PATTERNS AND TONES

Oscar Wilde  once said: "Life imitates Art far more than Art imitates Life". By taking the position that Artists set the aesthetics through which we perceive Life, Mr. Wilde presented a belief that Art affects the way we look at the world around us and changes our perception of Life. He insisted that "things are because we see them, and what we see, and how we see it depends on the arts that have influenced us". I don't know anyone who more embodies this philosophy than the amazingly talented and incredibly witty Beth Allen. To be around her energy is to be engulfed in a vortex of creativity, mayhem and fun! Her interests in the macabre and the unusual permeates her artwork and activities. From horror movies, skateboarding, tattoos and taxidermy (her stuffed rats posed in Hawaiian outfits are unbelievable) to her creative expression as a guitar, singer and bass player in numerous bands, Beth's life reflects her voracious appetite of pop culture, her gr...

"Panda Bear No. 1" from The Mask Series It's no secret that humor plays a large part in my photographs. My motto is "You Can't Fake Having Fun" and the Mask Series is a testament to having as much fun as possible while making Art. The power of humor and the barriers it tears down can be seen in all sections of life. But for me, it reveals itself most clearly in the Arts. You can hear it in the music, you can see it in the painting, you can feel it in the line of the sculpture: the pure essence of joy cannot be contrived. When I set out to create this series, I limited myself 2 rolls of 120 black and white film per subject and shot them only in natural light. Subjects were given a bag of masks and asked to choose one that most resonated with them. I have always felt that the selection of the mask revealed a little bit more about the individual: their tastes in design, form, nature and character identification. The selection process, I noticed,...

Sex Crime is seriously my new favorite band. They've got straight up rock n' roll sensibilities coupled with New Wave synth undertones, delivered at a breakneck speed, these sythpunk sweethearts are tops! Watching this band perform a few months ago at The Redwood Pirate Bar downtown (which was a perfect backdrop to enjoy their nefarious ride), reminded me how fun going to see live music could be. Their shear enthusiasm was infectious and roused the crowd into a frenzy. Check out a song from their show here ! This is one Sex Crime you wont want to miss! Julie Pavlowski Green July 12, 2014 Julie Pavlowski Green: When did Sex Crime form? Tim (drums/vocals): O ver 900 days ago. Cecilia ( vocals/keyboards) :  We talked about doing this band forever before actually starting. We finally got our shit together in September 2012. Holly ( bass/vocals) :  When Ryan and Cecilia decided to ask me to join jerk forces with them....they were already rocking with Tim in Cec...

Twentynine Palms , 29 Palms or Twenty-Nine Palms. Any way you look at it, this city in the Mojave Desert in Southern California is indeed "A Beautiful Desert Oasis" and the northern gateway to Joshua Tree National Park.  Home to The King of Surf Rock -  Dick Dale  and Allie Wrubel who wrote the hit song  "The Lady of 29 Palms"  back in 1947, Twentynine Palms has always attracted artists, musicians and independent folks for generations. It's broad brush stokes of muted colors in coral, wheat and sage set the backdrop to its expansive, remote surroundings. It is truly an Oasis of tranquility and a study in light and form. My dear friend Karen Shelver turned me on to Twentynine Palms years ago. Stories of her Grandfather's homesteading adventures in the desert eventually turned into a visit when Karen lived out at the Adobe. Hand built back in 1936, it was if timed stopped when I entered the Adobe and the delicious, cool temperature (thanks to the swa...