Tod: You see this?

Danny: Holy shit dude. I hope this is what the future is like…. an earth being stalked by massive boombox robots.

T: That’s exactly what the future will look like! Only issue is what tunes they’re playing.

D: I’M THE KING OF ROCK! THERE IS NONE HIGHER! SUCKER MC’S SHOULD CALL ME SIRE! TO BURN MY KINGDOM YOU MUST USE FIRE! I WON’T STOP ROCKIN TILL I RETIRE! …as it pounds over the ruins of our cities…

T: Can we get someone to animate this sequence? We’ll cut to ruined metros all over the world, with the lyrics translated each time…..straggling survivors look up with distrust….slowly the spark hits their eyes and they start breaking….pull out and it’s a global dance jam…..

D: We gotta make this thing. It’ll make Wall-E look ridiculous.

Her photos got style, and so does she. But beyond that, I didn’t know all that much about her.

Which made her a perfect subject for an interview. So here we go:

How did you get into photography?

I don’t specifically remember when photography ‘clicked’ for me.
Although, it was around the time I entered high school or a little
before. My mom handed down her Canon A1 35mm camera to me around that
time, it was the same camera she bought right before I was born, and
took photos of me growing up with, so it was sort of perfect that I
ended up getting so much use out of it too. I still love that camera,
it’s one of my favorites to shoot with, but I think it’s sadly on it’s
last hurrah at this point.

What led you to pursue photography as a profession?

A month after I graduated high school in Olympia, WA, I moved to
Seattle, and knew that I wanted to pursue photography as a career. It
has been a passion for a long time, and I think it’s important to have
a career in something you love, or at least strive for it. Life is
short, and it should be lived well. I feel that I can give a lot
through photography specifically, and am never more satisfied than
when i get ‘the shot’.

I make a only a small portion of my income from it at this point, but
hope to make a full living from it eventually. My passion is so strong
for photography that I feel like it will some day happen for me as
long as I keep working hard at it. I can’t see myself doing anything
else.

Has your family been supportive of your choice to be a professional
artist, as opposed to an accountant or lawyer? (my grandpa always
wanted me to be an accountant. said people would always need
accountants)

My family has always been amazingly supportive over my choice to
pursue photography. My mom always wanted to be a photographer, but
never actually pursued it, so she loves to see me striving to make it
happen.

What, if anything, are you trying to accomplish with your photos?

I have always wanted to ‘make a difference’ through photography, as
cheesy as that sounds… but that is the simple, honest truth. I want
to travel and document things that are controversial, things that most
people have never seen. That would be ultimately fulfilling to me.

As of right now, I am working hard at my fashion photography and
building a portfolio in that direction, and I love adding a slight
sense of humor and obscurity to these photographs whenever possible.

Do you find photography to be cathartic?

I think that it is in some way. I seem to usually try to portray
things that would make others ‘feel’ something, and that is important
to me and a bit like therapy when I feel that I have gotten my point
across visually. But, I suppose every photographer strives for that,
right? I think that if I reached my goal of being able to travel and
document important things and events that I cared about, it would be
very cathartic and rewarding for me at that point.

What is it that attracts you to photography, as opposed to some
other artistic medium?

I have never been very talented at other mediums of art such as
painting or drawing, so I think that’s why I was drawn to photography
as a way to express myself. I love the idea of being able to capture
moments, and having the ability to hold those moments in time forever.

I also think that photography is much more of a socially-based art
than others, especially when portraiture is the type of photography
that you do most. It’s allowed me to meet others and learn quite a lot
about someone through simply taking their photograph.

What kind of places would you like to travel to?

The places that are at the top of my list right now are India, Spain,
Greece, Japan, and I would especially love to do documentary work in
Africa.

What effect do you think living in Seattle has had on your work?

Living in Seattle has had a large influence on my work. I have met
amazing, interesting people here that I have featured in my portraits;
along with many business-contacts. I think that moving to a city of
some sort is key to building an art-based career. Who you know
actually is important much of the time if you want to make money from
art… and you can usually find those sort of clients while living in
a city. But, most of all, I am just so thankful for the people I have
become close to in Seattle. I don’t know what I would do without their
inspiration, support, and them letting me snap a million photos of
them over the past few years.

I’ve noticed you do a lot of shooting at clubs and bars. what is it you
enjoy about shooting events?

This is going to take a long explanation, because at this point I sort
of hate shooting parties in bars and clubs. It feels too contrived,
like I am trying to be the next Cobrasnake, or something. To begin
with, I feel that I have always been someone that watches people
closely in social situations, and am able to catch candid moments of
those around me… and that’s why I feel that I am good at this sort
of thing.

It all started when a local DJ named Pretty Titty (Clayton Vomero)
e-mailed me one day and invited me to take photos for his dance night
at a local club in Seattle called The War Room for his bi-monthly
event called Sing Sing. I was stoked to finally have a paying gig,
especially one that I was allowed to get drunk at! But, after a year+
of doing it, it’s just too predictable at this point. I made it into
Nylon magazine with some of my party photos for Sing Sing this past
year though and that was definitely an amazing thing that came from
it. I think that as of right now I just want to move on to more
interesting projects that will challenge me as a photographer, that’s
all.

Because it’s still only a few weeks past, what are your feelings about the new
president?

I am so stoked! It’s actually sort of funny, and I can’t believe that
I am admiting this, but the night that Obama won the election, they
blasted “Don’t stop believin’ By Journey in the middle of the Seattle
streets on Capitol Hill and ever since then I can’t hear that song
without shedding tears. But they are tears of joy, nonetheless. Right
now we are in very hard times, but the future looks bright, and I am
so damn proud of this country.

Who are some of your influences?

Guy Bourdin, Stephen Shore, Reed+Rader, Stephen Meisel, and you, of course.

And here’s the million-dollar question: film or digital? and does
it matter?

You know, I really do love both. These days I’ve been using digital as
my main format, because it’s cheaper than having to develop film
constantly, but it does take more time editing in the computer to get
the contrast/colors you desire… and truthfully, I’d rather be out
shooting than spending hours in front of my computer screen, which is
definitely the downfall of digital. Digital is definitely the way to
go when you are photographing events, because then you know that you
definitely got ‘the shot’ that you were wanting.

Although, I will always think that there is a special quality with
film that cannot be touched with digital. I have been longing lately
to pick up my medium format/35mm cameras once again… and I think I
am going to start shooting with them this next time I go out to take
portraits. When you get a good shot on film, it’s always ten times
more rewarding than when you get a good shot with digital.

Thanks to Lauren for the interview, and the great photos!

You can find her work here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurenmax

My body craves sleep and anything with melted cheese. And warm socks. Warm socks with melted cheese. My office, in a trendy loft, was built originally to manufacture cardboard boxes, not logos and websites. The heat was never really rigged up to keep nerds in office chairs warm. My co-worker bought a Slanket. She looks like a wizard when she wears it which is awesome. What’s not as awesome is that we need Slankets to keep warm at work. Another coworker sits in what used to be an elevator shaft. She has to wear her coat all day to combat a mysterious “steady breeze.” I go in the bathroom and thaw my fingers under the warm water. It’s been like this for weeks, our office temperature has been a steady, cold 60 degrees.

After blowing fuses with space heaters, wearing ski socks and winter hats we were forced to deal with the maintenance crew. They are a dirty dozen, at least four of them are related, wherever they are from is tougher than New York.

After continual badgering, we got them to come in and do something, any-fucking-thing, to get some heat. My Slanket-clad co-worker typed me an IM as we all watched them bang on pipes and argue for three hours:

“It’s like watching monkeys hump doorknobs.”

They bolted a huge square, green fan-like contraption to the wall which could not have been manufactured after 1960. According to the monkeys it was STEAM powered. I was convinced that this would be another cruel winter joke. Like slipping on black ice and spilling hot coffee on yourself (which has never happened to me). The maintenance guys would rid themselves of a big shitty fan that’s been taking up space in the workshop and would we stay freezing cold. That would be our punishment for harassing them. And they would laugh and laugh and laugh.

Twenty minutes after they left it cranked to life; it was louder than an air compressor. A funky wind blew threw the place. The smell was like moist, rusty asbestos… but it was WARM! the office was finally warm. Tears of joy streamed down my face. I had a melted cheese sandwich. I could finally TYPE again. Thank god. The maintenance guys were not monkeys after all. They were gods. Doorknob humping gods.

So after advertising on a few websites, I photographed and interviewed anyone willing to show up.

It quickly dawned on me that a full interview would be cost prohibitive, so I came up with a questionnaire:

Here now, the people who sat down to write up some answers:

MELISSA:

1. Yeppers! photography, psychology

2. photographer/create

3. create. photos. learn new things

4. hopeful. elated

5. sleep. regroup

6. to have fun. find inspiration. meet new people

7. amanda gillian via flickr/supergrass/radiohead message board.

——————————————————————————————-

DANNY:

1. music and poetry

2. barista

3. studying advertising, nature walks

4. I felt that, socially, times have definitely changed, but it’s difficult to focus on it when things today are so uncertain.

5. I thought it would never work, but journaling really helps. Turns out my mom was right. About that.

6. I enjoy meeting creative, good people, so I thought I’d stop by. I don’t go out of my way for creative jerks. That’s just me, though.

——————————————————————————————-

VICTOR:

1. Survival, it’s a tough world

2. Build things, constructing

3. Honestly, drugs

4. That was the first time I actually understood the Hope pitch

5. More drugs

6. to help support art

7. Best site on earth

FLICKR

——————————————————————————————-

HEATHER:

1. Making something out of anything. Anything design-oriented.

2. Interior Designer

3. Spend time w/friends, bike, movies, photography

4. For the first time that I can remember I was proud of our leadership and where our country was heading.

5. Talk to family or friends, focus on doing something I enjoy.

6. Ian forced me. threatened me really.

7. The death threats under my door for the past two weeks.

——————————————————————————————-

SAM:

1. I do! Several. Writing, art, comics, Azetcs, technology

2. I got laid off! But I was in tech marketing. Now I am a writer, but I wouldn’t say I do it “for a living”. Yet.

3. Spend time with my awesome friends. Adventures. When solo, reading, watching movies, running.

4. Amazing. One of the best moments of my life. I felt personally victorious for the revolution.

5. See 1 & 3. Most crucial: running and other self destructive activities.

6. Curiosity, sunshine, meeting new people.

7. Took a right at the basketball courts.

——————————————————————————————-

CAMERON:

1. Music, Exploring the outdoors, Science

2. Student, Computer Consulting

3. Surf, Skate, Snowboard, Backpacking, Play music, Motorcycle

4. I was pretty indifferent. I do appreciate that Barack is stirring the pot and renewing lost inspiration in this country

5. Play guitar and piano

6. I love photography and trust Melissa’s judgement in finding new people and experiences

7. Melissa told me about it

——————————————————————————————-

DEAN:

1. photography and living life every day

2. currently an self (un)employed freelance photographer. I’ve also recently worked as a freelance animation/vfx producer

3. attending art shows/studying, going to bars, watching/attending hockey games, live music (attending/shooting), bowling

4. great. positive. relieved. excited. nervous (a little)

5. usually stay at home. sometimes go out drinking. talk about it. move on

6. Sarah Froelich sent me the details, well, she posted them on Facebook. I liked the idea, so I showed

7. I wandered around the park til I saw you with a camera

——————————————————————————————-

ANDREW:

1. I am passionate about music. It sounds clichéd, but discovering a gem of a song or an artist drives me and makes me happy.

2. I’m a Solutions Engineer.

3. Jam with my roommates.

4. Proud to be an American, again.

5. Smoke a bowl and watch The Shawshank Redemption

6. Meet some new people!

7. Google Maps

——————————————————————————————-

EURRI:

1. Yes! Traveling & Photography

2. Personal Assistant.

3. Bake, hang out w/friends, watch movies.

4. Hopeful

5. Eat & Sleep.

6. Try something new & different

7. Came here through Flickr

BONUS: Noticed the Red Vines first.

——————————————————————————————-

DAVE:

1. I like making silly movies, and get passionate about saying yes to different suggestions and experimenting.

2. I’m a freelance producer/editor, finding most of my work in web-based short non-fiction videos.

3. Encourage friends to make videos, hang around avoiding being too serious, making silly movies.

4. Real excited. There’s so much energy behind it.

5. Listen to good music. Find fun people to distract me or a good TV show.

6. Sounded interesting. Ian comes to Movie Night.

7. Ian Broyles is my internet friend/IRL friend! He posted about it.

——————————————————————————————-

BRITTNEY:

1. Capturing moments in time (photography) (thought I’m still learning!) & helping/listening to others! (psychology)

2. Behavior therapist

3. take pictures! travel!

4. Intense

5. write, talk, go running, take photos

6. to have my photo taken by a “professional amateur” :)

7. someone recommended you on Miss Aniela’s blog!

——————————————————————————————-

DREW:

1. Bicycles & photography & cooking

1. Photo Assistant

3. Shoot photos, cook, build/ride bicycles. Also I high five lots of people.

4. Hopeful. Nervous. Weepy.

5. Drink & listen to music that makes me more depressed.

6. because I wanted the lens to be turned on me.

7. via a Flickr search for “Hot women”.

——————————————————————————————-

STEPH:

1. Cooking

2. Cook! (I work for a chef)

3. Dancing, cooking, hanging out w/my insane friends, cosplaying

4. Excited/relieved

5. watch Pixar movies

6. To get my picture taken! :)

AMIN:

1. DJing, mixtaping, organizing bookshelves.

2. Writer/editor/reporter.

3. See #1. Also, I watch shitloads of TV. Also eating at nice restaurants.

4. Bittersweet. Glad the good guys won. Sad the bad guys got away.

5. See #1 & #3

6. I’m terribly vain.

7. I’ve always been here.

——————————————————————————————-

LAURA:

1. Photography, yes!

2. I work at a restaurant & take photos.

3. Take photos, see movies, go to flea markets, eat out.

4. Proud to be an American for the first time. It was my first year being able to vote and I really felt like I was taking part in something bigger than myself. It was really thrilling.

5. Take moody self portraits, watch The Office and eat food.

6. Because I love Lou, photography & Obama.

7. I AM US.

——————————————————————————————-

WES:

1. Photography

2. I am a financial analyst at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. It’s a fantastic day job.

3. I take photos and go to a lot of live shows and galleries.

4. Incredibly relieved. I left NYC of all places because I couldn’t take the post 9/11 sentiment and moved back from Madrid once I felt things had changed. They have.

5. I watch comedy.

6. To help another.

7. Flickr.

——————————————————————————————-

DOMINIC:

1. Design, music golf

2. A student @ Art Center

3. Eat too much, listen to music too loud, hang out with good company

4. It made me smile at the fact that a lot of people believed in CHANGE

5. listen to sad music or watch one of these movies, Fast Times at Ridgemont High or Ferris Beuller’s Day Off. I know that’s a complete 180

6. I was sitting outside with Cameron, then Melissa drove by and said to come to the park

7. walked the park for 25 min

——————————————————————————————-

CHELSEA:

1. Photography, music, psychology

2. I’m just a student right now

3. Concerts, potlucks, dive bars, random adventures with friends

4. I cried. It’s time for change!

5. I listen to Jose Gonzalez and I see my friends. And I bake.

6. Any reason to come to the park on Sat.

7. Melissa

——————————————————————————————-

ERICK:

1. Love & art.

2. Record children’s audiobooks.

3. Pictures & video. Shenanigans.

4. Tears of joy.

5. Ride it out.

6. Tempting fate.

7. Flickr lily padding.

——————————————————————————————-

HILARY:

1. yes, design & drawing

2. design movie posters

3. run & play

4. hopeful

5. go for a run

6. to hang with friends

7. through a friend

——————————————————————————————-

KRISTA:

1. music

2. web design

3. live

4. proud

5. listen to music

6. to do something fun

7. a friend

——————————————————————————————-




Thanks for everyone who came and participated!!!! And for more shots (outtakes, folks who came but didn’t fill out the questionnaire, group shots), CLICK HERE

People gawking at you. Children tapping the window with their sticky fingers. Everyone shouting at you to look his or her way. “Do something interesting for Christ’s sake.” Animals can’t understand English. But I can.

“Jesus! Did you see that girl? She just fell!”

Why thank you, sir, yes, I did just fall and really, I was completely unawares that that’s what that was.

It’s snowing and I don’t care because I’m sick of being locked up in my apartment. I’ve been on crutches for six weeks. My left foot hasn’t been in a shoe in more than five months.

I live on the third floor, walk up. The palms of my hands ache. The innards of my upper arms are speckled with popped blood vessels. My knees are kissed with bruised strawberries. My right leg is twice the size of its partner. My left foot is purple, swollen and scarred. It’s no longer the foot I was born with. A metal plate and four screws will outlive me.

“Can we go see a movie?” I ask my boyfriend. “There’s a theatre right down on 62nd and 1st.”

I live on 71st and 1st. Nine streets away, totally negotiable. No avenues required. I’m sick of paying for cabs. I’m tired of going from one inside to another to another. I want to feel air.

“You think you’re up for it?” he asks.

I say yes even though I mean no. I’m exhausted. The day before I had crutched downstairs to get the mail and had trouble breathing because my heart was in my throat the entire trip. I like my teeth. I don’t want to loose them. I liked my foot too.

I broke the metatarsal of my second left toe in September. I don’t know how. I still don’t know what’s worse—not knowing how I broke my foot so I can tell people when they ask or the pain I suffered after I had to get surgery because it never healed.

“What happened?” If I had a quarter for every time a stranger uttered these words I’d be able to pay off my medical bills, my school loans and buy a new house in the Hamptons—beachfront, helicopter pad. When I tell them I don’t know they look at me like I’m stupid. How could I not know, right? Well I don’t.

Everyone stares. I’m assuming they can’t resist—like a ten car pile up. Like a sexually-charged reality TV show. As if they’ve never seen someone use crutches. As if they’ve never seen someone with a cast. I have four legs, two and a quarter of which are not natural. You’d think it’d make me stronger. I feel like I should get paid to walk around the streets for the entertainment value I provide.

Children don’t leave behind candy-coated palm prints, but they talk as if I can’t hear them.
“Mommy, did you see that girl? What’s wrong with her?”
“She’s scary.”
“Where’s her leg?”

Grown-ups also pepper my excursions with their running commentary.
“Amen to you girl.”
“Whoa, that looks difficult.”
“Should you be outside?”
“Did you have to kick him that hard?”
“Look at you go.”
“That’s pathetic. Hah.”
“Can I carry you?”

My thoughts stay inside as well:
If there was a God, He wouldn’t have cursed me with this.
It is fuck stick.
Go fuck yourself.
Fuck you too buddy.
You’re an embarrassment to yourself for suggesting that.
No, don’t.
I will cut you sir.
I’d like to see you try.

I’ve been to the Central Park Zoo, once. I liked it. I felt badly then about liking it. I feel worse now. But the penguins were so damn cute. And the frogs—I’d never seen those colors on real, live, breathing things. I took pictures with my phone’s camera and used one of a puffin as my cell’s wallpaper for months. It made me smile. I called him my friend.

But our relationship was nothing of the sort. That puffin didn’t do anything to merit the stares, the comments, the entrapment. And till death does its part, it won’t be able to escape any of those excruciating forms of torture. It can’t hide. It can’t push itself to its limit and go for a swim outside. It can’t tell the little kids to beat it. It can’t tell the adults to go fly a kite. I can do all of these things, and yet I don’t. I endure it with silence, frustration and tears.

And by having the human luxury of being able to tell myself, “It’ll be over soon. It’ll be over soon.”

Audrey Kawasaki is an amazing artist whose work I’ve been aware of for years, but whom I only met a short while ago. Matter of fact, I was half-convinced she was imaginary, the figment of my friend Bryan’s fevered brain.

This is not true. She is real. And awesome. So I went and asked her some questions. Here we go:

How’d you become interested in painting/illustration?

Back when I was little I was an avid reader of japanese manga comics. Mostly girly love story types and of horror creepy thriller mystery types. That got me into drawing. kept sketchbooks. Trying to duplicate my favorite manga artists.

End of middle school I took private drawing/painting lessons weekly, which helped me develop my skills.

My two years at Pratt in Brooklyn was an interesting experience. It was one of the top art schools in the east coast, and I did enjoy some aspects of it, but I just wasn’t able to fully dive into my own personal work there. After the first year, I was back home in LA for summer break. 2003. That’s when I made my first piece that sort of changed it all. Made me think “yes! this is what i wanna do. THIS makes me feel good!!”  I still remember finishing the piece and proudly showing it to my mother in the dining room. I just felt a huge spark in my heart, that i haven’t felt before in my previous attempts.

Here’s the piece im talking about:

Of course its full of imperfections, but at the time, it really showed me a new direction.







At this point, you’ve built up an awesome following, and are able to work solely as an artist.  does being a professional artist put any pressures on your work?  does it ever actually feel like “work”?



It can, but thats fine. Drawing/painting isn’t all just fun and games. It shouldnt be too easy. It should be challenging and stimulating, and that requires work.

In the beginning of my ‘career’ though, it was very difficult managing my time and getting those certain number of piece done for a show. There’s been many times where I had to clench my teeth and pull some hair.  I wasn’t very good at deadline or having to feel obliged to paint, but thankfully I’ve gotten better at it.






There’s a lot of focus on the female form in your work.  what is it in particular that draws you to portraying that?



It feels natural to me. Something I can’t get tired of. All my pieces, all my girls, are a portrayal of his one particular being. They are all portraits of her. maybe physically different, but ultimately its she who i am conveying. I am addicted to her, she haunts me. She is my obsession. My love. My drive. My muse. My curse. My unattainable.

When I paint/draw, it’s like a desperate search for her. Painting is like digging. Sometimes I find her. Sometimes not. Though even if I do capture a glimpse of her, she’ll often immediately fade away. Never is she forever captured in my paintings, and that what makes it so interesting to me. It’s the hunt, the chase, that makes it so thrilling.

(haha though not sure if this answered your question. :p)

What is it, if anything, you’re try to convey with your work?



(if anything i think i answered this in the last)
Because it’s not like I have a certain message or idea or concept im trying to tell the world. If I were to have to write a thesis of some sort, if would feel very strange and impossible and pretentious, because its something so simple to me.

Do you find your work cathartic? is it something you feel compelled to do?

It definitely is a release for me. If for a long period of time, I stopped working, I know would feel very anxious and stuck and unfulfilled.
But it’s hard to define it now, because it’s something I want to do, and at the same time, it’s something I have to do.
It’s like I do have a choice, but I don’t, really. This is what I do. This is my only outlet I am familiar with. My creative outlet.

I can’t think of any other way to do it.

Do you set regular work hours for yourself? Is there a certain amount you like to produce in a given, say, week?



No set hours. I tend to work better at night though, so I tend to stay up till 5am or so. Sleep till noon. This month I haven’t painted at all. Had a recent big show, so I’m taking it easy for now.

Starting the new year though, I intend to get it up and going again. When preparing for a show, I like to make a painting or two in a week. Some might take longer or shorter, depending on the size and amount of detail. And then there are days when I spend basically all day working non-stop. Those are the times when I can really dive in to my work. Full concentration and commitment, where nothing else seems to be important. I like it when that happens. It’s so meditative and thrilling at the same time.

I remember we had a discussion over dinner about marketing and the business side of being an artist.  I know that you basically handle all the ins & outs of selling your work yourself. Is that something you view as a necessary evil, or a part of the process?



Actually all the pieces go directly to the gallery shows, and so they are the ones that handle the selling of it. In fact, I have no idea who they go to…
I’m not a good business person at all, so it would be impossible if I had to handle it myself. Of course if I were to take on commission work (which I have yet to do), I would make the exchanges directly with the buyer.

On the topic of ‘evil’ or ’shady’ there are always minor things that happen that tend to make my frown(Though its all pretty inevitable since art exchange involve money…).

Flippers dont make me too happy. They are the ones who buy a print (or a painting) and immediately try to resell them for double or triple the price on ebay or other sources. They buy art not for the genuine appreciation of it, and to keep it for them selves, but to make a quick profit. When really, that print could have been in the hands of a true fan.

How does it feel to have a Wikipedia entry?



It’s very flattering. surprised when I first saw it.

Though I feel kind of funny being defined as an ‘erotic artist’, especially since my recent works are very tame. My earlier pieces from a few years ago were definitely charged with a kinkier vibe, but things change. I have different phases.

How, if at all, has the internet affected your work?



I owe a whole lot to the internet!! Without it, my work would have definitely not be seen by so many people. It’s such a wonderful thing! All these blogs and forums, all these exchanges and comment and opinions.

I started having an art blog 4 years ago, and I think that helped people feel more connected and updated to what I’m doing. Blogs are great. It’s so alive! I love editing images and words and posting them. Spending time on them never get old. It’s so rewarding to me!






We know each other through your boyfriend, Bryan Cowe.  In what ways, if any, is he an influence on your work?



Bryan has been a huge influence and inspiration to me. Not only in the topic of art, but in general, he lets me see things in a different light. He’s given me new appreciation for the calm and serene. For balance. For patience. Understanding. Accepting. Compassion.

I love the photos he takes. He has a keen sense for composition and light. All his photo have a distinct tone to them. Like a chord.  A low mellow murmur. Like a breath.  A light sigh.

My brain tends to be a hectic place, but he brings order and clarity. And I’m sure that transcends into my work as well. :)

How does it feel when you see people with your artwork tattooed on them?



Yeah, it’s kind of crazy!  It’s beyond flattering that they would eternally engrave an image by me on their skin!
I’ve met a few people in person with tattoos inspired by my work (I say ‘inspired’ because I’m not the one actually tattooing it on them),
and every time I’m like  OMG OMG woooooow!!!






Where do you see yourself in the next few years?



I have shows lined up for the next couple years. Asmall show in Japan in May. And a big show in NY in Decemeber, which should be quite epic.
Also plans for Australia in 2010. I hope to be showing more outside of my home-city LA. reach out to wider, different audiences.

Other than that, I don’t know… I’m sure there will be new opportunities. Maybe a book. Maybe I can find new ways to work. Maybe I might have a whole wood shop to my self, where I can go all out and crazy and build extraordinary wooden structures to paint on! How fun that would be!

Who/what are your influences? Who are the artists you’re really into right now?



Old school big influences are:
- Alphonse Mucha
-Egon Schiele
-Gustav Klimt
-John Singer Sargent

Artists I’m really into now:
Master of skill and concept and composition- James Jean.
There are plenty of other artists I aspire to, but it would take too long to list them all here.

Thanks to Audrey for the interview!!!

Audrey can be found online at her website:

http://www.audrey-kawasaki.com/








photo credits: “artist photo” by Bryan Cowe. “bryan cowe photo” by me. “tattoo photo” by Erica Redfield

Due to the plummeting climes I figured it might be a good idea to pad my fat reserves, so I moseyed on over to Analesia’s department to partake in the birthday breakfast bounty. After surveying the sundry scene, I decided on an “everything” bagel with cream cheese. Pretty tasty, people. But as I chewed this doughy cud I started to question the motivation of my selection, and I realized I’d been duped.

An everything bagel has a lot of delicious, yummy bits scattered upon its circular surface. But everything? I think not. Does it have Twinkies on it? No. Does it have disobedient Schnauzers on it? Thankfully, no. Are there RC Cola bottlecaps placed randomly upon its baked body? Absolutely not. How about an ’82 Chevy Camaro? Sorry, no. Perhaps it’s loaded with Gremlins 2 movie posters or per chance an odd argyle sock? Definitely not. Or maybe a Firestone Credit Card or the steamy droppings of a duck-billed platypus or an Eames era chair? Nope. Or what about a teeming riot of drunken Armenians or a Casablanca Lily stamen or one of Rue McLanahan’s used brassieres? Hell no. Does it house the Sphinx or sheath a sword? Negatory. How about one of them cute Asian babies—it’s gotta have one of them, right? Uh uh. But it must, I mean absolutely must, give rest to at least one Sousaphone or at least one needle-nose pliers or at least one “I Went To Colonial Williamsburg And All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt” t-shirt, n’est pas? Actually, yes, it has those. Not!!

Sounds more like a “some things” bagel to me…

It’s like a lactating tit. Those guys’ve been makin’ cheese for a hundred years. You smell that smoky smell? They’re smoking the cheese. I like it with a little sliced capicolla or sopressata; nothing too heavy.

Speaking of which, did I tell you what I like to make for breakfast when I don’t want to go too heavy? Fritters and hush puppies. Nothing too big. Speaking of which, I was just telling the guy in shipping and receiving about my mistletoe belt buckle. I used to have one of them, but this girl stole it as a trophy back in my cocaine days. You know how that is – they take a shirt, boxers… this broad took my mistletoe belt buckle, the bitch.

That reminds me of a story. I was having this affair with this woman with the biggest tits you have ever seen. My god they were like THIS, like out to here, like boyeeoyeeyoing. And I would leave her sweet little love notes in her lunch. You’re married, you know how it is, you try to do nice things like make lunch, breakfast. So, months later, her husband visits her at work and her co-worker sez, “I love those little notes you leave her in her lunch” and he’s like, “What notes??!?”

You know how it is, you’re married.

But like I was saying about the mozzarella and sausage, what you do is get a few olives from down the block, I’ll show you how to make an amazing sauce, you can boil a pound or two of fettuccine, get yourself a loaf of semolina, maybe a prosciutto stuffed artichoke, a few cutlets of veal and some pork medallions which you can cacciatore and you’re set. Nothing too big.