LAUNCH Gallery is proud to present two solo shows by local mid-career artists who present painterly images inspired by whole-life experiences, imagined ideals and punk rock influences. In Home Turf, Hagop Najarian uses vibrant colors combining seasoned elements of abstraction and figuration to create memorable paintings oozing with hope and inspiration. In Crony on the Metro Christian Spruell brings a command of materials and fearless execution that portray imagery of youthful shenanigans, mid-life irreverence and more. “Home Turf is a series of paintings that reunites my history of figuration with my previous series of abstract paintings. The intersection of these two genres culminates in the synthesis of color, sound, gesture and memory. “As an ongoing record of my visual DNA, these paintings ignite both the audible and visual senses within my creative process as a painter and musician. The imagery in the paintings summons the emotive powers of memory, euphoria and nostalgia, providing a dialogue for the viewer and their own senses of color, gesture and joy. We are all a culmination of our own life experiences as we reflect on our Home Turf.” ~ Hagop Najarian Crony on the Metro “A pile of prospects exploring the evasive distinctions between the abstract and figurative form. “While the subject matter is of importance and holds a place of validity, it (the subject) becomes secondary to the marks that bring the subject to form thus giving priority to object. By no means does this imply that the subject bears no responsibility. When coming upon an image or choosing a topic, a vetting process takes place on various levels. Object eventually defers to subject as a final destination revealing individuals engaged in commonplace undertakings. I stay consistent with the philosophy that welcoming the vile and repugnant alongside the elegant magnetism of beauty and love may harness a reflection of the human condition. “At the base of my work the common denominator is material. Dried sheets of paint (paint skin) harvested from my studio floor and mixing barrels. Ink drawings on rice paper becoming adhered transparencies to pressed paper, and incised with graphite lead. Paint mixed with sand and/or dry pigment, applied with palette knives. Spray paint, ink spray, thrown paint, each combined with lines of deliberate definition.” ~ Christian Spruell Hagop Najarian is a working artist and college professor living in La Mirada, California. He received his BFA in drawing and painting at Cal State Univ. Long Beach and in 1995 he completed his graduate study at Tyler School of Art at Temple University through their study abroad program in Rome, Italy and Philadelphia campus. Hagop has been a Professor of Art teaching Drawing and Painting at Cerritos College since 1999. His Tenure there includes serving as Department Chair, Faculty Senate, Club Advisor and numerous administrative committees. In addition to exhibiting his work locally and nationally, he is a co founding member of the art collective Museum Adjacent and also a member of Durden and Ray and High Beams, which are locally run artists collectives that have developed many exhibitions throughout Los Angeles, nationally and Internationally. Christian Spruell (born 1970 S.A.TX) lives and works in Glendora,CA. Christian Spruell attended the San Francisco Art Institute and received a scholarship to the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, Maine. Writing on his work can be found in such publications as Art In America, The Avenue Magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, Review New York, Los Angeles Downtown News, Vast Art Magazine among others in the national press. Public Collections include Boston Corporate Art, Allan Stone New York and Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art.