Save the day

Most of you old time Doily readers will remember my oldest Los Angeles pal Justin "D.J. Kutmah" McNulty.  He has been in my life from the early art days of eating potato chips for dinner and budget cars.  He has recently been placed in a holding cell awaiting deportation.  I can't believe this is happening to him.  He is not only like my brother, he is a creative force in this community.  His music and art have been a huge inspiration for so many people. His whole story is listed at this link, and info for donating to the cause is also listed  HERE! Please read it! The update is HERE

This JUNE 3rd, a benefit is being held at the Echoplex: if you can't attend please send a paypal donation to the Hit/n/Run fund for him  B@brandyflower.com

 

 
 

 

This was our first funny photoshoot (our pal Derin shot us as a carnival couple)
 
 
 I first met Justin in 1998 when he was working as the manager at Jet Rag Vintage shop on La Brea.  We formed a friendship because I constantly put clothes on hold that I never came back and bought.  In late 98 he came and applied for a job at Wasteland where I was working. We immediately became great pals and hung out everyday running around the city taking photos, watching David Lynch movies, making silkscreens, thrifting and eating really bad food (like donuts).  He has helped me through countless breakups, breakdowns and disasters.  He has carried me when I couldn't walk.  He had my back in all situations and saved me from numerous jams (broken down cars, house sitting, caregiver when I had my tumor surgery etc...)  We once figured out our astrological charts and realized that we were completely opposite each other on the zodiac chart.  Ying and yang creative friendship force!  When he freaks out, I am calm and vice versa.  The kid is a genius, I adore him and can't imagine my life here without seeing him.  It literally breaks my heart in a million pieces. And since the case was denied being reopened, he will inevitably be forced to go back to a country that he hasn't lived in since he was 11, where he has no connections or home.  I beg that you come to this event if you can, or please donate to his paypal acct to help him have some money to get his life started.  He has been stuck in that holding cell in a room with a bunch of other men since I was home in Ohio. That is almost a whole month.  Its almost to much for me to process, and I have been crying a lot thinking about his situation.  I was holding out hope for the case to get overturned, but since that has been ruled out, the only thing I can do is make sure he gets back on his feet.  He survived his entire house burning down in 2007, and I wrote this POST  about how lucky I felt that he was alive.  The firefighters couldn't believe he made it out in time 

 
 
 
 
   

   

Georgie's first love
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   

 

old doily blog posts: kutmahs new ride 

Kutmah's ART
 

Comments

[Edmar Ferreira]

Parabéns pelo trabalho

[Nena]

I really hope that something good comes out of all this situation, and I sincerely hope that one day he can make his way back home.

I spent most of my life as an immigrant with no legal standing myself and I know what it is to live in constant fear that one day the life you once created can be snatched away, only to start from square one. It's so sad that sometimes your worth can be summed up solely on a piece of paper.