I’ve thrown my lot in with the instagram crowd. You can find me on the app at @rioyanez. If you don’t have the app, you can view my instagram photos at http://instagrid.me/rioyanez/.

Peace,

Rio

ASTERISK GALLERY PRESENTS, Cholas to Picasso: The 3D Artworks of Rio Yañez
Exhibition runs: Thursday, May 3, 2012 – Friday, June 1, 2012
Opening Reception: Thursday, May 3, 2012 7PM -9PM
3156 24th Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
Gallery hours: Wednesday to Saturday, from 11am -7pm

Asterisk Gallery is pleased to present Cholas to Picasso: The 3D Artworks of Rio Yanez, a collection of 3D drawings and photography.  Please join us on Thursday, May 3, 2012 from 7-9pm for the exhibition opening.

As a native San Francisco artist, curator, and photographer, Yañez includes the viewer into the art experience. This show is particularly meaningful as it is Yañez’s first solo exhibition in the neighborhood where he was raised. In Cholas to Picasso: The 3D Artworks of Rio Yañez, three-dimensional works of his ongoing series, The Ramirez Sisters, depicting two siblings and their parallel lives in San Francisco’s Mission District takes on the form of sequential art. Although Yañez negates text, the images of the sisters evokes a strong sense of the how the city shapes the sisters’ individual identities. With his re-contextualization and imaginings of Frida Kahlo and Picasso inspired works, the images mesh into the contemporary fabric Yañez calls home. His photographic works depict the richness and vibrancy of San Francisco. Through Red and Cyan colored lenses, the dynamic simulation of being in these moments of creation is brought to the participant. The textures and scenes of the city enliven the urban landscape. The three-dimensional facet of the works are also kinetic and engaging as they lure the viewer into participating into the city’s infectious and energetic spirit.

About the Artist

Rio Yañez is a curator, photographer, graphic artist, and San Francisco artist. As a curator, he is a frequent collaborator with his father, Rene Yañez, and the two have been developing exhibits together since 2005. He has exhibited in San Francisco, Santa Barbara, and Tokyo. His reimaginings of Frida Kahlo have included the Ghetto Frida Project, a series of prints, writings, and performance pieces featuring a thugged-out Kahlo. Yañez is also a founding member of The Great Tortilla Conspiracy, the world’s most dangerous tortilla art collective. Most recently, his work is featured alongside Miguel “Bounce” Perez and Susie “Tendaroni” Lundy in current exhibition, The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk at the De Young Museum. Yañez received his BFA in Photography from the California Institute of the Arts. He currently works and resides in San Francisco, California.

Web: http://rioyanez.com

About Asterisk Gallery

Asterisk San Francisco Gallery is located in San Francisco’s vibrant Mission District. The gallery was founded in January 2012 by Asterisk San Francisco co-founders Chief Editor, Jeremy Joven, and Managing Editor, Alex Winter. Asterisk San Francisco Gallery focuses on supporting emerging artists within the Bay Area community. The gallery is available for art openings and single evening events. Rental of the space is available upon request.

Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 11 am to 7 pm. To visit, please visit us at 3156 24th Street (at Shotwell), San Francisco, CA 94110.

Web: http://asterisksanfrancisco.com

I’m really proud to announce that my very first solo show will be having its opening reception this Monday night at UCSB’s Multicultural Center. I’d love to see anyone who can make it that night.

WHAT: Pochos and Pixels: The Art of Rio Yañez.

WHEN: Wednesday, April 11 – Friday, June 15 2012

Monday-Friday: 8:00AM – 10:00PM,

WHERE: UCSB Multicultural Center
University Center room 1504
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-6050

MORE INFO: http://mcc.sa.ucsb.edu/

Mayra as Madre Dolorosa del Monte Calvario. I’ve been fascinated by Madre Dolorosa imagery ever since I found a postcard with her image on it in Austin, Texas. I created this portrait as a belated gift to Mayra for her birthday.

Below is a anaglyph 3D version that I recently completed.

I’m also excited to share artwork I did for Las Bomberas de la Bahia for an upcoming series of shows that they’re doing with La Santa Cecilia.

Peace,

Rio

With that in mind I went home and started sketching in Illustrator and birthed Gothic Lolita Dolores Huerta.

In keeping with my interest in board games I whipped up a game involving the character and my current favorite dinosaur a Shonisaurus. Click on the image below for a hi-res printable version of it.

How to play: Players start on the Si Se Puede square and role a six sided die. The first one to reach the Shonisaurus wins. I suggest using pennies as game pieces. Have fun!

Peace,

Rio

As always, please post these cards on the pages of your online friends, real life enemies, booty calls, baby daddies, friends with benefits, people you’re stalking on facebook, and people you would be stalking on Google + but don’t want to go through the hassle of signing up with a new social network.

To see an archive of cards from years past CLICK HERE.

Peace and Love,

Rio

I’m still gathering my bearings from being in Texas for two weeks but I’m I’ve never been happier to be alive. The love and friendship of those close to me has meant more to me in the last year than it ever has before. Thank you everyone for keeping me inspired and thank you Sarah for all of your love and the happiness you’ve shared with me.

Peace,

Rio

PS. The rumors are true, I have an unruly mustache and beard. See me while it lasts because I’ll probably shave it this weekend.

And a happy new year!

Peace,

Rio

Today has been a whirlwind day. I spoke at CCA in Guillermo Galindo’s Mexican Art class about my work and being a second generation artist. I was so nervous but it went well!

There’s so much going on that I need to write about but I thought I’d share some images from my final project in my Illustrator class. I’m in the processing of creating text and artwork for a movie review zine in the class. Above are artworks from the movie Serial Killing 101 (also known as Serial Killing 4 Dummies) and below are portraits of Ben Affleck and Parker Posey in Dazed and Confused. More to come soon!

Peace,

Rio