George Evans
Evans trained early in his father sign shop, Carter’s Printing, and Valentine Photography Studio. In the mid-sixties Evans was selected for the Tutor Art program founded by artist Bill Tara and William Pajaud at Chouinard Art Institute (Cal Arts). During his senior year ofcollege he taught drawing in the Tutor Arts program at Otis Art Institute where he met artist Charles White. During this formative period Evans started a drawing class at Studio Watt, as a result he was awarded a grant to study art at Stanford University in the studio of Nathan Oliveira, Frank Lobdell and Keith Boyle. Evans transferred from Los Angeles Trade-Technical College to California Institute of the Arts at Chouinard where he completed his Bachelor of Fine Art.
As a graphic designer, photographer, educator and fine artist, Evans has an impressive track record as an award winning graphic designer and Senior Art Director for such companies as: J. Walter Thompson Recruitment Advertising – where he produced Ad campaigns for hi-tech finance, aerospace and hospitality accounts. Austin Knight Advertising - where he participated in establishing the Los Angeles office, Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company, Holloway House Publishing, and BSA Advertising. Evans also worked at Warner Bros. Studio Facilities where he helped build a digital prepress system for the Graphic Services Department. He has supervised and designed graphic, promotional and collateral materials for the motion picture and television industry, including having made props for productions such as: Disclosure, Contact, Batman, Family Matters, Hanging with Mr. Cooper, the Craft, Sphere, Space Jam, Mars Attack, Eraser and others.
In 1992, Evans created The Art-Team a program for at-risk youth that brought together young talented artists from various parts of the city to help achieve their dreams which became a reality with the support from the Cultural Affairs Department and Communications Art. After the Rodney King verdict Evans volunteered to help heal the city of Los Angeles, where he and the Art-Team worked on murals and exhibitions throughout the city. In 1997, Evans was invited to become a professor at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, where he built two computer labs for the Visual Communications Department and teaches Graphic Design. He is also an arts educator for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art where instructs teens and adults in educational art programs.
Studio work: Evans explores painting, watercolors, drawing, photography, digital media and printmaking. He has worked with figurative watercolor, photographed cityscapes, on-objective abstract painting, and photographic composites. Evans’ art has been displayed in museums and galleries, including: KCET- Life and Time art special, M. Hanks Gallery, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, California African American Museum - Recent Acquisitions, Highways Performance Space – The death of Emmett Till – Fifty years later. T.G.A. Gallery – California open, and Watts Towers Art Center: Baila con Duende. He was subcontracted for digital art services by artists Richard Wyatt and May Sun for the production of the Robert F. Kennedy Inspiration Park, and the Hollywood Jazz: 1945-1972 mural restoration at Capitol Records.
Evans developed his craft from drawing, painting, printmaking and photography. He is fascinated by technology as a creative medium because it opens new ways of visualizing the world around us. George currently produces digital prints, in which he combines photography and technology with various drawing techniques. Evans states, “The role as an artist is that of Shaman who reflects and expresses life of the village”.
mrevansclass@earthlink.net
