Refreshed and Renewed

Photo © Bernadette Cruz

I’m baaaack! You know you missed me.

After more than a two year hiatus, it’s time to share more up and coming art, culture, and design I think is rad. I love writing about the arts, supporting artists and creatives whose passion for their crafts are undeniable, and inspiring people to be more creative. What prompted this resurrection you may ask? Well, I felt inspired!

I’ve been on The Master Cleanse for the past two weeks. (Today’s my last day! YAY!) It’s a super intense yet rewarding detox. A way to refresh and renew – body, mind, and soul. This year’s cleanse, my third year in a row, was even more necessary since I left my job in April and needed to clear my head from all that was. Out with the old, in with the new if you will. Not only was this experience an awesome boost for me physically, but the cleanse really helped me focus and totally envision where I see myself in the foreseeable future. So I thought, what better place than to .stART here.

I’m so stoked to cultivate more art, culture, and design through my lens with you. With an improved look, I’ll be bringing back all of your favorite features starting tomorrow with a brand spanking new Monday Funday, then more later in the week with some Hump Day Hot Seat, Thursday Three, and Fresh Friday Finds. Big kudos to all my awesome guests who have participated in the past and those still to come! Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned!

“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” – Albert Einstein

A tribute to my dad: Lady Gaga’s “Gypsy”

Today would have been my dad’s 71st birthday, and I feel like I owe it to him and his legacy to always live my life to the fullest just like he did right through until the end. From packing up his politically powerful life in the Philippines, with his wife and two kids, venturing off to the States for something better, having a third child, and despite his life ending way too soon, I’d say he found it. Whether it’s in me, in the love and support that my family has for each other, I honor him today and always. I’m so proud to be his legacy!

Benjamin M. Cruz

10/24/1942 – 10/28/2000

So I just packed my baggage and
Said goodbye to family and friends
And took a road to nowhere on my own
Like Dorothy on a yellow brick
Hope my ruby shoes get me there quick
Cuz I left everyone I love at home

I’m a gypsy, gypsy, gypsy

‘State of Mind: New California Art Circa 1970’ at the Bronx Museum of the Arts

Animal Bikes: “The Price is Wrong”

Jersey based and rider-owned Animal Bikes recently premiered new footy from Dave Belcher, Jared Washington, Tom White, Steven Hamilton, and more in QSS #5 “The Price is Wrong.” Check it!

Bryan Nash Gill turns trees inside-out.

Katy Kelleher

“If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?” It’s a silly question, but I like to ask it. I think what people say is telling. I’ve noticed that some think they’re strong, solid trees (and often think in terms of furniture and the use of the wood), while my female friends are more likely to call themselves aspen, or birch, or even magnolias. I’ve always loved dogwood trees myself, but there is something wonderful about a tall, white pine. Or the vanilla-scented ponderosa pines. Trees tell stories, I think.

Judging by his work, Bryan Nash Gill probably has thought about my goofy, getting-to-know-you question. How could he not? His art works are so deeply inspired by trees, from his gallery installations and sculptures to his fantastic prints. He creates these images (like the one above) by covering a tree stump in ink, and placing the paper…

View original post 70 more words

Opening Reception: “Friendly Fire” at Seeing Things Gallery

Jason Adams & friends collaborative art show opening reception for “Friendly Fire” at Seeing Things Gallery in San Jose, CA this Friday, March 29 at 7pm PT!

 

 

Art Show Opening: IRN.FST.MFG Presents “Friendly Fire”

Skaters Jason Adams and Duane Peters Pro Model Shoe Release Party and Art Show is going down in SF tonight. Head over to 111 Minna Gallery in San Francisco at 9pm to check it out!

Click here to read more about it from The Kid himself!

Opening Reception: Mike Brodie’s “A Period of Juvenile Prosperity”

For all you west coasters, Mike Brodie‘s opening reception and book signing for “A Period of Juvenile Prosperity” is tonight at M+B in Los Angeles from 6-8pm.

Chromogenic Print © Mike Brodie

From M+B:

M+B is proud to present Mike Brodie’s highly anticipated second solo exhibition, A Period of Juvenile Prosperity. The exhibition of thirty new color photographs will be Brodie’s first solo exhibition in six years and opens in conjunction with the publication of Brodie’s first monograph bearing the same name, published by Twin Palms. The exhibition will be shown simultaneously in New York at Yossi Milo Gallery and run at M+B in Los Angeles from March 16 through May 11, 2013, with an opening reception and book signing on Saturday, March 16 from 6 to 8 pm.

Orchid Show at New York Botanical Garden

I have plans to check this out with friends at the end of the month so stayed tuned for more in an upcoming Monday Funday feature. Orchids are my fave!