Last week I decided to check out L.A. Weekly’s Bars/Club directory to see if I could find a laid back place to go and lounge at since I can’t be on my feet and I noticed that the awesome Five Stars Bar is currently a featured bar. Check out what else I noticed.
Yup, my London Calling piece is in the image used for Five Star’s listing.
I’m pleased to announce that I will have a solo show at Geeks, a rad comic/action figure/role playing shop in Uptown Whittier, on August 1st. Mark your calendars! What can you expect to see at Geeks on August 1st? A bunch of new pieces (plus a couple of older ones…maybe), the second installment in the limited edition ERICVALDEZART.COM button pack series (series 1 packs are currently available at Raggedy Threads in Downtown L.A., Casita del Pueblo in Uptown Whittier or from me when I get the webstore up and running), new prints and some surprises.
Lastly, big thanks to those who came out for shows at Five Stars Bar and Casita del Pueblo this past week. The After Walk party at Five Stars that the Hear Gallery put on was incredibly fun and most of the funness was due to the music of James Yuill, a U.K. “electrofolk” musician. If you dig dancy electro stuff and Postal Service then do yourself a favor and check this guy out. Seriously!
LAIST.COM has a great interview with James. Peep that shit.
Tonight I missed both the series finale of Mad Men and what was sure to be really good episode of Entourage. I wouldn’t have missed those shows unless I was doing something that was going to be a lot of fun and worthy of skipping a very pleasurable television experience. I met a hero of mine, Mr. Ian MacKaye. He’s best known for bieng the frontman of the influential Minor Threat and Fugazi and for being the head of Dischord Records. He’s currently in The Evens and he was also in a few other really good, but lesser-nown bands.
Ian was at Hollywood High wrapping up a short California tour of Q&A shows. He started the show spending over five minutes answering a question that I asked. After the show I talked to him along with a group of fellow fans and autograph seekers after the two hour session. I think that means I won’t be lying if I tell someone that I met him and we had a conversation.
He is one of the handfull of people who directly influenced the kind of music that every band I was in played. I wouldn’t probably wouldn’t be painting if it wasn’t for punk rock so Ian Mackay’s music means a lot to me.
I’ll post a couple of pictures later.
UPDATE:
As some of you may know, my mind is a vault of incredibly useless information. Since I have a head full of random facts, I decided to audition to be a contestant on Trivial Pursuit: America Plays. I didn’t make it on to the show as a contestant because; as it turned out, some of the questions at the audition didn’t have anything to do with old TV shows or comic books. I did; however, make it onto the show as part of “America’s Team” and one of my questions will be used on the show tomorrow.
I’m not sure which of the three questions that I asked will be used on the show but there’s a good chance that any one of them will show everyone what a complete geek I am. If my team beats the fools in the studio then I’ll get some money. I doubt I’ll be lucky enough to be on the winning team, but pleae keep your fingers crossed anyway.
The show airs twice on Ch. 11 at 3:00pm and 3:30pm, but I don’t know what time the episode I’m on will air. Set your DVR if you want to see me look like an enormous dork on a nationally syndicated game show between 3:00pm to 4:00pm.
I’ve been extremely busy with work and school lately so I haven’t had much time to paint. I’ve made it a point to head to The Lab (I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it yet, but that’s what my studio is called) every weekend so I can get down to business and finish up some pieces that are still in the beginning stages, but something always comes up. Maybe having my friends come over to The Lab so they can pick me up or just hang out there isn’t such a good idea.
Despite the major slow-down in production, I will be participating in 2 (maybe 3) group shows very soon. I’ll post more info on those shows very soon.
I’m also working on merch stuff so there could possibly be an online store in the very near future.
I started working again, which is pretty rad even if the gig is a data entry job that is so boring that I have to occasionally snap my wrist with a rubber band to keep myself awake. I also started the graphic design program at Platt College on the very same day that I got this new job. It’s been a very busy week.
Since I’m working full time and going to school 4 nights a week for 5 hours a night, I’m only going to be able to get into The Lab and paint on the weekends. As a result of the limited time that I have to paint, my output until I get my graphic design degree in October of ’09 will slow down considerably. Any commissioned pieces that I line up will obviously get done, but I doubt I’ll have enough time to paint my own stuff. We’ll see what happens.
It’s all for the best because I’ll end up becoming a better artist.
By the way, the group show at Casita del Pueblo is still going on. Go and hit that shit up, yo! The opening was a lot of fun and I even sold some stuff.
Casita del Pueblo
6738 Greenleaf Ave.
Whittier, CA 90601
This Saturday I will be returning to Casita del Pueblo in lovely Uptown Whittier to participate in their next show. Stop by and enjoy good art, free booze and free food. It should be good times. This time I’ll try not to knock something expensive over.
Please note my name listed on the flyer (9th from the bottom). I’ll have a few pieces on display. Two old ones and two…maybe three new ones.
Casita del Pueblo
6738 Greenleaf Ave.
Whittier, CA 90601
Hey, look, I have a website! It’s a work in progress, but soon this thing will be fully functional.