Sake (Saw-Key)
Born in 1969 in El Paso, Texas, two-time EMMY award winning artist
Sake, began his art career with inspiration from New York City's
subway graffiti. Sake was one of the first graffiti artists in San
Diego County at the age of twelve. Sake, the last in a long list of
nom de plumes, with his stylized lettering and characters inspired
hundreds of kids across San Diego County to pick up the spray can as a
medium to create art. Sake's reputation as a serious artist grew out
of respect for his technical skill, creating his first portrait with
spray paint in 1986. He continued his quest for detail and realism
with spray paint. Eventually Sake gained the attention of the San
Diego art scene, taking home two EMMY awards for his portrait work for
the Fox network. Sake, now practice his graffiti art at legal yards
and started painting with oil paints in 2005.
The times I spent in Saratoga Springs, gave me some sort of a
connection with history, the town its self is historic. It is loaded
with relics and historical incidents, and it has been around since
1776 so the history is rich and has a spooky feel too it. The houses
are extremely great in stature and design, very haunting.
There is such a dark and spooky tinge related to the past. I always
had some sort off association with the past that I can't shake. It is
starting to come out of me more and more as time goes on. I gravitate
toward an older design, look, sound…the smell of an old book vs. the
opening of laptop. Its not like I'm living my daily life in the past,
not like I'm living in an old folks home type of setting with a
"grandma-ish" sense, but I am finding great enjoyment at finding nice
aesthetics in older things. I also gravitate towards classic aesthetic
with design, architecture, music and dress.
I have a love affair with looking at old photos, my obsesion with
photos started in the 1970's while spending time with my family
looking at old slides back on cool autumn nights with popcorn and
apple juice being served. My subject matter is a mix of memories of
my childhood and family photos from way back. WWI and WWII intrigue
me. My favorite eras are the 20's thru the 50's. I also love New York
subway art. I'm a Self-taught artist.
Statement on "Dames, Gents and Suspects":
This show has a few different styles of painting techniques that I
have been experimenting with, I also throw in little winks and nods
towards some of my favorite artist from the past that I admire.
Dames, Gents and Suspect seems to be a theme that is reacquiring in my
art although some are Innocent of not doing any crimes there is a dark
side of everybody, including stars, regular Joe's, the lady that bats
her eye at you as you pass by or your typical hero.
