Two weeks after the last Art of Music event, we held our third night time event in the series at the Levantine Cultural Center. This time, I focused on Pakistan. The story turned from traveling in countries and connecting to cultures I had never met before, to going home.
Read MoreArt of Music Night 2: Uzbekistan and Mongolia
A week after opening night, we had our second event. This time we had Elephants with Guns perform a concert. The turn out at the Levantine Cultural Center was again amazing, and I shared stories of traveling through Uzbekistan and Mongolia.
Read MoreArt of Music Night 1: Kyrgyzstan and Uyghurs of China
The Art of MusicIt has been a long journey to get to this point. I had painted 3 large paintings and 3 smaller live paintings before I pitched the idea for a gallery show on Central and South Asian music to Jordan of the Levantine Cultural Center back in Oct. 2012. He gave me the go ahead, and I began working on the rest of the 13 paintings for the show. The pieces included collaborations with Jorge "Tyme" Martinez, as well as 10 large paintings of music from 5 countries I visited while backpacking across Central and South Asia, connecting to people across language barriers through music.After much hard work painting, reaching out to local communities of the five cultures represented as well as other people interested in cultures and music, then getting the pieces framed by RA Custom Framing and then putting them up with the help of Jordan, Lila, Rima, Sahra and Kasmira at the Levantine Center, we were finally ready for the opening.We had our official gallery opening on Feb 2, 2013 and it went well beyond my wildest dreams. It was really heartwarming to see friends, family and all kinds of fans of art and music pack the Levantine Center's Inside/Outside gallery space, with Kyrgyz and Uyghur music playing in the background. It was a joy to share some of my friends and my experiences connecting to people in these beautiful cultures, and very rewarding to see people connect to it. Particularly hearing people's own experience in using art to connect with others on a deeper level was inspiring.
Gaza
Gaza protest placards.
Read MoreRupa and the April Fishes at the Mint
Watercolor sketches from Rupa and the April Fishes at the Mint
Read MoreEWG at Sofar LA
I managed a sketch during each short set by York, Tyler Lyle, Elephants with Guns and Chasing Kings.
Read MoreEWG at Tuesday Night Cafe
I got to see my friends Elephants with Guns perform at the Tuesday Night Cafe, and managed this quick sketch.
Coastal Beauty
Stopped along the coastal highway to take in some of the breath taking beauty on the way to San Francisco. I managed this watercolor while being battered by the wind. My fingers were sore from holding on to the paper by the time I decided to leave, but it was worth it to stop off the highway, and hike down through thick shrubs and flowers to spend some time admiring nature.
Omar Kazmi of Elephants with Guns
A watercolor sketch of my friend Omar Kazmi of Elephants with Guns
Read MoreTeale Street Sculpture Studio Drawings
Teale Street Sculpture Studio Drawings charcoal, hiliter marker with water sprayer and brush.
Read MorePandit Hariprasad Chaurasia Bansuri/Flute Concert at the Skirball Center
Watercolor sketches of Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia playing bansuri/flute at the Skirball Center part of the World Sacred Music Festival.
Read MoreCharlie Haden Quartet at the Catalina Jazz Club
Charlie Haden Quartet at the Catalina Jazz Club in Los Angeles. I did a few watercolor sketches as they did their thing.
Read MoreNYC Part 3
After 9 days, with lots of walking, exploring, eating, art and music, the trip came to an end. Here are a few quick watercolor sketches I did on different days. I saw some elderly musicians in the park in Chinatown and contributed the sketch below to their change box. I met a great band near the Lincoln Center and gave them the sketch you see below. I also had the pleasure of enjoying some jazz music one late night at a place called Small's and did a few sketches there. Some of the art highlights of the trip include these incredible Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele and Alphonse Mucha paintings I had a chance to see in person. Besides that I picked up some great little prints by Chinese artists which will serve as some inspiration for a future work I am planning out at the moment.Thanks to my friends who gave me a place to crash. It sure makes travel easier and more fun!
Journey to Sindh
A journey to Sindh to seek out folk musicians to record music for a short film turns into much more. The people and culture of Sindh made this journey.
Read More
Manisha Shahane, Chirag Katti and Highway Down at the Mint
A few sketches of Manisha Shahane, Chirag Katti and Highway Down at the Mint. A wonderful mix of Indian Classical Sitar, Jazz and rock and roll.
Read MoreTuesday Night Cafe Taz and Jayson
Tuesday Night Cafe features community supported art. I love doing sketches of the performers, and here are a few.
Read MoreForgotten Musician
Sometimes I do a watercolor sketch and just forget about it. This is from a live music show, but I don't remember who and where.
Read MoreFair and Kind
Saw Fair and Kind perform in Chinatown in LA and knocked out some quick watercolor sketches.
Read MoreMotel in Culver City
Went watercolor painting with my friend Terry and came up with this based on a motel in Culver City.
Read MoreThe Kominas and Sarmust in Los Angeles
So, I had a couple punk bands stay with me a few days while they were in town in LA. It was like an 11 person camp in the living room. Here are some sketches of the Kominas and Sarmust as they performed at Silver Factory Studios in downtown LA.
Read More