The Art of Dale Dreiling

Feeling Nostalgic

2012-01-26T10:29:00.000-08:00

I was going through files today and found this web flyer for my first showing in California (2007) since having returned from Seattle in the Fall of 2006. This show was an exhibition of character portraits based on the roles of Bill Murray from six of my favorite films of his, including Lost in Translation, The Life Aquatic, Rushmore, Ghostbusters, Where the Buffalo Roam and Caddyshack. My show was a 100% solo painting adventure and 3 years ahead of this R&R Gallery group graphic design show...C'est La Vie and Carp Diem!

F*cking James Bond vs Mac Guy

2012-01-10T14:39:00.000-08:00

This seriously made me laugh. Found on The-Wiretap, original source unknown.

Currently Listening To...

2012-01-02T10:21:00.000-08:00

Bob Dylan: A Rare Batch Of Little White Wonder, Vol.3 - It's All Over Now (Joker, 1975)

On an unrelated note on Bob Dylan, I had a weird dream a few months ago with him in it. Bob appeared, not as himself in the flesh, but as an old b&w photo, as if I was seeing him on a movie screen. The photo of him was as if it was him from the time around his "Before the Flood" era in which he toured with The Band in 1974. He spoke to me, but not in a way in which his mouth was moving. It was like psychic telekenesis, or psychokenesis.

When he spoke he said, "No matter how evil I ever was, I didn't ever not love God. No matter how far I strayed, I never didn't think about God."

What The What?!?!?!

2011-12-22T09:18:00.000-08:00

So, my personal email was recently targeted for hacking twice in the past week, one time resulting in unintended spam mail for online shopping deals being sent to my email address book of personal contacts.

It happens, and it's nothing new. I got a few joke replies, but everyone was cool about it. Of course, I sent out an "It wasn't me, I'm sorry for the spam," email. But that's not the main point here.

What really got my attention was something that I noticed this morning.

The email provider I use practices the art of keyword searching all of it's users in and outgoing emails and web searches in order to run enticing url link banners at the top of your email home page. The url link at the top of my home page this morning: Ginger Spam Salad: Serves 1, refrigerate overnight.

Aloha!

An Interview with Michael C. Hsiung

2011-12-19T09:22:00.000-08:00

I love to see friends get high profile recognition for doing great things. This post on Michael C. Hsiung is such a perfect example. You can read the full interview here. Interview reposted via Hi-Fructose. Enjoy!

HOPE?

2011-12-15T10:26:00.000-08:00

Americans can be arrested on home soil and taken to Guantánamo Bay under a provision inserted into the bill that funds the US military.

Barack Obama has abandoned a commitment to veto a new security law that allows the military to indefinitely detain without trial American terrorism suspects arrested on US soil who could then be shipped to Guantanamo Bay.

Human rights groups accused the president of deserting his principles and disregarding the long-established principle that the military is not used in domestic policing. The legislation has also been strongly criticised by libertarians on the right angered at the stripping of individual rights for the duration of "a war that appears to have no end".

The law, contained in the defence authorisation bill that funds the US military, effectively extends the battlefield in the "war on terror" to the US and applies the established principle that combatants in any war are subject to military detention.

The legislation's supporters in Congress say it simply codifies existing practice, such as the indefinite detention of alleged terrorists at Guantánamo Bay. But the law's critics describe it as a draconian piece of legislation that extends the reach of detention without trial to include US citizens arrested in their own country.

"It's something so radical that it would have been considered crazy had it been pushed by the Bush administration," said Tom Malinowski of Human Rights Watch. "It establishes precisely the kind of system that the United States has consistently urged other countries not to adopt. At a time when the United States is urging Egypt, for example, to scrap its emergency law and military courts, this is not consistent."

There was heated debate in both houses of Congress on the legislation, requiring that suspects with links to Islamist foreign terrorist organisations arrested in the US, who were previously held by the FBI or other civilian law enforcement agencies, now be handed to the military and held indefinitely without trial.

The law applies to anyone "who was a part of or substantially supported al-Qaida, the Taliban or associated forces".

Senator Lindsey Graham said the extraordinary measures were necessary because terrorism suspects were wholly different to regular criminals.

"We're facing an enemy, not a common criminal organisation, who will do anything and everything possible to destroy our way of life," he said. "When you join al-Qaida you haven't joined the mafia, you haven't joined a gang. You've joined people who are bent on our destruction and who are a military threat."

Other senators supported the new powers on the grounds that al-Qaida was fighting a war inside the US and that its followers should be treated as combatants, not civilians with constitutional protections.

But another conservative senator, Rand Paul, a strong libertarian, has said "detaining citizens without a court trial is not American" and that if the law passes "the terrorists have won".

"We're talking about American citizens who can be taken from the United States and sent to a camp at Guantánamo Bay and held indefinitely. It puts every single citizen American at risk," he said. "Really, what security does this indefinite detention of Americans give us? The first and flawed premise, both here and in the badly named Patriot Act, is that our pre-9/11 police powers were insufficient to stop terrorism. This is simply not borne out by the facts."

Paul was backed by Senator Dianne Feinstein.

"Congress is essentially authorising the indefinite imprisonment of American citizens, without charge," she said. "We are not a nation that locks up its citizens without charge."

Paul said there were already strong laws against support for terrorist groups. He noted that the definition of a terrorism suspect under existing legislation was so broad that millions of Americans could fall within it.

"There are laws on the books now that characterise who might be a terrorist: someone missing fingers on their hands is a suspect according to the department of justice. Someone who has guns, someone who has ammunition that is weatherproofed, someone who has more than seven days of food in their house can be considered a potential terrorist," Paul said. "If you are suspected because of these activities, do you want the government to have the ability to send you to Guantánamo Bay for indefinite detention?"

Under the legislation suspects can be held without trial "until the end of hostilities". They will have the right to appear once a year before a committee that will decide if the detention will continue.

The Senate is expected to give final approval to the bill before the end of the week. It will then go to the president, who previously said he would block the legislation not on moral grounds but because it would "cause confusion" in the intelligence community and encroached on his own powers.

But on Wednesday the White House said Obama had lifted the threat of a veto after changes to the law giving the president greater discretion to prevent individuals from being handed to the military.

Critics accused the president of caving in again to pressure from some Republicans on a counter-terrorism issue for fear of being painted in next year's election campaign as weak and of failing to defend America.

Human Rights Watch said that by signing the bill Obama would go down in history as the president who enshrined indefinite detention without trial in US law.

"The paradigm of the war on terror has advanced so far in people's minds that this has to appear more normal than it actually is," Malinowski said. "It wasn't asked for by any of the agencies on the frontlines in the fight against terrorism in the United States. It breaks with over 200 years of tradition in America against using the military in domestic affairs."

In fact, the heads of several security agencies, including the FBI, CIA, the director of national intelligence and the attorney general objected to the legislation. The Pentagon also said it was against the bill.

The FBI director, Robert Mueller, said he feared the law could compromise the bureau's ability to investigate terrorism because it would be more complicated to win co-operation from suspects held by the military.

"The possibility looms that we will lose opportunities to obtain co-operation from the persons in the past that we've been fairly successful in gaining," he told Congress.

Civil liberties groups say the FBI and federal courts have dealt with more than 400 alleged terrorism cases, including the successful prosecutions of Richard Reid, the "shoe bomber", Umar Farouk, the "underwear bomber", and Faisal Shahzad, the "Times Square bomber".

Elements of the law are so legally confusing, as well as being constitutionally questionable, that any detentions are almost certain to be challenged all the way to the supreme court.

Malinowski said "vague language" was deliberately included in the bill in order to get it passed. "The very lack of clarity is itself a problem. If people are confused about what it means, if people disagree about what it means, that in and of itself makes it bad law," he said.

Original article sourced via The Guardian UK, written by Chris McGreal (Washington).

An Open Letter to the People of California, December 5, 2011

2011-12-06T09:56:00.000-08:00

When I became Governor again -- 28 years after my last term ended in 1983 -- California was facing a $26.6 billion budget deficit. It was the result of years of failing to match spending with tax revenues as budget gimmicks instead of honest budgeting became the norm.

In January, I proposed a budget that combined deep cuts with a temporary extension of some existing taxes. It was a balanced approach that would have finally closed our budget gap.

I asked the legislature to enact this plan and to allow you, the people of California, to vote on it. I believed that you had the right to weigh in on this important choice: should we decently fund our schools or lower our taxes? I don’t know how you would have voted, but we will never know. The Republicans refused to provide the four votes needed to put this measure on the ballot.

Forced to act alone, Democrats went ahead and enacted massive cuts and the first honest on-time budget in a decade. But without the tax extensions, it was simply not possible to eliminate the state’s structural deficit.

The good news is that our financial condition is much better than a year ago. We cut the ongoing budget deficit by more than half, reduced the state’s workforce by about 5500 positions and cut unnecessary expenses like cell phones and state cars. We actually cut state expenses by over $10 billion. Spending is now at levels not seen since the seventies. Our state’s credit rating has moved from “negative” to “stable,” laying the foundation for job creation and a stronger economic recovery.

Unfortunately, the deep cuts we made came at a huge cost. Schools have been hurt and state funding for our universities has been reduced by 25%. Support for the elderly and the disabled has fallen to where it was in 1983. Our courts suffered debilitating reductions.

The stark truth is that without new tax revenues, we will have no other choice but to make deeper and more damaging cuts to schools, universities, public safety and our courts.

That is why I am filing today an initiative with the Attorney General’s office that would generate nearly $7 billion in dedicated funding to protect education and public safety. I am going directly to the voters because I don’t want to get bogged down in partisan gridlock as happened this year. The stakes are too high.

My proposal is straightforward and fair. It proposes a temporary tax increase on the wealthy, a modest and temporary increase in the sales tax, and guarantees that the new revenues be spent only on education. Here are the details:

Millionaires and high-income earners will pay up to 2% higher income taxes for five years. No family making less than $500,000 a year will see their income taxes rise. In fact, fewer than 2% of California taxpayers will be affected by this increase.
There will be a temporary ½ cent increase in the sales tax. Even with this temporary increase, sales taxes will still be lower than what they were less than six months ago
This initiative dedicates funding only to education and public safety--not on other programs that we simply cannot afford.

This initiative will not solve all of our fiscal problems. But it will stop further cuts to education and public safety.

I ask you to join with me to get our state back on track.

-Jerry Brown

Official portrait of Jerry Brown as Governor of California, from the California State Capitol Museum. Painted by Don Bachardy

PRINTS FOR SALE @ ECHO COUNTRY OUTPOST

2011-12-02T10:22:00.000-08:00

Just in time for the holidays, I have two limited edition, signed prints for sale at the Echo Country Outpost in Echo Park, LA. They have an amazingly fun store and they are even more so amazing themselves...times two. If you haven't been yet, stop by. Chances are, you'll run across a concert or bbq in progress. Special thanks to Two Rabbits for printing these posters.

Dale Dreiling, an Echo Park resident for many years, brings his formidable skills to this print capturing a fixture of Echo Park in all of its iconic glory. A perfect addition to your Echo Park pad and a perfect gift for anyone who wished they lived in the raddest neighborhood in town. Two color print, numbered and signed by the artist. 18"w x 24"h = $35 (S&H not included) BUY IT HERE.

Artist Dale Dreiling transforms scenes from our daily lives into fun, accessible and beautifully produced art. This piece, "Beware they will eat you alive" is a three color, limited edition print numbered and signed by the artist. Makes a great gift! 18"w x 24"h = $45 (s&h not included) BUY IT HERE

SP BLOG SEVEN

2011-11-21T15:11:00.000-08:00

Photo courtesy of Seth Pettersen.

MUPPET LETTER PARTY: A Recent Design Project for Threadless

2011-11-12T15:10:00.001-08:00

In conjunction with Threadless, and in celebration of the soon (Nov. 23rd) to be released Muppet Movie, I am pleased to announce that I have a shirt graphic design for sale here.

Yes, Muppets!!!

My inspiration for this design was to figure out a way to put as many of my favorite Muppets into one design as possible. I also wanted to arrange them in the design in a way that would highlight each one’s own individual personality.

Ever since I was a very young Muppet fan, I have always loved the opening scene of the show where they all join in the big group intro number of song and dance. Also, even though they pull it together in the end, there are tons of bloopers and “oh brother” moments where things almost fall apart. But, they never really do.

And if the behind the scenes moments of the show seem chaotic, that’s just life and the Muppets know how to make the best of it, and that’s why we love them!

Today's Thoughts On Being

2011-11-08T12:35:00.000-08:00

Courtesy of fellow SFAI alum, Steve Lambert.

Through the ages, in cycles or a linear direction? Original source unknown, via ffffound.

To Have, To Have Not...

2011-10-26T11:35:00.000-07:00

...and those who are just that? Is life what you make of it, or is it all about making do with what it gives you? At the least they're just 2, of the more than 130 million images at any given second, that I ffffound online.

More Wedding Fun...YES!!!

2011-10-24T15:05:00.000-07:00

Hey Aaryn, thanks for these pics, you rock!!!

Wedding...All Day & All of the Night!

2011-10-24T10:19:00.000-07:00

Documentation of our incredibly perfect day into evening of merriment with our families and our family of freinds, courtesy of the amazingly awesome Betsy Winchell.

Cornel West Tells The Truth

2011-10-11T15:27:00.000-07:00

...AGAIN.

The Political Cartoons Of Barry Deutsch.

2011-10-03T11:13:00.000-07:00

If there was one for Neo-Democrat/Demi-Republicans, I would have posted that too. 2012 is an election year, build up your immunity now. :-O

Sink or Swim

2011-09-29T11:52:00.001-07:00

Nowadays, they give trophies for floating. The water is warm and it makes you sleepy.

Musings

2011-09-11T12:21:00.001-07:00

Cats vs Summer Weather

2011-08-29T10:23:00.000-07:00

Getting Married This Year!

2011-08-27T10:50:00.001-07:00

This is the front of our wedding invitation, Pencil on 5 x 7 paper.

Baby Cat

2011-07-30T19:24:00.000-07:00

His name is Ringo Starkitty and he was born and raised in a Boyle Heights alley. Here he is with his new mommy. He's 110% tabby, if you know what that means.

YOU NEED THIS

2011-07-11T09:15:00.000-07:00

Seth Pettersen is the man. He will either make &/or break your party, or just flat out steal it away from you. Don't doubt that. His new album Skate Away releases tomorrow. The title track, which he leaked last week is golden. If you're on the East Coast, check him out live. He's touring with Donovan Frankenreiter. Seth Pettersen has a website.

It's Soul Time! Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings for Daptone Records

2011-07-11T08:37:00.000-07:00

I just got printer's proofs emailed over to me from Daptone Records for a recent watercolor cover illustration commission I did for an upcoming Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings release, It's Soul Time.

As far as I last heard, the lp is slated for a Japanese export release. The album is a compilation of staples from the bands live show repertoire. I am super happy with the way they worked the type layout over my painting. Kind of feels like time traveling.

For further info, check out Daptone Records.

Hot Days In Summertime City

2011-07-06T10:18:00.001-07:00

The cat obsession continues.

Catwoman

2011-06-25T22:42:00.000-07:00

Thanks, (J)oshua. TSF, circa 2008

Happy Birthday, Harry!

2011-06-15T12:01:00.000-07:00

Harry Edward Nilsson III (June 15, 1941 - January 15, 1994) with John Winston Ono Lennon.

*Photo by tomasutpen

Paper Cuts Interview (Revisited)

2011-06-06T09:06:00.000-07:00

Back in January of 2009, I was approached by a cut and paste, copy shop published arts and music 'zine based out of Pt Hueneme, CA called Paper Cuts to do an interview. Having a soft spot in my heart for people in West Ventura County doing highly ambitious and creative things, despite the overly conservative nature of the region, how could I say no?!?!

The following is a slightly condensed version of that interview.

Possession is 9/10th's vs Do What Thou Wilt - Acrylic on 15 x 13 panel, 2009

PC: Tell me a little bit about starting out in Ventura, CA as an artist?

DD: Not too much out of the ordinary. I Took an art class or two in High School but was more into graffiti, album/flyer art, tattoos, and playing bass. I took some classes at community college and wound up getting some good grant offers for school.

I hadn’t thought about fine art as an option at all until that point. I wasn’t exposed to it as a kid. There was really nothing to keep me in Ventura so, I took the chance and moved to San Francisco.

PC: You eventually made your way to the San Francisco Art Institute, how was the experience?

DD: The school and The City were a life changing experience. I chose the Institute because they stressed less curriculum in the studio and more self direction and conceptual criticism. Also, Barry McGee went there. It was San Francisco, period. I’d be lying if I said that part of me didn’t go there for that reason alone.

For as much fun as I had growing up in Ventura and doing what I had done until that point, I think I found out who I am up in SF. There are situations and experiences from that time that have changed me, both as a painter and in my general perspective of the world.

PC: Now that you reside in Los Angeles, do you have more opportunities to expose your work?

DD: I never thought I’d like living in LA as much as I do. I have to say that so far, it’s my favorite place I’ve lived. Maybe I like it for the fact that I’m surprised by it everyday…even if it’s that I still like it despite what it can show you. People have lost their minds here but things still function. It’s surreal and it’s way too real at the same time. Very inspiring. Very, very inspiring.

As far as art goes, there’s as much going on here as you have endurance and outgoing energy to give. There are tons of galleries and events, it’s just a matter of finding those that fit your aesthetic and personality. It’s still not easy but at least there’s room to explore.

PC: From what you have shown me your acrylic paintings have a strong stroke with the majority of the color choices from a semi-dark pallet. Is this a natural intention or a choice due to a mood or theme?

DD: Both. Even in pieces I’ve done that take place during daylight or under artificial lighting, there is always a clash and balance between dark and light. I like contrast, and not-contrast.

PC: You also do some great ink work that has a graphic design flare to it, but still keeps an artistic foundation. What is your favorite medium?

DD: I am a graphic artist by day and a painter by night. I’ve experimented with most every medium and my favorite is painting, hands down. There’s not even a close 2nd.

PC: What or who are some of your inspirations when it comes to your art?

DD: The biggest inspirations on my work are not visual artists, it’s Tom Waits and Charles Bukowski. I will also fly the flannel for Mike Watt forever. Oh yeah… and The Dude.

PC: Any artists that are catching your eye?

DD: I’m always changing my mind on that topic, there’s always something new. I go to a lot of openings and galleries. I’m always checking out websites and publications. I’m busy walking around LA seeing a lot of non art, everything catches my eye.

Memorial Day

2011-06-04T12:37:00.000-07:00

Though a bit late, here a few pics from the Echo Country Outpost annual Memorial Day Fish Fry. Enjoy!

Tall Tales and the Silver Lining

The Evan apRoberts Band

Old times were good times

2011-06-04T12:34:00.001-07:00

Echo Park days revisited.

Did you hear what they said?

2011-05-28T09:52:00.001-07:00

Gil Scott-Heron was at times ambivalent about the rap music he helped spawn, saying artists too often forgot the message part.

Gil Scott-Heron, a pioneer in a style of musical spoken word that evolved into rap, died Friday night at a St. Luke's Hospital in Manhattan. He was 62.

Perhaps Scott-Heron's more lasting legacy, though, lies in his lifelong insistence that music has to say something and mean something.

His breakthrough record, "Pieces of a Man" in 1971, included his best-known work, "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised," which attacked the superficiality of mass media and suggested the real stories were happening below its radar.

That kind of provocative socio-political assertion was picked up years ago by influential radio personalities like Imhotep Gary Byrd of WWRL, WLIB, WBLS and WBAI, as well as dozens of artists from Common and Public Enemy to Kanye West.

West has sampled Scott-Heron's "Home Is Where the Hatred is" and "We Almost Lost Detroit," about a near-catastrophic nuclear accident.

After Scott-Heron's death was announced, Chuck D of Public Enemy tweeted, "We do what we do and how we do because of you." He said he and Scott-Heron had been collaborating on a new project.

Scott-Heron was at times ambivalent about the rap music he helped spawn, saying artists too often forgot the message part.

"They use a lot of slang and colloquialisms, and you don't really see inside the person," he said in a 2008 interview. "Instead, you just get a lot of posturing."

That Scott-Heron helped pave the way for the country's most popular music is ironic, because he was always widely viewed as a cult artist - though a highly respected one.

"The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" was released as a single in 1971 and never made it out of underground radio or cracked any charts. Four years later "Angel Dust" peaked at No. 15 on the R&B charts, and while eight of his albums reached the top 200, only one, "First Minute of a New Day" in 1975, reached the top 30.

Scott-Heron took a long break starting in the '90s and in 2001 was sentenced to prison for cocaine possession. He was paroled, then jailed again in 2006 for violating his parole - because, he said, the clinic he was required to visit could not provide him with HIV medication.

After he was paroled again in 2007, he began performing more regularly. He had just returned from a European tour when he died.

Born in Chicago, Scott-Heron was raised in Jackson, Tenn., before moving to the Bronx as a teenager. He attended DeWitt Clinton before going to Fieldston on a scholarship.

He began writing books, including the novel "The Vulture," around the time he began working in bands.

He developed an intense, often spare, percussion style that he sometimes called "bluesology." He used it to accompany lyrics on subjects like the black middle class, white indifference, American apartheid and homophobia.

His first album, "Small Talk at 125th and Lenox," was released in 1970. For "small" talk, Scott-Heron's work has had a remarkable carry.

By David Hinkley, for New York Daily Times.

BIblical Mystery

2011-05-25T10:12:00.001-07:00

It's not commonly known, but the Bible mentions unicorns 9 times. Artwork by Someguy. Original post by John Trippe, via Fecal Face.

Cave Country - Constant Arrival Video

2011-05-10T10:02:00.000-07:00

The highly anticipated video by Steve Gifford, has finally been officially released. Check it out on Youtube right now.

If you love northeast LA, you will love this video. It makes you want to take the day off and ride around town, doing nothing but eating tortas, playing with pit bulls, and harassing the friends you drive by.

June 9th, Cave Country will be celebrating the release of a new record at HM157 in Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles. Friends in attendance will include Tommy Santee Klaws, Neal Casal, Tall Tales and the Silver Lining, etc, etc.

Visit Cave Country on Bandcamp now.

Nice to meet you again

2011-05-09T10:28:00.003-07:00

My friends Tall Tales and the Silver Lining just released their newest album, Nice to meet you again. I did all layout and design, and despite a possible bias, I have to say this is my most favorite album of theirs to date.

Though currently only available for digital download, there will be a very limited edition vinyl release coming this June. For the vinyl release, the front and back cover will be signed and numbered screen prints. For a preview and to digitally download the album, check out bandcamp.com

In addition, for all news Tall Tales, check out their blog.

Newest Painting

2011-05-07T16:17:00.000-07:00

Moses "Mommy Moe" the Cat - Acrylic on 20 x 16 canvas, 2011.

Adoration of the Mystic Lamb

2011-05-07T09:40:00.000-07:00

A detail from the lower register of the central panel of the Ghent Altarpiece or Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. Started by Hubert van Eycke (who died in 1426) and finished by his younger brother, Jan van Eycke, the painting was originally commissioned by patron Joost Vijdt for the Saint Bavo Cathedral in Gehnt, Belgium.

In the context of the time period in which it was started, the altarpiece represented a "new conception of art," in which the idealization of the medieval tradition gave way to an exacting observation of nature.

Why so, Blu?

2011-04-19T10:20:00.000-07:00

For the Los Angeles MOCA Art In The Streets...show's elaborate opening act, (Jeffrey) Deitch commissioned a young, exciting, international talent to make the entire north wall of MOCA's Geffen Contemporary his canvas. It was a bold move - and it was where the reality of street art began to collide with Deitch's dream exhibition.

Enter the Italian muralist Blu, who created a work of coffins draped in dollar bills in December. Unsanctioned by the museum and started in Deitch's absence, the director found it insensitive to the surrounding Little Tokyo neighborhood and the nearby veteran's memorial, and ordered it painted over.

As Deitch explained in a recent interview with LA Weekly, "Blu's idea when he is invited to do a wall is an opportunity to create a challenging, troublesome situation, not thinking that he's one of 100-plus people in a joint effort - the point being to come together to make a bigger thing for everybody, not to do something that undermines the whole project."

Destruction of the mural brought a thunderstorm of protest from some fans of street art. Others understood that if you choose to do art paid for by an institution, you have to play nice.

*An excerpt from "Anarchy at the MOCA, How Jeffrey Deitch convinced an outlaw art movement to show itself for the landmark retrospective Art In The Streets" by Shelly Leopold (LA Weekly, April 15-21, 2011 / Vol.33 / No.21

Q: Art in the Streets?

2011-04-15T17:52:00.000-07:00

A: Graffiti in the Museums.

Jeffrey, this kid should've been in the show.

Photo via haw-lin.com ( origin unknown)

Obsessively, still listening to...

2011-04-08T13:07:00.000-07:00

Tommy Santee Klaws: Dirty Mouth from Rakes (Tommy's House 2011)

DTLA: People For Bikes (Next Tuesday)

2011-04-08T10:33:00.001-07:00

*flyer design by Joshua Cabrillos

04/05/94

2011-04-05T12:33:00.001-07:00

Currently listening to...

2011-03-15T10:19:00.000-07:00

Tommy Santee Klaws: Ooh Ooh Ooh from Rakes (Tommy's House 2011)

April Fools Day Art Show

2011-03-07T13:14:00.001-08:00

If you are in or near the Ojai Valley on April 1st, be sure to check out the opening reception for bARTSHOW, a duo exhibition featuring Gavin Peters and Brock Essick. The exhibition will consist of solo and collaborative paintings and collages and will be held at Bart's Books. Bart's Books is located at 302 West Matilija Street, Ojai, CA 93023.

All proceeds go to aid Gavin in his fight to be cured of Lyme's Disease and to offset the burdening financial expenses that this fight has caused him and his family. Learn more about Gavin and what you can do to help him by clicking here.

Too Fast To Live.

2011-02-25T10:41:00.001-08:00

Tomorrow is the opening reception for Too Fast To Live, To Young To Die at Subliminal Projects in Echo Park, LA. The line up looks great and the gallery will surely be packed. It's a great tribute to our state's contribution to global punk culture though I've spotted an unfortunate omission which breaks my heart.

Where's Shawn Kerri?

Having been born in Covina, raised in San Diego, and having had a huge impact on the Los Angeles/Hollywood scene, she is a crucial piece of LA's punk legacy. I'm sure her not being included was purely accidental or situational, but it's sad all the same.

RIP Shawn Kerri (1959-1991)...you were one of the ones who gave me a reason to draw when I was a teen.

THIS SATURDAY // ONE NIGHT ONLY

2011-02-11T11:53:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year!

2011-01-05T15:20:00.001-08:00

A mysterious photo, taken at the Diana World Tour LA group show (10/14) at the Lomography Gallery Store LA in fabu WeHo...I'm guessing? I don't know. All I know is that's me to the right and it was take by this guy...Seth Pettersen.
Check out Seth Pettersen & the Undertow, performing with Los Growlers in picture perfect Fullerton, CA at the illustrious Slidebar on January 28th. Trippy.

The Warfare is Mental

2010-12-22T15:39:00.000-08:00

If you need a break from the mindless drivel that comprises the vast majority of the world wide web, I suggest you check out a favorite blog of mine, The Warfare is Mental.

Run by my friend, Chris Long (FunNotFame), the content is critically objective, analytical debate and essays on the topics of philosophy, science, art & religion, with a little bit of skateboarding mixed in for kicks. It's like a stair climb for the fat & lazy, couch potato brain. Check it out.

"I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me, and causes me to tremble for the safety of our country. Corporations have been enthroned, an era of corruption will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people, until wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the republic is destroyed."

-Abraham Lincoln

Damn...almost 150 years ago?

The Warfare is Mental

Happy Holidays...

2010-12-22T14:53:00.000-08:00

Garfield Style!

Happy Birthday, Jean-Michel

2010-12-22T14:49:00.000-08:00

East LA: 1st Show of 2011

2010-12-21T12:29:00.001-08:00

It's been a while since my last post, but I've been laying low for the tail end of 2010. Studio experiments and freelance gigs have been keeping me more than busy, especially in the midst of the holidays. With 2011 only weeks away, new news is afoot.

I'm really excited to have been invited to be part of Looking Up, the inaugural group exhibition for East First Gallery in Boyle Heights, East LA. With the gallery being right next door to the Mariachi Plaza Metro Gold Line Station and Eastside Love Wine Bar, the night is sure to be a great time.

If you're in the neighborhood, or have never been to East LA before, this is the perfect excuse to get on over. Updates and additional info to follow.

East First Gallery 1862 1/2 East 1st Ave, Los Angeles 90033

TEENAGE FANCLUB: APART FROM THE ORGY

2010-10-08T16:33:00.001-07:00

This is a recent illustration I did for LA Record online. To read the interview by Chris Ziegler, click here.

Can you imagine the party?

2010-09-29T10:34:00.000-07:00

The Diana World Tour LA

2010-09-26T14:18:00.000-07:00

Join me Thursday, October 14th at the Lomography Gallery Store LA for the Los Angeles stop of the Diana World Tour. The opening reception is the 1st in a series of month long events that emcompass all things lomogrpahic.

Highlights of the night include the Detrich Collection made up of over 100 Vintage Diana F+ clones, Vignettes from the City of Angeles photo exhibition and the Custom Clones Collection, which will be autioned off for charity. There will also be live performances by The Petrojvic Blasting Co. & DJ Jack Hughes, free gifts, snacks & Liquid libations.

I have a Vignette and a Custom Clone piece, which are both up for auction. My charitable donations will benefit the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition. As a painter, I am heavily influenced by street photography. It is one of the fundemental starting points for my panel paintings. It's been fun to get back into film photography and I am excited to be able to branch out into media that I don't normally get a chance to explore and exhibit. My piece for the custom clones is also exciting to me, as the scope of the project was to embellish an existing clone. Having studied sculpture prior to my dive into panel painting, it was a great aopportunity to explore some sculptural concepts I've had in the back of my mind for the past few years. My piece explores the relationship between the readymade sculpture, photography and it's influence on two dimensional art/painting...kind of an autobiographical piece when I really think about it.

Other participating artists include Ventura, CA's own 86 House; Dave King & Bridget Regan of Flogging Molly; KCRW Music Director, Jason Bentley and Writer/Actor/Producer, Seth Rogen among others.

Thursday October 14, 2010 (6-10pm)
Lomography Gallery Store LA
7998 Santa Monica Blvd, LA 90046

For further info, please visit Lomography Gallery Store LA

Light Be Bright

2010-07-05T20:38:00.000-07:00

David Kramer

2010-06-21T17:47:00.001-07:00

Since my first exposure to the work of David Kramer during a visit to Jancar Gallery in Chinatown last summer, he's been one of my favorite contemporary artists. Unfortunately, he rarely shows on the west coast. He recently had a retrospective show in New York at Armand Bartos Fine Art. His blog is called David Kramer: Toothless Alcoholic, check it out.

I'm not hating...

2010-06-18T16:57:00.001-07:00

I'm just saying...1993 was a long time ago.

John Bohl

2010-06-18T09:33:00.000-07:00

From time to time, I like to post up the work of other artists who I find interesting and inspiring. I found John Bohl's work on Beautiful Decay.

*http://johnbohl.blogspot.com/

Mr Bitchin'

2010-06-17T09:23:00.000-07:00

"Robert Williams paintings...take us into the world of subjective theory - a mock realm of violated graphic physics. This is his theoretic search to pinpoint the exact location where the sky meets the ground, with the golden socket wrench used only by quantum mechanics. His art is the first step on that hypothetical journey, but it is not a hapless sojourn through metaphysical superstition or false mystery. It is simply the next logical step in abstract thought." -Barrett Bingham

I went to LACMA last night for the world premier of Mr Bitchin, a 20 years in the making biographical film of Mr Williams' personal life and artistic career. As much as his aesthetic is at the foreground of any discussion about his work, one of the most rewarding aspects of the film was the statement that it is his ideas which really drive and inspire his work. I have to admit that it was his aesthetic and subject matter which first pulled me in when I was first exposed to his work in the late 80's, mainly due to Guns n Roses use of his painting Appetite for Destruction.

But after having arrived at San Francisco Art Institute in 1999 to pursue a BFA degree in painting I, by happen chance, came across a copy of "Views from a Tortured Libido." Then, it was his words and statements about his work, the work of others and the nature of the art world that really spoke to me. With that in mind, the chance to hear Mr Williams speak with Coagula Art Journal founder, Mat Gleason, on art theory and art world politics after the films finish was a once in a lifetime treat that I am truly thankful for.

Lomography pt.1

2010-06-12T10:45:00.001-07:00

Mike Stilkey's Reminiscent Show at )( Hurley in Costa Mesa

At Mike Stilkey's Reminiscent with Deepakalypse

Memorial Day

Santa Barbara

Corinn in Santa Barbara

*All photos by Corinn McKnett.

Beautiful Decay

2010-06-07T16:16:00.001-07:00

Dale Dreiling takes inspiration from the everyday occurrences in Los Angeles, highlighting icons that are often overlooked, from street vendors and other characters, to liquor stores, swap meets, and catering trucks. Though his paintings bring color and focus to those images that go unnoticed, his subjects are often eerily faceless. Perhaps this is just for the sake of anonymity, or maybe Dreiling is attesting to the idea that we are not as different from others as we think. Visit Beautiful Decay.

The Shape of Paintings to Come

2010-06-02T09:18:00.000-07:00

For I am the Man with the Balloons Acrylic & mixed media on 24 x 29 panel

Tommy Santee Klaws

2010-05-28T18:34:00.000-07:00

Altadena musician Tommy Santee Klaws hit me up for a sticker design and I couldn't say no. For a listen and all band news, check the link below. Stickers coming soon.

www.myspace.com/tommysanteeklaws

Sneak Peak // LA Record Issue 100

2010-05-28T14:30:00.000-07:00

Flying Lotus

Currently Listening To...

2010-05-21T18:46:00.000-07:00

Dahga Bloom: Dahga Bloom from myspace (Unsigned? Not for long. 2010)

Jesus Gonna Be Here Soon.

2010-05-20T14:41:00.001-07:00

I don't understand people who don't understand, or worse yet, can't appreciate Tom Waits.

Moe, Feeling Inspired.

2010-05-18T20:35:00.001-07:00

FREE KUTMAH!

2010-05-11T13:06:00.000-07:00

Kutmah was born in the UK to an Egyptian mother and Scottish father. He moved to the US with his mother when he was 12 years old. They immediately applied for residency to keep them from being sent to Egypt. As a British citizen the court ruled that he would be able to live in the UK which in their eyes wasn't such a bad place. They denied their application.

Kutmah and his Mom returned to court to plead their case 14 years ago when Kutmah was 20. They were again denied a green card and were urged to sign a document stating they would voluntary leave the US.

On Wednesday morning, May 5th armed agents entered Kutmah's house and detained him. He was brought to a facility in downtown LA where he was interrogated. On Thursday he was moved to New Mexico. We need to show how important Kutmah is to the LA and US community. Please write a letter and spread the word!

Please customize the letter below and send it ASAP to Gaby Hernandez: gaby5hernandez@gmail.com

LETTER TEMPLATE
To Whom it May Concern:

Justin McNulty is a highly talented artist, DJ and music producer who is a beloved member of the Los Angeles creative community.

For well over a decade he has devoted his substantial skills to the betterment of our community through positive, artistic actions.

Mr. McNulty has selflessly donated his time and exceptional talents to numerous charitable and non-profit causes. He has garnered worldwide acclaim through these efforts based in the United States.

Mr. McNulty’s individual community arts service is a testament to modern philanthropy. In an age when institutional funding is slim he has taken personal action to better our country by inspiring its citizens through progressive cultural outreach.

I fully support Justin McNulty’s right to stay in the United States and urge your positive and swift action in this matter. His deportation would be a devastating loss to Los Angeles and the American arts.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

The Undersigned

SIGN THE PETITION! // WWW.FREEKUTMAH.COM

LA Record Illustration Exhibition Extension!

2010-05-10T15:03:00.001-07:00

A Public Service Announcement/Plea For Decency

2010-05-07T16:53:00.000-07:00

Currently Listening To...

2010-05-05T12:18:00.001-07:00

Malachai: Snowflake from Ugly Side of Love (Domino Record Co USA, 2010)

Madlib

2010-05-05T10:12:00.000-07:00

Photo by Chris Woodcock, fellow San Francisco Art Institute Class of 2001 alumni.

www.cw-photography.com

Beware They Will Eat You Alive

2010-05-05T08:31:00.001-07:00

3 color screen print, 18 x 24, limited edition of 50, $45 (s&h not included). Purchase inquiries, contact me at daledreiling@gmail.com

Players Only Love You When They're Playing

2010-05-05T08:30:00.003-07:00

Greetings From Echo Park

2010-05-05T08:30:00.001-07:00

2 color screen print, 18 x 24, limited edition of 50, $35 (s&h not included). Purchase inquiries, contact me at daledreiling@gmail.com

Welcome To Silverlake Sunset Junction

2010-05-05T08:29:00.001-07:00

Fear & Loathing In Los Angeles

2010-05-05T08:28:00.003-07:00

Me Love You Long Time

2010-05-05T08:28:00.001-07:00

John F Kennedy

2010-05-05T08:27:00.003-07:00

Jesus Was A Communist

2010-05-05T08:27:00.001-07:00

Art Tools

2010-05-05T08:25:00.000-07:00

An Homage to Zeitgeist

2010-04-30T11:24:00.000-07:00

The Most Happiest Place on Earth Acrylic on 11 x 11 panel.

*From my NFS personal collection.

Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings

2010-04-27T15:19:00.000-07:00

Sharon Jones was my 1st illustration assignment for LA Record and is also a featured piece in my LA Record Illustrations show which is currently running at Echo Country Outpost. The show has been extended until May 20th so, if you are in the Los Angeles area, check it out!

Echo Country Outpost 1930 Echo Park Ave, LA 90026
www.myspace.com/sharonjonesandthedapkings

Seth Pettersen @ The Lomography Gallery (04/25)

2010-04-26T21:25:00.000-07:00

Seth Pettersen: One focused fucker with a beat up van.

www.myspace.com/sethpettersenmusic www.sethpettersen.blogspot.com
www.lomography.com

Philip Guston

2010-04-26T11:15:00.000-07:00

Philip Guston The Studio (1969) Oil on 48 x 42 canvas, from the collection of Musa Guston.

House of Pain

2010-04-25T14:04:00.001-07:00

Satchmo & Puppe

2010-04-25T14:02:00.000-07:00

Severe Tire Damage

2010-04-22T23:24:00.001-07:00

Grand & 9th

Banksy in downtown Los Angeles?

2010-04-22T23:16:00.001-07:00

Broadway & 6th

Broadway & 9th

RIP Guru

2010-04-20T11:46:00.000-07:00

Legendary rapper Guru passed away last night after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was 43.

It's only Tuesday?

2010-04-20T11:30:00.001-07:00

Nooooooo!!!!!!!!!

You Hang Out With Who?!?!

2010-04-19T10:15:00.001-07:00

Eagle Rock Brewery

2010-04-18T15:37:00.002-07:00

Equinox Sour Ale

Cafe de Leche

2010-04-18T15:37:00.001-07:00

Macchiatos

Echo Park

2010-04-18T15:36:00.001-07:00

Canadians

Exit Through the Gift Shop

2010-04-17T09:54:00.001-07:00

Last night, I went to the West LA premier of Exit Through the Gift Shop at the Landmark Theater.

Aside from the fact that the shakey hand held camera shots and the out of focus blur that lasts the entire lenght of the film made me vomit (no, seriously...worse than Blair Witch Project, at last for me), I liked the film.

It avoided both extreme pitfalls that a film about graffiti could have fallen into. It wasn't over conceptualized &/or Social Anthropologized and, it didn't wind up being an X-treme sport &/or tough graf guy clip montage.

But seriously, does anyone really believe that Thierry Guetta isn't Banksy himself or at least a fictitious character conceived of by him and Shepard Fairey?

Blue Heaven

2010-04-17T09:53:00.001-07:00

Bob Motown

2010-04-14T10:05:00.000-07:00

Bob Motown of 2 Rabbits Studios screen printing live at the Prints and Pedals reception at Crewest Gallery, with my print in the background. As taken from the Crewest Gallery Flickr Pool.

*Photo by Mic Macias.

Sumi Drawing Club @ This Los Angeles pt.2

2010-04-12T12:40:00.000-07:00

Back on March 6th, I stopped by This Los Angeles Gallery in beautiful Highland Park to take part in the Sumi Ink Club drawing session that was co-coordinated by Kelly Lynn Jones of Little Paper Planes and the gallery.

I just scored these pics of myself off Fecal Face, which were graciously taken and posted by fellow LA artist Michael C. Hsiung.

This Los Angeles http://www.thislosangeles.com
Sumi Ink Club http://sumiinkclub.com
Little Paper Planes http://littlepaperplanes.com
Michael C. Hsiung http://michaelchsiung.com
Fecal Face http://fecalface.com/SF

Happy Foggy Sunday

2010-04-11T18:08:00.001-07:00

2 Rabbits Studios

2010-04-11T18:02:00.000-07:00

Corinn & I just scored this 2 Rabbits print during the last Downtown Art Walk when we stopped by the Pedals & Prints show at Crewest Gallery, which I have a piece in. The show is still up...so check it out!

Elysian Park

2010-04-11T17:57:00.001-07:00