February

I am sitting here at my desk sipping ginger tea and checking the date. It is Feb 19. It’s raining and I decided to update the web with my ramblings. My news. My thoughts. Seems fitting that it’s raining. It has done so more often than not here in LA this year. The roads are slick and all of my favorite neighborhoods are green and mossy. I always get the itch to update my website when it is raining. Something about the whaps of rain drops on concrete and the metallic smell of snails on parade brings me to lay out my thoughts on paper. A little inner monologue and inventory if you will. To catch up with myself and make record.

It was heavy at the end of 2023 and even into the beginnings of this year. The writer’s were on strike here in town. The screen actors guild writers to be exact. That has happened twice now in my 23 years living here. First it happened the year I graduated college or shortly there after. It was scary times. I saw directly how the town panicked and how this incredible life force of the industry, one that makes this city thrive, was cut off. And that flat line carried over to other industries. So when it happened again in ‘23 I was a bit nervous. How would this affect my own sales, I pondered over hot cups of coffee every morning before shutting out the world with my noise canceling headphones and beginning a series of movements that transported wonderful colors out of their bottles and onto canvas for order and manipulation. I really just concentrated on the work. And that is the only thing I know how to do. It’s also the one thing that brings me the most joy. Still very much exploring with my figurative abstract work, I found challenge deep into compositions and somehow with no discretion for time or form made it out to the other side. As I released work it would sell. And so on and so forth. Like a slow but eloquent dance when you’re at the luckiest, or like a tug-o-war between toddlers when you’re in the trenches. The writer’s strike is behind us now. The city is back in business and so too are the human beings that make these pretty actors look and sound so smart, witty, or sharp on camera.

You cannot take away spirit from art. You can’t take away it’s humanity. You can replicate art with machinery but you cannot make it live in the hearts of the viewer without spirit. I love old back and white movies. Everything slows and life in these frames move smoothly. The dialogue and the non-verbal acting transports you to a simpler time. A time where people had extensively different vocabularies and timing was paramount to vanity. For me, painting has always been spiritual. It is, to me the most incredible of all arts because you are feeling every inch and stroke of that available frame in technicolor, touch it for yourself analog reality. Every inch is charged with something the eye cannot see, authenticity. This is felt. The eye knows it. But the spirit feels it. Alot in the same way that you can feel someone looking at you before you raise your eyes up. Painting cannot be faked. Not true painting anyway. You cannot edit it with software or engineer it. My entire life will be devoted to finding spirits on canvas. And no doubt i’ll meet some real life characters along the way. I cannot wait to see what this journey has in store. But I hunger for more. More space, more material, more ideas, more time, more wine, more music, and more memories with family and friends. And guess what. I am getting more. More and more the more I show up on all of those fronts. I suspect that we all have the same yearnings. It is what makes us unique. It’s what makes us forge ahead as a species. So excited to share more of the work as it rolls out of the studio. I am excited to see how the rest of the year plays out. I should hope to return rain or shine to update the blog more often. This website serves as home base. To be notified regularly on paintings that I complete and put for sale please send me your email address in the contact section of this website to be added to the Newsletter. I send those out multiple times a month with new work and information. Thank you for following along. Stay strong and kind.

everything in stride

wow here we are march 28th time just blown in the wind like ashes at the beach. What a blur to really sit back and think about. Staying present is my mantra but still when I look back, it’s a metaphorical sigh of ponderment that begs the question where did it go. The time. It’s a comforting thought that in the blur there are moments to heal, moments to grow, and moments to capture like sound bytes on the tape of life. Blur is life.

Lots has happened since December. I spoke about finishing these large figurative series. Well, I spoke too soon because although I had finished a few I began to get more into it and added more and more. Crazy talk I say. But NOW i am finally releasing the whole lot for gandering, pandering, and conversating. There are something like 6 or 7 pieces that have taken my world over for the last 6-8 months. And boy am I tired of looking at them so please take them all. A truly symbolic series came out of my mind and body. It only is right that they get released in spring with all their bright decadence.

A beautiful fucking thought.

Raise a glass of kombucha (because its noon) and toast to energy exchanges of the highest order and to being your own agent. Agent of change, promotion, and evolution. see you on the next rung.

7:30 pm I hear the helicopters roaming, dogs barking, and somebody has a grill on that’s driving me wild with carnal desire. It’s still light out too. I told you the best days were still ahead. And here we are rising out of the ashes like a fucked up phoenix that never lost faith. It’s the perfect time to jump online and update the website. Ramble off whatever I feel in an attempt to connect people interested in my art. And to document the process on a media platform and a bit about my lifestyle. It’s either this; tik tok, twitch, or youtube. Everyone’s an expert these days when it comes to tech. NFT’s, cryptocurrency, hack marketing. The landscape is forever growing. The NFT market is interesting af. I have been following digital art for some time now and I am very captivated by some of the animations coming out in this genre. Tripped out by it might be the right term. But it is amazing and cool and something that I am watching in my spare time. But my style is analog through-and-through so no plans for my NFT any time soon. I may have to start selling my physical art for digital currency though… that might be the move.

Collages are in the forefront of my work right now. Fishes, lizards, elephants, chameleons, snakes, anything scaly really. I use cut-outs for scales and skin. This emulating of both the pattern and the texture of skin on some of the wildest species really opens up the creativity into some fun research and experimentation. So much to play with in this field. Thus far I’ve found some really interesting patterns when I imitate fungus growth in a delicate symphony of pinks, pale yellows, lilac white and specks of gold. working with cut-outs of different shapes and stacks allows for shifts in texture that feel three-dimensional.

Shows are back! I have a current international exchange exhibition in Tawain and another next month in the same region. In studio I am still working on my large scale figurativs and them dudes is nearly finished. It will be sad to see them done and out in the world. Their sunny hue and large scale compositions really capture my best mood. Brought me back to no worries. Back to feeling rooted in a good place, not an uncertain one. Plus large yellow panels inn the studio are automatic vibe enhancers for virtually any activity accept napping. As people when this pandemic came on, we kinda felt like we needed to hunch over the acoustic guitar and strum it slow into the unknown. And that’s sort of how it started. But then came a point where we needed to go big. So back to my large, fun, and wildly free abstractions I went. Those will be ready to share very soon. I took some time out for a bit to visit with family and to rejuve… I ran wild with some horses I grew up with; and met strangers in strange(r) bars. I’ve got some photobook projects in the works. I also received the rights back to a print that I am selling direct and through zgallerie (direct will have a much nicer frame and a charitable cause) Just saying… Stay tuned for those releases in the coming months. June 3’rd to be exact. I’ve also got some of my photography being published in Off The Rails magazine edition18, a magazine I have bought as inspiration for the last 5 years and coming out in it is a great start to the summer. IM excited to connect with everyone more in these coming months. It’s already begun happening. All over people are buzzing, thriving, and yearning for the connection we took advantage and then were deprived of.


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winter 2021

it should be a lot colder than it is. Currently 76 degrees and it’s the end of January. Things have started to get better with the states of affairs across the board or so it feels that way. I’ve been working on a figurative series. Large, life-sized, personal pieces of bright and juicy paint markings. Things are a lot slower. It’s easier to focus without so many distractions. It is also feels like a time for getting closer to your friends and family. Nothing has been better than playing cards with my team over the last few months. It’s like we were snowed in or something and had no choice but to play cards and conversate. That was always hit or miss — But the good laughs and magic acts were on point. Some of the team have left LA, as of the writing of this blog i’ll be having a very loud going away party for my friend Jazz. Moving around the city is a lot easier/faster these days people are still out there smiling and connecting when you look closely. I can’t wait to get out and shoot some street. The smell of the pulsating city awaits. I’ve been focusing on paintings for the last two months and I am very happy with what’s developing. We all miss everything so I won’t bore you. I’ve met more neighbors in the last few months than ever. I believe this has made us more social when we feel we are close to home lol. Quarantine life. I’ve been finding some really great music. I’ll try to get around to posting that on here soon. Going to try to update this site more often! My bike has been getting a lot of use. I’m reliving my BMX days with less cars in the streets. Stride is being hit and thrive mode is activated. Blessings counted. I’ve been reading a lot— a great book to read right now is called “Man in a blue scarf” (or is it grey?). it’s an account of a sitting that an art critic did with Lucien Freud. Really a great read. 10/10 would recommend. I know I already said it but I feel blessed and I hope you do to. The best days are ahead,

Easy tiger...

It feels like a whole new world as I catch up with the blogosphere. The year is 2020 and we’re in the last days of August. I always see august as the Sunday of summer. It’s usually like the last hoorah before the weather changes up. summer wins me over year after year. My state of mind 90% of the year is living fully in the present. Partly because it’s always sunny.

Time is fleeting af. It’s definitely a commodity. Lately it feels like it runs on it’s own. Unchecked by the ritual that life had before the big c. the rhythm of life has no-doubt slowed down. We all need a collective dance party with the built up energy in our limbs. Just today I saw a video of kids taking a zoom break. It’s a thing and the kids were like jumping, dancing/karate kicking to some sort of video game on the tv lol. It all seems so crazy. But we are navigating like some strong humans. I see you out there with your cute masks. Doing your home workouts and i’m with you too. I’ll drink to that.

Ironically the shift in my creative process due to covid coincided with the shift in my process for the Bangkok show (canceled in Jan 2020) I was going to make much of the body of work for this show with elements that I would find in Thailand or that I could easily construct once i was there. This was mostly because it would be easier than finishing pieces in LA and shipping them over as large finished pieces. The plan was to take my raw canvas with some painted primary layers and then collect elements id encounter/search for to create these new compositions. I geared up for this for about a year leading up to it and developed a work flow that focused on blending organic and inorganic materials alongside paint to create my image. As 2020 became more complicated i changed my approach I began to work on japanese rice paper and, with lots of my favorite paint distributors closed, I added more collage material to develop an aesthetic I could vibe with and work on continuously. What came next was a dynamic series of the abstract figurative nature. showcasing long-limbed regular people like you and me. Doing Covid things.

I feel extremely lucky to be able to continue working and to continue my passions when so many people have lost their routines and jobs. For those that have. Stay strong. We will get through this shit together.

My street photography has been something I have really activated lately. Since there is little else to do and so much to do at the street level. I feel like its a great place to be. To document. To reflect. And to connect. I am constantly finding collectors interested in Street photography these days! That makes me really happy in my black and white film obsessed world.

I’ve always liked to visit new places. I mean who doesn’t right? But I do it like twice a week these days. Sometimes right here in LA. I love big cities there’s all these gems from all this history and beautiful nature and shit. I pack my gear and whilst i do i get this slight feeling of nervous anticipation; that 9 out of 10 times, gives way to fascination! (I’m easily amused). On that journey I find signs along the way that point me along and i get some dope images and meet interesting people. My own little gems. When I travel I always look into the mountains and forests and think man would I ever be able to find all the hidden gems. Could I ever see all there is to see. Could I EVER find big foot or some cave filled with gold in the Mountains? We shall stay tuned to see. One thing I do know I always have that round glass lens with me. It’s like a license to explore. To be granted a little more access.

Differences

Lilting flowers all slumped over and sloshed. Their appendages majorus descending from a once vibrant uprising. These velvety seals of non-violence painted from the deepest hues and shaped beautifully; precisely with the invisible hands of Mother Nature. These gorgeous wonders of life. There’s violets and pinks, bright oranges and blues. There on the vine or in the vast forests amongst the trees you’ll find these tiny metaphors for life. Perfectly tucked away and imperfectly cycling in and out of existence. A myriad of postures on a two-way journey bound only by time. And time can be a flowering trees best friend. Just ask any gardener or enthusiast.

There’s a fusion between flowers and trees. A radiance and beauty in both its build up and breakdown. The dynamics of flux and absorption become one large breathing system. A collective cross-specied gathering of life. Growing, blooming, recoiling, and dying. This sounds a lot like our own life cycle. Our metaphorical flowers blooming from our intentions and creations that we give the world. Like flowers and trees and plants and botanical things we are all connected to the earth (soil or otherwise). But, we, like all different flowers need different things to help us thrive. There are so many different types of flowers and we will never be able to fully understand them all (despite our propensity to figure everything out). There’s the flower that blooms every 7-10 years only to die off weeks after the bloom. (See corpse flower or as it is formally known amorphophallus titanum which translates into huge misshapen penis ). It’s a total mystery, does this flower save up all its juice for a once a decade finale for the books! What does it mean? All this means to me is that every flower is different and every flower is operating on its own time and just because a plant or tree ain’t flowering doesn’t mean it isn’t alive. And it sure doesn’t mean it isn’t growing in one form or another. Trees and flowers they endure. Being left out in the cold, being tested, picked at, shit on, sat on, pushed up against. And they evolve and generate. But they cannot do it alone. They need an environment and they need what is conducive to their ability to thrive. And each one is different from the rest

I always think of orchids and ferns. The delicate duo that thrives best in the bright shade! That’s right the bright shade. These areas exist for instance, tucked under larger trees at the edge of a driveway or garden. Where sunlight is near but not direct. Without the advent of cars and driveways we wouldn’t have ferns or orchids! (No but really they first bloomed tucked in the shade alongside trails that were carved from the migration pathways of animals discovering new pathways when they’re ecosphere met with another). Just like flowers trees and plants and the forest we all require various things for our vitality and for our personal ecosystem to thrive. It’s like your mother knowing you love that blueberry pie at Christmas. Or your best friend knowing the perfect anecdote for a bad day.

Now I started this article as spring was in the air and blooms were happening. I called flowers seals of non-violence. That statement was not entirely accurate. While most flowers are non-violent in nature there are a few predators in the flower world that we again can not understand. Take the Cobra LIly for example. This Hannibal Lector of the plant world lures unsuspecting victims right into its incredible “mouth” equipped with actual “fangs.” Or the Australian Pitcher plant for instance, a relentless murderer, this bad boy devours it’s prey and is composed of transparent skin which further confuses the victim while it is being eaten alive!

Scary stuff is out there in the forests amongst the trees and we all know too well scary shit is among us humans too. Violence is amongst our communities. We have school shootings, church shootings, concert shootings, movie theater shootings, and work place shootings. There has been at least four mass shootings in the 10 days it took me to get around to posting this article. Every single month there’s handfuls of tragic stories of the random acts of violence against groups or individuals. I wish we could say that we are making progress in preventing these catastrophes but that isn’t the reality we are living in. Our roles as concerned members of the public is to be first responders now. To help immediately when it is safe to. Helping primarily by attending to the wounded. Specifically, the wounds that are losing a lot of blood. The primary cause of preventable death in trauma rooms across the country is hemorrhage. When we look at the top mass shootings like columbine where 13 people were killed and 24 people were injured, like the Las Vegas shooting where 58 people were killed and 850 people were injured, and like the sandy hook elementary school shooting where 20 first grade children were killed along with 6 teachers we see that the public safety standard has had to change. School’s regularly have active shooter drills. We have to take a good look at ourselves and figure out what we would do if confronted with this tragedy. It may well be the difference between life and death. The bombing that took place during the Boston Marathon was horrific. There were more than a dozen people who lost limbs to powerful explosive devices that detonated near the finish line. But only 3 people died. Paramedics were astounded with how many civilians sprung into action to help save lives. Using coffee shop napkins and clothing, bystanders became first responders and fought back against loss of life and the evils we will never understand. They were able to stop major bleeding and save lives. Even when it was difficult to look at, let alone touch and apply pressure to, people like you and me did what they could using everything and anything they had and they pulled together to show strength and perseverance.

Thinking about all of this good v evil is deep no doubt. Everyone’s got an opinion and everyone has their take on the state of affairs. We all are here on this earth at this time in 2019. And it’s the differences in backgrounds, beliefs, opinions, emotions, and actions that bring us forward when we bring them together. The good outnumber the evil. That I can tell you is facts. But we only discover that when we step forward despite our differences with our hearts in the right place. There is something in forest vernacular that’s called the ecotone and it is a region of transition between two biological communities. Basically an area where one species of forest meets another species of forest. These areas are of particular interest to scientists and nature lovers because they are rich in species and development of new species. This is referred to as the “edge effect” and in this area there is great biodiversity that helps us transcend and evolve on this green planet. The way forward is together. By retreating and refusing to engage with people that are different in color, shape, political affiliation, or country of origin we will surely make no forward progress like that. It’s taken a long time but we have come a long way. Slowly becoming more inclusive and evolving for the better. It may take time. But time may just have to be humanity’s best friend too.

Another rainy day here and that means I’m writing and reading whilst drinking large quantities of tea and thus peeing copious amounts of pee. The moody rainy weather emboldens me to play with light and the oddities that gloom can do with our otherwise predictable LA landscape. I installed some yellow window dressings earlier to create a morning illusion of st. tropez and sunshine when actually it was West Hollywood and drizzle.

tonic/the colors/ let them mix into magical whispers

drink it/squeeze it -

every pulsating drop

cooling and warming

and deeply quenching

like honey

and morning milk

to be on the inside/to feel your rhythm pulsate through rabid dew on sharp leaves

Coating your curves with a spiritual serum

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it’s been a minute since I have last updated this blog. It’s now mid February and I am forced inside yet again to paint and create because of heavy rain fall. Southern California and it’s drought stricken kaleidoscope of terrain is thirstier than ever. SO I will not complain nor will I curse the rain gods for it’s lack of sympathy toward those of us who toil outside from time to time. I love painting outdoors because, under the sun, colors come to life, shadows dance with shapes on the canvas, and city noise influences tones and moods as the birds above break into soundtrack at just the right time in my progression.

In the time between my last post in August and now I have added two exhibitions to my resume. One in Santa Fe, New Mexico and one here in Los Angeles with the Union Center of the Arts otherwise known as LA artcore. I have officially been made a member of the board of directors for Artcore and although not quite sure what that means I’ve always wanted to say I have a board meeting and now can do so on a month by month basis .

I have painted one series after another with new found inspiration around every metaphorical corner I turn. I often get stuck in my storage garage for hours trying to unwrap and see what it was I painted last week because that is how soon I let go and begin anew. When I’m asked where I get my inspiration as an artist who paints abstractions, my answer is always the same. I get my inspiration from life. From being free/ from surviving traumas and being strong when I didn’t think I could. From the smiling face of a stranger on the street or a patch of sunflowers growing on the side of a dirt road. I maintain this mantra daily with variations of course. But the point is this shit takes maintenance. Like heavy machinery, like a household, and like any relationship. SO I never stop exploring, reading, and sharing my opinion so that I may learn more and grow more and store more paintings that will bring me joy and prosperity.

Today

Today it feels like 100 degrees. Today it will be light out at 8pm and today my dog will sprawl out on the stone floor of my kitchen beckoning for cooler days and more table scraps. Today is summer in all of it's bright, warm, and golden glory. Summer is great. I feel like a big plant soaking up the sun, arms stretched, iced-coffee in hand. I don't know if it's all the sweating or what not but I feel like my hair grows faster in the summer too and so do my nails. It's like life invigorates and buzzes on a whole other level. One of my favorite things to do, is absolutely nothing. No but really. I enjoy grabbing a large blanket, a good book, my puff ball of a dog, and an ice-chest and heading to a big green park or beach. I'll open up a fat group chat and annoy/invite all my vitamin D deficient amigos. And with my butt in the sand or grass life will take form all around me under the sun and I feel rooted. I feel like part of it all. full-on in the present moment as the gurus would say.  I feel like what a gin and tonic looks like. Bubbly, slightly-sizzling and florally refreshing. NO BUT REALLY summer is the bomb. I play way more sport in the summer too. What starts as casually bringing a football to the beach turns into mortal combat on the high sands of the pacific. And if that doesn't majestically turn into bbq and beer-pong back at your place then you're doing it wrong. Speaking of majestic, summer is also a great time to find/re-invigorate love. Sweet, burnin, hunks of love juice dripping into the fiery pits of passion we all long for. Time seems to move a little slower during summer. And as our heartbeats flutter with whimsical energy we eat up every moment of these long days like a table of ripe fruit glistening in the morning light. So stay up late, collect grass stains on your socks and jeans and never mind the layer of sand in your bags and shoes. it's mother summer and nothing this good lasts forever. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canter's, don't switch up on me...

One of my favorite things to do in this world is have fun. I love ..love. absolutely love going out with my crew. We hang out / drink beers/  talk about life---yell slurred lyrics at each other on the dance floor. The best memories I have come from the moments after we transcend the smoky haze of the bar emptying ourselves into the streets to be ushered on to find that late night meal. You know the one; When the romantic prospects of the evening have dried up and a different kind of appetite strikes. When the all-night diner comes to the rescue, nothing else matters. In these hollowed booths of slippery leather / advice is sought, heart break is consoled, dreams are interpreted, and career choices are mulled over. Real bonds are fortified in these moments over cold pancakes and little gems of heart-felt flora blossom into memories and spontaneous outbursts of obnoxious laughter. 

For you it may be the waffle house or Ihop. For me and mine it was Canter's Deli on fairfax. I say WAS because Canter's has made the unfortunate decision to close it's doors on weekdays from 3-6am. They're still open for delivery from one of the food delivery apps like grub-hub or uber eats. But basically people are still looking to satisfy those late-night cravings only they'd rather do it at home, in their p.j.'s from their iPhones. 

So how have i reacted? In classic Jordn form I stopped having fun. Canceled summer and put up the beer pong table. Nahhh but we now hit up mel's diner for the late night chow pow wow. And it pushes me to contemplate (and blog about) this trend towards convenience and short-term comfort. There are these buttons that come out every month that find their ways onto our iPhone home screens and provide us with another option to have what we need delivered to us, our way and when we want it <FAST>. What is the price for this convenience? Well aside from fucking closing my favorite after-hours diner / There might be some harmful results of becoming too dependent on these luxuries. In a way these short term luxuries are just that. And we slowly accept that as our standard. By the wayside may go our social skills (we already have people glued to their phone half the day)(we also have huge statistics of depression) we become a little more isolated and disconnected as a society and we jeopardize the fibers and webs that positive psychology recognizes as the main ingredient for a happy life ---- strong social bonds we develop through group activity out in the field of life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food

I found heaven on the corner of Pico and Robertson and it's deadly. It's warm and wrapped - no scratch that - tucked with marinated concoctions of complimenting flavors all laying it on the tortilla line for your taste bud's inner imaginations to swoon over and decipher. I'm talking burrito bliss. Straight heaven in a handheld. The first burrito I ordered from this tiny little eatery was the mp3 steak it is loaded with sirloin steak, a sunny side up egg, tater tots, garlic aioli, and cilantro. Is your mouth watering? It was obsession at first bite. The parade of taste representatives from all the regions were on display and it shut me up for a solid 3 minutes. That's probably why its called the mp3. This place started off as a food truck that got famous and went viral for a pho-filled burrito that is no longer on the menu. They take their name from one of the world's deadliest lizards-KOMODO which is so hot right now. Each burrito is so climax inducing i'd be cool closing my eyes and picking anything on that menu. There's an Alaskan cod and concord grape burrito. A coconut braised pork burrito. The fusions of flavors are insane! 

 

 

Dating

what is life without co-mingling with the ones you find attractive? What's life without conversation, without flirtation, without butterflies and bright eyes? Even if you're coupled-up keeping that alive with your partner is the truth.  Love in the big city can be a rollercoaster. But there are so many incredible people out there. I've learned the most important thing in this city is knowing what you want for yourself and out of others before you set foot in the murky waters of the LA dating scene. Most people here are pursuing a dream and a passion and sometimes that is priority number 1. You must realize that and if you don't have that priority you may have to be understanding if your mate does. The second most important thing is honesty and communication. I have just learned how to truly be honest with the opposite sex. I always thought I had to have this stereotypical relationship where it was all or nothing. Where i didn't have the voice to express what I wanted and what I could give. That ended up hurting me and hurting others and for that I am sorry and i've had to evolve.  Now I have no problem being completely and utterly honest about what kind of dating partner I can be and it has brought me incredible empowerment and freedom. I also have found some incredible partners that start off as friends or maybe exclusively remain friends. An idea that still many people cannot comprehend. How can members of the opposite sex be friends? Very simply. We are not animals. We are more than sex. We are human and that is enough to reveal so much insight. If it starts with friendship there isn't that foggy haze of putting on a front for the other so they may find you more attractive. Friends are simply themselves. Not to impress but to share and find commonalities. Friends don't break out the tired LA tagline "I'm a producer" they simply start off by I am a dreamer, activist, gemini, animal lover, vegetarian. Those are things that friends say. They aren't trying to establish power or create a demand. They are simply expressing to find commonality. This is dating in 2018. With so many connections and matches wouldn't it be better to simply start everything off with friendship the only expectation is to show up on time and to have something to say. And we shouldn't feel any less important if that's as far as it goes. I met a girl from Iceland yesterday as I was sketching the beach landscape near the santa monica pier. She asked me for a light, she watched me sketch, she explained that she has an aunt that sketches landscapes and how she always wanted to try. I tore off a page from my sketch book and handed her a square of charcoal and said what are you waiting for. We sat in silence for like a half-hour and then laughed at how our sketches were so different. We went on to walk the venice boardwalk and compare our art to that of the local boardwalk fare before I had to return to my studio and turn that sketch into a color abstract of the same composition. We vowed to keep in touch and hang again and maybe we will. But most importantly we shared a memory. I learned a lot about Iceland and about her. I learned a little about art and a lot about myself. We exchanged so much without taking anything away from each other. We shared our humanity and were told about 5 times that we made a great couple. It was funny how people expect you to be a couple but I'm just fine being an individual sharing a moment with another individual without expectation and without force majeure. I have these encounters often in this town and they inspire me. I am a collector of human interactions you may say. People are beautiful, a beauty that is more than skin deep.  When they are themselves that's where the magic happens. So go there where the authenticity is go where the love is. If someone loves themselves then they are authentic. BEWARE!! of anybody who is always trying to name-drop or tell you how they can help you those are the people to watch out for. Unless of course that person is your agent.. stay woke my friends.

Food

LA has some incredible restaurants and so I have compiled a list of some of my favs. Whenever friends come into town they always ask me to recommend some places and it's always hard to just recommend one. I once had an intern create a spreadsheet of all of the best happy hour spots in town. This is a slightly less overwhelming list. 

 

breakfast

Without breakfast where would be. It is sometimes the simplicity of it that beckons us from slumber to begin with. The aroma of coffee and bacon is enough to get even the sleepiest of heads out of bed. My first recommendation is my fav la spot for breakfast. It is Sweet Lady Jane on melrose ave in west hollywood. It is known for it's incredible cakes and pies but not as known for the incredible breakfast that they serve. They have a simple menu mostly egg scrambles and french toast but they are 10/10. The salmon and egg scramble is so bomb you'll want to try another. They're fluffy and creamy and everything you'd expect from cake legend Sweet Lady Jane. No.2 on the breakfast tell all is the infamous place known as The Griddle on sunset blvd. This is the premier scene for breakfast and it, like most well done places, has become a tourist goldmine. It is popular but it is delicious, original, and satisfies. They open at 7am so I would recommend getting there early to avoid the long lines that develop after 10am. Or I would advise to call in the order and take it to go because the line can be that long. They have the most delicious and unique items on the menu curated by owner Jodi Hortze who has done so well with this location she has taken her talent to las vegas to open another location. Cash in on the tourists Jodi! No.3 for incredible breakfast is blu jam cafe on melrose ave. This place is amazing and everything on the menu is tasty. I would recommend the mac and cheese egg scramble but literally everything on that menu is sooooooo good you cannot go wrong. Again to the key to a nice breakfast in LA at a popular spot is get there early 9am at the latest to enjoy it without a disneyland sized line. 

lunch

Sometimes lunch for los angelenos is really breakfast. We are all watching our waist line like no other city so naturally skipping a meal for more sleep falls into the equation. Lunch is where it's at. My favorite spot for lunch would have to be the Ivy on Robertson blvd or ivy at the shore on ocean ave. My first choice would be the ivy on Robertson. It's like your eating in a botanical garden. The colors are beautiful and the menu is top notch. Sit outside and let the rest take care of itself. Celeb sightings to be expected for those that care. And they have my favorite tea selection in LA. No.2 for lunch is Sqirl. This hip cafe is tucked in the middle of the city in a hip area known as silverlake. The menu features organic and healthy decadence you just want to sink your teeth into. They have some great home made jams that they slather on thick slabs of brioche toast that will have all your IG followers sliding through your dm's. No.3 on the lunch spot ballot is in down-town LA right up in a high rise. You will have to dress up a bit and that's half the fun. The food is good enough-french small plates and great cocktails. But go for the view and the ambience and you can stay downtown and explore the museums afterward.

dinner

 Dinner is for the bold and the beautiful and LA has what you're looking for across the board in the name of fine dining. My fav spot for dinner wether it's a date night or just a solo seating is the Little Door on 3rd st. It's a gorgeously hidden paradise of candle light and vines casting shadows. It has been voted most romantic restaurant in LA but really it is so much more than that. It is a must see. Lamb shank and red wine balances my scales here. No.2 on the list is Vibrato Grill on Beverly Glen circle. This spot is flat out entertaining. It's owned by Jazz icon Herp Alpert and is inconspicuously hidden in a shopping center up in the hills of bel air. It is so cool and so private and that's the best way to describe it. One of the cities best kept secrets. Live bands play most nights and the art that fills the space is as colorful as the crowd. This place is a special one for sure and it should experienced with someone special. No.3 is Moonshadows in Malibu on PCH. Malibu has a lot of great restaurants and lounges but moon shadows holds a special place in my heart. I lived near-by for years and although I was on a college budget I still indulged when I could. They have a gorgeous patio that is well heated and the dj spins some chill vibes while you listen to the waves crash and unwind with some amazing cuisine. 

life

January is a tricky month. After much of December centers around gifts we can bring to each other. January would be the time to discover which gifts we want to bring to the world. Our talents and hard work-and most importantly our duty and obligations. January is no doubt the optimists finest challenge. It is diets and bootcamps and proclamations to be a better person. We start by getting out the ladder and taking down the decorations. The haze of love and generous gestures may give way to haste and sarcasm. This is also the time of the year we have to take care of sick loved ones and do lots of chores. Even though it's time to mop the glitter off the floors and get to work, this is basic civility. None of it is fun but it gives us our compass. It too is life. So embrace this time because February is no better. But it is what our society hinges on -good old fashioned grindstone and struggle. Find your gifts and tune them up.

A few days ago a friend of mine and I were driving down to install some paintings at a restaurant in Malibu called Ollo. It is a great eatery with an appreciation for local artists. It was 6 am and LA was experiencing a torrential downpour that I had not anticipated. We strapped 4 7ft by 7ft paintings to the top of my car and headed down the coast weaving in and out of mudslides and waving at pissed off motorists. If you have ever driven in LA in the rain you know what I mean when I say the struggle is real. We decided that if you don't wave at a driver who has let you in amongst the line of traffic then there is something tragically wrong with you. And if you have to force your way in without being let in then you don't have to wave but if you do it should be out of sarcasm. Just some general traffic etiquette for you out there. Anyway we made it down to Ollo and got the job done in time to head home for lunch, but not before stopping off at the beach to skip some stones and settle the brain. I had to zoom out and see the great expanse to realize that in my fold I can remain calm and carry on despite a couple of middle fingers and some wet paintings. 

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Life

Hello 2018 and with it, all our hopes and dreams for growth and prosperity. I enjoyed some well needed family time and plenty of indulgences that I am now working off in the gym. Now as I gear up for my next show on the 8th of this month I am pumping out new work and enjoying a whole new color palette inspired by some of the places I visited on my time off. Places that are simplistic and rustic, with it's own delicate vibrancy. Places steeped in weathered patina that my eye catches and immediately begins to study. There is comfort in the old vintage tradition of staying the same. Stability is a notion that can seem to be fleeting these days as people and places change. Those are things we cannot control. But our individual stability; when our character and integrity is stable this allows us to keep an adventurous mind to explore growth with new experiences and new ideas. I am looking forward to strides, struggle, and ultimately growth through it all. 

Music

 Press play!

 

 

new vibe from Lauv. had to do a cover. thanks for listening <3 tweet at me twitter.com/kodamilo

1.27.17 Out now on Ultra Music, the Chicago-based duo’s latest release “Love Is Alive” was co-written and co-produced by artist / producer, Elohim. The dreamy track comes together with a melodic guitar riff layered upon a soothing bassline, underscored by Elohim’s euphonic voice. Fans can catch “Love Is Alive” along with Louis The Child’s robust catalogue of pop-crossover productions on their spring tour which kicked off this week and will stop through 22 US cities over the next two months. Follow Louis The Child: facebook.com/louisthechild twitter.com/louisthechild soundcloud.com/louisthechild instagram.com/louisthechild Follow Elohim: https://www.facebook.com/elohimonline/ twitter.com/elohimmusic https://soundcloud.com/elohimelohim Tour Dates: Louis The Child Live Dates Jan. 25 - Madison, WI - Majestic Theatre Jan. 26 - Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall Ballroom Jan. 27 - Detroit, MI - Royal Oak Theatre Jan. 28 - Urbana, IL - The Canopy Club Jan. 29 - Des Moines, IA - Wooly’s Feb. 3 - Rome, ITA - Piper Club Feb. 7 - London, UK - -2 Forum Kentish Town Feb. 8 - Amsterdam, NL - Melkweg Feb. 9 - Paris, FRA - Olympia Hall Feb. 17 - Sacramento, CA - Ace of Spades Feb. 22 - Charlotte, NC - The Underground Feb. 23 - Raleigh, NC - Lincoln Theatre Feb. 24 - Athens, GA - Georgia Theatre Feb. 25 - Nashville, TN - Marathon Music Works March 1 - Millvale, PA - Mr. Small’s Theatre March 2 - Bloomington, IN - Bluebird Nightclub March 4 - Columbus, OH - Park Street Saloon March 8 - Northampton, MA - Pearl Street Nightclub Mar 9 - Portland, ME - Portland City Music Hall Mar 10 - South Burlington, VT - Higher Ground Ballroom Mar 11 - Niagra Falls, NY - The Rapids Theatre Mar 12 - Alabany, NY - Lucky Strike Social Mar 15 - St. Louis, MO - Delmar Hall Mar 16 - Columbia, MO - The Blue Note Mar 17 - Kansas City, MO - The Record Bar Mar 18 - Boulder, CO - Boulder Theatre

Download for free: http://djfreetime.at/downloads/ Listen right now to a new mix by DJ free[time]. Get impressed by "Klingande - Punga" and enjoy the hot summer days! Nice listening! DJ free[time] ----------------------------------------------------- Klingande feat. DJ free[time] - Punga (Freetime Saxophone Mix) Music Content: © by the appropriate record label. ----------------------------------------------------- check out DJ free[time]: Website: http://www.djfreetime.at Facebook: http://facebook.com/djfreetime.at YouTube: http://youtube.com/user/djfreetimemusic

Download "SB Vol. 3" for FREE at: gramatik.net/discography Gramatik ON TOUR: gramatik.net/tour

drive slow ep out now => http://smarturl.it/KF_DriveSlow @kidfroopy www.facebook.com/kidfroopy/ www.twitter.com/kidfroopy/ www.instagram.com/kidfroopy/ remix by... @imnikoblank https://twitter.com/imnikoblank released via @deadbeatsrecords ~ ty @zedsdead

A song about the one who got away. - W I S H I W A S 'Wasted, wasted I'm losing my mind too soon... Faded, faded I'm cutting all ties to you... My wings are broken My heart is frozen I'm cutting all ties to you... I'm cutting all ties to you...' Art by Jake Stollery.com

vocals + lyrics by @wales music by @shallou Spotify: http://smarturl.it/shalloubegin Apple/iTunes: http://smarturl.it/beginapple __ #social# Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shalloumusic Twitter https://twitter.com/shalloumusic Facebook https://www.facebook.com/shalloumusic

Eskimo Recordings presents 'The Pink Collection'! Following the anniversary box 'Eskimonde - A Decade of Eskimo Recordings', we bring you 'The Pink Collection'. It's the first installment in a brand new compilation series on Eskimo. We have selected 13 brand new songs - all produced exclusively for this concept - with exquisite care. This labour of love is the fresh start of a new decade of Eskimo Recordings, and at the same time reassuring once again what the label stands for: timeless quality and originality. Tracklist: 1. Holy Models - Swimming 2. Satin Jackets - Olivia 3. Brynjolfur - I Love You 4. Made In Sane - Flying Circuits 5. Mastercris feat. Novika - Most Valued 6. Ichisan - Jugoton 7. Martin Brodin - Lazise 1979 8. Majestique - Must Get There 9. The Living Islands - Stars On The Sea (Blue Dub Version) 10. ATTAR! feat. Cherry - The Fool 11. Golden Fleece - Egg On Legs 12. Copycat - Waste Of Space 13. Kasper Bjørke - The Grey Area Out on the 2nd of September on CD and digitally - stay tuned! More info: www.eskimorecordings.com/newsdetail.php?idn=4154 http://www.facebook.com/eskimorecordings http://www.eskimorecordings.com/ http://www.newsrecords.be/ http://www.facebook.com/NEWSrecords

Life

I love taking trips to the beach whenever I can and sometimes Mr. Business comes with. He has the absolute best times. I love seeing him go wild as he runs with youthful abandon. Biz really can get himself going. Racing backing and forth; ears tucked and feet leaping like a miniature horse It's quite the site. The other day we came upon a washed up dolphin on the rocks. It had already began decomposing, and biz, who found it long before I did, was changed in that instant. Far gone was the little rodeo dog bouncing around like a pig in mud. Mr. Business was now incredibly alert. Facing opposite of the ocean in search of some force hidden on land that was responsible for this. My poor buddy, his spirit a little broken, no longer even looking at the ocean that brought him so much joy just minutes before. Fear had crept into my the little dude's pysche. It broke my heart to see him like that. I realized then what people meant by saying they wouldn't want to bring children into this world because of how it can sometimes be a fearful place. I never understood that statement before and sometimes felt like it was cold and against our instinct. I do not feel the same way but I immediately understood that the statement in a different way that day.

Maybe sometimes we find our differences annoying. Our points of view so protected that when we see something different or something that doesn't deliver to our expectations we automatically can respond from fear. Sometimes it could be avoidance and assumptive judgment. Other times it could be aggression and violence. I often hear people get back from vacation and comment on how the place had the nicest people. "oh they were the warmest most welcoming people!"  you connect with people and inquire as to their methods and customs from a positive and curious stand point. Thus inviting positive welcoming feedback and growth on both ends. Maybe minor annoyances and differences we have with expectations in life are starting points for development. To ask why you feel that way and if your response is warranted. And then re wire your response so that you are able to inquire from a positive place or be the water and move around it. These minor annoyances become training and opportunity for growth. And when life throws at you major annoyance or disappointment you'll have the personal power to push through. Always try to respond from love not fear.

 

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Christmas

I can't believe we are here in December! Knee-deep in sports and tidings of comfort and joy. It's pretty much everyone's favorite time of the year. A chance to light things up and sing a little louder. Here are my top 5 tips on getting the most out of your Christmas tree.

  1. Noble fir. If you can definitely choose a Noble Fir tree. They tend to have a lot more thickness to them and they smell the best.
  2. Have the tree seller cut a few inches off of the bottom so that the trunk meat is fresh and ready to soak up water as soon as you get it home. And always water it with hot water and best if boiling for the first watering. This will force the sap up into the tree and increase its circulation.
  3. String small white lights around the tree first and push them deep inside to the trunk. This backlights the tree. Fill it up with your ornaments and more lights if you want and you have tons of cool depth.
  4. Hit up your local florist for some baby's breath. Small bunches of it tucked in the tree looks really good. Sprigs of plum blossom or cherry blossom branches look good in there too.
  5. if you're feeling extra wild string a few threads of cranberries. They give it a great classic touch and the color is this rich burgundy that the lights twinkle off of nicely.

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