The Monkey Puzzle

2010-11-15T13:46:00.001-08:00

'Redrum'
12" x 24"
cel vinyl on wood

got inspired to paint a piece for the CN show on Thursday*

See ya at CN next week!!

2010-11-10T15:51:00.000-08:00

NEW ZOMBIE SHADES (by: yours truly) !!

2010-10-11T01:00:00.000-07:00

available exclusively at Lamp-In-A-Box:

http://lampinabox.com/liab/product.aspx?pid=550

Hi Fructose love for me..

2010-09-23T16:49:00.000-07:00

http://www.hifructose.com/the-blog/937-carlos-ramos-does-bowie.html

October 15th!

2010-09-15T12:07:00.000-07:00

Chicago's Rotofugi Gallery presents ‘Bowie’, an exhibition of new works by Los Angeles artist Carlos Ramos. After tackling such big subjects as the Natural History Museum, India and Stanley Kubrick, Ramos has a bit of fun taking on one of the biggest rock personas of all time -David Bowie and the many characters he's embodied over his career. From Ziggy Stardust to The Man Who Fell To Earth to Labrynth's Jareth the Goblin King to Twin Peak's Phillip Jeffries. This is a 2 person show with new works by Mark Brown as well.

B, A, Select Start Lamp!!

2010-08-19T16:09:00.000-07:00

My NES lamp is available now thru Lamp in a Box !!!

order here:

http://lampinabox.com/liab/product.aspx?pid=438

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STANLEY !!!

2010-07-26T16:46:00.000-07:00

Visions of Jupiter.

2010-07-10T13:49:00.000-07:00

12" x 16"

a piece I didn't feel was good enough to go into the show.

it's TONIGHT!!!

Cheers to the Devotchka

2010-07-07T14:57:00.000-07:00

‘A Clockwork Orange'
12” x 16”
cel vintl on wood

Copro Show in 3 days !!!

Daisy. Daisy.

2010-07-06T16:27:00.000-07:00

12” x 24”
cel vinyl on wood

check 'em all out here including the new ones:

www.TheCarlosRamos.com

4 Days!!

Moloko Plus

2010-07-02T14:04:00.001-07:00

'A Clockwork Orange'

36" x 48"

cel vinyl on wood

solo in 8 days!!

Re-Animator: The Musical !!!

2010-07-01T22:47:00.000-07:00

Poster I did for my pal Amit at the Steve Allen Thetare.

The play actually made me a lil’ teary it was so good. The bad guy from Ghostbusters played the headless dean and George Wendt played the lead zombie dad. ..AND it was my first musical!

Dr. Strangelove

2010-07-01T14:50:00.000-07:00

24" x 36"
cel vinyl on wood

9 Days !!!

What's in Room 237?

2010-06-30T11:32:00.000-07:00

'The Shining'
24" x 36"
cel vinyl on wood

KUBRICK SHOW in 10 days at Copro Gallery!!

My Website launches today!!

2010-06-30T11:27:00.000-07:00

www.TheCarlosRamos.com

check it!!

One Month People..!

2010-06-05T15:47:00.001-07:00

LOST explained (seriously)..

2010-05-29T15:08:00.000-07:00

from one of the writers of Lost (this fixed my brain)..

had to share

First ...
The Island:

It was real. Everything that happened on the island that we saw
throughout the 6 seasons was real. Forget the final image of the plane
crash, it was put in purposely to f*&k with people's heads and show
how far the show had come. They really crashed. They really survived.
They really discovered Dharma and the Others. The Island keeps the
balance of good and evil in the world. It always has and always will
perform that role. And the Island will always need a "Protector".
Jacob wasn't the first, Hurley won't be the last. However, Jacob had
to deal with a malevolent force (MIB) that his mother, nor Hurley had
to deal with. He created the devil and had to find a way to kill him
-- even though the rules prevented him from actually doing so.

Thus began Jacob's plan to bring candidates to the Island to do the
one thing he couldn't do. Kill the MIB. He had a huge list of
candidates that spanned generations. Yet everytime he brought people
there, the MIB corrupted them and caused them to kill one another.
That was until Richard came along and helped Jacob understand that if
he didn't take a more active role, then his plan would never work.

Enter Dharma -- which I'm not sure why John is having such a hard time
grasping. Dharma, like the countless scores of people that were
brought to the island before, were brought there by Jacob as part of
his plan to kill the MIB. However, the MIB was aware of this plan and
interferred by "corrupting" Ben. Making Ben believe he was doing the
work of Jacob when in reality he was doing the work of the MIB. This
carried over into all of Ben's "off-island" activities. He was the
leader. He spoke for Jacob as far as they were concerned. So the
"Others" killed Dharma and later were actively trying to kill Jack,
Kate, Sawyer, Hurley and all the candidates because that's what the
MIB wanted. And what he couldn't do for himself.

Dharma was originally brought in to be good. But was turned bad by
MIB's corruption and eventually destroyed by his pawn Ben. Now, was
Dharma only brought there to help Jack and the other Canditates on
their overall quest to kill Smokey? Or did Jacob have another list of
Canidates from the Dharma group that we were never aware of? That's a
question that is purposley not answered because whatever answer the
writers came up with would be worse than the one you come up with for
yourself. Still ... Dharma's purpose is not "pointless" or even vague.
Hell, it's pretty blantent.

Still, despite his grand plan, Jacob wanted to give his "candidates"
(our Lostaways) the one thing he, nor his brother, were ever afforded:
free will. Hence him bringing a host of "candidates" through the
decades and letting them "choose" which one would actually do the job
in the end. Maybe he knew Jack would be the one to kill Flocke and
that Hurley would be the protector in the end. Maybe he didn't. But
that was always the key question of the show: Fate vs Free-will.
Science vs Faith. Personally I think Jacob knew from the beginning
what was going to happen and that everyone played a part over 6
seasons in helping Jack get to the point where he needed to be to kill
Smokey and make Hurley the protector -- I know that's how a lot of the
writers viewed it. But again, they won't answer that (nor should they)
because that ruins the fun.

In the end, Jack got to do what he always wanted to do from the very
first episode of the show: Save his fellow Lostaways. He got Kate and
Sawyer off the island and he gave Hurley the purpose in life he'd
always been missing. And, in Sideways world (which we'll get to next)
he in fact saved everyone by helping them all move on ...

Now...

Sideways World:

Sideways world is where it gets really cool in terms of theology and
metaphysical discussion (for me at least -- because I love
history/religion theories and loved all the talks in the writer's room
about it). Basically what the show is proposing is that we're all
linked to certain people during our lives. Call them soulmates (though
it's not exactly the best word). But these people we're linked to are
with us duing "the most important moments of our lives" as Christian
said. These are the people we move through the universe with from
lifetime to lifetime. It's loosely based in Hinduisim with large doses
of western religion thrown into the mix.

The conceit that the writers created, basing it off these religious
philosophies, was that as a group, the Lostaways subconsciously
created this "sideways" world where they exist in purgatory until they
are "awakened" and find one another. Once they all find one another,
they can then move on and move forward. In essence, this is the show's
concept of the afterlife. According to the show, everyone creates
their own "Sideways" purgatory with their "soulmates" throughout their
lives and exist there until they all move on together. That's a
beautiful notion. Even if you aren't religious or even spirtual, the
idea that we live AND die together is deeply profound and moving.

It's a really cool and spirtual concept that fits the whole tone and
subtext the show has had from the beginning. These people were
SUPPOSED to be together on that plane. They were supposed to live
through these events -- not JUST because of Jacob. But because that's
what the universe or God (depending on how religious you wish to get)
wanted to happen. The show was always about science vs faith -- and it
ultimately came down on the side of faith. It answered THE core
question of the series. The one question that has been at the root of
every island mystery, every character backstory, every plot twist.
That, by itself, is quite an accomplishment.

How much you want to extrapolate from that is up to you as the viewer.
Think about season 1 when we first found the Hatch. Everyone thought
that's THE answer! Whatever is down there is the answer! Then, as we
discovered it was just one station of many. One link in a very long
chain that kept revealing more, and more of a larger mosiac.

But the writer's took it even further this season by contrasting this
Sideways "purgatory" with the Island itself. Remember when Michael
appeared to Hurley, he said he was not allowed to leave the Island.
Just like the MIB. He wasn't allowed into this sideways world and
thus, was not afforded the opportunity to move on. Why? Because he had
proven himself to be unworthy with his actions on the Island. He
failed the test. The others, passed. They made it into Sideways world
when they died -- some before Jack, some years later. In Hurley's
case, maybe centuries later. They exist in this sideways world until
they are "awakened" and they can only move on TOGETHER because they
are linked. They are destined to be together for eternity. That was
their destiny.

They were NOT linked to Anna Lucia, Daniel, Roussou, Alex, Miles,
Lupidis, (and all the rest who weren't in the chuch -- basically
everyone who wasn't in season 1). Yet those people exist in Sideways
world. Why? Well again, here's where they leave it up to you to
decide. The way I like to think about it, is that those people who
were left behind in Sideways world have to find their own soulmates
before they can wake up. It's possible that those links aren't people
from the island but from their other life (Anna's parnter, the guy she
shot --- Roussou's husband, etc etc).

A lot of people have been talking about Ben and why he didn't go into
the Church. And if you think of Sideways world in this way, then it
gives you the answer to that very question. Ben can't move on yet
because he hasn't connected with the people he needs to. It's going to
be his job to awaken Roussou, Alex, Anna Lucia (maybe), Ethan,
Goodspeed, his father and the rest. He has to attone for his sins more
than he did by being Hurley's number two. He has to do what Hurley and
Desmond did for our Lostaways with his own people. He has to help them
connect. And he can only move on when all the links in his chain are
ready to. Same can be said for Faraday, Charlotte, Whidmore, Hawkins
etc. It's really a neat, and cool concept. At least to me.

But, from a more "behind the scenes" note: the reason Ben's not in the
church, and the reason no one is in the church but for Season 1 people
is because they wrote the ending to the show after writing the pilot.
And never changed it. The writers always said (and many didn't believe
them) that they knew their ending from the very first episode. I
applaud them for that. It's pretty fantastic. Originally Ben was
supposed to have a 3 episode arc and be done. But he became a big part
of the show. They could have easily changed their ending and put him
in the church -- but instead they problem solved it. Gave him a
BRILLIANT moment with Locke outside the church ... and then that was
it. I loved that. For those that wonder -- the original ending started
the moment Jack walked into the church and touches the casket to Jack
closing his eyes as the other plane flies away. That was always JJ's
ending. And they kept it.

For me the ending of this show means a lot. Not only because I worked
on it, but because as a writer it inspired me in a way the medium had
never done before. I've been inspired to write by great films. Maybe
too many to count. And there have been amazing TV shows that I've
loved (X-Files, 24, Sopranos, countless 1/2 hour shows). But none did
what LOST did for me. None showed me that you could take huge risks
(writing a show about faith for network TV) and stick to your creative
guns and STILL please the audience. I learned a lot from the show as a
writer. I learned even more from being around the incredible writers,
producers, PAs, interns and everyone else who slaved on the show for 6
years.

In the end, for me, LOST was a touchstone show that dealt with faith,
the afterlife, and all these big, spirtual questions that most shows
don't touch. And to me, they never once waivered from their core story
-- even with all the sci-fi elements they mixed in. To walk that long
and daunting of a creative tightrope and survive is simply astounding.

And awesome stuff, as always, from everyone on here over the past few
years! You guys rock!

us !!!

2010-05-25T20:03:00.001-07:00

Cranes..

2010-05-15T18:57:00.000-07:00

hi all!
so, have been painting like a madman on the Kubrick show for July. I know I haven't posted much but will update soon with a few hint images.
In the meantime here's my piece for CHG's Bristol Museum, 'Art From the New World'

'Grus Antigone Abstractus'
3.5' x 3.5'
cel vinyl on wood

talk soon pals!

exciting*

2010-04-01T20:53:00.000-07:00

GAME OVER III !!!

2010-03-13T16:11:00.000-08:00

Hi all! Been painting like a maniac on some things I'm really proud of including these that will be at at ‘Game Over III at GRSF’, March 12, 2010 - April 14, 2010

618 Shrader Street
San Francisco, CA 94117
gr-sf.com

‘Smell the Power Glove’
cel vinyl on wood
12” x 24”

‘Link circa 1973’
cel vinyl on wood
18” x 24”

This week!

2010-03-02T14:02:00.001-08:00

so, I'm in the zone! Paintings are coming fast and furious. Let's see eachother this week!

‘Godzilla’

24” x 37”

cel vinyl on wood

by: me

for the Manifest Equality show tomorrow!

go here:

http://www.manifestequality.com/

‘Renovatio Cervus’
18” x 24”
cel vinyl on wood

This Friday at the La Luz de Jesus’ Everything but the Kitsch ‘N Sync Annual Group Show!

go here:

http://www.laluzdejesus.com/shows/2010/KitschNSync-2010/01_KitschNSync2010.htm

more to come in less that a week!

last nite*

2010-02-21T13:58:00.000-08:00

So, our good friend and all around great guy Marc-Edouard had his birthday last night and luckily I had the foresight to get some new Fuji Polaroid film. The problem is that it's horribly sticky and glued itself to every page of my photobook and all the pics were ruined. Panicked I discovered that a spray bottle of water and the angry side of a sponge (below) work wonders! Be warned!! but now you all have the solution:

Happy Valentine.

2010-02-14T10:42:00.000-08:00

'The Love Show: 2'

2010-02-12T13:33:00.001-08:00

Happy Vday everyone. Come visit my single ass at this group show I'm in. Should be fun:

'The Striptease'
4 feet by 2 feet
cel paint on wood

'The Perfume Fire'
12" x 24"
cel vinyl on wood

Daniel Clowes explains football:

2010-02-07T13:36:00.000-08:00

'Year of the Cub'

2010-02-04T16:26:00.000-08:00

this is a piece I did for the My Plastic Heart gallery show tomorrow in NYC:

12" x 16"
cel vinyl on wood

check it!

http://www.myplasticheartnyc.com/

Bucket.

2010-02-03T11:05:00.001-08:00

it's been a rough few weeks here. times like these I turn to my best pal. just looked at these old photos and thought I'd share. Bucket is the best thing that's ever happened to me..

Otto - B's best friend. we miss him alot.

*g'night..

2010-01-29T04:55:00.001-08:00

January Mixtape..

2010-01-25T16:04:00.000-08:00

So, I made a mixtape for myself and then sent it to a bunch a friends once I found out YouSendIt allows 100 downloads within a week. It got a huge response so maybe I'll make a habit of it. Maybe it'll even start a trend? Anyways, just reposted it.

https://rcpt.yousendit.com/808315152/d5cba38dfa4d863c9bd043c3bf8b2920

enjoy!

ccr

The Shining..

2010-01-25T15:53:00.001-08:00

Just a little slice of a pice I just completed for the Kubrick show.

I just got a shipment of large panels this weekend and started on the biggest painting in the show. My body aches from all the lifting and laying down base coats. I forgot how difficult it is working with 6 footers. A lot of time was spent just staring at it and scratching my head.

Can't wait for you guys to see it all!

Atlas Sound at the Natural History Museum..

2010-01-09T17:02:00.000-08:00

My favorite band at my favorite place..

and my favorite track off the new album..

The Third & The Seventh

2010-01-07T16:19:00.000-08:00

stills from Alex Roman's ALL CG short. I seriously can't believe how good this looks. Can CG help me live in the wooden forest house?

watch it here!

The Third & The Seventh from Alex Roman on Vimeo.

A Clockwork Orange.

2010-01-05T14:38:00.000-08:00

One of the things that excites me most about the images of Stanley Kubrick are all the pattern and textures of his interiors. This one is just a slice of a bigger piece that I'm so psyched to be working on.

TUBLR..

2010-01-05T14:33:00.000-08:00

so in an effort to keep you all updated on what I'm up to (my solo at Copro Nason is titled, 'KUBRICK' and will be showing in July, 2010! ) I decided to start a Tumblr account that I plan on keeping updated daily with everything Stanley Kubrick and anything else that interests my art and brain.

http://thecarlosramos.tumblr.com/

see you there! (and here too ofcourse)

My very first PRINT!

2009-12-18T16:48:00.000-08:00

'Deerhunter Vox Humana'
24" x 36"
edition of 50
$200
each unframed giclee on arches infinity fine art paper
available tomorrow to view and order at CHG
just in time for Xmas!

LOST SHOW!!

2009-12-16T14:57:00.000-08:00

So, I can finally put these images out!

Gallery 1988 asked me to be part of the secret LOST gallery show last night currated by the gallery along with Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse. It's been killing me to keep this secret over the last few weeks but here they are (they can be purchased at http://lostundergroundartshow.blogspot.com/ ):

The Swan
24" 24"
cel vinyl on wood

The Hydra
12" x 24"
cel vinyl on wood

What Kate Did
18" x 24"
cel vinyl on wood

DHARMA Science Manual Volume: 4
20" x 24"
cel vinyl on wood

It was a blast! I was interviewed by CNN, TV Guide, G4 and a buncha others (will post when I get links). The line outside the gallery formed at 5PM the night before which blew my mind. Gotta love LOST fans. The gallery was a mosh pit and I got to meet a ton of writers and producers from the series. The line was around the block all night.

Damon and Carlton arrived to massive applause and fanfare.

and can we talk about THIS?! what the fuck is it?!?

*Can't wait till January.

CHG Multiplane show!!!!

2009-12-08T15:27:00.000-08:00

So, here's my piece for the Multiplane show this Saturday night.

'Minus Extremities'
12" x 12"
cel vinyl on glass

the way the process worked was we all got a kit of glass in a wood box..

then I painted the muscles, then organs and then the bones. This was so much fucking fun!!

I've been working my fingers to the bone on alot of new stuff. Can't wait for you all to see. Keep checking in this week!!

Post It Show 4 @ GR2!!

2009-11-30T18:54:00.000-08:00

Saturday, Dec 5th 6:30 - 10pm
(runs thru January 13th)
GR2
2062 Sawtelle Blvd.
Los Angeles CA 90025
www.GR2.net

here are my post-it's. Most will go for $20 each and you can take 'em home on the spot. Just in time for the holidays!!

More than 125 artists will participate, including the following:

APAK!, Andrice Arp, T. Edward Bak, Scott Bakal, Gary Baseman, Drew Beckmeyer, Marc Bell, Mike Bertino, John Black, Jill Bliss, Jon Boam, Aaron Brown, Jeffrey Brown, Chris Buzelli, Brian Cairns, Lilli Carre, Christine Castro, Martin Cendreda, Katherine Chiu, Chris Cilla, Greg Clarke, Josh Cochran, Tim Cochran, Allison Cole, Jen Corace, Jennifer Daniel, Eleanor Davis, Luke Davis, Skinner Davis, Vanessa Davis, Ryan De La Hoz, Bob Dob, Doodles, Seth Drenner, Evah Fan, Korin Faught, Nina Frankel, Shannon Freshwater, Jordan Fu, Matt Furie, Nicholas Gazin, Leif Goldberg, Frieda Gossett, Katherine Guillen, Peter Hamlin, Lisa Hanawalt, Pam Henderson, Tim Hensley, Jaime Hernandez, Ryan Heshka, Paul Hornschemier, David Horvath, Mina Horvath, Patrick Hruby, Rama Hughes, Yellena James, Jeaux Janovsky, Levon Jihanian, Hellen Jo, Mark Johns, Sun Min Kim, Kinoko, Olaf LaDousse, Travis Lampe, Will Laren, Le Merde, Daniel Lim, Ben Marra, Jacob McGraw, James McShane, Brendan Monroe, Mark Murphy, Kiyoshi Nakazawa, Tom Neely, Andrew Neyer, Tru Nguyen, Anders Nilsen, Saelee Oh, Martin Ontiveros, Christina Paulos, Carlos Ramos, Luke Ramsey, Ron Rege, Jesse Reklaw, Joe Rocco, Zachary Rossman, Johnny Ryan, Souther Salazar, Brooks Salzwadel, Scrappers, Chris von Szombathy, Raymond Sohn, Zack Soto, Bwana Spoons, STO, JJ Stratford, Deth P. Sun, Shirl Sun, Team Macho, Daria Tessler, Peter Thompson, Jeremy Tinder, Aiyana Udesen, Steven Weissman, Gilian Wilson, Ben Wolfinsohn, Connie Wong, Jamie Zollars, and MANY MORE

A Love Letter to: The Fantastic Mr. Fox

2009-11-30T16:47:00.000-08:00

hi all. so, saw the movie and felt deeply compelled to write something down about it (I'll try and make it short and sweet with NO SPOILERS):

I'll just start by saying when I saw the trailer for The Fantastic Mr. Fox I was terrified. Wes Anderson is probably my favorite working director and I would love nothing more than to have my hero make nothing but perfect films but this looked really bad. The puppet designs and the animation combined with George Clooney's voice just bugged the crap out of me. They looked like walking wire animal corpses nailed to wood planks like those bargain eBay taxidermied squirrels you see online.

..I just thought, "how could a director with such an amazing eye choose such odd character designs. I'll admit I miss 90% of animated features mostly due to the character designs. Art Of books on the other hand are always amazing with promising character designs that never see the light of day.

I walked into the film after turkey and in the middle of nowhere where the choice was between Mr. Fox and Ninja Assassin and as I bought my ticket and went into the empty theater thought, "Oh man, this is gonna blow." Then it started. Admittedly it took me about 5 to 10 minutes to accept the look of it. It's still jarring. And then the story unfolded and soon I was in heaven watching the most skillfully made children's film since Nightmare Before Christmas play out.

Again, I don't wanna give any of the great plot away but will simply touch on the major things:

STORY:

It's impossible to write about Mr. Anderson's stories without talking about his dialogue. I would say that I prefer him writing with Owen Wilson (their last film together was The Royal Tanenbaums). The Life Aquatic was written with Noah Baumbach and I felt it was his most mean spirited film although beautiful lacked the wide eyed wonder and sweetness he had with Owen as a writing partner. So I was worried about the two getting back together for this film. Ok, saying that this is completely a non-issue. The film's sincerity is it's heart and blood and never feels angry (cough*Where the Wild Things Are*burp) or formulaic. Every character has a way of talking and conversing that feels real and honest. Unlike most non-Pixar films the lines aren't designed to give everybody equal screentime. Some characters speak quickly, some don't say much at all no matter how big the star. And it takes a master script writer to manage a story like this with so many characters.

The story of Mr. Fox leading his family and town to ruin and redemption is one played out as a slow burn. It reminded me of the qualities of Clooney's character in O Brother, Where Art Thou? where he just gets so excited in his schemes that he can't see what it's doing to those around him (a repeated theme ala Max Fisher) but his character arc and how he learns his lessons never felt false. And at the core of the movie this is what's essential: Mr. Fox's journey. And in the end when he changes his ways he tears up and I was right there with him. As a topper to this there's an amazing character moment between him and a black wolf as he sees the world with new eyes. One of the best and truest sequences I've seen in anything.

That's another thing: the story breathes so much allowing the characters to have little moments. Stop and just be which you rarely ever see in children's films. True character moments. Most kid's features dumb it down resting on cut-away gags and pop culture references to get the audience to simply say, "HA! I know what that from!".

CASTING:

This might have been one of the best parts. I'm so used to sitting in these films and saying, "Larry the Cable Guy, Angelina Jolie, Reese Witherspoon, Miley..." as they get crammed into these films depending on who's hot at the time. I'd KILL to see a list of who the original choices for the film leads are in these kid flicks because since it takes 4 years + to complete I can't imagine people like Andy Sandberg did the original records.

The voice choices were absolutely perfect. Yes, there were lots of Anderson favorites but every character who came on and started talking matched their design perfectly and all had distinct tenors. When casting I get obsessed with actor's tones. If somebody has a deep voice they should own that level and not be stepped on by another actor with a similar quality to ensure we always understand who's talking. Mr. Fox did this brilliantly.

Major props go to Willem Defoe as the Rat. His mouth shapes and weird lispy takes on words made for one of the most timeless animated characters.

ANIMATION:

As I said before watching the trailer the movement scared me and took a bit to get used to. With that said the animation was gorgeous. Wes shot this like a play as are most of his movies but with that comes a discipline on how these characters will move. The camera almost always goes up/down/left/right so the acting comes from silhouette which is animation acting 101 but pushed to a new style level since this is real fur and cloth.

I learned to respect the choice to let the fur move oddly, and letting the animation be kinda choppy. One of my favorite stories from Team America is hearing that Matt and Trey made the puppeteers not move the marionettes perfectly because it wasn't as funny or interesting. It makes for an experience that feels more textural rather than Coraline perfection.

ART DIRECTION:

So, as I bitched at the start of this over the topic of art direction, specifically character design -here's where I back peddle: I loved the fur and cloth and odd human qualities to the designs. It's a ballsy choice but as the story played out I understood it. He went anti-smooth.

With that said you can't deny the awe inspiring qualities to Wes Anderson's obsession with details. The paintbrushes in Mrs. Fox's dress pouch, the yellow Adidas on Kristofferson's feet. More than wanting to see this again on the big screen I'm ready for Blu-Ray to pause and admire every shot.

I highly recommend running to the Arclight Hollywood to see one of the sets. I wanted to haul it out onto my car roof and take it home.

SONGS:

Jarvis Cocker did such a great job. I believe 2 songs are featured. So funny and self aware. The punchline to the first made me laugh out loud. These aren't crowbarred in or made to be singles. So great.

AND nothing's better than hearing the Rolling Stones during a kick-ass montage. Bravo!

TIMELESSNESS:

It truly is a timeless film with no pop culture references or sarcastic dialogue. It reminded me of The Charlie Brown Christmas where the characters are respectful of one another and didn't stray from things like death and guns or even drinking liquor.

It's a film not made to beat Twilight and launch BK Kid's meals. It's one that is reissued by Criterion Collection and bound in leather. It's one to watch when you're old and want to show your own kids.

It'll be tough to side with it or Up for the Oscars this year. Cheers to both Pixar and Fox for paying for such beautifully ballsy projects.

The Road..

2009-11-30T16:31:00.000-08:00

HAD t'do it. After seeing The Road (which was really sad and amazing) I couldn't stop thinking how similar it was to Pixar's Up. 10 minutes on Phostoshop and here ya go:

Hello Kitty*

2009-10-26T19:44:00.000-07:00

Holgaroids from the insanely successful Hello Kitty show Thursday night in Culver City. Ran into old pals and deffinately made some new ones (hooray for that):

Saturday funtime..

2009-10-26T19:10:00.000-07:00

So, I just got an amazing refurbished Nikon D90 (thank you Sammy's) to shoot artwork. But feel like I should take it out more. So, Saturday night I was literally learning how to use it properly while shooting. Trial by fire.
Saturday started at the Giant Robot show in Little Tokyo. A group show with amazing talent like, Souther Salazar and James Jean. Ran into a million people I haven't seen in a long while.

Then it was off to Lola Gil's new place for a housewarming celebrating Travis Louie being in town for a few days. Wall-to-wall famous art folk. It was the textbook version of a classy time.

then the night finished off at Malo for Tomi Monstre's birthday at Malo. All-in-all a really great night of catching up with thousands of people (atleast felt like it).

Anti Christ..

2009-10-26T18:43:00.000-07:00

had the absolute pleasure of seeing Lars Von Trier's 'Anti Christ' Friday midnight at the Nuart.
It's brutal, it's harsh, it makes women out to be demons and it dares the audience to enjoy it (the Nuart-ers were screaming) but that just made me like it more. Would I recommend it? No way. I don't want to be strapped with the burden of angry friends coming out of it ..but it does make Top 5 for my own personal list this year!

here are some gorgeous stills (it's a crime this film won't get nominated for cinematography):

UCB's ULTIMATE COMEDY BASH: SOLVANG

2009-10-11T17:23:00.000-07:00

Friday night comedy up North was amazing. Laughed so hard my head hurt a bit after. Haven't been using the Holgaroid lately so my cropping kinda sucked on some of these. Oh well. ( I need to get back on stage too -*ug )

Piiiink.

2009-10-09T14:22:00.000-07:00

here's a new one..!

The Perfume Fire
12" x 24"
cel vinyl on wood

price? you tell me.

ENLIGHTEN! show.

2009-10-09T14:12:00.000-07:00

here's my lamp for Enlighten! One Night of Light ( http://www.enlightenshow.com )

from the site: Enlighten! One Night of Light is a group exhibition of table lamps featuring printed shades with artwork by an eclectic roster of over 85 fine artists and illustrators working together to support arts education for children in Los Angeles. Each artist’s lamp design will be sold in a limited edition available for one night only. In addition, some artists will also create one original, handmade shade for a lamp that will be featured in a silent auction.

Saturday, November 21st 5-11 PM
Helms Bakery Building
8723 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA

ciao!

The INDIA Show at CHG..

2009-09-30T16:03:00.000-07:00

hi there.. so here's the show from a month ago. Truly a big job but I learned so much. When I did my Natural History show 2 years ago I was really excited 'cause I thought, "Wow, a solo. Now I have an excuse to really learn this craft and do it 24/7." and that's exactly what happened.
On INDIA it really was another big step. The first couple of pieces I was feeling kinda rusty and a bit apprehensive that maybe I was taking on a subject that was beyond my skills but by the end I really got in a groove and on the last piece ( Rama Hanuman) I really felt like I had total brush control.
Seeing 'em all in one room (or on one internet page) is a bit crazy for me to see a year of my life in image form. Each painting brings a chunk of time back into my brain.
I'm developing the next two gallery shows right now and know what's most important is to not get rusty again and to keep painting.
I can't thank you all enough for your continued support but all I can do is promise the next two shows will be a progression of my skills and hopefully you want to take the ride with me. I'll let you know when the next show or event takes place.

ciao*

Carlos Charles Ramos

SHER MAIDA
60" x 24"
$3300

THE TREE OF LIFE
30" x 60"
SOLD

THE GREAT SHER HUNTER
30" x 48"
$2880

SHAHJAHAN'S WINDOW
30" x 42"
$2400

TAJ MAHAL: IN MEMORY of MUMTAZ MAHAL
12" x 36"
SOLD

THE MAHAPARINIRVANA TEMPLE of KUSHINAGAR
60" x 24"
$2800

HATHI
12" x 24"
SOLD

RAMA HANUMAN
24" x 36"
$2400

GURU GOBIND SINGH JEE
36" x 48"
$3120

LOTA CHAMPISAGE
24" x 54"
$2800

SHAHJAHANABAD: CAPITAL of the MUGHAL EMPIRE
72" x 24"
SOLD

MOR
24" x 36"
SOLD

THE EXTINCT TIGER of DELHI
30" x 72"
$3200

NATARAJA and the DIVINE DANCE to DESTROY a VERY WEARY UNIVERSE
24" x 24"
SOLD

KAMASUTRAM
48" x 36"
$3120

HANDS of MENDHI
12" x 36"
SOLD

GANESA
36" x 48"
SOLD

VARANASI by the MOONLIGHT
60" x 36"
$3000

FLY INDIA
36" x 54"
$3200

THE CAMEL RACES of PUSHKAR
24" x 60"
SOLD

SHRAVANABELAGOLA
36" x 24"
$2160

THE CORONATION of EDWARD VII
48" x 60"
SOLD

RAQS BALADI
36'' x 48''
$3100

Brownbook..

2009-09-30T14:41:00.000-07:00

hi all, long time no post. here's an illustration I did for Brownbook Magazine. was a fun one.
will be posting all of my India show soon and give you an update.
I love you and think of you often*

The Beatles Rock Band..

2009-09-27T17:25:00.000-07:00

I'm currently obsessed with the animation for the new Rock Band (made by Pete Candeland at Passion Pictures). It's such simple animation but with so many great tricks your eye can't see the strings. Things like blurred focus, CG instruments and props, fast camera moves, quick cutting and gorgeous held drawings make this some of the best animation I've ever seen. The shame is that there isn't a feature in our near future in this style. I swear it could save 2D but I'm sure that money is currently being spent on the next CG feature based on a children's book with shrill celebrity voices.

maybe not?

..and the closer

ok, two more..

2009-08-15T14:34:00.000-07:00

The Extinct Tiger of Delhi
6' x 2 and a half'
cel vinyl on wood

Lota Champisage
2 feet x 4 and a half'
cel vinyl on wood

Daily DuJour Interview in 2 hours!!

2009-08-14T16:11:00.000-07:00

will be doing a live interview today for Daily Dujour TV at 6PM PDT talkin' 'bout my solo..

http://dailydujour.com/ddtv/

last image to be seen online before Saturday..

2009-08-10T13:49:00.001-07:00

Sher Maida
5 feet x 2 feet
cel vinyl on wood

my Slam X Hype interview..

2009-08-10T13:43:00.000-07:00

click image*

my JUXTAPOZ interview...!

2009-08-03T01:09:00.000-07:00

*click image...

INDIA in two weeks!!

2009-07-31T14:07:00.001-07:00

the countdown begins! ran outta postcards so here they are..

iPhone Background Give Away for Comic Con!

2009-07-23T03:13:00.000-07:00

So I'll be handing out mini discs at Comic Con starting Thursday morn until all 144 are gone. So if you see me ask for one. Everybody wins..

This year's Comic Con '09 exclusive is a new painting commemorating the nerdiest event of the year.

'H9'
5' x 3.5'
cel vinyl on wood

don't be a Patrick Bateman douche. get 'em!!!

T & A for you..

2009-07-15T18:21:00.000-07:00

been crazy busy but will update you on everything before precious, precious Comic Con next week..!

'Showgirls'
4 feet x 2 feet
cel vinyl on wood

g'bye Yomemite :(

2009-06-26T04:07:00.000-07:00

So, this week wraps up all our time at the Yoseite Studios. I sit here at 4 AM glossing a couple pieces for the last time. I decided to spend my last week here painting a giant piece for my livingroom and it might be my favorite I've ever painted (come July I'll be putting it out as a Comic Con exclusive). I've spent so many late hours in here blasting music, laughing at jokes spoken over partition walls to funny people, yelling 'Fuck!' alot when I screw up but mostly learning. I'm looking at the first painting I ever did in here years ago on the wall and it's awful but sentimental to me. I think I've come a long way since then. I love painting. I absolutely love it. My brain can't stop creating. I've never felt this satisfied artistically in my life. Spending night till morning flipping 6 foot wood blocks and feeling my legs hurt from leaning over wet paint is the vacation of my life. I'm gonna miss it in here ...*

..and while we're on the subject I really have to acknowledge the artists in the space:

Seonna Hong, Souther Salazar, Mark Todd, Esther Pearl Watson, Martha Rich, Megan Whitmarsh, Saelee Oh and Korin Faught. Seriously a spoil of riches in talents AND nobody's stuff ever looks alike!

So, we are having our last party and sorta art/yard sale tonight Friday, June 26th from 7PM - 11:55PM
1302 Yosemite Drive Eagle Rock

here are a couple studies that you can check out when you come bye:

Vulpes Lagopus (Arctic Fox)
12" x 36"
cel vinyl on wood

Slumbering Panthera Tigris
7" x 36"
cel vinyl on wood

Boy Wonder
18" x 24"
cel vinyl on paper

after the party I'm headed to The Steve Allen Theatre for the midnight show of 'The Show Where TREVOR MOORE Does a Talk Show Thing and JOSH FADEM Does Some Other Stuff Too All In One' where I'll be doing a lil' stand-up. Should be fun!

AND Saturday night at CHG the absolutely amazing Korin Faught will be having her solo..!

SO ..there are 3 ways to see me this weekend. See?! I love you !

Belly Dancer..

2009-06-06T16:20:00.001-07:00

here's another update.

hope ya's likes it..!

Untitled (so far)
4 feet x 3 feet
cel vinyl on wood

Fly India

2009-06-05T13:51:00.000-07:00

So, I'm putting out images as the gallery allows. This one like the Ganesh piece below was done very early in the show list. I think I was summoning the Disney park posters when I was painting it. I figured the show needed one cliche snake charmer image, right? Alls I know is that this would look great in MY livingroom -ha!

more to come!

'FLY INDIA'
4 and a half feet x 3 feet
cel vinyl on wood

INDIA!!

2009-06-01T16:23:00.000-07:00

So.. hello all! It's been a million years since I've posted last. I've basically been living in my studio (we all move out of Yosemite this month -will let you know if we have a final moving-out bash) painting my solo. The date is Saturday, August 15th at CHG in Culver City.

The title of the show is 'INDIA' and is the toughest subject I've ever tackled but has been completely rewarding. The show will be compiled of the Gods, animals, plantlife, structures and the people of India. I promise you you will not want to miss it.

I'll keep you posted. Promise!

'GANESH'
4 feet x 3 feet
cel vinyl on wood

Danny Gabai's Bday..!

2009-06-01T15:49:00.000-07:00

So, it's been forever since I've posted pics so here's the best-of!

Last Thursday Danny and Autumn celebrated his birthday at her place. A black and white formal with amazing wine and even better cheeses. It was an absolute great time with a scientifically designed guest list that made it all the more memorable. Check it..

Kemper's & Nina's Wedding..

2009-06-01T14:55:00.000-07:00

so, they finally tied the knot and we had a blast and Nina's folks place. It raged till 3AM and even tho Kemp thinks my camera's gay the pics turned out great (and I'm happy to report all my old college friends have hot wives/girlfriends now). Enjoy!!

Jeff roast.

2009-06-01T14:39:00.000-07:00

and finally!: Jeff Ross had a great bbq a few months back celebrating his roast of Larry the Cable Guy on Comedy Central.

Julia eats a burger..

Craig Robinson sang for hours..

Jeffrey and Samm and an amoeba?!..

Samm & pals..

Som & his wife..

Brett and Chris..

Greg..

Spink Jones' Where The Wild Things Are

2009-03-25T16:47:00.000-07:00

so, couldn't help it. I had to put up screen grabs from this amazing trailer!

Spike and Maurice Sendak came to Cal Arts years ago to talk about their work on Harold and the Purple Crayon which was so exciting but this is such a better project admitedly...

..and here's the trailer..

Hi all!

2009-03-08T23:17:00.000-07:00

So, it's been really busy for me lately. Pretty much stopped sleeping. Hoping this flu doesn't get to me. It's already taken two down at work ..hard!

Anyways, I'm in Chris Hardwick's AWESOME blog NERDIST this week.
< c l i c k b e l o w >

ps -this is my favorite blog Chris did..

http://www.nerdist.com/2009/01/an-open-letter-from-doc-brown-to-marty-mcfly.html

..other than that I've just been working in Flash by day and loving the project! And at night painting for my July 17th next solo. ergh*

but it's going really well. I love the new subject (will tell you about it come June) and the paintings are just flowing out. But again no sleep..

was so excited to see Watchmen ..till I saw it. Luckily I fell asleep and dreamed about leaving to do something else. Oh well.

on the flipside I think I've seen Step Brothers more times than Star Wars. It makes me laugh ever time. Here's a scene of my buddy Adam who steals the movie...

other than that have been spending these cold nights with Bucket who seems to be getting better with the whole 'snuggling is a good thing'.

that's it for this week. Back to work!

What's new..?

2009-01-15T22:14:00.001-08:00

' firstofallI'mgrowingacreepymustache. '

Hey 'der ..happy '09 people. Fuggin' good riddance to '08 -whoof* it was an amazing NYE in Hollywoodland for me at a 1920's-themed party in the haunted Vogue Theatre. The night was a blur and the strike of midnight was really done right. It was a great feeling starting off the new year properly.

I started painting my next solo show (tentatively July 17th) show which is killing my weekends and nights as I've given up having a life till summer. But the big news is I got a new job !! AND it involves learning Flash while getting paid. Job 1? Doing designs for the Obama inauguration (?!) for an animated short.

..a total surprise as it was the first project I got to work on right outta the gate. I will post something as soon as I know the details and air times/ links for the piece. I'm slowly learning Flash and am really enjoying it as a tool and look forward to hashing out and animating a few ideas out. Figure it might be the best way to pitch ..just show them the show!

and just a reminder that again I'm in the auction/ benefit for fresh stART (www.freshstartweb.org). The show is a one night curated event to benefit Para Los Ninos (www.paralosninos.org) that's taking place Saturday, Feb.7, 7-9pm in Santa Monica. here's my piece..

(untitled)

and I drew another tattoo for my friend Rip's back. He's insane and completely covered in frogs and monkeys I designed for him. Here's a Photoshop comp on what the latest will look like when complete. Tha's alotta ink..

and here's a photo I found online from the trip to Mexico City last summer for Nike. Here's us speaking at a local art school (I was horribly hungover here from the huge store opening the night before). Boy, we don't look like we know what th'heck we're talking about. Great memories..

l to rt: J.Maloney / Big Foot / me (again, hungover) /Jesse Reno / Morbito(TIXINDA)

Other than that I've been obsessed with listening to The Make-Up, one of the best rock bands in history. It's really a problem lately but luckily nobody's been in the studio at night as I blast it over-and-over again. lemme share the genius..

and as long as I'm talking music lemme just demand that you go out and get the new Justice live album. An okay CD but it comes with the documentary "A Cross The Universe' truly one of the best tour videos I've ever seen in my life I got to go to the premiere last Halloween night at the Mantolban with the guys and filmmakers doing a Q&A afterwards.

here's a clip of Gaspar getting married on tour, hillarious..

aaanyways, I can't say enough how excited I am about this year. The only problem lately is having enough time in the day it seems so if you see me don't be afraid of the enormous bags under my eyes.

Adventure Time !

2009-01-15T21:36:00.000-08:00

While on the job hunt I did a test for Cartoon Network's 'Adveture Time' Pen Ward's new show. I've been a real fan of the project and even tho I didn't get the gig I had fun doing the test. Here's the original short and my test ..

CLOWNS! show pics..

2008-12-16T04:14:00.000-08:00

Just found Juxtapoz photos from the CHG CLOWNS! show.

check it..

..been painting blue elephants all night*

Post It Show 3!!! this Saturday!

2008-12-10T21:34:00.000-08:00

This one's gonna be so much fun. I'm really flattered to be in it this year..

Post-It Show 3 at GR2
December 13, 2008 - January 14, 2009
Reception: Saturday, December 13, 6:30 -10:00

GR2
2062 Sawtelle Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90025
gr2.net
(310) 445-9276

Here's what I did. Hope y'like them and see y'all Saturday nite...

finches..

2008-12-01T03:26:00.001-08:00

I just got this piece done. It's cel vinyl on wood and is 2 feet x 1 1/2 feet and is for an auction/ benefit for fresh stART (www.freshstartweb.org). The show is a one night curated event to benefit Para Los Ninos (www.paralosninos.org) that's taking place Saturday, Feb.7, 7-9pm in Santa Monica.

I don't have a name for it yet. Any suggestions..?

OH! and in December I'm part of the Post It Show at Giant Robot -wee!

..been awhile.

2008-12-01T02:59:00.000-08:00

hello all. hope you had a nice holiday. The CLOWNS! show was a blast and the turnout was huge, It was great to see how everybody interpreted the theme. Good times..

AND earlier this week there was an amazing lighting storm along with thunder surrounding my house as it was was illuminated constantly in Resident Evil fashion. Can't really explain why such things effect me so positively but it so put me in the holiday spirit.

I was put in charge of all the Thanksgiving cooking for the fam and I pretty much went nuts! Here's the list of what I made: a whole turkey, a whole ham, sausage stuffing, garlic mashed potatoes, fresh cranberry sauce, blue cheese salad and honey cornbread. yumm! I kicked ass. That was followed by meeting up with friends at a couple bars that night. Something great about bars on holiday nights. Then a follow-up bbq at Kempers Saturday night.

And the perfect end to the weekend. Ash and I headed to Don Hertzfeldt at the Silent Movie Theatre with his new film, I'm So Proud of You. SO amazing, so beautiful. Don's work continues to effect me like no other filmmaker. Visions of twin serial killers, the afterlife and an old grandmother grinding dead cat heads into her hair have haunted my thoughts into the night. He's just amazing..

..and Don was there to talk after. It's almost odd how normal and articulate the guy is. You'd expect Steven Wright to walk out but no.

Absynthe Party ...

2008-12-01T02:45:00.000-08:00

So, the night before Thanksgiving Gabai had a great absynthe party at his place where the theme of the night was Dadaism. Everybody looked great, green drinks were drunk and sharpies were taken to the face..

Thanksgiving..

2008-12-01T02:32:00.000-08:00

Me n the fam along with the Holga again...

eerie*

2008-11-14T00:04:00.000-08:00

Clowns scare you.

Clowns scare me.

Let's face our fears together Saturday night.

love,

me

OBAMArama!!!

2008-11-05T15:01:00.000-08:00

SO last night my gallerists Jan and Bruce were so kind to have a bunch of us up to their place for an election party and I just couldn't bring myself to check the TV/radio if Obama lost before getting to their place. But I walked in to a victory which was really amazing (prop 8 was a bummer ..why is it anybodys business how others spend their lives?!).

I was way too lazy to take the Holgaroid out for Halloween but brought it out last night. Here's some pics..

Man o' the hour!!!

Me n front of oh so many beautiful paintings in the manor.

Korin Faught growlin'.

Gary Baseman and his Obama boobies.

Remy.

Buff Monster and Chris Anthony.

Jan Helford bites down on Obama.

Gary n Bruce Helford.

Natalia Fabia tonging an Obama-cake.

Joshua Petker on drums.

Angelique Groh in a Thrasher T!

Richard Scary, John Henry and pal.

Emily makes out with Pig Pen.

Josh's ladypal..

Visions of Terror

2008-10-31T14:41:00.001-07:00

Josh Fadem did a great video for Halloween. I even got a small bit part in it (!)

check it..

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

CLOWN grrr..

2008-10-30T15:59:00.000-07:00

SO ..November 15th is coming up for the Clown show I'm in along with many MANY friends. Should be a nuts turn-out. Funfun!

Till then I can' wait for Halloween -Justice! Natural History Museum! Parties yay!!!

I'll be equipped with the Holgaroid fo sho!

R.I.P. Dolemite (sad).

2008-10-21T14:23:00.000-07:00

Rudy Ray Moore dead at 81..

new painting -finally, right?

2008-10-21T02:19:00.000-07:00

So here's the new one finally done after painting all weekend.

I don't have a title yet but it's 3 feet x 4 feet in cel vinyl on wood. See y'all on November 15th for the opening ..I was promised no actual clowns would be at the show so don't even ask.

..went absinthe tasting at the Hollywood Forever Cemetary. So much fun and nice to be out where everyone was so amazingly dressed.

*illustration done by the talented Ashley Fisher.

oh! and got to see Eagles of Death Metal tonight at an in-store. One of my favorites to see live. Every song is about bonin'?! The new album's out next Tuesday. Anyways, just a big fan.

Bucket.

2008-10-15T23:46:00.000-07:00

*just because

Let The Right One In

2008-10-15T13:47:00.000-07:00

The best film I've seen all year! Got to go to any early showing at the Nike Sportswear/ Flux screening at The Montalbán on Vine. Swedish vampires!! Seriously it so put me in the mood for Halloween. I belive it's out the 24th..

..speaking of I had the funnest time last weekend: spent a night helping Josh film a horror comedy in the forests of Eagle Rock at night. Josh was covered in make-up and our friend Zoe was running thru the trees in a nightgown screaming. It felt so much like Halloween when I was a kid. That was topped with a road trip with friends to the Vineland Drive-In for a late show. A for real drive-in (I think it might be the last one left), 4 screens! All-in-all a really Jr. High weekend.

AND Mad Men just gets better and better. This last ep was my favorite yet.

What the hell is this?! a movie/TV blog? Sorry I haven't posted any art lately. Been working on pitch stuff and a new piece for the Corey Helford 'CLOWNS' show in November. Will post sum'n soon..

South Park tonight!

2008-10-08T23:01:00.000-07:00

My head's still spinning.

FFF for FT!!

2008-10-07T15:23:00.000-07:00

So I recently got to do a Found Footage Festival review for Film Threat.
(click below to read)..

NHM show..

2008-10-06T22:59:00.000-07:00

so, I just put together a few pics from my gallery show last June.
the Polaroids shot by me and the colored shot by Angeliqie Groh (thanks A!)..

really nice..

2008-10-02T13:53:00.001-07:00

seeing you.

Holgaroid weekend..

2008-09-30T12:54:00.000-07:00

..so, had alot of fun stuff that went down this weekend: Record Club, The Found Footage Festival, Brendan's birthday, Yasmine's band played their first live show and my trusty Holga was there all the way thru.
Here are the results..!

July 17th ! ! !

2008-09-15T17:58:00.000-07:00

..just got my next gallery show date! that gives me less than a year to git 'er done. AND there's a flight I need to get on first before brush hits canvas. Stressful, exciting but I'm awake and alert and can't wait to get started. this one is gonna be kinda epic. promise..!

November 25th!!!!

2008-09-03T17:25:00.000-07:00

that's all I needs to say..

RADIOHEAD'd

2008-08-26T19:27:00.000-07:00

SO ..got to go both nights to Radiohead at the Bowl.
it was pretty much a religious experience and can't stop playing them today...

...and today as they pump in my ears I am working on a super-secret project that if all goes well will mean completing art for something that has been my biggest wish ever (professionally). Keep my fingers crossed that I get t'show something soon!

NO! (yes)...

2008-08-25T17:11:00.000-07:00

so, in my continuing randomness in artmaking I just did a couple of posters for the Steve Allen Theatre. The 'Rudy Casoni' was approved but the Claire and Josh will not be used. Oh well, atleast you can see it here..

Where Have I Been?! Part 5: (Cult Crazy)

2008-08-19T13:53:00.000-07:00

so, finally before the trip I finished my Crazy for Cult pieces. I finished them in record time and think these might be two of the best things I've ever painted..!

Barbarella
2'x 3'
Cel Vinyl on Wood

Godzilla
2'x3'
Cel Vinyl on Wood

The show is this Friday night at Gallery 1988 7-11PM. See you there!!!

Where Have I Been?! Part 4: (Mexico F'n City!)

2008-08-19T12:37:00.000-07:00

So landed in Mexico City which from the plane was nothing but city as far as the eye could see. Craziness..

Got to the Camino Real Hotel which was a 60's art deco building made during the Olympics. The entrance had an eerie pool that would splash about day and night (and I hate the sea)..

our posters were all over the streets of the city. SO cool..

we spent all day Saturday signing posters for really cool people and speaking on a panel at a local design school where I saw my favorite piece of art by Saner ( http://www.saner-dsr.blogspot.com/ )

then off to the Nike store (a beautifully converted former Embassy building) to paint. It was still under heavy construction when we showed up which made it a bit tricky for us to paint our murals..

then it was off to work!

here's Bigfoot doing his piece (he was a blast to hang with for days!)..

then the next night was the store opening and party..!

me touching up my painting on the roof while on a ton of tequilla..

the concept was we were to write an idea down and put it in a hat and then each draw from it. Luckily I got Bigfoot's which was "La Musica De La 1970's". here's what I came up with..

Went to a great bar filled with Mexican hipsters (Cha Cha Lounge Mexico City -yay!)..

and we ate like kings the entire trip. Here's salsa that made us cry and cheer..

PINATAS!!!

enroute to see my first Mexican Wrestling match..

The murals museum..

Frida's house (there's her paint studio at the top)..

Overall an incredible trip and one of the funnest things I've veer done and hanging out for a week with so many talented artists that were a blast to hang with was the best.

hilights?!:

-everyone I seemed to meet from bars to on the street were all artists. it was so bizarre and always a surprise. and art everywhere you looked. hand painted signs, awesome graffiti, stencilled characters on walls.
-the weather. absolutely perfect the entire time we were their. plus lightning!
- the arcitecture floored all of us with every building we saw. from going to parties to every restaurant you always had to look up and say, "Wow!"
- the food. the amazing food. the incredible food. Mexican food (and horchata) will never be as good again.
- the beautiful corruption! cops with uzis, crazy driving, bars open till 5. just an invigorating energy to be around.
- and finally Nike and our wonderful hosts: Pepe, Jasper and the gang (and especially you Chris) who bent over backwards to make sure we were happy and having fun. Things like driving us anywhere we wanted, swag, perdiems.. things none of us were used to. We couldn't thank them enough!

the flight back was a bit chaotic but all worked out as the clouds out the window freaked me out the whole way back..

Where Have I Been?! Part 3: (Corporate Posters)

2008-08-19T12:27:00.000-07:00

then I finished my 3 Nike Sportswear posters which I had a blast doing!!!

the other artists participating were Jason Maloney, Joe Ledbetter, Jesse Reno, Bigfoot, Tixinda, Yurievi (Popwhore,) and 123Klan.

then I got on a plane (oh boy)..

Where Have I Been?! Part 2: (The Work Burn)

2008-08-19T12:08:00.000-07:00

Got back into town with 3 group shows to paint for. It was a true work burn but I really came back ready to paint and had a good time cranking them through.

First the Monkey House 'Fruits' show my friends Caroline and Lauren were curating. It went really cool and consisted of alot of scary talented people..

Next, did my pieces for the 8-Bit Show which turned out great. Painting Zelda was a true joy! My only real regret was missing the show to go to Mexico. But I admit landing and getting the text from Jon Gibson that my pieces sold the morning of the show was so fucking great!

Here's a pic I found online of a pritty nice lady in front of my 'KONG!' piece..

Then I went into finishing my 'Cult Sow' pieces and the Nike posters..

Where Have I Been?! Part 1: (Gallery Shows and Europe)

2008-08-19T11:09:00.000-07:00

So the show was amazing in July. Most of the pieces sold and was all around a great party! ..so after over a year of killing myself painting I have to admit very very gratifying..

so, as soon as the opening was over I got the hell outta town and went to London and Amsterdam for almost 3 weeks. It was exactly what I needed. Behold..

SO many great pubs. I got a little too used to drinking pints and 'crisps' every day (ironically I hate drinking in pubs in LA)..

Spent a couple days touring all the cemetaries with my trusty Holga. Nothing better that climbing over an overgrown mossy hill covered in broken gravestones..

Karl Marx's headstone. Ooooh..

The Natural History Museum (ofcourse) which was my favorite building in the city..

AMSTERDAM (..or the greatest place I've ever been). So f'n great! I swear it's what everybody romantisises about Europe but doesn't really exist anymore except for Amsterdam. The biking, the food, the people watching, the puff puff give and yes the Red Light district (which I failed to partake in. honest).

The tragedy though was a couple days into arriving my Holga's diopter lens broke (?!) and after a day of trying to find a replacement I opted to just piece it back together and use it. Turned out it worked!!

here's what it looked like..

my favorite picture of the entire trip! Sinking into the park grass as the camera and I shared a common vision..

Another park shot..

biking was my favorite thing ever. everyone rides big black beach cruiser type bikes with big seats that is the best way to ride through this very flat town..

and finally, the Red Light district..

all around a great trip! but in the middle of the vacation I got an amazing call from Nike in Mexico City to paint a mural and design a set of posters for their upcoming sportswear line. Now, I admit: I didn't know much about Mexico City but jumped at the oportunity. Little did I know what I was in for...

8-Bit-Today!!!!

2008-08-14T01:44:00.000-07:00

here are better pics of my pieces!

I have alot more to show and ALOT more to update you guys on this weekend!

'k bye!

I Am 8-Bit!!!

2008-08-06T20:24:00.000-07:00

just got my two pieces done. I'm pretty happy with 'em.

check 'em:

Zelda and the Great Deku Tree
1 1/2 x 4 feet
cel vinyl on wood

KONG!
4 x 3 feet
cel vinyl on wood

see ya soon!

(and I haven't forgotten to post past adventures. soon soon...)

FRUITS!

2008-08-01T18:28:00.000-07:00

so, I realise I haven't updated in awhile but have been swamped with freelance and finishing art for 3 group shows (?!) due in a lil' over a week.

anyways, I'm in a Fruits show at Monkeyhouse Toys & Art Gallery (1618 1/2 Silver Lake Bl. Los Angeles, CA 90026) tomorrow Saturday August 2nd from 4PM till ?

here's my piece:

Cherry Blossoms
12" x 16"
cel vinyl on wood block

see ya soon!