decastronaut

the tallon overworld 

by yours truly :)

order prints here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1416920488/metroid-prime-tallon-overworld-large?click_key=7fc226687e3f5ba3d9132b053a5062cab9ceca71%3A1416920488&click_sum=9542ee7d&ref=shop_home_active_1

28 yr old me jamming to the music of Metroid Prime Remastered:

JANET JACKSON

Eat Cake Cafe transformed during the evening hours into a bustling gallery, offering aspiring artists a chance to share their life’s work. They each presented unique perspectives on their experiences as young adults, opening their inner worlds through unique media. Friends, family and strangers filled the room with an air of curiosity, wondering what these artists had to offer. Eyes widened, heads nodded in admiration and smiles broke out– just a few of the many reactions made by the inquisitive observers.

Dillon King performed his pop acoustic set with such moving passion– a half-sized acoustic in hand, he took the stage ready to pour out his heart to the audience. He played all original songs, a rarity in the world of pop music, and one cover song by Sam Smith. His set evoked a feeling of devotion, which came so naturally to the performer.

Cover band Soledad and friends played upbeat pop songs that invigorated the crowd with a twist of soulful hip hop stylings. All members joined in on harmonizing and beatboxing while jamming out on keyboard, guitar and drums. The group played pop hits by artists like Jessie J, Outkast, Bruno Mars and Spice Girls as guests swayed to the music and enjoyed the atmosphere.

Art Center student Christopher DeCastro presented a series of photos that evoke a feeling of love and appreciation for the urban West Coast. His style is very reflective of this generation’s obsession with city life– shots of streetlights illuminating the heart of the city and intersections breathing life through the wildly popular perspective of the fisheye lens. Along with his photoset, DeCastro included small abstract pieces made with acrylic paint and charcoal. The array of colors, shapes and patterns on the canvases invited observers to stay a while and ponder. His hand-painted elaborate monochrome backdrop contained whimsical, almost fairytale-like architecture and trees- a stunning addition to his collection.

Fellow Art Center student and friend Kimberly Ong explored a different medium, one that has become increasingly popular with the rise of technology– digital paint. The subjects of her work centered around alienation, adaptation, self-love and maturation of the inner self. The vivid colors she uses in her work are magnetizing – jolting the observer from apathy into undeniable intrigue. Perhaps the most charming and optimistic of her works presented is a drawing of an adorable girl-muffin hybrid with the bold caption “I AM COOL WITH MY MUFFIN TOP.” It speaks volumes in a society obsessed with beauty and weight. Ong addresses this problem playfully, and with assurance. The soft, pastel colors evoke a feeling of carefree confidence.

John Jiang Wu of Southlands Christian School presented portraits projecting traditional Chinese culture and heritage. With Chinese paint and pencil, Wu imaginatively portrays not merely people on the canvas, but characters. Upon closer examination, observers almost sense a familiarity with the subjects of the paintings. Following the line of canvases, attendees come upon a familiar face – Steve Jobs. With heavy shadows and acute detailing, this portrait represents honorable ode to the genius entrepreneur. A few works display the influence of anime style – one notable example portrays a fierce and intense sportsman smirking with confidence and another reveals a timid, yet perceptive appearing, young Japanese woman. Words cannot describe how each canvas pulsates with life.