Artists Sorrow One and Ricky Watts are showing "Reap What You Sow," an exhibit of their latest works, April 17 - May 15 at the Petaluma Mail Depot.
An opening reception will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 17.
Mail Depot hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The Mail Depot is located at 40 Fourth St., Petaluma. For more information, contact the Depot at 762-8150.
About Sorrow One (written by Alex Pardee): There are a few different paths that a devoted family man can take immediately after a handful of his loved ones are prematurely stripped of life. One path leads to a realm of unanswerable questions and emotions. A world of defeat. Another path leads to a fantastical world, where art is used as therapy, colorful worlds are created, and a hidden passion is rediscovered in honor of lost love. A decade ago, SORROW chose the latter path. After adopting a name that summed up his feelings, he conjured up old inspirations like HR Giger and Aiden Hughes, and dove headfirst back into his childhood love of drawing, graffiti and skateboarding. For the last 10 years, he has used a mixture of acrylics, spray paint and inks to forge a galaxy of octopus-like skulls and Cronenberg-esque flowers mixed with a cup of street culture on everything from walls and trains to canvases and kicks. Now, both his life and his art are constantly getting brighter.
About Ricky Watts (written by Adrienne Smith): Richard "Ricky" Watts' style stems from years of practice, tremendous diligence and an endless imagination. Heavily inspired by aerosol art as a teenager, typography, painting murals with spray paint and graphic arts were talents Ricky possessed very quickly. With an appreciation of art in all forms, his love for aerosol lead to concepts of many works in print, on canvas and in digital format. His ability to turn an art form considered by many as "rebelious graffiti" into elaborate, sophisticated works of art has gained attention by many all over the country. Proficient in all aspects of graphic design, from concept to production and a skilled painter and illustrator, Ricky's method is in one word: versatile. Exploring many mediums - brush, pen, pencil, spray can and mouse - he feeds his passion for fine art on canvas and comissioned walls while exercising his craft as a graphic designer.
Trained at the Art Institute of California's San Diego campus, he graduated with a degree in graphic design and took a job at a print company close to campus. Here he handled all aspects required to manage the company. Almost as quickly as his position began, Ricky was promoted to lead designer and pre-press technician. Visualizing and designing logos and marketing materials came naturally to an artist of his caliber. Ricky longed to be in northern California again and decided to take his newly developed talents back to his bay area hometown. He returned with an impressive portfolio, more experience and fresh new ideas for creative ventures.
Ricky continued working for print companies during the day and executing his work on walls and canvas in the evenings and weekends. He found room for freelance design jobs usually late at night after multiple cups of coffee. As a result, over the last eight years, Ricky has developed an expectionally unique skill set. He's covered all aspects in print media - designing, as well as pre-press and print production to final bindery and finishing. He's designed an endless amount of flyers, postcards, posters and marketing materials for businesses, shows/events, grand openings and good causes. Ricky's skills have been implemented for magazine covers, skateboard designs and the layout and production of Alex Pardee's artwork for The Used's album, "In Love And Death". A deep-rooted commitment to The Petaluma Phoenix Theater, a California non-profit corporation that provides services to local youth interested in art and music, has given him the opportunity to give back to his community while sharing his expertise.
Ricky has also finished numerous art pieces on walls, trucks, vans, as well as live painting at late night venues and outdoor festivals. His works have been displayed at galleries as far north as Seattle and south as San Diego. Much like his art that is constantly evolving, Ricky Watts himself is a constant work in progress: always reinventing and emerging with with new innovations and designs and art works.
