Update

Alter by Traz and CISA Crew
Arte Muerte Exhibition @ CISA Gallery 2009

My birthday is in December. It's a month where I reflect on the year, probably, earlier than most do. I think most start reflecting after XMAS when the hooplah is over, wallets empty, and scales read 5 more pounds.

Been my view the last 3 days. A lot of call-offs due to the flu. WASH YOUR HANDS!!!

Severe @ Meeting of Styles Chicago 2009

Spider senses been tingling all week. Spoke with Dzine @ Risk's show at Beverly Arts Center (good work) and confirmed what's been going on with my work. Stated I should put down my beliefs. What I believe/see will not be user friendly.

I truly believe we are all slaves in one form or another. Either way we are all slaves. We've spent so much time and energy convincing ourselves that we are more than that, and we are, but not right now. Just slaves.

I thank Tom Torluemke for his work. As crazy as it looks, it challenges your moral/ethical fibers and forces you to continue the argument of beauty/sexuality/ and freakness.

All Praises due to Allah.

Update

Images from Heartland Graffiti exhibition @ Swope Art Museum, Terra Haute, IN
The exhibit runs through Jan 2nd.

ArtPrize was a no go. There was not a meeting of the minds. Was concerned about lack of insurance + location. This was my proposed installation. I call it "Sadatay"

View of installation for Unusual Suspects exhibit organized by Risk and Bill Weyna. It was a great exhibit.

Nec, Tony, Johnny ... Tattoers part of Inkvasion exhibit @ CISA Gallery

Tommorrow Has Arrived performed @ Reception

Subsurface Outdoor graffiti exhibition was good times. Sacred and Cents always do a great job at making the event "chill". I got up with Omen and Bone from my crew CISA.

Update

Some of my Work during my Alma show @ IUN Gallery for Contemporary Art

What a couple of weeks since my last post! We have an addition to our family. Our niece Krystal will be moving in with us. I'm happy and grateful to Allah (God) for the blessed opportunity.Been prepping for upcoming events.

• Aug 28th: Inkvasion @ CISA Gallery in Hammond, IN
• Labor Day Weekend: Subsuface Outdoor Graffiti Exhibition in Indianapolis, IN
• Sep 23rd thru Oct: Art Prize in Grand Rapids, MI
• October 2nd: Heartland Graffiti @ Swope Art Museum in Terre Haute, IN

I'm still with CISA Galleries. However, Felix "Flex" Maldonado, has assumed the responsibilities of Director/Curator. I'm Asst. Curator. I like it better that way with my schedule.

Our youngest son starts college next week @ Indiana University in Bloomington. We're excited with him. Our oldest continues his pursuit in a degree in Constr. Management @ Purdue-Cal. Our youngest daughter still being creative and our oldest daughter checks in every now and then.

Graffiti

This has been the only piece I've done this year. What's going on?

Normally, I'm on my 5th piece by now. As an older writer with a busy schedule I consider myself active if I've rocked at least 5 walls a year. I'm slipping!

Run, Blago, Run exhibit. I had a piece in it. I'll post it when I pick it up. The show was curated by Ray Noland (CRO). It was cool. The gallery itself was too hot! A lot of the crowd was chilling outside which attracted passer bys so we got more people.

It was good finally meeting Ray Noland. I respect how he popped out of nowhere and was ready to hustle his work globally.

2 Weekends of Activities

Busy week and a half. "Unusual Suspects" was fun!
I have a lot of respect for the time/effort Pilot, Zore, Bill, and Risk put in. Thanks brothers. If you missed it; it was a perfect summer show.

Chumbly, Ish, Severe, Roos

Anti, Roos, and shorties

DJ Editkut

Tom Torluemke, Linda Dorman, Flex

CISA Studio

Local Band "Kindle @ CISA Studio

Flex and Traz have done a good job @ hosting local bands @ CISA Studio. The shows range from alternative to punk. They still haven't been apporached by any Hip Hop/Rap groups. What's up with that?

Opening Reception tonight for "Unusual Suspects" 2612 W. Nelson Chicago. 8pm

Don't spend enough time with my mom.

Posing with locals from Guthrie neighborhood of East Chicago, IN. This wall (bldg.) was home to graffiti art since 1985. It was demolished last year for the "North Harbor Project". We called it the Maravilla Wall after Mr. Maravilla. Anyone who's painted on it is one of "Los Maravillosos". Maravilla in spanish means miracle. So I am one of the miracles!

Unusual Suspects

Title of Exhibition: Unusual Suspects

Location: 2612 W. Nelson ... Chicago, IL

on 80/94 get off on Diversey ... take a right ... left on Rockwell (1st/2nd block) ... left on Nelson

Friday, July 17th ... 8pm to 11pm ... afterset @ Lava Lounge

Artist Exhibiting: Casper, Ish, Risk,Uneek, Zore, Hyde, TSel, Flash, Kingdom, Pilot, Rooster, Thor, Poem, Traz, Flex

The new wing @ the Art Institute (Chicago, IL). Cy Twombly and Kerry James Marshall's work are my favorites.

Title: See You See It Too!

This is one of my "funk abstracts" paintings.

Title: Left For Dead

I did this piece for the "Seance" show in East Chicago. Friend bought a funeral home and wanted to rent it out as office space. CISA crew organized an exhibit to bring life in a spot associated with death and mourning.

This piece represents my perspective of how most of us from East Chicago view the city. First chance we get to move out we gone. Leaving the city for dead. It also represents those of us who make attempts to reconnect to the community and find ourselves outside the circle.

Tom's Reception is tonight @ Chicago Cultural Center.
Congratulations!

Chillin' with my son @ Cellular Field.
Great seats. 2nd row. Never been so close to the field.

Sox loss to Indians.

Michael Jackson songs play in the background.

As a child, there was a coolness to the Jackson 5. The Jackson 5 cartoons were the bomb. 2nd only to Fat Albert. "ABC" easy as "123".

My first battle was in 6th grade while a student in Puerto Rico. It was funny I'm dancing all Hip Hop and the winner was all disco'd out.

May Allah be Pleased with Michael Jackson.

Chillin' with Flash from Ol'Sku ABC Crew.

Check out the vintage CTA hardhat my man's wearing.

This photo was taken during a benefit for Kep from XMen crew.

(2009)

Painted on the "Aerosol Wall" this weekend with friends from Chicago, Indianapolis, and members of my crew.

The "Aerosol Wall" is one of Chicago's public painting walls. T-Sel oversees the activity at the wall to ensure high quality productions.

This wall was a study piece in the 90's for graffiti writers. At that time, it was wrapped by "Aerosol Crew" whose members included Solo, Dzine, Casper, Tsel, Disrok.

Ish and Mike @ Studio

Chilling with my lil' brother Michael @ studio. Friend of mine Analu was taking some photos for a project she's working on documenting Midwest graffiti pioneers.

I love this picture. My lil' bro 30 yrs. younger than me. I can only imagine what's going thru his head in this shot. He draws a lot. He's observing some paintings I have on the wall. My studio is located on the 2nd floor of my parents used furniture store. I wonder how many times he goes up and checks things out, you know.

Sordid Sheets by Tom Torluemke

Linda and Tom at Tom's Opening Reception.

Bill Pozzo and Tom Torluemke.

The show was good. It's @ IUN Gallery for Contemporary Art in Gary, IN. They were all drawings. Everything was reasonably priced. Great investment and good art.

The Sharpie Show

My 2 pieces are in the white frames in the center. I did not take any of the photos.
I was not able to attend the opening. I found the photos on Flickr. Thanks to Luna from Crewest Gallery who's been merciless in promoting/updating their mailing list on photos and stories online.

These are from "The Sharpie Show" in Los Angeles organized by The Crewest Gallery


ManOne-Gallery Curator
Zach de la Rocha (Rage Against Machine)





George Clinton had some artwork in the exhibit.





This is my contribution to the show. I did 2 similar pieces.

Now What?

Reflecting on what I should get into next. I'm marinating on a personal public art campaign in NWI. I have some ideas and images I think I want to put out there. We'll see. Maybe I should start tackling my "Honey-do" list.

das my i$H ... Feb 6th

Love Seat-Styrofoam Sofa Sculpture
Inchworm - Acrylic on Canvas

Yesterday's reception was great! I have been inspired to keep going as an artist. It's going to be hard to switch hats tommorrow into "Power Plant Ish". Traz, Flex, Argue from my crew came through. Sacred, Cents, Brian showed LOVE Indy Style. It was very nice.

Butler vs. Valpo

Ish, Diana, and Carmen @ Hinkle Fieldhouse

Last week was in Indianapolis prepping space and hanging show for Feb. 6th opening. Steph's cousin treated me to a game @ Hinkle Fieldhouse in Butler University. It was a trip back in time. The fieldhouse has had very little cosmetic upgrades in 60 yrs. Even the energy was electric.

das my i$H ... Feb 6th

Been workng on my upcoming show. It's going to look great!!!

"das my i$H" @ iMoCA

Opening Reception is February 6th from 6-9pm

Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art

340 N. Senate Avenue

Indianapolis, IN 46204

Street parking is generally available close to the Museum

Gallery Hours:Thursday, Friday, Saturday from 11 AM - 6 PM

Admission is Free

ph: 317-63-iMOCA (317-634-6622)