I'm a Good Dog

(This took place November 9th at Atomic Books in Baltimore.)  Ken Foster author of I'm A Good Dog, was in town at the book store -which is much more than a book store- for a signing, a speaking session, and an all around event complete with illustration show.  See my piece below. Proceeds went towards B-More Dogs, a Pit Bull advocacy group in town. Also found out about Erin Fitzpatrick, who's pet portrait ability was being auctioned off that night, fitzbomb.com for her more relevant work. I also met Ruby the therapy dog! Not being raised around dogs of any sort, I can finally get on well with them by now.. but I wanted to crawl into this specific dog's face-folds and sleep in a cradle of love.

Medicinals. More cutesy than not.. 12"x12" acrylic and ink on mat board. This is certainly a memory from my real life, only sub cats. 

 Put together by Posi-Party

Día de los Muertos

The Day of the Dead coincided with my friend Damien's 30th birthday, so that was a party opportunity waiting to happen, especially since earlier in the year he was being a diva of sorts about the whole ThirtyMilestone. We kept a slightly satirical funeral vibe, complete with a coffin that he popped out of after we stood in a large circle reciting hilarious eulogies. What better way to dramatically tell your friends you love them? But the Dia de los Muertos aesthetic can be completely gorgeous and I think from now on I'll be skipping Halloween and sticking with this. Of course they really do it up right in Mexico and other participating cultures; large breads shaped like skulls, and parades...

Backyard lighting

Hurricane Sandy day two. Candles were not just for looks.

Forrest painted this both pretty and practical, and now he has a newly awakened love of painting all things. Looks like I have a new studio partner. 

Another by product of Hurricane Sandy. A rope was strung up indoors for this. It reminds me of 'putting the F-U-N back in funeral'.

 Going to work

Colors we could wear everyday. Totally.

Refinished Guitars: Part 2

Refinished gunpowder-ed and pink bass guitar. Non-functional but visually indulgent. A battle of the modern sea vs. prehistoric land and air. Personalized for none other than Rohry Flood, the bass playing Canadian wannabe. Complete with commemorative 30 year old Canadian penny, hematite, and a dangerous bullet! Varnished, shiny, and secure for life. (Guitars: part one, is still a collection of photos in limbo and doesn't exist.)

Rainbow Sprinkles: 1

I had a session with photographer Tucker Joenz, Forrest, and an ice cream sprinkle-encrusted-beard the other night. The amazing Himalayan cat whose name I can't spell at the moment wasn't actually part of the plan, BUT he had an amazing new shave job and it IS cat week on Ellen, of course... Follow Tucker on twitter! (See below.) Photo finals coming soon on little bright red mats.

http://twitter.com/tuckerjoenz/status/255875226997493760

Specific magazine archives: 1

Life Magazine, August 1997.
While Burning Man was blowing my mind as a 12 year old, reading about it for the very first time in my grandfather's Life Magazine I couldn't imagine what he made of the whole thing.  I was enthralled, even reverent, but I wonder if he even saw the article or knew what they were talking about.. the same guy that told my 12 year old mother that the color purple was only for hippies and the pope.  Love.
Here is the saved original from my very small and oddly specific "saved article collection".

Still going strong this day in age, here's a more recent write up. 

http://blog.burningman.com/2012/10/participate/youve-been-to-burning-man-now-what/

They're so serious. Like… almost thought it was a dramatic parody serious. Those projects sound good though, right?

-"There is no default world."    (Or rather maybe there is, but there certainly doesn't have to be.) 

Framed Ink

A new addition to Cafe Sado located in Chester, Maryland. Sushi, Thai, and great atmosphere. A pepper and a peapod done in sumi ink on paper. One of the by-products of my Asian painting class at SCAD more than several years back. My name and name-stamp in Mandarin are on the side (traditional placement). Tony, the lovely Sado owner, is the only Mandarin speaking member of staff while everyone else is from the South Pacific. We figured this piece could squeeze in under a general Asian guise. 

Brooklyn and the #giftfair

Ps I'm not truthfully a hashtagger. New York over the weekend was nothing more than short and sweet. I was able to make it to the NY International Gift Fair- more fun than expected!

Jonathan Adler was the only land I felt comfortable taking any photos in, much thanks to Melissa Cromwell, and JA did look great. I was also able to locate an old favorite company now under the new name of Moksha, Indian goods and handmade wares (from Texas) and old family friends.  Moksha- "Liberation". Also check out Lusty Letters for a change of pace in your greeting card and gift-giving life. A lot of colorful inspiration, all in all. Meanwhile back in Brooklyn there is a new mural up in the courtyard of Soda Bar, courtesy of 'MissBoombox', not to mention the new chalkboard wall over at St. Johns Place...woah! 

Mural of Insects

Newest mural; A residential bathroom; Cape St. Claire in Maryland. Sixteen butterflies.

The problem is that while the work crew was finishing up, the bathtub broke in half. (When does that ever happen?) Each butterfly is meticulously clear coated to completion, hopefully staying smooth and sound.

Firecracker Balloons

9"x9" gouache on paper. It's been 5 years since last using gouache. I'm considering it a welcomed new phase.

Summer Ink

Chinese ink set on sumi paper. Cropped image. Original 17"x11". Green summertime peppers. This is my way of delaying other things.. like finishing a 60"x50" acrylic fossil. So for now I'll post dated veggies. Stay tuned, I guess. 

Wine: afterward. [Fine settimana di vino]

Friends, family and those I just met, much thanks to everyone who came out last weekend and enjoyed the wine festival! (Especially if you stopped by the booth, talked about art, or even made a purchase.) My vote for the event went to Mark Cascia Vineyards, by the way. Located Thompson Creek area of Kent Island.

This little deer made only from gun powder is still in fact for sale!

Poster situation, going very well.

And a drunk lady even bought my display at the end of Sunday evening! I made her night(?)

Check out my sign made from this painting of Columbus storming the native shores.

And a great new MilkHouse clipboard. I mean new mailing list. Feel free to keep joining. When I decide to start sending things hopefully you won't be disappointed!

Old Newspaper Nostalgia 2

Old newspaper nostalgia, part two of unknown. May 9, 2001! My David Hockney inspired painting. Sb age 15.

Ink Party

Forrest/Rudy/SB

circa 07

("Gondola
   gondola
   gondola etc.")
("Golgotha is far away from here")
("This is a tutu/ I finally have a tutu")

Paper 18: Indian prints

 Not my print job, just some very old favorites. Tiny 3" paper Indian gift bags. Held on to since 1999, via moksha-imports.

Wine Fest

So PS- the dessert and wine painting actually made its way to the winning poster design for the 2012 Chesapeake Bay Wine Festival May 5 + 6. Held at the Bay Bridge Marina in Stevensville (Kent Island).  See below post (April 17) for another (modified) version!
http://www.chesapeakebaywinefest.com  for tickets and other information.

Paper 17

("There is no boldness anymore")

 Is there, or isn't there.. I would like to see it.

With additional note to pick up the typewriter.

Paper 16, Ladybugs/mortality

Ink on paper; After once upon a time stumbling into Lindsay's cabin and noticing hundreds upon hundreds dead (ladybugs), though they looked peaceful. 

Tonight: Sneaky Pete watching Forrest reading Grace Slick's autobiography and blankly asking "what is this?" Note the neon melon paper and tank top; the camera cannot even do their brightness justice.

Midnight Special

(Shine a light on me. Think CCR, and The Lavish.)

detail

 detail

acrylic and ink on panel, 8"x11"

Ink Drops

A few new [little] ink pieces in the works. Inks featured here with Miss EggNoggies. Perhaps the greatest cat who ever did live. Blue eye... green eye.