DYLAN REY VASQUEZ

Paint for Dylan

With his shades on, shadow shave, and worn tank exposing the tattoo on his chest it seems as if he had been wandering for a moment, or partying. 

At about one thirty in the afternoon, I decided to meet up with Dylan in Pershing Square, Downtown, during Farmers Market.  I wasn’t able to find Dylan initially, so I walked around Pershing Square.  All of the people, all of the food, colors, and smells.  There was so much to see, so much to eat, and always something new to discover.  Frantically looking around and calling Dylan, I finally received a call.  “Yo man, what’s up! …Meet me at Seventh and Olive.” 

After going in the wrong direction for a few blocks or so, I receive a second call “I’m on seventh and Olive…where are you?”  “I’m coming your way now” I reply, and Hang up.  After walking back in the direction I came, I spot him sitting and smoking a Bugler at the local Seven – Eleven.  We approach each other, and give each other a five and a pound.  “What’s up man?” I say.  “Nothing man, its good to see you” he replies.  “So what happened at your loft?” I ask.  As I was referring to a text he sent me a day before.  Which read ‘…I have some shit to tell you …what time tomorrow’ as we sent each other text to meet. “I got kicked out of my loft, because they found out that I had been smoking and sleeping in there.”  He says.  “Whoa…that sucks man” I reply.

“Yea, so I’m living in Pasadena right now, Jeff went out of town to Boston” he says.  So he started explaining to me that he was looking for a loft to rent out.  “I just randomly meet this artist dude earlier, that’s why I wasn’t in Pershing Square.  He wants to take some photos of me for his portfolio!”  So after a short greeting, we start to walk towards Pershing Square.  With scrapes and bruises on his chin, and arms, and walking with a slight limp.  Dylan explained to me that he had got hit by a car, while riding his bike.  But while overlooking the minor injury, to meet up with me, we kept on walking, and Dylan suggested “Lets go to a Bar...Have you been to La Cita?” Dylan says. “No” I reply.  So we head into La Cita, which is a small Mexican themed bar, with an outside patio that we chilled in, for a drink and conversation.

Upon entering La cita, we order up a couple of beers, and head out to the outside patio, as there’s a photo shoot taking place.  Snap-Snap, goes the flash bold, as the model poses...What is she thinking about?  I think to myself.  As were walking outside onto the patio, under the bright sun.  We sit down on a worn couch.  I’m actually really excited to see Dylan. At this time, Dylan seems a bit nervous, and shaky.  I don’t believe it’s because of our meeting up, or maybe it was the whole, sue and Frieger situation. I hadn’t decided to give him a formal interview, as I was more interested in who he was on a more personal level.  He seemed like someone who I could work and build a genuine friendship with.

With his shades on, shadow shave, and worn tank exposing the tattoo on his chest it seems as if he had been wandering for a moment, or partying.  “So what do you do on a regular day?” I ask.  “I go to school and work mostly, and when I’m not working, I’m Partying!” he says.  “Oh yea, I say, and what school do you go to again?”  As I had forgotten what school he went to.  “I got to Associated Tech! And I study Phlebotomy” “Oh, Ok, because I was writing something about you, and just wanted to get everything right.” I say to Dylan. I really want to see who this guy is at this point.  I don’t know why.  I think it’s because of his art, his style, and how it seems like he’s just like me, in so many ways, as well as everyone else. He’s in search of something.  In search of what everyone is searching for.  “I just want to get bigger, and bigger, and bigger” he tells me.  As we talk about our individual projects.

“So where are you from, when did you start painting, and how did you get into all of this?” I ask Dylan.  “Well I’m from the I.E., where my mom is pretty well off, but I was on my own pretty much since the age of fourteen.” He say’s.  I then interrupt him, and ask “why don’t you ask your mom for help?” “I don’t know” he reply’s. “Since I was fourteen, I was always finding a way for myself,…I would just hang out, and just party with a group of my friends, and go crazy with paint…we would be all just having a good time, and since then everyone would just start saying ‘Give Dylan some paint,’ and that’s pretty much how I started.” He explains.  He also explains to me how he was arrested a few times, for Graffiti related crimes.  So while listening to his story, I was already thinking of ways to turn that into something positive.  When I heard “…give Dylan some Paint” something just clicked.

“I’m right where I want to be…I’m living the dream, while still trying to make it!” –Dylan Rey Vasquez

Dylan then begins to explain to me how he just has a spontaneous personality, and how he’s pretty much know for partying, and painting.  While still sipping on Budweiser’s, we both reflect on how we both would be able to play a part, in collaborating.  “I just want to paint, but I need a manager!” he says.  As I’m hinting in on how I would like for him to help design some of my Hoodies I’m working on.  “Yea, we should hang out more” he says to me.  “…Yeah! …that would be great!” I reply.  I didn’t want to follow his invitation, as I’m more concerned with establishing myself as a reliable person.  So within our conversation, I really want to get a good feel for who he is.  I know he’s an artist, so if we could start with something small, then we would be able to collaborate on a more extensive level.  “Can I have one of those Buglers man?” I ask Dylan, as he’s rolling one up for himself.  “Yeah…I found these by the way!”  So we roll up, and start smoking, and talking about nothing almost, just hanging out.  Puff –Puff, smoke, inhale, as we smoke on tobacco, on a beautiful day in Los Angeles. 

  When were almost finished with our beers, Dylan tries looking for his phone.  So while he couldn’t find it on him, or in his backpack, he went back into La Cita, to try looking for it.  After looking around for a while, he wasn’t able to find it.  So we just continued our conversation.  “I’m supposed to be at the Photo shoot, with the guy, I told you about, around four.” He says to me.  “Do you mind if I tag along?” I ask.  “Nah…not at all” he reply’s.  “You think we can find a Verizon store?” he say’s.  “Possibly…I don’t know!”  So after talking a bit more, we decided to head over to the mall.  Still unable to find a Verizon store, we were off to the Photo Shoot.  Unable to call the Photographer, we went to his loft anyway, and asked one of the ladies, who worked at the front desk. 

Dylan went up to see if he was there, but he wasn’t, so we decided to scour Downtown, Los Angeles for a Verizon store, to try to get a replacement.  After going in a huge circle, we decided that we were going to part ways. Arriving back at Pershing Square, we both sat on the steps of the entrance on Olive.  “Let me ask you a few questions for this piece!” I say to him, and his eyes seem to light up, and he cracks a smile. “…okay” he reply’s as we both start rolling up buglers.

“…So, when will you be finishing school?” I ask Dylan.  “I’ll be done in October.” He replies.  “That’s cool, so what about your art…what do you categorize your art as?”  “I see it as Abstract Surrealism; I’m a big fan of Salvador Dali…I want to be know as an artist such as that” he explains.  “What about you’re living situation...what are you going to do?”  “I plan to live here, in Downtown.  It’s been times when I had to sleep in Pershing Square” He says.  “Whoa, I could never do that!” I say with a remorseful chuckle.  And at that moment, I think to myself, about his eternal struggle, and basic will to just keep going.  At that point I understood, and was able to see his thirst for something more.  Even though on the outside, he seemed perfectly normal.

 “I see myself as a growing flower” Dylan explains, as I ask him about his personal state of being.  “I’m right where I want to be…I’m living the dream, while still trying to make it”  As the day is curling up, under the yawning sky, it seems as if our conversation, and personalities are the only things that are sparking glimmers of uncontained youth.  Just as our topics vary, I ask Dylan the last question.  “What is a motto that you live by?” and like a cannon, one after another “…Take what you can, and give nothing back…Do unto others before they do it to you, and just Love Life” he says, with a smile on his face.  So after that last question, I asked to see more of his work. “Yeah man, come over next week!” he says.  So we set a follow up, and arrangement to get photos of his work.

Five and a Pound, and we were off.  As Dylan was heading to Pasadena, I was heading to South L.A.  In an effort to retain what we talked about during the day, I decided to write the introduction of this in my Journal.  While riding on the bus, writing the introduction, and running out of space on the page…I flipped it over, and what do you know…I’m writing on the back of a page in my Journal, which was signed by Dave Navarro.

MARK HUNTER @ THE COBRA SHOP

Loaded

At this point, I looked at Los Angeles and Hollywood as being my backyard…and Jimmy Kimmel was the old man down the street that I wanted to pull a prank on.  It was like I hit a baseball into his yard, and he wouldn’t give it to me, so I made it a mission to try to get him back.

After meeting with the Cobra Snake, and checking out his concept store in Hollywood.  I knew I wanted to visit him again, and get an exclusive.  On my new bike, on the streets of Hollywood, I ride as fast as I can, to make sure I get everything done on time, as I was also headed to Santa Monica.  I make it to the Hollywood and Highland complex, and make my way up to the bright yellow façade, boasting the Cobra Snakes moniker. 

      I walk in, and see Mark Hunter behind his desk, with a steel fence dividing his makeshift office from the rest of the retail experience.  I ask one of his business partners, if he was available for a quick interview.  “…Yea man, sure, I’ll ask him!” he says, as he heads into the Cobra Snakes office, while he’s talking business with another friend.  He walks back and say “…sure man, go ahead!”  “…Thank you” I reply.  I walk into the makeshift office, while The Cobra Snake is doing some business on his laptop.  “Have a seat man, nice to see you!” The Cobra Snake tells me. 

I sit down on an adjacent black and white zebra print chair, as he continues to handle business.  “…so what’s up?” he says.  “Nothing, I just wanted to stop by, and ask a few questions!” I reply.  “Sure man” he continues, in a relaxed friendly voice.  His presence is calming.  I would have thought he’d be this ball off the walls, eccentric party animal type guy.  But he was quite the opposite.  I feel like I’ve known him for years.  I pull out my writing tablet, and start to ask him a few questions, that I had written previously.

 

While some people may refer to you as the ‘Ultimate Hipster’, what is your title, or Job description?

CS: Well I started off as a Photographer.  I’m a creative.  I’m a Pop-culture practitioner.

Where did you grow up?

CS: I grew up in Santa Monica, I’m an L.A. native.

What school did you go to?

CS: I went to Santa Monica High, I didn’t go to college. 

Where did you get your start?

CS: I got my start working for Shepard Fairey of the OBEY brand.  He’s the one who really introduced me to Art and Music.  That’s also when I really got into photography, and Party pics.

Who are some influential individuals that have helped you along the way?

CS: Of course Sheppard Fiery, a lot of close friends, different bands such as Block Party, Justice, and Radio Head. 

What do you think about the Los Angeles culture as a whole?

CS: I think Los Angeles is a really dynamic place, and there are a lot of things to find.  You pretty much have to discover it on your own.  There’s just so much to see, it’s such a great city.

What do you think about the Hollywood scene?

CS: Well I live in Hollywood, and there’s a lot of action here, you can find something to do on every night.

How did you come up with the Idea for your concept store/ Pop-up Shop?

CS: Well my friends and I would set up these Yard sales/ Pawn shops, all over the world.  I started with the Cobrashop.com, and wanted to have a physical retail location, so we came up with the Cobra Snake concept store.  I really think it represents us, and who we are.

Will you be doing more of this, and if so where?

CS:  Yea, were going to be opening up more stores, in undisclosed locations.  We plan to just keep taking it to the next level.  We’re going to Outer Space! 

What other projects are you working on?

CS:  Well, I have my clothing line, and I’m working on a lot of music video stuff, I’m also a director.  I’m just keeping busy.

What’s a motto that you live by?

CS:  Always be positive, be friendly, always work hard, and be consistent

CULTURE CLASH

Culture Clash

Culture is learned. The clash is the unlearning and relearning of new cultures.

Culture according to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary is the act of developing the intellectual and moral faculties’ esp. by education; enlightenment and excellence of taste acquired by intellectual and aesthetic training; acquaintance with and taste in fine arts, humanities, and broad aspects of science as distinguished from vocational and technical skills. 

May thirteenth, twenty-ten, I arrive in Downtown Los Angeles for Art Walk.  It’s almost six in the evening, and everyone is enjoying all the local galleries, and attractions.  The first gallery I stop by is 118 Winston, which is owned by Stephen Zeigler, who is a Photographer.

118 Winston is a small gallery space, on the upper-lever of a multi-tiered building in the heart of the Old Bank district.  Walking into the gallery, there is live music playing, performed by Carolina, who is a Flutist.  The gallery is sparsely furnished, which brings a more welcoming environment to the art experience. 

Across the room are two gentlemen, who I latter learn is featured artist Greg Brisson, and the owner of the gallery, Stephen Zeigler.  Eye-catching bold paintings and child-like doodles line the walls.  I walk around the room, as each piece tells a different story, through different mediums; evoking a spirit of transcendent dreams, with a hint of melancholy.

With pieces entitled The Circus, Fallen Angel, Exodus, Carolina, and Rascals, Gregory Brisson’s art speaks even to the naïve of the discipline.  Lending it’s self, to be examined and explored objectively from a plethora of perspectives.  I am introduced to Greg, by Stephen as we talk about the current state of Art, and the culture of The Downtown Art Walk.

As Greg Jovially works the room, Stephen tells me more about the man behind the Art.  After the introduction of who Greg is, I wanted to know more.  As it added a deeper layer of complexity to who he is; as well as depth into his art.  As well as the organic gathering of the three of us, all from diversely unique backgrounds as well.

“Art is not a stream, but now an ocean flowing in all directions”

The next day, I called him up, and decided to interview him over the phone.

Hello Greg, How are you?

GB: I’m doing great!

Where are you from?

GB: I was born on the Westside of Saint Paul, Minnesota, July 30^th, 1940

How was it growing up in Saint Paul?

GB: My mother was a housewife and also an excellent artist. I have a brother, four years younger than myself, and a sister one year older.

Saint Paul, was a conservative place growing up, I was coming out of the closet when I was growing up.

I considered myself an outsider, I felt like I was on the outside looking in, in this small conservative city of Saint Paul, trying to figure it all out.  But they were all really nice people.

As a result I went through periods of depression, and had to be hospitalized twice.

 

What type of art did your mother do?  And how has it played a role in your life?

GB: My Mother painted murals. But then she got ill for a while, and painted a religious mural in our Dining room, before see was hospitalized.

When I was younger, my grandmother would give me pieces of butcher paper to scribble on, as she worked in the kitchen. So that’s where I got my artistic start.

What did you Study?

GB: I studied at St. Cloud University in Minnesota.  I met a professor there who felt I needed to travel and broaden my perspective and experience. He suggested that I travel to California.  His name was Prof. Hylton Thomas. I latter continued my studies at the San Francisco Art Institute on a third world scholarship. Two of the major influences on my artistic development were Mary Johnson, and Hatowski.

How were your travels, and do you believe it helped you as an artist?

GB: I’ve traveled to Europe, Amsterdam, London, Paris, Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, and Mexico; the noted painter Max Bachmann has strongly influenced my artistic technique.

I traveled to San Francisco with only fifty dollars in my pocket.  There were times when I couldn’t find employment, and was on the streets.  So I would do odd jobs to supplement my income, while painting.

By expressing myself through my work, I was able to find myself, and experience growth and personal development.  This has fulfilled my personal yearning as an artist.

What would you categorize your art as?

GB: I labeled my art as modern primitive.  At times it’s contemporary; at others it’s whimsical with a certain sense of humor and burst of color.  But in all, it’s none of those things. I believe it is a reflection of myself. I call it a departure from tradition.

What brought you to downtown Art Walk?  And what do you think about it?

GB: I’ve been at Art Walk for three years now, where I have a Loft on

Main Street

, where I do most of my work.

I think Art walk is great for the Downtown community.  It’s bringing in a lot of revenue from the local attractions, but not necessarily for the artist.

People are becoming a little more liberal; in Los Angeles… you can be who ever you want to be, as long as you’re not stepping on other people’s toes.