News & Updates
Updates, events, & perspectives regarding the state of the arts.
Desert Dwellers: CD Cover
I "remixed" my painting, The Glass Onion, for Desert Dwellers' latest CD - a remix compilation of their album "DownTemple Dub" which I've listened to many times over while painting. I also created the packaging and design.
On DownTemple Dub: Remixed, World-class sound alchemists filter Desert Dwellers’ classic psy-chilled grooves through a kaleidoscope of midtempo breaks and ornately-textured ambience. Yoga dub meets ethno-electronic bass music on this genre-bending journey through realms of sonic bliss and dancefloor ecstasy.
Stage backdrop, Karl Denson, Tahoe
Stage backdrop for Karl Denson's Tiny Universe @ Montbleu Showroom, Tahoe on Tuesday, August 9, 2011, post-Phish.
I was up in Tahoe for Phish and some of the afterparties at Montbleu Showroom where Karl Denson, Lotus, and others were performing. It was a super fun time. I also had a small gallery set up outside of the theater in the Montbleu casino that was run by Creative Minds and Visions, a clothing company that I am working with. We are working on a variety of styles including full print sublimation tees. They'll be available in a wider variety and wider distribution very very soon.
Michael Divine @ Harmony Fest, Santa Rosa, CA
I'll be a featured artist at Harmony Festival in Santa Rosa on June 10 - 12. I'll have a number of works featured in the gallery and I'll be live painting during the late night event from 10 - 2am during Krishna Das. I hope to make something pretty :)
Lightning in a Bottle
Had a blast this past weekend at Lightning in a Bottle - a big art and music festival here in SoCal - in the mountains and valleys east of Orange County no less! It's truly a special event that goes above and beyond the ordinary consumption and party fest that many festivals are. Not to say there isn't a party. I think that the best dancing moment was with John Kelley, a good friend and old-school Moontriber, at the Woogie stage at midnight on Sunday.
I participated in Lightning in a Paintcan and created a painting over the weekend that was sold to a lucky person. It was a lot of fun to make and I think I'll be making something similar for the upcoming show at Temple of Visions Gallery (Opening on June 25). It'll be a nice accompaniment to the other piece I'll be showing - The Glass Onion.
MAPS.org Fundraiser and conference
Great time and great turnout this past weekend in Los Angeles for the MAPS.org conference and fundraiser at Temple of Visions Gallery and the Downtown Independent Theater. Collections of my work along with Amanda Sage's work will be up for the remainder of the month. There's a number of pieces that have never been displayed before. The gallery is located at 719 S. Spring St, LA 90014.
Main Stage Banners at High Sierra
- The Warren Haynes Band: I saw him play years ago with Gov't Mule. I was never much into the heavy southern rock thing of Gov't Mule but this band: it's smoking. With it's nod towards funk and soul and Warren's ripping guitar work, it was pretty quite stellar. Really: it cut right through me and was a phenomenal show.
- Los Amigos Invisibles: Last I saw these guys was somewhere in Massachusetts about 10 years ago. I first became aware of them via their Arepa 3000 album which was produced by David Byrne (an estimable and respectable figure). They're non-stop funky wildness and were a perfect late afternoon fun time.
- Scott Law and Materialized: I think I've heard of these guys. In any case: psychedelic electric funky jazz rock funk stuff. Good times!
- Chris Robinson Band: I saw the Black Crowes for the first time the year before at High Sierra and they put on an incredibly soulful and heartfelt show. Chris' band follows in that with a bit more improvisation and a lot of love. It was raw, solid, and honest.
Tony Khalife: Transcendence Album Cover
I was recently commissioned Tony Khalife to make a painting and create the packaging layout for his new album "Transcendence". Tony hails from Beirut, Lebanon and lives in Ojai, CA. His music is a mix of traditional forms, his childhood experiences, and modern melodies.
The album, written and composed by Tony Khalife features Tony on vocals, acoustic guitar, and drones. Joining him are a host of musicians including Celso Alberti on drums, Jon Ossman on bass, delruba, sitar, and backup bocals. Also are Mark Josephson on violin, Jamie Papish on davul, frame drum, and Daff, Marco Godyo on hammond organ, Alex Spurkle on dumbek and windrum, Dominic Dean Breaux on flute and sax, and Dann Torres on the oud.