Pharmaceutical Smile

Hoegaarden…where are you?

2006-11-13T14:23:00.000-08:00

Among the main differences between the East & West coasts, aside from the rap music, is beer. Ask anyone out here if they have Rolling Rock (Latrobe, PA) and chances are they do. However ask for a Hoegaarden and all you get is a cock-eyed look and the response, "hoe what?"

I'm definitely not a beer snob, probably further from it than anyone I know. I'm quite happy drinking Schmits, Schlitz, "The Beast", or even Keystone (with the specially lined can). But how does Oregon, the state boasting the most micro-breweries in the country, remain ignorant to the most famous (and tasty) Belgium Wit beer?

Does anyone in this land of beauty have this beer?

Hiking to Tunnel Falls

2006-11-13T10:11:00.008-08:00

Yes, it's been a long time since I updated this blog, and yes many things have changed in my world. I'll get to all that shortly. I now live in beautiful Hood River, Oregon and have an amazing environment right outside my door.

Yesterday April and I, along with some new friends, hiked to the Eagle Creek trail to Tunnel Falls. The hike was amazing! We've done the hike to Punchbowl Falls twice before, but the recent heavy rains made everything more interesting. The run-off in the gorge created countless new waterfalls some of which were easily over 300 feet.

Here's April next to Tunnel Falls.

Tunnel Falls is a little over 200 feet high. It's called Tunnel Falls because the trail actually goes through a man made tunnel directly behind them. If you click the photo you'll see April as she stands on the trail to the right of the thundering water. The pathway is only 2-3 feet wide a some points and approximately 100 feet from the cold pool below.

We were happy to see some Coho Salmon in the creek as well. They were finishing up their spawning run and were getting ready to die. It wouldn't of been to difficult to catch them by hand. I couldn't believe how many there were or how big, some were huge!

That's it for now. More pics and updates to come!

Reflection

2006-05-12T17:23:00.000-07:00

The other night I took this photo of my hand pressed against the mirror. Then with a little Photoshop tinkering, it became art for a new CD.

It's been a while since my last post…many things have changed. My life has a funny way of spiraling around my head like a gnat on a hot summers day. I feel like I'm on the brink of something HUGE, something extremely important and life changing. Though that could be Hoegaarden and weed talking.

Regardless, many new posts to follow.

Easy Like Sunday Afternoon

2006-04-25T18:33:00.001-07:00

So easy that I haven't had much time to keep a constant flow of thoughts on this rediculous blog. Lots of things have been happening and in the famous words of Ferris Bueller, "life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." While I don't feel like I've been missing anything, I certainly haven't been smelling the roses either.

Last Sunday was spent on the roof of my girlfriends house in Manayunk drinking a few Hoegaardens. The weather this spring is hard to beat. In fact, I don't remember a better spring in years. My art consumption has been slowed by the desire to purchase a home and finally stop dumping money into rent, that and because I'm out of wall space to hang it all.

With all that said, I'm going to get some REAL content to post very soon. I'm sure my invisible audience will be pleased. ;)

Spring is in the Air

2006-03-29T07:02:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again when everything begins to change. The time of year when a breeze doesn't burn quite as badly as you draw in a breath. It's as if my world wakes up a little more just in time to enjoy the longer day. These are the days when I miss my old neighborhood the most. I was very lucky to spend my final four city years on the 200 block of Delancey Street, days that rounded my perception of living in a major city like a cherry on top of a sundae. Nothing compared to Spring on Delancey Street, after a long cold winter the blooming of the flowers and blossoming of the locust trees breathed air back into my life. It's when the windows frozen seal would be broken and the curtains stale fibers would welcome the cool breeze.

This is when I'd begin the process of reclaiming by backyard from all the bamboo that creeped under the weight of the snow. Each season the Japanese maple would fade more and more stricken with disease but still found the strength to blossom. After all the raking of the fallen debris the old stone would show through revealing it's intricate pattern. This back yard was my sancuary from city life. It supported song birds that would hide in the protective holly bush before taking flight to another hidden location, it was the playground for Tippy and Tyler (pictured). Most importantly, it kept me sane.

Feeding My Art Addiction

2006-03-26T11:10:00.000-08:00

I have a serious art addiction which seems to have no limit. What started out as a few simple early Mark Ryden print purchases 6 years ago has transformed into an original seeking wallet drainer. Recently, I found a link to Selector & Reflector while searching for Jeff Soto. Audrey keeps a very updated and thorough blog on all things design and art, most of which is Philadelphia centered. Her blog has been a great source of inspiration, research and expense. After some dialog between the two of us, I received a lengthy email filled with links to other artists.

One that really caught my attention is Gregory Euclide. A few minutes later I fell in love with a painting called "Soil Ferment Temp Cluster" (seen below) that will soon be hanging in my living room among the other treasures I've collected throughout the years.

There's something to his blend of swirling unseen wonder combined with the recognizable landscapes of everyday life. I get lost in the molecular-meets-nature juxtaposition in the piece. All this and I have yet to see one in person! This has to be my final purchase this year. ;)

Peeping Tom

2006-03-24T13:14:00.000-08:00

Finally!
After 6 years of waiting the much anticipated new Mike Patton project, Peeping Tom is slated to be released on May 30th. The self titled release will be brought to us by Ipecac Records, which shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. All signs point to this project being a blend of Patton's famous mastery of voice, powerful lyrics and his knack for including incredible talent. Each track features a different artist as see below:

1) Five Seconds (featuring Odd Nosdam)
2) Mojo (featuring Rahzel and Dan the Automator)
3) Don't Even Trip (featuring Amon Tobin)
4) Getaway (featuring Kool Keith)
5) Your Neighborhood Spaceman (featuring Jel and Odd Nosdam)
6) Kill The DJ (featuring Massive Attack)
7) Caipirinha (featuring Bebel Gilberto)
8) Celebrity Death Match (featuring Kid Koala)
9) How U Feelin? (featuring Doseone)
10) Sucker (featuring Norah Jones)
11) We're Not Alone (featuring Dub Trio)

Combine this with an early May release of "10,000 Days" by Tool and we have a solid musical start to the Spring.

Advertising with a Soul

2006-03-17T06:14:00.000-08:00

For a few years now I've kept a close eye on Psyop for inspiration during the darker days of my advertising life. They consistently buck the trends and keep their work fresh and inspired. Their demo reel, "Psyop Anthem", cannot be missed. Not only is the message HONEST, but the added details are extraordinary. I especially love the homage to Leatherface's famous chainsaw dance at the end of the original The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

Digital Friends

2006-03-14T17:00:00.000-08:00

Today after talking with an old friend from high school over IM I realized how ridiculous life sometimes can be. I took a moment to look at my "buddy" list and was taken back by how many relationships I maintain without REAL human contact. It's kinda sad really, though now that I have his IM name, I'm sure we'll actually talk more. It's actually quite funny how many of my old friends don't use computers, which helps explain why we've fallen out of touch.

For some unknow reason this got me thinking of Stanley Kubrick's "2001 Space Odyssey" and it's deeper meaning. I never really understood all the symbolism, but after visiting this Site things seem much clearer, though I'm not sure if they really relate to my original point.

Mr. John Deere + Pabst + Bowling

2006-03-12T14:20:00.000-08:00

Perfection.

That pretty much sums up the day after spending the better part of a beautiful Saturday digging dirt jumps with my friends. For the last few years we've been talking about building jumps such as these for our mountain bikes, but the labor involved without a bulldozer is substantial. We started construction just below the upper campsite on my family land in Bechtelsville, PA. This year we're going to work hard to rebuild many of the trails that have fallen into the tangled grip of nature.

Andy of Afterglow-Studio
(pictured)

Our day started at 10AM will the cracking of the first Pabst Blue Ribbon. Our crew consisted of myself, Tom Kurtis, Rick Hunter, Chris Clarke, Andy Schulman, and of course my dad who acted as foreman from the seat of my sisters quad. After sunset, we headed to Zerns for some downhome food and entertainment. Zerns has the hands down ugliest looking people in the country as customers. It's always good for some turkey jerky and a sausage sandwich, perhaps even a skin disease. Regardless, I love it for it's realistic grip on the world.

Later that night Andy, George (my roommate) and I capped the night with a little bowling and drinking in Norristown. Six or seven beers later, we headed home for sleep. All in all one of the best days I've had in a while.

Jeff Soto: Supernova

2006-03-10T10:33:00.000-08:00

Jonathan Levine Gallery is currently hosting a long time favorite pop-surrealist of mine, Jeff Soto. This is his first solo show in NYC, this is also my first opportunity to own an original painting from an established artist. I've been collecting for years, I actually started my collection many years ago when Jonathan Levine Gallery was Tin Man Alley in New Hope, PA. I purchased "Meat Maji" by Mark Ryden in print form for $350. Three short years later I sold it for $2700. Ever since then I've been hooked. Around that same time I started to request my name be put on pre-sale lists for originals from the likes of Soto and Camille Rose, and recently my name was finally pulled and I had the honor of purchasing the two paintings below:

Philadelphia Ad Club Awards

2006-03-10T05:34:00.000-08:00

Yo. Philly.

Last night the Philadelphia Ad Club had it's annual award show known by many as the "Addy's". Last year they were held at the Philadelphia Art Museum during Dali's stay here in Philadelphia. This year the Franklin Institute and all of its scientific wonders were on display, all of which were better than the work submitted by the area ad agencies.

As we mingled in the main hall I felt an overwhelming distaste for myself and all those around me. This feeling was compounded everytime I locked eyes with Ben Franklin as he sat in disgust from his thirty foot chair. Nothing is more sickening than ad guys slapping each other on the back for a job "well done" that contributes NOTHING to society. Ugh.

Ad guys: 10
Society: 0
Art: -10