GIVEAWAY!

By Nichole Camarillo

YAY for give-aways! Ohh how much fun it is to score some free stuff. Right? Right! Especially when it's really awesome stuff like this...



From now until January 1st, each and every one of you will have a chance to win your favorite Nichole Camarillo Mousepad. Including some from my "Art Never Dies" Series, which aren't available ANYWHERE. Not even in my shop. In fact, they are the first, and only, of their kind. And they could be all yours.



Here's what you need to do:
Head on over to my Facebook art page. Open the Mousepad Giveaway photo album. Comment on the photo of your favorite mousepad. That's it. Pretty easy, right?

The giveaway closes January 1, 2011. After that, the 5 photos with the most comments will be given away! :D If you commented on one (or more) of the winning photos, your name will be entered to win that mousepad. There will be one winner for every selected mousepad. That's 5 winners in all! Don't miss out on your chance to win. Get your comments in today! >>


[Left to Right, Top to Bottom: "Even If It Rains", "Love Ridden", "What's A Girl To Do", "Got This Heart", "Slow Like Honey"]

SNEAK PEEK! [The Warning]

By Nichole Camarillo
 
Hi Everyone! It's been SO long since I've been able to share a new painting with you. Probably a good six months. :/ But I've finally settled in and set up in my new place/studio and have been painting, painting, painting! It's time to show you guys what I've been up to. Are you excited? ...Because I'm REALLY excited. I'm currently working on wrapping up a time-lapse video to go along with this new painting release. Once that's good to go, I'll reveal this beauty in it's entirety. For now, I simply HAD to let you take a sneak peek...

"The Warning" by Nichole Camarillo



It's madness. Seriously. ...Madness. But in a good way. :) I hope you guys are just as psyched as I am. I can't WAIT to share the real deal. And, of course, show you the painting in the making. Time-lapse and full release coming VERY soon. Stay posted! 

Happy Birthday Frida Kahlo

By Nichole Camarillo

Alright, not that I need any more reasons to indulge my thirst for liquor, but today I am DEFINITELY raising a glass to this woman. Happy Birthday Frida Kahlo. Thank you for everything you were, are, and will continue to be. <3

"I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy as long as I can paint."
"I never paint dreams or nightmares. I paint my own reality."

"I hope the leaving is joyful; and I hope never to return."


Frida Kahlo July 6, 1907 – July 13, 1954




Art Never Dies: The King of Pop

By Nichole Camarillo
This is it, you guys (no pun intended). It's been a long and exciting road in this painting series. But this new painting marks the end of the "Art Never Dies" portraits. Which means I now bring to you... That's right... Michael. Jackson. :D It was such a beautiful experience working on this painting and video. And although choosing which songs would make the cut was the most difficult part by FAR, everything took a lot of hard work. I'm so proud of this series, and have had so much fun with it. I really want to thank you guys for being a part of it. Now, I introduce to you... The King of Pop.

"ART NEVER DIES: THE KING OF POP" by Nichole Camarillo



[Above: close up of shoulder detail]

[Above: close up of hair detail]
I definitely wanted to give you some zoomed in shots first. As you're about to see in the final image, almost all of the metallic gold and silver detail is lost when shrunken down so small. Basically, when looking at the end image, anything you see that is yellow, is actually a super awesome twinkling gold. Lol. And anything gray is actually silver. Here we go...

YAY! Michael!
I appreciated different things about each artist in this series before beginning. And through the process of painting their portrait and making these videos, I've been able to appreciate them in a whole new light. Especially Michael.

I was a very big fan of his music before his passing and was horribly saddened by the news. But I don't think I really understood how deep and powerful his music actually was. Or how sad and fragile he himself actually was. Or how, despite all of the negativity surrounding him, he was able to affect so many MILLIONS of people in such a positive way. He was an incredible force. And I really felt that while working on this project. So on that note, let's take a look at the time-lapse...  



You guys usually only see the end result. Or, with this series, you've also been able to see a quick 3-5 minute video of the painting process. But there are sometimes weeks of research, of learning, of really getting to KNOW as much as I can about each of these people. Regardless of how much I thought I had already known. Going through so many photos, watching and reading so many interviews, watching and reading how other people perceived them, finding out what they did with life, what they gave, who they knew, who they loved, who THEY were fans of... all of it. There were even songs of Michael's  that I absolutely hated before this project. But I really sat down and listened to each and every one of those songs. REALLY listened. Now... I think they may even be some of my favorites. Lol.

I do all of that with one goal in mind. So that even in such a simple, minimal, not even close to photo-realistic portrait, the viewer can still say- Wow... that really is him. That really is Michael Jackson. And that really is Mac Dre. And Bruce Lee, and Marilyn Monroe, and Frida Kahlo. I just wanted to feel like I really connected to each artist. And then through my art, show you what I've seen.


Thank you guys SO much for sticking with me through this project. And for all of the wonderful feedback you've given. I'm really glad you enjoyed it. It's been a lot of fun to do, and definitely to share with you. If you are new to this series, or just want a refresher, you can check out the rest of the "Art Never Dies" posts. And for those of you that were Winners in our Facebook Give-Aways, then you can be happy to know that prizes will be mailed soon. :)

The End Is Near...

By Nichole Camarillo


Urban-Muse.com and Lower Haters Gallery are proud to present:
THE BEGINNING OF THE END

Featuring: Nichole Camarillo, Michael Shapcott, Dec!mus, Cuca Refugia, Taren Meacham, Pobresito,  Burner, Give Up,  Biafra Inc. Curated by Curt Anderson.

Lower Haters Gallery, 597 Haight Street, San Francisco, CA 94117
Lower Haters Gallery hours: Tuesday-Sunday 12pm-7pm

Exhibit runs May 14th, 2010 to June 9th, 2010
Opening reception: May 14th 7pm-11pm

The Beginning of the End is a group show like none other. This show seeks to reflect the tumultuous times we live in, while encouraging growth, development, collaboration, and hope within the movement. For the opening reception, we will bring to you an unforgettable event touching all the senses and emotions, with a video projection element detailing process, vibrant art, music, and liveliness of true community. It will be a night you will not want to miss. And a night you will not soon forget.



I will have NEW paintings on display at this show, including my latest painting, featured (snippet) above. I have carefully selected four paintings in total that I feel best represent where I am as an artist, as well as best convey the theme of this show. It's going to be an incredible event you will definitely want to attend. You can RSVP NOW on Facebook.


Juxtapoz Article:
http://www.juxtapoz.com/Current/the-beginning-of-the-end

The Way We Get By

By Nichole Camarillo
I have been working working working. I'm sorry I haven't had much time to share what it is I've been working on. There is a LOT to come. May and June are going to be crazy for me. I will try my best to keep you guys up to date with all the cool things happening and all the crazy art I'm creating. Speaking of which... I have a new painting I am SO over the top thrilled with. It was such a fun one to do. This painting will be on display in an upcoming show that's right around the corner. More details on that soon. Right now, let me introduce the newest insanity in my collection.

"The Way We Get By" by Nichole Camarillo

I told you it's insanity. ;) Oh oh oh! Guess what else I have for you? No? Not much for guessing? Well, alright... I give. I was able to capture the process in a time-lapse animation. YAY! So, definitely give it a watch... I hope you enjoy. I'll be back with more madness once I knock out some of these deadlines.


April Inspiration

By Nichole Camarillo
(This post will be updated throughout month)
Isn't it nice to see an image and think, "Wow, that really made me feel something." Well, lately I've been liking it more when I come across an image and think, "Wow, that really made me feel what I'm already feeling." If that makes any sense. With my birthday coming up at the end of the month, I've been doing a lot of reflecting. There's a lot of reasons I would say an image "inspires" me; It's badass, it's skillful, it's interesting, it's fresh, it's full of light or love, and so on. But the general experience would be that its emotion is created at surface level. The experience the latter of the "Wows" brings is not creating anything. It's merely churning what's already inside. Is it making sense now? Anyway, maybe these [seemingly] random images can help you feel what you're already feeling...






via

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As I can't always locate them myself, please let me know if you're aware of original sources. Thank you! :)



Art Never Dies: A Mac Named DRE

By Nichole Camarillo
Yeah, yeah. I blew off finishing up work on Sunday to drink wine, eat chocolate, lounge on zee (that's French for "the") couch and watch Jurassic Park. Thus, resulting in a delayed release. For those of you that were looking forward to yesterday's new painting release, I apologize. For those of you that have no idea that I'm coming late with this- YAY! NEW RELEASE TODAY! YAY! I'm on time with EVERYTHING! YAY! Aren't you SO excited?! :D


"ART NEVER DIES: A MAC NAMED DRE" by Nichole Camarillo






Like it? Share it! :)
Thanks guys. Four down, one to go...




Sneak Peek: Mac Dre

By Nichole Camarillo
Alright, this has got to be the most fun portrait yet. I am SO in love with how it came out. Not only that, but the process was just as entertaining for me. You guys are really going to like how it came out. The colors, the expression, the fact that it's MAC DRE[!]... come on now. If you're an awesome Facebook Fan, then you already got a little taste of the progress last night. But today I finished the painting, so I wanted to share with everyone. Ready?

Andre Hicks A.K.A. "Mac Dre" (1970-2004)




TELL me how excited you are. Seriously. It will definitely please. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled this coming Tuesday (April 6th) for the full release. That will also include a time-lapse video. :)




Art Never Dies: Master of Self

By Nichole Camarillo
Bruce Lee is now live and in full effect. yyyyYES! I feel like we've waited so long for this one. And I really don't think he needs any introduction. So here you have it, folks. Let's start the show...

"Art Never Dies: Master of Self" by Nichole Camarillo



And let's not forget the hard work behind it...



Yeah. I'm spent. Lol. Well, the actual painting time was about 2 hours. Which isn't so bad. But everything that has surrounded this release..?? That's a world of exhaustion. I'm just so glad he's up for you guys to enjoy. And of course for you to share with your friends. ;D

Enjoy your Sunday! I'll be back with more soon...



Sneak Peek: Bruce Lee

By Nichole Camarillo
Bruce is busting out! Umm... again. For those of you that are just tuning in, this is the second Bruce that I have finished. I put the finishing touches on this Bruce earlier this afternoon. And since, have been putting together a (headache of a) time-lapse video for you guys. *Sigh* Let's hope my luck or patience (or both) start pulling through soon. Yeah? Yeah. Otherwise, I maaay explode. And while we await that disaster, here's a bite-size version of Mr. Lee for you guys to snack on...





Can we say damn? Because... I really loved the first one, but... DAMN. You guys are really going to love this one. If we subtract all the headache, mess, extra time, and other nonsense that is thrusting me into grumpmode, I'm actually REALLY happy that I did this second Bruce.  I can't wait to share him with you... Full painting (and time-lapse video) drop soon! Stay posted. :)




Art Never Dies: Marilyn Monroe

By Nichole Camarillo
Hello everyone. I trust you're all feeling great. What's that? No? You were horribly sick all week and so was everyone else you know? Hmm... yeah me too. It super sucked. BUT now I have a little treat to distract us! Cheers to distractions! Woo! :D Ladies and gentlemen, Miss Marilyn Monroe...

"Art Never Dies: Marilyn Monroe" by Nichole Camarillo






Marilyn! This incredibly beautiful and captivating gem shines far too bright to be ignored. Because her intoxicating sensuality and charm still has you buzzed, she was a must in this collection.

Oh, what? You want to see and hear me personally introduce Marilyn? *Flattered* And you- you want to be certain that I mean it when I say my mother is crazy? And you want a big ginormous hint as to what kind of massive coolness I'm gonna drop on you before this is all over?? Well hot DAMN! ..All you had to do was ask! ;D Let's start the show...


I know that video is titled "Art Never Dies: Marilyn Monroe", but I'm sure we can all agree SuperextraADDhalfsickhalfbuzzedridiculousnonsensespecial is how it would most properly be named. Right? Right. *Nod* So this is where I make up for that with a really cool mini time-lapse animation.



Effing sweet. Now we're even.
Stay tuned for Bruce! :D



Hot Art Makes For Hot Shoes [MENS Pro Keds Launch]

By Nichole Camarillo
That is correct. Pro Keds are finally live in my shop. All of you guys may now stop asking when I'll be getting men's shoes. ;) So, let me give you some quick facts. These shoes come in high tops and low tops. They are available in (whole/half) sizes 4.5 through 14. Low tops will run $67.50, and high tops for $70 flat. Also, I will be designing both feminine and masculine styles for the shoes. Ladies love high tops too, you know. Alright now, here we go...

N.Camarillo Signature PRO Keds


Suh-weeet. XD I feel like I've waited forever for these. I'm SO excited! I will be continuously adding new designs throughout the week. Feel free to keep checking in to see what's new. You can browse ALL Pro Keds here. All the shoes are mixed together, but the Pro Keds will show up toward the top. To directly view any of the shoes shown above, I'll go ahead and list them from top to bottom:
N. Camarillo Signature Pro Keds // "Heavens"
N. Camarillo Signature Pro Keds // "Evens"
N. Camarillo Signature Pro Keds // "Gots"
N. Camarillo Signature Pro Keds // "Whats"
N. Camarillo Signature Pro Keds // "Evens" vLow
N. Camarillo Signature Pro Keds // "Carrions"

Don't forget, these shoes are totally customizable. Change up the trims, midsoles, stitching, all of it. Make it your own. For example, let's say you love the artwork on the last pair of shoes in the above photos ("Carrions"). But maybe they're just a little too dark for you. So, switch up some of the black to whatever colors you prefer. (See changes below)



You can change the laces, all three sections of the midsoles, the eyelets, the inside lining, the toecap, all of the binding, AND the stitching. What are you waiting for? Go customize your own! But don't say I didn't warn you, it is VERY addicting. Happy shopping! :)

[BONUS] Use coupon code PROKEDZAZZLE during checkout to receive FREE shipping on your first order. U.S. addresses only. Valid Now through March 31, 2010 at 11:59pm PT.