I’m back from the multifarious adventure that was Gašper’s homeland, Slovenia, and would like to take you on a visual tour of my second day in Ljubljana, where we spent much of our vacation. We stayed in a small basement apartment owned by his family, which we found decorated with flowers and fruit. A welcome sight after a night of non-sleep before our very early morning flight, and the first hint of how lovely these people are. And if that …
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Slovenia is dreamy in every way imaginable. This was yesterday. You can read more about these salt pans here and the centuries-old salt-harvesting process here.
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On Sunday, G, our new friend Michael and I packed a picnic and drove an hour and a half west to Glendalough, where not only did we get to explore an indelible part of historic Ireland, but to also truly feel the scope of Irish weather. We experienced everything from icy wind and rain to warm breeze and hot summer sunshine – all in a matter of five hours spent walking around one of the most beautiful green places I’ve …
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I’ve been ignoring a fever since last week, but it hasn’t stopped me from continuing to get familiar with my surroundings, including Phoenix Park, where I just spent two rainy hours. ` This may not have cured me (I almost titled this post “Wet in Dublin”. Help.), but the open space, fresh air and all the rain smells certainly made me feel better while I was there. Also: came across a large herd of deer and shot a number of exploratory …
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Current status: bloomers and a mermaid tank top, cup of chilled black tea in hand, a sleeping Micron at my feet. A quiet “Ahhh” can be heard wafting through our new home, as things begin to glide into place. With some good advice from friends and readers, we’ve slowly began to build up our arsenal of spices, teas and cookware. There is plenty of settling and exploring in to be done, but we’re well on our way, with a superb apartment …
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A big Dublin update is coming on Monday, but first I’d like to share some photos I took before leaving, near the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles during my dear homeslice Annah’s wedding. Annah, whom you should know as TheBelleFace on the ‘wubs, is one of my longest-time friends. We met at the San Francisco Art Academy dorms in 1998, when I was taking a summer comic book illustration class. We’ve seen each other through countless moves, loves and changes, and her marrying …
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I’m holed up in Manhattan, surrounded by a six suitcases and sleeping people, waiting for coffee and Micron’s final pre-Ireland vet appointment – mandatory de-worming must take place within three days of travel. Yesterday was the best. In thirty-eight hours we’ll be on a plane to Dublin. Last week, we U-Hauled our things from NorCal to my storage unit in LA, stopping at Matt‘s place for a couple of days. I shipped some art pieces to collectors, met Courtenay at my favorite vegan place, …
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The first time I visited the Paris catacombs, it was the summer of 1999 and I was spending one month riding the EuroRail and sleeping in hostels (and on floors, and in parks) while backpacking across six European countries with my best friend. It was the greatest thing we could think to do after my graduation – our goal was to visit as many of the attractions listed in the Weird Europe travel guidebook as we could – so we …
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Maker Faire is one of the very few Bay Area events that I’ve actually manged to attend since moving here six months ago. It was a lot less conference-centric than I had hoped, but as far as fairs go, it was great. Exhibitors were all super-friendly and genuinely loved talking about their goods, plus I got to catch up with friends, so – whee! And of course I couldn’t resist taking a few pictures amidst all the clamorous excitement, though …
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Steven Daily’s mural at WWA gallery LA was fun this time around, surpassed only by the car ride, which included learning Slovenian and teaching Russian and singing Slavic folk songs in unison. The opening reception for Gag Me With a Toon 5 was filled with much-missed friends, some excellent surprise run-ins and model behavior from Micron, who peacefully snoozed in her carrier the entire night. I wore my most ridiculous leggings and space shoes and lots of eyeliner, while RedBull …
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I’m busy with arts for upcoming group shows, one of which is Gag Me With a Toon 5 – opening in LA on May 4. You might remember my Cheburashka from last year’s GMWAT. Over on the east coast, Frei, our producer extraordinaire, has been hard at work on editing new featurettes for The Secret Guide to Alternative Beijing, some of which should be rolling out soon. Also soon: more photos from my recent Euro-trip and announcing another group show I’m part of, which …
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Europe was lots of fun and Toledo is a place I hope to return to and get lost in for a few days; I’ve never in my life seen such magical light. And speaking of never – I will never post my Eurozoom 2013 photos if I feel obligated to write long accompanying posts – with two weeks to finish three pieces for group shows, well… Ain’t nobody got time for that. I know I owe this place and you …
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Took my first trip back to Angel City last weekend for the opening reception of Chet Zar’s Conjoined 3. This annual group show has been an awe-inspiring congregation of talent from the start, but this year’s participants may have made Conjoined 3 its most impressive installment yet – the entire exhibition catalog is here. I spent about a month working on my piece for this exhibit, sculpting for the first time in over six years. My only experience until now had been …
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My favorite memory of snow is from when I was about nine years old and staying at a mostly vacant resort a few hours outside of Moscow with my grandmother. It was the middle of winter. We’d spend our days red-cheeked, skiing through the surrounding forest, crunchy white powder bursting out of our way, snow-capped ferns towering everywhere. In the evenings, I’d skate on the frozen lake and we’d go for night walks between sprawling, virgin-white snowdrifts. They shimmered just …
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Driving into the city. Deco building in Chinatown. The plaque on my old dorm; long ago, I took a comic book illustration class at the AA. Micron, staring down the ghost of the aged radiator. Cognac by the fire with my beautiful mother. French breakfast with Cameo at Boulette’s Larder. Pretty chairs at the De Young museum. We went to see the Nuriev exhibit. Driving to Half Moon Bay. My rubber boots make me invincible. Black sand. Japanese Tea Garden. …
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