JAMES TURRELL

James Turrell is an amazing artist that uses light and the perception of light as his medium. I first saw his work when i lived in NYC. 

Similar to the spaces in these last two photos, i went to a room in Brooklyn, laid on the floor near sunset, and looked at the hole in the ceiling. It was quite an amazing experience as the interior, lit with the complementary color of the sky, had the effect of flattening out the plane of the sky -- it felt as if you were looking at a flat swatch of paint on the ceiling rather than an opening. It was a very peaceful and meditative experience using light, the fundamentals of color theory, and our physiological perception of light and color to create the experience. 

B.T.W. the photos above which appear to show geometric volumes are an illusion created by light -- there are no volumes actually there.

I love the way he takes the fundamental way we percieve the world (light) and brings a new context to it -- giving us the opportunity to SEE something we SEE everyday in a whole new way.

If you have a chance, try to see his work in real life! I think you will really enjoy the experience!

ZHANG HAIYING

This is the work of a Chinese painter, Zhang Haiying.

I love the way he throws down the paint!

zhanghaiying.com

RON MUECK

Ron Mueck is an Australian born artist known as a "hyperrealist" sculptor. I first saw that big face at the end of this post at the Saatchi Museum in London. Once viewed in real-life, these sculptures suck you in and hold you tight, hypnotizing you into a voyeuristic trance. You are almost sure they will open their eyes or turn anxiously to you and say "Stop Staring At Me!"

I love how you can just take scale and context and transform a seemingly "normal" moment into something extraordinary, unexpected, and provoking.

All Hail The Mueck!

ANDY GOLDSWORTHY

The first time i saw this British artists work, i was filled with child-like wonder and a sense of primitive magic. 100% nature organized into artistic order -- temporary and ephemeral-- to be blown away or melted by whatever the next day brings.

A reminder to live and breathe in the beauty of the moment and to embrace that which we can never escape: Change.

THE ULTIMATE MOTORHOME!

My friend Nick Tay sent me a link to this site:

www.noferin.com

There are some cute illustrations and wood toys on the site, but WHAT I REALLY LIKE is THE MOTORHOME!

Is this the coolest motorhome you have ever seen?!!!

Long Live The Motorhome! (okay, maybe it's a van?...)

ROBH

I love the imaginary and the innovative, but i also love the classic -- particularly when classics are done extremely well.

This is the work of Robh. He went to Art Center, too, but i've never met him--perhaps we could work together someday...I hope so! These paintings are phenomenal. I am absolutely blown away by his lighting and technique. 

His site is filled with these georgeous landscapes --most are oils from life.(I believe the first image is photoshop). They remind us of how beautiful our world is -- if we simply open our eyes.

www.broadviewgraphics.blogspot.com

JAPANESE WOOD TOYS

Seems as though most of my friends know this designer from Japan (i don't know his name), but I just thought i'd share this work with those of you who don't. 

I'm the little guy on the top riding the three wheeler. "Weeeeeee!"

www.take-g.com

THE POWER OF SIMPLICITY

I love this photo. I don't know who took it, but i love it. It is bold, courageous, simple, and striking!

One of my teachers at Art Center, Lou Danzinger, used to say, "If it's not adding, it's taking away." After 13 years creating and directing, i can still hold this as a truth -- not just in art and design, but life, too.

The Power of Simplicity.

LONGBOARDS

I grew up surfing. I surfed everyday, twice a day for about 10 years. I loved surfing and still do.

However, i live in Vancouver now, and my bald head is not well suited to the frigid waters of the Northern Pacific. That said, these longboard skateboards are the city equivalent of the classic longboards i grew up with while surfing in Del Mar, California.

I love these boards. I love the wood. I love the timeless nature of the form. 

Simple. Beautiful. Pure.

www.barfoot.com

AH XIAN: The Notion of "The Remix"

This is the work of Ah Xian. 

I first encountered his work while living in Brisbane, Australia. Upon initially seeing this work, I was mesmerized by the beauty, craftsmanship, and mystery of the pieces. Furthermore, it struck a chord with what i think is one of the driving forces of art in the new millenium: The Notion of The Remix. Specifically, taking something familiar and "mixing" it or putting the original inspirations into a new context. In this case, Xian cross-pollinates the idea of traditional Chinese ceramics with traditional bust sculptures and "Remixes" it into something wholly new and surprising.

I find these pieces simple, powerful, and inspiring! I hope you do too!

Introduction

This is a blog about the things i see.

The things that inspire me to create.

And the things i think. 

The things that make me happy.

And the things that might make me sad. 

The things that make me feel alive.

The things that keep me -- (pause)

Just one little inch above those puffy white clouds.