Cano

*IN A BAD MOOD*
(SELF PORTRAIT)

I was born in Monterey Park, CA in 1961. I developed an acute interest in artistic activities from a very early age. Deeply influenced by comic books throughout the 60’s and 70’s, I drew constantly. I studied art in high school, such as it was. I attended Rio Hondo College in Whittier, CA beginning in the 1980’s. At this point in time, I was involved mostly in pen and ink illustrations of dead rock stars.

In the Fall of 1985, I bore witness to an exhibit of works by Senor David Alfaro Siqueiros at the Plaza de la Raza in Lincoln Park, CA. Instantly, profoundly and forever affected to the very core of my being by the images on the walls before my eyes. Stunned into action, I decided then and there to learn, no matter what it may take, to become a painter.

I enrolled in twice the amount of regularly taken classes at Rio Hondo, haunted art book sections of local libraries, literally devouring tome upon tome of great art through the ages. It is during these amazing journeys when I discovered for the first time the work of the German Expressionists. I was knocked flat on my back by the paintings, drawings and sculptures of Grosz, Kokoschka, Kirchner, Marc, Kandinsky and especially Kollwitz and Schiele. I reeled, dizzily, happily, into these brand new worlds of magic and wonder.
My time at Rio Hondo has come to a close. I have taken all classes possible. I must now move on. I must now discover new challenges.

I applied to and was accepted by Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA, in 1989, into the Illustration Program. I immersed myself in the fundamentals. I attempted to increase the vocabulary needed to establish my very own voice.
I graduated from the program in Summer, 1992. I wandered through the world of artwork for hire. I decided at this point that work for work’s sake, paintings committed to canvas for none other than me, this is what I went into this for. This world of my own making, with vocabulary still being built, this is where I shall dwell.

Ensconced in my studio for the better part of a decade now. 400 and more images that I now call my own. Vocabularies are still being built, but a command of language is coming easier now, there is less of a stutter.
I look forward to more lessons of learning.

Michael A. Cano

JOE STRUMMER
(PEN & INK DRAWING)

*WHATEVER. . .*
(OIL PAINTING)

THELONIOUS MONK
(WOODBLOCK PRINT)

ANATOMY STUDY
(PENCIL DRAWING)

CHARLES BUKOWSKI
(OIL PAINTING)

JAKE LA BOTZ
CD COVER ART

The paintings and drawings shown here are just a very small sample of Cano’s work. The pen and ink drawing of Joe Strummer is from a graphic novel which he is working on. The novel includes a chapter called Punk Rock and other musicians depicted are Thurston Moore, Peter Garrett and Sportin' Greg Norton. There’s also more woodblock prints of other Jazz artists - Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy and Charles Mingus.

To see these and a lot more of Cano’s work and find out more about the artist you should go check out his myspace page via the link below. Malcolm.