TFU STUDIOS

TFU Studios does amazing animation work. Their new promo video for PB Wolf's Badd Santa" blew me away!



One of my favorite videos in existence is their work for Cut Chemist's "Spat":

D-Nice's True Hip-Hop Stories

I'm all about the back story to things...that's why I read liner notes and magazines, like Wax Poetics, from front to back.. Everything has a story behind it...

D-Nice's True Hip Hop Stories are gems...



Subscribe to D-Nice TV HERE!

+ this song is still one of the illest '90s tracks ever!

MY MIND IS BLOWN!

My new favorite artist is Clutchy Hopkins. His music reminds my soul...of why I love music so much. I need to be making beats like this damn it!

Clutchy Hopkins "3:02"/Mickey Mouse "Steamboat Willie"


Who is Clutchy Hopkins? Pt. 1


Who is Clutchy Hopkins? Pt. 2

DESIGN GEEKINESS

Ampersands are sexy.



Herb Lubalin's amazing ampersand.
Below are a few other images of his design work...



Logos: (top) Marriage, 1965; (middle) Mother & Child, 1966; (bottom) Families, 1980.




The Next War..., 1972

MY FAVORITE TIME OF THE DAY...'SPECIALLY ON SUNDAYS

SHE HITS PAUSE



How beautiful is this polaroid! Photographer, Matt Schwartz at She Hit Pause Studios really knows hot to capture moments in time with a soft vintage touch.

DALI'S DESTINO




A Salvador Dalí animation now finished more than fifty years after he started it is to have its British premiere this week at the Tate Modern, UK as part of the first exhibition devoted to the artist's fascination with film. Dalí's animation, Destino, begun in 1946 and completed in 2003, was abandoned by Walt in the 1940s for being too peculiar and expensive, with all the artist'strademark melting figures, clocks, telephones and scuttling ants.

read more via The Gaurdian




Via Creative Review

TWO OF MY FAVORITE PEOPLE

Bjork & John Kricfalusi (the Ren & Stimpy guy... CHECK OUT HIS BLOG!

"I Miss You"

HUNGRY PLANET: WHAT THE WORLD EATS



What's on family dinner tables in fifteen different homes around the globe? Photographs by Peter Menzel from the book "Hungry Planet"

While we can somewhat relate to familiar families who spend around $200 to $300 per week, with staples like pizza, ice cream, fatty snacks, and plenty of soda, we realize other families across the globe chow down on the real —like the Ayme family of Tingo, with a weekly budget of about $31 and a prized family recipe of potato soup with cabbage.

Via Time.com

GOOD MAGAZINES



The 51 Best* Magazines Ever

(*Smartest, Prettiest, Coolest, Funniest, Most Influential, Most Necessary, Most Important, Most Essential, etc....according to Good Magazine)

M.I.S.S. CREW BLOG



So I started a "column" on the M.I.S.S. Crew site called "Art HERstory" (geeky, I know). It'll be running every Tuesday. Yesterday, being the first day.

Read the first entry HERE!

Let me know what you think!

THE SCENE (DETROIT, 1982)

Groovin' on the Good Foot...D'STYLE!

COOL VIDEOS

Found this little animated title sequence to be amusing: Trekat

HP comes back again with another heavy hitting creative, this time it's Michel Gondry.

MUSEUM OF FORGOTTEN ART SUPPLIES



The first class we take in design school is a materials, tools & comping techniques class. They introduce us to the basic tools and tricks of the trade. It's only been 3 years since I took that class but some of those art supplies are about ready to enter the Museum of Forgotten Art Supplies.

M.I.S.S. CREW BLOG



Apart from working on final projects these last couple of weeks, I was also working with Gabriella (Mama Clothing) & Liz (The Goods!) on redesigning the M.I.S.S. Crew blog (which I also blog on) layout and a couple of other pages. Gabriella & Liz did an amazing job putting the finishing touches on it (the main page and special features pages).

Check it:
M.I.S.S. CREW is grown and sexy and we're excited to announce the re-launch of MISSCREW.COM!! Big Thanks to Amanda Lopez for her beautiful photography on our home page.

SONS OF MILES (FINAL)



My 9th semester at the Academy of Art is over. 9th SEMESTER! I've been going there every Summer, Fall & Spring since 2004. I thought about taking this Summer off (especially since I'm not getting any financial aid this Summer...grrr) but I'm so close! If all keeps going well, I'll be graduating next Spring.

Anyway, My Type 3 book, "Sons of Miles" is done. See it above. Better pictures to come. I'll be making prints from the art work in it, if anyone is interested.

STYLE ICON

Your style icon may be in rehab but mine hangs in a Buffalo Stance!

Neneh Cherry's "Buffalo Stance"

Say WORD!

LEGOLAND



The new LACIE external Lego Hard Drives are so awesome! I'd create a Legoland in my studio apartment with these filled with music!

JAMAICAN LABEL ART



This made my day...CHECK IT!

BOOKS I WANT...

...a short list.

INSPIRATION MACHINE...



This is insane...a 24 x 140 in long banner.. About what? Nothing but anything around that we should take a few seconds to get inspired by...
CHEEEECK IT: jvallee.com

"SONS OF MILES"

The book I'm working on for my Type 3 class, "Sons of Miles," is 13 days away from being finished. Here's the "approved" cover (well, part of it, the right side got a little cut off...not in the mood to upload another):



I'm happy with it...not thrilled but happy.

Thoughts?

IT'S TRUE



"I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it's the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It's probably the most important thing in a person."

- Audrey Hepburn

AMY WINEHOUSE SHOW REVIEW



I've been horribly busy lately so I apologize for the lack of updates (Does anyone even check this anymore?!). The next two weeks are going to be scary stressful so any words of encouragement will be much appreciated :)

Last Thursday, I "snuck" out to Popscene (here is SF) to see Amy Winehouse (aka The Sad-"Snowboarder"-witha-Killer-Voice) open for Klaxons. I was on the guest list as a "writer" for Soundslam.com (Thanks again, Nick!) so I went alone (I had never been to a show alone!). I was a little nervous about doing a show write-up because, well, I'm not a writer! Bekka (aka Copy Writer Extraordinaire) was kind enough to edit my piece...Thanks again, B!

So here it is...along with a video from the show: Amy Winehouse Concert Review

Enjoy!

(PS...Feedback would be awesome! Thanks!)

ASHES AND SNOW

Beautiful...beyond words...



“In exploring the shared language and poetic sensibilities of all animals, I am working towards rediscovering the common ground that once existed when people lived in harmony with animals. The images depict a world that is without beginning or end, here or there, past or present.”
—Gregory Colbert, Creator of Ashes and Snow



The photographic artworks of Gregory Colbert explore the poetic sensibilities of animals in their natural habitat as they interact with human beings. No longer shown as merely a member of the family of man, humans are seen as a member of the family of animals.




More: Ashes and Snow

MAMA ON ELLEGIRL.COM!!




Elle Girl just featured our "Lichtenstein" tee (a shirt I worked on! yay!) in their "Get In Toon" story. Here's a lil' sneak peak of what's to come as far as our spring tees go . . . they'll be dropping in May.

GOD'S HEADSET




God Listens to John Coltrane
and Thelonious Monk
every day and Charlie Parker
and Miles Davis every night,
which is why, despite his age,
he remains so cool and
admirably inimitable.


-Taken from "Beat Culture and the New America: 1950-1965"
(Whitney Museum of American Art)

PEOPLE TREE FAIR TRADE

I'm diggin' how simple this little commercial for People Tree is. It's also informative, cute and jammin' with a Lee "Scratch" Perry tune!

J.A.M.: KOOP

More goodness to celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month (J.A.M.)!



Koop is an electronic jazz duo from Sweden that consists of Magnus Zingmark and Oscar Simonsson. You've probably heard at least one of the numerous remix projects they've been involved with. A favorite is the remix for Astrud Gilberto's "Here's That Rainy Day" for the Verve Remixed project.

Their album "Waltz for Koop" is short with only 9 tracks...but man, this quickly became one of my favorite album. It's on my list of "Entire Albums to Share with People" :)

Download & Enjoy: KOOP In A Heartbeat.mp3

Check out: KOOP on MySpace

A TASTE...

...of a Miles Davis book I'm working on in my Type 3 class. 100+ pages. It'll be perfect bound and I'll be getting 3-5 made (depending on how much i dig it ;))



What do you think? Don't say nice things just to say nice things either!

MAMA CUT & SEW DROPPED



Finally, the time is here. "La Dolce Vita" Spring cut & sew collection has dropped. Check out the Mama website for updated photos and detailed shots of the new pieces. I also own most of these pieces so hit me if you want to see any.



The full collection is available for purchase on the Mama website.

Select pieces are available at these retailers:
5 & A Dime - San Diego
El Mercado - LA
The Orphinage - Chula Vista
Eagle Rock Underground - LA
All The Right - Corona, NY
Brooklyn Projects Melrose & Echo Park- LA
Cap City - West New York, NJ
Bodega - Boston
Connoisseur 533 - San Jose
True - San Francisco
True East - Walnut Creek
Winner's Circle - Seattle
Fresh - Berkeley
The Avenue - Fountain Valley, CA
Subterrain - Santa Clarita
Thoroughbredz - Las Vegas
Groundid - Singal Hill, CA
Our Fly Lives - Miami
Attic - Paramount, CA
DigitalGravel.com
Cultistshop.com

Props to Photographer Ben Mayorga & Stylist Liz "Busy Lady" Baca for their awesome work on the photo shoot for the collection.

TICK TOCK



I just wanted to share this article the Indianapolis InTake (like the SF Weekly or Guardian) did on my amigo Nick Saligoe aka DJ Metrognome. This cat's doing big things out in Indy and I'm so happy that he's getting recognized in the community.

Check the article here: Hip Congressman

Also:
DJ Metrognome's Myspace Music Page & SoundSlam.com (an online Hip Hop magazine he runs).

TIA LEXX

Spanish Lesson for the Day: Tia = Aunt :)



ALYSSA ISABELLA VALDEZ was born to my younger brother Johnny and sister-in-law Monique on March 31, 2007.

In celebration of my new niece, here's a download: Darlin' Ukelele by Jolie Holland...a lullaby-esque song for little Alyssa.

J.A.M.: BLUE NOTE RECORDS & THE SCIENCE



Just a quick post: I'll be posting up some of my favorite Jazz tracks this month in celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month. I don't have time for a write up on tracks today so I'm posting up two audio files with info on Blue Note Records and The Science of Jazz instruments. Thanks to the good sir Madlib for both.

Now, go on and DIG IT!

BLUE NOTE RECORDS

THE SCIENCE

JAZZ APPRECIATION MONTH (J.A.M.)




Jazz is love — in my book. It's hard to go a day without indulging myself in the intense sounds of Miles Davis and sultry lyrics of Billie Holiday. So this month I'm excited to have an excuse to celebrate one of my greatest inspirations.

Jazz Appreciation Month, created to be observed every April, is a celebration that encourages people to attend jazz concerts, listen to jazz recordings, support jazz programs, and simply enjoy the music's verve, pulse, and power.



In 1942, Viola Smith, a veteran drummer with 17 years of professional paradiddles under her belt, sent shock waves through the readership of Down Beat by extolling the existence of "hep girls," female jazz musicians "who could sit in any jam session and hold their own." A firestorm of letters-to-the-editor ensued, passionately debating the topic: Can women play jazz?

So pour yourselves a glass of wine or brew a cup of tea, sit back, relax (you deserve it!) and celebrate Women in Jazz.

Don't know where to start? How about HERE!

Info: PBS.org & Images: smithsonianjazz.org

GOOD DESIGN

I'm a sucka for good design. From print to the kitchen sink, I love surrounding myself with good design.

Now, Bek-Deezy and I have a pretty eclectic collection of dishwares but YO...these below are SO fresh!


The Buddha Bowl is designed to rest in the palm of your hand and can be used for rice, lattés, ice cream, and even cereal. The handmade bowl is designed by Flavour Design. This interdisciplinary design company from Canada strive to design products that make people say “why didn’t i think of that!” The company owners Élan and Mark Falvai: “Our pieces aim to be clever yet elegant with a strong emphasis on ergonomics and functionality. We believe that the items you choose to surround yourself with should be interesting. They should enable you to strike up a conversation or at least make you smile”.


Their Udon Noodle Bowl is fun, elegant, and ergonomic. This bowl, which is also handmade, is available in eight colors and comes complete with chopsticks. More information about these bowls, and all their other products, can be found on Flavour Design’s website.

NOTHING LIKE THIS

Daniel Garcia's video for J Dilla's "Nothing Like This" is beautiful. It's kind of like, Finding Nemo with a Tim Burton twist. Can't go wrong with that. Check it below...



Stones Throw posted a series of Ruff Draft related interviews on their YouTube page. They feature Dilla's mom, Illa J, Dave New York, J ROCC, Rhettmatic, Karriem Riggins, and Peanut Butter Wolf. There's nothing better than people sharing great stories about their friends.

CURRENT MOOD




"Irregular Flow" on Vimeo

via Wooster Collective

GUADALUPE, CA BOUND



I'm off to visit the familia tomorrow. I'll be gone for a few days. I'll be on the Amtrak working on class projects and sleeping for most of the morning and afternoon. It's also a good time for me to reflect. The scenery is ever-changing and beautiful. I'll try to take a few pictures.

This is just a taste of what the beauty of the central coast looks like:



Here's a track for you to enjoy while I'm gone.
This track may be a little throwback for some but I think it's the joint!
Dedicated to my brothers (who are also my friends) Luis and Johnny...oh, and Nick cause he likes the cowbell, haha ;)

MidAir_EaseOut.mp3 (12.89 MB)

This is off of Full Scope Records out of Chicago...and if anyone knows where I can get a copy of it on wax, PLEASE hit me!
Oh, and If you're going to listen to the track at all...listen to it all the way through, damnit.

Hope everyone has a good weekend!

PEACE/PAZ!

ERIK'S MUSIC



What inspires me? People.

I've been fortunate enough to meet people at the Academy of Art that are as passionate about design as I am. They make going to class exciting. I look forward to sharing my ideas with these people knowing that they are as excited to grow creatively as I am.

Last semester I grew to know a designer you should all watch out for. His name is Erik and he was born and raised in Texas. We had a couple of classes together before last semester and I gotta say this guy's stuff has grown to intimidate me, haha. He might not think so but he pays a lot of attention to detail and has pulled out a lot of strong projects.

Anyway, aside from being a great designer Erik's also a musician and yo this cat can make some dope tracks! He put up a few tracks that him and a friend worked on using a Les Paul and GarageBand. He did the beats and mixed everything down. I have to say I was very impressed! This was their first run and these track are good.

Check them out for yourselves on Erik's Blog (My favorite's the second one...but they're all dope!): I Usually Dont Impose

These tracks below are dedicated to Erik cause he's the biggest Beck fan I know but you're all welcome to download them. :)

Dark Star (Dave Sitek from TVOTR Remix).mp3 (5.7 MB)

Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime (JoolsMF Remix).mp3 (6.66 MB)

Enjoy!

LADY LEXX x MAMA CLOTHING

Below are better pictures of some shirts I worked on for MAMA's Autumn/Winter 2007 Collection. They were all done in Illustrator CS. We give the silkscreener vector images and they put them in a computer that does the damn thing and BAM we get these babies.

Check em!

Imagine, August 2007


Mucha & Wave, August 2007


Lichtenstein & Rene Gruau May 2007 (Just the Lichtenstein. Gabriella worked on the Rene Gruau.)


What do you guys think? :)

Peep the rest of the collection HERE.

ISO50

I've been diggin' on ISO50 for hot minute now. I love their art direction and color palettes. Cheeeeeeck it:



Two new ISO50 Prints Released

The "Vuela" and the "Past is Prologue" prints are both now available at the ISO50 Shop. The latter features artwork from the "Past is Prologue" album. If you missed out on the limited edition folded posters that came with the first run of the CD, here's your chance to get the full size artwork.
Check them out here >


ISO50 - iso50.com
Tycho - tychomusic.com
Tycho on Myspace - Myspace.com/tycho
ISO50 on MySpace - Myspace.com/iso50