Title: Reality vs. Expectation Chapter 1

Description: This piece is the first of many in my new series, ‘Expectation vs. Reality‘, inspired by a scene from 500 Days of Summer married with visions of our children’s future… what we hope versus what will be.  Being proud parents of two, my wife and I can only wish for a safe, clean, and peaceful world for our children and their children to live in. The reality, however, is far fetched as mankind continues to destroy the gift we’ve been given.  This along with following pieces in this series gives a glimpse of what my son and daughter should yet will see in their lifetime.

A bumper sticker we recently came about illustrates a terrifying thought… “Daddy, what are trees?”

Title: Made in China

Description:

Take a minute to look at everything you own, from your office, to the items in your bag, to the car you drive, to the furniture and appliances in your home.  Most of everything we buy has been manufactured outside of our country.  Who doesn’t want cheap affordable options as consumers?  But… I still ask, what happened America? When and why did we sell out and cease to make reliable goods at competitive prices in our own backyard? What was once a proud, strong, industrial nation has given way to cheap, exploitive labor to other countries and help them prosper.  Now, I understand that other countries rely on our consumption to put food on their plates but corporate American greed has stolen those basic necessities from our own people.  This has such a profound negative impact on our economy and the mental health of our citizens.  Let’s recreate, rebuild and manufacture what were once great products so we proudly label “Made in the U.S.A”.  Regulate outsourcing and give jobs back to the American people.

Title:

Description: Let’s keep this one short and sweet. I applaud the efforts of and have the utmost respect for the United Nations and all they do – now if they would take a more active roll in response to global threats and security, they may just get a standing ovation. Instead of just condemning acts of violence, hold those nations accountable and act on it. Don’t defer to America to lead and handle – take the helm and do more than history has dictated.

Title: The Great Flood

Description: For he is a fool who either claims “it never rains in Southern California,” or he who actually believes it.  The climate change has brought about fierce and consistent rain these past couple of winters.  The rain has been unforgiving and invaded our living space.  Luckily, it was merciful in that we didn’t get hit with mud and were able to salvage our belongings… but the timing this last time couldn’t have been more intrusive.  With an uncomfortable pregnant wife, an over-energetic toddler, and only 25% of dry flooring, the constant flow of incoming water tested every fiber of patience in me.  It was never-ending mopping, sopping and ringing out of soaked towels day in and day out leading up to Christmas.  This piece commemorates those long wet days that aren’t so long gone… unfortunately… blame it on the rain.

Title: Haiti project

Description:

January 12, 2010 at precisely 4:53pm marked the worst natural disaster in Haiti’s history. The small country was subjected to a devastating magnitude 7.0 earthquake that took the lives of over 300,000 people and left millions without food, water and shelter. Countless aftershocks, hurricanes, and even a Cholera epidemic threatened the lives of many others. So many lives displaced and children orphaned left to fend for their own.

Nearly a year later I was commissioned to work on a piece for someone I have never met. My patron was inspired by a woman by the name of Sonja who works for the state department. Sonja was working in Haiti before the earthquake struck. While so many of her colleagues evacuated the country right after the devastating quake, she stayed behind to help rebuild and support the people of Haiti. It is my understanding that she is still there to this day. Her selfless sacrifice is a testament to the human spirit. She has been through the worst and has witnessed unimaginable images most of us will hopefully never have to see. She has seen the resilience and courage of the Haitians in rebuilding their beloved country. Sonja has touched many lives including my patron’s, and now mine.

This piece was illustrated in her honor and all who stayed behind and dedicated their lives to help others.  I wanted to show the hopelessness and despair on the faces of the children as the helicopters were leaving… yet into the distance emerging from the horizon is Sonja walking towards the them exuding hope.

Sonja, Haiti and the world over thank you for your service and sacrifice and we are forever inspired.

Mèsi pou li pa kite nou  (thank you for not leaving us).

Title: The Ram Boola Black Project

Decription: When my buddy, Garrett, approached me to illustrate and design his upcoming CD art, I was eager to get started.  I mean… c’mon, aside from my first three loves being my wife, son, and daughter, my next loves are music and art. The thought process behind this piece was to depict Garrett’s interpretation of freedom and isolation in producing this album on his very own… to detach himself from the strings that were pulling him in every which direction.  The second piece illustrates the idea that the door will always remain open for him to explore what he loves. There will always be that glimmer of light to pursue our passions as far as we want to take them. The album will be out early next year.  If you want to check out what cover he chose and sample Garrett’s work, visit iTunes by searching for The Ram Boola Black or go to theramboolablack.com

Thanks again Garrett for the honor.

Title: horchata y sushi

Description: It’s not often that you come across a story that is so inspiring that it moves you to the core – and drives you to take risks and do as Charles Darwin preached… carpe diem.  It is a tale of a young Japanese American’s journey into Mexico’s and South America’s most desolate towns.

The year was 1983… Ronald Regan was in office, the second space shuttle, Challenger, made the successful maiden voyage, the FCC authorized Motorola to begin testing cellular phone service in Chicago, and a first class stamp was a mere $ .20.  It was also the year our voyager, Atsushi, graduated from Yale University to set out on a six-months escapade to see more than the boundaries of our sheltered States.

With a mere $400 in his pocket and a backpack in tow, he set foot on foreign land without an agenda.  Aside from knowing the basic ‘hello’ and ‘thank you’ or ‘hola’ and ‘gracias’ respectively, Atsushi armed himself with Spanish romance novels, or novellas, to help him somewhat communicate with the locals.  For six months he walked, hitchhiked, rode buses, and canoed, reaching places like Mazatlan and Guadalajara.  To conserve the little amount of funds that he had, Atsushi relied on leftover scraps from the local fishermen.  He built little fires on the beaches and grilled the fish scraps for food. One path led him to the next. It was one specific account that landed him in this quaint little village, right out of a scene from Desperado.  Thirsty and fatigued from his travels, he strolled into a local cantina for a cold drink.  As he stepped foot in the bar, he was welcomed with dead silence and glaring stares.  It wasn’t long, however, before the locals accepted him as one of their own.  They sang and drank merrily as the Mariachi trio joined in.  After a few rounds, Atsushi accompanied the groups in the bar in attending a local outdoor wedding.  The entire town paraded through the streets in celebration – Atsushi even pinned what little money he could afford on the new bride.  It was cultural immersion at its finest.

Without fear or reservation, Atsushi relied on his wit, charm, and passion for adventure to carry him through one of the most memorable journeys of his life.  This was just one account of his truly incredible six-months journey… and this piece is my interpretation of this story.

Title: resume flusher

Description: Although I can happily say I am back to work, I created this piece as a constant reminder to myself how hard it was to be unemployed. Our nation has been through some pretty hard economic times in recent years and it has taken its toll on the American family. I think everyone can understand how difficult it is out there to land a new job much less get an employer to read your resume. There are some honest hard working people out there who can’t seem to catch a break. These are some scary times we’re living in folks.

]]> http://creativematador.com/2010/08/05/resume-flusher/feed/ 3 http://creativematador.com/2010/07/20/601/ http://creativematador.com/2010/07/20/601/#comments Tue, 20 Jul 2010 19:56:15 +0000 Dave http://creativematador.com/?p=601

Title: RWUA

Description: America, I’m going to share a very sensitive and emotional story with you.

It was a warm summer morning at a serene Santa Monica community park. With iPod in hand I decided to get in some much needed cardio work. After a few laps, I stopped to do some jump-rope.  Almost immediately a curious little furry friend climbed down to take a look at the action. At that point, there was no inclination that a heated brawl was about to ensue. He began to charge at me with such bravado and aggression that I back-peddled to escape the attack. I created some space and thwarted the attack with my jump rope but this little S.O.B wasn’t going to let up! I decided to get the hell out of dodge before I find myself in the hospital for 20 plus rabies shots. Needless to say I was stripped of my manhood as I nursed my emotional wound for days to come while that little bastard basked in all his glory.