California Design, revisited...posters and booklets.

I popped into the "Living in a Modern Way" show again last week while visiting LACMA for the "In Wonderland" exhibition (post to follow). It's always worth a second view, to pick out stuff my eyes completely missed the first time.

Pen and paper at Preachers And Fools.

Being a tattooist means that at some point you look around at all the piles of marked paper, and think to yourself "wow, have I really done all this work?" These little (and big) drawings are reminders of the tattoos that walk out the door, sometimes never to be seen again except in maybe a photo you took at the end of the session. Therein lies the irony of this trade - the art is permanent only for the wearer, not for the producer, and only until the wearer passes.

"Drawing is still basically the same as it has been since prehistoric times. It brings together man and the world. It lives through magic." - Keith Haring

Obey Your Master: Art Tribute to Metallica

A fair bit of Metallica gets played in the Moth household - I am a fan of the old era, Mr Moth is an even bigger fan. So much so that when he heard there was to be a tribute to one of his favourite metal bands ever, down the road, at Tony Alva's gallery, well... he set about snagging us an invite to the exclusive opening night. And in the last days, he came through with the goods.

Around 40 artists participated, all selecting a Metallica song to represent visually in the media of their choosing. Some contributors were the "usual suspects" but others were new to me and some pieces just blew me away. Plus, even though opening night was jam-packed (yes, a huge queue to get in), Mr Moth got a photo with Lars - certainly worth battling the hot and stuffy gallery!

Jon Chase, "The Four Horsemen", airbrush on canvas.

Shepard Fairey "Disposable Heroes", mixed media painting on paper.

Shawn Barber, "No Remorse", oil on panel

Nathan Ota, "Whiplash", acrylic on wood panel.

Detail from the "Whiplash" painting.

Travis Louie's "All Nightmare Long", acrylic on board, but looks look an antique family photograph.

Chris Peters, "Nothing Else Matters", oil on linen over panel.

Paul Chatem, "Battery", acrylic on wood.

Kim Saigh, "For Whom the Bell Tolls", oil on canvas.

Nicola Verlato, "Sad But True" - incredible work.

To see the full coverage of the art show, click here to see photos from opening night and images of all pieces on display.

How's the serenity?

A mini-hike in Solstice Canyon, Malibu today...we don't know this area well yet, so just had a quick stroll to check out the trails. We'll be back to do a more strenuous walk, but just getting 40 minutes of peace and space was therapeutic. Plus we saw a woodpecker pecking, a hawk hovering magnificently while searching for a tidbit, and heard frogs in the canyon creek.

Some parts of the trails look out to the Pacific Ocean, and meander through land that has been used by Chumash people and by ranchers for grazing, and inhabited in previous decades before continuous fires destroyed the man made structures. The canyon land was eventually handed over to the public in 1988 and is currently managed by the National Park Service. It's not far at all from the bustle of Malibu and the PCH, so it's not the most immersive natural experience, but if you go far enough into the park it is quiet enough to stop and hear nothing but the scratchings of the little forest birds in the under-brush. And that will do for me!

My next task is to learn more about the native plants and birds I should look for. I have a habit of brushing my hand on a shrub to smell the oils of the leaves - if I do THAT on poison oak, I'll be in trouble.

The holes in this tree's limb are left by the woodpecker.

Leaving the park, here's the view of the ocean across the Pacific Coast Highway.

"Wham Blam Blamo" @ TAG, Hollywood, 7th January 2012.

We have the best work neighbours on Melrose Avenue. Last year Toy Art Gallery moved their showroom to come join us next door for some fun and to expose the Hollywood rock crowd to the world of contemporary toy collecting. They regularly have shows promoting artists from this world - some of them have been packed to the rafters!! It's all very new to me - I had no idea this scene was so big, and I am enjoying being exposed to a whole new aesthetic and art form. Plus the team of gentlemen who work there are all awesome.

The current show at TAG is actually not entirely unknown to us...we have known the Blamo kids for some time now as we stock some of their jewellery and have a couple of their handmade toys. But it was really exciting to see the new collection launched in one unified space, and even though it is produced by different artists singularly or as a team, there is an obviously strong cohesive drive to produce work from natural materials of such a strong quality. Whether it's wood carving, printing, painting, leather and brass work, the Blamo collective produce objects of such soul that they go beyond just "toys". As creatives they are all actually highly skilled artisans, and their otherworldly creatures invite us into a loving adventureland.

Blamo Wood Mask.

Swampy, Nimbus and Wood Robot.

Hand carved Hip Hop Billy, complete with visor, bandana and movable ghetto blaster.

One of a kind pair of lovers, Duncan and Matilda, my favourites.

My other favourite, Dr Who, incredibly carved and finished with a painted wall body. His head measures 32"x18".

One of the pair of Totem Paintings on display, with Big Ludovico in the foreground.

One of the centerpieces, Whooly, carved by Aleph Geddis and Spencer Hansen. A timelapse film was shown on the night of the entire carving process for Whooly. Much like Dr Who, and Frog Dog there is an influence from North-West American Indian art in this piece, particularly in Whooly's face.

Detail from Whooly's face.

Totem Painting in blue, with Big Hug Denim in the background, with a Frog Dog and Knuckles in the foreground.

The smaller Blamo toys, including Hug, Billy, and Micha Bear, and the TAG show exclusive, Panda Fuzzie Bear.

Blamo leader "Solo", watching over Whooly and greeting friends...Solo has been on this blog before. He's so cute I have to put up another photo of him....

....and my little Blamo acquisition, a mini white hug to add to my white collection, looking so loving on my mantlepiece next to the bulldog, calling out for hugs. I named him "Henry" after Henry Rollins...it's a long story.

There are also t-shirts and their famous monkey and bunny jumpsuits available at the show, along with some rad underpants, bandanas and jewellery featuring some of the Blamo characters. All are on display until the 28th of January - some items have already sold, so get to 7571 Melrose Ave in Hollywood to take a look, or jump on the TAG website to see the show and purchase items.

Blamo are really good people, so check out more of what they do at their website, and join the "hug revolution."