The “Backyard” paintings speak about the interconnectedness and fragility of life. Throughout history flowers have been used to represent fertility and birth while moths have been associated with death. In Latin American folklore the noctuid moth or "mariposa de la muerte” is considered a harbinger of death. So I combine flowers with moths to represent the cycle of life where birth, aging and death are all intertwined and nothing remains constant. My San Francisco backyard is the inspiration and guide for the paintings. I am fascinated by urban green spaces; how they fit into and change the cities around them; how they sustain the native birds and bugs. By magnifying that which is small and temporary I hope to focus attention on the beauty and mystery found in the everyday nature that surrounds us. The loose and spontaneous painting process I use has roots in Abstract Expressionism. When I start a painting, I put down brushstrokes that become a flower or a moth and let the painting evolve as it will. Watercolor is my favorite medium for this improvisational style because it is lush and fluid and changes as the water evaporates from the paint.

My work is a reflection of the time in which I am living. History, geography and folklore gathered in my travels are motivating factors. The human condition is described throughout my work. I see artistic value in the abandoned and beauty in the broken whether people or objects. I consciously use cast away items to invent the time and tone in each piece. A variety of artistic means are the vehicle that allows the work to reflect my vision. I think of my work in literary terms as visual poetry. Each piece is self-contained. My intentions are both emotive and personal.

I am interested in the tension between the definite and the amorphous; that place where a hard edge or line meets the saoft and yielding.

In both art and life I think this border between land and sky, sleep and waking, curiosity and certainty, is where we see the most clearly.

Working with molten wax and pigment I build up layers and textures then scrape the cooled paint back to reveal the hidden history of process and form. 

My works on paper reflect the shapes and patterns I take from my environment around me.  Color and texture also play a large role in my compositions, particularly those from fabrics and tapestries.  Although I have been working many years primarily in water based paint, I have recently added printmaking to my art practice and find that printed images are a wonderful basis for mixed media works on paper. 

The surprise and discovery of how art materials join together in either wet or dry application on paper keeps me going from one series to the next.  I don't repeat compositions; every one is new.

I'm interested in combining different materials and elements to create or change an image, to elevate it or diminish its glow and power. In this work, I am exploring the myth of celebrity and beauty, of what is classic or sacred, I use photographs by Annie Leibovitz, classic paintings by Da Vinci or Lautrec, cut out pages of W or Vanity Fair magazines, old record covers, or poetry books as my essential elements of expression. I see their beauty and power, and I want to reinterpret, to enhance, or metamorphosize these powerful images.

Biography

Born in Venezuela but raised somewhere between Cumana, Shanghai, Hong Kong,

Beijing and San Francisco, Daniel Diaz-Tai has always defined himself as a Latino-Asian

male. His multiple homes have strongly influenced his chosen career as a visual artist.

While he began his career in the arts with my B.F.A. in Graphic Design from the

Academy of Art University in San Francisco, Daniel Diaz-Tai also earned my M.F.A in

Painting from the Academy of Art University of San Francisco. His work developed from

the need for him to find common ground between his journeys. By creating his own

language through painting and calligraphy, he discovered a process that allows him to

express himself. His studio is currently based at Arc Studios in San Francisco. Daniel

Diaz-Tai’s artwork has been shown throughout the United States, Venezuela and Asia.

He is currently represented by Cancio Contemporary in Miami and New York City as well

as by The Marina Cain Gallery in San Francisco.

Artist Statement

My artwork stems both aesthetically and conceptually from a lifetime of living in

Venezuela, China and the United States. My work serves as a continuous dialogue

surpassing the limits of my three native tongues Spanish, Mandarin and English. There

is an abstract interpretation that comes from these three languages and serves as an

expression of its own without the confines of any specific language.

My spontaneous brush strokes come from my subconscious expressing a new voice;

they echo the aesthetic of Chinese Calligraphy as well my obsession with text and

graphics. These brush strokes are intertwined with my own asemic writing to create a

powerful and seductive fluidity. Through a process of writing and washing, my work

speaks of a momentum and unique dialogue layer upon layer. The bold tones of black

and white and my intentionally limited color palette create a clear path through which I

can express my emotions clearly as well as intensely.

City Series Art at Merch: Opening Reception: December 9: 6-10pm

My latest pieces will be displayed through April 4, 2012.
Most pieces are between $60-$100- perfect for you or gifts!
Visit my website starting November 25th for a sneak peek of art available.
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Details and different perspectives intrigue me. Nature, older buildings, and letters influence my work. Taking recognizable items and imagery, I enjoy altering original subject matter to make it more abstract. The end result is a piece that is presented in a new context.

Art has always been a part of my life, both as creator and in experiencing others’ works. Making art since I was a few years old, my first break came at age 6 when I received second place in my first coloring contest. I graduated with a degree in Architecture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and find that an appreciation and love of art only enhances architecture, and the process of its design.