Send A Postcard

With Printer's Row Literature Fest coming this weekend, I can't help but remind myself of the numerous postcards that I will get to see. It's like digging through vinyl except a bit more meticulously. I wish they made them as dope these days.

The Chicago North Shore train along with the Soldier Field one I got in a link sent to me late last month http://chuckmancollectionvolume17.blogspot.com/ You may find many recognizable places if you peruse through this site, as all of it is related to Chicago.
As a matter of fact I used one from this very site to compare the Before and After of the Chicago skyline http://chicagloe.blogspot.com/2011/05/chicago-before-and-after.html
The rest of them I found here http://aboutcards.blogspot.com/
If you feel intrigued enough you can lose yourself for hours. I fall for it all the time!

Goodbye And Thanks For The Show!

Shaquille O'Neal also known as "Shaq","Shaq Daddy","Shaq Fu","Diesel","The Big Aristotle","MDE" (Most Dominant Ever),"The Big Maravich","The Big Felon","The Big Cactus", "The Big Cordially","Big Shamrock", "The Real Superman" retires after an illustrious career in the NBA. Shaq is known for his gigantic size, his on-court basketball performances, and his off-court professions.

Cute!

Chicago Before And After

1940's and 2011
Scavenged pictures from the inter-web.

The Second Child

Please……………

Over the years The Second Child has supported many worthy charities around the globe. Recently I have come to learn of StandUp for Kids. StandUp for Kids is a national non-profit volunteer outreach organization dedicated to going to the streets and making a difference in the lives of at-risk, homeless, and street kids. The Chicago chapter is located in the Lakeview neighborhood. I personally was shocked to learn that Lakeview has one of Chicago's largest young adult homeless populations.

Some studies suggest that as many as 90 percent of the youngsters who leave home do so because of child abuse. They have been physically, sexually, or emotionally hurt and taken advantage of. Sometimes leaving home seems like the only answer. Thirteen kids die on the street every day from abuse, disease, and suicide. Kids are running away at the rate of 1 every minute. In the days that follow, as they continue to flee, they run into many things; drug dealers, pimps, perverts, pedophiles, STDs, and HIV. The goal of StandUp for Kids is to reach the kids, before they reach that point!

What can you do?http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

As a diehard resale shopper, even I believe everyone should have new underwear and socks. The next time you find yourself shopping for your own family, consider picking up an extra package of men's or women's underwear, sports bras, or socks. Leave them at The Second Child, and I will make sure they get to the proper hands.
If you are a consigner, consider donating one month's proceeds from your sales at The Second Child. Please let me know, and the store will add 10% to your contribution.
For more information, visit their website at
www.standupforkids.org/chicago
As you celebrate Spring with your own families, please remember the kids who are not fortunate enough to have safe homes with loving parents like you.


Thanks for taking the time to care!


Amy

The Second Child

An Upscale Children's Resale Boutique

954 W. Armitage

Chicago, IL. 60614

#(773)883-0880

Destino/Salvador Dali - Walt Disney

Artists 4 Israel Video

Murality 3, (re)engagement - Episode 2: Fohttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifr the Kids from Artists4 Israel on Vimeo.

http://artists4israel.blogspot.com/

GREVE MUL X OINK X SABOTAZ (GxOxS3)

Osamu Tezuka- Mermaid (1964)

Kane One Installation

Currently, a grad student at (SAIC), graffiti artist Kane One recently shared with us his thesis abstract http://kane-one.com/ Aware of many projects, workshops, and classes Kane has lead and taught; there is one in particular I’d like to grasp here. It is one of three mural installations done for John Spry School in Chicago’s Southwest side, the area also known as Little Village. This particular one, “Creatividad” has been installed in the school’s auditorium theatre. “Creatividad” meaning creativity is a mélange of color, linear work and particular techniques which are all exemplar of quality graffiti elements one can’t simply overlook even if color blind. These are just a few of the pictures collected through the process of moving the piece from studio to installment space. Along with the plethora of art in schools these days this one in particular makes me wish I could have been exposed to art at a much earlier age at this very school where I once played “King chases Queen”. None the less I’m sure this is a extension to this era in graffiti, an art form created by kids in the urban life of their own. The aesthetic of it is slowly gaining “understanding” where people/communities are keen enough to accept it.

The Pooper Scooper

Check out the Pooper Scooper I scooped this one there.
http://thepooperscooper.tumblr.com/

Howard Stern On Urban Exploring

What a douche this guy and idiot lady are. Oh right...all of society needs to conform on getting laid or trashed every weekend.

All Of The Lights

Free Comic Book Day

Today is free comic book day. It marks the tenth anniversary. An array of comics will be free. To see a list of participating stores near you go here http://www.freecomicbookday.com/index.asp

Educational Comic Strip

I am totally feeling the message on this strip. It is concise but deep enough to grab the attention of those interested in improving education.

This Is Forever And Ever

This is Forever from timothy karpinski on Vimeo.

This is a sweet video if you are appreciative of all good and old things. Mostly toys and gadgets that made life enjoyable. Nostalgic in it's own way.

Breaking Conan Down With Pencil

This is a super long video and you need to be in the mood for it. I recommend it while being bored and having exhausted all your web favorites.

Bare and Naked Ladies?

"We didn’t know it was possible to make painting transit look so lame."-http://www.utahether.com/

Twenty Three

The Real World

Casting Call

Everyone knows someone for this type of call

In L.A. This Weekend

Strongly encourage to check out these fellas if you find yourself in L.A.
April 30th - May 18th...Don't sleep.

In The Crates

"In The Crates" is a post that chronicles the life span of the milk crate. Through a typical day around town I found purposeful uses for the milk crate. Some of it was unbelievably ghetto and a clear realization of tough economical times in the City of Chicago, Streets and Sanitation Dept. as well as Development Dept. Another is a clear sign that there are a lot more kids playing basketball in the city with not many options for courts to choose from. Lastly, the secret life of the milk crate has made it easy for organizing and "compact" for great storage options. When you are ready to go paint you simply stuff as much paint in one as it is fairly easy to carry because of the perfectly placed handles and best of all if there is a hard to reach spot you simply empty it out and convert it in to a stepping stool. Somewhere out there, someone is using a crate to store their vinyl records. The purpose of this post is to change your perception of the milk crate as it is purposeful and evidently necessary to play, drive and live comfortably.I hope that the next time you see a crate you realize and say "hey! I can use that to cover a pot hole" Thanks for tuning in.

Happy Birthday Ella!

Happy Easter!!!

Happy Easter!! To all the believers and non believers alike.
Matthew 28
"The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

Write On The Water Video

Write on the water from guildor on Vimeo.

"Writing on water is like writing down a thought in order to keep it secure even when it is shaken by the course of life, to distinguish the important things from those you should just let flow by."

Kansas City

I haven't had time to post anything lately due to a little thing called life but I have wanted to post some new pictures of the new walls by Greve and few other "chosen one's". Unfortunately and fortunately, this weekend I'm enjoying great barbecues in Kansas City. Happy Easter to all you believers.

Martha Cooper: Remix

MARTHA COOPER: REMIX from Carmichael Gallery on Vimeo.

The Cabrini Project

The Cabrini Project (no pun intended)is a extensive research on the survival of Art within the Cabrini Green community housing. With gentrification underway, so many photographers have made note to take plenty of snap shots during the deconstruction of most of it's public housing buildings. The last one is probably days away from being destroyed. As the curious character I am about urban exploring I have decided to meander what has been left of the neighborhood and get to researching. I had a cop tell me to "be careful" while I walked down Oak St. I didn't even know how to interpret that. This project will most likely take me quite some time as my time is limited with other projects. Here is a picture I took of the all too famous "red light camera's" in Chicago, one of the many City's with the most surveillance in the World. This camera sits on the near corner of the intersection between Division Ave and Halsted Ave. Surrounding it is just some of the accumulated ruble from the building's demolition.

Big Bang Boom

BIG BANG BIG BOOM - the new wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.

One of my students put me up on http://www.blublu.org I like this particular video on evolution's consequences. Think what you may.

Second Coolest Kid In The Playground

Another great find. I can think of so many ways this could have ended.

Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde 1920's Poster

"Think what it would mean to yield to every evil impulse, yet leave the soul untouched!"

Stumble And Take

In no relevant order, here are a few favorite stumbled upon images via the interweb.

X Men First Class

X-Men: First Class Title Sequence from Joe D! on Vimeo.

This title sequence by Joe D! http://secretundergroundheadquarters.com/ is pretty proper.

Horfe Paris

Teaser exposition Beats&Drips Part2 // HORFE - Passage from SOFARIDA on Vimeo.

I wasn't planning on going but had I been in Paris I most definitely would've. Just the promo video for the show which ended a few days ago.

Graffiti Knitting

So, on one of my husband's many excursions, he brought back this United Airlines zine called Hemispheres. In it was an article by Sloane Crosley (author of essay collections) about founder, Magda Saye of "knitting graffiti" also known as "Knitta, Please". You can check out her page and her movement for more information and clarity as to what these talented "knittas" are all about
http://www.magdasayeg.com/home.html

Da Vinci Mickey

Relevant to the previous post, I was able to dig for one of my past (2007?) favorite Mickey designs from the http://bloc28.com/ page. This one is the Da Vinci Mickey Mouse by Mear One http://www.mearone.com/
As a kid I found my self collecting editions of things like clocks, phones, plates, posters etc...chliché I know. Im still a fan of the classic mouse. You can catch me watching an episode or two of Mickey Mouse Club House on a random Monday, Tuesday, Thursday...with my toddler of course.

Epic Mickey

Visually enticing, this video game trailer is pretty out there for the kiddies to be playing if you ask me. He's holding a brush and runs with it all over the place.Now, we all know what happened to Jim McMahon. So what does this game teach kids? God forbid he had a can of spray, that there would stir up some controversy and leave enemies wishing it were pepper spray.

Pictogram Posters

I watched two flying rats (pigeons) aka "pichones" form a nest this morning. Twig by twig. My son loves watching these fat birds from the window but that's besides the point....These two pictogram posters are the pretty genius of the bunch made for movies. Very simplistic signs are often the best signs for the human mind to comprehend rather quickly for those who don't catch the gist of the signs, or interpret them wrong, just be careful or simply veer away from those that have explosive/dynamite/toxic images.

Adidas All In Challenge Video

Adidas has this awesome video out for the "All In Challenge" I thought you would also appreciate...Check out the All In Challenge details
http://adidasapps.3stripes.com.au/isallin/oauth/

The History of American Graffiti, PBS Video

Watch the full episode. See more PBS NewsHour.

The book is out as of today, make sure to get your copy!

Changing Education Paradigms

Fat Cat And Flowers

A little known fact about Philly is that they have a very huge urban gardening movement. Garden's are appearing in the inner city's little nooks and crannies. If you plant a fig tree and expect it to survive the year in the Philadelphia burbs good luck with that you are better off planting it in the city blocks. One thing about Philadelphia that cannot be overlooked are their murals and mosaics that cover plenty of the residential and commercial buildings. Art in general is all around the wonderful city of Philly. At times you can also find Dennis throwing down on a high caliber painting at the local Starbucks right outside Center City (Broad St. and Pine St.). Dennis usually sits at the Starbucks to finish up his paintings and get them ready to their commissioners or auctioneer's.If you find yourself venturing off to north Philly check out the fat cat and little flowers I planted on the wall around this formulated piece of work done by an extremely talented artist that goes by the name of Greve.

Thanks to those people who document their surroundings I was able to share some of the action with you all. Enjoy.
http://silentwrytes.com/

BLK JKS - Zol!

If this doesn't make you want to move you better call a doctor.

Photography News

A woman gets her nose broken after snapping shots of a NYC police officer making an arrest read more here http://www.popphoto.com/news/2011/03/woman-photographs-nypd-making-arrest-gets-arrested-herself-and-sues-24-million
It serves well to know your rights in this country....

Kinetic Sculpture Derby

"A Kinetic Sculpture is a human-powered vehicle that also has an artistic theme. Think of parade floats on bicycles, or mummers on hand crank driven pirate ships, or an alien space ship on 2 welded togther bikes, it's zombie amish folks, it's a bar and bar stools on a bike, it's anything you can dream up. A Kinetic Sculpture Competition is all about fun and ingenuity, making the wackiest, most interesting contraption is the goal- finishing the course or winning is not. Kinetic Sculpture Competitions have been taking place all over the world since 1969 when a California artist named Hobart Brown made some artistic improvements to his son's tricycle" read more here http://www.kinetickensington.com

When in town (Philly), picked up a plugger (Call for Entries) for the Kinetic Sculpture Derby because it looked interesting. Thinking it's pretty cool if your into locomotives. The event is on May 21, 2011 in case you have a case of the "Bob the Builder" with an artistic flare.

GREVE

In Decades

This is one of the better story lines I have seen in decades behind a music video. Finally, something other than showing off too much skin and plain subordinate crap.

Paint Your Faith

Apparently I fell asleep on this one last Spring.
"Paint Your Faith is a community initiative to bring together street artists from around the world to spiritually and visually demonstrate their interpretation of faith as one unified unique piece of expression." read more here... http://www.paintyourfaith.com/about/

Recipe For Disaster

Procrastination has long been one of my vices'. All that "I work better under pressure" is b.s. I only finish because it's crunch time, you either make it or you don't. So far, I haven't been able to succumb any of my projects well before they're due. I need a foghorn right by my ear at all times to break me from the usual figments of my imagination. Even my thoughts become tentative sometimes. Reoccurring thoughts become relevant to that of a broken record or looping of pop songs you hear on commercial radio. I hate having to think about what needs to be done and not doing a darn thing about it.

Rock On!

Tales From The Hood

Once Upon a time in a far away land

"crunch crunch, crample crample" Don't ever wear walking shoes to walk alongside train tracks. After a while the rocks (the sparkly white one's) began to mold my feet in to something rather deformed in feet's existence. Don't try running because it will hurt that much more. Don't breath because they will hear you, well it's necessary to breathe but in your head your breathing too dam hard. Chances are that the reason you're here is to be alone so why is someone else here? Let me walk faster maybe I can just avoid a confrontation. I wasn't supposed to come alone, but I never listen to myself. "Shit!" was all I could think of saying to myself. "why the fuck is there a truck driving here? how is that even possible?" Oh well whatever now. I found the bushiest bush of the bunch of bushes. I left everything behind. Walking downhill, they looked dead in my eyes. As I read them word for word....I felt so pompous. Their eyes read these exact words... "Stop! What the fuck are you doing here?" finally when it was too late I heard a radio dialogue of those "important" one's the one's that many people fear and are dumb enough to fall for the fear instilled by the gadgets.

I went back and everything was still there "sigh of relief".....The End.

Rolling In The Deep

This masterpiece has a flavor like divas of the old age, very properly composed and sung. Reaching her high and low notes are not the all too usually annoying parts of whatever song you've heard. It's tribal like sound makes it nostalgic to the age of times when people actually cared about life and intangible feelings. Her voice works out the rhythmic flow of the song almost can pass as a harmonic performance without the music. I just love this song its been my favorite for a couple of months. Enjoy.

Love Letters II

Last year I got "A love letter for you" as a Valentine's Day gift from my one and only. Here's the official trailer.

Awesome Project

The best part of this project is that he's actually getting the youth's input. Big up for that.....

Jolt's Mural Project from Joel Stangle on Vimeo.

One Fare

Every now and then a few things in life bring back nostalgic feelings. Recently I found a Polaroid picture of my sister and I dated back about ten years. Days when I was playing sports and being a "free spirit". A decade later one of my friends walks in to my life and brings me two tokens. One, is a New York Transit fare token and the other is a Chicago Transit token. Now, if there is anything that can bring back the feeling of nostalgia it's definitely these tokens. There are only a few people in life who can truly be called friends and we know that all too well. My friend remembered about my rambling rants of possibly one day traveling to New York just to ride the trains if nothing else. Remembered my random nights of boredom when I rode buses and trains around Chicago to discover new possibilities on my own. Many called me crazy but its like anything else your gender can't stop you from doing things you want and can do. It's all a society made up issue. Just wanted to share this with my all too awesome followers and friends....

GREVE - Presented by Oink Art LTD and Sabotaz

The Road Again

This weekend's getaway was a blast with the girls. The sunset was the best I've seen in months. I knew it would be great and seem like a short time out but I definitely had a chance to goof around with photography and lighting which is by far one of my favorite things in photo. I can always enjoy laid back company who is up for whatever adventure lies ahead and plenty peanut butter and jelly sandwiches like the good old road traveling days.

I'm usually the last one, which is not too bad.



The ladies snapping shots of the gorgeous sunset and lighthouse.



One of many



Park in the Dark

Art and the CIA

Thought this was a bit interesting if nothing else....

"For decades in art circles it was either a rumour or a joke, but now it is confirmed as a fact. The Central Intelligence Agency used American modern art - including the works of such artists as Jackson Pollock, Robert Motherwell, Willem de Kooning and Mark Rothko - as a weapon in the Cold War. In the manner of a Renaissance prince - except that it acted secretly - the CIA fostered and promoted American Abstract Expressionist painting around the world for more than 20 years."


READ MORE HERE...

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/modern-art-was-cia-weapon-1578808.html

(Insert catagory here) of the Month....

This month thousands of Turkeys get sacrificed to make millions happy and belly filled. Heres a fellow who got smashed on his way to work. Great choice of tie for a tragic day. Anyway, here's a quick look at random images I was either forwarded or I encountered.

OCTOBER ROADKILL I thought this was pretty cynical



And this of course is the FORWARD OF THE MONTH

"...You know I've got your back like chiroprac......tic!"

Check Out The Red Shoes!!!

No respect for the status quo and like the crappy food chain slogan goes; I'm loving it!

TAHOE from Age180 on Vimeo.

My Number One...

Amongst the plethora of music/musicians I enjoy and favorite songs I have is "My Number One" by Gregory Isaacs. He's a reggae legend who's passed away ( July 15Th, 1951 – October 25Th, 2010)
due to liver cancer. Even before his mainstream debut with samples of his work used by Mos Def's "Miss Fat Booty" this reggae genius played on my CD player, that huge one with a hand band Velcro holder! haha. Speaking of which Sony announced that they have as of today discontinued the famous "Walkman" so once the last batch which was sold in April of 2010 is sold out at stores that's it, bye bye Walkman, I dont know if anyone will miss you but R.I.P to another music legend that will surely be missed.

"Time goes by so slowly"

When you find yourself trying to find some browse worthy sites, or maybe some in depth articles about random subjects, art, drawings etc....
http://www.ethermul.com/In general, if you want to see graffiti in its latest evolution check in and don't worry I have it under my favorites too.
Other favorites...
http://www.djnicktracy.com/
http://www.utahoner.com/and of course....http://www.artofwdata.com/Or you can always check in to see what I'm up to, which is usually nothing bad.

September

September is one of my favorite months. It is the month where summer begins to slowly transition in to Fall and also when I can start seeing foliage appear on different trees. It is also the month in which my two best friends where born. One of them has a sleeping disorder where at times he wakes up at the peak of the morning asking that I make a cheeseburger. Interesting that at one year of age you acquire a specific taste for food. September is also the month of the 9/11 tragedy, so maybe that's the only sad part of September. Last year in September around this time I was party-planning the biggest party celebration for my two friends. I also looked back at the one long accomplished year I had with my then newborn. Now, I am just wondering what another year is going to do to me, and most importantly what it will do for him. I love September it puts me on check with the things I've accomplished thus far and makes me feel warm inside to know that hibernation season is also under way.

Seems as if I haven't updated this bad boy in quite some time. I have content but my time is short. Sorry.I'll be back for a few updates.thanks for checking in.

Writer's Block

I just found myself typing different sentences that got deleted and retyped at least five times. I call it writers block but it could also be a subject problem. I was going to continue jabbering about the oil tragedy, how anyone dare call it a spill it’s still flowing like a bladder gone bad. Like in the Austin Power's movie, where he pees uncontrollably then pauses but wait the oil flow has never paused, I guess that’s the difference. I won’t keep going with this oil greed. I’ve had about enough on the oil spill I’m disturbed by it every time I think about it. I can’t save the whole world even if I wanted to. What a dramatic change in weather though.
While in Chicago for the second consecutive month, the weather hit a hit a high of
Ninety four degrees Fahrenheit, I'll have you know it was sticky and hot and I didn’t even want to shake anyone's hand. I thought to myself "as soon as it hits dusk we are good!" well, no we weren't, all the windows popped up with little to no breeze coming through but none the less I've missed the hot Spring/Summer. I'm looking forward to hitting the "beach" has to start correcting all the yuppies that it’s a Lake not the beach. A beach has fish and other Ocean creatures with sea shells on the shore and little conches not just a bunch of empty water bottles and trash. It's normally all those people who have just re located to Chicago that call it a beach. I began wondering how it would affect this area had an oil spill happened in Lake Michigan. I can just imagine how the Mayor would have been so "concerned" maybe he would’ve started an Oil Blasters program. From what I hear and I heard it through the grape vine is that he cut back on his graffiti blasters program. I guess he finally realized it would be better to catch all those murderers running lose around the city than to play cat and mouse with teenagers who like applying paint on buildings. I know it may come to a surprise but Chicago has now been ranked number one in murders. Crime is out of control, last time I watched the news it wasn’t good but when is it? When they find the governor bidding Obama's Senate seat to the highest paying idiot? Or maybe Tod Stroger getting his family through the loop holes of the city for a high paying position? All I know is that the news should be labeled "No Good News”, unless your related to a politician in Chicago because even if its bad news you can just pay your way out the ordeal you get into.
This has been an over all jumpy post but this is what’s on my mind and I have writer's block. Sometimes, I can’t be half woman half amazing. So I have to settle to being an ordinary, curious, opinionated human with tendencies of making everything sound like its a joke because the more you try to make a positive difference in this world it seems to back fire and disgust from deep with in.

Wishful Thinking

While I continue to investigate and navigate the browsers that be, I keep researching different subjects. Subjects, such as and not limited to, wild life, fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, crude oil in water, new substances on shore, and so on, I keep praying and wishing that we can all do one thing, something like the "good deed of the day" to contain this disaster from further threatening our Eco system and our wild life. I'm not a crazy "stop animal cruelty" type of person which doesn't mean I am about being cruel to animals either nor am I a "Go Green" pusher but I am all about making the future safe, clean and better for generations to come. I am about the earth and nature and supporting those people who at times don't even get paid to research and keep the earth "healthy" but if i could go green and if I could do anything else to make this all end soon without drastic compromises of my own health and more importantly my son's, I would. I am saddened to not really be able to do anything else other than donate my time to speaking out on what is simply an opinion, donate my hair and followup on the spill day in and out. But I guess I can, or we can because I just need a "yes we can" attitude to accomplish these things that are not yet visible to our eyes. All the effects this oil "spill" will bring we wont even be able to see, because most of it will be underwater damage and over the time period type of effects. And I emphasize the "spill" in quotations because the word spill can be easily understood more in sentences such as these;" I think I just spilled the beans"- As in it just slipped out. "i spilled my coffee on the car floor"- as in it actually stopped spilling as soon as I picked up the cup. Point is that the "spill" began April 20Th and there have been estimations of it pouring for 90 or more days to come. I am hopeful that this will open peoples eyes and bring people together in efforts on making our cities, countries, and world a better place. But, as events have unfolded for the past weeks or months it seems like no one even gives a shit anymore.

M.I.A. "Born Free"

M.I.A, Born Free from ROMAIN-GAVRAS on Vimeo.

This was removed from youtube in the U.S. stumbled upon it on my daily NPR browsing...very violent.