“The most important thing to remember about drunks is that drunks are far more intelligent than non-drunks. They spend a lot of time talking in pubs, unlike workaholics who concentrate on their careers and ambitions, who never develop their higher spiritual values, who never explore the insides of their head like a drunk does.”
-Shane MacGowan

Derek Alvarez, Portrait of Shane MacGowan, 7.5" x 7.5", Crayola Crayons on toned paper, 2011

I’ve recently discovered the wonderful music of The Pogues and Shane MacGowan, the lead singer. Since then, I’ve been listening to their entire catalog over and over again. Monique says she likes it, too, God bless her… otherwise, I’m sure I’d have driven her crazy by now ;-)

The thing that really stands out to me about The Pogues is that they combine traditional Irish folk music with a Punk/Alternative twist. I’ve done a little research on their history and discovered that Shane MacGowan has had some troubles keeping on the straight and narrow, which got him kicked out of the band. It looks like they’re back together again and I would love to see a concert in person, but I was inspired to paint a portrait of a young Shane while he was in his prime. This portrait is meant to portray the artist and the dreamer… the man who inspires me with his music.

Buy the Original: $300

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“Beauty is a form of genius–is higher, indeed, than genius, as it needs no explanation. It is of the great facts in the world like sunlight, or springtime, or the reflection in dark water of that silver shell we call the moon.”
- Oscar Wilde

Derek Alvarez, Blue Irises in Red Vase, 10.5" x 7.5", Crayola Crayons on toned paper, 2011

My favorite flower has to be the Iris, especially the Blue Iris. Why? Well, I suppose because it has such a different shape than most flowers (not many are blue, either). I also love Van Gogh’s paintings of Irises and was inspired to do my own version of them.

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“All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.”
-Pablo Picasso

Derek Alvarez, Pomegranate Fruit, 5.5" x 5.5", Crayola Crayons on toned paper, 2011

Pomegranates have to be my favorite fruit and I have several reasons…

• They look gorgeous.
• They taste delicious.
• And they wear a crown like royalty.

Buy the Original: $150

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Derek Alvarez, Mississippi River Sunset, 7.5" x 5.5", Crayola Crayons on toned paper, 2011

I’ve always had a certain romantic image in my head of the Mississippi River after reading Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn… I know, I know, the narrative takes place during a time when slavery was legal and they say the “n” word a lot. However, reading about Huck and Jim’s friendship, journey, and the freedom they experienced on the river has created the fond memory I have of the book.

My Mom has always told me to draw or paint a scene of the Mississippi River, but I’ve always wanted to experience and see it first hand, first… and I made this dream happen when Monique and I took our recent trip to New Orleans.

The evening atmosphere is what gave me the most romantic visions of the river, so that’s the way I present it to you here.

Buy the Original: $200 (SOLD)

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“The poor man is not he who is without a cent, but he who is without a dream.”
- Poet, Harry Kemp

“We look too much to museums. The sun coming up in the morning is enough.”
- Painter Romare Bearden

Derek Alvarez, Green Swamp, 11" x 7.5", Crayola Crayons on toned paper, 2011

Monique and I took a trip to New Orleans and I was inspired to paint the swamp. Having grown up with the artificial green of Southern California and the brown of Tucson, Arizona… the green of Louisiana really stood out to me.

Buy the Original: $200

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