The Eleven-Eleven Studio

You're invited.....

2011-10-02T20:00:00.000-07:00

http://www.contrerashousefineart.com/

Socratic Codices

2011-06-13T15:26:00.000-07:00

I'm pleased to announce an upcoming solo exhibit in November 2011 at the Contreras Gallery, Tucson, AZ. With twenty two pieces planed, I'll be diligently occupied with this series titled...

Socratic Codices

The Eleven Eleven Series

When I was thirteen, the number 11:11 began appearing everywhere, seeming almost to follow me. In my attempt to decipher it’s message, I assigned the cryptic number to the four directions, North, South, East and West. Each element traveling on their own separate path. It was then that the concept of dynamic sets of individual, yet collective, members of a family was born. At that point, 11:11 stopped being a number and became a symbol that grew into the impetus for this project.

The intention of this series, ‘The Socratic Codices- The Eleven Eleven Series’ is to shine a light on the phenomenon of age-old esoteric relationships found in every aspect of human experience. Each piece in the series has its own theme combining a coherent family of four elements. These families range from the familiar four directions to the lesser known (in Western culture) Bhutanese motif of the four harmonious friends,
the elephant, hare, monkey and partridge. To date, I have compiled research from over the past twenty years to produce the imagery. All in toll, I have gathered and outlined more than eighty families, a remarkable collection but I must point out, I did not discover them but rather stumbled on their symbolic commonalities.

The title of this series refers to the ‘Socratic’ method which is a form of inquiry and debate between individuals with opposing viewpoints based on asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and to illuminate ideas. ‘Codices’ is a Latin word originally meaning “trunk of a tree” referring to the pre-Columbian Aztec pictorial books made from the Amate tree. The goal of ‘The Socratic Codices’ is my attempt to intervene on the behalf of society and Nature, to highlight the connection we have between the two, but that is so easily forgotten.

Ruben Urrea Moreno September 2011

the Peep-a-tational

2011-03-01T10:29:00.001-08:00

13 Artists...Titillating Art...

Josephine The Time Traveler. Oil on wood.

Bohemia called 13 of Tucson's finest and said "Peep Show...do it!!" and the Peep-a-tational was born. It will be the perfect show for those post-Valentine's highs and lows. Here's the artists stripping it down for you (in no particular order)...

Ed Muren

Wil Taylor

Liz Vaughn

William Wiggins

Andrea Kashanipour

Dee Dee Koenen

Doug Wiggins

Mel Dominguez

Alysa Volpe

Rand Carlson

Molly Phoenix

Elizabeth Albert

Ruben Urrea Moreno

There will also be blow-your-mind performances by Lola Torch (delicious burlesque) and The Awkward Moments (accordion/saw/tuba wonderfulness).

Show runs until March 16th, 2011

Come take a peep...

Open 7 days a week on Broadway

2920 E. Broadway

Sun-Mon 11am-4pm

Tues-Sat 10am-6pm

520.882.0800

www.bohemiatucson.com

Mini GRAND Exhibit

2011-02-02T21:55:00.000-08:00

The old idiom that good things come in small packages

is going to be proven true with Lulubell Toy Bodega's

February gallery exhibition.

We'll be exhibiting the most inspirational and visionary little works in

MiniGrand, a giant show of tiny proportions.

'Imagine' Mixed media on birch 11"x 13" (including frame)

Join us and and over 20 artists in a celebration where constrained size doesn't mean constrained imagination.

Artists include:

David Christiana, Israel Sanchez, Adam Rex, Ed Muren, James J. Peterson, Ruben Urrea Moreno, Kathryn Polk, Roberta Gentry, Bryan Durren, Brandon Garrison, Chris Newberg, Lane Garrison, Jerry Jordan, Kenzo Butler, David Osowski, Phillip Hilliker, Chuck Lukacs, Michael Malbrough, Brian Stuhr, Adam Klimek & Amy Tidwell

Opening Reception

Saturday, February 5th, 2011

6 to 9pm
(during First Saturday Downtown Art Walk)

Runs through February 28th during normal gallery hours.

Lulubell Toy Bodega
Designer Toy Store & Gallery

35 E. Toole Avenue, Suite 1
Tucson, AZ 85701

Click here for map

http://www.lulubelltoys.com/

520-622-LULU (5858)

The Little Village (Bohemia Cafe Gallery Series)

2010-11-08T08:35:00.000-08:00

"The Brave"
To The Daring Belongs The Future
- Oil on Wood - 41" x 25"

Bohemia brings another great featured artist to the Little Village walls! We are thrilled that it is Ruben Urrea Moreno. Ruben is one of Tucson's best...intensely beautiful style that blends urban themes with old world Aztec imagery. It will be a wonderful 2nd Saturday on 4th Avenue!!

Saturday, November 13 · 2010

7:00pm - 9:00pm

On display until January 2nd.
http://bohemiatucson.com/html/events.html
(Bohemia and the rest of the shops in The Little Village are open Monday, Wednesday-Saturday 11am-6pm and Sunday 12-5pm. Cafe Passe is open from 7am-7pm daily and the show can be seen during those hours as well)

MUERTOS

2010-11-05T12:41:00.000-07:00

Group show at

Lulubell Toy Bodega

Side A: Life
Graphite & Oil on wood.

MUERTOS

'A DAY OF THE DEAD SHOW'

Saturday, October 16th 2010

6:00pm - 9:00pm

35 E Toole St #1

Sacrilegious Art Exhibit!

2010-10-26T14:36:00.000-07:00

I've been invited to show at the Centro Cultural de la Raza in San Diego California for an exhibit titled:

SACRILEGE!

The Desecration, Destruction and Deconstruction of Chican@ Heroes, Idols and Icons.

Curator Cal A. Vera and a host of talented Chican@ artists from Arizona, Tejas and Califas as they attempt to get sacrilegious with their heroes, idols and icons.

To resurrect we must first destroy what we hold sacred. Like the Phoenix to the flame.

Chicanismo will be reborn anew to live again.

November 2 to December 5, 2010

Opening reception Saturday, November 6 from 6-9pm.

With live video projection by Juan Castruita and music by DJ V-Rock.

Centro Cultural de la Raza

2004 Park Blvd.

San Diego, CA 92101

(619) 235-6135

info@centroculturaldelaraza.org

http://centroculturaldelaraza.org

http://centroraza.org

Be a friend on Facebook

Gallery Hours: Tues - Sun 12-4pm

'Popocatepetl y Iztaccihuatl' 4'x3'
Mixed media on wood

FRAGMENT GALLERY- From Here to Eternity

2010-09-15T13:20:00.000-07:00

An examination of the multicultural autumn celebrations,
All Saints' Day, All Hallows Eve (Halloween)
and Día de Los Muertos.

'Homecoming'
Mixed media on wood

Opening Reception October 30th, 2010

show runs through November 20th

http://www.fragmentgallery.com/
44 W. 6th St. Studio 22

Tucson, AZ. 85705

2010-09-02T16:26:00.000-07:00

Santa Muerte Music & Arts Festival Opening Reception

September 10th, 2010

My newest piece titled 'Heredera del Sol'- Heir to the Sun got accepted to show with this amazing bunch. I'll say, I saw the list of artist and felt the pressure to do my best. I need to be doing this every time regardless of who's present. I thought.

Twenty world-renowned artists from Scotland, Italy, Canada, and across the U.S. converge on Tucson at Sacred Machine. Participating artists work has appeared in and been commissioned by The New York Times, Juxtapoz Magazine, Hi-Fructose Magazine, Time Magazine, The Washington Post, LA Times, the Academy Award wi...nning movie 'Traffic' by Steven Soderbergh, on multi-platinum album covers, illustrated children’s books, published monographs, and advertising for clients such as Sony and Toyota. “These artists are so multi-talented that some even play in rock bands and create videos. With their work they have imbued apocalyptic prophecies, shaken the norms of conventional iconography and written books, museums and collectors such as Madonna acquire their work, they exhibit their art across the globe, some self-taught, some professors, some outsiders, but one thing is certain, the group as a whole has influenced, and is seriously rocking the art world.”

Paula Catherine Valencia, Curator of Sacred Machine

Sacred Machine Museum

245 E. Congress St #123
Tucson, AZ 85701
520-777-7403

Attempt to Nullify

2010-06-22T09:04:00.001-07:00

Commentary on

‘Attempt to Nullify’

Regarding growing up as a second generation Mexican American in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood, I don’t feel as though I had ever had gone through the cliché type of "identity crisis" that mainstream media loves to exploit. Sure I had felt discrimination a few times in my life, but I expected all people did on some level. I was simply a Mexican, growing up in an America society.

This society, lucky for me, was the cultural mixing pot of southern Arizona. Tucson has always felt like home. I had a sense of pride in my neighborhood and larger community. I had no idea I was a minority. Like I said, on occasion I would come across bigotry and mild racism, but it was always an isolated incident. I had enough self-confidence to overcome the sense of belittlement and anguish that racism would like to inflict.
Then came 2010, midway through a controversial senate bill 1070 was passed. The Bill instating a law requiring Police Officers to stop and interrogate anyone they suspect is an undocumented immigrant. Really? O.K., sure if someone asks--no problem, I haven't had to do this before, but if I must, I can prove I'm a documented citizen. What's not so obviously stated, is the cause and effect when human nature is factored in. That of which would naturally be a cool and casual form of racial profiling.

   Now, merely because of the way I look, I may have to prove my citizenship. All of a sudden that "identity crisis" the media likes to play on is knocking on my door. The isolated occurrence of racism is becoming more commonplace. Almost every day, I start to see examples on the news, the internet. Racism is looming behind blazing "patriotism" and God-fearing, gun carrying faces.  Paranoia, fear, depression, disgust and anger, are these the things I’ll have to live with?
   What has happened to the symbol of our flag? I loved our red, white & blue! But do I still? I've never felt more UN-American. Most disconcerting to me is that I've never felt despair for my own race. My "kind" that are sure to be harassed and "put down" on a much grander scale. This is some slippery slope I think to myself--to single out immigrants in this region of the U.S. The ferocity is directed at those of Mexican descent. We aren't hearing "Let's kick those Canadians out!" or "Let's ship them Europeans back home!" What the ferocity says is "Let's make it perfectly okay to racially profile the entire Mexican population in Arizona!" How did this bill even get on the table? This is my home country?
   Well then, like so many others before me, what can I do but assume the role of the politically driven 'Chicano Artist' and speak out with all my heart! I'm American, my ancestors were not, but neither were yours! Get the point? I am just one voice in the outcry for immigration reform. History has proved that abstruse politics, walls, and violence which stem from our current systems of dealing with these issues have not and will not ever work. These lands are the Americas, from top to bottom and the natives, the Mexican people that are being eradicated have a sense of belonging here because after all, let’s be factual, it was, will forever be, the Mother Lands of the Mexica.

Solo exhibit

2010-05-18T14:58:00.000-07:00

I completed 14 new works for this show! I had so much fun with this concept. Although it's nothing new and ground breaking, I easily saw why so many artist and musicians choose to emulate other works of art- established beautiful ideas that are well rooted in our psyches. Unlike my painting process which requires tons of hard meditation, this series allowed me to be free of that mental weight and left me free to have fun and convey the selected works in my own way.

The Plights of Ernie

2010-04-06T12:10:00.001-07:00

   This morning I met with an Art patron who will be taking away 'The Plights of Ernie' to date it is the largest painting I've sold. I salvaged a full size box frame from the dumpster one day and used it's structure for the canvas. The piece will go to his wife who will house it in her mental health practice.
   The image is of a real homeless man here in Tucson, AZ. I met him in a neighborhood I lived in for many years and on occasion he would tell me about his crazy life and military past, often making me late for work! Ha! But it was always worth it for he is such a character and prided himself on being the neighborhood watchman.
   In the painting each one of his hardships is represented by a high ranking fighter. I choose several different types of martial arts fighters to illustrate how different and difficult each of these life chapters were. Ultimately, they put him on the streets and so he carries them with him wherever he goes. I pledged to give half of the sale to him, I shall do it in small amounts for he is prone to drunken mischief and I don't want add to or put him in any type of additional danger. I will add, this man never asked for money, or food, or anything. He walks around picking up cans to recycle, even trash to keep his 'turf' clean. He is an unsung American hero and a model of good morals. Sadly this is a rare case that illustrates, homelessness isn't always a negative aspect of society.

Group Show!!!

2010-03-18T15:55:00.000-07:00

Group show "Almost True: Based on Real Events"

Join us for the opening reception at Lulubell Toy Bodega on April 10th from 6 to 9pm, 2010. Featuring over 20 artists and their reinterpretation of events big and small, global, national and personal. Acoustic music by the trio Beatnik Dream Vacation.

The show wil continue through April 28th. Regular gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 12 to 6 pm.

http://www.lulubelltoys.com/

OPEN STUDIO TOUR 2010

2010-03-01T14:09:00.000-08:00

Please join us for art and spirits!

http://www.tucsonopenstudios.com/index.html

Work/life balance is a myth in today's workplace

2010-02-09T19:28:00.001-08:00

John Heckers

People unfamiliar with the business world make many unrealistic assumptions about how business life works.

One executive and his wife wanted to start a business. The idea was great, and the man and his wife were savvy - but they didn't understand the commitment required for a successful business. They wanted to start it to have more time for their family and recreational activities. I'm sure other entrepreneurs find that statement as hilarious as I do.

Here's some real-world reality about businesses and executive work in a nutshell.

There are no 40-hours-a-week $100K jobs.

Regardless of those devious little advertisements you see on late-night TV, promising that you can work five hours from your computer and make $1 million a year, this is a fantasy.

Except for a lucky or brilliant few, who invent the next "Pet Rock," making money takes hard work and dedication. Regardless of whether you work out of your home, office or sailboat, those who pull in six- and seven-figure salaries work very hard.

I'm reminded of the woman who went up to the famous violinist Itzhak Perlman and said "Oh, Mr. Perlman, I'd give my life to be able to play like that." The gentle Perlman replied, "I did."

While some folks get lucky, it's amazing, as Edison said, how hard work seems to increase one's ratio of good luck.

Work is work.

Sure, a few hobbies can be turned into a business. The problem is, once they become a business, they're not a hobby anymore - at least if you want to be solvent.

This doesn't mean that your work has to be drudgery or distasteful. It means that a business must be run like a business.

Whether you're going into business for yourself or working for someone who has a product or service you love, there are still deadlines to meet, bills to pay, taxes to grumble about and disciplines to follow. Even the editor of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue has good days and bad days.

Regardless of how much you love the subject matter of work, it's still work and not leisure. One easy way to tell the difference is that you have to go to work. There's rarely a mandate to go skiing except the voice inside your head. But if you don't go to work, creditors can get very unhappy.

There are parts of every job that are unpleasant.

The dream of finding a job you love every part of is a great fantasy. But every job has a duty that's equivalent to cleaning the toilets. Even the queen of England has to do things that are distasteful. If Her Majesty grumbles about her job, what makes you think you're immune?

Work/life balance is a myth, for the most part.

A work/life balance can come after many years of concentrating on work. It can't come when you're starting your career or changing careers. Beginning or changing a career requires massive dedication and determination. This is even more true if you're one of the many corporate escapees who has gone into business.

In corporate life, if you have a bad day, you can usually shake it off. In business, a bad day can cost you your best or only customer. Expect more 80-hour weeks than 40-hour ones if you are starting a business, changing careers or starting a new area of your career.

There are many little things we do by habit; it will take extra time to learn them or do them over if we're new to a position.

Failure is not only an option, it's a necessity.

Failure is highly underrated. Most of us have learned our most important lessons not from success, but from things we tried that didn't work out. Any seasoned executive will tell you that failures point the way to success. Only simpering fools think that business can take place without failure. They're dangerous, and should be avoided.

After Edison had failed more than 1,000 times to get his electric light bulb to work, he was asked when he expected results. His reply? "Results? Man, I've gotten results! I know 1,000 things that won't work." We must match that attitude if we desire success.

The difference between the footnote and the headline isn't whether the individual failed or not; it's what's done after failure occurs. The Japanese proverb, "Fall seven times, get up eight" is instructive. The successful person learns from failure and incorporates what's learned. The failure finds excuses and cries in his beer.

Of course, learning and incorporating learning takes time, even for the seasoned executive. Live with it.

Business is cutthroat, faster and changing more rapidly than ever. Those who want to succeed must have a depth of commitment and unwavering dedication. Only the committed and dedicated will survive and thrive.

The Hummingbirds's Daughter

2009-12-22T14:08:00.000-08:00

From the novel 'The Hummingbird's Daughter' by Luis Alberto Urrea

"Have you ever noticed how many words we have for "fool"? Idiota, simple, tonto, baboso, pendejo, mamom, buey, retrasado, imbecil, bobo, sonso, bruto, menso!"

HA! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316154520

It's a wrap! And now, 2010!

2009-12-10T14:01:00.000-08:00

This post is more for me then anything else, with 2010 coming up I feel like I need to redirect some creative energies so that some projects and ideas do not become stagnate. Maybe by putting it down in public writing, it'll be a kind of contract with myself.This is what I have in mind

First and foremost on the agenda, My Muse(slash)Comrade & Artist(slash)Lovely Girlfriend & I have set to be moved into a bigger place by the end of the year. We've been using one easel as a time share because we have no studio, just a corner of a room, so our new place will have a dedicated room for a studio and we're both so dam excited about it! this year has been go-go-go and it isn't up yet! Such is life, now for next year...

1. "That book" I've been talking about forever. Yes 'Dolores la Chingona' The truth is I've written the whole thing, I've ironed out all the details and am more than half way through with the thumbnails of the pages. Character designs are about 90% done. It may sound like a good start if it hadn't taken me four years just to get to this point. I still have yet to start the actual pages! So with that said, 2010 will be the year I undertake what I'd like to think of as my first masterpiece. The book I'd like to see when completed will have no less than 200 pages! So don't hold your breath, it's still a ways out.

2. I do plan to continue showing works in galleries, although at a slower pace. I've been developing my next series which is currently called 'The Eleven Eleven Collection' and so I'll be exploring how to expand into an elevated style and technique of what I already do now. In my heart I want to blur the lines between the illustrative and fine art worlds. Along with this transition I'm going to scale down the size of my work so that I can hold them in my studio until my next scheduled solo show in November of 2011. A few pieces may leak out in the mean time for some constructive criticism. On a last note, I haven't figured out exactly how or what I'm doing but I have to ride this somewhat illusive idea out and see where it takes me.

3. In order to stay fresh and inspired, I'll be collaborating with two great artist I'm fortunate to be tight with, Wil Taylor and Mark Matlock (The D.R.) more on that later. Their company leaves me enlightening; often! We have yet to decide how we will do this, but we're not rushing into it and are confident what ever it is, will make waves. This in itself is exciting. In the spring, Tucson has a studio tour and along side Wil, Mark & Michelle (my woman:-) I'll be debuting some new art. For now, I've decided to continue my series 'So they Say' my interpretations of phrases and proverbs. So far this series has been a success and has provided me some flexibility in which to showcase work that is out of the ordinary.

4. Going to do my best and not hit any creative slumps, but if I do, I'll fall back on building bicycles. This activity has replaced the ever so much more expensive hobby of restoring old cars and! it's much better for the world. Of course every year I say "I got to exercise more" Well, I'll have no choice this time because our new place is farther from my day job and I bike everyday, so that's an easy one to achieve. Lucky me (I think)

Your invited.........'Buen Provecho' The art of Food, The art of Giving!

2009-12-02T11:19:00.001-08:00

Hello Friends and Family!

My newest work will show at Lulu Bell Toy Bodega Saturday, December 5th, 2009. A Silent Auction will take place to benefit the Tucson Community Food Bank. I hope you can make it.

Place: Lulubell Toy Bodega
439 N. 6th Avenue, Suite 187 Tucson, AZ
When:December 5th, 2009
Time: 6 to 9 pm

One dollar admission or free with one donation of a non-perishable food item.

The piece I donated called 'Sacred Temptations' it's about animals as food as well as our role in history as hunters and being hunted by certain animals for their survival. It's a sacred circle that doubles as the food pyramid! "What will we eat? " It's one of the oldest questions, I think the answer is- everything.

www.rubenurreamoreno.com

www.lulubelltoys.com

'El Coscatl' (The necklace) From the series 'So They Say'

2009-11-10T10:15:00.000-08:00

"Lo Que Bien Se Prende, Nunca Se Olvida." What Is Learned Well Is Never Forgotten.

This piece come with a plethora of symbolism. Here is a description of the elements starting with the necklace from left to right.

A fierce wolf inside the frame work of money: And so we're born into a world where society forces us to play it's evil game, the catalyst being money. Debt represents our past and credit, our future. Once we've mingled with the color of money we're subject to the pressures of the corporate institutions that watch us with ill intent. The power of money weighs on us all, this symbol is our struggle with it.

The Rooster: “Love posses not, nor would it be possessed” This is why some men sometimes wield an iron fist around their significant others. For they know down deep inside that they do not have what it takes to love and respect with sincere compassion, so they squeeze, they threaten, they scare. And in many cases they keep that poor soul they call 'woman'. The stern narrow minded Cock represents those men.

The world: This represents all the elements we need to coexist, the hands are creators hands of the celestial world, carefully balancing all the positive and negative aspects that are needed for life. It is also at the center for it is the most sacred of all things and should be respected. (more than it is now)

El Agave on a bottle of tequila: The beautiful, intoxicating and ancient plant that sometimes feeds our souls. From it flows a substance that can bring ecstasy and sorrow and that is also to often abused. It is both a pit fall and valuable resourceful commodity our race.

The skull with a crown of thorns, chili for nostrils and a baby chick in the hollow eye socket: Life and death and how it's ability to burn it's power into our psyches for all our lives. The crown of thorns is a reminder that ALL of our lives are sacred and that we each in our own ways give our lives up to something, no matter how insignificant or important.

Combined, they make up the experiences of life. Here you see a strong indigenous woman wear her wisdom proudly, with dignity, as it should be worn, for we are here to learn our own nature and that which is around us. Her conch is to remind herself to allow her inner true voice to be heard and never to be soft spoken about her true feelings, to call assembly and to unite her loved ones when ever possible. Her pistol is her willingness not to give in to violence but instead to show her ferocity to protect the people she loves and to do what is necessary to keep her life intact. The heart with it's inner peace and ability to summon the presence of creator, the empty hand represents the things she has lost via material and or persons and mirrored on the other side if a dove to show she is at peace with the hand fate has dealt. She accepts these loses. The scorpion is the love bite she once felt, she keeps it there to remind her that it is out there if she just takes the time to overturn the right stone. Her tattooed wounds on her hands are her sacrifices she has given and last the one on her neck simply means 'Live' She is all women.

Even with the symbols translated, they are up for their own interpretation. Depending on each spectator.

The Celestial Body

2009-10-27T10:13:00.001-07:00

Every sign of the zodiac was believed to rule a part of the human body- the Capricorn ruled the knees, Leo ruled the heart, and so on. When the moon was in a zodiacs phase, it was believed you should avoid bloodshed from the specific part of your body due to excessive bleeding that the moons power could cause. Old world medical manuscripts and almanacs contained the figure of the zodiac man as a reminder. I was fascinated to find this information and marvel at how we have found ways to connect with such vast parts of the universe. In a way we've been space traveling for all time.
This is a part of my 'So they Say' series. 'Arcana Caelestia' is latin for Celestial Mysteries.

'SO THEY SAY' A solo exhibition

2009-10-21T16:04:00.000-07:00

‘So They Say’ A Pictorial View on Phrases.

At some point, we have all heard a wise saying, like, “If you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas” or “To thine own self be true.” Phrases such as these have a way of driving the point home in a simple and picturesque way and the descriptive words evoke easily interpreted images or feelings in our minds every time we hear them. They have traveled the generations through our ancestors and can be found in every culture around the world.

I am inspired by these lessons in a nut-shell and so I began to collect “dichos.” Dicho is a Spanish word for “saying” and the word “dichos” is commonly used to refer to little phrases and proverbs. In the course of my search for dichos, I have been delighted by their creativity and practicality. I have collected dichos in Spanish, English, Latin and other languages. In turn, I have responded with this series, So They Say, which is a body of art that, if I chose, could never be completed due to the endless amount of these analogical gems.

As poetry and metaphor often allows, there are many ways to apply these chosen phrases. I implore you to seek your own meanings and discover new ones. They do have a power to help us take an honest look at some specific area of our lives. They can address our humanity and size us up in just a few words. Equally so, they can console us and give us a bit of additional strength and confidence to achieve something at least a little greater than we might have previously believed possible.
Ruben Urrea Moreno

A conversation

2008-12-25T17:57:00.000-08:00

This is one of my most favorite conversations.
"Cheshire-Puss,"...said Alice, "Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?..."That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the cat. "I don't much care where-" said Alice. "Then it doesn't matter which way you go," said the cat. "-so long as I get somewhere," Alice added as an explanation. "Oh, you're sure to do that," said the cat, "If you only walk long enough."
This sums up all the contemplations of life (well, almost)

'La Muerte'

2008-12-25T17:51:00.001-08:00

I wonder if I understand what it is to die, our obedience to death transcends all laws, I know that and I feel our only real borders are the ones that frame our obituaries, those we cannot cross, Instead this frame becomes a doorway to an overwhelming infinity. My ideas swell to fill storm clouds that overcome the landscapes of my minds wonderment. But when the rain comes it’s no doubt a celebration, for the drought of knowledge about the afterlife can become difficult and one can lose a grip on one’s own being. And so I cast this aside, I pop my minds umbrella, I light the fires of life, I crash the walls set in my way and I sprout from this world’s soil, I celebrate those lives that have unraveled, I reminisce, I cry and I laugh. I know very few in this world, but it’s alright, I will remember all the light ever extinguished of those I did not know. For we were once they and thus will becomes they again at some point in the future. Everything here has always been here and will always BE here. My life will be a celebration as well as a leisure migration to death and I will enjoy the view on the way. I will remember for all those that once took the same flight.

Champ!

2008-10-27T02:17:00.000-07:00

I've always voted for the under dog, you name it, from boxers, racers, foot ball, basket ball, etc. etc. Now, for the first time in my adult life, the under dog has won! He has compassion, he has heart! and that's to be reckoned with. OBAMA FOR YOUR MAMA!

'Eros' from the series 'The Five Loves'

2008-10-27T00:41:00.000-07:00

Regarded as the largest succulent plant in the world, the baobab tree is steeped in a wealth of mystique, legend and superstition wherever it occurs in Africa. It is a tree that can provide, food, water, shelter and relief from sickness.
Not really a believer in the whole Adam, Eve & Lilith thing. Sure, they may have existed, but only after evolving (But that's just how I feel, not interested in debating it, but by all means, leave your thoughts) Anyway, My girlfriends father saw this tree first hand and presented a photo, well I was just stunned! I thought how perfect to depict the majestic giant with the worlds first lovers! I recall a debatable finding about the first humans coming from Africa anyway, so it was perfect.
Another interesting bit of info about this tree is in reference to the way the tree's thick tapering branches resemble a root-system. An ancient folk tale is told of how God planted them upside-down. Many traditional Africans believe that the baobab actually grows upside-down.
This series can be viewed on my web-site.

Pacal of Palenque

2008-10-26T23:09:00.000-07:00

The sarcophagus lid of Pacal. Born March 26th, 603 A.D. and died August 31st A.D. 683 A.D. found deep underneath the Temple of Inscriptions at Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico.
One of the most intriguing finds of the Mayan culture. The translation from the "scholars" is that it is the moment of Pacal's death and his fall into the under world. They also state that his body is at the opened jaws of the Quadripartite Sun Monster. Actually there is tons of translations regarding this glyph but you can research it yourself if your interested.
The point I want to present is that "To me" Pacal does not seem to be falling at all, he is calm, his posture is composed. Comparing him to other glyph's that show people falling, well they look like they're falling! Hands and arms out and flailing. Instead, he seems to be comfortably sitting. More interestingly, he also appears to be at the controls of a sophisticated machine. His gaze is upward and focused. The gaping mouth of a monster he is said to be entering is nothing more but the safe confines of a vessel. Let's keep in mind of what the natives said in their descriptions of the large sails of the first conquistadors "Giant clouds carrying men" They had not the mental capacity to comprehend what a flying machine of metal was made of.
Last, to conclusively prove that he was not falling into the underworld (they refer to as a cave), but actually going into the outer world, look at the top of his vessel, we see the Celestial Bird, agreed by all translators that it is the symbol of the heavenly realm. This being his destination. Also, the shape of his vessel doubles for The World Tree, a symbol that means the center of the universe, thus he is being propelled into space traveling through the cosmos.
Weather he actually got to do this will and can only be a fantasy (after all, they did find his corps) But the idea of it makes the Mayan one of the first civilizations to crave space travel. And to have the imagination for it. Possibly the earliest form of science fiction. FASCINATING!

Welcome!

2008-10-03T13:15:00.000-07:00

Anything and all.......