Snow On A Hot Day

Ah yes it’s Monday and another hot day in LA. But in less than 3 weeks we won’t be complaining about the heat, my siblings, in-laws, and myself are heading to Culebra Island in Puerto Rico. We’re celebrating my little sisters Blanca’s belated 40th birthday. Woohoo! 

At a young age, Mama instilled in us the importance of family. After all these years, we still love being together. 

My sister and I were never super close growing up. It wasn’t until I moved to LA almost 15 years ago that we bonded. I feel very close to her; I can be myself, no matter what, and I can tell her anything. It’s a gift. She’s an amazing sister, friend, daughter, and mother. I love her greatly. 

The piece here is titled “Snow.” It’s inspired by my sister’s love for this Disney character. Growing up we called her Blanca Nieves- Snow White. According to Wikipedia, the tale originates in Germany and the best-known version is by the Brothers Grimm in 1812. 

In ‘The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire,’ Deepak Chopra writes, “…Live a life more wondrous than any dream.” These words have left me thinking. What do I dream about? Though I dream every night, what dreams do I have for myself during the day? If my life were a fairy tale what sort of character would I be? What sort of life would I want? As of right now, it all feels blurry and vague. I need to figure this out. 

If you’re life were a fairy tale come true, is happiness now? 


All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them. – Walt Disney 

DAMAGED

I’m waking up feeling hungry and lazy on this already beautiful Friday day.

This week I started re-watching Damages. I first watched this show a few years back. I was hooked yet again. One character tells another, “You’re only as happy as your saddest child.” I thought of two things. First, I thought of Mama. She internalizes any of her children’s unhappiness. Since I don’t have kids, I can’t even pretend to imagine or understand. It brings me to my second thought.  Since I don’t have children, where does my happiness depend on? Am I as happy as myself? If there is sadness, how do I deal with it?

The past couple of months haven’t been easy, but I’m managing. For the first time in my life, I couldn’t answer the happiness question with a yes. It’s weird. For almost 44 years of life, I would have answered YES! No question about it. Now I wonder how to change this NO into a YES. Looking back I could tell that doing my art was a reflection of where I stood on life, on happiness. When I painted there was joy. Now, I ‘m doing so much of it and it’s not equivalent.

The piece here is titled “Mama La Nina.” It’s a portrait of my mother. It’s the first photograph we have of her almost 74 years of life. Was she happy before she had any of her 5 children? I wonder. She calls us her vitamins, her vitamins. I love this. It’s like we nourish her spirit.

If we are without children, how do we nourish ourselves? Where do we turn to? Is it by adopting the world as our children? If our world feels damaged, how do we feel any different? I realize that I can’t carry the world problems on my shoulders, but somehow I feel like I do. The self-help books may say to look inward, but it doesn’t always help. I’m doing my best.

Andre Agassi’s coach once told him, “Stand on my shoulders and reach for the stars.” I would love this for myself and for everyone. What if we all stood on each other shoulders, how many stars can we reach.

Have a beautiful weekend.

Love, Ricky

Digitally Enhanced

                                                                                                                            

TGIM! I love my Mondays; especially that I don’t have to work.
It’s like I get to start off the week with time for me; it’s important.

I’m just coming back from my morning walk; I was thinking about words.
 I wasn't lost in translation; I was lost in inspiration. I love it when this happens.

This past week I’ve been obsessed with a LITTLE new project;
I’m calling it LITTLE Pop. I’ve spent hours on my computer working
with old photographs. One night, I was up until 4AM. Though
the pieces have a little Warhol/ Lichtenstein, some of my very
early work while in high school included drawing with dots
 before I even new of Lichtenstein. Interesting!
At least that’s what I thought.

The piece here is titled. “Chela.” My older sister Glicelda inspires it.
The image is taken from a family portrait we did when she was about 7.
I have always loved this photo; there is something very haunting about it.
It even reminds me of the Mona Lisa. The enhancement of these
photographs is not to make them better, but rather to see them
from a different perspective.

As I digitally enhance these old photographs with clicks of a button,
I wonder if we can do the same with our lives and with one another.
How can we enhance one anthers life? With different perspectives,
can we shed light and meaning? It’s something to think about.


Spanish poet Miguel de Unamuno wrote, “Art distills sensations
and embodies it with enhanced meaning.” This quote made me think
twice about art and life and how we observe it all. do we embody love?
Have we been kind and compassionate?

With my art I’ve always thought that when I’m gone, it can beautifully
enhance the lives of those who come to own it. There is love in it. 

We Are All In This TOGETHER

                                                     

Happy Friday. 

I was going to write about something else this week, except that I found myself watching live coverage of the DNC. In all my years, I don’t ever recall watching this and I have to admit that I didn’t watch the RNC; I probably would have gone into a dark hole. 

Through my almost 44 years of life I have not been politically concerned until the recent future. And though I respect individual beliefs I can’t see how the Republican Party is concerned with basic human rights. I don’t get it. So much is based on greed and establishing moral standards based on overtly religious principles. How could anyone in the 99% vote Republican? What about our basic human rights? 

The piece here is titled, “Fist Pumping First Lady. The Obama’s inspire it. Though I don’t completely understand all the verbiage behind politics and in someway believe that both parties are corrupt, I will no doubt be voting for Obama. I truly believe he ‘cares.’ 

Rodney King once said, “Can we all just get along.” How simple is that. The key word here is ‘we;’ not in party lines, but in human lines. What if instead there were no parties and we had ONE Human National Convention. It would be a place where we could share our differences with respect and compassion. It would be about truly working together and making this a WORLD not just a place, but an AMAZING place. 

Clinton said, "We believe 'we're all in this together' is a far better philosophy than 'you're on your own.” Michelle Obama said something to the effect of when you go through the door of opportunity, you don’t slam it closed behind you; you reach back and keep it open for the person behind you. I got teary eyed. How could we do any differently? I don’t see the Republican Party doing this: I don’t see the same care and concern for our rights and well-being. I don't see love? 

WE are ALL in this TOGETHER. 

Strange Tuesday

                                          

Ugh! After a 2-hour walk at 4am this morning, I'm now just getting up. It’s almost 10 a.m. I’m not sure why, but I couldn’t sleep. It feels like it’s going to be a strange Tuesday and the full moon has already passed. I’m I feeling the after effects? 

I normally work today, but I covered on a Monday for Digby. Today, aside from doing laundry and some light cleaning, I’m not sure what else to do with my day? I may do some painting or some digital stuff. 

Since this past Friday, I’ve had this idea to digitally work with words. There’s something about the simplicity of ONE word, in standing alone, meaning so much. Who knows where this will take me. Is it art? I don’t know. Time will tell. The piece here is an example of what I’m thinking. It’s titled, “No!” By looking at it, it can mean so many things to different people. I don’t even know what it means to myself? What do you see? I'm curious. 

My coffee tastes a bit bitter. My stomach is growling. And the cleaning ladies are already vacuuming the hallways. It’s going to be one strange Tuesday day. 

Albert Einstein said, “How strange is the lot of us mortals! Each of us is here for a brief sojourn; for what purpose he knows not, though he senses it. But without deeper reflection one knows from daily life that one exists for other people.” 

Thank you Albert for some very beautiful words. Though I often reflect on this thought, my actions aren’t always up to par and I tend to beat myself up for it. I’m doing my best; I always have. 

With Love, Ricky 

WHY Do We Speak?

                                                                                                   As human beings, we can speak through our eyes, with our hands and body, but why do we have languages? Why do we speak? Is it a simple question? And what is ‘it’?

I’m curious to hear some thoughts on this, please. Pretty Please. If you're reading this, please let a thought out.

Today I’m spending the day with a great and beautiful friend of almost 25 years, Christine. The piece featured here is in here honor; it’s titled “Mi Negra.” It’s my funny way of calling  ‘her my “N”’ word. It’s a portrait of her from when we spent a day together a few years ago. Aside from wearing a black dress and black Prada sunglasses, she has a Hello Kitty tattoo near another tattoo of a cherry blossom tree. Upon request, I asked her to have a fallen cherry blossom tattooed at the bottom. She did. That’s what the red ‘stuff’ falling from her dress represents. It’s me, the fallen angel.

Again, why do we speak?

Breaking Bad Habits

                                                 Hello Monday! 

A couple of weeks ago, before heading off to NYC, my TV broke down. It went poof! A little over 4 years ago since the 2008 Olympics, I got cable for the first time. And since then, I’ve been watching more TV than I’d like. This breakdown may be a blessing in disguise. 

Except that now I’m hooked on watching “Breaking Bad” on Netflix. Like Crystal Meth, it’s been addictive. I’ve replaced one bad habit with another. The trick now is to find a good habit like reading or painting more. 

The piece featured here is from my LITTLE series; it’s titled “Help Me.” Drug addiction inspires it. As I’ve mentioned before, many of the people in my life have been addicted to the drug. Though I’ve had my share of experimentation, I’ve been lucky enough not to get hooked. Thank God! I’ve seen it change lives. But then again, maybe it’s all been for the good. They’re all amazing people! And luckily no one close to me has died from it. 

But aside from drugs, how many of our own addictions change the course of our lives? I wonder? TV, alcohol, cigarettes, food, even computers…just to name a few. I can say that I’ve partaken in all of these. Can breaking away from TV be a good thing? Possibly. 

Shaquille O’Neal said, ““Excellence is not a singular act, but a habit. You are what you repeatedly do.” But after a little research, I found out this quote is actually from Aristotle. Either way, it’s brilliant. Excellence like anything requires effort and work; it’s doesn’t happen from a single act of doing something. If this is the case, then we must get back to doing the work we most love. 

Have a beautiful week ahead. Cheers!

Ooh La Land!

                                  Ooh La Land! 

On Thursday day, I got back home to my beloved city of Los Angeles. As much as I love NYC, it’s always great to sleep in my own bed. I knocked out for a few hours. 

Aside from a few hard days of work, my trip overall was fantastic! While shopping at UNIQLO, I came across an ad for their T-shirt contest. I just made my submission. They’re looking for works inspired, by ACDC, Madonna, The Sex Pistols, David Bowie, Kiss, and The Who. I submitted 4 pieces. One of the pieces was of inspired by The Who. It’s the piece featured here. It’s titled “Who Am I.” Though I’m not a big fan, I was inspired by the logo and the idea of the eternal question we have to ask ourselves, “Who am I?” 

At the very young age of 7 years old, I began asking myself this question. And though I’ve come to some general answers, as I get older I realize that the question is somewhat indefinable. We’re always changing. It's non-stop. Mark Matousek in 'Sex Death and Enlightenment' answers it as best I’ve heard, “I am the pure observing spirit.” This simple quote changed my journey in life. I stopped searching and I begun observing. 

When I see who I am, I see you. I see the sun and the rain. 

Enjoy your Saturday! 

Date Me Gift

                                           Hello World! 

I’m just getting back to the apartment after a long days work at the NYC Gift Show. It’s been a great 5 days in NYC. Can I see myself living back here, I don’t know? 

On Saturday after 4 hours of work, I took a 7-hour walk with me, myself, and my 2 legs and feet. After 140 New York City blocks of walking without buses, subways, or taxis, I came home exhausted! 

I stopped at my favorite store UNIQLO, the MOMA Store, a first time visit at the MET and the Schiaparelli/Prada exhibit, a glass of wine at the rooftop garden, a stroll through Central Park, a quick bite at Shake Shack and alas a power walk through Time Square. 

Even when I lived here, one of my favorite things to do while in NYC is to take a super-duper-long walk; the city never fails to inspire me. In one episode of Sex in the City, Carrie says, she’s dating the city and she thinks it’s getting serious. On Saturday it felt the same way. I had a blast! 

The piece here is titled, “King.” It’s from my series, LITTLE. I wore a t-shirt with this image on it and I received my fair share of compliments. To this day, the 2005 movie version of King Kong remains to be one of my favorite movies. I love everything about it and I can watch it over and over again. 

In high school some boys once called me a loner; it bothered me at the time. But now I can’t imagine life without spending a little time with myself. I cherish the moments. It's a gift being able to be with oneself. 

A quote on Thinkexist.com says, “It’s so lonely when you don’t know yourself.” How sad it would be going through life without knowing oneself; I can’t imagine not enjoying my own company. In doing so, I’m able to appreciate my time with all the great love of friends and family. 

Thank you to everyone in my life. I love you all ☺ 

Salud! 

Jesus-Me-Cricket!

                                                                                     Hello Monday. It’s finally over; the Olympics are now a blast from the past. 

This past Saturday after a long hike in Griffith Park with my sister Blanca, we went over to Wacko and The Luz De Jesus Gallery. I wanted to see the works of LA artist Jose Rodolfo Ontiveros; the show is titled Disasterland. I loved his work and his concept of fairytale gone wrong is inspiring, amazing! 

Later on in the evening, while doing some late night reading, I suddenly heard the loud chirps of a cricket. It was inside my apartment and it sounded like it had a megaphone! Was he trying to tell me something? Possibly? 

Patiently, I took my time, I stood very still, I listened closely, and after a few minutes, I found it crawling around in a corner of my living room. I reached for it, it jumped, I missed and it jumped again. I snatched it and was about to flush it down the toilet bowl, but a little ‘jiminy cricket’ voice told me to fling it out the window. Like any other creature, it deserved life. I’m glad I didn’t kill it because according to Chinese culture, crickets are a symbol of good luck and protection. Maybe it was here for a reason, but I knew I couldn’t sleep with it talking so loudly. 

Jiminy Cricket says, “A conscience is that still small voice that people won't listen to. That's just the trouble with the world today...” It was the little voice that told me not to kill the cricket. Maybe it was Jiminy himself. If the trouble with the world is not listening to this little voice, why don’t we all do it more often? Are we afraid of hearing something, a truth about ourselves? 

The piece here is another from my LITTLE Jesus series. It’s titled “Jesus Soul.” I love the simplicity and beauty of this piece. It’s a little mixture of Jesus and me. It’s our souls that speak to us; if we listen closely, the answers are always here, there, everywhere. 

Suddenly, I’m now feeling grateful for this little cricket; it’s reminded me to pay attention and to listen closely. Thank you! 

“I can hear you now.”