This recent autumn ~ winter I've enjoyed the privilege of collaborating with Manhattan Portage on a series of messenger bags inspired by New York City and its vibrant urban landscape.  Having lived a few years in the city myself, this project presented an opportunity to restore my passion for a place I've always held close to heart.  Through the research I've learned to see the endless connections and profound depth behind each architecture/view and my fascination for Manhattan matures in foundation with every visit.  Each of these unique bags are hand-painted in 3D (comes with free chromadepth glasses) and reacts to inverse lighting with a fluorescent glow.  You can check out / order your bag from this collection here: 

www.manhattanportage.com/3D

Below are a series of images we documented for this collaboration.  Hope you enjoy the process as much as I've enjoyed painting these.  Many thanks to alfasmog for these fantastic photos.  Image reference photo credits to Denkym, Christian Krieglsteiner, Louis Trocciola, Will Shih, Manhattan Portage & myself.  Thank you all for your inspiration & contribution.   

* Midtown NYC #2/30 full set

* Brooklyn Bridge & Rockefeller (#29/30, #16/30)

*St. Marks #6/30 (bag in fluorescent 3D, use glasses with image)

* Structured Living #7/30

* Financial District from Jersey City #11/30 (bag in fluorescent 3D, use glasses with image)

* Rockefeller #16/30 full set in nightglow 3D (use glasses)

* Austrian Cultural Forum #25/30 (in fluorescent 3D, use glasses)

* Midtown 49th & 9th Rooftop View #5/30 (bag in fluorescent 3D, use glasses)

acknowledgement / a love supreme

30 x 40     feb 2013

limited edition in bamboo & acrylic prints now available here

upcoming shows below:

Apr 6 - May 31: Norbertellen Gallery 215 W. 6th Street #110, Los Angeles, CA 90014

(4/6) opening reception 6pm-10pm

(4/11) artwalk 12pm-10pm

(5/4) reception 6pm-10pm

(5/9) artwalk 12pm-10pm

Apr 21 : Inkd Thread & Vape Revolution 

Apr 27 : Brewery Artwalk

Apr 27 : Creativity Heals 

June 8 : Night Market at Santa Anita Race Tracks

acknowledgement

a love supreme

rare first-gen prints on acrylic/bamboo coming soon

cover for mutant groove ep

limited prints here

limited acrylic prints : series of 30

Introducing the all new acrylic prints.  These transparent glass prints offer a higher level of definition (with or without 3D).  Comes ready to display/hang (with hanging wire built behind).  So far, three paintings are available in this rare edition:

The new djembe+canvas iPhone 5 skins are here.  Smooth, clean, and light.  Sticks without residues and easily removable.  Best of all, these skins are reusable.  Available under SHOP (click on corresponding design & scroll down).

title: Mr. ?

year: 2012

30 x 40, mix media

Why so serious it's Mr. Curious he'll make you delirious...

limited prints here

title: Divina     year: 2012     36 x 48

If you can talk, you can sing.

If you can walk, you can dance.

It has been recorded since before the dawn of time that spiritual leaders and healers were first dancers.  Traditionally certain dances were used specifically for healing the body, mind, or spirit. These dances came from people who did not separate spirituality from every day life.

limited prints here

title : Native Spirit     year: 2012     36 x 48

The native spirit prays for peace.

Inner peace for all.

In selflessness we understand most about self.

In loving others we expand our soul and consciousness.

limited prints here

Tiger Ring : 虎輪       2012     mix media     60 x 48

This painting represents my expression of strength through unity.  By looking into his soul and communicating with his inner balance, the Monk learns to wield the Tiger Ring.  In this realization he transcends and becomes one with the Heavens and Earth.  In full circular motion.  The beasts in his reflection begin to radiate peace and growth, enveloping his spirits into a sustainable state of cosmic zen.

虎輪是最堅持的勇氣、最堅強的愛。

nightglow 3D in progress

with some room lighting

put your chromadepth glasses on for this

*limited prints available HERE

It's an honor to have Tiger Ring cover this massive set by DJ/Producer Yosaku.  Tune in and embrace this listening.  It feels like one continuous, ever-evolving track, blended together seamlessly for your auditory pleasure:

DJEMBE & CANVAS: Spiritual Expressionist in Motion

My comrades alfa smog and blaqpanda are talented in multi-dimensional ways.  Their combined vision generates an even smoother rhythm. 

I'm deeply grateful and inspired to have friends who're this passionate about what I do and are supportive enough to capture it with their time, energy, and creativity.  Massive respect.

Spiritual Expressionism is in MOTION.

title: In the Interest of Peace       year: 2012       36 x 48

Every human being has a sacred duty to protect the welfare of our Mother Earth, for whom all life comes.  In order to do this we must recognize the enemy- the one within us.  We must begin with ourselves.  We must live in harmony with the Natural World and recognize that excessive exploitation can only lead to our own destruction.  We cannot trade the welfare of our future generations for profit now.  We must abide by the Natural Law or be victim of its own reality.  We must stand together, the four sacred colors of man, as the one family we are, in the interest of peace.

*limited edition prints here

title: Twilight Samurai     year: 2012     mix media on wood

in twilight mode 3D (only pertains to original)

When the warlord invaded his village, unspeakable bloodshed cursed his people.  To protect the women and children, he had no choice but to yield his blade.  Flesh punctured and cut, he fought until his physical state had nothing left to give.  He died standing and his soul transcended to the highest realm.  Every second in his defense another life was saved.  The survivors went on to spread his eternal legacy, the legacy of the Twilight Samurai.

*limited prints here

title: Bodhisattva's Breath of Life

2012, 60in x 16in, mix media on wood

We must come together in the interest of Peace.  Bodhisattva embodies the enlightened form of self-sacrifice.  Through self-sacrifice comes Harmony and Life.

* Bodhisattva in nightglow 3D (only pertains to original)

First-gen limited scroll prints are available under shop.

title: Synthetic Soul     year: 2012