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Hey all. Just released 3 new products through Uncommon — a new company that’s creating custom mobile phone cases. They kicked off their first season with a lot of great artists and the product is pretty official. So if you’re into customization and you have one of those fancy phones that’s all the rage these days, then I suggest you spend some time and money to invest in an even fancier protective case.

Get them here >>

Just wrapped up a a great interview for This is Fly Magazine — an online magazine about the amazing world of fly fishing. We talked about recycling, my current Residency, and the meaning behind my houses. It was interesting for me to be approached by a demographic I knew nothing about, but after inquiring more about them, I learned how simplistic and beautiful fly fishing is. I also realized that although we may have different hobbies based on the influence of our environment, we all have the same basic need, to get out and have fun.

Read more >>

Two more weeks until the artwork needs to be completed for my next show, The Last Shall Be First. I switched gears from the large paintings to working on the center piece installation, a digital media piece, as well as some smaller works.

My good friend and multi-media artist, Paul J Encinas, offered to collaborate on a film piece that will be running on old TV’s and DVD players found in the dump. We are both inspired by the hands on approach to film and will be creating 3 motion sequences with found materials.

Setting up the shot. Thanks Laura for the help!

Moments before mayhem.

Working out the water sequence.

Introducing, Alice McGillicuddy, my new helpful assistant who came all the way from New York as part of her college field work. She will be helping me with the installation as well as tie in all the odds and ends to round out the show.

And finally, a quick look behind the scenes.

So if there is one place that never sleeps, it’s the dump. Being the final output of society, it constantly has to keep up with our waste. Some days it’s tough to take in, but with the deadline of the show looming, I have been spending less time in the public dump area and more time in the studio finishing the artwork.

I have taken the “house” motif for another run with this body of work but have pushed my color palette and materials selection to a whole new height. Combining large scale paintings, a multi-media piece, and one larger than life installation, my goal is to not only show the influence of the environment I have been working in during my Residency as well as develop my ongoing theme one step further.

Oh, and there will be Tv’s.

Details on the next show >>

My girlfriend and I decided to save money and have a San Francisco Christmas this year. We plan to open the home and play host to all of our friends who don’t have family locally. I found lights and tree ornaments at the dump and we pulled a plant in from the backyard to make it all come together. This year is less about spending money and more about spending time together. Cheers everyone!

stocking: courtesy of my mom / 49 mile sign: courtesy of SF

Our entry way. I think we plan to keep the lights up year round.

I will be selling affordable goods for 50% OFF this Saturday at Fabric8’s Holiday Sample Sale in San Francisco. There will be great deals by local artists and designers. Artwork, clothing, music, food — be there!

Fabric8
3318  22nd Street @ Valencia St
San Francisco, CA 94110

The Last Shall Be First
Artist in Residency Program
Recology San Francisco (formerly known as, SF Recycling & Disposal, Inc.)
503 Tunnel Ave
Brisbane CA 94005
January 22, 2009 @ 5-9pm // January 23, 2009 @ 1-5pm

Artwork created entirely out of materials collected and repurposed during a 4-month Residency at the San Francisco Dump.

More info >>
Teaser video >>

Artist Statement:
Regardless of religion, spiritual stand point or belief, we can all agree that we are only on this Earth for a short moment in time. Everything around us is temporary and life is what we make of it. Even the most horrible situations breathe new life and change into our existence. And, most importantly, our perception is our reality.

With this understanding, I remain positive during the most difficult trials as I know they are here not by coincidence, but for a purpose, and that one day they will pass.

Society has exploded into what it is today, leaving behind a wake of destruction. What began as the “American Dream” is now a place where the selfish and greedy thrive on the backs of the working class poor. All too often, the wrong people are in charge and, with mega-corporations more powerful than governments, the world has made a turn for the worse.

However the Internet, one of the few forms of free press left, has allowed us to do our own research on the so-called “powers that be” and spark communication with people from all backgrounds through an open forum, revealing similar stories and an awareness that this problem exists all over the world.

Today, one by one, people are refusing to keep control in the hands of the evil few and are empowering themselves by becoming part of the innovative and self-sustaining community we were meant to be. There is a shift occurring, and it is up to us to bring the power back to the people.

“The Last Shall Be First” is a statement regarding the largest group of people, who are on the bottom and fighting for survival but deserve more. It also refers to the origin of my artwork, because everything created for this show was made from the waste of others. As well it is the positive affirmation I most often find myself repeating when the troubles of the world seem far beyond my capacity.

Hey all. After almost a year in the planning and months in the making, my product line, New Leaf Collection, has launched it’s new Online Storefront today. Filled with all the great designs you know and love along with some new surprises. This is only the beginning of full site with all the bells and whistles coming in the new year. Enjoy!

Detail shots (in black & white) of current work in progress for my upcoming show as part of my Residency at the San Francisco Recycling & Disposal. Show opens Friday, January 22.

I have been neck deep with work lately…which for someone like me is a great thing when you don’t have a “real” job. Getting it all done is always the trick, but luckily the studio is super close to the home office and whenever I get an open window of time, that’s where you can find me. Below is some work in progress photos of a piece I am doing for one of the owners of new SF restaurant, Flour+Water.

Just getting going. It will be a while till it’s complete.