It’s been one week since we said goodbye to Larry. The rawness of my grief is slowly softening into gratitude. Memories from the last 15 years have flooded my mind, overflowing into a constant stream of tears. I found him when I was 23, still a pup myself, searching for something to answer for while I tried to build a life that made me proud. I was naive to the magnitude of that decision back then. Every moment since was shaped by his presence in our dear little family. I find myself comforted by platitudes I would normally scoff at — “Grief is love with no where to go, if you love something, set it free.” Larry was larger than life, so he’s finally where he belongs out in the ether, where he can’t be contained by physical constraints. I’ll be looking for him everywhere until the end of my days.
To the purest soul I’ve ever known, thank you for the bounty you’ve given us. You lived the way all things should. Ever present, leading with love, but ready to fight for what you believe in without hesitation. How do I find joy again when the one who taught me what it means has left this mortal plane? My great teacher, with your goofy smile, and your knowing eyes — oh, those eyes…I would give anything to get lost in them one more time. You are the example, the template. You had it all, and you gave everything to me. Your energy is magnetic, and I refuse to write about it in the past tense because it will continue to flow through this universe. We are made of the same thing, and I will keep finding you in every dimension. As the world gets darker, the stars get brighter. And we will all never be the same for having known you. I love you, sweet boy.
Sinking Feeling
12” x 12”
Acrylic on Wood Panel
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Here’s an invitation to leave the doom filled blue light of this domain and join us for an evening of creativity and good company at @preacheraustin for Native Species. I’m grateful to have a community that believes in my voice and vision as it applies to an art practice, and it’s profoundly special to share walls with a group of exceedingly talented friends. Special thank you to @designatedbadass for putting it all together.
These days it’s tough to tell what’s real, so here’s some new personal work shot in my backyard with dappled morning light, on a dirty concrete porch. I didn’t even wash the chicken shit off.
I’ve always said that I have a love/hate relationship with words, so I lean into that tension by using them as a means to process the heaviness around me. I can never quite get there, and that’s why I continue to search. I hope you enjoy.
Details of new work
See grid for more info
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Here’s an invitation to leave the doom filled blue light of this domain and join us for an evening of creativity and good company at @preacheraustin for Native Species. I’m grateful to have a community that believes in my voice and vision as it applies to an art practice, and it’s profoundly special to share walls with a group of exceedingly talented friends. Special thank you to @designatedbadass for putting it all together.
These days it’s tough to tell what’s real, so here’s some new personal work shot in my backyard with dappled morning light, on a dirty concrete porch. I didn’t even wash the chicken shit off.
I’ve always said that I have a love/hate relationship with words, so I lean into that tension by using them as a means to process the heaviness around me. I can never quite get there, and that’s why I continue to search. I hope you enjoy.
Burning Desire
24” x 12”
Acrylic on Wood Panel -
Here’s an invitation to leave the doom filled blue light of this domain and join us for an evening of creativity and good company at @preacheraustin for Native Species. I’m grateful to have a community that believes in my voice and vision as it applies to an art practice, and it’s profoundly special to share walls with a group of exceedingly talented friends. Special thank you to @designatedbadass for putting it all together.
These days it’s tough to tell what’s real, so here’s some new personal work shot in my backyard with dappled morning light, on a dirty concrete porch. I didn’t even wash the chicken shit off.
I’ve always said that I have a love/hate relationship with words, so I lean into that tension by using them as a means to process the heaviness around me. I can never quite get there, and that’s why I continue to search. I hope you enjoy.
When you know you can’t hide, you run. It’s a simple instinct. You’re built to move, you were made for it really, and you have conditioned yourself well. Years of trained deflection and transmutation have prepared your body. You’ve been going for so long you forgot how to quit, fearful of the amorphous unknown darkness hot on your tail.
But eventually, it all catches up with you, and the only way to stop when the brakes fail is to crash. What’s left in the aftermath? Broken shards and fragments, neglected pieces bent and torn by forces outside your control. The alchemic surrender of time and space meeting at a perfect, terrible moment. Then, perpetual reflection, a cloudy, cold day that lasts weeks, the sun napping intermittently. You’re surprised to find that what surrounds you isn’t as sinister as you made it out to be. It’s just as scared as you are, acting in faith of survival, waiting to be seen, understood, and respected. It’s a shadow that has stalked you for years. You put your arm around it, hold it close.
Now this stillness allows for a renewed focus. The masks fall, the veils lift. What is taken also gives razor sharp resolve. On the other side of fear is hope. Some say it’s love but it’s all the same. In between is the work we do to see it through. Hurting then healing, running then resting, shrouding then seeing. You’ll appreciate this view for a while, until it’s time to get up and go.
‼️TONIGHT! Join us for the opening of our design exhibition “Hundred Points,” featuring graphic design projects from both local and international designers and studios.
Drop by anytime between 5-8 PM to see the show, grab some refreshments, and order a burger from Bad Larry (@badlarryburgerclub ), whose design work by Lauren Dickens (@el_dick ) is featured in the show.
Can’t wait to see y’all tonight!
Our newest exhibition “Hundred Points” is a love letter to Austin’s design communities and global graphic design that pushes the envelope of creative production.
Come check out 46 projects by 16 local and international studios at our opening reception TOMORROW, September 26, from 5 – 8pm.
Opening September 26, our upcoming design exhibition “Hundred Points” features 46 projects by 16 different design studios. Leading up to the opening, we’re going to introduce a few of the projects featured, starting with Bad Larry Burger Club who will be flipping patties at our opening reception.
Bad Larry Burger Club is part burger pop-up, part go-cart track, all party. What began as a simple burger night among friends exploded into a full fledged phenomenon featuring rock shows, boat parties, and collaborations abound.
⭐️Bad Larry’s graphics and branding featured in the exhibition are designed by Lauren Dickens in Austin, TX.
@flyingislandmarfa is back for year two — the wait is over, and the lineup has landed. Join us in the high desert this fall for a singular experience.
#musicfest #festival #spiritualjazz #psychrock #dreampop #cumbiareggae #ambientmusic #marfatexas
Shortest day of the year felt pretty long, in a good way. Eyes heavy, heart light. Here’s to hopin’ we open em’ tomorrow. Sending love from West Texas. Be good to your people. That’s all there is to all this.
“After the Storm”
Acrylic on wood panel
18” x 24”
2024
THE VOID IS A MIRROR
Don’t look too long. Don’t stare too deep.
This piece is a simple tool for self reflection. How do we spend our time? What and who do we choose to see? How do our actions reflect back onto ourselves. How do small choices, like picking up these strange little machines everyday impact every facet of who we are? Each time we put them in front of our face, are we not just gazing back at ourselves? It is just a piece of glass, after all.
The mirror-lining inside this box serves as a reminder of these meditations every time we open it, whether to put them to rest, or to participate in the charade. The abstract shapes painted on the outside of this box are repeated ambiguous letterforms, along each 4 sides, V-O-I-D.
Grateful to be included among many talents and friends in this silent auction of thoughtful work for a good cause.
Thank you @muhly.studio and @marthas.atx
All proceeds benefit @lilithfund@alyson_fox@katelesueur@casa_veronica@willbryantplz@claireoswalt@halliebrewer_
It’s been a blast to help @flyingislandmarfa take off with buds @matthewarthur@hippiescumtx@heykendallcraig .
Be sure to follow along and stay tuned for details. It’s gunna be a magical time in the desert this fall. Don’t sleep!
Tomorrow’s music…today
