My first day back in town was enjoyable. I slept till 11am, made a trip to Starbucks and then spent the afternoon shopping. I picked up some cool new things from Buckle. I did go to the dojo tonight to train, so I was only lazy until sundown.
Busy day tomorrow- opening for Billy Ray Cyrus at the stadium. Wednesday is a red carpet event. I've never been asked to walk the red carpet for a premier before, so that should be interesting.
Hope you are all well and finding happiness.
Buona Notte.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
I'm back
I have been away from the blog for over a week now. First a few days in Ohio, then a week in Maryland, but now I'm back in Pittsburgh. Looks like a lot has happened since I've been in town last. The shooting in Bridgeville is the national news story that, unfortunately turned all eyes on our city. What a horrible, senseless thing. I have a lot of thoughts on that subject, but for now my thoughts go out to the families for their losses.
I have some unpacking and other odds and ends to take care of.... I'll post more later.
Hope you're all well. Thanks for all the emails - I didn't disappear afterall!
Ciao!
I have some unpacking and other odds and ends to take care of.... I'll post more later.
Hope you're all well. Thanks for all the emails - I didn't disappear afterall!
Ciao!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Random thoughts and the Beastie Boys tragedy
Hola! I just got home from a night in Waynesburg, PA. I met so many great people, and was treated with such wonderful hospitality. Fantastic people in that town! I also had fun hanging out with friends Nicole and Melissa (glad you're over the whole Jambo thing!). Nicole had a great one liner that I was going to post here...... if only I could remember it. She will have to add it as a comment now.
Other random thoughts before I go to bed this morning..... I was supposed to go see the Beastie Boys this summer. They have dates in cities that are so easy to get to: D.C., Atlantic City, New York, Chicago, Baltimore, etc. and I have a schedule conflict with every freaking date. I'm so bummed. Maybe I can catch up with them in the fall. Grrrr.
Another note- I watched a great movie this past week called El Cantante, which stars Marc Anthony as salsa legend Hector Lavoe. I need to get a copy of the soundtrack- the music is killer. If you like music of any genre, you'll love the film. And as a music film, I would call it a cross between LaBamba and the Doors. If that description doesn't make you want to see it- nothing will!!!
Ok kids- gotta run! I have a few cities in Ohio in the next few days and then I'm off to Maryland.
Ciao!
Other random thoughts before I go to bed this morning..... I was supposed to go see the Beastie Boys this summer. They have dates in cities that are so easy to get to: D.C., Atlantic City, New York, Chicago, Baltimore, etc. and I have a schedule conflict with every freaking date. I'm so bummed. Maybe I can catch up with them in the fall. Grrrr.
Another note- I watched a great movie this past week called El Cantante, which stars Marc Anthony as salsa legend Hector Lavoe. I need to get a copy of the soundtrack- the music is killer. If you like music of any genre, you'll love the film. And as a music film, I would call it a cross between LaBamba and the Doors. If that description doesn't make you want to see it- nothing will!!!
Ok kids- gotta run! I have a few cities in Ohio in the next few days and then I'm off to Maryland.
Ciao!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
East Liberty, Public Art and a great little French Restaurant
Today I made a trip into East Liberty and had a very nice time. I haven't been there since winter and was very happy to see the continued development. I used to make regular trips to that neighborhood just to shop at WholeFoods. Now there are so many reasons to visit, that I had a difficult time choosing - there just wasn't enough time. For example, I went to a very cool little restaurant called Paris 66 for a late lunch. It's fantastic- an authentic French restaurant with a nice atmosphere and excellent food. As soon as you walk through the door you will notice that the staff all speaks French, and they are so warm and inviting. It was all very charming and reminded me so much of Paris. I will certainly be back, but next time for dinner.
After that I went to Trader Joe's and bought a bunch of things I really didn't need, but felt that I couldn't live without. If fine cheeses weren't among my purchases, I would have stopped at the bookstore and Starbucks as well..... next time.
While traveling today, I noticed a number of pieces by graffiti artists. I, like many artists went through a graffiti stage where I learned the style, emulated the type designs and incorporated it into canvases. I have seen some fantastic graffiti artists over the years, especially in New York City and the surrounding boroughs. Unfortunately, most of the graffiti I see here in Pittsburgh is nothing more than vandalism. Any clown with spray paint can make a mess.
That's not to say that there isn't any decent graffiti/mural work here. One that comes to mind is the underpass in Oakland at 5th Avenue. I don't know who did it, but it's a very nice composition, great use of color, nice imagery and it improves the environment. That's art.
The fools scribbling on walls, buildings and bridges need to just stop it- you're making an ugly mess. Look to the New York and L.A. scenes and learn from them. Practice on a canvas, on cardboard, on wood. Develop your skills and plan your designs. Consider stencils- look up Banksy online for inspiration. If you are going to take your art out into the community, at least present them with art, not vandalism. If you improve the environment, people will embrace it.
Here's another suggestion: make it legitimate. Make compositional sketches, make a final draft of your design. Present it to your community leaders or to the owner of the building you have your eye on. GET PERMISSION to create a public work of art. Then you will probably have your materials donated, you can work in the daylight and create the work of art you intended. Take it one step further- look up the good folks at the Sprout Fund and become a part of what they do- putting artists out in the community, creating public works of art. It's good for the community, good for the artist and good for art.
Good luck! Now get crackin!
After that I went to Trader Joe's and bought a bunch of things I really didn't need, but felt that I couldn't live without. If fine cheeses weren't among my purchases, I would have stopped at the bookstore and Starbucks as well..... next time.
While traveling today, I noticed a number of pieces by graffiti artists. I, like many artists went through a graffiti stage where I learned the style, emulated the type designs and incorporated it into canvases. I have seen some fantastic graffiti artists over the years, especially in New York City and the surrounding boroughs. Unfortunately, most of the graffiti I see here in Pittsburgh is nothing more than vandalism. Any clown with spray paint can make a mess.
That's not to say that there isn't any decent graffiti/mural work here. One that comes to mind is the underpass in Oakland at 5th Avenue. I don't know who did it, but it's a very nice composition, great use of color, nice imagery and it improves the environment. That's art.
The fools scribbling on walls, buildings and bridges need to just stop it- you're making an ugly mess. Look to the New York and L.A. scenes and learn from them. Practice on a canvas, on cardboard, on wood. Develop your skills and plan your designs. Consider stencils- look up Banksy online for inspiration. If you are going to take your art out into the community, at least present them with art, not vandalism. If you improve the environment, people will embrace it.
Here's another suggestion: make it legitimate. Make compositional sketches, make a final draft of your design. Present it to your community leaders or to the owner of the building you have your eye on. GET PERMISSION to create a public work of art. Then you will probably have your materials donated, you can work in the daylight and create the work of art you intended. Take it one step further- look up the good folks at the Sprout Fund and become a part of what they do- putting artists out in the community, creating public works of art. It's good for the community, good for the artist and good for art.
Good luck! Now get crackin!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Pittsburgh Restaurants
To continue the last post ..... here are my restaurant recommendations for Pittsburgh:
If visiting Station Square, Pittsburgh Rare is outstanding. Great view and excellent food. Tell Chef Craig I said hello.
Take the incline up to Mt. Washington, you have more than one excellent choice. My favorite in that neighborhood is Monterrey Bay. Chef Travis can do amazing things, and they have the best crab cakes in Pittsburgh.
Other favorites: South Hills has both Franco's and the Sesame Inn. In the South Side, a little place called the 1889. Great food. Demo, the owner is there almost daily. The Coq Au Vin is no longer on the menu, but you can still order it... and you should, it's incredible.
In Shadyside, I like Girasole and Enrico's.
There are so many great restaurants in Pittsburgh, these just happen to be my favorites.
Now I'm hungry...... Buon Appetito.
If visiting Station Square, Pittsburgh Rare is outstanding. Great view and excellent food. Tell Chef Craig I said hello.
Take the incline up to Mt. Washington, you have more than one excellent choice. My favorite in that neighborhood is Monterrey Bay. Chef Travis can do amazing things, and they have the best crab cakes in Pittsburgh.
Other favorites: South Hills has both Franco's and the Sesame Inn. In the South Side, a little place called the 1889. Great food. Demo, the owner is there almost daily. The Coq Au Vin is no longer on the menu, but you can still order it... and you should, it's incredible.
In Shadyside, I like Girasole and Enrico's.
There are so many great restaurants in Pittsburgh, these just happen to be my favorites.
Now I'm hungry...... Buon Appetito.
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