Artist Statement/Bio

I am constantly grasped by both the tragedy and comedy of being human. I love studying the duality and hypocrisy in people. I am constantly searching for the antidote to injustice and worldly atrocities and find that there are a wide variety of subjects to breach upon. I would like to think of my art as my social critique of the world and hope that in some way through my work I can have a part in showing people what they did not see before or for some reason ignored.

I was raised in the small, artistic community of Topanga Canyon which sits in the hills within the large, smog engulfed city of Los Angeles. This gave me a view of two clashing lifestyles. One of the rich and famous on the streets of Beverley Hills and one of bleeding heart liberal ex-hippies settled since the 60s in the hills of Topanga. Having great lover’s of art and culture throughout my family, I was immersed in the arts from an early age. I grew up in the presence of the masters, my grandmother being a docent for LACMA and the Getty. I can’t remember a time when I did not know Degas’ Ballerinas or Picasso’s Blue Guitarist. I almost feel as though they are my family. I have been drawing since early childhood and first picked up paint and canvas at age 9. I developed my talent on my own through middle school and high school, drawing inspiration from my peers and surroundings.

After High school I attended the Art Institute of Chicago from 2004 to 2006 and then, through a fateful turn of events, found myself transferred to the San Francisco Art Institute. I attended for a semester before coming to terms with the apparent fact that art school was not for me. I did not quite art school because of laziness, lack of money, skill or motivation. I quite because I disagreed with their method and perhaps art school in general. I felt that both schools I attended offered a unanimous art scene. So I chose to pursue my art without the help of an institution or instruction. I believe that inspired art can not be learned.

My collection in progress, ‘Nuclear Gluttony’ is currently being reviewed by CAA Museum in los Angeles. Three of my political cartoons can be viewed in the April 2009 issue of Trigger Magazine out of San Francisco. My last collection, ‘Technicolor Revival’, was displayed in Well Gallery in Oakland the entire month of July 2008. I have displayed in the underground traveling art show ApARTment out of Chicago in 2006 as well as private showings in Los Angeles and Chicago.

I am currently hard at work in my studio putting the final touches on my latest collection entitled, ‘Nuclear Gluttony’. This collection is all about destruction. Destruction is the essence of creation and both are utterly beautiful. I find that this cycle found in nature translates into other aspects of life as well. For example revolution as destruction eventually leads to the rebuilding of society and the creation of new thought and new laws. My new collection symbolically depicts the destruction of childhood innocense, feminism and other current issues. I am currently looking for the appropriate and like minded gallery in which to display my latest collection, also within the coming weeks I will be inking my latest series of political cartoons. If you are interested in my art work seen here, I am one of the last few remaining painters who will do commissioned pieces for negotiable fee’s. For commission pieces or for further information please contact me at calamitycole@gmail.com or on myspace at myspace.com/calamitycoleart