Tai Zen’s Art Portfolio

Viewing an artist’s portfolio is cool but for me, I find it more helpful when I can view the progression that person goes through as they grow and mature as an artist.

My Early Years As
An Amateur Artist

In the beginning, I doodled and sketch like anyone else when I had the free time to draw:

Artist Hangout 56 - By Artist Tai Zen Artist Hangout 55 - By Artist Tai Zen Artist Hangout 54 - By Artist Tai Zen Artist Hangout 53 - By Artist Tai Zen Artist Hangout 52 - By Artist Tai Zen

Artist Hangout 25 - Two Lovers (1995) (graphite) - by Artist Tai Zen

My Transition To
Becoming A Professional Artist

Hong was a girl I liked when I was young but the circumstances in my life at the time I met her prevented us from dating.

In my opinion, there are two distinct characteristics of a professional artist:

  1. You have the ability to produce consistent and high quality artwork.
  2. You are able to get PAID for your artwork.

In the past, I have been paid many times to create artwork for others but deep in my heart I never felt there was any consistency to my artwork.  It was just a hit or miss and most of it was just pure luck that I got it to look nice.

The lack of consistent quality in my artwork was very simple…

I have never been properly educated on how to create high quality art!  LOL!

I consider this charcoal of Hong in New York City to be my first and “official” professional piece of artwork because I was able to produce the same professional grade quality and consistency in all my artworks thereafter.

Artist Hangout 22 - Hong In NYC(2000) - Tai Zen's first professional piece of artwork - charcoal
Hong In New York City (2000) (charcoal) – By Tai Zen

The increase in quality was the result of me taking the time to study and learn how to create quality artwork from other artists especially from the Renaissance Artists.

Graphite & Charcoal Portfolio

Here is a pencil portrait of the the most popular French model in Victoria Secret’s lingerie catalog.  Her name is Laetitia Casta but I misspelled it because the guy who gave me her name spelled it wrong for me.

I drew her portrait to use as an example of the quality of my work so people could hire me to do their portraits.

Artist Hangout 36 - Laetitia Casta (2001 Nov) (graphite & watercolor) - By Artist Tai Zen
Laetitia Casta (2001 Nov) (graphite & watercolor) – By Artist Tai Zen

People who saw my Laetitia Casta sample started to hire me to do portraits of their family:

Artist Hangout 39 - Andrea Archuleta (2001 Feb) (charcoal & watercolor) - By Artist Tai Zen
Andrea Archuleta (2001 Feb) (charcoal & watercolor) – By Artist Tai Zen
Artist Hangout 40 - Reuben Archuleta (2001 Mar) (charcoal & watercolor) - By Artist Tai Zen
Reuben Archuleta (2001 Mar) (charcoal & watercolor) – By Artist Tai Zen

Many times in art, things just happen by accident.

When I originally did these portraits I had no intentions of writing the kid’s names in italic calligraphy in the background but one parent saw me teaching my calligraphy class and asked m to include their kid’s name in the background.

The italic calligraphy in the background is done in watercolor.

Afterwards, every client asked me to do the same for their kid’s portrait as well!  LOL!

Artist Hangout 38 - Lucky Alex Chick (2001 May) Alex Salazar (charcoal & watercolor) - By Artist Tai Zen
Lucky Alex Chick (2001 May) Alex Salazar (charcoal & watercolor) – By Artist Tai Zen
Artist Hangout 37 - Catalina (2001 Nov) (charcoal & watercolor) - By Artist Tai Zen
Catalina (2001 Nov) (charcoal & watercolor) – By Artist Tai Zen
Artist Hangout 33 - Lucinda (2001 Dec) (charcoal) - By Artist Tai Zen
Lucinda (2001 Dec) (charcoal) – By Artist Tai Zen
Artist Hangout 35 - Wedding Gift (2001 Nov) (charcoal) - By Artist Tai Zen
Wedding Gift (2001 Nov) (charcoal) – By Artist Tai Zen

Wing Chun is a martial art invented by a woman to defeat a man that Bruce Lee studied.

I like Bruce Lee and  I like to study and practice Wing Chun.  The wooden dummy is a popular training device associated with Wing Chung used to practice your footwork, punches and blocks.  Here is a video of Jackie Chan practicing on the Wing Chun wooden dummy:

I like the Wing Chung martial art and I liked Hong when I was single so I combined them together in many pieces of artwork to illustrate the feminine history and beauty of Wing Chun.

Artist Hangout 23 - (2003 Sep) Hong & Wing Chun Wooden Dummy I - By Artist Tai Zen
Hong & Wing Chun Wooden Dummy I (2003 Sep) – By Artist Tai Zen

I like to use famous female celebrities in my art portfolio because people can recognize who they are and relate to it.

Artist Hangout 2 - Jessica Alba - By Artist Tai Zen
Jessica Alba I From “Dark Angel” (2001) (oil)- By Artist Tai Zen

Pastel Portfolio

Artist Hangout 26 - Hong (2001) (oil pastel) - By Artist Tai Zen
Hong (2001) (oil pastel) – By Artist Tai Zen
Artist Hangout 43 - Hong in Oil Pastel & Charcoal (2000) - By Artist Tai Zen
Hong in Oil Pastel & Charcoal (2000) – By Artist Tai Zen
Artist Hangout 3 - Ms Bich Ngoc - By Artist Tai Zen
Ms. Bich Ngoc (2002)(pastel) – By Artist Tai Zen

Mixed Media Portfolio
(Color Pencil, Ink, Pastel,
Watercolor, Acrylic, etc.)

Artist Hangout 39 - Jodie Tran (2001 May) (color pencil) - By Artist Tai Zen
Jodie Tran (2001 May) (color pencil, ink) – By Artist Tai Zen
Artist Hangout 4 - My Little Sister - By Artist Tai Zen
My Little Sister (2001) (ink, color pencil) – By Artist Tai Zen
Artist Hangout 5 - Zhang Ziyi - By Artist Tai Zen
Zhang Ziyi From “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” (2001) (ink, color pencil) – By Artist Tai Zen
Artist Hangout 11 - Hong & Pink Sword - By Artist Tai Zen
Hong & Pink Sword (2001) (acrylic, ink, color pencil) – By Artist Tai Zen
Artist Hangout 31 - Tyra Banks (2001 Oct) (watercolor, pastel, ink, color pencil) - By Artist Tai Zen
Tyra Banks (2001 Oct) (watercolor, ink, color pencil, pastel) – By Artist Tai Zen
Artist Hangout 32 - Lady In Red (2001 Dec) - (mixed media) By Artist Tai Zen
Lady In Red (2001 Dec) – (watercolor, ink, pastel, color pencil) By Artist Tai Zen

These 4 queens was the longest art project I have ever done.  Each queen required 2 months of work totaling 8 months for the entire project.

Artist Hangout 48 - Queen of Heart (2001) (color pencil & ink) - By Artist Tai Zen
Queen of Heart (2001) (color pencil & ink) – By Artist Tai Zen
Artist Hangout 46 - Queen of Clubs (2001) (color pencil & ink) - By Artist Tai Zen
Queen of Clubs (2001) (color pencil & ink) – By Artist Tai Zen
Artist Hangout 49 - Queen of Diamonds (2001) (color pencil & ink) - By Artist Tai Zen
Queen of Diamonds (2001) (color pencil & ink) – By Artist Tai Zen
Artist Hangout 47 - Queen of Spades (2001) (color pencil & ink) - By Artist Tai Zen
Queen of Spades (2001) (color pencil & ink) – By Artist Tai Zen
Artist Hangout 45 - (2001) Tai & his queens - By Artist Tai Zen
Artist Tai Zen & Queen Of Spade & Queen Of Diamonds (2001) (Color Pencil & Ink)
Artist Hangout 44 - (2001) Tai & his queens - By Artist Tai Zen
Artist Tai Zen & Queen Of Clubs & Queen Of Heart (2001) (Color Pencil & Ink)

In addition to Father Bauta, I had a neighbor named Joe C. who also made a huge impact on my art skills.  In addition to his positive words of encouragement, he generously allowed me to use his paints, brushes, charcoals and a ton of other art supplies back when I could not afford them.

I painted the following portrait of his daughter Sabina C. to thank him for all his support:

Artist Hangout 34 - Girl in a Red Hat I (2001 Nov) - (acrylic & pastel) - By Artist Tai Zen
Girl in a Red Hat I (2001 Nov) – (acrylic & pastel) – By Artist Tai Zen

Oil Portfolio

This painting of Cindy Crawford was my first oil painting.  Unfortunately, my little sister lost it somehow in Austin, Texas while she was moving.

I believe it was stolen from her apartment during the move so if anyone sees this painting anywhere please let me know.  It is the only painting I have ever done in which I don’t know where it is.  🙁

Artist Hangout 51 - Cindy Crawford(2002 Apr) (oil) - By Artist Tai Zen (1st Oil Painting)
Cindy Crawford (2002 Apr) (oil) – Tai Zen’s 1st Oil Painting

Fortunately, my little sister did take a high resolution photo of the painting before it went AWOL!

Artist Hangout 50 - Cindy Crawford (2002 Apr) (oil) - By Artist Tai Zen
Cindy Crawford (2002 Apr) (oil) – By Artist Tai Zen

I was not very happy with the first portrait I did for my neighbor Joe C. so after I learned how to paint in oils, I repainted his daughter Sabina C. in oils and liked it much better.

Artist Hangout 6 - (2002 Aug) Girl In A Red Hat II - By Artist Tai Zen
Girl In A Red Hat II (2002 Aug)- By Artist Tai Zen

The martial art of Wing Chung believes humans are born with two hands and we should be able to use them both efficiently.  The concept of being righ handed or left handed is a “man made” concept and does not happen with other animals in nature.

The butterfly knives (short swords) are the traditional blade weapons in Wing Chun and utilizes both hands.

Here is another oil painting in which I combine the martial art, weapons and girl I like into one painting:

Artist Hangout 21 - Hong & Wing Chun Butterfly Swords (2002) (oil) - By Artist Tai Zen
Hong & Wing Chun Butterfly Swords (2002) (oil) – By Artist Tai Zen

… and another with Hong and the Wing Chung wooden dummy again:

Artist Hangout 12 - (2003 Sep) Hong & Wing Chun Wooden Dummy II - By Artist Tai Zen
Hong & Wing Chun Wooden Dummy II (2003 Sep) (oil) – By Artist Tai Zen
Artist Hangout 10 - Hong - By Artist Tai Zen
Green Mango (2003) (oil) – By Artist Tai Zen

Here are some religious murals I did for Father Bauta’s church:

Artist Hangout 20 - Catholic Church Murals (crop) - By Artist Tai Zen
Religious murals painted by Tai Zen for Father Bauta’s church in 2003-2004.
Artist Hangout 15 - Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane - By Artist Tai Zen
Jesus In The Garden Of Gethsemane (2003) – By Artist Tai Zen
Artist Hangout 16 - Virgin Mary - By Artist Tai Zen
Virgin Mary (2004) (oil) – By Artist Tai Zen

Once, a surfer from California hired me to paint a magnificent wave from South Africa for his living room:

Artist Hangout 29 - South African Wave (2003 Nov) (oil) - By Artist Tai Zen
South African Wave (2003 Nov) (oil) – By Artist Tai Zen

It was a huge painting (over 6 foot long) and I mixed more oil paint then I needed and didn’t want to be wasteful so I painted a smaller version of the same wave for myself using the leftover paints.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough paint to do it in color and it was much smaller (only 24″ long):

Artist Hangout 30 - South African Wave II (2003 Nov) (oil) - By Artist Tai Zen
South African Wave II (2003 Nov) (oil) – By Artist Tai Zen

Woman with big asses was a huge craze during the late 1990’s and early 2000’s and one of my students asked me how to paint women with big butts so I did the following demo for my students.

Artist Hangout 24 (2003 Nov) Persimmons - By Artist Tai Zen
Persimmons (2003 Nov) – By Artist Tai Zen

I named the painting “Persimmons” because her ass looked like a sweet and juicy persimmon! 🙂

Artist Hangout 7 - (2003 Dec) Jessica Alba - By Artist Tai Zen
Jessica Alba II (Dec 2003) (oil) – By Artist Tai Zen

A Cuban from Florida who was a big fan of Jennifer Lopez & Beyonce because of their huge asses later saw my Persimmons painting and hired me to do the following painting of Beyonce for his bachelor pad:

Artist Hangout 8 - Beyonce (2004 Jul) - By Artist Tai Zen
Beyonce (2004 Jul) – By Artist Tai Zen

Here is a snapshot of the painting after I had just finished the skin tones and started work on the dress:

Artist Hangout 9 - Beyonce Partial (2004 Jul) - By Artist Tai Zen
Beyonce Partial (2004 Jul) – By Artist Tai Zen
Artist Hangout 19 - (2004 Apr) Shaolin Drunken Kung Fu - By Artist Tai Zen
Shaolin Drunken Kung Fu (2004 Apr) (oil) – By Artist Tai Zen
Artist Hangout 13 - Smile Now, Cry Later (2004) (oil) - By Artist Tai Zen
Smile Now, Cry Later (2004) (oil) – By Artist Tai Zen

I have always been a huge fan of Bob Ross and think that he is the greatest art teacher in human history since he has inspired more people to pick up a brush and paint then anyone I know.  This landscape was a tribute to Bob Ross using his painting methods:

Artist Hangout 28 - Tribute To Bob Ross (2004 Jun) (oil) - By Artist Tai Zen
Tribute To Bob Ross (2004 Jun) (oil) – By Artist Tai Zen

A gentleman from Florida saw my Bob Ross landscape and asked me to paint a replica of the following seascape for him:

Artist Hangout 27 - Sailfish (2004 Jun) (oil) - By Artist Tai Zen
Sailfish (2004 Jun) (oil) – By Artist Tai Zen

Acrylic Portfolio

Here are some murals I did when I was still an amateur artist.

Artist Hangout 42 - Bev Doolittle Replica 1 (acrylic) - By Artist Tai Zen
Bev Doolittle Replica 1 (acrylic) – By Artist Tai Zen
Artist Hangout 41 - Bev Doolittle Replica 2 (acrylic) - By Artist Tai Zen
Bev Doolittle Replica 2 (acrylic) – By Artist Tai Zen

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