Creative Matador

my tall, dark & creative

Dave — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 01:54:17 +0000

arizonaland

Dave — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:25:56 +0000

dim sum chaos

Dave — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 22:58:19 +0000

transfatnation!

Dave — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 01:36:26 +0000

Title: Transfatnation

Description:

Well folks, after a long absence, I am back. It was a bittersweet 2011. We suffered the heartbreaking loss of my brother-in-law, Richard, whom I miss tremendously. My posts will never be the same without his comments and input. I treasure every moment I shared with him as he will forever inspire me to be the better person. The year also welcomed the birth of our daughter and the apple of my eye. Our rambunctious son turned a year older and continues to keep us on our toes with his wit and energy. Being a father has really widened my vision to a healthier lifestyle and to get a better grasp of the food source available to us. As our kids grow older, they are being bombarded by the fast-food industry and their lures with colors and prizes. They get ‘em young… and then you end up with someone like me in my late thirties who was raised on ’fast and cheap’. I’m supposed to be a prime example of “30s are the new 20s” but in reality, I’m more of the “30s are the new 40s” poster boy. My wife consistently reminds me that ‘fast and cheap’ isn’t always good, and should be eliminated completely from our diets. Having been raised in the 70’s and 80’s, diet and eating right wasn’t ever at the forefront of our minds. Hungry man, TV dinners, and all the fast-food chains combined sustained Generation X, my generation.

The fast-food industry may be lucrative because of its convenience and cheap prices but everything comes at a cost – our well-being. I don’t deny being a consumer of these chains. I only feel remorse after the last bite although being fully aware of the damage I’m causing during the consumption. Not only are these foods detrimental to our health, the repeated offense of the drive-thru is conditioning us to be lazy as a nation. We should be preparing home-cooked meals where we can control portions and ingredients.

I was inspired to marry this message with my rendition of the Pulitzer-Prize winning photo of a Vietcong being executed by a South Vietnamese General. If you’re not familiar with this controversial photograph, I implore you to look it up. In the piece, I decided to keep the bullet-proof vest on the shooter to symbolize the impenetrable and untouchable industries that have had a lethal affect on the well-being of our society. The real shooter, however not evident in the photo, is the good guy. He’s executing a Vietcong who has murdered and raped innocent people. In my rendition, “Dang” (the victim), as I’ve named him, is the Joe Public in the story.

I hope this piece evokes you in some way. Be more wary of all the ads and proximity of fast food restaurants around you… and then, look the other way. Dang!

reality vs. expectation chapter 2

Dave — Fri, 20 May 2011 02:28:44 +0000

reality vs. expectation chapter 1

Dave — Fri, 13 May 2011 00:55:02 +0000

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?”

made in China

Dave — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 20:55:10 +0000

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.

U N who?

Dave — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 04:32:35 +0000

Title: U N Who?

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.

The Great Flood

Dave — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 05:33:41 +0000

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.

Haiti project

Dave — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 21:36:27 +0000

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).