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What Makes “Paya“ Special…
Inspired by the real life Paya, a Thai elephant who became famous for his own paintings, this colorful “Paya” 2023 Limited Edition Print is a significant piece in Brent’s early career that inspired future paintings and sculptures, and helped him discover essential elements in his creative process.
With its sweet puppy eyes and knowing little smile, “Paya” is one of the first (and cutest!) Stuffed Animal paintings Brent ever created! :)
With “Paya”, Brent incorporated many other firsts including…
“on-the-stage” composition with a cast shadow… a feature of virtually all of his cRaZy stuFFed aniMALs and little monsters pieces and a technique that helps place the subject into a 3 dimensional world!
his now-signature Pink/Green color combination… as seen in Many future paintings and the color combination of Brent’s personal symbol “Smiles”!!!
his essential color palette mixing process… according to Brent, his real artistic forte and a process he uses in every painting!
“Paya” also features…
classical triangle composition to create a sense of balance and harmony and as an ode to his love for classical paintings and classical art techniques
an incredibly realistic texture using a Very time intensive technique that Brent no longer uses
Brent often says that “Paya” is the One painting he wishes he could have back.
“Paya” is the first 2023 Limited Edition Print in a series of three that will be released between now and early 2024, including “Rex” the dinosaur and “Hopeful” the bunny. Each Limited Edition Print will be released for a single 24-hour period only! If you want to collect the series, do not miss your chance to acquire “Paya”!!! :)
“Paya’s” Story:
There were so many important firsts for Brent in the creation of “Paya”, but the heart of the painting lies in the way Brent visually captured the spirit of how this adorable painting was brought to life.
Shortly after Brent moved to Los Angeles, he picked up a cute little stuffed elephant in the Los Angeles toy district near his Studio. He had just finished his first two Stuffed Animal Pile paintings and his art career was taking off. It would have been easy to overthink what to paint next or create what others expected him to but instead, he looked at the plushie and knew this was it… this was the one :)
“I believe things do happen for a reason and maybe I will never quite know what that reason is, but I know I painted ‘Paya’ in that moment for a Very specific reason.”
He fell in love with the Pink/Green color combination that became his signature colors and ones he often emulates in later paintings. He painted a shadow for the first time, a technically challenging aspect that gives all his paintings their incredible depth and realism. And he developed his color mixing system, the single most important part of all his paintings and creative process… the same process he still uses today. In challenging himself with all the firsts of “Paya”, Brent identified essential elements of his style and creative process that he would use for virtually every painting after.
“Paya’s” little smile and puppy dog eyes, the expression of deep knowing, reflects both the conviction Brent felt to paint it and how important the piece would be for Brent as an artist.