Happy Halloween!

More Illustrator: Mikey's Friend, Bute

So, I decided that Mikey needed a friend. Without further ado, I introduce, Bute:


And I made them the new spokesmodels for No on Prop 8. Way to go, boys!

My Penguins Are Getting Dressed for Halloween

JASON

GREEN MAN (fr Sunny In Philadelphia)

HUNTER S THOMPSON

JAMESON STEELE, GILDED AGE STEEL BARON OF SOUTH DAKOTA (inspired by Lorenzo)

SARAH PALIN

KANYE WEST

More Illustrator stuff

Fawcett Residence for SALE!

This Frank Lloyd Wright home is on sale for only $2.7 million. I'll let my realtor know immediately.

Look who's learning Illustrator!

Some characters I created:

Lorenzo used the bunny in his photography via Photoshop:

My Photoshop Lessons: Intro

Working within the Photoshop industry, I decided it was time to familiarize myself with the software. With the help of Photoshop superwizard, Mikey, I've made some progress and recorded it here.

Early stage: Frustration

Paint Brushing Technique

Layers and Textures Exploration


Pen Tool

Tinting and Masking Exploration

Evidently, I have lots of learning left to do. Will update soon.

Austin: World Record for Largest Thriller Dance

The previous record for number of people doing the Thriller dance was 140. The people of Austin, TX obliterated that dwarf-like number with a whopping 881 dancers! I think Los Angeles has some work to do.

Thanks John Ptucha

Defending Change

Themes of change have been most apparent in the airwaves lately thanks to Senator Obama's historical campaign. This notion of change being needed and positive, however, is exceptional in itself because we human creatures of comfort have a distaste, near loathing, for changing.

Surely we have tendencies towards boredom and we'll remedy this with some irresponsible act that will live in gossip beyond our days. We'll crave something or someone constant. Something like home. You know it. It's not so much the advancement, we have trouble when we have nowhere to return when all is done. Security. Honestly.

But let's go micro. Let's discuss how change in those moments of survival should not be viewed in such a monster-like light. Not so much deterioration but evolution. We phase in and out to always be further our development. Surely we've witnessed patterns of devolution and stagnant progress, but we should be considerate of our separate paces and tracks. And that in times of changing, sometimes it's a matter of shifting gears rather than detrimental steps in a negative direction.

Fleeting patterns seem to make us very nervous about change. But when it happens, shudder not. As that moment of change passes, another one is constantly being created. Thus leaving us with this: the only constant we have is change. Werewolf or giant cockroach, we move forward.

My new office

As some of you already know, I have a new job. And they really are treating me well. I took a few photos.


My own office

Fancy chair

Two monitors like the cool kids have.

Thanks, Tita Mynna

Don't you hate it

when you look into the mirror and realize you've turned into a giant peppermint patty?

Spasmodic Notes on Success

We constantly try to define success. Whether it be measured on a monetary scale or the proportional progression in life steps (college degree-great job-house-family), or even a perceptible amount of happiness, or hell, a combination of all three, we decide which techniques and philosophies to live by in order to achieve that level of self-assurance and accomplishment that just beams "I made it."

While I do experiment with various methods, I find satisfaction in the goal-oriented model. OK, don't jump to any conclusions, spirtual guidance hipster. It's not the ancient practice of any organized group. A man who changed the direction of my life, Billy P, told me he got to where he was by visualizing.

Note: Use discretion in repeating the "I'm a really good visual thinker because I'm an artist" cliché. People will most likely notice your awful haircut or poor wardrobe choice and conclude that you should have visually thought about your appearance more.

So I put this to the test the other day and many days before. I was in my car rolling down La Brea Ave with my gas gauge reading EMPTY, YOU PROCRASTINATOR. With today's high gas prices, I avoid the gas station like the plague. So this is when I utilize the visualization and meditation: I repeat "You will make it to the gas station" to myself and picture myself reaching the gas pump without the help of tow truck. SUCCESS I MADE IT! Thus proving that visualization does bring success in the form of happiness as evident in my celebration dance at the gas station.

New definition of success: biological need to emit happiness through genuinely ugly violent gestures.

The Cost of War by Ab5trax

Ryan, Seaton and Hunter go political! See more of their work here: Ab5trax

Furious Little Cinnamon Bun

Good Morning!

Home video of me from last Friday

I like your work, Mr. Piven

Jeremy Piven is my favorite TV actor because of his role as the deviant but warm blooded fast-talking hug it out agent, Ari Gold in Entourage.

Dear Car,

This letter is to let you know that I still care. I'm sorry that luck had staked a rusty 4 inch nail in your tire. Or the time some lunatic hit your mirror off, or the time a startled old lady drove her car right into you, or the time a beastly amount tire debris tried to make out with you and ripped part of your face off. (That piece will be replaced, I promise)
Also, I apologize that I had spilled gesso all over your back seat and my father signed his name on the stain, you're still so dependable. I met another artist girl who got gesso in her backseat too. You're not alone! Your battery failed last night, but you know, that's OK. It happens to the best of us. Just remember, as Ramon the AAA car battery pro assured, you were still the best car of 2005.

Weather Report for 10/20

I cannot see the Hollywood sign from my window thanks to brown haze. Above it the sky is blue. It's about 70 degrees. I wore the faux fur anyway.


For breakfast, I'm having coffee and bagels. No bagels for the bad people today. Office policy.

Who is You? #10

Will you just go forward already? My car can only take so much agony.



You = Mercury, my least favorite planet in our solar system.

I love Dolly Parton and so does Henry Kissinger

I just remembered how much I enjoyed this photo. Scrutinized for days, but I hadn't come to a conclusion that "Dolly" was actually Dolly or just a man dressed as Dolly. Look at the hands. A bit manly no?