Local artist Jonathan Lopez, displayed his one-of-a-kind painting alongside other “Simpson’s” themed work Thursday evening for September’s ArtHop.
Arthouse held its third annual “Simpson’s” themed night called “Eat my shorts 3,” allowing each artist to have a personal spin on the classic cartoon.
“The painting I have in Arthouse today is called ‘Nevermore,’ which is an actual Simpson’s episode taken from its Halloween specials, which are some of my favorite episodes ever,” Lopez said.
Instead of copying “The Simpson’s” version exactly, Lopez, 28, used inspiration from the episode to make it his own.
“I paid attention to details in terms of the colors that they used in the show, the actual elements and also the objects in the episode. Then I just reearranged them to make an original scene and added some movement to give it life,” Lopez said.
When Lopez isn’t busy trying to emulate Bart Simpson, his painting style is described as realism or contemporary.
“Although I am a contemporary artist, I’m not pigeonholed into doing one certain type of art. I do a little bit of everything. Anywhere from watercolor, graphite, to pop art and abstract,” Lopez said.
He has spent years practicing his skills and now Lopez is considered one of the best artists in the gallery, according to Arthouse owner Christopher Geigle.
“I’ve always been an artist. The earliest that I can remember was back in kindergarden,” Lopez said. “I was already drawing more three-dimensional figures.”
Lopez had an untraditional learning style, relying mostly off of artist Bob Ross to learn from example.
“I use a lot of Bob Ross’ style techniques from watching his shows, and also from a Bob Ross book my aunt bought me that teaches you step-by-step. I actually did my first painting using that book. Everything I do now in terms of blending and blending skies is all from Bob Ross,” Lopez said.
Lopez also practices by recreating stills or grabbing things from his own photography to paint.
“I’ll take photographs of certain things that I like or something I see in a magazine and incorporate that into my work,” Lopez said. “I’ve even rented some movies and paused it on a still and just recreated it.”
Lopez is not a full-time artist yet, though he hopes to devote all of his time to his artwork soon. He currently spends his days working for a subcontracting company on a railroad called Harbor Rail Services.
“I have dreams. Eventually, I want to be a full-time artist,” Lopez said. “Right now, I have a full-time job, and I do art as sort of, I wouldn’t say, a hobby, more like my second job. I spend a lot of time and effort, and I do make money off of it.”
Lopez said he believes in his talent and is now focusing on getting the proper exposure in order for his career to take off.
“I do want to get to that top point where people will see my art and identify with it, and be like ‘I know who that is. That’s Jonathan Lopez,’” he said.