Chris Woods featured in newspaper piece on Sandstorm

The Chilliwack Times has a great piece on artist Chris Woods' upcoming Sandstorm project. Sandstorm is a solo art show Woods is now preparing for display in summer 2013. It will feature 14 epic-scale oil paintings of Star Wars topics. From the article:

Chris Woods opens a large resealable bag in his downtown Chilliwack studio and pulls out a yellowing, child's exercise book.

It's not an antique nor a grandfather's journal; it's not even that old. One line on the cover says "Chris" and below that, "ART!!!!!"

So why is an accomplished artist--with major magazine covers to his name, 18 solo exhibitions across North America and praise from the likes of pop culturist Douglas Coupland--showing off drawings he did as a seven-year-old? Two words: Star Wars.

Thirty-five years ago Woods was doodling X-wing and TIE fighters in his grade-school art book like the rest of us.

Today, he's back at it with his latest project tackling the iconic science fiction films from a unique angle.

For most males in their early 40s, the films in George Lucas's original Star Wars trilogy of 1977, 1980 and 1983 constitute mythic cinema.

These aren't just science fiction films. Star Wars, the Emprire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi became epic tales that integrated fantasy with the fabric of childhoods across North America.

"By re-examining films that played a major role in the formative years of my generation I hope to examine what my childhoood eyes may have missed," Woods says.

See my previous blog post for more information about Sandstorm, including how you can support the project on Indiegogo and get drawings and paintings from the exhibit.

Chilliwack Times: Art wars: What were Chris Woods's childhood eyes missing when they were watching iconic film series?

Indiegogo: Sandstorm