Magnetic, a portrait series by Santa Barbara artist Chris Gocong, opens 6-9 p.m. Saturday, July 15 at Helena Mason Art Gallery, 48 Helena Ave., Santa Barbara.

Gocong’s paintings are known for capturing emotion through portraiture, figurative art and abstraction. The main body of his work is inspired by the commonality of human emotion and consciousness.

Gocong said he loves to paint with acrylic on canvas, as he strives to paint in bursts of energy.  Although portraiture is his main interest, Gocong doesn’t limit himself to one mode; his artistic expression ranges from cosmic abstractionism, exploratory textural pieces, to striking pop art.

Gocong was drafted to the NFL from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where he studied biomedical engineering. He played for seven years as a linebacker for the NFL (Philadelphia Eagles, 2006-10; Cleveland Browns, 2010-12.