Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Branching Out
Please Advise: As this Furcifer Verrucosus does appear to be morphing in and out of a plant like state, I do not want to perpetuate a common misconception. Chameleons do NOT change color to blend in with their surroundings. They change colors to express emotion, ward off other chameleons in their territory, and to court potential mates. They have special layers of pigmented skin cells that change to create an array of beautiful colors that vary from species to species. This guy was inspired by the Furcifer Verrucosus that reside in the Anosy region of South East Madagascar. SCIENCE!
Friday, June 5, 2015
Forest Guardian
When I see the environmental issues facing us today, part of me is not surprised at all. Since man became the industrious species we are today, we have separated ourselves from "nature" starting at a young age. The "environment" is some distant place where exotic flora and fauna reside. Why worry about Polar bears on melting ice and endangered butterflies that are in some far off land? We need not worry about those things, as we have made our own world among our rigid, structured, controlled little bubble.
That seems to be how we see things as a society. The truth is we are are completely a part of the natural world that we have distanced ourselves from. There is not some place or any boundaries that separate us from nature. We are not only a part of it but we are dependent on it. Everything we have made in our giant, billowing, concrete, structured human world (that continues to grow) comes from the ground on which we stand. We teach our children to carry on with this trend and that they will not be judged by how they fit in with nature but how they will profit off of its exploitation. We must teach our children that they are as every bit a part of the land as the trees and creatures that surround us. With this piece I tried to convey the connection everything has, and that there is a future we must consider and protect.
Pen on wood
4 x 4 feet
That seems to be how we see things as a society. The truth is we are are completely a part of the natural world that we have distanced ourselves from. There is not some place or any boundaries that separate us from nature. We are not only a part of it but we are dependent on it. Everything we have made in our giant, billowing, concrete, structured human world (that continues to grow) comes from the ground on which we stand. We teach our children to carry on with this trend and that they will not be judged by how they fit in with nature but how they will profit off of its exploitation. We must teach our children that they are as every bit a part of the land as the trees and creatures that surround us. With this piece I tried to convey the connection everything has, and that there is a future we must consider and protect.
Pen on wood
4 x 4 feet
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Creating the Susie Hulet Community Solar Logo
Through my work with Utah Clean Energy I was able to help design and edit this logo for an excellent sustainable project here in Utah. Susie Hulet, a long time contributor to Weber State University, advocated for renewable energy at the university and in the community. A community solar program has been established in her name and is beginning to work with the Ogden community in getting businesses and households easy and affordable access to Solar power. I am honored to have been able to contribute to the process of making the design to represent this awesome program.
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
A New Spin on the Habitat Tee!
It has been fantastic working with a local business here in Salt Lake City. The owner of SLC Hemp, Adam Wong, has worked with me since day 1 in getting my work on natural, sustainable clothing. My design I made 5 years ago, originally called "Che Guebeara" now has the SLC Hemp logo on its bandanna and is featured on this bamboo fabric tee. "Protect Your Habitat" is available on SLChemp.com or available in store. Visit Adam at the shop on 1100 E 2100S in Sugar House. Much love, everyone!
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
It is in Our Hands
Spring Cleaning! Dug this guy out of the rubble of my work space. A design from last year before things really picked up fundraising.
Our Mother Earth is truly in the hands of man. We have taken up the biblical message of holding dominion over the land with gusto. It has benefited a few, and brought suffering to many, including the natural world.....It is in Our Hands
Friday, April 3, 2015
The Doodle Lemur
This rare and elusive creature can be found hidden away in sketchbooks, art rooms, and corners of math homework. It thrives on creativity and the embrace of the natural world. Unfortunately the rise of Netflix, standardized testing, and the Kardashians has led to a declining number of these creatures and many like it. Help the Doodle Lemur. Throw away your television and go outside...and bring pencils, pens, markers, paint, and paper with you. VIVA LA REVOLUCION!
Monday, March 16, 2015
Religion
Religion and spirituality have always had a presence in my thoughts. I still struggle with how and why organized faith has been a driving force behind bigotry, genocide, and oppression throughout history. Feelings of resentment for religion still creep in when I look at what we are doing on this planet of ours. In search of answers to these issues and to confront issues of my own I looked into the works of The Dalai Lama, Gandhi, and Malala Yousafzai among others. I learned of what Thich Quang Duc did to stand up to the oppressive forces that always find ways to take hold in our society. More questions were raised than answered, but these individuals restored some semblance of optimism for those who follow what they do not fully understand. Because that is what keeps us all going. Scientists and Preachers alike. Find bliss and beauty in prayer and meditation...but do so with an open mind and open heart. Be kind and joyous, for it is such a big world with so much to learn.
"A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, of the manifestations of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty, which are only accessible to our reason in their most elementary forms—it is this knowledge and this emotion that constitute the truly religious attitude; in this sense, and in this alone, I am a deeply religious man."
-Albert Einstein
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Oni
The creations we see and hear in art, film, and music are influenced by humans before us. Our creations have been influenced by centuries of human imagination and observation. But what were the earliest humans influenced by? What was it they saw? Sometimes I wonder if mountain dwellers in early Japan really saw Oni wandering about. Or if they heard the mountains speak....Anyway....sometimes I like to think the mountains have something flowing through them. A presence that keeps them changing and unpredictable...
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
My Travelling Dream
Upon returning from the journey to distant lands I wanted to make a piece that captured my whole experience. Easier said than done. After playing with the idea of Buddha imagery and Baobabs I took a step back. Throughout Laos and Thailand, dragons adorned temples, buildings, and art work. The ancient, mythical creatures were alive and well in modern day Asian culture. I took ideas from various sculptures and paintings from around the two Asian countries I visited and added some Malagasy influence. Needless to say one of my favorite creatures fit the bill perfectly. I turned the Chameleon into a dragon like figure and had two of the colorful beasts doing battle in the sky. The piece is 11" x 17" and is made up of various Prismacolor inks and markers. INSPIRED
Thailand and Laos
After 6 weeks in the Littoral forests of Madagascar I took a few long plane rides and ended up in Bangkok. I met more people than I could count and it was a total change of pace from camp life in Mada. Bangkok is a city of 8+ million people and is non stop. After some sight seeing and partying I made my way up to Chiang Mai on a bus from the 1970s. Met more wonderful people, went to CHiang Khong, went down the Mekong River to Laos and to Luang Prabang. The city was incredible. From there we meandered down to Vang Vieng and explored the Karst mountain formations that towered over the river town. After that it was the capital city of Vientienne and back to Bangkok on a 15 hour long bus ride.
This trip was full of colorful characters, amazing temples, and lessons learned on travelling experiences. There was so much history and the appreciation for art in various realms of society made it that much better. I learned an incredible amount and was inspired every day,
This trip was full of colorful characters, amazing temples, and lessons learned on travelling experiences. There was so much history and the appreciation for art in various realms of society made it that much better. I learned an incredible amount and was inspired every day,
The Journey
The first stop was to do work in Madagascar with an organization called Azafady. This beautiful and mysterious island is full of endemic plants and animals that have always fascinated me (as well as countless others). Unfortunately this amazing place is being devastated by human activity. From slash and burn farming to a planned mine by Rio Tinto, the flora and fauna is suffering immensely. Up to 90% of the original forests have been cleared and reduced to mere fragments.
With Azafady in the small coastal village of St. Luce volunteers and locals researched how this human activity is impacting local species. Brown Lemurs, Geckos, Pandanus trees, frogs, and various other organisms were studied.Along with this research we taught the importance of the environment to local children in what we called Club Atsataki. For may of these children this was their only formal education. It was an enlightening and humbling experience.
With Azafady in the small coastal village of St. Luce volunteers and locals researched how this human activity is impacting local species. Brown Lemurs, Geckos, Pandanus trees, frogs, and various other organisms were studied.Along with this research we taught the importance of the environment to local children in what we called Club Atsataki. For may of these children this was their only formal education. It was an enlightening and humbling experience.
A Blogger's Hiatus
It has been a while since I updated. My last post was about raising funds for a trip abroad. My goal was to raise funds for a trip to Madagascar and SE Asia. Well....the fundraiser was fantastic. I nearly doubled my goal and jetted off to do conservation work in the South East corner of Madagascar. But not before I had an art show. The show featured collaborative work from George Gundlach, Dixon Barton, and myself. It was a hit and sold a few pieces along with a handful of prints.
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