Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Skate Archives

I came across some old scans from my skate days. These are all from 2003. The above shot of Jeff Budro was the cover of Concrete Wave Magazine. Below, we've got John Torchia ripping a corner air at a long gone Vista pool.
And last but not least, the legendary Kevin Staab spinning an original trick he named the half-cow. The long since revamped Encinitas YMCA.
Making pictures of my friends skateboarding was one of the first things that attracted me to photography. I don't get the chance to shoot it much these days, except the rare occasion when Andy lets me tag along with him and his crew. If anyone out there wants to shoot some skate photos, hit me up!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

In Good Company

I just found out the legendary rock and roll photographer Jim Marshall is participating, along with yours truly, in the Happenstance benefit art show and auction at Subtext in San Diego on December 5th. Jim and his cameras have borne witness to some of the most amazing moments in recent music history. I was lucky enough to see him speak last month and have admired his work for years.
Happenstance is a group photography exhibition celebrating those moments when the least expected circumstances lead to great photos. There will be a silent auction of the prints from the show with the proceeds going to The Monarch School.
For my part, I'm donating a portrait I made in the wee hours of the morning at a Halloween party this year.
There's over 30 photographers participating in the show including: J. Grant Brittain, Bil Zelman, Embry Rucker, and Lou Mora.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Artists By Artists


I'm taking part in a local group art show that's going up next month. It's called "Artists by Artists" and, as the name would suggest, is a collection of portraits of local artists by local artists. For my part, I'm showing a photo collage of Ducky Waddles proprietor, and all around cool cat, Jerry Waddle. The show will hang at The Encinitas Library for the entire month of December with an artists reception in Sunday, The 13th.
I'm also in a group benefit show called "Happenstance" at the Subtext Gallery in Little Italy. There's a reception and silent auction with proceeds benefiting The Monarch School on Saturday January 5th. Come on out and see some art!

Friday, November 6, 2009

We Can Shoot Too

J. Wesley Brown over at We Can Shoot Too has a post about Bloodwork:Sleeves. Word.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

San Jose Wrap up

What a week! This past weekend, along with being Halloween, was the San Jose Convention of Tattoo Arts. That meant it was also the opening exhibition and book release of Bloodwork:Sleeves. (a little tattoo book I photographed). So, let's rewind to last Monday. Nate Banuelos and I got on the road early. The plan was to drive up the coast looking for surf and get to San Jose Wednesday to help Adrian Lee hang the art show. We made it to Morro Bay by early afternoon. After a friendly reminder, in the parking lot, that this was the realm of the men in grey suits,

we caught a session at the aptly named Hazards. The next morning after a quick session at the Cayucos Pier we were on our way up the 1 towards Santa Cruz. A through check (Manresa to Waddell Creek) showed nothing worth suiting up for, so it was over the hill to San Jose.

Wednesday and early Thursday was spent hanging the show and getting A.D. Gallery all ready to go. Thursday night, it was on. The exhibition went great (with the small exception of the purse snatching knucklehead.) The turn-out was heavy. Minds were blown. Good Karma provided munchies. Analog also had their 2 year anniversary party immediately afterwards where Ugly Winner and Panthelion rocked the crowd.






The Convention was a great experience. I've been to quite a few tattoo conventions over the years but Taki and Roman really take it to the next level. Along with gathering together a collection of the worlds preeminent working tattoo artists, they had on hand masters from bygone generations like Thom Devita, Goodtime Charlie, and Shanghai Kate. These are some of the folks who made tattooing what it is today. It was fascinating to get to meet these icons in person and hear their perspectives on the state of the industry. Mike Giant was also on hand doing live painting. We got to talking and he mentioned that he thought Bloodwork was the best tattoo photography he had ever seen. Coming from an artist I have so much respect and admiration for, that one comment alone could have made the entire project worthwhile.

Monday morning, after a great dinner the previous evening with an amazing group of people, Nate and I headed back over the hill to Santa Cruz. This time the surf was on. We scored peaky head high waves at Waddell which made the following 8 hour drive much more bearable. All in all it was a great trip. I learned a lot, meet some great new people, saw old friends I hadn't seen in some time, got good waves, and made cool photos. A big thank you to everyone involved. I can't wait until next year.

Friday, October 23, 2009

BloodWork : Heavy Reading

Tipping the scales at over 12 pounds, BloodWork:Sleeves is anything but a light read. So much so that instructions are required.
BloodWork:Sleeves Book Release and Exhibition

I'm very proud to announce the book release and exhibition of my second book in collaboration with Analog Tattooers. "BloodWork:Sleeves: is a limited edition, 350 page, hand bound book featuring 67 sleeves by some of the best tattooers living today. The exhibition is Thursday Oct. 29th at Anno Domini Gallery in San Jose California. More information here.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

The Epson, she be a cruel master.




















Well, the recycling bin is full of cardboard boxes and beer bottles, and I’m up to my neck in ink, paper, and print making for the Bloodwork : Sleeves release. At half an hour a piece to print, it should only take 28 &1/2 hours to print all 57 of the amazing tattoos that made the cut into the book. But, that’s in a perfect world. UPS has already partially destroyed one of the several shipments, so I remain, behind the mule.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Juxtapoz

The ad for the opening/book release of Bloodwork: Sleeves is out in the first 1/3 of the October issue of Juxtapoz Magazine. The opening is October 29th at the AD Gallery in San Jose. Mark your calendar. More info here.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Film!?
A few weeks ago, I dusted off my old 35mm Canon and began shooting some film, mostly personal stuff. I’m really having a blast with it. So much so that I’m now in the market for a medium format range finder. If anyone out there wants to part with a Bronica RF645, hit me up.



Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Molly

Molly is my roommate's Alaskan Malamute. She's super furry and eats strange things. She likes it when you put a leash on her and let her drag you around the neighborhood.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Under The Sea

My friend Brian and I took advantage of the flat surf and super warm water we’re having here in San Diego and did some snorkeling at the kelp beds ½ a mile west of my house. Brian (women love him, fish fear him) took his spear gun hoping to shoot dinner. I took my G9 in it’s nifty water housing hoping to shoot some pictures...

Being out of season, lobsters were roaming with impunity.

The last thing you want to see if you’re a fish.