fishblog

Liberation

2012-01-26T06:55:00.000-08:00

Jesus vs Santa

2011-12-06T07:52:00.001-08:00

Jesus vs Santa... should be a good match.

2011-12-01T03:25:00.001-08:00

My Christmas card to you..........

video portraits for your Family

2011-11-29T01:45:00.000-08:00

You can share your video portrait with whomever you want.

For more information on getting your own portrait: http://littlewildthings.com

Animated Portraits - on commission at LITTLEWILDTHINGS.COM

2011-11-28T12:06:00.001-08:00

Now offering animated portraits.
Featured here is the animation template.
I will place your child's (or children's) face into the animation and send your animation via the internet or snail mail.

This is an excellent gift idea because:

You may share your video with loved ones.
May be formatted for your portable device.
May be delivered within 24 hrs for your last minute needs

http://littlewildthings.com

2011-11-22T12:20:00.001-08:00

Who is JR? I discovered this artist at Emmanuel Perrotin in Paris. JR uses the streets as a larger context to engage people, to make them think and reflect. I really think this guy is smart. He uses collage in the largest format... very ambitious work.

Shape Type

2011-11-22T01:52:00.001-08:00

Designers ... play, practice & stay sharp! Check this out!

Shape Type: the game

Irving Penn - is cool

2011-11-15T09:46:00.001-08:00

Absolutely love Irving Penn's photos of frozen food. They look so contemporary. I did not know about them.

2011-09-20T05:19:00.000-07:00

Little Wild Things: LITTLE WILD THINGS - portraits - GIFT IDEAS: LITTLE WILD THINGS - commissioned portraits Make the gift of art for your family or loved one. Orders may placed now for Ch...

NICE magazine

2011-09-15T02:10:00.000-07:00

I discovered the magazine NICE and found it to be a refreshing document of design, hand-made trends and low tech tendencies. Click on the magazines below and browse their content. Stay crafty my friend.

Open publication - Free publishing - More amanda wachob

Open publication - Free publishing - More art

2011-07-25T16:30:00.000-07:00

Little Wild Things: Madamoiselle:
A new portrait has been created on Little Wild Things: commissioned portraits!!!

2011-06-29T10:44:00.000-07:00

Bruit et fureur, the works of Henry Darger (1892-1973)

On July 29 2006, I visited the Henry Darger exhibit at La Maison Rouge in Paris, France. The volume of work by Henry Darger at this exhibit was amazing. In this small contemporary exhibition space, the work was interestingly presented. Most of the work consisted of long panels (approx. 15”H X 40”L). which were framed behind plexiglass to be seen from both sides.

What is truly inspiring the fertile imagination and the dedication of this “self-taught” artist. Although his style is a naïve style, his references are very clearly identifiable. His characters are very consistent, the soldiers uniforms, clothing references, hair, facial expressions, there are details in the drawing without being rendered.

This is a significant reference for me because, in the classroom, it is difficult to “lead” students to the library or to locations to get “good references”. These days students rely on the internet to get reference material. This is problematic because the resolution on the internet is “fuzzy”.

Another thing I like about Darger’s work is the evidence of his hand; the pencil on the paper, the watercolor, the brutality of the surface. Surface quality is very important for those artists/illustrators who are planning to exhibit in galleries. There is a lightness to his color palette, the images are “accessable’ because of their honesty.

One has the sense of total enchantment when remarking the paintings of henry Darger. While his drawings are anatomically correct (except for the male genital on the little girls), it is really exciting to see the Confederate soldier engaging in bloody battles with bayonetted rifle toting girl-fairies. Entering the world of Darger means leaving behind “logic” and suspending judgment long enough to appreciate all that you see.

Darger documented all aspects of the Glandeco-Angelinnian War Storm, a story about the Vivian Girls attempt to save the children who have been forced into slavery and violently massacred by enemy soldiers. He kept track of all the victories and fatalities and territories conquered. Flags were designed and maps were created. The story ends with the little girls' victory and the return to an idyllic world, a veritable Garden of Eden.

Henry Darger is an artist who speaks to Illustrators and artists who like to tell stories. Darger continues to influence the work of the new generations, including the Chapman brothers, Paul Chan, Marcel Dzama or Grayson Perry.

Henry Darger is a 20^th century american artist who missed the “art history” books will never be part of mainstream culture or “pop” culture. You can be sure that I will continue to educate my students about Darger with my book titled “Darger” (the Henry Darger Collection at the American Folk Art Museum), my poster of the exhibit and the documentary (film) about his life “In The Realms of The Unreal-The Mystery of Henry Darger”.

This was a great experience and reaffirmed what is difficult to define about image-making. The value of fantasy and good ideas may be rendered in any medium and shall endure time. Use good reference. “Less” is not “more”, “more-is-more”.

2011-06-09T08:54:00.000-07:00

Cutting Edges: Contemporary Collage
Some of the best contemporary collage being produced is printed in this book. Gestalten really makes some of the best design books around.

BUY IT

2011-06-09T05:17:00.000-07:00

LEARNING TO LOVE; THE FRENCH WAY
This is an original work by James FISH on paper size A4. 125 Euros

2011-05-30T05:23:00.001-07:00

This is an original work on paper by James Fish size A4. 125 Euros

2011-05-30T05:22:00.000-07:00

This is an original work of art by James FISH on paper. 125 Euros

2011-05-30T05:20:00.001-07:00

These are two pieces of art that may be mounted or framed together. So I am interested in selling them as a set. The piece is titled Hanging Gardens. 225 Euros

Les Amoureux: work on paper by James FISH 125 Euros

2011-05-30T05:13:00.000-07:00

This is an original work of art on paper by James FISH. prix 125 Euros

2011-05-22T08:01:00.000-07:00

Black Panther is a document to the revolutionary posters produced by Emory Douglas for the Black Panthers. Artist Sam Durant has edited this beautiful book which is a must have item. The book itself is a piece of art. You should really check it out. It is definitely an inspiration.

Follow this link to Amazon.

2011-05-20T08:12:00.000-07:00

2011-05-15T08:05:00.000-07:00

I believe in taking design off of the computer, that is why I teach Mixed Media and Collage to design students. I usually bring in some of my personal books to share inspirations, this is one of them.
Get yours at Amazon, they deliver.

2011-04-15T15:06:00.000-07:00

Lester Beall was first and foremost and artist but his passion was revealed in his graphic design with his bold and poetic vision.
I was realizing that I haven't a book nor have I written about this influential designer. Like Paul Rand and Milton Glaser, his playful approach includes drawing and collage and screen printing yet a very classic approach with his integration of modern sans-serif fonts, simple color schemes and iconic propaganda like compositions.

Foreword | Lester Beall | American Graphic Design Pioneer

2011-02-20T09:34:00.000-08:00

I found this on David Liebowitz's site. He is an american in Paris.
His site is dedicated to eating in Paris, French cuisine and other observations from this point of view.
The post went like this:
"One of the things that really wows me about Paris isn’t the chocolate shops, the bakeries, the outdoor markets, or the way people let their dogs just go wherever they happen to want to go; it’s the handwriting.

The French have always been expressive, and expansive, letter writers. If you don’t believe me, you can find online and in books, elaborate forms, templates, and discourses on how to write a letter in French, including the proper opening and closing phrases to use, which, of course, vary tremendously depending on if it’s a formal or familiar contact you’re penning that letter to...."
Click here to read more.

2011-02-08T09:51:00.000-08:00

Michal Batory at Musee Les Arts Decoratifs

I went to this exhibition to see the work of this contemporary poster artist. They recreated his studio in this museum space. He creates little sculptures or elements made by hand, which he later photo graphs for his poster. So you can see the origins of his elements as they live in a real space. Real Space as opposed to one created digitally with artificial shadows etc. This comes through as honesty to me. There is a human element to the work that fuses the strength and iconography of Polish posters and then he marries that with a surrealist slant on metaphorical imagery. Think of Margritte and Duchamp

2011-02-05T08:38:00.000-08:00

Roman Cieslewicz.

Rétrospective sur un des (très) grands du graphisme Français et Polonais

Mardi 1 février 2011 – Mardi 31 mai 2011

I went to this exhibition. I loved his color palette and his flat graphic qualities. As a poster artist, his images are strong and immediate. They have street art sensibility. Some of his images are more politically charged than others. Some are just playful exercises with strong evocative compositions. The designer in me likes the pop art sensibility, but remember this is long before pop-art. He is coming from a culture that is rich in political imagery, art and theater. He absorbed what was around him, in a day and age when print media was dominant, he had a constant source of material available to him.

Below is some visual references that I have collected of his work. He shall not be forgotten, or rather he is often imitated.

http://www.ina.fr/video/I08057986/roman-cieslewicz-graphiste.fr.html

Click here to follow a link to a video of him at work.

2010-12-18T06:35:00.000-08:00

2010-11-10T05:31:00.000-08:00

2010-11-10T05:18:00.000-08:00

2010-11-03T02:53:00.000-07:00

2010-10-29T10:42:00.000-07:00

Trop mini!!

2010-10-29T10:40:00.000-07:00

Dandy Bike!

2010-10-29T10:35:00.000-07:00

2010-09-23T23:57:00.000-07:00

2010-09-08T14:06:00.000-07:00

Gary Garay gets some TRex and some of my best records.

Check his work, he's a smart artist and he has good taste in music to boot.

Check Mas Exitos

2010-09-08T13:42:00.000-07:00

I found this psychic-medium to have the coolest store front.

I just keep stumbling into the coolest shit around here.

2010-09-04T00:35:00.000-07:00

As of today I have a t-shirt design in the store called Pac Sun.
The stores are found throughout the U.S. (more than 1200 locations) with lots of options to order direct. This shirt is part of a series that are collaborations with artists and they attach the name of the artist inside the shirt along with a button and a nice custom-designed hang tag.
I received my sample today. Sorry I only got one, I cannot share it. If you want to get one, please go to your local Pac Sun store or order online. Check online.

2010-08-29T12:54:00.000-07:00

Grafitti and advertising equal poetry.

2010-08-25T01:05:00.000-07:00

2010-08-04T13:10:00.001-07:00

2010-07-30T04:23:00.000-07:00

Je suis un Flâneur.
I am the definition of a Flâneur. Im wandering the streets, observing the details of citylife. Just heading out for a day of discovery. I've been in my bubble too long. Modern life will isolate you and instill a sense of self efficiency. The public spirit is dynamic to me, as a wanderer.
Stay curious my friends.
.

2010-06-09T12:55:00.000-07:00

ust sharing this last LittleWildThings project.
I really like the pieces lifting off.
Will just use small amounts of glue from now on.
I think I wanted to be a fireman too, when I was young.

2010-06-03T21:58:00.001-07:00

Currently, Im working with children ages 6-10 yrs of age to build model rockets.
We are using the Estees rocket building kits and can be a very educational experience. Thus far, the biggest challenge was helping the little anarchists to follow directions.... I know, "what was I thinking"? I just glad we made it this far. These are looking fabulous! Yet, we have two more sessions to make them beautiful. What's next? Maybe some collage and rocket bling. This is very exciting for me because there is also The First Test Launch of a New Private Rocket. This is a private enterprise created by the internet millionaire who started PayPal. Launching rockets = Launching "ideas" and new possibilities and on with the future already... Our launch date will happen soon and a non-disclosed location. More to come....

Pictures of our launch day.

2010-06-01T14:46:00.000-07:00

Architectual model DollHouse is for sale. $250
Modular and convertible by design with removeable kidney-pool.
Custom built by James Fish.

AS SEEN ON CRAIGLIST

2010-05-27T23:22:00.000-07:00

I just finished a t-shirt design for Pac Sun to be part of their "artist series" BYAS. I'm very grateful for the connection made by my friend and artist Jeff McMillan. Also invited were some young artists that I greatly admire and some new ones I'm glad to be acquainted with. Ken Garduno, Adrian Knott, Matt Groller and Ron Velazco.

Im really excited about this shirt because it integrates imagery from my Utopia series of a couple in love and get mashed together with one of my explosion drawings. This is getting produced with hi-quality standards. Which means, better than I can produce myself. Thanks to all of you who have bought my shirts in the past, but I was limited to one color DIY production values. Im also grateful for the exposure in 900 stores across the country. Its due out in Fall 2010.

2010-05-25T11:53:00.000-07:00

WeRideTheNight - For Sale $200

2010-05-03T11:43:00.000-07:00

I love biking and I'm craving adventure right?! Yes, absolutely.
I also love a good poster. This has some beautiful handmade type treatment.
Great use of a limited palette. Heroic. I love it.

By the way, 1200 kilometers is 745 miles. This is a race that takes several days.
It predates the Tour De France. Note that no "professional" riders are allowed in this race. There is a time limit, you have to like peddling thats for sure.
Here is a link to the website

Someday I dream to go ride in the Pyrenees....
It just might happen :)

2010-03-04T14:43:00.000-08:00

Environmental Graffitti
I just came across this on Flavorwire, read more about this here.

2010-02-12T22:18:00.001-08:00

Superstudio
The Falling In Love Machine, 1968 Concept: Superstudio

2010-01-11T21:40:00.000-08:00

I just saw Decasia last night. Its a movie compiled of deteriorating film footage.
At least half of the film is barely decipherable. The film has been deteriorated by the very same chemicals that were used to develop it. What makes this movie so beautiful and profound? Black and white splotches dance on top of the subjects obscuring the content. This is not a linear narrative but a compilation of short clips, basically totally unrelated, which are edited together for the sake that they share the same obscured and deteriorated quality. This explanation isn't really a good excuse for a film but it works. It has a hypnotic and trance like quality. Equally, the music score is original and underlines it like a silent film but has the grating thrust of pulsing sonic noise that sometimes lulls you and sometimes leaves you panicking for your next breath of air. I loved it. I vaguely remember hearing something about it on Studio 360 after reading the back of the box. I haven't heard any of my friends talk about it so I took a chance on it. Loved it to death. When compared to collage it makes alot of sense. I haven't made any art in a while, I brewing with ideas now. The result of this wonderful mix of music and film there is lots of room for interpretation and not just eyecandy. This is an emotional and transcendental piece of art. I will never forget it and probably never watch it again. Im left with some vague notions about lifes fleeting experiences, profound poetry and a return to the cyclical nature of life.

2009-12-11T22:32:00.000-08:00

John Heartfield has been mentioned to me twice in the last 24 hours. He is a German artist who struggled against the Nazi regime. His collages are expressive and raw in their execution, yet they are well designed. There is a documentary about him somewhere. If you have some information to share about this artist, please comment.

For more images click here.

2009-09-28T10:28:00.000-07:00

This is a slideshow of images that I show my students of collage.

2009-09-07T08:43:00.000-07:00

Target Will Recycle Old Ads, Literally

By Stuart Elliott

There’s a lot of talk in the advertising business about how the same ideas get used over and over again for ads. The discount retailer Target is taking that chatter seriously for a promotion planned to start on Times Square on Sunday.

The nine-faced billboard on Times Square Tower, at 7 Times Square, which Target has rented for many years, will be turned into six art pieces that salute New York City and the Target bull’s-eye logo.

The arty ads (or addy art) will be created by four collage artists from New York: Michael Anderson, Josh Goldstein, Laurie Rosenwald and Charles Wilkin.

read more...

2009-08-31T16:33:00.000-07:00

Eric and Tom.
9" x 12" work on paper

This is the most recent commissioned portrait that I have completed.
More works like this one and more information about the commissioned portraits may be seen on the website.
http://www.littlewildthings.com/

2009-07-21T13:09:00.000-07:00

2009-06-30T11:34:00.000-07:00

"The streets of the city are a non-stop parade of humanity. It’s a kind of grand, unchoreographed ballet of human locomotion. One of the great pleasures and measures of being urban is losing yourself in the crowd, with your feet and mind wandering, alone in your head but elbow to elbow with an inexhaustible supply of strangers."

I found this in the New York Times, it was created and posted by artist Jeff Scher.
He has a fresh approach by integrating painting, collage and animation.

Click here to see the animation in the New York Times.

2009-06-14T21:55:00.000-07:00

Manga Manga Manga.
I've started teaching kids drawing. The class started with 5 girls and ended up with 4. Drawing is joyful and is like discovering a new world that exists within and around oneself. The goal was to get them up to speed with a short amount of time. We began with drawing from observation (still life of various objects), basic shading, seeing and drawing negative space around and through an object, acknowledging surface quality and dynamic composition. Well okay, I'm glad it went over as well as it did. They also got some perspective lessons. You know the eye level, what is above the eye level and what is below, vanishing points, ... and so on. It was a lot to cover in 4 classes. I didn't want to be a joy-killer about drawing but it is a discipline and I need attentive students. 9 year old kids have a lot of energy, a little challenging to focus. If you want to get their attention, you need to tune into what they are interested in (and repeat yourself a lot).

It turns out that they loved the idea to use Manga as a starting point for figure drawing.
The next 8 classes were focused on Manga styled characters. Manga is a comic book in Japan and may be characterized by big-eyed characters with big heads, small mouths and long bodies. It is a unified style that is familiar and followed a certain formula of proportions and technique. This was our vehicle to learn anatomy/figure drawing. This is exciting because it creates a foundation for visual storytelling and compliments the need for creative expression. Everyone has the ability, yet it needs to be practiced. Its true that some students assimilate direction better than others.
We spent 4 weeks drawing manga characters, starting with heads, hair, hands, facial expressions, full figures, and dynamic poses.

The next round of classes focused on the making of a sculpture of a figure in the Manga Style.
The first class of this series we created a large scale drawing of our character, we defined the age, the costume and name. This was going to be our reference for our sculpture. We determined that the sculptures were to be 18 inches tall. So, the next class we started the sculptures with a 8 feet piece of wire. I determined the size and shape of its circular head and the height of the character by making a fold at the feet. I told them to think of the wire as the "line gesture" that continues through figure-form. In art school we spent weeks drawing gestures and figures. I'll never forget Burne Hogarth's evangelical hollering and passion for figure drawing, but that's another story.Where was I?
So, they bent the wire into the shape of the figures that were drawn previously. I helped them to look at the figure from all angles and emphasized the desire for something "dynamic".
The wire sculptures were mounted on wooden bases so that we could proceed bulking up the figures with aluminum foil, paper and tape. Plastered gauze was put on as the exterior shell that would solidify our sculpture. This provided a great foundation for our paint. Seeing these characters come to life was really great. From the beginning of the drawing (the idea) to the wire (3D drawing), the muscular form, surface and detail of paint. Nothing was lost in the translation. These are uniquely their design and responsibly Manga in style.
Teaching this small group has been thoroughly fun. To see more pictures of the evolution on this project please visit my photo album called Art Kids.

2009-06-03T09:20:00.001-07:00

Illustrator James jean's art for the poster NYC bicycle film festival poster and the original moleskine sketch.

Also, check out the trailers for the past years bff on the link below.
BFF will be in LA later this summer.

http://www.bicyclefilmfestival.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NpubbAzKSY

trailer for one of the films being presented at the bff
Directed by Benny Zenga & Brian Vernor. Four months on a bicycle between Cairo, Egypt and Cape Town South Africa is not your typical African safari. En route with the Tour d' Afrique

f
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whitelock-design

2009-05-20T12:04:00.000-07:00

The lost birds have returned.
Cut from plywood and layered with pieces of paper and paint using acrylic gel medium. Raffia wrapped wire has been used for the feet and are free-standing sculptures. These birds are at home on a coffee table, next to plants, on a bookshelf, or by the computer.
Now available on Etsy.com

2009-05-08T11:02:00.001-07:00

Another Mixed Media and Collage class being offered to you through UCLA Extensions beginning June 23 2009, now enrolling.
Check the website for the schedule and details. WE will explore the craft of collage and the application of hand-made design.

2009-04-28T23:32:00.000-07:00

I will have some collages in this One Night Only event. Come see Daniel Ash and Gram Rabbit.

Art Tank, May 2, 7 p.m. until 2 a.m. Live Bands, DJ: Daniel Ash, 15 LA Artists
Lacy Street Lofts, 2684 Lacy Street, LA 90031 (@ 5 & 110 Fwy nearest cross street Figueroa)
Google Map

Contact Art Cardiel @ 213 926 2756 get in.

2009-04-28T22:23:00.000-07:00

The Gleaners and I is one of these amazing movies. Often, I find myself talking about it to my friends and so I thought to write about it here. Agnes Varda, the director, is of the French 70's "new wave" genre of filmakers known for "Vagabond" and "Cleo 5 et 7". Here she has fixed her lens, a video camera in this case, to shoot the French countryside and the people who live off of the unwanted harvest of potatoes and grapes, vegetables etc. The unwanted stuff. The type of food that doesn't make it to the grocery store because of it's odd size or shape.

Agnes Varda has included herself as a subject, gleaning images and compared filmaking to the act of survival, and innovation in a streamlined world. The Gleaners, en Français Les Glaneuse, was released in 2000 (I believe) and two years later it garnered such a response from it's viewers that "and I" part included a Special Feature where she revisited people in the film and some people who responded to her by letter. I could have been one of those people. It is so inspiring when an artist gives form to a notion, a movement, that hasnt been clearly defined or hasnt been given a voice.

Pictured here, François Millet’s “The Gleaners”. Gleaners who were people that would go through the fields after a havest to collect the remnants. Gleaning is generally frowned upon. But in my neighborhood, there are lots of fruit trees that go unpicked because people would rather buy from the store or eat some junk. Here is a good resource, FallenFruit.

If you bother to read this, bother to see it. The Gleaners and I. Please share the inspiration if you do.

2009-04-21T13:05:00.000-07:00

Support the things you love, you can make a statement with what you buy. How you live is your art, daily-life is your performance. What kind of statement are you making? Or were you aware of it. The magazine Adbusters is so refreshing sometimes. This is a very clever image. It is grotesque and delicious at the same time, I want to eat it... and I want to subscribe. Those shoes would look fabulous with some cheesy shirt and faux lunchmeat slacks.

2009-03-09T14:27:00.001-07:00

White Trash Pad Thai is the most recent of my video collages. It features a recipe I created using very simple ingredients. Animation by James Fish and Music by Damien Heartwell.
Click here to view this video or visit all my videos on VImeo.

2009-03-09T13:58:00.000-07:00

ART CLASSES!
Come on join us in the studio atmosphere at UCLA Extensions for Mixed Media and Collage for Designers and Artists. This is a class for all skill levels and is aimed to rediscover "Creativity" with hands-on materials. I will teach techniques and encourage individual interpretation and implementation of those techniques.
The class starts on March 31 2009 and runs 12 weeks from 7-10pm.

2009-02-23T12:11:00.000-08:00

The website for Eric Gill has just launched. He is an entertainment designer and has a knack for robots, making "things" and ideas come into physical reality. It was a pleasure to be involved with the launch of his website. We used CSS with a little javascript for his portfolio.
Here it is in all it's beauty. See it live.

2009-01-20T21:32:00.000-08:00

These posters went up around L.A. last night. The night before the inauguration of President Obama. More images are available here.

There are two variations of this drawing, the drawings were photocopied and signed with stamps and hand painted with watercolors. The result captured a vibrant spirit that was about hope and optimism. The obama poster by Shepard Fairey was successful in how it captured a confident spirit of optimism but it seemed somewhat fascist like that of propaganda used by oppressive regimes.
These posters are an offering of hope.
My posters are available by request. Contact me if you are interested.

2009-01-18T12:47:00.000-08:00

This is a 3color serigraph print. A limited edition of 30 were printed for the exhibition of Little Utopia in 2008. They are 20" x 15". I'm selling them for $30.
I'm an optimist at heart. I was brought up believing that we should listen to our conscious loops that we have in our head. It is possible to change those loops. Interesting how when we become aware of something, it suddenly appears everywhere.
On that same note, "The medium is the message." If you really understand that statement by Marshall McLuhan, you understand that the slogans, news, and advertising we get from various sources are injecting opinions that are not our own. The kind of message you are getting is a deep tissue (brain tissue) message and opening you up to a point of view that is not your own. Go further to understand, dont shut down the dialog. Question authority, question everything.
Prints may be purchased from me directly by clicking here.
Or, you may purchase these prints for a limited time at Reform School Rules in Los Angeles, Ca.
Utopia is in your head.

As of March 2009, these prints are being offered direct from me. Transactions will be made through PayPal, a safe and secure method of payment using credit card.

2009-01-16T12:35:00.001-08:00

This is the most recent portrait I've created. Erin is 13 years of age, a preteen. It was wonderful to capture her in this moment of transition, of growing-up. An explosion of experiences, a discovering of 'self', and the wonder of it all. Time passes by only once. Seize the moment and make it special. Portraits like this one can be created for someone special in your life. To find out more, go to littlewildthings.com

2008-12-11T10:41:00.001-08:00

This Sunday December 14th from 11am to 4pm we are having an open studio sale.
We will have inexpensive pieces of art, jewelery and crafts.
The location is: 4112 1/2 Clayton Ave. in Los Feliz. Here is a map.
It is for one day only, hope you can make it to this special occasion.

2008-11-20T21:05:00.001-08:00

Paul Villinski, My Back Pages, 2006-2008
Vintage vinyl records, record player, wire, record covers

MAD in NYC through Feb 2009

2008-11-14T12:51:00.000-08:00

2008-11-09T10:16:00.001-08:00

Just saw this film at AFI film festival in Los Angeles. This guys got mojo to burn. He is "Sex Drugs and Rock n Roll", and not necessarily in that order.
He's still raising hell, a rough life, bad decisions and a truck load of charisma.
Some friends of mine made this film, I would recommend it in a heartbeat.
Andre is the real deal. Agile Mobile Hostile is the title of the film... check the website for showtimes, upcoming shows of Andre and other realated info.
Tune into LastFM and listen to his music...

2008-10-31T11:34:00.000-07:00

These posters went up around Los Feliz and Silverlake.
The two red colored ones are silkscreened prints from my exhibition Little Utopia, available upon request by yours truly.
Next to the Obama posters with the cheeky headline "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" by APB a PR agency.

2008-10-13T12:02:00.000-07:00

This is a wonderful example of graphic elements being turned through a meatgrinder. I dont know if they use meatgrinders any more.

This image was originally made by Stanley Donwood and Dr. Tchock for
the cover of the Radiohead single 'Karma Police', from the album 'OK
Computer'.

The picture shows a father leading his family to a home-made nuclear
fallout shelter. I think we can assume that the Four Minute Warning
has already sounded, and the missiles are on their way. The shelter is
constructed in accordance with the guidelines published by the UK
Government; from doors, pillows and cushions.

I might add that this print is available on the artist's website.

2008-10-06T11:28:00.000-07:00

Little Wild Things

Just finished a new commissioned portrait of Chloe and Tilou.
This is a 16" x 20" work on paper. It was fun to capture these two friends, endless imaginations, playdates, getting lost in the backyard, dolls, makeup, lots of attitude, making things–craft projects, movies, sleep overs, music, dancing, bikes...
So many things, could have used a bigger canvas. I really enjoyed putting the two of them together. Kids these days are well documented and yet it is still possible to overlook the iconic period of childhood...
You may get your own portrait commissioned at LittleWildThings.com

2008-10-06T11:18:00.000-07:00

Lost Birds

Just posted, some new Lost Birds ....
These are handmade sculptures, each has their own characteristics.
They are made of plywood, raffia-wrapped wire, mixed media and collage.
Currently on sale at Etsy.

2008-09-29T17:58:00.001-07:00

Alexander Girard

Alongside Charles and Ray Eames as well as George Nelson, Alexander Girard was one of the decisive figures in post-War American design. The focus of his broad oeuvre was on textile design, and a key source of inspiration for him was his passion for the popular art of South America, Asia and East Europe. The Wooden Dolls, which Girard created for his own home in Santa Fe and made himself, are likewise inspired by his own extensive collection of works of popular art. Half decorative element, half toy, the Wooden Dolls were originally intended only for personal use. Based on originals found in the Girard Estate held by the Vitra Design Museum, the partly joyful, partly grim-looking company of dolls is now coming out as a charming enhancement to any interior. Collection Vitra Design Museum.

Materials: Solid pinewood, hand painted.

2008-09-16T21:42:00.000-07:00

I'll be there. Come check it out.

2008-09-14T21:56:00.000-07:00

This is an Illustration That I created about a year ago for a good cause. Special thanks to Steve Child for inviting me to be involved and for the lovely type treatment that he designed for the poster. Its just the way I would have done it.

2008-07-24T16:54:00.000-07:00

Auction on this item ends Sept 19th at 8pm

“SK8OLOGY” Fine Art On Skateboards

In the tradition of pairing contrasts in order to create new mediums of expression, ISM: a community project presents, “SK8OLOGY: fine art on skateboards” an exhibition that combines skateboard counter culture with the world of fine art.

On Saturday August 23, 2008 the ISM: gallery will host the opening exhibition, showcasing over 100 creative deck canvases from some of the most poignant and significant active artists and professional skaters.

The show will then travel to San Diego in September for the Action Sports Retailer (ASR) Trade Show.

Contributing artists and professional skaters are donating their creative deck canvases to raise awareness and resources in an effort to support Now That You Know, a non-profit organization that helps to provide ambitious girls from developing countries a secure environment for learning and growth. Proceeds will also contribute to benefiting the youth of our society through the artistic enrichment of our community.

CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS:

Aaron Jasinski, Aaron Kraten, Amy Sol, Andrew Hem, Angelina Wrona, Audrey Kawasaki, Blaine Fontana, Brandon Francis, Brandon Sopinsky, Brendon Flynn, Brian M. Viveros, Casey O'Connell, Cassandra Simon, Catherine Norrie, Chet Zar, Chris Granillo, Chris Pastras, Christine Benjamin, Corinne Mayer, Craig Mackay, Craig Stecyk, Dan Santat, Daniel Fleres, Daniel Lim, Danny Gonzalez, Darin Owen, Dave Duncan, David Flores, Downtimer, Emilio Santoyo, Erik Otto, Forrest Card, Gene Hong, Grace Chee, Haubs, James Fish, Jan Trondsen, Jason Lee, Jason Maloney, Jeff McMillan, Jeremy Harker, Jenikah, Jeni Yang, Jill Hearne, Jimmy Bleyer, Joe Schlaud, Joey Gonzalez, Jon Todd, Josh Callaway, Josh Hart, Josh Taylor, Joshua Clay, Juan Rodriguez, Julie Lee, Karen Halker Miller, Katherine Chui, Kean, Keith Noordzy, Keith Renner, Kelli Murray, Kelly Vivanco, Ken Garduno, Kristen N Brown, Lori Escobar, Louie Barletta, Luke Chueh, Majella Lue Sue, Mark Cummings, Mark Miller, Mark Murphy, Matt Groller, Matt Linares, Matt Stallings, Melissa Contreras, Michael C Hsiung, Michelle Wiener, Mike Shinoda, Munk One, Nate Frizzell, Nathan Pratt, Nathan Rosser, Nimit Malavia, Pamela Martinez, Patrick Ballesteros, Patrick Martinez, Pearl C Hsiung, Reuben Rude, Rich Tuzon, Robb Havassy, Roland Tamayo, Ronald J Llanos, Ron Velasco, Sally Sun, Sandow Birk, Sanithna Phansavanh, Scott Belcastro, Scott Chenoweth, Seth Haak, Solace Wonder, Stacey Aoyama, Steve Bartlett, Steve Caballero, Steven Daily, Terry Keating, Tessar Lo, The Dead Beatnik, Thomas Lee Bakofsky, Tim Martinez, Tommii Lim, Tuan Vutran, Weirdo, William Zdan, Will Turner, Yoskay Yamamoto, Yuki Miyazaki, Zoro Rodriguez, Zoso, Yuta Onoda, Etc.

2008-07-24T14:49:00.000-07:00

WHAT IS ART?

2008-07-13T12:28:00.000-07:00

I've taken on the seemingly daunting task building a rear bike wheel. I bought a set of Vuelta deep V rims that had incredibly cheap hubs. The threads on the back hub stripped out because they were machined poorly (and terrible bearings). I replaced the back hub to an IRO hub with sealed cartridge bearings, ooooh what a difference. I followed Sheldon Brown's fabulous instructions on his website. This helped tremendously. I finished the job at my friend Eric Gill's house with his homemade truing stand. It was a little time consuming, but I did it. Straight, true, no "hops" or "wobbles".
My student Stacy Clinton was very inspiring for that she also built her own wheels on her IRO. So, I'm on top of the world, spinning the earth underneath my wheels. So necessary to document life's little "big accomplishments". Gets me thinking about starting CA = Cyclists Anonymous. Riding keeps me from spending money on bikes, looking at bikes on the internet and tweaking about getting another bike. Once on the road, I'm in the moment.

2008-06-18T10:28:00.000-07:00

Last night I was sharing my inspiration from the Toy Theater activities from this past weekend at Disney Concert Hall.
Here are some links. I share them because of the the associations I had with Mixed Media and Collage.

http://www.musiccenter.org/education/toytheatre08.html#redcat
Here is a listing of the artists pariticipating.
http://www.musiccenter.org/education/toytheatreartists08.html
We loved The Alphabet show(Paul Zaloom & Lynn Jeffries), The Matchbox Shows (Laura Helt), Once Upon A Time (Chicago’s Redmoon Theater.), and A Short Entertaining History of Toy Theatre (Great Small Works)! All so very inspiring!

2008-06-06T17:54:00.000-07:00

Hello friend,

My new book is hot off the presses at Blurb! Take a sneak peek and place your order if you're so inclined...http://www.blurb.com

2008-05-06T11:45:00.000-07:00

DIY Gallery is pleased to present “Little Utopia,” a new installation by Chris Avitable, James Fish, and Mario Richeda. Combining collage, painting, sound, and sculpture furniture, the artists share a vision of Utopia / Dystopia. Drawing inspiration from literature, sci-fi movies and music, this exhibit makes an effort to redefine a contemporary vision of Utopia. In this “perfect world” functionality meets simplicity, and mutates the familiar everyday surroundings. The result is more than just perfect. Come dream with us…if only for a little while.

“Little Utopia” will be on view from May 17 through June 14,
with an opening reception Saturday, May 17 7-11 p.m.
Sound Performance by Chris Avitable: 9:30PM

Little Utopia

featuring: Chris Avitable, James Fish and Mario Richeda

An installation of collages, paintings, furniture and sound.
Utopia is an imagined place or state of things where everything is perfect.

OPENING: Saturday May 17th 7-11pm
SOUND PERFORMANCE by Chris Avitable: 9:30PM

DIYGallery
1218 W. Temple St.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(click for map)
diygallery@yahoo.com

Hours:
Wednesday - Saturday 12 - 6pm

or call for appointment:
Terrill Lewis 213.496.5241
Elizabeth Cvitan 213.359.9838

2008-03-03T09:22:00.000-08:00

LOST BIRDS....
Have you see my little Lost Birds?
In my neighborhood you will find these hand-made sculptures available at
ReformSchoolRules

4014 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

(323) 906-8660
They are also available at Etsy.com.
I've got my own shop there, with some other hand-made goodies.
Even if you don't like "shopping" per se, some outrageously cute and original things.

2008-02-29T20:20:00.000-08:00

I will have a couple of pieces in a gallery called DIY located in the "lovely" regions of Echo Park. Here are the details:
Help The Homeless, Help Themselves
Saturday March 1, 2008
DIY gallery 1218 W. Temple Los Angeles, CA 90026

Also, I'm currently preparing for an exhibition in May 2008.
Thank you to all those who responded to my post, it was very insightful.
"Utopia" is enigmatic, perplexing and sweetly-simple apparently.
more to come.....

2008-02-22T20:18:00.000-08:00

What does it mean to you "Utopia"?
If you happen to find yourself reading this question, please take a moment to respond. I am creating some paintings and some art about this subject. I am filling my sketchbook with drawings and notes. I could really benefit from your opinion. All thoughts on this subject are welcome, your humor, sarcasm, personal perspective and philosophical opinions please.
Take a chance to help a contemporary definition of Utopia.

Thanks for your time, James

2008-02-22T00:44:00.000-08:00

Two Lines Align: Drawings and Graphic Design by Ed Fella and Geoff McFetridge
At RedCat in Los Angeles, Ca.
February 21--April 6, 2008

Left: Ed Fella, Sketchbook # 42 (p. 60), 1996, 8-1/4 x 6",Courtesy the artist.
Right: Geoff McFetridge, untitled, 2007, ink, crayon and felt pen on paper, 18 x 24” Courtesy the artist

Two Lines Align is an exhibition about the evolution of graphic design in the context of massive shifts in our visual culture. As guest curator Michael Worthington notes in the catalogue essay, the exhibition explores "the shifts in the perceived cultural worth [of art and graphic design] over time...by placing Ed Fella's and Geoff McFetridge's design careers end to end to make one chronological line, one lineage. While Fella's career reflects how graphic design has historically struggled to define itself in relationship to art, McFetridge follows a path wherein the integration of art and design is taken for granted."

Representing two generations, Fella (b.1938) and McFetridge (b.1971) have transformed and actively altered the relationship of graphic design to art. By developing practices that are unorthodox and nontraditional, both designers compel us to question our preconceptions of what graphic design has been, as well as what it might be. Known for their highly skilled and original draftsmanship, drawing is an integral part of their individual practices. The hand-rendered becomes the basis of their vast bodies of work.

2008-01-30T00:44:00.000-08:00

MURAKAMI!!!!
Saturday Feb 2, 10 at "Geffen Contemporary" MOCA in "Little Tokyo" Los Angeles, CA.
A class through UCLA Extensions will beginning a short and intensive class exploring the art of Takashi Murakami, inspiring character designs which will be animated. I will be involved in the musuem visit and creation of these characters. Warren Wheaton will share in the animation.
Alot can be learned from this Pop Culture art guru. He has taken something so familiar, put his spin on it and sold it back to us.
This is a short 3 class workshop. Get in touch with CMarkari@unex.ucla.edu if you are interested.

2007-11-24T16:37:00.001-08:00

Have you seen the new Clayton Brothers paintings. These paintings are on exhibit at F2 Gallery in Beijing China. These paintings are just getting better and better. The Claytons are reaching new realms of richness and weirdness every time. Since the release of their book "the most special day of my life" the paintings are becoming more precise in their execution. These paintings are in harmony with my sense of discord and delight, I totally get them. Always a fan of the Clayton Brothers.

2007-11-08T09:59:00.000-08:00

The A+D Museum is located at
5900 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
Come check out ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS:

An exhibition featuring three local artists Chris Avitabile (with OJO) Kiel Johnson and Christian Tedeschi.
These artists all met through A+D for a children’s workshop based on the idea of Crazy Clubhouses. The workshops met every Saturday through the month of August 2007. It was constructed around the principle that Architecture can be studied and experienced on many levels.
These workshops at A+D became sessions that the artists pushed potential and were fully engaged with each other’s creative processes. What was beneficial for the children became inspiration for each artist and their personal studio explorations. This exhibition speaks to this chance encounter.

All of the artists in this exhibition have benefited from the children’s Crazy Clubhouses workshop at A+D. Chris Avitabile has used the tracks created using the sounds made by the children as a major parts of his recent recordings. Kiel Johnson was influenced by the colors and painted surfaces created on the colorful geodesic domes. It can be found in the painted surfaces on his cardboard structures. Christian Tedeschi has been influenced by the potential of material structure and Buckminster Fullers concept of synergetic relationships.
OPENING 11.09.07 : RECEPTION 6PM

2007-10-15T01:36:00.000-07:00

Just uploaded my submission for the GoGreen challenge for Vespa.
Please submit your vote!!! All your votes and comments are appreciated!

2007-09-21T15:07:00.000-07:00

I just went to my high school renuion. It wasnt so bad, I actually enjoyed it. It was so good to see a handful of friends. I went to 3 different hight schools and ended graduating from Ventura High School. This is where i discovered art. Im also gonna include my friend Jason Howd who was a friend from my punk rock days of adolescent mayhem in Bakersfield. He stopped by earlier that day for another reasonm, a short visit. The last photo is of a guy that i wasnt close to, but i couldnt resist taking a photo of his girlfriend, she had the worst teeth i've ever seen. LOL!

2007-09-04T11:49:00.000-07:00

Jessica Valencia has beeen a very inspiring. After exploring some of her sculpture in my class Advanced Illustration portfolio, she has studied with the Clayton Brothers and taken her work to another level. Jessica has a keen sense of craft and detail and just enough personal story to make her sculptures "real". Thanks for the shout out on your blog Jessica.

2007-07-24T23:43:00.000-07:00

Ive got some of my paintings on vinyl up at JFlynn gallery. These are some word paintings that i was experimenting with starting back in 1997. They have endured time and I'm still quite proud of them. The show will be up until Aug 4 at J Flynn gallery 2950 A Randolph Ave in Costa Mesa, CA 92626 tel. 714.708.3504

2007-07-06T18:42:00.000-07:00

"Flags Unflown" at truXtop! This is my contribution to the show. Sorry if you weren't personally invited. I never got around to sending invites. Please come to the show!!! "Flags Unflown" at truXtop 2876 rowena ave la ca 90039 t. 323.661.1665

http://www.myspace.com/truxtop
http://www.truXtopgallery.com
OPENING RECEPTION/CELEBRATION: July 6th (friday), 8pm-late
CLOSING RECEPTION TBA, check the website.

2007-06-11T17:37:00.000-07:00

Happy Trails to You.
I've got a few of these left. They are bandanas , or "rags" that are screen-printed in two color. I've got 'em for sale on my website, they come in orange or blue.
I wore this last Friday nite on my ride with Midnight Ridazz, kept me warm and incognito.

2007-06-04T13:47:00.000-07:00

i have two pieces at DIY Gallery. up until June 28.

2007-06-01T11:33:00.001-07:00

Drawing by Chloe Fish, age 7.