oakland's urbanview

It’s THE BOX! You’ve seen it, you love it and now it’s the cover.
Yes, that’s right, our cover is now real art by a real live local artist.
If you would like to send art to be considered for publication in the box,
please send slides or photographs to
Urbanview, THE BOX, 315 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607.
Please include S.A.S.E. for return.

Chris Pew

Featured Artist: Chris Pew

Cover Art

Title:
time-zero

Medium:
Acrylic on paper

Size:
8" x 10"

Year:
2000

Contact info:
[email protected]

UV: Who or what are your biggest influences?
CP: I have a broad range of influences, everything from graphic design to music to physics. Artists work that I've been into lately have been Paul Laffoley, Matthew Ritchie, and Andy Jenkins. Other influences include Superstring theory, skateboarding, and animated shorts.

UV: What are your top five favorite publications (Urbanview excluded,of course, because we know you love Urbanview)?
CP: 1.themorningnews.org, 2.Emigre Magazine, 3.Copper Press, 4.Arkitip, 5.McSweeneys

UV: How would you describe your illustration style?
CP: I don't really have a word or definition for the style of art that I do. I just tried to develop a style which incorporated mediums in which I enjoy working with. My style mostly combines collage, computer graphics, painting, drawing, and photographic processes.

UV: How does Bay Area culture influence your work?
CP: The Bay Area generates a lot of creativity, everything from the people to the natural surroundings. The influence in my work can be seen in trying to create images that express the juxtaposition between nature and science, much like how the Bay Area manages to be a leader in technology yet remain respectful to its natural surroundings.

UV: Do you conceptualize a piece beforehand or give full reign to spontaneity?
CP: Each piece I do is pretty well planned out. Starting out with a general idea which evolves into a basic sketch followed by some digital manipulation. After this step I decide on a surface and proceed with a specific process for that surface.

Urbanview’s online partners: Metroactive | Oakland.com
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