Carlsbad Art and Culture

Paintings hang on dining room walls and decorate prestigious museums. Sculptures scatter gardens with twisting figures and films unwrap on televisions. Songs tumble out of radio speakers and words dance on wrinkled pages. Each final piece, though different as a finished form, begins with a series of similar preparation stages. Materials are then applied in route for a finished piece. The entire experience is the art; the final piece is only the reward.

I began with the wave, a 70.5in. x 95in. mural designed in three colors, consisting of two stencils. This piece is designed to view from a distance, preferably from the intersection of Grand Ave and State St. Detail is dropped and simplicity in color and form pushes the viewer backwards. This piece, viewed from a distance, sets out to encourage observation of the avenue, as well as the mural. My hope is that, from this distance, viewers use this mural as a starting point for further observation of Grand Ave.

I began the application of the wave mural early one morning before the village awoke. The chilly air had a bite and the wind had already begun to blow. Early morning Grand Ave, empty besides delivery trucks and city workers, has a special small village feel. I sat silent and motionless as I watched the village stretch. It yawned with morning chatter and the scent of fresh donuts. I smiled and began rolling the base coat of acrylic latex sky blue, which also served as the mid tones of my design. As I waited for this layer to dry, I contemplated how I would successfully hang my next stencil without damaging it. My pondering was shaken by a large white truck and a friendly voice. “I wondered who would be staring at a painted window at 6 in the morning, I should have known.” I shrugged my shoulders as he parked. I now had someone to assist me. The next layer, dark blue shadows of the wave, hung with mild trouble. The dark blue sprayed on smooth, but took longer to dry than anticipated. After a snack, I called it a day.

I again awoke with Grand Ave just as eager to observe the awakening village as to finish the mural. Another buddy joined me and the third layer, solid white highlights, hung easily. The entire can was nearly used and went on smoothly. I held my breath hoping that registration was accurate and pulled down the last layer. Besides a few gaps and unwanted overlaps, the registration was perfect. My assistant and I celebrated with breakfast at the Grand Deli before returning to touch up areas with a brush.

My second mural was created with a slightly different goal. Rather than serving as a stepping stone for further observation of the surrounding atmosphere, I attempted to use it as a way to attract passers into my studio. I decided on using the portrait of Jimi Hendrix to coincide with my newest painting on canvas, which will be displayed on May 1st. I wanted to use the mandatory base coat not only as a way to prevent spray paint from hitting the window, but also as an element of the visual design. I tapered of each rolled strip of white, preserving just enough clear window to showcase posters and newspaper articles. I wrestled with the idea of somehow integrating my “drip” technique into the piece and settled on the splatters. My fingers dipped straight into the acrylic latex and emerged laden with color to be flung on the window. I picked paint to compliment the colors of the below flowers and paint of the building. The colors dried fast and a gestural background awaited Jimi.

The portrait of Jimi consists of 4 colors, three stencils and the whites of the ring, cig, eyes and teeth painted by brush. The first layer, dark purple mid tone, sprayed smooth. Highlights in light purple followed. Registration was tough with so many spots depending on exact location. At this point, the stenciled design looks far from successful, but it only needs the last black layer to come to life. I took extra time on this layer and made sure each spray was vertical to eliminate any under spray. Like each previous layer, I held my breathe and pulled down the stencil, exposing a perfectly registered design. I quickly added in the last whites and stood back, purple handed and satisfied.

A successful piece of art hangs on a wall like a trophy on a mantle. It reminds of a story, a process and a love. It shouts successes and whispers defeats. It describes rewards and perils and it motivates to begin another. Art provides much more than a finished product. It represents the growth of a single idea and the capacity and nourishment to grow that idea through a series of expressive stages and into a healthy creation. Many times, the act of creating is kept in a studio, a bedroom or anywhere away from the public. When done in the streets, the process invites interaction. Conversations sprout and friendships are made.

I would like to thank each one of you for stopping and asking questions, giving advice and probing my mind. Thanks Christine from the village to visitors from Upland. Thanks Piero for the large sheets of poster paper and Fiesta Liquor for donating your space for me to prepare in. Thanks Lance and Erik for waking up early to assist and Ceila for donating your window. Thanks B. Garvey for the amazing gift of the framed original grave rubbing straight form Jimi’s grave in Seattle and Robin for organizing this event. Thanks for all the artists who participated and a special thanks to B.honey for all your valuable advice. You all play a big part in my creations… and I cherish each interaction.

Come say hello during the Carlsbad Village Art Surf on May 1st from 5pm-8 and on Sunday during the Carlsbad village street fair!

SNYDER ART (map) (website)
2695 State Street
Carlsbad, CA 92008

photos by bryan snyder, robin young and andrew reilly