll #3", Mixed Media on Wood Panel, 30"x30" SOLD (click image to enlarge)

"My Baby Wants To Rock and Roll #3" detail

February 2009: New Work

"...Until the End of the World", Mixed Media on Paper, 20"x20" $500

"Masks of Now", Mixed Media on Paper, 20"x20" $500

February, 2009: I've just finished two paintings that are on exhibit for the month of February at Art First Gallery in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The group show is titled "Transformations" and features new work from participating artists based around this theme.

"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

"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.

June 2008

"The New Babylon #1", Mixed Media on Canvas, 40"x14" SOLD

It's been a good start the summer: School is out which means PONSHOP classes are in full effect (more student work pics soon to come).

I've been doing some commissioned work over the past month and I'm excited about the direction that the paintings have been going. "The New Babylon #1" is one of the recently completed pieces.

Scarlett and I participated in the King George Art Show this past week. One of the pieces submitted, "Leaving La Mancha" received an Honorable Mention and was sold. The show runs until Sunday, June 29th. Click Here for more details.

"Leaving La Mancha" (detail), Acrylic and Spray Paint on Canvas, SOLD

PONSHOP visits Fredericksburg Academy

November 16th, 2007. Scarlett Suhy-Pons paid a visit to the art classes of Fredericksburg Academy where she gave a presentation to fourth and fifth grade students about her experience as a ceramic artist. Her talk focused on her interest in the history of pottery and how the art of making pots transcends geographic and cultural boundaries throughout history. Scarlett seeks her inspiration by studying the forms and methods used around the globe.

Historic precedent: Jamon Pottery circa. 10,000 BC

Native American Bowl, 1979
Students then initiated a clay project where they made their own snowflake designs.
October 27th, 2007. Gabriel Pons gave a lecture to students about how his love of skateboarding and art have influenced his career as an artist. He shared with students a selection of his custom painted skateboards as well as his paintings on canvas and spoke about the process he undertakes when developing one of his signature skateboard designs.Skateboarding magazines and deck graphics, album cover artwork, and

comic books fueled his love for drawing and painting.

Fredericksburg Academy Art Instructor Mirinda Reynolds shows students how Pons's compositions are made by layering both found images and paint on canvas.

Students had the opportunity to get creative and develop their own skateboard graphic.

Special thanks to Mirinda Reynolds of Fredericksburg Academy for organizing the monthly "LibertyTown Visiting Artists Program." Her initiative to further integrate local artists with the community benefits both students and the artists. Thanks to all the participating faculty and aides for making these presentations so worthwhile.

PONSHOP: Commissioned Painting

We Will Walk This Path Together (2007) 15.5"x15.5" Collage, Acrylic, Spray Paint on Paper

I've had the pleasure of meeting a great couple that happen to be big fans of both my work and Scarlett's ceramics. Needless to say, one thing led to another and I was commissioned to make a collage/mixed media piece for the wife to give to the husband on their second anniversary in September.
The piece, titled "We Will Walk This Path Together" incorporates a variety of images that the wife had passed on to me to include in the composition. Maps, song lyrics, and photos taken on their first hike together were put through the PONSHOP spin cycle to cook up a new imagery that evokes intimacy in the past, present, and future that this young couple will share for the rest of their lives.

For inquiries into commissioned paintings, contact me at: gpons@ponshopstudio.com.

PONSHOP in Portland

Portland, Oregon is a really great city. Scarlett described it best as a "Kinder, Cleaner, and Gentler Brooklyn." Below are some photos from our trip. To view more pics from our art show, click here. A special shout out goes to our hosts and The Life Gallery owners, Damon Ayers and Tessie Word. They, of course, showed us a great time in Portland and we had a blast with their friends...

some snapshots right before the gallery opened...

Scarlett's helmet series enthralled everyone

Everett Station Lofts early on the first Thursday Art OpeningsArtist Keith Rosson in front of the galleryCool old signage downtown
Voodoo Doughnuts to finish off the night
Glenhaven Skatepark is 20 yards from a high schoolNewberg Skatepark (above and below)
Portland has a lot of bikers
....and thus a lot of bikes

Diego loved the kids' park in Old Town
Skateboard antics in the gallery
Scarlett and Diego at the riverside carnival

Double Trouble
Street StickersTessie and Damon
Portland construction is booming...check the cantelever.
Green Building: Eco Roof
One of many bridges in Portland