The Moldy Doily

romeo void

I found this entry in my 7th grade diary. I have always loved a good ol PIZZA PARTY. In fact according to my mother "Pizza" was my first real word. She said our dive apt building in Ohio was near a flashing NEON sign that spelled P I Z Z A. Tonight Fran and I finally got to utilize our special prank on Scheid. We ordered a pizza from Buona and then coated it with: G O O G L E EYES!!!! When David opened the box, he jumped back 3 feet as if it was a pizza monster when not focused on pizza and pranks in my head over and over the words stay intact. They are hard to misplace, hard to erase. I wish that everything could be over faster. On my internal radio this song by romeo void keeps playing: girl in trouble --------------- She's got a face that shows that she knows She's heard every line Tenderly she talks on the phone There's a way to walk That says "Stay away" And a time to go around the long way A girl in trouble is a temporary thing (Temporary, Temporary, Temporary, Temporary) A girl in trouble is a temporary thing (Temporary, Temporary, Temporary, Temporary) There's a time when every girl learns To use her head Tears will be saved 'Til they're better spent There's no time for her to be afraid So instead she takes care of business Keeps a cool head A girl in trouble is a temporary thing (Temporary, Temporary, Temporary, Temporary) A girl in trouble is a temporary thing (Temporary, Temporary, Temporary, Temporary) She's got a face that shows that she knows She's heard every line Tenderly she talks on the phone There's a way to walk That says "Stay away" And a time to go around the long way A girl in trouble is a temporary thing (Temporary, Temporary, Temporary, Temporary) A girl in trouble is a temporary thing (Temporary, Temporary, Temporary, Temporary) A girl in trouble is a temporary thing

the only thing that can make you forget

In those moments where you've heard the words that you never wish to hear, and fear something may in fact be true, nothing can ease the pain. You can pretend that you are going to be ok, but you really don't believe it. It feels as if someone has taken a knife and slowly stuck it deep in your belly. Time seems to stop all around you and it's as if nothing will ever be the same again. I'm not going to get into deep feelings here on my blog, because words are cheap. I have had the longest day possible, and perhaps the best way to remedy this awful feeling is to overload my brain with the prettiest of thoughts and images. Couture colors that creep in and cover up tears. I have to believe that every letdown is part of some bigger picture and process and eventually this will give way to reveal something better. So in my effort to obliterate these words in my head, to replace the knot in my stomach, to knock over the regret, let me show you the best possible happiness replacement... thank you Mr. Galliano, Mr. LaCroix, and the rest of you for helping me get through the longest day. I have to admit, that the comments I receive on my blog are a real boost. So thanks to you folks who are always leaving me cool comments and sharing.

flaunting youth

I've been working the past month on some artwork for the new issue of FLAUNT magazine. I am elated of course, because they are known for having the coolest covers. The issue features young stars Jim Sturgess (21 and Across the Universe) and Anne Hathaway (Devil Wears Prada). The best part is that the cover content was supposed to reflect "Young Love, Heartache- heartbreak- teen angst" my specialty. Here's some sneak peek looks at some of the images and how it may all end up I'm excited to see how they tricked out the logo font- because they are always playing around with cool new ways to make the covers POP. One summer the issue came shrink wrapped with REAL SAND. Anyway- this is set to hit newsstands for July, so keep your eyes open next week for it. I'm not sure how it will all look layered together, but it may be something like this... They also usually have a big party to celebrate the issue here in L.A. I think this one is at the end of July.

she comes in colors...

My friend Annakim recently played dress up, and had her makeup done like a rainbow warrior. She also had the perfect outfit for the occasion...her brand new Alexander McQueen Butterfly print dress. She said although it cost and arm and a leg, she plans on wearing it to her colorful wedding. That's one wedding, btw, that I don't want to miss. The man that matches her palette is going to fly off the color chart. He will be one part nocturnal glampire, one part dandy, one part forest fairy, one part musician, and the rest pure animal- or snake?

the BIG picture

That cool ART VIDEO job that I worked on will be having a debut this FRIDAY night in Century City! That's a real 4th of July BANG- fireworks- huge video projections and drinks by the POOL. The Intercontinental Hotel will be screening the film , directed by Ricardo Rivera (with my art and styling) on the entire 17 story side of the building. IF you are not busy it's gonna be a fun party. There is a pool and of course luxury suites. here's a clip: Film clip http://www.klip.tv/gyro/IC/ICshopping_oval_webpreview.mov film clip 2 *********************************************************************** event info--2151 AVENUE OF THE STARS • LOS ANGELES, CA, 90067 • UNITED STATES Front Desk: +1-310-2846500 • Fax: +1-310-2846501

putting the Oh- in ohio

About 6 days ago I wrote the following passage but never posted it... Well, I leave today. The past few months have sort of been a blur of activity. I am anxious to leave and yet in desperate need of time away. Poor Boo is not pleased with the situation and upon seeing suitcases chose to pout for the day in a nearby box. At the moment he is asleep on my suitcase, in some effort to not be left behind. Mr. Georgie Boy doesn't mind if Kutmah takes care of him, they are old pals. Here's where I will update my trip back home- to Ohio: Let's begin with my greeting at the Cleveland airport by my sister and niece. Awesome welcome, we ended up watching 16 Candles til we all fell asleep on my Mom's bed. 2 things I realized while watching 1.) that I could recite that movie word for word 2.) Jake Ryan is universally transcending all sense of time on the hotness scale. The next day we shopped in my old hometown. This is the point where I realized that having children under 4 is not only demanding but exhausting (and may I add expensive). My sister has a small army over at her place. A one and half year old, a 3 year old and a 12 year old in addition to her Alpaca animal farm (6+ alpaca, 2 bulldogs, 1 weiner dog, too many cats to count). Lucky for her there are 6 acres to get lost in. this is what having a lot of kids looks like: I am nervous whenever I go home. It has something to do with the overwhelming sense of nostalgia that hits in waves and causes me to lose my appetite. I think everything is stirring my thoughts in the direction of the past. I notice lovely green yards with 4th of July banners and white picket fences. My mother points to a small house with rows of little flags and lets me know that a young soldier has recently died there. Something about hearing this information and the long drive home makes me want to cry. I remember myself at age 11 eating pork and beans and deviled eggs in the backyard of our neighbors place, near my old house. The year that my dad ran directly into a pipe (that had positioned a bottle rocket) and ended up in an ambulance bleeding from a gashed kneecap. On fourth of July in Ohio it always seemed to rain and always seemed to be sort of a blur. There are funny little places in Ohio, where crafty ladies create Martha Stewart like home-wares. Were talking lots of felt flowers, paint markers and glitter. My niece was way into them. Too bad they cost a small fortune. We often end up in these generic diners where every man is dressed in baggy pleated Dockers and older ladies with grey hair faintly tinted pink huddle over soggy eggs. That doesn't freak me out as much as the haunting soundtrack to my youth pouring out of the speakers at these eateries. First there is Psychedelic Furs "Love my way" and then "Blue Monday" by new order. And no one notices it, these sounds that drag me back to high school glory days. Everyone continues to talk slow, or not at all all the while my heart sinking. I want to drive around at night looking for action and parties. I imagine all of the stolen kisses in closets and dance sequences in the basement. None of this will occur on my trip down memory lane. I meet later for dinner with my father...the staunch McCain supporter, who talks politics til his face is red. He rambles about the problems with left-coast ideals and as his words blur I notice that Echo and the Bunnymen is playing on the radio. "killing moon" is the soundtrack to his rant, and mysteriously on the sound system of a conservative upper class cafe. As if a reminder that at one time there was something slightly cool here. My father tells me the elaborate (perhaps exaggerated) story about my great great grandma who was a true matriarch and owner of much of the land in that town. Her Italian roots spread deep throughout much of this little Ohio township. She was Sopranos before the Sopranos. According to old family lore, she heard her 2nd husband married her for money and shot him in the leg. The next day my mom takes me to my High School where she has to pick up a paycheck. We enter in the art wing where I spent much of my teen angst years. I peered into the empty classroom and remembered mostly the stale stench of my teachers breath. She had this amazing stare, her eyes mostly dilated and pale pale blue. I heard she passed away some years back. She was pretty awesome and did much to encourage my art. On the wall in that school wing they still had my art awards framed. I couldn't believe it. The lockers seemed bigger to me now. The smell of dusty maps or something inside of old books present in the vacant rooms. there are strange things sometime in Ohio, like these crafts. We discovered them in a creepy swap meet flea market

Things I did while in Ohio? 1.) gazed at the alpaca family grazing in the yard: 2.) attend an antique doll show 3.) jumped on various Hotel beds like I can't do at home. This photo is from the worst of my hotel rooms. They declined daily. (did I mention that the biggest letdown is spending cash on a nice room only to barely use the posh features ie: hot tub, pool, game room, minibar or BIG T.V.) 4.) watching your young nephews get locked out, and freak out. Then see them entertained for hours and hours simply by leaping off furniture into a pile of pillows: I especially love this picture of my nephew Ryder in my big hat. He has a nice fashion fetish and the perfect accessory- Skittles. 5.) saw old pals from the days way back. Most happy to see my best friend from High School Liisa. We were pretty much inseparable in those days. And always getting into trouble together, so it's funny that she ended up marrying a cop. That should keep her in line. Now you know why I slather on the 70 sunblock? The days of Boleros and savage tans is over. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The best night ever was in my last hotel room. My niece and sister came over for a good old fashioned slumber party. We watched a dvd, ran to the border at midnight (Taco Bell) Did I mention we did it Britney S. style--barefoot in p.j.s? Then we laughed and laughed about the police officers everywhere, and how we could be taken in if they're fashion police. We stumbled upon a jeep covered front to back with thick mud. Super scary and lawless like a serial killer (or hunter?). I think I've seen a Law and Order episode start out this way.

cooler than a 3-Scoop Parfait: Aurie Ramirez

Remember when the Show Pony Ladies participated in the PAPER mag 24-hour dept store event here in L.A.? Well also in attendance were the folks from Creative Growth out in Oakland, CA. They brought a dazzling array of paintings and sculptures from various artists. Their center and gallery space are home to adults with developmental disabilities who communicate their thoughts and ideas through art. I mention all of this because my latest inspirational artist is Aurie Ramirez, a 46 year old Filipino-American woman, who worked for approx 20 years with Creative Growth! I read someplace that she may have suffered slightly from a form of autism and perhaps dyslexia. Whichever the case, she speaks to me. She expresses herself in a colorful language that is dreamy, haunting, fashion inspired and humorous at times.  

Writer and artist Roberta Smith said this about her show at White Columns (New York Times):

Ms. Ramirez, who has a thing for pinstripes, makes extraordinary watercolors that delineate a stage-set universe populated by sometimes androgynous doll-like figures whose cutaway jackets, lacy collars and pink or green pants give them the look of old-fashioned vaudevillians. Their luxurious black hair and white rouged faces suggest a variant on Raggedy Ann and Andy, though they also evoke clowns, hockey masks or clock faces.

These figures cluster in groups, like a theater troupe posing for a group portrait; they inhabit Victorian settings or plainer ones that suggest contemporary California. There are signs of violence and surgical scars; frequent indications of romance, sex and family dysfunction; odalisques reclining before paintings of odalisques.

Ms. Ramirez also isolates her rainbow palette in small striped abstractions. Though there are no indications of it here, the artist, who understands English, speaks in a language of her own devising, which she also writes, filling tablet upon tablet with its somewhat Greek lettering.

I like that on the Creative Growth site itself Aurie's work states that she is categorized and influenced by...

 sophisticated, delicately rendered watercolor and ink compositions create an ever-expanding fantasy world where fragments of 18th century dandyism, neo-Victorian decorum, psychedelia, Venetian masquerade, Glam Rock sex and Punk fetishism are repeated and transformed. Aurie's work has been inspired by her interest in the Adams Family, and the rock band Kiss. Most recently Aurie has exhibited her work in shows at White Columns and Gavin Brown’s enterprise, New York, Jack Hanley Gallery, Los Angeles, ABCD in Paris, and Collection l’Art Brut, Lausanne. **YOU have to click on these to see entire image-my typepad settings cut off the goodness that lies to the right of the frame These are from a semi-recent show at the Jack Hanley Gallery:

Creative Growth Art Center began in 1974 in the Oakland, California, living room of psychologist Elias Katz and educator Florence Ludins-Katz. With the belief that art is a universal means of expression, and one that people with disabilities could use to communicate and contribute to society, the pair provided art supplies and workspace to a handful of adults with disabilities. Thanks to a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, Creative Growth established a gallery in 1980; like the studio, it was the first of its kind.

For more than 20 years the studio and gallery have operated in concert out of a warehouse in Oakland’s Auto Row. Curatorial manager Jennifer Strate O’Neal calls it the “homestead” of a now-flourishing creative community. The studio itself has blossomed into a daily workshop for 148 artists working in mediums that range from pottery, weaving, and woodworking to film and painting.