LACDA, Los Angeles Center for Digital Art: “Members Exhibition”, Opening reception March, 8th, 2012, concurrent with the Downtown Art Walk. Los Angeles, 102 West Fifth Street on the Southwest corner of Main and Spring.
Digital art defines the contemporary. The Los Angeles Center For Digital Art is dedicated to the propagation of all forms of digital art, new media, digital video art, net art, digital sculpture, interactive multimedia, and the vast panorama of hybrid forms of art and technology that constitute our moment in culture. We are committed to supporting local, international, emerging and established artists through exposure in our gallery. We have an ongoing schedule of exhibits and competitions, produce editions of wide format archival prints, and collaborate in the production of digital artworks in our studio. As well we are involved with curating digital exhibits at institutions and festivals outside of the LACDA gallery schedule.
Artist Statement
As a child I always enjoyed drawing. However, due to SMA I lost the ability to use my arms and hands, and thus lost the ability to draw by the time I was a teenager. During my senior year of high school my parents bought me my first Apple Macintosh computer. Within the word processor I discovered some basic drawing tools. Suddenly I regained the ability to draw! Suddenly I regained the ability to express myself artistically!
In college I majored in graphic design with a specialization in computer graphics; in June 2011 I graduated with a BA in Graphic Design. During my college education I learned to use a variety of industry standard graphic software programs, and in the process prepared myself for a future in the graphics arts industry.
Though most graphics software is designed for commercial arts, I use it for both graphic design, and also to create works of fine art. Through my art I’m able to express my thoughts and feelings concerning the world in which I live, and the people who are important in my life. Art gives me independence; it’s one of the few things that I can do without assistance from anyone. In fact it’s one of the few things in my life that I have complete control over. When I’m working on a piece of art I am free from SMA, for I am using the same tools as everyone else.
Unlike many digital artists, I don’t try to simulate other more traditional mediums of art. Almost all of my pieces have an unmistakably hard edge that is rarely seen in traditional mediums. My three main styles are realism, surrealism, and flat 2D vector. Almost all of my art reflects the minimalism philosophy that less is more; I feel that my simplest pieces are most often my strongest pieces. To give contrast to the digital medium, I usually print on canvas. Each print is given a UV coating, mounted and custom framed, or gallery wrapped. If you have questions, or would like more information feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Todd Tostado