Blue Rococo © Tré Inc. 2013
Having the blues, in such a room, is a thing of joy! I’ve been sequestered away — in my creative cave — working on my latest time travel series. This is one of the first images, I’ll not give away the storyline, as of yet. I can’t wait to officially release it later this year; if for nothing else, because we all need more pigeons with bow ties in our lives.
Wishing all of you a delightful end to this glorious summer.
Obamaham © Tré Inc. 2012
This is a close-up of my graphite drawing now on display for POLITICS As UN-USUAL at the Touchstone Gallery in Washington D.C. You will also find it featured in the Arts section of today’s Washington Post.
Obamaham Featured In The Washington Post 01-13-13
A little background: So many firsts, this pencil and I. Before my childhood photography adventures, I first began drawing when I was almost 2. I was just old enough to walk and hold a pencil. My first exhibited art piece was a graphite drawing at age 8. My first art business—launched at age 10—was commissioned graphite portraits.
This piece was originally named Fruition, inspired by my respect for both Abraham Lincoln (the 16th President of The United States) and Barack Obama (the 44th President of The United States). Since there are not many good photographs or videos of Honest Abe, I peeked at M. Price’s portrait of him as a reference before drawing. It wasn’t until I began that I started to realize all the similarities of the two men. By comparison, both share not only a great command of the English language, but beyond that, they have similar features. Dark and kind eyes, deep-set mouth lines, high cheek bones, strong brows, and prominent ears. Before my paper, I stood with graphite in hand at the cross-road where The Age of Progress meets the Age of Technology, where turning a Right or Left both leads you to the White House. This is where I wondered:
What type of man would Lincoln be if he were alive today? How much of us is fashioned by the era we live in?
I’ll leave you with these words of wisdom concerning Abe: “President Lincoln knew that in these United States, no dream could ever be beyond our reach when we affirm that individual liberty is served, not negated, by seeking the common good.” —President Obama on the Emancipation Proclamation, which Lincoln issued over 150 years ago.
Regardless of the kind man he became, Lincoln was one of the great men who molded the USA into what it is today, a country with Barack Obama as President. That is what I call fruition.
Back To Nature By Tré © Tré Inc. 2013
Minden jót, ご多幸を祈る, beste ønsker, أطيب التمنيات, tusen hälsningar, 最良好的祝愿, i migliori auguri, האיחולים, hаилучшие пожелания, besten wünsche, mis mejores deseos, Τις καλύτερες ευχές μου, ด้วยความปรารถนาดี, meilleurs vœux, 행복을 빌어 요, najlepsze życzenia, muitas felicidades, všechno nejlepší, bedste ønsker, nakutakia heri!
Sitting beneath my Back To Nature series at Touchstone Gallery, in my bow tie, I contemplate the highlights of 2012. I’m very grateful for the ability to share my creations, and to experience the amazing art of my peers and friends. Dear artist friends and art lovers around the world, next year holds so many beautiful possibilities. Where ever you are, I’m sending out best wishes! May joy and inspiration keep and guide you on your continued journey. 2013 here we come!
Iris In The Stream © Tré Inc. 2012
Here is the latest installment for my “Back To Nature” series. This piece is about finding your happy place, which often means going back to your roots. If you have read The Alchemist, you can understand the gift of finding your Personal Legend. Back To Nature is a series of photos within photos, finding their way back to their origins. We cannot forget where we come from, nor can we progress in life without embracing the truth of our own unique identity.
Red Shade © Tré Inc. 2012
She opens the door and steps into the light. Finding herself beneath the warm red shade of a large tree, she pauses to breathe in the newness of her surroundings. Beyond the hill, a sun-drenched valley awaits. Adventure, mystery, and new possibilities abound. All she need do is follow the path leading towards the unfamiliar, and embrace her true destiny . . .
Meadows of Dan © Tré Inc. 2012
One of my fondest childhood memories is the Summer of my 4th year. I was barefoot, in a black-and-white-striped bathing suit, dashing in and out of my grandparent’s creek. There was a wide green meadow—dappled with Queen Anne’s Lace—the creek wound its way through and across a field where two horses roamed. They answered to the names Blackberry and Sunshine. I’d visit them with tiny fists of clover, and carefully, I’d climb the worn wooden fence to hop upon their backs. For hours, I’d take turns riding them, free as the wind. I’d lay along their backs and pet them as they grazed, braid flowers into their manes, and tell them stories from my imagination. They taught me how to love without expectation or agenda, and that speaking without words is how nature also communicates.
Notré Dame © Tré Inc. 2012
Autumn glides in like the perfect Lady. The chill kiss of October whispers on the breeze, a promise of changing leaves and pumpkin spice. I carry a remnant of Paris with me—the stained glass of Notre Dame, pinned to my necklace from Tokyo’s Harajuku district. The base of the pin is my painting of a pocket watch, an element of time’s frozen cogs. If I could freeze time now it would be while sipping hot apple cider laced with cinnamon and nutmeg, smiling, wishing all of you a magically wonderful Harvest Season. Autumn is here!
Wire Girl & Cardboard Man © Tré Inc. 2012
“Wire Girl & Cardboard Man” is a Trémotion Pictures production. I had the great pleasure to create and direct this music video for Dickie Chapin’s music project, Colortone. I handmade the characters using recycled and green materials. There are featured scenes in the video that were shot in historic sites in London and around the Washington DC area. The video is now available on YouTube and Vimeo.
Head In The Clouds © Tré Inc. 2012
Growing up, I was told by others, “Tré, your head is in the clouds. You need to come back down to Earth.” Well, all these years later, my head is still in the clouds, I’m still dreaming, and creating despite the odds. I hand painted this bow-tie as a reminder to never stop dreaming big, to keep creating, and accomplishing my dreams—one tiny one at a time. May all of you keep dreaming, and continue making this world an inspiring and beautiful place. I’m in your corner, cheering you on!
Cyan Orchid © Tré Inc.
The cherry blossoms are back in bloom! DC has been, once again, transformed into a magical snow globe of falling petals. 100 years ago, the gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo was bestowed upon Washington, DC. This piece was photographed at last year’s National Cherry Blossom Festival, and this year it commemorates and honors the beautiful gift of trees.
The latest piece from my new “Back to Nature” series is now on display at the Touchstone Gallery in DC, from now till the end of April.