Two-2-to-too-II.....

What can happen in two days. I forget how much progress you can make when you use a bigger brush. Along with having completed the tedious part of the painting, its been nice to get it a little messy. Sometimes I try to make things too perfect, and then I start obsessing. That is not healthy, or practical. Its a new technique for me to be this sloppy, but I'm learning to be okay with it.

P.S. I'm not finished, just am practicing the process of "documentation."

Ciliate

I've been staying up late, painting to Techno. What could be better? I started this image in the beginning of November. I've only now finished what I would consider the 'base-layer.' Its probably going to take me another 2 months to finish (at least), my deadline is March.

Normally I don't like to show my work before it is finished, but this time I'll make an exception. This Canvas is 4' x 4'. Its taking much longer then the last two pictures I did in their style, of course this is 4 times the size. But I'm starting to get more and more excited about it, so thats a good sign.

2011 in Retrospect: Places, Events, Books, and Documentaries

Can you have adventure while maintaining stability? Is it just a state of mind?
Stability is an illusion. Adventure just reminds you.

-DearCokeTalk

Every year I make it a goal to go places I've never been, so far I'm doing pretty good. In 2009 I must have been at least 14 locations I had never been before within Canada alone. Posing as a Captain before hoping on Planes, Ferries, Cars, and Trains all at the last second before entering somewhere completely new. Never looking at a map, just enjoying the company I was with. In 2011 I traveled mostly for work and with Family. I enjoyed seeing new places, but often was forced to navigate using all three of our maps (GPS, Google Maps, and a local paper map) at once. Not my preferred way to travel, but that's not really enough of a problem to complain about.

This years places included:

Starting in Santa Monica and driving up the 1 and the 101 the entire way back to Bellingham. We went through places like...

Big Sur

Carmel

Nappa Vally

Good Ol' Arcata

the 'Avenue of the Giants'

Wild Cat

... no maps or GPS out here...

...at Lost Coast.

and San Francisco.

Stayed in Atlanta for a week for work,

and was able to see the Aquarium my last day.

In Bellingham I went on many adventures on my trusted steed!

Swimming in the bay with Lucky

The mountain where I live, i found many new exciting trails to go riding on.

Up to Lost Lake with Divo

Found Chuckanut Ridge, quite dangerous place to ride, but well worth the excitement.

This is where bog-monsters live.

Visiting my dear friends Wesly and Shana in Aspen, Colorado.

Thank you Wes and Shana, you both are very dear to me <3

In the Smoky Mountains

I don't have any of my own Images of my trip to Arizona to visit my pops with my sister, but she took many pictures with her camera. Visit Her Blog about our trip.

This was the beginning our our Hawaii trip, just a short week on the north shore before my sister leaves to New Zealand.

All this while also traveling to Vancouver Canada almost every weekend. One of my two favorite weekends in Vancouver was the Ciliate shows. Links and pictures to the events:

Ciliate-With

First show, pictures by Luke. Took place in a basement, but you never would have noticed unless I had said so. Amazing fun, amazing people.

Sub-Ciliate

Second Show, Main Event Page, Preparation Photos, then The Show In Action. I would have posted my favorite pictures here, but there are just so many good ones to choose from. In all it included live music, art, fashion, live glass blowing, dancing, and more I'm sure.

Next Ciliate show in March, so therefore I have been spending most my time painting and drawing in the studio every day. I've stayed home regularly and its made this last month of the year a bit hazy. But hula-hooping, painting, and reading has kept my spirits high during these dark months. Books I've read and very much enjoyed this year have included:

The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory. It is a very easy read for someone who does not study physics regularly. There has also been a documentary that came out by the author of the book.

Watch The Elegant Universe: Part 1 on PBS. See more from NOVA.

Just after starting that book, i received this movie from a friend, a must see.

Nassim Haramein - Black Whole from Milo on Vimeo.

The Ancient Secret of the Flower of Life: Volume 1. If you've ever been interested about ancient history or sacred geometry, this book is for you.

Calvin and Hobbs: There is Treasure Everywhere, and The Days are just Packed. If I ever am feeling like having a slow morning, I pick these bad boys up and stay in bed till I finish the book.

So Good For Little Bunnies. If you have kids, or know someone with kids, get them this book! Best children's book ever. Yes, my friend gave it to me for my birthday, but its been on my wish list for a while.

Let's-Bring-Back: An Encyclopedia of Forgotten-Yet-Delightful, Chic, Useful, Curious, and Otherwise Forgotten Commendable Things from Times Gone By. I picked up this book for its practicle use, its delightful design, and because when I opened it up there was a woodblock print of a man wearing a monicle. And if that doesn't sell you on it, I don't know what would.

Alices Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. I don't really care that its a childrens book, if you read it you'll realize the amount of philosophy within the context of the book. As well as the play of the english language, one of my favorite quotes:

"and the moral of that is-'Be what you would seem to be'-or, if you'd like it put more simply-'Never imagine yourself not to be otherwise than what it might appear to others that what you were or might have been was not otherwise than what you had been would have appeared to them to be otherwise.'"

Oh yes, that is a real sentance. And yes, its gramatically correct.

Shantaram. Its practlically 4 stories in one. I biography of an Australian who escapes prison and runs away to India. He goes from living in the city, then the country, the the slum, then joins the mafia, and so on. This guy was finally caught, and while he was in prison he started writing this book. During that time the script had been found and distroyed 3 different times. His Fourth try he finally succeeded. This is his work and its increadible. Full of great insight about the world, and society.

Ideas of the Great Philosophers. Quick and easy read about philosophical ethics, politics, religion, and metaphysics. Each catagory covers several ideas from leading philosophers of all time. Good read for a quick overview or refresher corse if you've ever read Sophie's World.

Aesop's Fables. Its the closest I get to reading history.

The Power of Now. I've alway been a fan of Eckhart Tolle, and this is where it all begins. If your looking for clearity in your life, this will put a great perspective on it.

A lot has happened this last year. Many monumental changes. Not just with myself, but the world. I've severed ties, and am finally in a place where I can pack my bags and head out the door. I really don't know what my future holds, but some advice I recieved from a friend is to 'Embrace my Lostness.' I've been working hard on being present in the moment, and I'm okay with not knowing what's ahead. Learning to forgive and be greatful for what I have has helped me appreciate life more. My birthday is going to mark many big changes for my own life. I'm as prepared as I can be for the changes, and will have to embrace some losses. In exchange for that, new journeys are ahead. And because I'm not planning my future, I cant say what its going to be. What I do know is I have a ticket to New York then Europe, and will have a 3 month Eurail Pass. From there its all a mystery.

So here is to a new year, the Year of the Dragon. I hope that everyone finds a way to make this year as prosperous as can be.

Black Whole

This makes me more happy then could ever be described. "This guy" started were Einstein left off. If you've ever liked mathematics, fractals, science, sacred geometry, physics, metaphysics, idea of infinity, and anything about the universe really, you'll like this documentary.

Its been a while sense I've watched it, but the ideas still ring loudly in my mind. The first time I saw it I got chills, kinda made me giggle that I finally understood why I paint what I paint. Not that I hadn't understood already, but this gave me reassurance.

I remember in 4th grade, our class was studying Space, and we were all to choose a subject and create a project to turn in. Most people chose things like planets, stars, what a galaxy is, or a nebula. You know, things that could be explained. I chose to talk about Black Holes. You can imagine the extent of my research, considering that in the 90's there was no scientific explanation of what they are other then the fact that we know they exist. I guess if I had been a smarter elementary school kid (or had scientific parents) i could have talked about how the gravitational force of Black Holes bend time. However, I had to settle on creating a silly clay model in a shoe box. Now, the questions that have been turning in my head about black holes sense age 9 has finally been answered. Enjoy!

Nassim Haramein - Black Whole from Milo on Vimeo.

If you haven't seen these movies, you should.

Triplets of Belleville

This is a clip from the movie. I want to call it a silent film because there is no talking in it, but there is sound. Well worth seeing more then once.

Coraline

I had seen this on the selves of movie places for a while, and had never bothered to pick it up. One day a friend who owned the video told me how good it was and that I must see it. Now I'm passing the same advise to you.

Spirited Away

I think after I rented this I watched it several times before I returned it.

Tekkonkinkreet

As far as Anime goes, this is more of an Artistic-Fantasy-Ninja flick with cool-dark-metaphoric undertones.

InBruges

The trailer sucks, the movie is brilliant. If you have ever liked Guy Ritchie films, you'll like this one, because everyone loves European mobster movies.

Graffiti + Anime + Mural = Awesome Artistic Duo

I've never tried working on an extensive art project with another person, but these two seem to work as one really good unit.

RSAnimate

For the holiday weekend, I'm spending my time drawing , cooking, and watching all the RSA animate videos... Again. I enjoy revisiting these videos from time to time, because something new always pops out at me.

While watching Sir Ken Robinson's lecture "Changing Educational Paradigms," a quote about the arts seemed prominent to my interests. This particular lecture focus' on the educational system, its history, and the issues present to current institutions and its children. Having finished school only a year and a half ago, I feel I was an eye witness to the issues discussed. One of which was the amount of people being 'diagnosed' with ADD or ADHD. These drugs which are being force-fed to children are Anesthetics, something which dulls your senses and you mind.

Sir Robinson noted that the Arts (as well as Science and Math) are the subjects that suffer the most from these drugs.

The arts especially address the idea of aesthetic experience. An aesthetic experience is one of which happens when your senses are operating at their peak, when you are present at the current moment, when you are resonating with the excitement of the thing you are experiencing, when you are fully alive.

The arts are a very prominent part of my life, spanning from music, dance, theater, writing, film (not Movies) and just every day expression. When you take away people's ability to enjoy these things, life just wouldn't seem to be worth living. I have no valid premise to support my argument, because really you have to fully experience these things for yourself in order to understand. Or, if you need further explanation, listen to Sir Ken's speech hear:

I Wish I Made This

Midnight Sun | Iceland from SCIENTIFANTASTIC on Vimeo.

A Day at the Zoo

Ideas of the Great Philosophers: Ethics

The idea of ethics goes deeper then man's ability to do right or wrong. One major aspect is the search for summum bonum, or life's greatest good. Great philosophers have spent their lives trying to discover what makes a life worth living, and ethics concludes it to be a mixture of right action and life's greatest good. "The right act can readily be known once the greatest good has been determined, for it becomes simply that act which enhances the realization of the greatest good, and the immoral act is that mode of behavior which is a deterrent to its realization." (Sahakian)

"Who are you?" It may have been a simple statement within the plot of a beloved children's book. But like Alice, most people have not realized who they are. Socrates was one of our greatest philosophers and died for his ideas. Which is to "know thyself: for the unexamined life is not worth living." If you asked yourself in the mirror who you are, would you know?

If you do not know yourself, you will encounter difficulties and ultimately unhappiness according to Socrates. To understand ones-self completely will lead to power, self control, and success. "Individuals encounter difficulty only because they do not truly know themselves-their natures, limitations, abilities, motives, the entire gamut of their personalities." It is not a simple path, but through rigorous self reflection, this can be accomplished. By understanding your limitations and potentials, you can set goals for yourself which can be achieved.

Right now in history we live in a very difficult time. It is easy to become frustrated with the difficulties that we face every day. But how, within all the chaos, how do we lead a fulfilling and happy life? I agree completely with Socrates, which is why I'm taking this year as a year of self-reflectiong and development. But along with leaning who I am, I need to quiet that voice in my head that constantly worries about our world. The only thing that makes me feel better: be smart, know whats happening, and live in the moment. Ignorance is not bliss, be fully aware at all times. Listen to your intuition, and find the things in your life that bring you gratification.

For me, I fill my time with listening to amazing music, working on artistic devises (photography, drawing, painting) being around the people I love most, being silly, hula-hooping, lying on a couch with a cat cuddling with my face. All the tiny things throughout your day that just make you smile. Strive to give yourself those moments, because whatever happens in the future is unknown. You can plan for it, but remember that right now is all you really have. So enjoy it.

Good vs. Evil

In physics it is said that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. I think this applies to more then just physics.

The simplicity of the idea makes it monstrous. It even has its own logo, yin-yang. This idea has been understood for thousands of years by humans. In our own history we have come across periods of time of growth and accomplishments. Then followed by destruction and chaos. Religions claim to document such events, as well as history books. Great civilizations continuously rise and fall. The more I try to figure out why these things happen, the more frustrated I become by the deviousness of the people responsible.

At one point in my life, I would remark how stupid these people were. Then I came to realize it isn't stupidity, because only someone who was highly intelligent could conduct such an outrageous crime. Instead its pure evil that could do things such as burn the Library of Alexandria, sustain the middle ages, or start the Holocaust.

In the book Shantaram, there is a conversation between two men. They are discussing universal right and wrong (the word universal being up for debate). One man says what is right will lead to perfect order, and that which is wrong will lead to chaos. Within our own existence, we are working towards perfection (he relates perfection as being god). However, there are people who stand in the way. This is where it gets interesting. His philosophy is that there are around 100 truly evil people on this planet, so evil they surpass anything imaginable. On the second level there are about 100,000 people that are not the evil masterminds, but will work happily beside them. Then on the third level, there are 10,000,000 people who voluntarily and blindly do the bidding's of the evil men before them without question. Like Gandhi said, they only have power if you obey them.

America was started on one simple idea, freedom. So where are we at now? Has it all gone as planned? We've created vast amounts of technology, made enormous scientific discoveries, and lived like kings. You might think that we reached our climactic moment of glory. Or is it the other way around? Have we instead been demolishing our environment, polluting ourselves as well as the planet, and living in fear?

If it were the first, that means that we've had a good run, but everything is soon to crumble because of a small handful of truly evil people. They command others to enforce laws that will break the spirit of its citizens, and we will fall.

Or...

We've been on the ground all along, too blind to see we tripped. Even though we think we are an advanced society full of intelligence and pride, we are nothing but kids in a playground. We still have much growing up to do. We are ready for our Renaissance. Could this be our chance?

Occupy has been nothing but peaceful, and it has been met with evil. It is now come to two side pushing against one another. Which side is going to give?

Remember remember the 5th of November.

Video #6

As time goes on, I get a bit better. For being the 7th video I've ever created, I think I'm doing pretty damn well.

Please enjoy!

Who will save us from ourselves?

This might be the best thing ever created by human.

My Future Tree House

Something I uncovered today, I really loved this project. Made it about 4 years ago. I can't remember what the assignment was, but I defiantly wasn't supposed to spend as much time on it as I did.

Fog and Ice

Yesterday was fog. Today was ice.

I say, I do enjoy the seasons.

Weekly Image

Fall time in the Northwest is transient. It happens for about a week, the maple leaves turn yellow, and the next week they are gone. The only thing that makes it feel like the fall is the fog, and the windstorms. Last night is snowed, hailed, the trees fell down, but when I looked out my window in the morning, this is what I see.

How to paint a wolf

Another video, today I am working on being the teacher and doing a lesson on how to use colored pencil. You think it would be easy enough, but i have some cool techniques that I've been keeping to myself for many years. hard part is doing the filming and the coloring all at the same time.

11.11.11

Living in the moment. This has been my newest goal. Its easy to get caught up in things you've done, and things your going to do. Consistently you replay memories as if they are who you are, and you project yourself into the future about thing that might become. This is the best way to make yourself go crazy.

The amount of work and travel I do keeps me busy enough, but recently I just hang out with myself. This gives me more then enough time to over think everything, and yes, that little world you create in your head isn't the most rational place to be. So rather then being upset about things in the past, and over excited about plans I'm making, I'm going to start chilling in the moment.

This last weekend was perfect. In every way. Above that it was also proof that no matter what you plan, you have to be able to accept anything that might happen. Enjoy the moment, enjoy the surprises, and enjoy the company that you are with. Be it yourself, your family, your best friend, or complete strangers. Let yourself laugh as often as possible, or even cry if you need it. Be completely transparent, and enjoy change, because know that change happens to bring about something better.

Last week I was in Tennessee. During that time I had an urge to invite my friend Marina to come visit me in Bellingham. Within 5 mins. after sending her an email, she wakes up in bed with the inclination to come visit me in Bellingham. After getting on her computer she is surprised to see my invitation, four days later we meet.

During her visit there were two major events in my eyes. The full moon on 11/10/2011. In the spur of the moments inspiration, we took a night hike up to Blanchard Mountain lookout. We could see all the islands, stars, and cities surrounding the area. We had no flashlights, but we could see everything in the forest. It was clear skies, and for the first time this year I could see Orion the Warrior peak out from behind the mountain. Winter is finally hear. But with how nice it was outside you would never even consider the seasons changing. We got home at 2 a.m. and went to bed with the intention of going to Mt. Baker for 11/11/11.

We woke up early the next morning to get ready, only to see that it was pouring down rain. We decide we will go to the mountain anyways. It was 10 a.m. when we finally shuffled out the door with our picnic, wearing casual sweaters, jeans, and a rain coat. I wore my tennies, and Marina her Gumboots. We were sure it would just be a little wet up there.

Amazingly enough, it was snowing, and at full force. We picked up some hitch hikers and helped them up the mountain. We went on our hike anyways, considering how poorly dressed we were. The snow depth went from ankle deep, to mid-calf deep, to knee deep, to waist deep, then finally chest deep. The only possible way to get back was to swim out of the snow. We eventually made it to the parking lot, ran into the hitch-hikers again and a bunch of people skiing off jumps. Hung out, but eventually ran back to the car only to strip down naked to get off our frozen wet clothes. We drove down the hill naked and took some amazing videos of the drive. All in all, I could have never of planned any of this, but I think I had way more fun the way it happened.

Video #1: This is just a raw copy of the video

Video #2: This is a bit more experimental. Working with filters and text, while altering the contrast and hues.

Thanks Marina for being a part of this amazing weekend. I don't think it could have been any better. Also a thanks for helping film this video.

Ode to the Smokies

I'm cooking up something exciting!!!

Year of the Dragon

To satisfy your senses, please enjoy this tune:

While I was away in the Smoky Mountains, I happened to find a new friend. I'm not sure what to call him, but he's defiantly going to be sticking around for a while. This image was made using a roller pen and sharpie. The InDesign version is yet to come.

Buildings that turn into Robots

18 layers. 22 different images. Here are 3. My head isn't working any better today. So this is the only explanation I can give.