Just going to slide right in here and show up ONCE for the entire month of February. Much like that ex that sneaks into the picture like they ain’t did nothing wrong. You know what I’m talking about, haha! Anyyywaaay…..

Please excuse the lack of blogging. I had to make the choice to either paint or blog. Guess which one won. (one..one..one one – remember that annoying Diddy song? wow)

And forgive me, I haven’t even taken the time to share my annual trip to NY, or other fun randomness that is my life. I’m promise I’ll be back with lots of goodies to share. There will be rambling, it will be slightly humorous, it will be awesome.

Like everyone, I’ve been busy. Work, daggie duty/doody, buttcrack early gym classes, painting commissions, the preliminary work for my next series; while I’ve been sick, pops has been out of town and I must entertain mother dear, and supporting friends’ art shows and birthdays despite the actual Cali winter we’re finally having. Busy. Fun. All over the place. Wait. Where was I?

Oh Yea.

Please excuse my hiatus from this here internet presence.

I will be back. It will be worth it.

A few choice photos to share with you for the time being:

J train into Brooklyn.

my Cali feets in the NY snow.

a picture of my dag, because she is RAD.

Til then. Anticipate my return. I will bear gifts.

WORD IS BOND.

If you’re in SD, please support local artists Jordan Josafat and Senz Wen…

Jordy is pretty much my art hero. He has been for a minute. I like to chill with him and kick back ideas, learn from his experience, and he pretty much answers any question via BBM I have about art supplies, building large canvases, to bikes, to mopeds, to cats, to pretty much whatever random question that pops in my head. He’s my go-to guy whose always up to something.

Senz Wen is in the running to pretty much steal the idol crown in my mind from Jordy; his work is amazing and just came out of left field. He is actually a good neighborhood homey named Terry.. I would often see Senz’ work online and had no idea it was Terry, this dude I went to high school with but a year younger than me. I also had no idea he & his brother were twins until one night they said they had the same birthday, which prompted me to say- ‘Holy smokes! You guys have the same birthday; what’re the odds!!!! ……….*rusty gears turning* *loud click* Oh. You’re twins.’ I admit, I can pretty dense at times. Gimme a break, they’re fraternal.

Jordan is rad dude, peep.

Senz Wen, also rad dude, peep.

Volition Era

Thumbprint Gallery

2637 University Ave, SD, CA 92104

Feb 12 – March 6, 2011

Opening Reception Saturday February 12, 2011 6-10pm

Senz’ first show ever in life. Congrats, kiddo. I look up to you now.

Look at this, pouring out of his brain. Please let this showing be the first of many. Original and fantastic.

reminds me of the Barry McGhee installation at SF Moma. awesome.

Much of Senz’ work is done in ballpoint pen. I remember my pops bringing home boxes of government pens…I only took then apart for the springs, which I never did anything with, I just like to take ‘em apart. I never made anything as good as this. If I’m not mistaken, pictured above is our local town hobo. Dude, I’d recognize those shredded pants anywhere.haha, hell yea! the ever crippling credit card!! perfect
love the expressions

And Mr. Josafat himself- he’s been putting in work for a minute. Consistent in constantly cranking it out, and unafraid to stick to his process. Keep an eye on him, ’cause he’ll keep it comin’. Respect.

featured on City Beat last year

schoolin me on the profit margin and something for everyone via watercolor work

some of his ‘zine work

full-time receiving manager at an art store. irony…Thee Best…

Jordan Josafat…that be him.

I very much admire art like this because I’m more of a traditional oil painter, doing portraiture and photos and such. I’ve never really let my brain nor my hand venture into this sort of style… I don’t know why? Maybe I’m afraid that my imagination is lame or something.. because work like theirs is just too awesome to me. But, I’m good at what I do do (doo-doo brown!). It’s not like a DJ should emcee, or a ball player should be a rapper… that’s been done and we all know what happened there. SMH.

But hey, I definitely enjoy these fellows work. I sincerely hope you do, too.

Straight from their imagination with their own original execution.

Please support, check out their show, and hopefully go home with something. I know I will, I’ll be there early and throwin’ elbows for the sickest pieces…see ya there

Late night random convo with Metty of 9Five chatting tradeshows, bullshit, video ideas.

Remember when you were younger and you’d sit hours on end watching skate videos? Then Tony Hawk Pro Skater came out, holy shit. It was like you could watch videos, play the game and just zone all at the same time.

“People Are Strange” by the Doors is definitely one of my favorite tracks, ever in life. I fell in love with it those many hours zoned out on a fisheye lens street perspective. Now, on slow days, I sit and eat my lunch with that song on repeat and people watch. It’s creepy and rad. I was about to say ‘all at the same time’ again, but then I realized I just said that above. I really should expand my vernacular.

After mentioning that it was one of my favorite tracks and questioning aloud whether or not the song would be too slow to produce a promo video to, Metty linked me to the video above. There’s plenty of clips featuring the dopests Rodney Mullens and Daewon Song but I’ll still link this one because it’s short and it’s not like we have some sort of attention span on the internet, anyway. 2-4 mins max, says Mr. Google Analytics. That sounds like some sort of weak Nickelodean character, now that I’ve said it like that…

There’s something about skate tricks to this song- at the risk of seeming corny and wayyy too artsy- I say it makes

the creative expression of the skate movements

against the ever changing street backdrops

to the lyrics and melody of People Are Strange

something like poetry.

I stand by this opinion, I don’t care how gay it makes me feel.

While we’re at it and quickly moving away from what might be one of the corniest opinions I’ve ever expressed- Below is one of my favorite video works by Metty, click on the pic to watch it. Better known as Mike Metcalf, he’s the owner and part of the talent behind eyewear company 9Five.  I appreciate the simplicity of the idea yet the clip remains interesting. Both you & I know how hard it is to attain simple yet interesting. Furthermore, do you know how hard it is to manual?!  I don’t, because I can’t skate a cent. I only somewhat know it’s hard to manual. I’ve got a traumatizing moment down an Aquarius cul-de-sac assuring me this is a fact. Anywho, the clip is rad and so is a lot of Mr. Metcalf’s work. Love the music he chose for the clip as well- it gives it that fun, rat race mouse trap whatever fun type feel. Little bit of Pebbles from the Flintstones in there, too.

Shit’s rad. 2 broken thumbs up.

Watch, remember, support, and buy. Kick back to some old videos. Simmer in thoughts of your youth. Rock the shades. Get compliments. Feel good about yourself. Have a great day.

They say to rep for your city you gotta leave your city.

The saying is nothing short for my good friend Mark…

You see, Mr. Mark-Anthony Guinto has been a good part of our crew for years. I’ll even go so far as to tell you were were each other’s first girlfriend/boyfriend from, what 8^th grade, 9^th grade? Hilarity…

(There’s no other time in conversation when I’d even have the gall to drop that fact but this is my blog and I’ll do it this once, haha) Even when our lil rugrat middle school crew transitioned to high school some were wary of these cats from the other middle school- that awesome classic neighborhood rivalry- Mira Mesa vs. Scripps, and with our lil’ youngin’ world it was Challenger vs. Waggenheim (Waggensliiiime!!). Small potatoes, my favorite kind; much like fingerling or redskin. I digress…

What I’m trying to say is: we’ve all been friends for a long time. We’ve got a ton of memories, random adventures in our first ride hoopties to whatever fun ass party B would inevitably be the one driving to, gatherings at each other’s houses to eat, blaze, snack, underage drink, sit around, play ball or video games…damn dude. I am so fortunate to call these folks friends for over 10 years and counting. I love to say “We go waayyy back“, I really do. It’s a true testament of simply having fun when there was honestly nothing else on your agenda besides schoolwork, taking the baby steps of venturing out of the neighborhood to crowded college parties when you were still in high school- and only because Ate Lisa said you could come; going to state and graduating together; clowning each other, learning from each other, growing, sticking and staying true to your homeys that have always been a part of your life (from when you could claim you even had one, lol).

[Dude I still remember driving home from SDSU when I barely had a license and I had to write 15S to 8W on my hand, because I seriously, could not handle it. Ha..!]

So back to this fellow Mark- besides being a good friend, he is a very talented musician. A producer to be exact. He can compose, chop, sample, loop and make magic with the best of ‘em. About a year ago, he made the decision to stop going to school and pursue his music. Receiving his parents blessing, he moved to Atlanta to make things happen and that he did. While working a full-time job during the day, he worked nights under already successful producer Bangladesh, making those beats like he always did. Except now he was sending them off to be heard by more prominent ears…and I’m not talking about some big ass Dumbo ears neither…

A couple weeks back we got the big news from another classic neighborhood character turned ATL mover, Mr. Brandon Smith, that a beat Mark created would be released as Lil’ Wayne’s first single, entitled 6’7. (To shine some light on Brandon, I’ve got countless images in my mind of Brandon at all different ages, constantly pacing back and forth for something better and more exciting than our current location, speed dialing and speed talking into his Treo (TREO, remember those? Woww…) to find out the latest party happenings. That type of hilariously erractic behavior as kids has turned into successful momentum he’s ridden into our twenties- he currently works with the creative group IBC, Inc. featuring Motion Family and the stunning photography of Diwang Valdez and Hannibal Matthews.) Big thangs, my boys. All love..

With the big news of Mark’s first break, the whole fam- both blood and neighborhood- has been hyped. He visited home for the first time this Christmas, bringing home a huge chunk of pride. Best part, the guy is the same and humble as ever…to him it’s the only first, with much more work to go. We all spent a Christmas break together, just enjoying the good ol’ times… a beautiful thing I tell you.

Trust, loyalty, character, memories, history… All Genuine.

Above is Lil Wayne’s 6’7 SNL performance, received by a rowdy group of fellas in a Mira Mesa corner house somewhere- hyped and supportive as ever. Even if you don’t like Lil Wayne, go ahead and tell me you don’t want a piece of someone selling platinum records. The flow is silly and this performance in particular is bananas. That’s right, I said bananas.

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I recently moved back home so now these artifacts are just a step ladder away. As with any close-knit circle of friends, the inside jokes are endless…

some random ass cartoon I made when we were ‘going out’ lol

the painting I gave Brandon when he left, because he liked it so much. It now hangs in Mark’s ATL crib. I told him he owed me only blood, tears and hard work. Shit’s paid in full. (And only because I want him to buy more work offa me, haha)

& a bunch of random pics…prom, hawaiian shirt day, Rob D in 7th grade, JD and Bree, Des and Jo(with the IDYKYDG shirt, what!), S4L Challenger days, me and Jojo walking to Spanish class, the fried chicken incident at Six Flags, Bree and Rob D posing with mullets, a couple of B’s school pics which I’m certain he will kill me for blasting, and 3 foot 4 lil Mark Anthony (you see what I did there…haha )

\

…I love where I come from. I love my friends

Holy shit balls.

Pardon my dunnlanguage but that is honestly the thought that comes to mind.

This art looks spectacular. The installation view appears stunning as well, the angle on the picture above is fantastic.

Absolutely amazing. A word way beyond ‘impressive’ that I can’t think of and don’t feel like thesaurus-ing right now (rawr).

I plan to write more on this blog post, I’m just super duper tired from moving and should really go to sleep. I just wanted to share with you now and give you something to look at because HI HAPPY MONDAY MORNING

You may know Takashi Murakami from creating the album art for Kanye West’s album Graduation. Yes, I know I’m a total Kanye stan but my admiration for the artist Murakami stands alone.

“The artist’s unique way of merging historical Japanese influences with present day culture create powerful depictions which comment on a range of contemporary issues and ideas.”

Yes.

LOVE IT.

Need. Go. Rome. Now.

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I don’t paint like this in the studio though, 

man boobies lol. Sorry to disappoint.

I have thee most immature sense of humor for some things… it’s terrible.

[via www.artobserved.com]

I interviewed with a small law firm a couple Mondays ago…it was one of those fantastically awkward interview mornings where they scheduled several in a row; so there I was listening to some overly enthusiastic woman behind a closed door answering the typical interview questions with a little too much gusto, in a waiting area in close quarters with a young woman who was assumably my competition. Awwwwwwkwaaaarrrrd. The only thing missing was Christina Applegate coming in for the interview like in Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead and the front desk chick says “Per-son-NELL.”

The morning was obviously hectic for the small office so I had to be interviewed in the kitchen. Albeit a little off but ehh, I’m still getting interviewed right? I’d only be really uncomfortable if there was a two-way mirror in there. Now that would be weird…

The interview was basic but my oratory skills were at a negative 2 since I spent the past year either talking to myself in a studio or heavily using slang in a slightly buzzed drawl; I hadn’t used my Chris Rock Job-Interview-Voice in forever. After a couple minutes I felt comfortable enough to be simply honest and myself. They left me there for a moment and I noticed this on the fridge, tastefully created from one of those magnetic poetry kits:

Nice.

Next thing I knew, I was hired and started the next day.

I liked this place already…

Hi! I apologize for the lack of updates but life, as always, has been confoundingly busy. I also always seem to be apologizing for my lack of updates…hm. But I do think of you, Mr./Mizzz Reader, so I do want to express that. I’m more of a quality over quantity type, honestly.

Christmas came and went- I don’t really shop for gifts I mostly paint ‘em, so painting a dozen different things was kind of going insane…

I am moving out of my apartment- you already know that moving pretty much sucks. I don’t need to buy clothes for… well, forever.

Aaand I got a new jaaab. That’s right, carefee me has A J-O-B.  A-gain. I spend my days behind the desk of somewhere answering the phone in my ‘chipper’ voice- trust me, I smile when I pick up the phone- preparing, sending and filing various legal paperwork and wearing various fluffy, chiffon fabrics with pencil skirts. I would’ve loved to paint the days away but my first lab bill came back without insurance and yeaaa… my artistic crusade had a quick reality check. While I am trapped from 9-5:30 M-F, the upside would be that I value my free time exponentially and more hop-to-it as opposed to put it off ‘til tommorow/never. Perhaps there will be a sequel to this past years’ ArtBMXDowntown adventure, but only time will tell.

Until then, I’m hyped to be working at quite a positive work environment; saving an incredible amount of loot- and funneling those funds towards more plane tickets !; and continuing to spread love with a body of work parading around as thoughtful kooky Christmas gifts. 2010, you weren’t too shabby. Party like its 2011, since 2012 is when it all ends right? Cooool. 2011 it is. Rock on.

You can’t be mad at thrift shopping.

Thrift even rocks that double meaning of not only being cost-conscious, but also stayin’ stylish. I dare you to not enjoy these notions.

To love to thrift- you must have a love for the randomness, the fabrics, the cuts & shapes that you know work for you and what you’re all about, the draping you’d only see on Blanche or Dorothy of the sitcom Golden Girls…you know what I’m talkin’ about.

A lovely afternoon (which turned well into an evening) spent with the homegirl Raichous, I share with you some of today’s finds:

-a nicely, perfectly slightly oversized crewneck..

-a Japanese print floor length robe.. (YES, for $4 I do need that)

-believe it or not, this teal treasure is a dope lined cape!

-lil’ dooney & burke lookin’ purse for a gift..

-& unique blouse to match

-owl painting with a wood linen frame, a pickup inspired by a friend and her son

-and you always gotta swoop the 80′s/90′s earrrings and brooches

Sack-o’-sh*t for $30? Merry Christmas to me, you & yours. Thank you, Santa! Amvets

2 years in the making. Painted in a day.

Some creative times are just better than others, ya feel me?

I always try though; and try not to be too hard on myself when 5, 6, 7, 8 hours of work result in not any good work at all.  It just happens. I don’t love it at all but I accept it. Just like my sweaty armpits. Wait, what?

So anyway, back to the story- the story I haven’t started yet-

Once upon a time I was paralegal in Downtown San Diego.  I often did commissions on the side when I wasn’t blind from computer forms and uncranky enough from the love/hate relationship I had with being a responsible adult. Loved!- adult beverages. Hated - pretty much everything else that wasn’t fun.

One day, a friend (that I met in college- SDSU!- and thoroughly enjoyed myself at their DJ crew’s many house parties- Full Clip! Watwoooood!!! *rock on hand sign*) asked me to paint a picture for him. I asked him to cruise through my lunch break and he did.

His name was Jeremy, but I also knew him as DJ Hobbs One. I go for the Hobbs Uno sometimes too, when I’m feeling a lil poquito espanol (*cough*lame*). He’s rocked this huge afro even since I known him. We chatted and he said he wanted a portrait of his lola. Like many of us, there was a time in his life when he totally remembers being raised by his grandma. I could dig it.

“Aight Hobbs, shoot me some random facts” / “Ok…this is her voter’s registration photo. She raised me when I was little, I remember spam and egg breakfasts and she called Charles Barkley ‘Kalbo’.” …I remember the oddest things, I tell ya.

I traced her out. The canvas sat there. I always remembered it. Guilt.

Meanwhile, Jeremy continues through Nursing school. I see him at a sushi spot, the boards are approaching…he’s panicky but studies steady. This dude passes, first try. I told you, man!!

…this is the part in the post where I stop writing regularly and for some reason choose to address a single person, the recipient of the painting. why I do that, I don’t know…

Congrats on your career in the ER, kid. I like your tweets when you’re working, particularly the random thoughts about life and what’s important; like breathing, for example. Gotta be thankful for that if nothing else. I also remember that odd tweet when you said it bothered you when you noticed elderly people buying Wal-Mart brand vienna sausages…dude, that kinda bothers me too :/

Anyway, this one’s for you. Sorry for the lagtime, but guess what?  It finally happened Hope you like it. I like your new haircut, also. You’re Kalbo now, too (although I am pissed that one time you flat-ironed your fro and you said you looked just like Arnel Pineda. I can’t believe you didn’t show me).

Thank you for sharing your childhood memories about your Lola, and thank you for wanting a portrait to always think of her. Thanks for playing music & thanks for saving lives. You do a lot of cool stuff, Jeremy. The End.

He Was Raised by His Lola – 16″x20″ Oil on Canvas -

for DJ Hobbs One aka Mr. Jeremy Canlas, RN

[via www.melodysblog.tumblr.com , http://theallmightysovereignty.tumblr.com]

Simply a reminder of something you probably already knew.

Christmas is upon us … then before you know it, it’ll be the New Year. From Christmas lists to resolutions, you know how it goes. It’s a time of giving.. don’t forget to give some time to yourself.  grin *shiny tooth ding!*

Sharing another healthy message, your friendly neighborhood artist-

Annie Lou