the kid belo

Yo!

It's been some time since I have updated this site with images, but I am proud to present to you the new look for 2010. Aaron Glenn once again did a great job at developing the new site, replacing the older '07 site.

You'll notice the BLOG link now which will be my updates and whatnot, as well as in the CONTACT area you'll find a link now to my fan page on Facebook.

There may still be some fine tuning in regards to the smaller things on this site but should that happen and when it happens, you'll be sure to know through the BLOG.

Have a look through the site, the images and stay tuned.

Much love. TKB

Here is what things are shaping up to look like, so please read on.

I have recently done a photo shoot with the talented Shane Yuhas for the updated and revamped site, www.thekidbelo.com. The new layout will be directed by the creative design of Aaron Glenn, who is responsible for the first site that has been running since its inception in 2007. I will also be working alongside Aaron creating the new site. Expect to see the launch some time in early 2010, possibly January or February at the latest.

As far as art work is concerned, I will be doing some live painting events in December. I will also be taking on some commission work, though it will be light in nature and specific. If you are wanting to book me for an event, please make sure you do so at least a month in advance, minimum, as my schedule can be busy. Thank you.

In regards to my personal profile on Facebook, David Brunning, I have all but shut it down and have brought it to a minimum. For any work related things, please contact me at info@thekidbelo.com, not through my Facebook inbox. Thank you. I recently saw the birth of a new form of interaction for me and started a blog site called, richbeyondbills.wordpress.com. So far, so good. It's a little more personal than Facebook and you are able to subscribe to it, so please check it out.

There are some pieces to be seen of the latest collaborative work from Tim Okamura and I that are available on Show & Tell Gallery's website, www.showandtellgallery.com, so please view our latest work from our show in October of this year, titled: Love, Strength & Soul. The show was great and the latest work is beautiful.

Which brings me to the next point - transition. Both in my artistic and personal life there are major shifts happening - all for the good! However, every time change occurs, you shed some things and gain some new skin. I will be revealing 4-5 new pieces in the beginning of December (at The Ginger Group), so be prepared, and will continue down this road of revamping, reshaping and reorganizing my wonderful life (and art work!) in order to make this city and culture a brighter, more vibrant place to live in.

Thank you for your time reading this. I appreciate it. David Brunning, TheKidBelo & Tevi Kenan Bomberg (the alias).

Love, Strength & Soul

Tim Okamura & TheKidBelo host a new body of work at Show & Tell Gallery in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Here is the Press release:

Show & Tell Gallery is proud to present the second collaborative exhibition from NYC based painter Tim Okamura and Calgary’s premier graffiti artist TheKidBelo (David Brunning) titled “Love, Strength, & Soul”.

Featuring several collaborative canvases as well as selected works by the individual artists, this exhibition investigates the thematic content of the title through Okamura’s gritty realism, and detailed depictions of inner-city subjects, and TheKidBelo’s boldly precise and often colorful architectural letter forms. At once complimentary and divergent, these two artists’ contrasting styles also serve to echo the wide variance found in the emotional associations with Love, Strength, and Soul – from subtle displays of altruism to resolute courage to introspective ponderance. Though both artists understand the possible interpretations in relation to these themes are boundless, they have found a starting point for their explorations within a decidedly urban context.

Tim Okamura continues to investigate identity, environment and contemporary iconography in the “Love, Strength, & Soul” series through a unique approach that combines an essentially academic approach to figure painting with collage, spray paint and mixed media. Okamura’s paintings simultaneously express interest in the individual captured on canvas, as well as the larger metaphor for human experience that can be found portrayed by the same subject. The idea of transmitting “Courage” or stoicism through the studied expression of a subject’s face or a particular posture, or finding the subtle glimmer in someone’s eye that communicates the elusive concept spirit or soulfulness is of utmost importance to him. Additionally, layers of visual elements that support more inconspicuous means of elucidating particular ideas in these paintings are often created as a result of an observation of the visual encounters on the streets of New York. The organic build-up of street signage, posters, random felt marker tags, stenciled street art, and more refined graffiti pieces that together form a complex cultural motif that Okamura often emulates on canvas through textural oil paint, rough-hewn collage, and spray cans.

TheKidBelo’s distinctive graffiti style elicits a visceral reaction that may or may not be in alignment with the literal definition of the words he employs as the basic building block for his spray-painted creations. Popular connotations associated with the word “Love”, for example, may be celebrated or cast aside in favor of a darker insight, as dictated by either the emotive qualities of a particular color choice, or the inherent characteristics of his letter forms, whether they are sharp and violent or more fluid and calming in rhythm and design. It is the interplay between the linguist, the colorist, and the draftsman who understands how perception can be affected by the idiosyncrasies of organic and geometric shapes that enables TheKidBelo is able to delve into the complex themes of this exhibition. His work manages to strike a balance between accessibility while still maintaining relevance in the street culture from which graffiti art originated.

When the words in the title of the exhibition “Love, Strength, & Soul” appear in the work of Tim Okamura and TheKidBelo, they are written in several different dialects – “Love” becomes the Spanish “Amor”, Strength becomes the Latin “Fortis”, and Soul is translated into the Swahili “Nafsi” – as a means of acknowledging the universal emotional resonance inherent in these paradigms of human experience regardless of language.

For sales and media inquires please contact: Show & Tell Gallery Director Simon Cole simon@showandtellgallery.com +1 647 347 3316

Tim Okamura & TheKidBelo Love, Strength, & Soul

Writers across the city...

Listen up.

The Shaw Millennium Park free wall has been temporarily shut down to be reassessed and restructured due to the first two days of usage. The program was to be 3 months. The cards handed out are temporarily void. There will be more information handed out after the meetings this week with city officials and bylaw. I will keep you all in the loop.

The landmark building was to be the only building used to paint upon. The paint was never intended to be on the actual skating surfaces or other parts of the park (bowls, tranny's, posts, etc.) Some of you knew this, and some of you didn't. It's taken a long time to get something like this going so please respect it.

As for your voice - email me your thoughts on what has happened and your ideas or concerns, so I have something to show this committee! If you don't write me, I only speak from what I know and what I've heard from a few of you. So please do this so I can speak upon the result of two days. If you've been harassed by police or bylaw, lemme know! If you have ideas as to how it should run, lemme know. If you're pissed off, lemme know. But word it well so that I can bring the emails to this meeting. You have 24 hours (until Tuesday the 25th at noon).

I understand not much was explained about this spot and there was no forum for it where I could meet you all and lay out the plan. I'm doing my best and will continue to.

Stay tuned.

Thank you, and I apologize for this situation occurring! Brutal!

email: info@thekidbelo.com

THEKIDBELO!!!

Hello - I am out of the country and overseas in Hawaii. Any inquiries can be made via email at info@thekidbelo.com

Other than that, I need a vacation and am enjoying it!

Cheers and see yall soon.

TheKidBelo will be at Stampede this year with a booth/studio area. Again, like in 2007, it will be focused on live art (no spray cans though, as it is indoors). He will also be featuring the live art of some of his apprentices: Davey Gravy, Jaryd of Phil Robbins, Steve of Myriad, Kai and Cody Light & Soul Creations. So if you're around the the Big Four Bell Gateway, say hello. You can catch me most mornings and some afternoons from Sneak-a-Peak on July 3rd till the evening of July 12th.

Some previous work will be on display.

* Also, stay tuned for a new mural on The Banff Centre coming in July as well as some graffiti done for Shakespeare in the Park running all of July at Prince's Island Park.

It's a busy summer.

X's

TKB

I want to write each and everyone of you personally, but that would be ridiculous as it might take up some time.

So here it is...

I sincerely thank each and every one of you who attended my first solo show, Procession, at The Gallery. You made my night and made this show such a success! I was very proud to release this new work and this show's concept.

I wasn't able to personally share what each piece meant to me but then again, to each their own with interpreting art! 19 out of the 24 pieces sold this show and there are still some amazing pieces available.

I would like to thank my most supportive parents and siblings (all 5 of you!), my close friends of whom I would not be able to have made it through the season I just went through without, my fans who love and support me and encourage my growth as a creative individual and of course, the One who gave me this gift - cause it is a gift and I see that more than ever now.

Thank you! Thank you Aaron, Leo, Ryan, Jess and Melissa, Natalia, the boys at Promotional Products Plus, Rob Mabee, Wyze Won, Paulo, Darski, Christina, Ramin, Jill, Tiffany n Kim n Jordan, James and Babs for your direct involvement! To my crews (FAS, EK, OG, ASK) and fellow artists, thank you for the inspiration!

I am grateful to share the work with you all and to look forward to my show in Toronto in October with Tim Okamura at Show & Tell Gallery.

I hope you all feel inspired, proud and happy to be a part of my life, my work and this city! With mad love!!! X's and O's

aka Tevi Kenan Bomberg, TheKidBelo - David Brunning

Check out TheKidBelo fan page on Facebook and of course The Gallery fan page also.

*And be sure to check the show if you missed it - it is up until June 25th. Reporter bags, limited Le HVY Style Est "Alias" T and TKB booty shorts still available at The Gallery!

Keep makin' art!

A solo exhibition featuring new works from TheKidBelo.

**The show will be running until the beginning of July for those who cannot make it to the opening night. As for those who plan to attend, please know that the space is limited in The Gallery, so waiting might occur if capacity is reached. My apologies but I hope you all can understand.

Thursday, 21st of May 2009, 7PM

Location:

The Gallery Street Life & Styles
113-1013 17th Ave SW Calgary, AB

Flyer for show is in Drawings section of site

May 21st, 2009...Stay tuned as more information will follow. I am doing a solo show in Calgary with a wide variety of sizes and prices of my new work. I am excited with the direction the art is going...

...I hope you will be too.

You're going to see a lot of new work in the next while all stemming from a new direction of exploration and creativity. This past year I took quite a few months off painting and traveled some, listened some and then regrouped those thoughts onto canvas. The work is mainly a step in the direction of abstraction.

Happy Holidays.

It has been some time since I've done an update so here goes...

My Mac crashed...boo! I never knew these fine machines could. Anyway, it is back up and things are on a roll. I revamped my studio and have begun a bunch of works, some of which you will see this month.

My boys, Dragon Fli Empire, started a blog site. Here is the link to the little questionnaire their threw my way...

http://www.livefromcgy.blogspot.com/

I also collabed with the design mind of my great friend, Tyler Power, to work out the new cover of Dragon Fli Empire's latest album, Redefine. It looks great and should sound great!

There are two shows coming up in 2009 as well as my 30th birthday bash! The 30th bday party will be in January! The first show of the two will be in Vancouver (May) and then in Toronto (Oct).

Keep posted. Invest in art, support your scene and live out your dream - as cheesy as that last bit sounds, it's worth it.

Much love,

TheKidBelo

Live at the King Eddie in Calgary, AB. - painting live via computer projection on the side of the King Eddie...

...first time I've down this, so swing down and check it out.

Event: The King Eddie Lives

The historic King Eddie Hotel is finally going to be brought back to life and we are throwing a free street party to celebrate.

• Live musical performances
• Live art and light show by world renowned graffiti artist TheKidBelo
• Food and beverage vendors

Presented by CMLC and The Cantos Music Foundation

Date: Thursday, October 16, 2008 Time: 5:30pm - 9:30pm Location: King Eddie Hotel Street: 4th St and 9th Ave SE City/Town: Calgary, AB

See you there...we'll see how this works out. I am used to paint...

Peace, TKB

So I'm to the mecca of this art...off to New York (Sept. 4, 2008) for the first time to see some new heads, meet up with Tim Okamura and enjoy some travels. I hope to paint, but then again, the time down there sounds busy already. After New York I fly off to Los Angeles and enjoy the sunny coast! Second time down to LA this year already so that should be good.

I'm stocked up with canvasses and excited to travel, get some inspiration and head back to the lab to paint up some new pieces. The site has had a big upload of new walls and soon, new canvasses.

I'm excited to get into the new season! Check out the Facebook Fan Page and be tuned for more work!

Much love and respect as always! If you ain't learning, you ain't growing!

Always learning...

TheKidBelo

Well, I'm glad to thank APlus New Media for the update. The site has a fresh look and the STORE feature has been added.

Many have asked what is for sale and what is not. Well, now it is clear. Also, many ask how pricing goes for projects. Murals and canvases are both priced per job. You will notice similar sized canvases with different prices - don't be alarmed. Each custom piece I create goes through a process with the client and I working out the details and the cost.

Some of the work I have is available through Axis Contemporary Art in Art Central, Calgary, Alberta. Other work is available through me directly. To inquire, just email me at: info@thekidbelo.com

Don't be alarmed by pricing or fearful of inquiring about work. Each commission is individually priced and created.

I hope you enjoy the site's new look and Store feature. I also hope to create more and more this upcoming year as I begin to work on new ideas.

Thanks for keeping with TheKidBelo.

Much love,

TKB

It is an honor to be recognized as the Best Visual Artist for 2008 by FFWD Weekly's Best Of Issue. I was humbled upon hearing the news and was more than willing to do the cover work for the issue and an article within. Thank you so much for this honor, Calgary, and those that love my work; my family, friends and fans!

You can read the article through the "Visit Site" link up top.

Cheers.

TheKidBelo

Hello!

Okay, first thing first - it's warming up! That means painting outside should soon commence. Secondly, more sun and possible more trips.

I have a few things on the go as of right now. I have just entered a submission to The City of Calgary for a public art competition to detail the 7th Avenue LRT Station Canopies. This is a big deal and hopefully I will see some great response to my submission, creating my next piece or body of work.

I have also been in contact with a few businesses in the Calgary area for jobs around town and abroad. This too is exciting!

If you are on Facebook, "TheKidBelo Fan Page" is now up and running, detailing previous pieces now in collection and work for sale.

As it stands, prior to the upgrade on this site, any pieces for sale are shown as "title of piece (FOR SALE)". Inquiries can be made at info@thekidbelo.com for pricing. Feel free to contact me for available pieces or commission works. Commission works have a greater time period to them so be patient, please.

And, as always, a huge thank you to you who frequent the site, enjoy the work and are supporters of what I do. I am richly encouraged by the response to my work and will continue to please your eyes best I can!

So stay tuned as summer is just around the corner!

Respect,

TheKidBelo.

Hello...just into the New Year here after a successful show with Tim Okamura and some much needed time to relax and snowboard and feeling great.

I just celebrated my 29th birthday. I am braving the cold in Calgary here and just wanted to give everyone the heads up for the next while.

Janaury 23-31: Suitcase Interactive installation.

February 8: University of Calgary live graffiti demo.

February 9-17: Montreal visit.

February 18-26: Holt Renfrew installation.

February 27- mid March: canvas completion for private clients.

Thank you for the support and the viewing of what has been going on. There are a lot of requests for custom work, be it installations or canvas work. I am talking those serious requests and slotting them accordingly into my schedule.

LE HVY STYL EST clothing should see new articles by Spring 2008 and will be available at Giant 45.

THEKIDBELO.COM looks to add more to it's menu with a LE HVY STYL EST section and a STORE page in the near future.

Thank you again and keep ya cans up and your eyes open for art...support your locals, travel abroad and don't stop creating.

Peace,

TheKidBelo

Hello! Most in Calgary will know that the joint show with Tim Okamura and I (Tim Okamura & TheKidBelo present Brooklyn Mythology: The First Nations Cycle) is showing at Axis Contemporary Art in Art Central until December 29, 2007. The collaboration works are amazing and the individual work is very strong also. Please head down to check it out.

As for work (murals, canvasses, etc.)...I will be busy from this day until the end of January. The work that does not sell at Axis will be back in my possession after the closing of the show and will be sold privately, for those who are interested. Feel free to contact me at: info@thekidbelo.com

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Enjoy the Holidays and look for the new work soon. Also, be on the lookout for many articles this month and in January, particularily Avenue Magazine.

Respect. TKB

Hello yall...

It's been a busy season! I have just finished the beginning pieces to Brooklyn Mythology: The First Nations Cycle, a show with collaborative works from Tim Okamura & Thekidbelo. It runs November 29th through until December 29th, 2007 at Axis Contemporary Art. This show is going to be quite interesting as it displays the works of two very distinct artists with very distinct styles and mediums. I'm sure you'll be very pleased with the outcome as the groundwork which was started here in Calgary is now under the hand of Tim in New York. Mark it on your calender for the opening. www.axisart.ca

I have a lot of work to be shown during this collaborative effort with Tim Okamura and many commissions between now and the end of the year - so stay in contact and updated...pictures to come soon.

Thank you.

Thekidbelo

August 30th is a day to be remembered. Our hip hop community in Calgary and the broader community of friends and family from all walks of life will lovingly miss and grieve the loss of Jay Lepke. He was tragically taken from us and will be survived by us all! My heart goes out to those of us that danced with him, laughed with him, shared life with him, grew with him, supported him, walked with him and felt his presence in the brilliance that it was. Rest In Providence, Power and Peace dear friend.

*I'll teach you those handstyles and can control some day bro! I ain't gonna forget.

Belo

Many people are enjoyin' the designs and the likes of my clothing line, LE HVY STYL EST, so this is where you can find it....Giant 45 in Calgary. There are 4 designs that were launched during the Calgary Stampede and for those who missed the launch, they can head to Giant 45 here in Calgary and pick up the T's for $35 each.

Giant 45 can be found at 1403 11th St. SW 403-244-5845. You can also grab T's from me at the same price. Support Calgary's local hot shop boutique Giant 45 and the brand LE HVY STYL EST. Thank you.

Also, you'll see a new production up in the Walls section with Star and I painted in Kelowna. OG Crew got up this past week and freestyled the wall in the beautiful Okanagan sun! Look out for new canvasses in the near future...

TKB

Thank you to everyone who supported my launch at the Calgary Stampede this year! LE HVY STYL EST did remarkable and was well recieved by everyone. My apologies for the time it has taken to launch the site, but we had to make sure things were in order. If there are complications with emailing me then use thekidbelo@hotmail.com.

I wanted to thank Lindsay Ell, Phil, Dan and the rest of the Stampede staff for making this launch a success. The 10 days were amazing! I also wanted to thank Kelly and Bill at Mode Models for the support and all their staff and models who helped out, hung out and supported my brand. Big thank you to my family and friends!!! Jon, Chrissy, Nitty, Babs, Stephen, Cody, Elisha, Aviva and those who came by to show love, buy prints, canvasses and t-shirts - much love!

I am on vacation from the 20th until the 28th or so and will be right back to painting some amazing work come the end of the month! So enjoy the images, the work and stay tuned for new work and the upcoming show with Tim Okamura at Axis Contemporary Art and possibly some work with an amazing artist, Donna Rupert. Thank you, TKB.

It's finally up everyone...thekidbelo.com! I just wanted to say welcome to the site and to the display of my work. I hope you enjoy the images and the site navigation as well as the updates! Bookmark this site and check back on the regular for new pieces and works of art. Already it has been a busy year and the summer and Fall doesn't look much different. It's gonna be steady.

Welcome, again, and enjoy...big thank you to Beautiful Code, Nitty and those who helped in making this possible. Thank you to Scott Furkay for photos while I was painting and big ups to my crews - BURN DEM (Demer, Curly), EK (Coset) and OG (Star, Art Child, Liks, Horus). Thank you!

TKB