New Block

My latest woodcut, "Grant Park." More to come, stay tuned.

New Block

Just finished this one today. I titled it "Tu no subes" (You're not going up). More to come.

The Ranch Market, Burque, NM

WARNING: This post is not for the faint of heart. If you work for PETA, hate people who eat meat, hate smokers, hate life, are an all around hater, then I suggest you don't continue to read this post. For the record: I love animals, I watch Bourdain and Zimmern, I try to eat vegetarian, wait, f#$k you. This is my my website and my blog, I don't have to justify anything to you.

Sorry about that. Anyway, I got word that there is an authentic Mexican market in SW Albuquerque that really has the goods. So I decided to investigate since I am a real fan of Mexican culture and history.

Walking up to the entrance, this guy is selling some CDs. No, no, it's not loud or anything. I walked in and immediately noticed the velones the santos chillin' on the shelves.

Then the unmistakable smell of fresh baked naughties percolated the atmosphere. And right down the next isle some authentic treats. I don't know what it is about Mexican and South American chocolate snacks, but they are so delicious. And I don't even like chocolate, ask anyone.

Oh, not a fan of soda you say? Whats that? Can't get enough healthy juices inside of you in today's world? How about some fresh and refreshing jugo de platano & fresa? Tamarindo? Oh, sorry for judging you Enrique, sorry for calling you a carnivorous macho prick.

Whoa, what happened there? I blacked out. Stacks of Masabrosa, the best play on words ever.

Here we go. Again, this might not be your bag, but to most Latinos like myself, el cochinito is King. Pictured above is some recently made chorizo and chicharron. I quickly became aware that at the Ranch Market you can have whatever you buy cooked for you on the spot, eat it there, or take it to go. Just picture Whole Foods owned and operated by Mexicans. And just like whole foods there is a line of cooks, good cooks, cooking up all these delicacies in addition to authenentic tacos, mole, enchiladas, menudo, tripas, burritos, everything. Out of control.

This is, by far, the largest pot of Menudo I have ever seen. I tell you it was ten stories high if it was a foot. I saw this woman, who had to be about 65, roll up on the pot and ask for a bowl, with a side of rice, and two tacos. I looked at her and smiled and she smiled back. I saw my future. Then my dad asked for half of that rack of pork ribs, when we got home mi mama shredded it by hand and we made tacos. Forget about it.

Last but not least, the entire cow's head. This I have never seen before. It did not look real, it did not look like it belonged behind that glass. To me it was like I was staring at some scientific specimen, not food. But hey, some people eat it, and that's cool with me. I admit, this is an odd post revealing my obsession with food, but at the same time it is a beautiful post about a beautiful culture. While I was at the Ranch Market there was music playing, smiling faces, kids running around, good food, some foreign things, some not-foreign things, and I felt comfortable and super pumped up for some reason. I love animals.

Santa Fe Gallery Hopping

I had some time to kill so I decided to putz around and check out some work. I didn't see much at first, but then I stumbled upon a nice contemporary gallery that had these fine Jeanette Pasin Sloan pieces. This one is paint, yes, paint.

Her show was titled Illusion and it was magnificent. I really dug her because not only did she create these studies in paint, but also using several different printmaking techniques. This one is my favorite, she used a woodblock and then painted on top.

This piece also stood out for me. This is Audrey Flack's Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

And finally, Tom Palmore's Darwin. I only walked for a couple of blocks and didn't get to see too much. I had a great time though. There is a TON of galleries in Fanta-Se, I've only just scratched the surface. I haven't even hit up the famous Canyon Road yet.

New Block

I've been on my grind, cousin. I've got to have a solid portfolio to get into the MFA program at UNM. I've added Hugo to the repertoire, and now this new one, "Selling Peanuts." Lots more to come.

Snow

At 8am I woke up, drove Josie to school, and after that I checked my email while waiting in line at the post office (because those a-holes lost another package of ours). I got an email from Darren with a YouTube link to Ice Cube's Today was a Good Day. The perfect song for America today. Then I step out of the post office to find myself in the middle of a blizzard, but it didn't bother me cuz I still had a little Cook's in me.

I knew it was gonna be pure paparazzi time as soon as I stepped out of the car. I was in such a good mood, linking the snow with a good sign from the gods. That's Bella, my Element, and then the back yard.

It was really coming down, and the wind was fierce. Visibility was low, but I was signing, "I gotta go cause I got me a drop top and if I hit the switch, I can make the ass drop."

At this point I realized that I don't have a job and I am outside frolicking in the snow taking pictures of myself. Then the record skipped and I decided to go inside and take control of my life.

Distracted once more, I looked out the window and saw that it was clearing up and took a picture. Then I waited 10 minutes and snapped a second picture. The weather and scenery here is unbelievable. …"Today was like one of those fly dreams did'nt even see a berry flashing those high beams - No helicopter looking for a murder two in the morning got the fat burger…"

Celebración! Si Podemos!

What an exiting night! I was glued to CNN since 5pm Mountain time. Pacing myself was not an option, I was downing beer until the moment arrived. When I saw President Elect - Barack Obama on the screen I jumped off the couch and reached for the Cook's.

Ahhhh, Cook's. You can count on it being cheap and straight to the point. A couple of healthy pours to tame the animal like behavior and adrenaline jolting through our bodies. Empowerment is the only word I can think of to describe it. I still can't believe it. My buddy, and patriot, Bobby Lange called me up afterwards and said, "Right now I am finally proud to be a f$&#ing American, right now, right now I am proud to be a f$&#ing American."

Look at my face, I am still in disbelief. We spent the next hour talking about the future, it was inspiring. During that time I received numerous phone calls of animal like behavior, empowerment, and inspiration from all over the country.

Los & Liz via satellite - San Diego, CA

Bobby & Julie via satellite - Ann Arbor, MI

It was a historic night of mythical proportions.

Diego & Frida

Yes sirrr! I finally got the pictures of Diego and Frida at a Halloween bash. I didn't quite pull it off, but Frida looks great. Thanks Salvation Army.

This picture is phenomenal, classic Frida puffin' away. I was amazed to hear that some people at the party had no idea who we were. Oh well, It was fun, we danced all night until the pre-pubescent high school crowd crashed the party and fights broke out.

GO VOTE! NOW! OR TOMORROW!

We are lucky to be alive during this election. I feel like it is an important turning point on so many levels. SO GO VOTE! It's like a Scantron, easy, but just a little more important. Yes, I voted for Obama. OBAMANOS! I don't care who you vote for just as long as you f%#$ing vote.

Here in New Mexico you get a little sticker for your participation. I like freebies, who knows what your county will give you. GO VOTE! Please?

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

New Block

Thursday, November 20, 2008

New Block

Monday, November 17, 2008

The Ranch Market, Burque, NM

Santa Fe Gallery Hopping

Thursday, November 13, 2008

New Block

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Snow

Celebración! Si Podemos!

Diego & Frida

Monday, November 3, 2008

GO VOTE! NOW! OR TOMORROW!

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