Dumpster Diving circa 2001

I hate how self indulgent Blogs can be, but I just came across a pix of me dumpster diving in-front of the Castro Theatre from an article in the SF Gate back in the day, and I thinks its funny.

Happy 100th Birthday Grand-Pere!

Although I never really got to know him (he died when I was 4), the influence of my grandfather's art and life on my life and art is massive. From a child I was exposed to all his iconic and surreal B&W photos, stacks of his LIFE magazine covers, and his collection of artifacts from around the world like African sculptures, Picasso plates, and Dali drawings. His old work studio was my art Mecca as a child, and remains a place where I still go in NYC when I need to tune out, tap in and work on my own pieces. Its also fitting that May 1st (the day before his birthday) was a day of national rallies by immigrants around the country (The one in SF rocked!). Philippe Halsman was on the last boat out of France before the Nazis invaded. He was hooked up with an emergency artist visa by Eleanor Roosevelt, thanks to Albert Einstein's help. So I'm down for the immigrants. I've got that D.I.Y. spirit from my grandfather, a hard working artist who arrived in NYC with 2 suitcases and a family to support and made it to the top of his field based on determination, refinement of craft, and creative freedom. He also cast a huge shadow for me, which I felt I needed to work my way out of to create my own art. His daughter, my mother, was an art teacher and not only raised me to be an artist, but also gave me the opportunity at a young age to help select Philippes work for exhibitions based on criteria like composition and contrast. Its no surprise that aside from my own art making practice I still enjoy the challenge of curating shows. So anyway, Happy birthday Grand-Pere, and thanks via the virtual universe to the cosmic universe for your legacy and inspiration!

Community Time Travelers

Two weeks left in SF...
The sun has never seemed brighter...
Bernal Hill so green from the record rain falls...
Such a sweet city of friends...
Riding my bike with hands in prayer position...
Cut hair for free in Dolores Park today...
A new hobby...
Triple Base is transforming yet again...
Change change change...
Diving in...
NYC, Boston, India on the horizon...
Just trying to be present here in SF for now...
One step at a time...
Trying to remember to breathe thru the top of my head...
I had a casual hang out art sale clothing cleanse on friday...
Here are some pix of the lovely people who came through...

Claire

Patricia

Starlight

Jovi

Nickolas

Jessica

Leah and her cousin

Leah and Leah

Derek

Aya and Chris

Paul and Ariadne

Raul

Gabe and Celia

Inka

Jeanne

Scott

Andy

Sarah

Brion

Kathy

Michelle

Miho

Kevin

Jessica

Sebastian

Sean

Paul

Izzy

Self