Tenacious alabaster fig

Ms. Houston.

2012-02-11T23:16:00.002-07:00

Never to be forgotten.

Featured Artist: Lana Del Rey

2012-01-04T09:53:00.001-07:00

In the stars

2011-12-23T19:54:00.000-07:00

recent developments...

Costumes (teaser)

2011-12-22T14:25:00.003-07:00

Some sketches from the development of the as of yet unannounced possibly not
going to actually happen show. I'd like for it to happen though. Knock on wood.

On a bright note. Since my incredibly depressing second to last post I have
acquired three shows for which I will be coordinating props. Feast or Famine.
I can hardly bear it. I also applied for a position with Bloomingdale's as an
associate visual merchandiser; that is the one we hope goes through.
Still, it is nice to be employed again.

lovely.

2011-12-22T14:09:00.002-07:00

From UmbrellaHead

Also: An interview with him here.

Et maintennant, la froideur...

2011-12-20T23:22:00.002-07:00

From the depths of despair I return.
I am so incredibly broke/without resources/jobless
presently it's a little stunning. Seriously stunning
actually. Still, what can I do but keep going on.
Wake up, online job search over tea, resume tweaking
over tea. Edit the portfolios before dinner.
Oatmeal for dinner.

I might be designing a really huge show soon.
But the production company is quite secretive
and really bad at communicating. So we'll see.
I have a partial cast list, but I am not allowed
to tell you who is in it yet. Soon Hopefully.
Hopefully I can get a contract out of them so
I can return to my life.

It's cold here, and kinda hard to live.
But I still happen to like New York.

I've discovered I can be an optimist.

Quelques Photos...des choses un peu chaud:

Finally

2011-12-05T12:32:00.004-07:00

A pattern has been made and tested. And now these
guys are available on Etsy.

Tell your freinds 'cause I need groceries. And a metro card.

Tazers set for stun.

2011-12-04T00:26:00.001-07:00

Janie Taylor for Chloé on Nowness.com.

Bottega Veneta: Viaggio Notturno on Nowness.com.

Anna Selezneva: Santa Sangre on Nowness.com.

Another Birthday.

2011-10-30T09:51:00.002-06:00

Smile

2011-10-25T23:35:00.000-06:00

Last year.

The same house, this year.

s

Featured Artist: Fiona Apple

2011-10-24T22:07:00.002-06:00

The little voice inside has been singing this recently.

Black Canvas

2011-10-20T11:26:00.005-06:00

First commission of the Birkin inspired totes.

Another on the way.

Defense against Melencholy

2011-10-19T00:44:00.002-06:00

Sydney Smith to Lady Georgiana Morpeth. 1820.

"Dear Lady Georgiana,
Nobody has suffered more from low spirits than I have done
- so I feel for you. Here are my Perscriptions:
1st. Live as well as you dare.
2nd. Go into the showerbath with a small quantity of water
at a temperature low enough to give you a slight sensation
of cold, 75º or 80º.
3rd. Amusing books.
4th. Short views of human life - not further than dinner or tea.
5th. Be as busy as you can.
6th. See as much as you can of those friends who like and respect you.
7th. And of those acquaintances who amuse you.
8th. Make no secret of low spirits to your friends, but talk of
them freely - they are always worse for dignified concealment.
9th. Attend to the effects tea and coffee produce upon you.
10th. Don't expect too much from human life - a sorry business at the best.
11th. Compare your lot with that of other people.
12th. Avoid poetry, dramatic representations (except comedy, music,
serious novels, melancholy, sentimental people, everything likely
to excite feeling or emotion, not ending in active benevolence.
13th. DO GOOD, and endeavour to please everybody of every degree.
14th. Be as much as you can in the open air without fatigue.
15th. Make the room where you commonly sit gay and pleasant.
16th. Struggle little by little against idleness.
17th. Don't be too severe upon yourself, or underrate yourself,
but do yourself justice.
18th. Keep good blazing fires.
19th. Be firm and constant in the exercise of rational religion.
20th. Believe me, dear Lady Georgiana.

Very truly yours,

SYDNEY SMITH."

from: Hesketh Pearson, The Smith of Smiths, Hogarth Press, London, 1984. p.164.

Leaning into the fall

2011-10-16T23:00:00.004-06:00

Summer has just about left the building.

It was great, however....

it's time for sweaters and sitting on benches in Central Park
with a hot tea and pastry. Watching leaves fall and the city's
citizens in their lovely warm clothes. It's great entertainment
for these cash strapped times. Make the 1% your zoo!

That and Halloween is around the corner. Which means I'll be older soon.

I'm missing the what the autumn sky can do over Albuquerque.

Latent Religion.

Gratuitous Hermes. Whishing it was Gratis Hermes.

I'll see you next year, Mr. Warmth.

And a sudden return to eating sweets, just as I've finally rejoined the gym.

Crush

2011-10-15T21:17:00.001-06:00

For Quite a while now I've had a thing for Mr. Clinton Kelly.

Smile

2011-10-13T13:57:00.000-06:00

I have no idea who made this happen, but I thank them very much.

Continuity

2011-10-04T23:51:00.002-06:00

a new triptych in my former style.

Suitors (2011)

...a quick succession of busy nothings.

2011-10-01T19:31:00.003-06:00

As unemployment once again gathers around me
I find myself doing oddly awesome things.

Such as making Birkins out of canvas.

To etsy or no? Je ne sais pas.

I can all it the Firkin. Catchy no?

I need to find another job.

Nothing But Show

2011-09-16T22:52:00.007-06:00

Brief glances caught of the outside world while out collecting
odds and ends for this round of shows. Before the onset of post
Labor Day chill crept into the NYC air, making shorts and A/C
units disappear by the hundreds.

These shows are lovely though, and quite different from
each other although oddly linked.

LEMON SKY is an autobiographical-ish play by the recently late Lanford Wilson,
and the first of his plays to be produced since his death. It deals with his
experiences living with his estranged father and step family in San Diego in
the 1950's. A sort of fever dream coming out story where you are never sure
when the characters are talking to you or each other as the premise is he has
gathered these actors together in order to present the goings on of his past.

Bill Clark's amazingly minimal set.
Shopping Mid-Century with a 1100$ budget was anything but simple.

My hands still hurt from webbing these damn chairs, which was
necessary as you I couldn't find them anywhere for a reasonable price.
So of course we made them.

Play It Cool is also set in 1950's California but in Hollywood. This is the
story of Mary, a butch lesbian bar owner trying to keep her lady from running
off with MGM while keeping her bar open by paying off the cops. All set to
stunning jazz arrangements. I'm not usually one for musicals, but this one
is truly great, and the company and crew are fantastic to work with.

Tom Walsh's amazing bi-level set.
Can you believe this is in the same space as
The Shoemaker & The Pretty Trap?
(see previous post)

Showing the Work

2011-08-27T08:06:00.006-06:00

Installation of The Pretty Trap.

Shelving unit for The Shoemaker.

The Shoemaker, as seen from the operations booth.

Wallpapering for The Pretty Trap.

The Shoemaker set behind the set of The Pretty Trap, which was disassembled
weekly during Shoemaker performances and stored behind that set.

Assembled Props waiting to be placed for The Pretty Trap.

The finished set, complete with actors.

Rex Reed telling stories about Tennessee Williams and New Orleans
on the opening night of the Pretty Trap, which is one of two rough
drafts of Mr. Williams' The Glass Menagerie, at The Acorn Theatre.

Featured Artist: Florence & the Machine

2011-08-24T07:37:00.001-06:00

Now Reading

2011-08-08T22:07:00.002-06:00

When I'm not working I like to....

2011-08-08T00:26:00.007-06:00

Back in June, my friend Ginger came to visit
from Philadelphia. Just released from police
custody are these photos from the result.

More McQueen
Metropolitan Museum
Central Park East

(warning on another long photo filled post)

Cocktails
Death & Co.
Lower East Side, NYC

Punch!!

Truffled Mac & Cheese served on lovely bent spoons.

Light.

They were obnoxious but made for a great photo.

sauce.

sauced.

Spectacle
Broadway Bares XXI
Hell's Kitchen, NYC

and more sauced.

Smile

2011-08-04T21:20:00.000-06:00

MOVE from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

LEARN from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

EAT from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

speechless

2011-07-19T01:47:00.005-06:00

Worth getting in home from a meaningless hook up in time for.

No, it really is amazing. Of course.

Where I've been...

2011-07-15T22:07:00.001-06:00

Shopping for shows.
Endlessly Shopping. For shows.

What is the big deal with gramophones and
shows recently?! Yes, I can find you a
gramophone but you will not want to pay for
the type of gramophone you are wanting.

Show #1.

Stunning. 20 foot projection screens, puppetry, solid writing.
When it says it's like watching a film onstage it is telling the truth.
It rehearsed here in NYC, came from Japan, and is in crates ready to be
sent to Edinburgh Fringe in August.

Show #2.

The Shoemaker, by Susan Charlotte.

This one is now in previews, sold out previews at that. Not surprisingly
everyone loves Mr. Aiello. The stage managers have to come close to
physically removing people from the theatre after the show's talk backs
as he will talk for hours if you let him.

BTW, recreating a Shoe menders shop on stage is no easy task. Especially when
it has a whole other set hiding behind it. Which would be ...

Show #3.

Tennesee Williams' The Pretty Trap. An alternate version of The Glass Menagerie.
Choc full of antique furniture, real wallpaper and lots and lots of flame
retardant spray. This one opens next month and runs in rep with #2. In the
same theatre.

Next up: Production Design for a small film....we'll see how that goes.

Recent events

2011-06-27T13:01:00.005-06:00

My first ever NYC pride experience.

All the other years I sorta hid away
for lack of being part of some large
contingent of guys. This year though,
I was. So I got myself out of bed and
had a fantastic time. So fantastic that
I can barely move today.

no. not that kind of fantastic.

Quelques Photos:

Gays at the hitchin' post

2011-06-24T23:17:00.002-06:00

An hour after New York passed Gay Marriage, the Empire State Building
lit up with the rainbow colours. I'd say this is a fantastic kick off
to this weekends festivities. Perhaps I will even go to the parade this year.

Films: Midnight in Paris, Woody Allen (2011)

2011-06-24T17:46:00.000-06:00

Fantastic.

Smile

2011-06-16T17:45:00.001-06:00

a Double Dose of eye rolling hilarity.

Featured Artist: Peter, Bjørn & John

2011-06-13T10:37:00.000-06:00

Where I've been...

2011-06-12T13:59:00.006-06:00

The Build up of stress proved too much to deal with.
So I took up an offer to visit my best friend from
undergrad and her family at a lovely house in the forest.
What followed was a very much needed respite from my
present existence. Five days of trees, water, sun and
cooking from scratch. Throw in some lovely babies with
an affinity for hand bells and about four dozen cookies
and you get some idea of this lil' slice-o-heaven.

I will be doing my best to return next year. And am
kicking myself for being too busy the past few years
to go. Stupid work.

I also learned some life lessons from a one year old.
They are as follows:

1. Say no often and mean it. Even if you want to say yes.
2. Guard your property with a vengance.
3. If your 'no' is not well received, scream until it is.

And now some pictures.

Cancer Free!!

2011-06-03T17:49:00.002-06:00

But I have to take a weeks worth of
Atomic sized doses of steroids and
antibiotics to deal with the ick.

I no longer understand

2011-06-02T19:59:00.004-06:00

Hey there.
It's been a bit hasn't it?
Some things have happened,
some resolutions and some
evolutions I suppose. I
managed to fend off the
attack of the crimson crocheted
menace that was plaguing my soul
only to be confronted with a lovely
bout of long dormant hand eczema.
For those of you not in the know,
this is caused by a variety of
triggers; Unhealthy foods, alcohol,
poor sleep and stress being among them.
So, of course, I was screwed.
I sit here typing to you with what
appear to be the hands of a burn victim with
the flu. Yes, the flu.
I can no longer hold a pencil due to discomfort
and hence an am unable to complete commissions
of drawings. On a bright note I have gotten
up to speed on both True Blood and Game of Thrones,
and have managed to shake nearly all that pesky
firmness from my bum that I never liked anyway.

Still, despite being seen as a leper every time
I board the train I have managed to get out and snap
some decent pics of my adventures as a dermatological
horror show. PS, cross your fingers. I'm getting my
first ever biopsy tomorrow as the terror on my hands
has not responded to treatment. Enough nightmare inducing
though. Lets look at nice things and good people.

recent events:

Spring landed in Bryant Park

I got sick on Mint Juleps watching the derby in Chelsea.
Also discovered that Derby pie is really a giant cookie.

The Butterfly Hat from McQueen's collection after Izzy Blow's suicide,
on display at the Met's Fantastic and Monumental presentation.

Cookies for breakfast.

Biscuts from an old recepie. Do Try.

Lunch @ Coffee Shop. Not so great Fish & Chips, great tile.

Ended up in ABC Home again. This place has become a regular
place to go when I'm down. Like Holly had Tiffany's. I suppose
haute bourgoise chaises are my diamonds? That or Tufting.

This love chair is awesome.

As are the indian patterned modernist pieces.

Ashley finds a moustache.

Featured Artist: Karen Elson

2011-05-19T23:36:00.001-06:00

On the mend.
Still a little off.
Back to posting soon.
Hopefully.

mean reds

2011-05-12T02:26:00.000-06:00

I know I'm supposed to reprt on the McQueen Show, but
I am under a fantastic attack by the Mean Reds presently.

Holly Golightly: You know those days when you get the mean reds?

Paul Varjak: The mean reds, you mean like the blues?

Holly Golightly: No. The blues are because you're getting fat and maybe it's been raining too long, you're just sad that's all. The mean reds are horrible. Suddenly you're afraid and you don't know what you're afraid of. Do you ever get that feeling?

Paul Varjak: Sure.

Holly Golightly: Well, when I get it the only thing that does any good is to jump in a cab and go to Tiffany's. Calms me down right away. The quietness and the proud look of it; nothing very bad could happen to you there. If I could find a real-life place that'd make me feel like Tiffany's, then - then I'd buy some furniture and give the cat a name!

Crush

2011-05-06T16:02:00.003-06:00

Featured Artist: Mumford & Sons

2011-05-06T15:57:00.000-06:00

Cinco de Mayo aftermath

2011-05-06T09:58:00.001-06:00

Less than ex-static process

2011-05-01T19:42:00.007-06:00

Hi there, those of you out
there,somewhere. Possibly.

Not been posting lately
as there has not been
anything really post-worthy
happening 'round these parts.

I do have a few pics from wandering though:

The Alexander McQueen 14th Street Window.
Tuesday I will be going as a guest to the
preview of the McQueen Retrospective at
the Met. That will be a post worthy event.

My Mid-century finds on stage at Benefactors at Theatre Row.

Scenic painting for Tomorrow Morning at The York Theatre.
Making Home Depot grade plywood look like Laminate is
an undertaking I'd rather not relive. Ever. looked good though.
That and standing atop 20 foot ladders painting inch wide, inch
gapped planks of slatted lumber.

The Monsters chandelier and The Townhouses stairwell.

Spring comes at last to Madison Park

A Steinway Grand on stage at an Alesio Bax recital at Lincoln Center.

Africa or Midtown? Flashbacks at the Annex Flea Market in Chelsea.
Yes, Chelsea.

Vintage delivery Bicycles at Sea Breeze Seafood Market in Hells Kitchen.

The Music Inn in the West Village.
Imagine a small room, two small
rooms really, filled floor to ceiling
with all the fine equipment used to
create ambient world music. Beautiful.
Also there were two guys downstairs in
the workshop making violins when the
owner took me down to hunt for the
single tone chime I was looking for.

nearly forgotten drawings from Paris...

2011-04-25T19:47:00.004-06:00

from a memory sparked by Mark's reminder that photos aren't always the only option.

Smile

2011-04-20T01:24:00.004-06:00

jak & Jil

Bee Tattoo!

cloud head girls

2011-04-16T00:00:00.003-06:00

Films: Breif Interviews with Hideous Men, John Krazinsky (2009)

2011-04-15T00:26:00.002-06:00

Stunning film.
Makes me rethink my whole "dating for security"
nonsense that I tend to feed myself. In particular
the monologues in which the guys discuss being able
to remove the humanity of people in order to achieve
their objectives be they a one night stand or murder.

finished

2011-04-07T23:35:00.003-06:00

Two new drawings that began as
a solid piece, evolved into a
dyptich that has a tendency to
wander away from itself.

Inspired by my too brief but
highly motivational trip to
Brooklyn to catch the opening
of Richard Haines' exhibition
at Norte Maar. I saw white
paint on brown paper again
with a dazzled new set of eyes.

He also reintroduced me to
colour in moderation.
Which is still to come as
I have been a bit busy.

I hope you all like the new stuff.

Basilisk,
ink, gouache and watercolour on BFK (22.25x16.5")

Sphinx
ink, gouache and watercolour on BFK (22.25x13.5")

Featured Artist: Django Reinhardt

2011-04-07T23:31:00.001-06:00

in progress

2011-04-06T14:37:00.003-06:00

Basilisk

Sphinx

Bientôt ce sera été

2011-03-31T16:42:00.003-06:00

I can't wait.

image found by Monsieur Chanterelle

Recent Interests & Daydreams

2011-03-30T00:00:00.004-06:00

I've been sucked back into the theatre vortex.
Two shows open, one attempting to stand.

Some things that have caught my eye:

This pencil case.

This incredible map.

This guy.

This film.

This braid.

This band. And this guy.

These shoes.

This cartoon.

This Razor.
Influenced with my obsessive reading of Civil War period fiction
which was kicked off by Gone With The Wind.

And the young Arnold Palmer, for very good reason.

Another Pilot Down

2011-03-23T09:48:00.001-06:00

Goodnight, Ms. Taylor.

Truth

2011-03-22T14:09:00.002-06:00

a little reminder

2011-03-11T08:03:00.002-07:00

about the fragility of life,
the force of nature,
and much needed perspective on
my place in all of it.

All my best to all those affected in Japan
and elsewhere.

Its been a minute....I know.

2011-02-25T00:30:00.008-07:00

I was unemployed for so long (2 and a half months)
and then suddenly I have three jobs, all wanting
my time. I'm doing a properties scavenger hunt for
Benefactors which opens way too soon at Theatre Row.
I'm scheduled to do some scenic painting at the York
Theatre soon, though what I have no idea.
And perhaps best of all, I am in concept design stage
for what looks to be a fantastic, demanding, arduous
and breathtaking spectacle whose name I cannot release
yet. I very much want to take a home office pic and
post it but I'm certain that is a no no. For now.
I will say that is loaded with fur and sequins and
there is hardly a straight bit of tailoring save for
a tuxedo. That is until I figure out how to adapt it
to our needs. Mink crinoline anyone?

Some things that have been on my mind recently:

1. What are you?
I get asked this constantly, and usually in a seeming
non-threatening way. However, asking this question to a
person of mixed heritage usually makes us feel like you
are asking us to qualify ourselves. I am a person first
and foremost leave it at that.

2. Theory and Practice:
To truly excel at art, just like sports or law, you
have to work at it tirelessly and daily. Talent may be
something we are born with but it requires upkeep or it
becomes stagnant and rots a little. A few of my friends
are having this issue having taken jobs out of school that
don't really call for drawing or painting capabilities, just
long hours that leave them unable to make any work due to
exhaustion or apathy (her word, not mine.)

3. The end of an era:
What a sad end to the tenure of John Galliano.

4. Asshole Magnet:
That would be me, Ladies and Gentlemen. I managed to
fall for the fleecy exterior of yet another wolf in sheeps
clothing. I believe the deciding factor was on the third date
when he tells me, after I voice a few concerns of mine that he
might be a player and how I don't need that,
"It will sound arrogant, but I've been avoiding calls from
a twenty-one year old boy tonight. I've been ignoring him
to be with you." Am I missing something? Was this meant to
somehow reassuring or complimentary? Where HAVE all the good
men gone? I need some gaurds, all my friends are too busy
with decent relationships to make sure I don't fall in the well.

Some pictures:

At The Demolition Depot in Harlem.
Four floors of the accumulated insides
of Manhattan Mansions Past.

Atop some two by fours rests an enormous oval miracle.

Rain outside the theatre, sideways. At night.

The Menu @ Julius NYC.

This man will get you drunk. Beware.

mon lit. il me manques.

Wow.

2011-02-24T20:13:00.003-07:00

As Found by Richert S.

I promise to type more soon.
Been a little overwhelmed and
a little in a blog rut recently.
As soon as I can filter my
thoughts into cognizance I
will type it all out.

As a juicy tidbit,
I am now the Costume Designer
of a fairly enormous show opening
Off-Broadway this summer. My
foot is officially in the NYC
design dream door.

Smile

2011-02-22T12:15:00.001-07:00

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\////////////////
Originally uploaded by platonov_pavel

Platonov Pavel

gorgeous.

je travaille...

2011-02-19T01:14:00.002-07:00

I'm not going to type anything
for fear of jinxing myself.

But this could be huge.

Potentially life changing huge.

Happy Valentines day

2011-02-14T10:00:00.003-07:00

Seriously Pretty

2011-02-03T13:56:00.003-07:00

Elie Saab Couture Printemps/Ete 2011

This is where all the pretty dresses have gone.
It's been a while since I have been left speechless
by a girl in a dress. Then I found these. Lovely.

Now Reading...

2011-02-03T09:28:00.002-07:00

smile

2011-02-02T23:17:00.003-07:00

Fillms: Assassination of a High School President, Brett Simon (2009)

2011-01-29T11:44:00.003-07:00

This is the sad story of what happens when a well written,
smartly cast, beautifully shot film ends up not being shown
because its distributor went bankrupt just prior to its release.
Reese Thompson is fantastic, Bruce Willis is hilarious
Misha Barton is pretty as always. And a quite nice performance
by Patrick Taylor who, only having a Law and Order credit apart
from this indie film, might have been poised to be one of Hollywood's
up and coming golden boys.

Featured Artist: Au Revoir Simone

2011-01-28T17:16:00.000-07:00

Between a rock & a hard place...

2011-01-25T08:29:00.004-07:00

...have pen and paper handy.

Out of my present adversity a
new creative vein has opened.
Is it fueled by stress?
Perhaps uncertainty?
All I know is that something
opened up and I can suddenly
draw again in a way I think
is decent. It's not quite
polished yet, but if I can
keep it going I can get it there.

It also heralds the return of
giant sewing needles. Odd.

All about the Lines

2011-01-24T02:48:00.003-07:00

In this time of seemingly endless unemployment I've been drawing more.

Recent Interests & Daydreams

2011-01-22T02:56:00.003-07:00

I've not really talked fashion in a while.

Beaded native american detailing is something I am
quite interested in. The two photos below are from
last spring's Trussardi collection. It really speaks
to my Navajo sensibilities. An aunt of mine is a
beader and I might commission her to bead a pair
of suede chukka boots for me. I saw a pair this
summer at the Capsule show that were similar as well
as some amazing tooled leather tassel loafers.

Tooled Leather. Underrated. Seriously.

Very inspired by the Balmain Homme Fall 2011 collection.
Accents of colour with camel and grey. And amazing proportion.
I mean that Coat. Seriously.

Where I live

2011-01-20T15:24:00.001-07:00

NYC - Mindrelic Timelapse from Mindrelic on Vimeo.

via prorsum

What I gave Liz for Christmas

2011-01-19T23:44:00.001-07:00

A drawing of the exhausted and hung over spirit of Mardi Gras.

File under Nonsense.

2011-01-17T21:22:00.004-07:00

10 years ago:
I was majoring in Costume Design, working during the summer at
the Santa Fe Opera as a costume crafts technician. Lots of shoe
repair and beading in the outdoor work spacewhile listening to
the singers and orchestra rehearse.

8 years ago:
I was living in Orlando, working as an assistant tailor, managing
God knows how to live on a stipend of 100$ a week. I met some of my
dearest friends there who now live minutes away here in NYC.

6 years ago:
I was back in school, continuing my study of Fine Arts, looking ahead
to eventual placement in a MFA painting program.

2 years ago:
I found myself in an MFA Theatre program in New Orleans studying Set
Design. I fell in love with the city, found a family of friends and
a whole new life track.

Five yummy things:
1. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
2. Peat Whisky
3. 99 cent Country Boules from Whole Foods
4. Porterhouses
5. Tea with Ribbon Cane syrup

Five songs I know by heart:
1. Ne Me Quitte Pas by Jacques Brel
2. Venus as a boy by Bjork
3. Sous le ciel de Paris by Juliette Greco
4. There is a Light by The Smiths
5. The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra

Five places I would like to escape to:
1. Paris
2. Santa Fe
3. Zanzibar
4. New Zealand
5. The Lower East Side

Five things I would never wear:
1. Anything with a Logo on prominent display
2. white socks
3. puffer vests
4. Denim jackets
5. Motorcycle boots

Five favorite TV shows:
1. Weeds
2. Pushing Dasies
3. Modern Family
4. True Blood
5. Absolutely Fabulous

Five things I enjoy doing:
1. Eating
2. Cooking
3. Dancing
4. Traveling
5. Reading

Five Favorite toys:
1. Prismacolour Drawing supplies
2. BFK papers
3. Photoshop
4. Band Saws
5. Paint

Five people who I am tagging to fill this out:
I'll leave it open ended.

Featured Artist: Asher Roth

2011-01-15T13:58:00.000-07:00

Sketchbook

2011-01-11T19:05:00.004-07:00

more at the updated website.
ricolawille.com

Crush

2011-01-11T18:29:00.002-07:00

Fillms: Amelie (ou, Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain), Jean-Pierre Jeunet (2001)

2011-01-09T11:34:00.002-07:00

Un peux vieux, mais tellement fantastique.

Happy Twelfth Night!

2011-01-06T17:03:00.002-07:00

Get Dat Baby!

Where I am...Where I've been, rather.

2011-01-06T02:47:00.012-07:00

Too many pictures gone unshared.
been preoccupied editing my CV, writing letters of interest,
and trying not to imagine what I'm facing if I do get this
job teaching drawing. But hey, I need a Job, yeah?
A little income for all this outgoing would be fantastic.

Lets get right into it, shall we?

Monsieur L'Orange inspects the neighbors chickens.

I got a tad OCD with the sugar cookies.

I love a bar that knows it's Holiday decor.
This would be Philip's Bar, where I shared
drinks and stories with the quite lovely,
and adorable, Jason. No pic as I was too shy to ask.

Borscht!

Roasted Brussles Sprouts with Bacon & Lime, thanks to The Paupered Chefs.

Christmas Eve dinner with Liz & Ben.

Such incredible ambience at The Queens Head Pub.

Damon & Vince @ Lafitte's in Exile

New Years Eve.
An evening with Mr. & Mrs. Smith at the hotels Ritz-Carlton and Roosevelt. Respectively.

...but I'da had to've missed the dance.

2010-12-30T23:37:00.003-07:00

2010 Accomplishment
Aside from maintaining my sanity, and working
consistently as a freelancer in NYC, I'm gonna
go with learning to trust people less.

2010 Discovery
I have an incredible amount of resilience.

Favorite 2010 Vacation/Holiday
Spending Thanksgiving in New Mexico with my family.
Mended old fences and got some answers about
who I am becoming and how to keep on track.

Best dining in 2010
My kitchen in New Orleans.

2010 Regret
Nothing I can think of. Lots of bad decisions, but
none that I can say I regret. Perhaps if I repeat them.

Magic Moment in 2010
Getting my Masters in May.

What states did you visit in 2010?
Louisiana, New York, Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, Connecticut,
Kentucky, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Mississippi, West Virginia.

The 2010 Surprise
My baby sister, the Air Force Sargent, having a baby.

Three 2011 Goals
Converse more.
Expect less.
Keep passing the open windows.

(Meme by recommendation of Spo)

So, here's what I missed.

2010-12-30T13:25:00.001-07:00

A beautiful little film documenting the 26 December
blizzard in my neighborhood in Astoria, New York.
Glad I missed it, but now I have to go back to it
and face the muck laden glaciers on every street corner.

Watch, and try to keep your heart from warming.

2010-12-24T14:49:00.000-07:00

Joyeux Noël tout le monde!!

2010-12-24T12:49:00.003-07:00

'Twas the nocturnal segment of the diurnal period preceding the annual Yuletide celebration, and throughout our place of residence,
kinetic activity was not in evidence among the possessors of this
potential, including that species of domestic rodent known as Mus
musculus. Hosiery was meticulously suspended from the forward edge of the
wood burning caloric apparatus, pursuant to our anticipatory pleasure
regarding an imminent visitation from an eccentric philanthropist among
whose folkloric appellations is the honorific title of St. Nicholas.

The prepubescent siblings, comfortably ensconced in their respective
accommodations of repose, were experiencing subconscious visual
hallucinations of variegated fruit confections moving rhythmically through
their cerebrums. My conjugal partner and I, attired in our nocturnal head
coverings, were about to take slumberous advantage of the hibernal darkness
when upon the avenaceous exterior portion of the grounds there ascended
such a cacophony of dissonance that I felt compelled to arise with alacrity
from my place of repose for the purpose of ascertaining the precise source
thereof.

Hastening to the casement, I forthwith opened the barriers sealing
this fenestration, noting thereupon that the lunar brilliance
without, reflected as it was on the surface of a recent crystalline
precipitation, might be said to rival that of the solar meridian
itself - thus permitting my incredulous optical sensory organs to
behold a miniature airborne runnered conveyance drawn by eight
diminutive specimens of the genus Rangifer, piloted by a minuscule,
aged chauffeur so ebullient and nimble that it became instantly
apparent to me that he was indeed our anticipated caller.

With his ungulate motive power travelling at what may possibly have been more
vertiginous velocity than patriotic alar predators, he vociferated
loudly, expelled breath musically through contracted labia, and
addressed each of the octet by his or her respective cognomen - "Now
Dasher, now Dancer..." et al. - guiding them to the uppermost exterior
level of our abode, through which structure I could readily distinguish the
concatenations of each of the 32 cloven pedal extremities.
As I retracted my cranium from its erstwhile location, and was performing a
180-degree pivot, our distinguished visitant achieved - with utmost
celerity and via a downward leap - entry by way of the smoke passage. He
was clad entirely in animal pelts soiled by the ebony residue from
oxidations of carboniferous fuels which had accumulated on the walls
thereof. His resemblance to a street vendor I attributed largely to the
plethora of assorted playthings which he bore dorsally in a commodious
cloth receptacle.

His orbs were scintillant with reflected luminosity, while his submaxillary
dermal indentations gave every evidence of engaging amiability. The
capillaries of his malar regions and nasal appurtenance were engorged with
blood which suffused the subcutaneous layers, the former approximating the
coloration of Albion's floral emblem, the latter that of the Prunus avium,
or sweet cherry. His amusing sub- and supralabials resembled nothing so
much as a common loop knot, and their ambient hirsute facial adornment
appeared like small, tabular and columnar crystals of frozen water.

Clenched firmly between his incisors was a smoking piece whose grey
fumes, forming a tenuous ellipse about his occiput, were suggestive
of a decorative seasonal circlet of holly. His visage was wider than it was
high, and when he waxed audibly mirthful, his corpulent abdominal region
undulated in the manner of impectinated fruit syrup in a hemispherical
container. He was, in short, neither more nor less than an obese, jocund,
multigenarian gnome, the optical perception of whom rendered me visibly
frolicsome despite every effort to refrain from so being. By rapidly
lowering and then elevating one eyelid and rotating his head slightly to
one side, he indicated that trepidation on my part was groundless.

Without utterance and with dispatch, he commenced filling the
aforementioned appended hosiery with various of the aforementioned
articles of merchandise extracted from his aforementioned previously
dorsally transported cloth receptacle. Upon completion of this task,
he executed an abrupt about-face, placed a single manual digit in
lateral juxtaposition to his olfactory organ, inclined his cranium
forward in a gesture of leave-taking, and forthwith effected his
egress by renegotiating (in reverse) the smoke passage. He then
propelled himself in a short vector onto his conveyance, directed a
musical expulsion of air through his contracted oral sphincter to the
antlered quadrupeds of burden, and proceeded to soar aloft in a
movement hitherto observable chiefly among the seed-bearing portions
of a common weed. But I overheard his parting exclamation, audible
immediately prior to his vehiculation beyond the limits of
visibility: "Ecstatic Yuletide to the planetary constituency, and to
that self same assemblage, my sincerest wishes for a salubriously
beneficial and gratifyingly pleasurable period between sunset and
dawn."

Featured Artist: Nina Simone

2010-12-23T00:31:00.004-07:00

Nina Simone, Ne Me Quitte Pas from James Davis on Vimeo.

The Holstee Manifesto, a typographically sound meditation

2010-12-22T20:39:00.004-07:00

as found by Uncle Beefy

Ce matin la...

2010-12-20T07:34:00.004-07:00

Inspiration struck.
Partially out of not finding a wrapping paper I liked.
But the result is quite nice if I do say so myself.

Elsewhere in the apartment:

Monsieur L'Orange sleeps in.

Breakfast in bed of bacon & blu cheese gratin, cucumbers and tea.

]

Now Reading...

2010-12-19T01:06:00.002-07:00

Films: Pirate Radio, Richard Curtis (2009)

2010-12-19T01:02:00.000-07:00

Featured Artist: Nick Knight featuring Bjork & Alexander McQueen

2010-12-15T14:05:00.002-07:00

Tribute to Alexander McQueen by Nick Knight, music by Björk from SHOWstudio on Vimeo.

Cautiously Excited

2010-12-14T23:37:00.002-07:00

Dissociative Mixing.
Things that ought not, actually do.
Suspend disbelief?
yes. I think so.

Images by Laurence Ellis,
Stolen from cuatro por uno

From Enchantment to Easy

2010-12-09T15:12:00.007-07:00

Sunset in Albuquerque with doves on telephone wires.

Tour of latest additions of best friends father's Motorbike collection.

The incredible tree decorating duo of Abigail and Hannah

The Tree at the Compound.

Long lost art from undergrad

Tiny Planes and Big Hats at Denver International.

Where I've been...

2010-12-06T13:12:00.006-07:00

In the freezing tranquility of North Western New Mexico.
Visiting family on the farm, being allergic to the sheep,
making a quilt for my freezing NYC apartment out of fabric
I forgot I had here. Eating a ton of green chile (not chilie,
mind you. this is New Mexico) and a bit of the red as well.
Meeting up with all of my super healthy New Mexican friends.
It's been decided that Albuquerque is where I'd be healthiest
with all the organic local eating and super easy access to
outdoor recreation and low gym rates. New Orleans feeds my soul
and New York feeds my bank account (sometimes.)

A good friend of mine were talking the other day about what informs
our ideas of romantic love in terms of movies we saw between the
ages of 7 -10 years old. His was Stand By Me, which I have to say
is pretty darn endearing. For a while I could only remember watching
David Lynch's Blue Velvet before I remembered all the old Hollywood
movies like Roman Holiday and The Seven Year Itch as well as Disney's
Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. Talk about a close call, never mind a
close call that explains a few things. Although Sleeping Beauty explains
why I constantly wait demurely to be approached by potential prince charmings.

Anyway, the pictures....

Near the family farm in Coolidge, New Mexico.

the sheep I've been allergic to since I can Remember.

The Bosque de Albuquerque along the Rio Grande.

Finally cured the craving for a Green Chile Cheeseburger.
A few times over.

Quilting like a bee.

Now awaiting Santa. Probably in NYC. Hopefully with a few other friends
who can't make it home for Christmas.

crush

2010-12-06T12:42:00.002-07:00

A New Direction

2010-11-29T19:52:00.003-07:00

A little inspiration from Sylvia Ji & Erin Kelsey
has possibly given birth to an odd little series.

Featured Artist: Empire of the Sun

2010-11-29T10:32:00.004-07:00

I was going to make another full post with pictures,
however my android decided to delete all of my photos
from the past two weeks. Anyway. Here I am in New Mexico
where I had a fantastic Thanksgiving stuffing myself
with green chilies and other Navajo comfort foods.
Saw the family out on the farm all weekend, and now back
in Albuquerque doing the coffee-lunch-dinner-drinks circuit
with friends here. Visiting can be exhausting.

Where I've been...

2010-11-22T01:14:00.010-07:00

After opening Wallenberg in White Plains, NY,
I returned to NYC to have a very brief Halloween
and quickly shop (4 days) for a tiny musical called
Only A Kingdom. After that I flew down to New Orleans
for a mini break (aka, a bender), then drove with my
housemate from NOLA to Pittsburgh to clean up her late
mothers property. This was difficult as it turns out
Mum was a hoarder. With cats. There was a cat room.
I repeat. Cat Room. Enough said.
We then drove back to NYC, where the next day we
returned to White Plains to close Wallenburg.
And here I sit at the end of it, snug in bed in Astoria.
Tired with a few extra pounds, wary of having too much
stuff and warier of having to scrape animal poo off
of a hardwood floor.

Quelues Photos:

Brooke Sheilds in the Lobby of a cinema on 50th & 3rd Avenue, NYC

Cosmonaut Luau at the Saturn Bar, New Orleans

Plants on the Balcony, Satsumas from the yard, Wine from Lunch. New Orleans

My and my particle mask, Pittsburgh

Rural Pennsylvania en route from Pittsburgh to NYC

2010-11-08T18:07:00.001-07:00

Featured Artist: Jacques Offenbach

2010-11-01T12:27:00.001-06:00

Orphee aux Enfers

Birthday!

2010-10-30T02:29:00.002-06:00

Well, I made it another year.
Cheers that.

The World Outside Exists

2010-10-28T23:40:00.001-06:00

...but I'm not aware of it
.
Still ensconced in the land of make believe.
Wallenberg opens Saturday.
Which also happens to be my birthday.
I plan on getting a bit into my cups and
possibly hitting on some actors before
dragging myself onto Metro North back to
the city at one am. This show will conclude
the nine shows in three month spree.
Not sure what is next.
I'm sure some sleeping in is involved.

Still need a Halloween costume...
I'm thinking Mummy.

Quelques Photos...
Adorable, non?

Near the Flat Iron Building

Southern comfort dinner of Veuve Cliquot and Popeyes at 2am.

Props!

At work during Technical Rehersal at Wallenberg

Waiting for the train in Harlem

Night falling on the Upper East Side

An A for effort

The awesome Hobnail glass I did not buy last weekend at the flea market

Crush

2010-10-24T06:46:00.002-06:00

William Holden

Films: The Others, Alejandro Amenábar (2001)

2010-10-20T22:49:00.000-06:00

La Moustache

2010-10-20T19:38:00.003-06:00

Someone in the Cit has been going around writing moustache
on adverts and movie posters in a lovely curling script.
I became inspired and added a moustache to a drawing.

That is all the drawing I've done.

My days are spent in dark rooms playing make believe.
Expensive, high end make believe.f

smile

2010-10-14T11:47:00.002-06:00

from The Sartorialist

Evenements Recents

2010-10-13T15:05:00.008-06:00

One day,after buying a steel bar cart
at a flea market and wheeling it
20 blocks to another flea market
my dear friend Leah and I
waited 2 hours for a van cab
to appear. Specifically, an empty
van cab, unfilled with single
costumed people from Comicon.
While wrestling it into the back
of the van, the silvered glass
top toppled to the street, simultaneously
shattering and freaking out the driver
who demanded we remove oue cart and let
her get on her way to pick up
some solitary superman somewhere else.
This is where we decided to suck it up and
haul our dear meter high by meter wide
cart into the subway. During rush hour.
This is what my life has been like
for about two weeks.

I've also become aware that I'm on
a new diet that involves
walking 80 blocks a day and
eating one high calorie meal a day
with several cups of tea.

and now...Pictures.

The aforementioned bar cart.

The old Shake Shack in Madison Park.

Diet food.

Moet & Chandon with Moroccan street fare.

Very attractive gay nerd on N train.

The best Antique shop in Chelsea, Olde Good Things.

At MOMA,
the screaming installation.

Turntable goodness

The Cinderella Table

Got Pork Slapped at Rudy's

Opening night of Love Divided at Theatre Row.
Joel Gray attended wearing a red D-Squared Blazer and cargo pants.

A T-shirt illustration for the It Gets Better campaign.

Vintage Italian guns at Wallenberg rehersal

Glow Vigil for Gay Suicides at Washington Square Park.