Jesus Valle |
About the ArtistHi I am Jesus Valle, originally from the Bronx, New York, I traveled around a bit when I was younger in the Marine Corps, and had three children. After separating from active service, I attended Niagara University to complete my BS/MS in Criminal Justice, and eventually used it to enter into a career with the New York State Courts. Currently I am attending NU again as a Liberal Art Student, and expanding my perspective on the world while keeping my mind and skills sharp as I get into old age (ha ha ha ha). I like to spend time with my kids, and once in a while prove to them that on occasion I am still kind of cool,,,kind of. My experience with art starts in the 1980’s, I know so last century, during the Graffiti movement. Now called the Street Art
movement. I thought it was amazing to see how people expressed ideas, feelings, and events in the context of wild and symbolic, albeit illegal art. I began replicating what I saw on the streets, my favorite comics, and eventually Manga-ka and Anime. Over the course of many years, I refine my interest while attempting to keep connected to by roots in the Boogie Down and Latinx culture. I hope to be able to continue to hone my skills and maybe inspire the next generation of artists, including my own children. |
Reflections on Urban SketchingThis course was really important to me. Not only did it get me back into a habit of consistent sketching, it introduced me to techniques, ideas, and styles that have not experienced before. I didn’t realize that the Urban Sketcher was similar in intensity and influence as the ‘taggers of yore”. I find the versatility of urban sketchers to be awe inspiring and ingenious. Seeing the unique styles, and progression of my fellow students was something that I will keep in mind for a long time. Over this course I have learn different techniques for expressing a scene or story through my inner eye.
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An Afternoon in Lewiston
This piece was sketched out in pencil, finished with watercolor, it was my first try with watercolors in my adult life. This sketch was done at Cask + Cow in Lewiston, New York. I was having dinner with a friend and enjoying the sight, sounds, and weather on this September day. The comfortableness of the location caught my eye and so I decided to make it my focus,
Sights at the Plein Air Event (Artpark)
I decided on a mural style piece with this sketch, and wanted to incorporate a number of techniques and lessons learnt from the course. This sketch uses ink (art pens), colored brush pens, chalk pastels, and watercolor. Art Park, Lewiston, New York. My kids and I took in the Plein Air event at Art Park, and while my younger two roamed the area my oldest and I sketched. There were so many sights that I wanted to capture
that I decided to do a sort of mural piece capturing a bunch of smaller scenes in one. Feature are: an ink sketch of a man doing plein air art, an ink and brush pen rendering of a netted play area, pastels for a church across the Niagara in Canada, and a watercolor of my youngest while she sat and drew a picture. It represents many things I find interesting, fun and lovable.
that I decided to do a sort of mural piece capturing a bunch of smaller scenes in one. Feature are: an ink sketch of a man doing plein air art, an ink and brush pen rendering of a netted play area, pastels for a church across the Niagara in Canada, and a watercolor of my youngest while she sat and drew a picture. It represents many things I find interesting, fun and lovable.
My Son Enjoying the Rocks at the Museum of the Earth
This sketch was started on sight, but much of it had to be finished at another location due to my son’s interest in roaming. I used pencils, ink, brush pens, and a faded paint marker to create this sketch. Museum of the Earth, Ithaca, New York. Although, not rich with detail I feel like this scene captures my awe and love of my son while he just genuinely is himself enjoying his fascination with rocks. All other aspects of this piece
are secondary to, and act to frame my son in his moment.
are secondary to, and act to frame my son in his moment.
The Girls Learning to Row
This sketch was done in ink and black brush pen. Ithaca Crew Boathouse, Ithaca New York. I remembered a picture, when My sister was traveling with my kids and I, of them learning to row from a rowing coach friend of mine in Ithaca. I wanted to kind of create a warped crystal ball effect, my first try with something like that, but it became more of a lens effect. The detailed characters and dramatic smudging effect came as a happy mistake that I rolled with. (Virtual Sketch)
Urban Sketching Kit
My basic kit contains a few varieties of pencils (mechanical .05mm, 2B, HB, and H), Pigma pen set (.005mm, .03mm, .8mm, graphic 1, and brush pen), Pigma 12 watercolor and water brush set, a few brushes, erasers, water container, and whiteout pen. If I know I will have time, I may bring some pastels or colored brush pens. However, lately I just have a pencil, eraser, and Pigma pen (.03mm) for quick sketches that I can add color
to later from a picture. I have really gotten into the concept of notan for quick interesting sketches, but my interest in watercolor has also piqued in this course.
to later from a picture. I have really gotten into the concept of notan for quick interesting sketches, but my interest in watercolor has also piqued in this course.
All Images on this Page are Subject To Copyright of the Artist Represented and May not be Duplicated without Permission.