Saturday, July 24, 2010

Are you keeping up with the latest TRUNKS ART release? "KEEP ON" is part of my 'A Okay Series!'

I don’t know what’s worse: the shock of finding your life in total disarray or the onslaught of well-meaning people who say things like, “tomorrow’s another day” or “when one door closes, another opens.” Is it just me or do these sayings make you want to take a three iron to the spaghetti jars in the pasta aisle? To me, rebuilding your life simply means plowing forward despite not knowing where all the puzzle pieces go.

"Keep On" is part of my "A Okay" Series. It's available in various sizes on paper or canvas as limited edition prints (75). Licensing of this image is available as well. To see more of my work, please visit my website at www.chucktrunks.com.

Monday, July 5, 2010

TRUNKS ART is nervous about driving while texting. Check out my latest: "Hands Free Hondas!"

I have to admit it. I'm continuously fascinated and inspired by the over-caffeinated, over-achieving multi-taskers who begin their days with 70 mile-per-hour conference calls. It's all relative I guess. To the ones zooming by my bicycle, I'm sure I look like a pot-smoking, under-achieving loser (or commercial pop artist). In the end, we all choose the pace at which we want to live our lives. For those of you complaining that your life is out of control, I say turn off your smart phone, ease up on the gas pedal and move out of the fast lane – just watch out for cyclists when you do!

"Hands Free Hondas" is part of my "A Okay" Series. It's available in various sizes on paper or canvas as limited edition prints (75). Licensing of this image is available as well. To see more of my work, please visit my website at www.chucktrunks.com.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

TRUNKS ART is featured in the "Creative Types" Art Section of the VC Reporter!

Ventura, CA — June 24, 2010 — Chuck Trunks' Precision Abstracts is featured in Claudia Pardo McFadyen's "Creative Types" column in the Ventura County Reporter Magazine:

Don’t order the lobster
When it comes to the business of art, Trunks tackles it with the same precision as his line renderings. He is refreshingly unapologetic about making a lucrative career in art, and draws a clear working ethic for himself and for those he associates with. Trunks expects only the utmost respect from business partnerships. “It’s like the first date,” he explains. “She’s 20 minutes late, but you give her the benefit of the doubt. But then if she takes her phone out, orders the lobster — well, that benefit is lost. Same in business — if you tell me that you’ve sent the contract and it’s not true, well, you’re ordering the lobster.”

No shortcut to quality
Each painting takes at least five weeks to complete. Trunks enjoys the subtle deception they lend as they appear to be computer generated. “I like it when people discover that they’re entirely hand-painted,” he says. The work requires closer inspection to reveal the evidence of the artist’s hand. The exultant acrylic and ink paintings burst with intense color and elaborate compositions yet are contained by the precision of his lines. “I like it neat,” offers Trunks. Comparable to comic book imagery, Trunks’ harlequin pictorials begin with a black and white “skeleton” of hand-rendered yet surprisingly meticulous lines. “I think of color afterwards,”

Weird science
Trunks spent most of his scientific career at Amgen. “I was an OK scientist,” he confesses about his career in the biotech industry. During a 20-year period in the corporate world, Trunks’ extremely analytical understanding of science became a key element for his transition into the art world. Trunks utilized his own graphics as a means to translate his clear understating of scientific law into visual interpretations easily readable by the business executives he worked with. Thus, he became the connection between science and business through imagery.

Giclée is OK
Delving in all aspects of art promotion, marketing and licensing, Trunks treats his art as serious business. “I approach this business with confidence, with the wish to create a partnership,” he says. He uses the same systematic approach with his appointment book that he does with his painting technique, and rejects the romanticized notion of the starving artist by capitalizing on the reproduction and licensing of his original paintings.

Luck of the draw
The quote from Thomas Jefferson, “The harder I work, the more luck I have,” unequivocally rings true in Trunks’ case, as serendipitous experiences and lucky encounters lead not only to solid opportunities for exposure and growth, but to continuous bouts of inspiration and encouragement. Unintentionally holding a 20-minute conversation with iconic American pop artist Peter Max or swimming in a pool, on a cruise ship, covered with the work of Brazilian-born artist Romero Britto — both of whom share Trunks’ uplifting imagery, bold compositions and use of vibrant colors — would certainly be attributed to luck by many. But Trunks is deeply conscious that this serendipity is accompanied by methodical and consistent hard work.

To read more stories from Claudia Pardo McFadyen, please visit www.vcreporter.com.

To see more of my work, please visit my website at www.chucktrunks.com.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

TRUNKS ART gets somewhat deep with "Deep Sea Lovers!"

If you’ve read a few of my other abstracts, you’re probably thinking that I’ve created an image that cleverly embodies the various blissful (and not so blissful) gyrations of the endangered committed relationship. Fortunately, “Deep Sea Lovers” isn’t that deep – it’s simply about sharing the activities that bring us joy. For me, real joy comes in the form of body boarding, snow skiing and seeing the beautiful world beneath the waves. And if you can share it with someone special – well then – you pretty much have it all.

"Deep Sea Lovers" is part of my "A Okay" Series. It's available in various sizes on paper or canvas as limited edition prints (75). Licensing of this image is available as well. To see more of my work, please visit my website at www.chucktrunks.com.

Friday, June 4, 2010

TRUNKS ART partners with Pi Design to produce high quality POSTER PRINTS!

I finally found a terrific local company to produce my TRUNKS ART POSTERS! Pi Studio Printing is a component of Pi Design, a boutique graphic design firm located about 5.2 bike miles from my house in Camarillo. If you've spent time looking at my artwork, checking out my website or have sat down and had coffee with me, you know I'm all about the details. To me, 'details' are what make my art and art business successful and what will ultimately be the death of me. I can honestly say that Pi Studio Printing produces absolutely beautiful TRUNKS ART POSTER PRINTS on super high-quality Luster photo paper. When they showed me samples of what customers will be receiving, I was like, "Let's do this!" And remember, I mostly hate everything since I swim in the details on a daily basis. Believe me, you will love these posters because the Pi Studio Printing people are professionals who can make me very happy with their service and quality. And if they can make ME happy...well, you know the rest!

To see my entire POSTER PRINT line-up and to learn more about Pi Studio Printing, please click here to go to www.PiStudioPrint.com.

To see more of my work, please visit my website at www.chucktrunks.com.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

TRUNKS ART designs webpage banner for ConejoValleyGuide.com!

As an artist with a distinctive style, I sometimes wish I could 'Trunksify' an ad, logo, a famous painting...etc. Well, I finally got my chance. The best way to tell you how this opportunity came about, I'll let you read what the founder and CEO of the Conejo Valley Guide had to say in his May 28, 2010 blog:

"The Conejo Valley Guide was established 2 years ago as a way to give back to the local community. I was never able to quickly find new things to do with the kids and found it frustrating asking friends, looking through dozens and dozens of websites, newspapers, flyers, etc. That's why we now have Conejo Valley Guide, Ventura County's most comprehensive resource for not just events, but activities, groups, clubs, sports and other fun things to do. My way of giving back to those in the same predicament as me."

"So my artist friend Chuck Trunks, had a great idea. How about inviting local artists to display their rendition of the Conejo Valley Guide website header. He volunteered to put together his own version of the header, which I think is thoroughly cool!"

Here's a nice "side by side" comparison.

If you are an artist located in Ventura County and surrounding areas, CONTACT 'Conejo Joe' for details. He'd love to temporarily display your talent on his website and what better way to do it than on the top header of his site!

To see more of my work, please visit my website at www.chucktrunks.com.

Monday, May 24, 2010

TRUNKS ART Surf Board Skinz are now available! No more lifeless surf boards!

Can you imagine how stoked I'd be if I was actually a decent surfer? Maybe I'd graduate from my boogie board if I spent more time in the surf instead of my art studio? Needless to say, I really am excited with what Brad Styron of Surf Board Skinz has done with my art. Not only does he have the creative eye - he can actually surf standing up! To see my entire line-up and to learn more about SURF BOARD SKINZ, please click here to go to www.surfboardskinz.com.

To see more of my work, please visit my website at www.chucktrunks.com.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Coming Soon: TRUNKS ART partners with Playagraphics' Surf Skinz!

This is just a heads-up regarding my recent partnership with Florida based Playagraphcs, a company uniquely focused on dressing up lifeless surf boards with all kinds of custom art - including mine! To learn more about SURF SKINZ, please visit them at www.playagraphics.com.

To see more of my work, please visit my website at www.chucktrunks.com.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

TRUNKS ART is busy creating his own little world! But who isn't, right?

When all you do is create art, it can feel like you're slowly constructing your own little world. Making these characters and designs come to life is the best part of being an artist; however, if I start talking to my work, please bring me back to reality gently!

To see more of my work, please visit my website at www.chucktrunks.com.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

TRUNKS ART goes 'old school' with these Black & White creations!

Though I'm known for colorful pop art, my roots are based in old school black and white art. So here are three new images (from top to bottom): "Up and Away", "Dark Knight" and "Pitch Black". Thanks for checking them out!


To see more of my work, please visit my website at www.chucktrunks.com.

TRUNKS ART busts out a brand new image: "Twurfer Dude!"

As a social media minimalist, I was surprised to find myself on a website that provided a glossary of Twitter terms – better known as a ‘twittonary.’ After carefully reading through the definitions, I figure I’m somewhere between ‘twittphilia’ (an obsession with all things Twitter) and ‘twittanoia’ (an intense aversion to Twitter). And I’ve never personally experienced ‘twittphoria’ (the elation one feels when the person you’ve added decides to follow you back) or ‘twittilation’ (um…you can figure that one out for yourself). So when I saw that ‘twurfer’ wasn’t on the list (or on any other list), I decided to come up with my own definition (any wave rider willing to tweet surf conditions between sets) as well as create an image surrounding the ‘twurfer dude.’

"Twurfer Dude" is part of my "A Okay" Series. It's available in various sizes on paper or canvas as limited edition prints (75). Licensing of this image is available as well. To see more of my work, please visit my website at www.chucktrunks.com.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Chuck Trunks' Precision Abstracts Receives a 2009 Constant Contact All-Star Award!

Camarillo, CA — April 19, 2010 - Chuck Trunks' Precision Abstracts, today announced that it has received a 2009 All-Star Award from Constant Contact®, Inc., a leading provider of email marketing, event marketing, and online survey tools for small organizations. Trunks was selected for meeting Constant Contact’s best-practice standards for the use of Email Marketing throughout 2009.

“At first, I thought my emails would just end up in spam folders but after following the advice of Constant Contact and staying in-tune with what people want to see and read, it has really impacted my bottomline.”

Trunks' Precision Abstracts received a 2009 Constant Contact All-Star Award for demonstrating best practices in the effective use of Constant Contact Email Marketing in the following areas:

• Frequency of campaigns
• Open rates
• Bounce rates
• Click through rates

“Our customers work hard to build strong relationships with their customers through email marketing and some, such as Trunks , truly excel in this effort,” said Gail Goodman, CEO, Constant Contact. “We created our All-Star Awards to highlight those customers who are passionately committed to following our best practices as they work to improve their customer communications. We’re proud of the role we play in helping Trunks be successful and we look forward to continuing to assist him with his marketing efforts.”

About Constant Contact, Inc.
With more than 350,000 customers, Constant Contact, Inc. is a leading provider of email marketing, event marketing, and online surveys for small businesses, nonprofits, and member associations. Founded in 1995, Constant Contact helps small organizations grow stronger customer relationships by delivering professional, low cost, easy-to-use online tools backed with award-winning support, education and personal coaching. Constant Contact is a publicly traded company (Nasdaq: CTCT) with offices located in Waltham, Mass.; Loveland, Colo.; and Delray, Fla. To learn more, please visit www.ConstantContact.com or call 781-472-8100.

To see more of my work, please visit my website at www.chucktrunks.com.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Coming Soon: TRUNKS ART on LAMPS!

This is just a heads-up regarding my recent partnership with LA based Lamp-In-A-Box, a company uniquely focused on dressing up lifeless lampshades with all kinds of custom art - including mine! To learn more about Lamp-In-A-Box, please visit them at www.lampinabox.com.

To see more of my work, please visit my website at www.chucktrunks.com.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

New TRUNKS ART Release: "Beam Me Up" is the latest composition in my 'A Okay' Series!

I’m not exactly sure when it happened – when I went straight from thinking, “Are you kidding me?” to mouthing the words, “Beam Me Up!” I mean, I didn’t even get to experience the slightly less cynical “Take me with you!” stage. What’s that you ask? What am I even talking about? Oh, I’m sorry. You’re not familiar with the classic social evolution of sensitive artists (my bad). Fortunately, I have a nice summary for you:

Stage 1 – “Are you kidding me?!” – One becomes aware of surrounding morons.

Stage 2 – “Take me with you!” – One begins to cling to the less moronic.

Stage 3 – “Beam Me Up!” – One finally realizes that they are utterly alone on this planet.

Even though the mother ship hasn’t responded to my persistent calls for rescue (sigh), I’m ready when they’re ready but the best of what I’ve experienced will be neatly packed in my carry-on.

"Beam Me Up" is part of my "A Okay" Series. It's available in various sizes on paper or canvas as limited edition prints (75). Licensing of this image is available as well. To see more of my work, please visit my website at www.chucktrunks.com.

Friday, March 26, 2010

TRUNKS ART: I love this frame job on "Perfect Match!"

Sometimes my customers are more creative than me - especially when it comes to clever framing. This particular customer has a nice collection of 4 of my pieces which brighten up a simple yet comfortable business office. About a month ago, she invited me over to see her newly framed, "Perfect Match" and I was blown away by how nicely she had it framed. Does the purple inner frame make this pop art piece pop even more or what? This 20x16 reproduction of "Perfect Match" was printed on bamboo paper so it's a lot less expensive than canvas reproductions - and in some cases - they can even look better!

"Perfect Match" is part of my "A Okay" Series. It's available in various sizes on paper or canvas as limited edition prints (75). Licensing of this image is available as well. To see more of my work, please visit my website at www.chucktrunks.com.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

TRUNKS ART: Putting the final touches on my latest piece, "80's Knight!"

Yes, even the embellishment work is a tedious exercise of patience, a rock steady hand and precision! I wish you could see this piece in person because when you see it hanging against a white wall...BOING!...instant pop-fest! Sure, the images of it on this blog and my website are good but nothing compares to the real thing. Anyway...I hope you like it and thanks for checking out my latest.

"80's Knight" is part of my "A Okay" Series. It's available in various sizes on paper or canvas as limited edition prints (75). Licensing of this image is available as well. To see more of my work, please visit my website at www.chucktrunks.com.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

TRUNKS ART: "Just a sample of what's in my gallery!"

Ever look at your formal dining room furniture and think to yourself, "Why do I have this stuff?" I did. And after doing a little painting, do-it-yourself lighting and hammering...*poof*...instant mini art gallery! Seeing one of my pieces by itself is nice but when you see it along side other compositions...well...you start to understand what my intentions are and what it means to have some kind of signature style. So...if you're ever in the Camarillo area and want to see my work, just contact me through my website.

To see more of my work, please visit my website at www.chucktrunks.com.

"Skull of Rock" continues to be a TRUNKS ART top seller!

I thought I'd share this nice 20"x30" canvas reproduction of my "Skull of Rock" composition. I'm happy to say that it's one of my top selling pieces!

To see more of my work, please visit my website at www.chucktrunks.com.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

New Work From TRUNKS ART: "80's Knight!"

For some reason, my mind has been mulling over the phrase, 'coming of age' for the last month or so. I think it's because I read those words on so many DVD jackets while doing some holiday browsing in my local video store. I like those kinds of movies. Besides the formulaic 'nerd boy wins affections of popular girl' or 'klutz scores improbable touchdown to win the game,' these movies always come with a soundtrack that magically romanticizes what many of us experienced as awkward, angst-filled times. Yet, the movie studios are only doing what we do to ourselves!

If you're like me, every time I hear a particular song from the 80's, my mind always pin points my exact location in time when that song was either streaming out of my boom box or my buddy's '64 VW bug or from some huge speakers in my favorite dive bar. "80's Knight" simply pays tribute to those bands that will forever be the soundtrack of my own 'coming of age' story.

"80's Knight" is part of my "A Okay" Series. It's available in various sizes on paper or canvas as limited edition prints (75). Licensing of this image is available as well. To see more of my work, please visit my website at www.chucktrunks.com.

Friday, January 22, 2010

TRUNKS ART: Not slowing down in 2010!!

All this stormy January weather in L.A. is only fueling my production! Currently I'm working on my new 'A Okay' series. In the picture, you can see a 20"x16" version of "Perfect Match" on my table. The bigger canvas piece is 32"x24" and it's one of my most popular. It's called, "Day Break" and it's from my 'Girls Only' series. New work is always around the corner!

To see more of my work, please visit my website at www.chucktrunks.com.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Not a winner this time...but still made it to the Top 10!

I submitted the piece you see in the picture to the 2010 California Strawberry Festival Poster Commity hoping to land the awesome distinction of being a state-wide winner as well as the hefty grand prize. This years' commity put me in the Top 10 but I didn't quite make it any further - but to me - that's still pretty good!

"Strawberry Festival" is one of my most popular pieces and is part of my "A La Art" Series. It's available in various sizes on paper or canvas as limited edition prints (75). Licensing of this image is available as well. To see more of my work, please visit my website at www.chucktrunks.com.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

How could you bounce this guy out of your party?! "Party Crasher" is the latest from TRUNKS ART's 'A-Okay Series!'

When I set out to create the party crasher character, I had planned on producing a really cool peacock. So how come my party crasher looks more like the "malibu chicken?" At first I was like, "man…this is one lame peacock" but instead of tossing this first attempt, I ended up developing it into what you see here because the more I looked at this little guy – the more out of place he looked. And the more out of place he looked, the more he WAS my "Party Crasher!"

I think all of us from time to time can feel like the party crasher. Even with having an invitation in your pocket, a drink in your hand and friends within back slapping distance, a rock'in fun evening can surprise the best of us with those momentary thoughts that question why we're even here and doubts that makes us feel more like an outsider than a relished invitee. Does that mean it's time to grab your date and leave the barn? Relax. That girl over by the chicken coop is thinking the same thing. And so is that pig in the corner. So have another drink, take in the music and just know that deep down – we're all "Party Crashers!"

"Party Crasher" is part of my "A Okay" Series. It's available in various sizes on paper or canvas as limited edition prints (75). Licensing of this image is available as well. To see more of my work, please visit my website at www.chucktrunks.com.