Thursday, March 31, 2011

A New Piece

A new digital piece I did a few weeks back.  Just now getting to posting it. 

                      the boxer, 2011

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

The Invention of Solitary Confinement

Another great post from Prison Photography about the Invention of Solitary Confinement.  He starts with this puncturing quote from Charles Dickens who was obsessed with prisons; 


"I hold this slow and daily tampering with the mysteries of the brain to be immeasurably worse than any torture of the body”
- Charles Dickens, American Notes, (Harper & Brothers, 1842) p. 39



I don't know about you, but I need people in my life.  Despite my love of alone time, time to get creative and crazy in my own head, I know that I wouldn't be the man I am without those that surround me.  

Find below a short video about the first penitentiary (because the prisoners were meant to become penitent) to focus solely on solitary confinement.  And whats interesting is it originally was meant to be a more gentle rehab. Penn Commonwealth strived to create a system different from the harsh and cruel realities of the European prison system. Pennsylvania presumed all men/women were good at heart, and by separating the individual from the sins of society they could be rehabilitated.  Unfortunately they were quite wrong, and worse still it took YEARS for them to admit or even recognize their misgivings

Also check out the blog for more info


Monday, March 28, 2011

Songs You Know by People You Don't, The Cover Archive


Came upon this site, this morning The Cover Song Archive...A new project/blog from Jeff Hamada, the man behind Booooooom.com, an amazing art blog outta Canada.  Hamada is a great artist in his own right but I do believe his ability to find and show great art has made him a must read for the young arts community.  Cool idea to gather song covers by "unknown" artists...Maybe lead to someone being discovered...or we can alll just oooh and ahh and cute kids covering songs we love.  Attached a video below of one of my new favorites off the site.  Happy Monday!

Checks the link after the video

(I like that shes all French and then breaks into this sweet falsetto:))
-------> The Cover Song Archive <-------



Thursday, March 24, 2011

Alf is Back...sorta, Don't You Want Me remake

As a little extra something to go along with the new movie Take Me Home Tonight, they have released a remake of Don't You Want Me originally by The Human League.  It actually was released about a week before I was born, so it really feels like my childhood reborn.  The video features classic 80's movie scenes with a modern twist...not bad, like the remake of the song by Atomic Tom, nice update.

Happy Thursday Morning

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Something Good Coming outta Canada:)

Checks it, video/movie looks pretty epic.  Music and beautiful nature imagery...ummm yes!

To celebrate the 100 year anniversary of Parks Canada; 13 Filmakers, 39 Musicians were brought together to visit 13 National Parks within Canada and create awesomeness.  Don't know most of the musicians involved besides Andrew Whiteman of Broken Social Scene, but i am sure its gonna be grand and good.

Check out a trailer below, and a link to to see the breakdown of Episodes and which artists worked on each.



Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Autism, and Our Ignorance

About a week behind on this one, but worth the repost;

I have had many friends work with children of ranging advantages and disadvantages over the years.  Its always great to see people step out of their comfort zone to help others.  On that note, my friend Pete Brook (who runs an amazing blog on Prison Photography...and yes I will be plugging him every couple of weeks or more if he keeps posting awesome stuff...and he DOES!) posted this video and a quote that really touched me.  I love being able to disrupt my perception, forced to consider a new reality, and this video and the others Amanda Baggs posts with a brief explanation gave me a great little insight into a life experience most know very little about.  Watch the video, check out her Wiki page and get learn-ed


"I find it very interesting by the way that failure to learn your language is seen as a deficit but failure to learn my language is seen as so natural." -AM Baggs


via P Brook and IHeartPhotography, Thanks Pete, loved this one

The Aurora, and my Dreams

This is how I dream, with a soundtrack, in nature, to visuals that seem beyond real.  





When I was in Alaska in 2007, I was astounded by the natural wonder, and hope one day I can make it back north to witness the Aurora someday.

And here is a photo I took from my trip to this wonderland for your viewing pleasure.

Me, Alaska, 2007

Friday, March 18, 2011

My New Favorite Band! CHAPEL CLUB


Ok so I was introduced yesterday to band called Chapel Club, and since, I have not been able to put their music down.  Upon reading up on them on Wikipedia, seems these English lads have been hard at work since 2007 on this 1st full length album, Palace (which was finally released Jan 2011).  Although in 2009 they released their first single, Surfacing which right now is my favorite favorite off the album.  Also if you go to their site, they have links for the norm, facebook/myspace, but also one for HypeMachine which I LOVE...so checks out some of their tunes off HypeMachine, including a few nice remixes.  FIND THEM, buy their music, and check out the video below

Thanks KCRW and Lu!

Graffiti Clean Up Reminiscent of Modern Art

A gallery of graffiti clean up that seems to be just as artistic, most likely on accident, but still quite successful...A little Rothko-esque....(Look him up...he made moody abstract modern art...that really doesn't look mind blowing until you see one of his pieces in person...then its like WOOOWAWEEWOW WOW)...there is a feeling/emotion that a computer screen can and probably will never be able to convey...its like an in person conversation vs an instant message...all the subtleties are lost in translation.  So basically I am saying GO TO ART GALLERIES/SHOWS, there is nothing like being able to stand inches from a piece of art, to see the texture/strokes, ...ok my 2 cents for ya:)

enjoy a few pics below, and more via the link




Thursday, March 17, 2011

Early Morning Beats

Was lead to this music video from another blog, not sure exactly what She is saying as my Portuguese is less than basic at best, but I was digging on the beats.  Good morning.  Enjoy DJ Sr Alfalate



Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Nate Dogg, True Rap FUNK!

In Memory of a legend, one def of my youth, Nate Dogg. Growing up in the South Bay, always sad to see a more local performer leave us at such a young age. When there was so much "gangsta rap," Nate Dogg brought a soul that was unmatched. Smooth vocals, smooth styles. A little more about his life and passing here



MOUNT UP!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Addidng a bit of Green to Australia

Nice hybrid street art using graffiti and street landscaping to get a cool moss/art effect going on.  See it all come together at the end.  Sponsored by Lipton Green Tea in Sydney OZ.




In Honor of Fabios Bday and his Beautiful Locks

I know his power comes from his Samson-esque hair, and I can appreciate that:).

Happy BDay you heartthrob you....YEA you:)


Friday, March 11, 2011

J Dilla, We MISS ya!


In memory of J Dilla, came upon this great set of remix's to his song Pause (Feat. Frank/Dank).  A friend recently told me I had to add Anthony Valdez to my friends on Facebook and she was so so right. He is a DJ at KCRW, among many other awesome things.  He is constantly posting great info about shows and music, and then drops a free remix, WHATT!!   ahhh yea

Check out the Remix HERE

Plus the page has tracklisting and a free download of all the tracks.  Yes its just 1 song remixed by a bunch of artists, but each song is unique...So GETS ON IT.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

The Green Children, Poster Up, COME SEE

So I have been working with a great band recently, The Green Children, and just was informed that they put up the poster I created for them on the Roxy Theatre site.  They have a show there on March 18th, which you should all attend if you can.  It was cool to see my poster up on the site, and can't wait to get a physical copy of one.  And really can't wait to do more...

Here is a screen shot from the Roxy Site, Poster in the bottom rt corner
and below is a clean version for your viewing pleasure.


Loving Aloe Blacc

Recently got Aloe Blacc's 2 studio albums, and I am LOVING THEM.  You may know his song "I Need a Dollar" which was commissioned by HBO for the opening credits of their series How to Make it In America.

As I was listening I realized he has a Velvet Underground cover on his Good Things album, Femme Fatale...Originally by The Velvet Underground/Lou Reed, its a really nice remake of the song, keeping a lot of the melody but still feeling like his own.  Seems appropriate since work just got the Velvet Underground license.  Also since I just posted below about Andy Warhol (He produced their 1st album, and convinced front man Lou Reed to write this about Edie Sedgwick).  It reminds me of someone as well, but we will leave that there

...And best part, I found a video for it.  Enjoy!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Andy Warhol Exhibit in NYC at MOMA, be a part of the ART


The MOMA in NY is showing a new exhibit, Andy Warhol: Motion Pictures which "focuses on the artist's cinematic portraits and non-narrative, silent, and black-and-white films from the mid-1960s. Warhol's Screen Tests reveal his lifelong fascination with the cult of celebrity, comprising a visual almanac of the 1960s downtown avant-garde scene. Included in the exhibition are such Warhol "Superstars" as Edie Sedgwick, Nico, and Baby Jane Holzer; poet Allen Ginsberg; musician Lou Reed; actor Dennis Hopper; author Susan Sontag; and collector Ethel Scull, among others."


And as a lil bonus, you can be part of the magic.  Go HERE, read about the project and you could be a small small small piece of art history:).  All you have to do is film yourself from your webcam/camera sitting in front of a blank background, upload it to flickr and then add it to the public group.  Then the museum decides if its web worthy, but yea it could be YOU!  Nice to see the museum/curators taking the extra step to make the exhibit that much more interesting/exciting.  


Let me know if any of you take up the challenge and film a quick screen test.  I am hoping to do one this weekend.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

BreakBeats Times THREE! COME MAKE MUSIC AGAIN!


So I recently posted a fun little beat making sequencer, that at least had me consumed for a few days. (Especially once we found a site with 2 sequencers, coupled with my roommates and my computer, it got ridiculous...quick) Well lucky for you, we found another, WITH MORE OPTIONS!!!

Brought to us by the Japanese breakbeat group, Hifana (meaning South Winds), their add-on site includes a few of their new tracks, a vinyl plate, sampler, pad, sequencer, and a mixing deck.  I haven't spent too much time there, but again it looks like a site you could enjoy wasting hours on:), click link below;


AND if you want to check out more about the band, click HERE (and if you speak Japanese, click here as well)

Monday, March 7, 2011

Ted Talks...Seriously good!

I have been following the Ted Talks for a few years now, catching the videos when I can, because they rock.  If you haven't read up on Ted, the organization...you should because they are attempting to make people realize how community and knowledge can lead to change in the world.  REAL CHANGE...Using the internet to spread great ideas, rather than forward on the latest Charlie Sheen quote. I know I repost that stuff, so I thought I would give you a bit more culture too:)

One of the most recent videos/talks is given by street artist JR.  Many of you may know his work, but not his name as he rarely signs works, and is more interested in using art as a method of change on a larger scale rather than a path to his own personal bank account.  Checks it YO!



JR also makes a request/challenge at the end of his video.  Asking anyone and everyone to submit a portrait, and help create the biggest art gallery ever (ie...the world)
More info below;


Seriously...I am going to take my portrait...you should too!

Also check out the rest of the Ted Talks and become super smart!




Largest Compilation of Russian Posters EVER

I am constantly on the computer, and most of that time I am browsing/scouring different art blogs for inspiration.  Just came upon this group of images and was really impressed...There should be a flickr account for it.  If you are into poster art / political history / or anything Russian, you might like this link.  Or if you are bored you could waste some time checking them out, soooo check a few pics I pulled, and def check out the link with all the images (6 full pages of posters).

The Cosmo in Vegas...LEGIT Art Direction

So a few weeks ago I was in Vegas, and we stayed at the Jockey Club next door to the Cosmopolitan Hotel/Casino.  The Cosmo, a new "boutique" venue in Vegas is modern, sleek, and has some amazing design features.  The lobby especially was a super fun place to wander.  Check out the video below and the link to see a some cool pics.  If you are in Vegas, the hotel is def worth checking out, especially if you are a "high" roller or just drunk:)



Auto Ink, Computerized Tattoo Machine Development...Hmmm?


I don't have a tattoo, girlfriends before have, and they can be quite attractive, but for me I haven't yet settled on anything I want permanently on my body...but who knows how I will feel in a few years, or later this year for that matter.  BUT i came upon this and it just felt weird.  I am all for making things better, but a huge part of tattoo'ing is the fact its HAND DONE.  This just seems like the temp tatoo/screen printed/mass marketed bastardization of the artform.  Now I'm sure some people would appreciate this machine...me, especially as an artist, i'm skeptical of it.  Kinda curious how the tattoo community views this....something to think about.



"Right now Auto Ink is setup with a pen rather than a needle, but is still an interesting piece/concept nonetheless"

Album Art, Where it Began and it where its GOING (Another Shepard Fairy Art SHOW!)

I love music...No let me rephrase that.  I NEED music.  And ever since I was young album covers have fascinated me.  When I was younger it was my parents records that seemed to catch my attention.  The Who's Tommy, or most Beatles records, (I mean how sick is the Sgt. Peppers cover, or Revolver?), I just loved them.  Well I learned something today that got me all excited.  See for me when I learn new things I get excited.  Call me a dork, but seriously, knowledge has always been a source of happiness for me, especially if it relates to my many interests (art and music, boom!)



So I as I said learned something new today, a great bit of info about an artist.  Have you heard of Alex Steinweiss?  Well you should considering he basically invented the album art cover.  Yep in the late 1930's he was the art director at Columbia Records and made the monumental change from plain brown uncreative covers to making it more a commonality to put art and design on album covers.  He himself designed almost a 100 covers, and really was the archetype for has come to be big business and some amazing art.


In conjuction with this I figured I would let you know about another sick art show going on this weekend.  Shepard Fairy has his 1st solo show of 2011 in Santa Monica, opening this weekend at the Robert Bergman Gallery.  Some of you were lucky enough to see my art at this gallery last summer (more like lucky me:) ), well now come see a real legend showing some sweet sweeet work.  Over 80 pieces inspired by music and 12".

INFO ABOUT THE ART SHOW; HERE & HERE

MORE ABOUT STEINWEISS; HERE and HERE

Thursday, March 3, 2011

ArtFinder, the Pandora of ART!


Its still in its beta infancy stage, but still a super cool idea.  Take the magic tour to see, as it gives you different pieces of art, you pick ones you like then it starts making a "gallery" of different art based on those selections.   They still seem to be adding artists daily, as right now its mainly renaissance, impressionist, and baroque art...and although many of these artists most people are unfamiliar with, thats part of the fun.

Explore

------> ArtFinder.com <------

my first "like"
Abbey in the Oakwood, Caspar David Friedrich, 1810

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Travis Barker DRUMS!

I grew up with Blink 182, and although never the biggest fan, Travis Barker's progression and success has def impressed me.  After surviving a plane crash and then the death of his friend DJ AM to an overdose, he still is able to come back with a vengeance.  Short article about him below.  Also attached a video of him performing one of his new songs.  Def like the idea of live/real drums with hip hop. Sooooo can a DRUMMER GET SOME?



and one more of him with Yelawolf killing it!

Laughing Baby Saves World!

or not, but really if this doesn't at least make u smile...something's wrong.  I am pretty sure this video has been posted and reposted quite a bit, but gosh darn it that baby makes me smile watching him get so much pleasure from a simple paper rip.  I love laughing, and friends will tell you i tend to laugh harder when others are laughing, sometimes having a hard time stopping...

New BBC 1 Nature Series, Look OUT

The most complex of all creatures, humans are the subject for BBC1's newest nature series, Human Planet; check out the trailer below, looks epic.

Amazon $5 March Album Sale


Thru the month of March Amazon has a 100 MP3 albums up for $5.  And its not just the bottom 100 sellers, there are some real gems in there, including Radiohead, Beastie Boys, Velvet Underground and a ton more.


GO GET MUSIC...its worth it