On Exhibition

I have this print on display at the Fine Art Museum at Western Carolina University until July 10th.
Here's the story.

Montford Arts Fesitval Tomorrow!!

Come on by!! 

the bunkhaus

Montreat, NC

I went to Montreat, NC over the last couple weekends.  It is such an amazing, beautiful area, and so close to home.  I couldn't stop taking photos with my new iPhone app Hipstamatic.  I just love the effects! 

Cooling Off

Here's a shot from my bike ride on a fun trail near Clayton, GA It's been a pretty active Spring Break for Bruno and I. Since dogs don't have sweat-glands, finding a cold mountain creek to lay in is the next best thing.

Happy Equinoxication!!

One egg. Equal gravity from the North and South Poles. Balance.



Another shot for the non-believers.



Oh yeah, there is also a keg in the kitchen.

Snow and Art Day

The snow and the decision makers who decide whether to drive busses on it or not may keep me from teaching art, but it can't stop me from making it.

So Long Old Friend

After four years, thousands of miles, camping trips, road trips up and down the eastern seaboard, and countless errands around town, I say goodbye to the ol' red Ta Tonka, who had a personality that surpassed most vehicles you find on the road. Her loving engine just couldn't go any farther after returning from our last overnighter several weeks ago.
Finally, I said my goodbye and good luck to the faithful friend. She will be repaired, upgraded, and resurrected by Joquin from Orellana's garage in West Asheville. He came and took her away yesterday.



Thanks for the memories!

A New Car!!

Who's this guy? Some kind of soccer mom?



Get real!!

Reason for Hope

After finishing a snow makeup day, and snow still on the ground, what a welcome sight to see flowers blooming in my backyard today.


We still have more Saturday school on the horizon. I really loved the casual look displayed by my cohort Charles. Who says you can't teach Math and Science in your jammies?

Snowday Stroll

The past two school days have been declared "snow days" by those in charge. Yesterday had some rain mixed with snow for about a half hour, then it turned into a beautiful day. It started snowing again before going to bed last night, but ended with only a dusting. Still that's enough to close the schoolhouse in these parts. So what does one do with an unexpected day off? Do I complain about having to make up the missed school days on Saturdays and maybe during spring break? The thought definitely crossed the mind, but no, I braved the elements for a nice walk with my faithful compadre Bruno.




The always ready, all-weather shepherd, Bruno and his ubiquitous tennis ball.




"Major" snowfall- Asheville style.




Stark contrast.




Respect.




Blatant diss.




Walking among giants.




Play ball!! When does spring arrive? Who's counting?

TackleBox

I made this stencil for my buddies Chassner and Parks, who have a musical project here in Asheville called TackleBox. 
They claim their music, like the band name implies, seems to have a lure or jig for any situation and/or taste.  That, or they found it funny that  football announcers use the term "tackle box" to describe an area where the quarterback is safe from vicious hits.  However, if he steps outside of the "tackle box", he is fair game and fresh meat for a hungry defensive lineman.
Look for TackleBox shows coming soon to the Asheville scene. 
For right now, take a deep-sea adventure, tacklebox in hand, with The Good Sense in Beginning.  This is from Chassner and Parks earlier project from their days in Tallahassee.  


Don't be afraid to step outside the TackleBox!!

Good Buddies

Harlen and Bruno. Next door neighbors. Yard wrestlers. Chewers of sticks and bones. Biters of collars and necks. Snowball eaters. Wet fur shakers. Possessive toy protectors. Best friends.

On a roll...

This is my boy, Philippe.  It's cold out.  I don't have to work.  I could do this all day. 

Speaking of taking the stencils further, check out the B.O.G.- Better Off Garments site my incredibly multi-talented friend Johmi Spafra is working on in Florida.  Do I smell a co-lab-rat-nation in our future?

Another Stencil

New Mexico Christmas

I know it's a little overdue, but I wanted to share some of the good times I had with family in Albuquerque this Christmas.

I stayed with my brother Tim, his wife Michelle, and my nephews in their beautiful southwestern hacienda.



I awoke to snow and horses outside my bedroom winow my first night.


There was also a cool lot nearby with some old car bones.


My brother and I went mountain biking several times. There are vast undeveloped area called public lands right next to the house filled with trails, cactus, juniper bushes, and wild horses.


Here's some decorative architecture. A very fitting image for such a sunny place.


Here's Michelle and the boys on Christmas morning. It was great to be around their excitment for Christmas and relive the excitment I once felt as a child.



My nephew modeling the apron my mom made for him.


Monkeying around at the climbing gym one afternoon.



We went to an ABQ institution, El Modelo, after the climbing gym for some lunch and New Mexican staples; tortillas, and chiles of green and red. It's quite a production and the food is amazing.


Here is Duncan. He loves table scraps, running 30 mph, and chasing Jack Rabbits.


Here is Bunny. She also loves running and sneaking bites off the kitchen counter.



It was a fantastic holiday with family. I'm so glad I could make it. I hope to go back another time when it's warmer.

More fun with stencils

I've revisited the joy of stencil-making lately.

Here's a shadow box/ lantern I made out of a PBR box.



Here's a work in progress...

Abstract Surreal Expression

A little something I'm cookin up.

Fleeting Moments of 2009

Bruno, Richard, and I shared one more hike in 2009 at Dupont State Forest. The waterfalls were in free flowing perfection despite a fun, slippery trail of ice.

A Storm

The long, anticipated winter break began a day early with an artic blast. Normally I don't believe the weather predictions and the hysteria that follows, but when Asheville City Schools gives you your pay check a day early, ya gotta wonder if they are on to something. The clear skies and balmy conditions seemed to justify my scepticism on that Thursday. However, I woke up early the next morning with a smile as i saw a light dusting of snow and more falling. I knew the plowless/ salt-truckless city of Asheville would be parallized. Still funny to this ex-snowbelt buckler. Ah, but I live in the Biblebelt now, where we buckle down with all the bread and milk available at the local bodega and beg for mercy.
School was cancelled for the students, but somehow teachers are expected to sled in for a workday. Luckily I have an all-conditions diesel, as in my "dez'll get you anywhere" boots. So I laced them up and leashed up my pooch Bruno and hoofed it the short mile from my place to the schoolhouse.


Above is the young pup trying to figure it all out. Yeah, I didn't get much work done that morning, unless you call sledding down a hill on a cafeteria tray work. Hey, I'm an art teacher and I was gathering inspiration.
As the snow kept falling an announcement was made for those brave educators who where there to head home.
Here's a shot of Montford Ave as I walked home.


That afternoon some friends came over to my place, the "Bro-Pen", for some sled riding at Montford park. The snow kept piling up, and my friends, being from Florida decided to hunker down.


We played games, music, cooked, and some creative holiday-inspired barbering took place.


We ended up walking through the snow to see what was open downtown. On are way we met lots of folks enjoying the storm. There were snowmen, snowballs, even a 4x4 pulling a snowboarder through the unplowed streets. It was truely a winter-wonderland.