Trevor Chowning

(Daniel Franzese is best known for his acting roles in Mean Girls, Bully, Party Monster, War of the Worlds, HBO's Looking, RuPaul's Drag Race, and much more.) 

"Trevor Chowning spent his childhood scouring the pages of INTERVIEW magazine for articles about his two earliest passions, art and cinema. Despite the idyllic setting of his youth, rural Indiana didn't present many opportunities to explore either of those interests. Forging his plan early on to experience the allure of big city life, he began a career in entertainment by promoting music as a booking agent and talent manager for musicians, including Grammy-nominee Larry Tee and Johnny Cash's legendary band The Tennessee Three.

Trevor was one of the first friends I made when I moved to LA. I met him when I was seeking representation for speaking engagements. We quickly began inspiring each other to explore different places in LA. He always had a crazy story about every Hollywood landmark. It's fitting now that I can introduce him to you at the World of Wonder Storefront Gallery – exactly the kind of fun, inspiring, and weird place that makes Hollywood what it is. Chowning is one of those artists who create pieces that make you want to tell all your friends about them. People still ask about his Lindsey Lohan costume that the tabloids all picked up on from the Storefront Gallery's "Hollyween" show. 

Damien Hearse, a hearse covered in rhinestones, was his take on Damien Hirst's platinum skull covered in 8,601 diamonds and made people scream with delight. His art is always ready to evoke an emotion. Over the years, Trevor expanded his personal art collection and this love of art has inspired several new possibilities for the always restless entrepreneur. He is currently the lead designer for the esoteric jewelry line "Wraith Metal Works" and now represents a collective of painters and fine artists. 

Trevor's love of kitsch and passion for classic Hollywood is reflected in his current artwork. While he still considers Los Angeles home, he enjoys creating jewelry designs and artwork in his Oregon studio and back on his family homestead in Indiana."
-Daniel Franzese 

io9 

TMZ
Gawker
LA Weekly
Inside Edition
Art of Obama
World of Wonder
Entertainment Tonight
Saatchi Art "Artist of the Day" 

World of Wonder 

Diesel Jeans USA 

CTS Aviation 

Santa Barbara Executive Jet 

Absolut Vodka 

Private Client Commissions

"My art is about taking a passing thought or fantasy and making it tangible so others can share that vision. It's like waking up from a vibrant dream that you can't wait to tell your friends about. My art is primarily a dream translator.” 

1999 YesFest -Indianapolis, Indiana
2002 The Homestead Gathering -New Castle
2005 The Homestead Gathering -New Castle
2006 The Homestead Gathering -New Castle
2007 Holly-ween -World of Wonder (WoW) Gallery Hollywood, CA
2008 DepARTed -WoW Gallery Hollywood, CA 

2008 Dial "M" for Madonna -WoW Gallery Hollywood, CA
2008 Hollywood D.C.-Lights, Camera, Election! -WoW Gallery Hollywood, CA
2009 Crusaders and Haters -Royal-T Gallery Los Angeles, CA
2009 Homegrown Diesel -Portland, OR

2013 Absolut Vodka Masterpiece Edition Bottle Design -Portland, OR

2017 Thunderbird Ridge Arts Festival -Oregon City, OR

Trevor often utilizes highly esoteric materials and techniques in the creation of his art. The piece titled "Honoring Bunnicula" uses miniature feathers from a real antique hummingbird specimen to serve as the prismatic pupils of the blood lusting rabbit. 

Another piece, "Faberge M&M" features a real, edible peanut M&M candy studded with genuine diamonds.

"Go for Throttle Up" depicting the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster rendered in exploding cereal bowls uses parts from a legally decommissioned space shuttle embedded into the paint.

Another work, "Thelema" has a genuine piece of slate from the rooftop of Aleister Crowley's Scottish estate set into the figures gold leafed cap badge. 

Other pieces feature the complicated but time-honored method of applying genuine gold or silver leaf to his canvases to great dramatic effect.