Team one reigns supreme
Here’s the latest flick from another night with the study group. The difference between this and the last piece was we had only one hour to get busy AND on top of that the canvas was not new, it was covered with stuff and a gargantuan black splat thing in the middle of the canvas. After all was done with the time allowed what was created was another banging collaboration. Not much video was recorded this time but I’ll post what I have either tonight or tomorrow night.
Banksy:Village Pet Store And Charcoal Grill
This show is a must to check out! It caught me off gaurd, I didn’t think Banksy did this type of work but either way it was outside the box and run over with a dump truck. He completely came with some original work. The pictures do no justice since the actual pieces are moving in there enviornments. It’s in the vill so go check it out while its up.
out of names at the moment..
I started working on this piece a few weeks ago little by little. I don’t feel it’s completed at all but wanted to post some projects I’ve been working on. Lately one of my areas of interest has been digital rendering in photoshop. It’s not that complicated you just have to know a few rules and then you can break them and make some really interesting work. And by the way I’m working adding another tiger in the upper right corner.
Bazook Matheos VS. Chris "The Greek"
Here’s one of the projects I recently created. The concept was different than most CD covers I made in the past. The theme came from the artist “Matheos” who’s a Greek DJ whom I had the opportunity to work with. I wanted to do something different so I based it around one of the most popular Greek Instruments, the bouzouki. Check it out.
Independent Hustler
Ok so I switched over the domain name www.theroninreport.com and updated the blog subscription form so everyonbe should continue to receive updates and postings as normal. I’m really digging the format and usability of wordpress so look out for many more posting. I had the last two days off and it gave me some tim eto finish up and start several new projects. There not totally complete, most of my work never is, but I will start posting work while in progress so you can see the steps I go through to complete a piece. Everynow I then I post what music I’m listening to and what’s inspiring mw at the moment. This album isn’t inspiring me but it’s music that’s keeping me focused. I’ve been a fan of Dead Prez for a minute. Stic Man dropped this album a while ago and it ‘s a classic regardless of what magazine or t.v. station sleeps on DP’Z.
Switchblades and bubblegum
Ok so I finally setup the WordPress system on my server so I will no longer be posting my rants and insights on my life. For that you can now check out http://www.johnsmalls.com/blog
I’m already liking the total control I have over the system and how simple it is to customize and switch up. The bad thing is that when I imported some of my blogs from this account not all of the posting uploaded. Not a big deal. Another element I will be adding back to the site will be the store section. I have a lot of sections already but some things I need to keep out there for people who have interest. I will keep this blog up and I’m hoping I can keep the url as well that’s something I’m going to switch over another time. Hit me with an email if you have any question about what’s next in my life or whatever. Look out for the Grinzilla Tokyo Invasion Part 3..peace-
Smoothered mate..
I picked up these books over the last few weeks. The Hokusai book is a must for any Hokusai fan. The Bobby Fischer book is for anyone wanting to sharpen there skills in the game of life. Color of Rage was a hidden surprise. I actually picked this book strictly because of it’s cover art, but once I started reading the story it was something I never thought would be done. A tale of a run-away African slave and a samurai lost in translation, great art and storytelling.
Still Grimey
Over the last few weeks I’ve been going back to the basics to sharpen up my skills. Working on the computer the majority of day takes a tool on my creativity. So to keep the blade sharp I’ve been going to a Draw-A-Thon. I would explain this as an open studio mixed with a circus of characters. But since I’ve been going I’ve filled up some books and keep the creativity flowing enough to last all week.
Starin' Through My Rear View
Over the weekend a few things went down that got me back on track. More like they helped me keep on track just made me move a little faster. I was helping one of my friends move to a new location. While moving his tons of art supplies, junk( junk was the stuff he decided not to give to me. Bastard) and art related items. Anyways, going through and looking at what he had accumulated over the years and the books he’s worked was inspiring in a sense. The next day I went over to the New York Comic Con which was another day dealing with art and artist. But between helping my boy move and the comic-con I realized I need to draw more and that I’m not alone as an artist. It’s a struggle and the schooling is never over. I’m high on inspiration right now. I’m a get some new sketchbooks and get to work. Keep the pencil moving, and stay away from crazy people and stalkers.
Mecca Apparel Mural Project
Check out this video about a mural i painted last year with Chris Cortes (www. cortescreates. com) for Mecca Clothing Company.. That was a great project to work on, Chris! we gotta do another one…
The Heart Gently Weeps
Over the last few weeks things have been a bit hetic. I started taking some Japanese lessons, working in a tattoo shop, went to Vegas for the magic show and keeping with my usual schedule of living. Sleep isn’t something I’ve been wanting to do lately. I just feel like I have to go after what I want. I really mean go after it. I can’t just sit still and wait for things to happen. It’s funny when I think about gambling, I mean I went to Vegas and didn’t gamble but I gamble on my life regularly. I’m not saying I’m lucky but I’m saying i take a lot of risk. This can be a bad thing or a good thing. Working in the tattoo shop has been a dream of mine for a very long time now. I know I’m starting late in life but you can’t dream forever without taking some sort of action to make it happen. Being there is tough the new guy learning. I’m eager but focused. Every year around my birthday I think of ways to take things to the next level in life. like revising everything I just learned from the previous years. 30 is right around the corner and all jokes I gotta stay focused on the main goals of life. The best advice I was given in the past few years was “It’s not how much money you make but what you do with the money what you got.” And I always think about this. Anyways, this is the just ramblings of another artist on the path of discover..what I’ve have no idea but at least I’m out there looking.
Kaiju Big Battel: New York Blackout
Live Monster Mayhem
This event was insane. There was monsters,
cracked out chickens, Kung Fu soup people,
and a announcer the would put Bob Barker to shame.
Don't sweat the technique-
Here’s a glimpse at the new toy. A Lomography Holga w/ Flash Camera!! Thanks to the Turntable Lab who happen to have them in stock. Now I can take things back to analog a little bit. Digital is great for most things but at the same time it lacks creativity and rawness. Like when your trying to get a special shot and you have to wait for the camera to clicks 10 seconds later! With this cam I can be a little bit more spontaneous and creative with what I want to take. I also went out an purchased 20 boxes of black and white film. I know its gonna cost a lot to get them developed but it will be worth it. Imagine if I had this cam when I was overseas or when I go to concert. 
I take a lot of pics when I’m with the family and never get them developed or get to share them with my peoples. This is going to force me to show them off. It’s like -10 degrees out right now but I’m still gonna be out trooping around Brooklyn and Manhattan taking shots. I don’t want to get shot just take some shots with my camera. Bk is wild sun! If you don’t know about this type of camera Google it. The pics are in a class of its own. There’s no rules to use it. Just point and shoot. That’s the best feature I think. You have to wait and see what develops.
Stick Me For My RIches…
The year is over but this was one of the best for me. I knocked out more than I planned to accomplish but the fight is not over. Next Year I will continue to strive for success. Over the last few months I’ve been really looking at what I do and how I make my living as an artist. Lately design has consumed my passion for creativity. Not the hunger to make a design but simply for the money that I receive at the end. Graphic Design is great and that’s how it should continue for me. It’s easy to get caught up with money when people offer you money for your skills. But I think the time that I’m spending on projects is more valuable than any amount I receive. I remember doing a painting for a co-worker that took me over three months to create. It wasn’t the canvas or the idea that took so long but it was the lack or energy I had because I was busy doing freelance projects. As of the January 1st this comes to an end. I will become very selective on the projects I take on and the work I put out. It’s not about the money it’s about the work. I remember going to an interview a while back, and when I looked at my portfolio I didn’t have many pieces I was proud of. I had work that was meaningless and didn’t show my true skill level or abilities. That situation had me thinking a lot. So now it’s time to make a move and get focused. I have much new work coming. I haven’t posted anything new yet. Just been drawing, inking and dishing out the ideas as they come so when I do update the site you’ll have something to enjoy. Peace to those who read this and take time out to read about my daily missions and rants. I wish you all much success and happiness is 2008. Peace-
Seperate But Equal
DJ PREMIER IN TOKYO! NUFF SAID. I have never been to a club
that banged out more classic cuts from 90′s than CLUB NUTS.
Seriously they were killing it. We went out a few times
this week to check the night life. Normally going out in the city you
have to keep your guard up, I mean I never drop my guard but the aggression
and negativity that usually comes with drinking and druk people I didn’t experience
here. Not just that, but the fact that nobody was out looking for drama( I mean I didn’t
run into any beef). That was different. Man where aggressive in the states. I also
checked out the Ramen Museum, oishi desu ne! Coming back to Tokyo
for the second time has only encouraged me to move out here. It’s not as difficult
as most people think. The vibe is better the food is HEALTHY. The only bad part
is how they see Tattoos out here. Being a man who’s covered in ink that
doesn’t help. Life isn’t easy so that’s not gonna stop me, it’s just
another barrier to break through.
How about some fried chicken bones?
The Ruler's Back
It’s cold but I’m prepared. The good things is after I arrived I felt more comfortable than before. Spending those two weeks in January wasn’t long but it helped me get use to the flow of things and the vibe of the country. This picture that’s up I took the first time around. I haven’t taken any new ones yet but the people are dressed about the same because it’s freezing over here. Today is going to be pretty calm. I’m going out this morning to check some spots and do some shopping but for the most part it’s chill time for me. Man, whoever said Tokyo was filthy or dirty doesn’t know what there talking about, this place is spotless. I never knew an airport restroom could be so clean and smell of freshly squeeze lemons. Nah not lemons but it was clean. I’ma take a pic of that and take it to the people at Penn Station and tell them to step there game up!
Mushashino Wu-Ronz
Next week I will make my return to Tokyo. Yeah Japan Son!! I’m a little excited but I’m mostly eager to arrive and chow down on some serious cooking. The last time I was there I had the opportunity to try out some home cooked meal which was the best thing I’ve ever tasted except for the salted plums, that was some nasty s#!T!! So I’ve been working on making a list of places to see and things to do. But I checked out so much the first time, now I just feel like chillin and trying different foods. If I don’t find anything to blow my money on(I doubt that will happen) I will get a tattoo. I’ve been wanting a koi fish so this would be the best time to make that happen. There’s still some empty space on my left arm that would look nice with a koi on it. This time I have my own laptop so I can post pics as I take them each day. So if you read this back in January you can expect the same type of imagery. Who knows I might not even come back to the states. To find some freelance work or to hook up a job in Tokyo that would be sweet. I guess I gotta wait and see.
Kunta Fly Sh*t!
So this past weekend has been a little busy for me. Last week I was offered an opportunity to create the new Tony Touch web site. That project alone has me focused creatively. Not only that but I’ve been hustling more than ever, well not more than ever but a lot more and stronger. I feel it’s time to take things to a whole new level. So on Sunday I was a Production Assistant on the Ghostface Kilah photo shoot for the “Big Dough Rehab album”. Word. That experience was an eye-opener. Working along with some many people and different departments to make the visuals compliment Ghost lyrical content was definently a learning lesson. Atomicus Creative Group put me on to the whole scene. I did my part to assist the best I could. Like everything else I did my best. Over these few days I seen things come to light. I think back to where I came from and all that to see where I’m at now. Even the small things I’m allowed to do I truly appreciate but dam if you sleep in this city your dead. The grind is hard but the benefits are like no other. Saturday I checked the Little Brother Concert. All I can say is WHY AINT THESE BROTHERS SIGNED TO A LABEL?!! WHO THE HELL WON’T GIVE THEM A DEAL!! Little Brother is the truth. How can someone bang out classic albums one after another and not have a deal? That’s something I don’t understand. I’m post up some test shots taking from the photo shoot. The sets where bugged out in a style that only the Wu could rock. Big Dough Rehab Dec. 4th!-
Muji
I recently created these in my new book straight off the plane from Muji. I’ve been getting into drawing animals lately. drawing people has become a little boring for me lately so I’ve been switching it up. Same style different inspiration. About a week ago I took a trip to the Brooklyn Museum. I’ve been there before but this time I saw some work that really spoke to me. The Infinite Island: Contemporary Caribbean Art exhibit and the Arts of Africa exhibit. The Caribbean art was interesting. Alot of different mixed mediums with powerful messages to flow together. The African Arts exhibit really stuck out to me because I saw a lot of elements and style much like the art I’m learning about now. The use of spirituality and cultural stories being told thru objects such as a mask or statue, or dance. The art from Aruba really got me thinking. So I have to do my research and learn more. In the past I studied Mexican-American art, Asian Art, and of course European Art. I don’t think to many people focus on arts from Africa for whatever reason. Here’s some names I wrote down of the Artist: Ibrahim Miranda and Dzine aka Carlos Rolon. I also read this in the Egyptian section: “Art sought to communicate ideas rather than reproduce reality.” This was written about why the Egyptian use art to communicate and share the knowledge.
Flashing Lights
Over the weekend I learned a few new things. Simple things which anyone could know. Nothing major, it just helped me out a whole lot with the design process. On another note I was going to spend the most of the weekend painting. I had the canvas all set up to be stretched and all. And then BAMMM!! Once again I have no staples for my staple gun. I have brought like two boxes already and none of them fit. So I go to the Home Depot to get some and I even wrote down all the info from the staple gun. I thought I was gonna make some serious work but no. The staples I brought still didnt fit. Yeah I could tape the canvas to the wall but I’m not really in the mood to do that. Besides it looks much cleaner when you paint directly on stretched canvas.
Finally completed a project that I started so long ago I forgot the start date. Check out: http://www.chriscortes.com
He’s one of the best Illustrators I know. This project been in the works for a while now.
For the last week or so I’ve been listening to three albums. The Mask and The Assassin, The Graduation, and Ear Drum. I’m liking the content and sound of all three.
Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka
Here’s some recent sketches I’ve been working on. I started a book with nothing but the female form. This past Friday I was at the Rebar doing some dramatic drawing. That spot is dope, art, live music, beer, and plenty of live models to work with. Nothing but creativity and inspiration. This blog was originally suppose to show the work I created on a daily basis. Over the past week I pretty much filled up a small book. I still have to post some stuff up, but moving forward I will be posting more sketches and designs on a regular.
Immobilarity..
It’s official..I’m a B.K. representer!! Finally after months of planning it happened. I know most people don’t think much of it, but coming from where I came from and after moving around for so many years. To become a resident of Brooklyn only adds to another interesting chapter of my life. Already the visuals I seen have me thinking about some new work.
