Opening tonight @ Congregation Gallery, May 14th 2011

From 9pm tonight the next installment of Congregation Gallery is open to all comers. It's a triple bill, featuring work from Dan Harding, Larkin and Patrick "Star 27" Deignan. Here's a sneak peak of what's on display - the show will be up until June 5th at 7569 Melrose Ave in Hollywood. Just look for the "Forgotten Saints" sign.

Dan Harding, "Thirteen"

Dan Harding, "Slow Burn"

Deignan's "Bad Obsession"

Deignan's "Suck You Dry"

Larkin, "Babyface McBastard"

Larkin, "Corona"

Larkin, "The First Born Son"

Larkin, "Saint Aloysius and Chumpchange"

Larkin, "The Iceman"

Larkin, "Recoil"

Larkin, "Abbey Badland"

Larkin, "Saint Gus and Pilot"

Lanie Lane @ Hotel Cafe, Hollywood

Last night we got to see a red-hot little Aussie chick doing her very awesome music stuff. Remember this name - Lanie Lane!! 

Because I think you will be hearing a lot of her very soon.

Lanie singing her sweet songs.

With Marc Orrell on guest harmonica!

And she digs Count Basie - what's not to love?

Lanie (rhymes with "flanny") was here in LA on the way to Nashville to record with Jack White - yes, THAT Jack White. Her sound was sweet, her voice smoky, and her musical style is drawn from the likes of Muddy Waters, The Andrews Sisters, but with a twist of sassy soul. Rather than just be a nostalgic retro trip, Lanie Lane imbued her performance last night with enough modern cheek to hook us into her world. My personal highlight was her "Vampire Blues"....plus Marc Orrell's lung-bustin' harmonica cameo. Gold!

After recording, Lanie is doing a show in NYC then onto London - if you are over that side of the US or the pond, please go see her, you will have a new sweetheart. Don't worry Aussies, you'll get her back in time for "Splendour In The Grass" at the end of July. To read more about Lanie Lane, go to her website, and keep an eye out for her new record, due mid-2011.

Safe travels Lanie, and go get' em girl!

Photograph by Benjamin Fraser.

R.I.P. The Arthouse, Melbourne.

I'm way too bummed to talk about The Arty finally closing in my home town on the weekend. So please read Tom's story here.

So sad I wasn't there.

Well done, Victorian bureaucracy, another home for independent musicians bites the dust.

New material from Erich Origen.

The Daily Good has sent a "heads up" about Eric Origen's new project - to create an "Encyclopedia of Gratitude: From Abba to Zamboni." And we can all contribute to the online version through his blog with our own ideas of what we are grateful for. Origen's future book will serve as a reminder of what it feels to be alive, and of how all of those seemingly frivolous moments, objects and human connections enrich our existence and make it more beautiful.

Listing such things as "climbing trees", "Stevie Wonder", "the invention of glass", "miniature golf", there is a lot of sweet humour in the encyclopedia. Check it out for yourself, read one item a day with your kids - I dare you not to smile. Better still, write a contribution and it may make the final book! Now that's something to be grateful for.

Flowers for a pin-up girl.

It's "Viva Las Vegas" weekend coming up, and friends from Melbourne have been in LA on the way through. I got to do a nice pair of lilies on Sarah's shoulder to add to her sweet rockabilly look.

Imaginary map of LA.

Click on the image above to see Geoff McFetridge's fictional interpretation of Los Angeles, commissioned by GoodLA for their current online issue. 

Love a bit of line work. Check out more of his stuff here.

Everyone loves a (royal) wedding!!

Not long to go now before we have a bit of royal hoohah to watch on the telly....I myself have found myself reminiscing on the last major one - yes the Lady Di/Prince Charles nuptials, and that ENORMOUS, very princessy, train!! I watched as a child at my English grandparent's house all those years ago, and that is one of the images I will never forget...all I could think of was the poor buggers who had to sew the bloody thing.

Methinks that this time around, young Kate will wear something far more sophisticated and tailored. I know there has been a concerted push to have her choose an Alexander McQueen piece - in a tribute to him and the British fashion industry, and to make a bold statement on her path as future (possible) queen. Let alone the fact something from that fashion house would surely blow everyone's socks off!!

But, we still have to wait a couple more weeks...in the meantime, some fun has been had in West Hollywood with the windows of Agent Provocateur on Melrose Ave. In a fittingly sexy, bawdy and cheeky tribute to the new royal couple is a reminder of what will lie beneath layers of fabric and hours of needlework - a good pair of knickers!!

Cheers!!!!!!

 

"Art In The Streets" @ MOCA, opening tomorrow.

Looking forward to seeing what looks and sounds like a HUGE survey of graffiti and street art here in Los Angeles, covering the movement from the 1970's onwards to today's international superstars. For a taste, have a look at this slideshow.

One of the works I am keen to get up close to is the late Margaret Kilgallen's installation of carnival style lettering and folk inspired scenes.

“I believe there need to be women visual in our every day landscape, working hard and doing their own thing, whether you like it or not, whether it’s acceptable or not…I especially hope to inspire young women because often I feel like so much emphasis is put on how beautiful you are, and how thin you are, and not a lot of emphasis is put on what you can do and how smart you are. I’d like to change that, change the emphasis of what’s important when looking at a woman.” 
Margaret Kilgallen 

Here's the link to MOCA's webpage, to get more exhibition details and to also check out what else is going on there. I'll report back when I get to go check it out myself.

Retro spacegirl FUN!

A girl in a space suit with a ray gun and rocket and I'm in tattoo heaven. Thank-you Flint, and many best wishes to you and your real-life hottie for your day on Saturday....weather looks good too!!

Baby bulldog getting lots of love.

A good friend of Forgotten Saints has been passing on the tale of a little fellow called "Dexter". He is a wee baby bulldog who was "surrendered" to the Southern Californian Bulldog Rescue at 4 weeks of age with some major physical issues - he wasn't able to stand (what they call a "swimmer puppy"), his lungs were very weak and prone to pneumonia, and was so young to be away from his mum. But this amazing group of volunteers have taken him under their wing and into their hearts 

to get him thriving and literally "up on his feet"... and look at him now! 

With lots of rehabilitation, and around-the clock feeds 

and attention, he's so much better. 

Look at that FACE!!!!

Day one, at the vet.

With his new foster-mum.

Dexter's hobbled legs, to help him learn to stand. Look at that belleh!

Time for a kip.

A week later, and he is getting stronger!

Look, standing!!

Like all dog rescue organizations, the SoCal Bulldog Rescue dedicate themselves to rescuing and re-homing English Bulldogs that have fallen out of favour with their owners, or been the victims of abuse and circumstance. There are some lovely stories on their site about beautiful animals who have found new love and a good life after enduring illness and homelessness. It's been especially tough on many welfare groups due to the US recession, with both a dramatic increase in animals being abandoned as owners lose homes or funds to feed their pets, and as supporters of welfare groups reduce their donations.

So please, have a look at their website to not only maybe help, but if you are a bulldog-curious, they provide a tonne of information on the care of this magnificent and charming breed.

"Folk will know how large your soul is, by the way you treat a dog"

Charles F. Doran 

Seen on Melrose Ave.

Eagle chest piece, part 2.

Finished...this will photograph better in a couple of days.

Tiny portrait in a coffee cup.

Today on Anthony....in honour of his grandma.

Eagle chest piece, part 1

On Ross....with a good catch-up thrown in too.

Sneak Peek of J. Valentine shoot...

Last week Forgotten Saints and Preachers and Fools Tattoo Studio was the setting for a photo shoot for the next J. Valentine catalogue, and yours truly was called in for bit of the old modeling duties. Well, the lovely and beautiful Sarah was the model, I was just acting the tattooist...the markedly older and more weathered tattooist....dressed as a skunk!! It was a heap of fun posing for this shot, and J. Valentine's new range of animal themed hoods are really snuggly to wear - I even had furry skunk "gauntlets" over my latex gloves - very cute. 

But never fear - it's all faux fur. Sweet!!

It's on again: Season 2011 from far, far away.

Today the 2011 AFL season starts in Australia, and for the first time in my life, I will not be there to watch. It's going to be very different, not immersing myself in hours of footy talk and analysis with my Melbourne friends and clients. Well, life's a lesson isn't it, and I will take it upon myself to learn to participate in new ways - maybe watching in a sports bar here and there (hmmm, we'll see), seeking out some comrades with a satellite dish in LA, and no doubt a fair bit of internet usage.

Last night, my friend watched the Lakers win their triple-overtime match by a very tight 2 points from very cushy floor seats. She was telling me today about the electric atmosphere and the jubilation felt amongst the fans, and how LA fans, strangers, "high-fived" each other and hugged. I relayed similar stories of close footy matches, and the addiction of the shared passion these wins bring amongst a club's supporters. Of course I spoke about that goal in week one of the 2007 finals - Buddy's boomer in the last moments to put Hawthorn up by 3 points against Adelaide. I still personally feel that win was, as a supporter, better than the 2008 grand final win (well, good friends will know why that is.) I was lucky enough to be sitting in that pocket where he marked and goaled, and remember being so nervous I felt like I was going to vomit!!! When that ball sailed through the big sticks.....the Hawthorn crowd.....I get goosebumps thinking about it still, and a tightening of my throat and a little water in my eye.

Still, 2008 was fabulous too....although half of that "army" is gone now. Memories....round 22 against Carlton, especially the 100th goal....lining up for finals tickets at that newsagency in Mackie Rd....watching them absolutely smash everyone in the finals....a sunny, gorgeous grand final day, the smell of sausages on the portable bbqs in the MCG carpark (and Pam stealing one after the game)....the weird signs I was getting that things were going to go our way....including the lady bug that landed in Johno's guernsey before the game.....the words on the banner, and how unified Hawthorn looked during the national anthem, unlike Geelong who looked like they couldn't care less....Mooney's point- blank miss 5 metres out on half time ("we've got them rattled!").....getting all of those texts from friends - "DEWEEEEEY!".....Crawford's ecstatic jubilation....singing the song at Fed Square, over and over, with our new "family".....and the tears of pride when I got to watch the replay days later.

As we know, the last couple of seasons haven't been what us Hawks have been hoping for. It's nice to pull out a photo of that grand final banner with the "Endurance, Mateship, Courage, Sacrifice". Let's have a bit more of that again this year, and I'll be pleased....and a little less wonk in Roughhead's kicking!

To everyone, Hawk supporter or not, have a good season 2011, play safe, and let's all smash Gold Coast. And please, avoid 17-year-old girls if you know what's good for you.