Issue Date: 2/12/07
Local artist lives dream
By Shahrazad Encinias
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A man once thought a urinal was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. He bought the urinal and wrote "R.Mutt." It was considered art.
To some it was offensive and ridiculous, but to others it was art. Colin Whitbread, an Oceanside artist and Arklite gallery owner, said he thought it was incredible art.
"For me, it's whatever makes me feel, it's captivating," Whitbread said.
The urinal is an example of found art, which modifies everyday objects that are considered mundane because of their utilitarian functions.
"You put it out there for people to understand it," Whitbread said.
He said he creates politically driven art and when he creates found art his politics are often exposed.
Whitbread said he translates life into an art expression. He said his most common style is satire. He added that city life and living during a time of war influence his art.
"Real artists want to see your soul," Whitbread said.
He said making art is a form of meditation for him.
"Life inspires me to work out these weird, evil, city things," he added.
Whitbread is considered a modern artist. Modern art is a form where it is not important to represent a subject realistically.
"You're still intrigued to see what it is," said Adele Arce, a Palomar psychology student.
His art includes an oil and acrylic canvas painting of Fidel Castro, a detailed portrait depicting President Bush as an Arab boy in the desert, a black and white of Johnny Cash and a photo-inspired painting of two children.
"His use of real bold colors gives the portraits a feeling of surrealism," said Adam Palladino, a Palomar sociology student. "He's a good artist."
Arce said she is also fascinated with Whitbread's black and white surreal cityscapes of Babylon.
"I liked that it's black and white. It brought out his idea," she said.
Whitbread has been creating art since he was a young boy. He said he was first captivated by comic books.
To some it was offensive and ridiculous, but to others it was art. Colin Whitbread, an Oceanside artist and Arklite gallery owner, said he thought it was incredible art.
"For me, it's whatever makes me feel, it's captivating," Whitbread said.
The urinal is an example of found art, which modifies everyday objects that are considered mundane because of their utilitarian functions.
"You put it out there for people to understand it," Whitbread said.
He said he creates politically driven art and when he creates found art his politics are often exposed.
Whitbread said he translates life into an art expression. He said his most common style is satire. He added that city life and living during a time of war influence his art.
"Real artists want to see your soul," Whitbread said.
He said making art is a form of meditation for him.
"Life inspires me to work out these weird, evil, city things," he added.
Whitbread is considered a modern artist. Modern art is a form where it is not important to represent a subject realistically.
"You're still intrigued to see what it is," said Adele Arce, a Palomar psychology student.
His art includes an oil and acrylic canvas painting of Fidel Castro, a detailed portrait depicting President Bush as an Arab boy in the desert, a black and white of Johnny Cash and a photo-inspired painting of two children.
"His use of real bold colors gives the portraits a feeling of surrealism," said Adam Palladino, a Palomar sociology student. "He's a good artist."
Arce said she is also fascinated with Whitbread's black and white surreal cityscapes of Babylon.
"I liked that it's black and white. It brought out his idea," she said.
Whitbread has been creating art since he was a young boy. He said he was first captivated by comic books.
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