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Justin Maxwell's "children" are for sale, and he's not sure how he feels about it.
His children, rather his art collection "Tristeza" featured at the Crux Artist Collective, are pieces of his past that he is proud to expose yet sad to see go.
"Each one is a story of my life," Maxwell said.
His connection to his personal creations may make selling his first piece a difficult yet rewarding experience: He has never exhibited his work even though he has been drawing and painting since he was 2 years old.
Maxwell dabbled with art in his youth but found his style when he uncovered the vivid characters designed by Os Gemeos, Brazilian identical twins who are acclaimed graffiti artists. With Os Gemeos, Portuguese for "the twins," as his inspirational guides, Maxwell's talent developed immensely.
Ty Gorton, co-director of the Crux, has been fascinated by Maxwell and is working on a documentary of his artistic development. The documentary is not about making a profit for Maxwell or for the gallery, it's about telling his story and unmasking this talented individual, Gorton said.
"There are lots of artists in Chico tucked away and hidden," he said.
Maxwell, one of these hidden artists, awed Gorton with his intense portfolio of work.
"It gets you involved with it, and you start feeling the way he feels," Gorton said.
Included in his magnified caricatures of sad eyes and beaten down buildings are words exposing the emotion Maxwell felt while drawing. One painting read "Even though you think I am blind, I am always looking at you."
Maxwell's humble demeanor and intense imagination are revealed through a medley of detailed sketches and elaborate paintings dispersed throughout the small gallery. The mediums used for the art range from a simple Bic pen and lined paper to cardboard canvases painted with oils.
"I'm not rich," Maxwell said. "You don't need expensive oils for something to be beautiful."
Some of his most astounding creations only involve the contact of a fine black pen to a fine slice of paper, generating haunting images that need multiple examinations for a proper analysis.
Maxwell tested artistic boundaries with the minimal $5 he spent on many of his sketches. He wanted to see how far he could stretch his imagination with the least amount of tools necessary.
Among several illustrations, one painting in particular stands out. Possibly because of the light yellow hues that differ from many of the darker scenes in the gallery or possibly because of the content expression upon the character's face. Maxwell said a spirit was going through him when he created it, and therefore the piece is too precious to be sold.
"I swear I'm not crazy," Maxwell said. "But I don't know how I got those colors or what I was doing."
Beats from the DJ booth brought a livelier mood to the calm atmosphere and several more people to the Crux on Friday night. In order to see every minute detail, eyelashes nearly brushed the surfaces of some of the drawings. Visitors seemed impressed with Maxwell's art.
"It's amazing," said Josh Beauron, examining a piece called "Space." "The work is so detailed. I like how this one mirrors itself."
Maxwell said he hopes that everyone who views his work will come away with their own interpretations. The illusions of contradictory worlds and unknown places spark different stems of imagination that make each of Maxwell's pieces personal for everyone.
This exhibit may be the beginning to the end of being a small-town artist for Maxwell. The exposure and praise received from the opening of the show proved that his talent won't go unnoticed.
"Tristeza" will be featured at the Crux through Oct. 7. Experience his work up close and get lost in your own interpretations.
Lindsay Wright can be reached at lwright@theorion.com
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