Zoetica Ebb // Biorequiem.com — Art, style, space adventures

Operation I: The Meaning of Stuff

June 12th, 2013 · Biorequiem

It’s been a week since my last Operation I post. For those of you just joining us, my significant other, my significant chihuahua and I are in the midst of a temporary move from Northern California to Dublin, Ireland (hence the “I”, hurr durr) – and believe you me, it’s been quite the involved operation so far. Far from daunting, though, because I love moving, always have. I remember fantasizing about packing up and heading somewhere new when I was as young as five, spending hours imagining every aspect of what many people consider an exasperating ordeal – packing, sloughing accumulated crap, organizing new lodgings and discovering a totally new place.

Since then, I’ve moved something like thirteen times, but haven’t exactly been possessed by the nomadic spirit over the past decade. I’ve traveled plenty, but as far as where I lived went, I was relatively stationary – contrary to the arteest stereotype, I prefer living and working in stable conditions. As such, I spent ten years in my Hollywood apartment and two in my violet house in Echo Park, and though I left LA, I have a 10-by-10-foot storage unit filled with books and furniture and corsets and letters and art and all sorts of other pretty things. One thousand cubic feet of stuff! Fortunately, I don’t have to sort through any of it for a long time and can live on the contents of a few suitcases until it’s time to put down roots again.

unicorn-toy-1

My old place in Hollywood was a bit like a less-damp version of JF Sebastian’s loft in Blade Runner, with gold and silver walls, floor-to-ceiling red velvet drapes, every corner overflowing with books and mannequins and candles and more art than the walls could fit. It was warm, dark, mysteeerious… And, eventually, cluttered, dusty, and full of ghosts. Too many objects with attached memories, physical ties to an identity I outgrew made my apartment feel like a shrine to the past. After so many years, my home begun to suffocate me.

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(Source.)

I moved, examined how I relate to objects, got rid of piles of stuff, put restrictions on shopping – but it wasn’t until I put 90% of my remaining belongings into storage that I felt a complete sense of relief. Turns out, I don’t need to be surrounded by all my supplies and books and things to be me or to make art, even if they’re occasionally useful or important in some way. Storing everything in a place which I can access if need be, but which isn’t in my immediate vicinity, turned out to be a perfect solution for the moment. It took a long process of pruning, simplifying and upgrading my consciousness – and now, I’m exactly where I want be.

An apartment I sort of liked while browsing last week. We haven’t settled on a place yet, though.

One of the cool things about renting in Dublin is the fact that many apartments come furnished. Of course, this could mean ending up with an ugly couch or a carpet one would rather pretend didn’t exist, but these are surmountable obstacles and this arrangement is perfect for a short-term move, significantly reducing concerns and expenses. Since I’m particular about my surroundings, I’m also adept at transforming them to suit my needs, so a pre-furnished apartment presents a welcome challenge and an interesting exercise in adaptability. Knowing a place is temporary will help prevent acquisition, so how will it become a welcoming, familiar home? How much of a “home” do I really need these days? Knowing how taxing it can become, how much of me do I want represented by the place I live? I can’t wait to find out.

In the meantime, a look at some of my To Do list from the past week.

happyfuntime
Just some of the companies I’ve talked to in the past week. Fun!

Finalize all dog-related arrangements (this was an insane amount of stuff which took most of my time, click this to see just what it takes to move a teenie weenie into Ireland)
Book flight to NYC
Book flight to Dublin
Book moving truck to get remaining stuff into LA storage
Let my bank know I’m moving
Pack up my printer and one box of art supplies – the only stuff we’re shipping

I also found out that Amazon Prime is non-transferable from the .com to .co.uk, but a partial refund will be issued once I cancel. Oh well. Now back to packing, planning and coffee. Lots of coffee.

cluter·minimalism·Moving·Operation I | 6 Comments

Operation I – Step One: Moving Micron

June 4th, 2013 · Biorequiem

Micron is my beloved space-cockroach, my favorite nano-beast, the one and only chihuahua of my heart.

It’s Day One of Ireland-related planning, and, of course, dog-travel is the first point of order. As of 3:15PM, I’ve spent about four hours researching, getting quotes, and talking with vets to fully understand what it takes to move a small dog from California to Dublin. Turns out it’s an expensive pain in the royal butts, but it could have been worse: until last year, in addition to everything else, there was a mandatory six-month quarantine for pets brought to Ireland. There is no way I’d consider that.

These days, all it takes is about $2,000 and sturdy nerves. Some curious facts besides the expected vaccination and documentation details:

All pets traveling to Ireland have to first go to Dublin to pass inspection at Lissenhall Veterinary Hospital – the only traveling-pet-examination-station in all of Ireland
Once in Dublin, the pet must be taken to Lissenhall by a special pet transporter(!), whom you pay in addition to Lissenhall’s own inspection fee.
Aer Lingus only works with one such transporting service, called Pet Express, who are, fortunately, nothing short of amazing.
There is no direct flight from LA to Dublin, so we get to have fun with TWO airlines’ pet policies.
Our pet-moving expenses are as follows: moving stuff (crates, dishes, etc) $100-ish, vaccination and vet exam fee ($102) American Airlines in-cabin pet fee of $125, $1,220 to PetExpress (includes pick up and check into Aer Lingus during our layover in NYC, delivery from Dublin airport to Lisenhall Hospital and Aer Lingus’ €160 pet-transporting fee), Lissenhall’s own inspection fee of $230 – all in all close to $2,000. That’s more than our own one-way tickets put together. I love you, Micron. I really do.

Hit the jump for my working Micron-related checklist and some helpful links.

[Read more →]

Micron·Operation I·pets·Travel | 15 Comments

Pulling Up Stakes: Goodbye USA, Hello Ireland

May 31st, 2013 · Biorequiem

I’m writing the first half of this while convincing myself to drink two more glasses of water with promise of a nightcap. Dehydration is not my usual game, but I’ve been at my desk for seven solid hours wrapping up a commission, with three more to go in an attempt to complete as many of these as possible this week, because next week marks the beginning of mad preparations for Operation I.

Rewind to seven months ago. My steady writing and photography gig went belly up when Chinashop got its funding pulled by Red Bull, my relationship had turned into something I wanted to stuff into a barrel of acid and set on fire at sea, my car breathed its last – in short, I was heartbroken and free and, for the first time in years, nothing was keeping me in Los Angeles. With lots of support from close friends, I gave away a bunch of stuff, stored away ten years of LA life, and set out for northern California, determined to quietly spend the next year on sabbatical, focusing on myself and my art.

But, in the words of De La Fontaine, a person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it. Mine turned out to have little to do with quiet or year-long sabbaticals.

After several months of drawing, sculpting, and spending a lot of time wandering the NorCal countryside, I was on the actual road, returning from a weekend trip, fully intent on finishing Murakami’s 1Q84. Instead, by perfect chance, I met someone I haven’t really been apart from since. That’s not entirely true, actually – at first, there were a couple of weeks of fervid denial and hesitation. If this sounds dramatic, it was. I downright agonized – with, like, sleepless nights and abrupt weight loss and worrying friends and stuff. This was… Legit. Eventually, I remembered that life is short and that allowing toxic debris like fear rule my decision-making is stupid. Good call.

Now, in another eerily synchronous twist, my current living arrangement drew to a close just as Gašper received a job offer that demands his presence in Dublin. After diligently mulling things over, we’re putting even more stuff into that storage unit in LA and heading to Ireland for a year. Thus, Operation I.

At this moment, I don’t know what’s actually going to happen, exactly how long we’ll stay, where we’ll live, or how the hell I’m going to get my printer over there and back. I’ve never taken my dog on a plane and I’ve never moved overseas, (unless you count my immigration from Russia when I was twelve, but I had nothing to do with the details of that). We have three weeks to our departure. In short, Operation I is going to be interesting and I want to document the entire escapade right here. I’m also going to stop cutting my hair for the duration of Ireland and let you know how that’s going – because there’s no entertainment quite like hair angst.

When I moved in an effort to hit “Reset” on myself, I did the same thing with this blog. I had a lot to think about, most of which I wasn’t able to share here, and the blog just didn’t fit anymore, like much of my life until that point had stopped fitting. After many months of stewing and processing, I’ve entered a new chapter and feel ready to resume writing, to make Biorequiem and me match again. I’ve missed this place and I’ve missed you. So, yes. I’m back and I’m leaving and you’re invited. Here’s to our next adventure!

adventure·Ireland·Travel | 40 Comments

Photo Flurry 121 – Revisiting the Paris Catacombs

May 27th, 2013 · Photo Flurry

The first time I visited the Paris catacombs, it was the summer of 1999 and I was spending one month riding the EuroRail and sleeping in hostels (and on floors, and in parks) while backpacking across six European countries with my best friend. It was the greatest thing we could think to do after my graduation – our goal was to visit as many of the attractions listed in the Weird Europe travel guidebook as we could – so we did and, of course, several catacombs were on the roster.

Though it was my great misfortune to begin a vegetarian stint just before our journey, we survived – on French fries, street ice cream, and wine-fueled adrenaline. I defied the June heat in my 20-hole Doc Martins, maintained my dreaded undercut with disposable razors and shot close to ten rolls of cheap film. My budget for the month was $1,500, cash. It was a great summer.

I recently had the chance to see the Paris catacombs again and found them more impressive than I remembered. Maybe it was the lack of Weird-Europe-induced burnout (by the time we made it there that summer, we’d seen places like the Sedlec bone church and Amsterdam’s Vrolic museum), or that this time I actually paid attention to the amusing signs around the crypts, or the excellent espresso I finished before descending into the damp darkness – whatever the case, I loved every moment.

Of course, all this didn’t stop me from entertaining the potential improvements I could instill, given the chance, like more dripping water, fog, spooky noises and atmospheric lighting – because the bony remnants of over six million bodies in an 18th century ossuary just weren’t moody enough, apparently.

Now, more of my photos accompanied by some of my favorite Paris catacomb epigrams. Enjoy… If you dare! (Disappears into a cloud of violet smoke, flapping her cape.)

Si vous avez vu quelque fois mourir un homme, considérez toujours que le même sort vous attend.
–
If you ever saw a man die, keep in mind that the same fate awaits you.

Pensez le matin que vous n’irez peut-être pas jusques au soir et au soir que vous n’irez peut-être pas jusques au matin.
–
Realize in the morning that you may not make it ’till the evening, and in the evening that you may not get to the next morning.

Heureux celui qui a toujours devant les yeux l’heure de sa mort et qui se dispose tous les jours à mourir.
–
Fortunate he who keeps the hour of death in sight, and who is constantly ready to die.

Mortuo homine impio nulla spes
–
Pour l’impie mort, il n’y a plus d’espoir.
–
To the dead impious man, there is no more hope.

Où est-elle la Mort?, toujours présente au passé. À peine est-elle présente que déjà elle n’est plus.
–
Where is Death? Always present in the past. The moment she’s present, she already was.

Un monstre sans raison aussi bien que sans yeux
Est la Divinité qu’on adore en ces lieux
On l’appele la Mort et son cruel empire
S’étend également sur tout ce qui respire.
–
A monster with no reason and no eyes, is the Divinity one adores in this place. It’s called Death, and its cruel empire spreads over every breathing soul.

France·macabre·the Paris Catacombs·Travel | 6 Comments

Photo Flurry 120 – Electric Fun at Maker Faire 2013

May 20th, 2013 · Biorequiem

Maker Faire is one of the very few Bay Area events that I’ve actually manged to attend since moving here six months ago. It was a lot less conference-centric than I had hoped, but as far as fairs go, it was great. Exhibitors were all super-friendly and genuinely loved talking about their goods, plus I got to catch up with friends, so – whee! And of course I couldn’t resist taking a few pictures amidst all the clamorous excitement, though experiencing definitely took precedence over documenting – there was just so much to marvel at.

Tesla coils + electric guitar = amazing.

Children dancing whilst being zapped inside a Faraday cage, thus safe.

We all took turns getting zapped by the loveliest of mad scientists grasping a Van de Graaph generator, which produced roughly a million volts, but with a very low current.

I don’t know who this kid was, but his expressions were the best.

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My sweet new ride.

Tiny drones

This was actually quite impressive – all the fish and lobsters danced (and sang) in synch!

The charred remains of a piano.

Ran into Mitch near the giant MouseTrap.

Manually-operated, salivating cunnilingus machine?

This massive wolf sculpture spat fire via remote. I got to push the button.

Gašper remembered he can’t play piano, but did get to play a guitar that used empty oil drums as amps.

Possibly swans roaming a desolate stretch of lawn on our way back.

COMRADES·Maker Faire 2013 | 5 Comments

Inkdrops 029 – Alkonost Tattoo Commission

May 16th, 2013 · Inkdrops

Click image to see her bigger.

Alkonost || Tattoo design* for Claire

This was incredibly fun to work on. Little-known fact: I drew another graphite Alkonost a few years ago for an unrealized project – it was never posted anywhere because… Well, it sucked. Having a second chance to explore the theme of one of my favorite Russian mythological creatures was pure redemption and delight – I actually want to draw more of these now, but have to work on other projects for the moment. Vasnetsov’s classic depiction of the feathered beast and her dark counterpart was part of my inspiration here and, per Claire’s instruction, I incorporated a subtly Mayan motif into the kokoshnik headdress and necklace. The original drawing will be available for purchase soon.

To commission a tattoo design, email me at zoetica (boop) gmail (beep) com for a quote.

*This is an original tattoo design created for Claire; she owns the skin rights, I own the art rights. Please respect the art and its owners.

Alkonost·commission·tattoo·tattoo commission | 2 Comments

Photo Flurry 119 – LA Trip for Gag Me With a Toon 5

May 7th, 2013 · Photo Flurry

Steven Daily’s mural at WWA gallery

LA was fun this time around, surpassed only by the car ride, which included learning Slovenian and teaching Russian and singing Slavic folk songs in unison. The opening reception for Gag Me With a Toon 5 was filled with much-missed friends, some excellent surprise run-ins and model behavior from Micron, who peacefully snoozed in her carrier the entire night. I wore my most ridiculous leggings and space shoes and lots of eyeliner, while RedBull proved, once again, to be an emergency heaven-send, its effects culminating in a rainbow-farting pantomime with J.R. Goldberg outside of the gallery. What do we win?

Besides the art show, there was delicious food, the Kubrick retrospective at LACMA, family visits, a magical, late-night emergency Reuben sandwich, 11AM tequila, much-needed catch-up time with Anechka, who was a most gracious hostess, cat-cuddles and attempts to bend time to our will. As much as I love my NorCal sanctuary, these little pockets of buddy-time are incredibly rewarding. We drove home at 1AM yesterday morning, flopping into bed around 7:30.

What else? These past few weeks have been mostly comprised of waiting for an answer. Some big, exciting changes could be looming on the horizon, but I can’t tell you about them just yet. Suffice to say I’m happy and excited and grateful and I hope you are, too. FEEL MY RAINBOW POWER!

*Aeon_Eggs_ZoeticaEbb_small
My contribution to the show, Eggs. It’s mixed media on two birch panels. The original is available for purchase, here. More about it here.

J.R. Goldberg’s adorable piece, complete with “Sold” dot. Go girl!

Jenny and ramen and whyareyoupointingthathugecameraatmezowhyeeijustwantmytea

Annah eats cat-butt after a long and stupid day.

Coffee and cookies at LACMA before visiting the Stanley Kubrick retrospective.

Gašperoo

Microbe

Annah and Tang

Quintus and breakfast.

Booty, the one-eyes pirate.

Armed and ready for our 1AM drive back North.

5:30AM in northern California

Aeon Flux·COMRADES·Exhibit·LA | 7 Comments

Inkdrops 028 – Dendrophylax Lindenii for “Zombie”

May 1st, 2013 · Inkdrops

Here is a first look at Dendrophylax Lindenii – my lil’ 8×8″ violet graphite piece for Travis Louie’s “Zombie” group show, opening on May 25th at NYCs Last Rites gallery.

Click the image to see it bigger.

Having just finished an Aeon Flux tribute diptych for Gag Me With a Toon 5, I’d been on an Egon Schiele (one of Peter Chung’s bigger influences) kick. Those of you familiar with his work probably recognize the hint at the pose from one of Schiele’s drawings of Mime Van Osen. This one:

I’ve always loved how odd and disjointed and shambly these portraits looked, and they immediately came to mind when Travis told me about the show’s theme. I also dig the sketchy quality, which I decided to keep for my piece, as well.

Dendrophylax lindenii_detail

And what exactly is a Dendrophylax Lindenii? It’s the Latin name for a flower called the Ghost Orchid. Since starting my Alien Botany series, I’ve become infatuated with orchids – it was only fitting to include them here.

drawing·graphite·zombie | 6 Comments

Photo Flurry 118 – Seashore Glow

April 22nd, 2013 · Photo Flurry

I’m busy with arts for upcoming group shows, one of which is Gag Me With a Toon 5 – opening in LA on May 4. You might remember my Cheburashka from last year’s GMWAT. Over on the east coast, Frei, our producer extraordinaire, has been hard at work on editing new featurettes for The Secret Guide to Alternative Beijing, some of which should be rolling out soon. Also soon: more photos from my recent Euro-trip and announcing another group show I’m part of, which I’m pretty excited about!

Meanwhile, photos from Saturday’s expedition to Half Moon Bay, and, as always, my various microblorghging can be found here: Tumblr | Twitter | Instagram.

One dozen is not enough.

Gašper’s first composition lesson.

I want a wheelbarrow now, so I can name it.

The boat in the middle was named, “Pale Horse”.

Half Moon Bay·Ocean·oysters | 3 Comments

Photo Flurry 117 – Stone and Steel in Toledo

April 9th, 2013 · Photo Flurry

Europe was lots of fun and Toledo is a place I hope to return to and get lost in for a few days; I’ve never in my life seen such magical light. And speaking of never – I will never post my Eurozoom 2013 photos if I feel obligated to write long accompanying posts – with two weeks to finish three pieces for group shows, well… Ain’t nobody got time for that. I know I owe this place and you a proper update, and there is a lot I’d like to document, but it will have to wait a while longer.

I hope you’ve all been taking goof care of yourselves. Enjoy the visual jaunt and forgive my lack of words, for now.

Spain·Toledo·Travel | 6 Comments

Photo Flurry 116 – LA Spin for Conjoined 3

January 23rd, 2013 · Photo Flurry

Took my first trip back to Angel City last weekend for the opening reception of Chet Zar’s Conjoined 3. This annual group show has been an awe-inspiring congregation of talent from the start, but this year’s participants may have made Conjoined 3 its most impressive installment yet – the entire exhibition catalog is here.

I interviewed Chet Zar and wrote a short introductory piece about Conjoined on Haute Macabre – click to read it.

Fear and Loathing by Kevin Kirkpatrick

I spent about a month working on my piece for this exhibit, sculpting for the first time in over six years. My only experience until now had been within the confines of an SFX studio, carving organs and corpse heads for movies. I chose to stay on topic with my Alien Botany series and created a 3D version of the Amorphophallus Venusinus – the same plant I painted in gold on my piece in the Wonderland Gallery Skulls exhibit.

I have an entire line of suggestive fine porcelain in mind for a future project, and this is the first of the bunch. Displayed in a laboratory clamp, the sculpture features an engraved plaque, which reads:

Zoetica Ebb

Amorphophallus Venusinus
Earth c. 2111AD
Her Cytherian Majesty’s Private Collection

You get the idea.

I was only in town for something like thirty five hours, but managed to see many of my much-missed friends at the reception, culminating with the traditional takeover of several booths at Norm’s, which was being used as a pimp’s personal playground for the evening.There was a parade of hookers in various stages of discombobulation to and from the restrooms, keeping us entertained until food arrived. A few snaps from the opening and of the aftermath, below.

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COMRADES·Conjoined·Exhibit·Los Angeles | 7 Comments

Inkdrops 027 – Amorphophallus Venusinus for Wonderland Gallery

January 9th, 2013 · Inkdrops

In November, I was part of the Skulls exhibit at Kat Von D’s Wonderland gallery. Close to one hundred artists reinterpreted acrylic skulls we received in the mail.

Mine is inspired by Russian lacquer art, my Alien Botany research and gilded grills everywhere. After painting one of my specimen in gold leaf paint on the skull, I collaborated with graffiti artist Seraphix on the script (thanks, Antoni!). A bunch of pictures were taken before I sent the finished skull off to Wonderland, but I haven’t had the chance to go through them until now. Some were taken in artificial light and some in sunlight, to give you as much of an accurate idea of how this piece looks as possible.

This is probably the glossiest thing I’ve ever made, and thus a massive pain to photograph, but between the two sets, I think you’ll get the gist. A few photos of the show reception follow, too – enjoy!

Reception fun at Wonderland Gallery! Photos by Mister Sam and Wonderland curator, Sam Soto.

Me and my gorgeous reception date, Clint Catalyst

Stephanie Inagaki, who also had a skull in the show, and I during and after the reception.

Show silliness with mom, Stephanie and Mister Sam

We like free wine.

No art opening is complete without a post-reception celebration. Preferably with burgers and onion rings.

alien botany·Exhibit·skull·Wonderland Gallery | 10 Comments

Photo Flurry 115 – Snow-dusted New Year’s Eve

January 2nd, 2013 · Photo Flurry

My favorite memory of snow is from when I was about nine years old and staying at a mostly vacant resort a few hours outside of Moscow with my grandmother. It was the middle of winter. We’d spend our days red-cheeked, skiing through the surrounding forest, crunchy white powder bursting out of our way, snow-capped ferns towering everywhere. In the evenings, I’d skate on the frozen lake and we’d go for night walks between sprawling, virgin-white snowdrifts. They shimmered just like blue and pink diamonds under the streetlights, and I would pretend to be the Ice Queen, surveying my domain.

In Russia, it’s commonly believed that the way you greet the new year will reflect on the rest of it. Last year, what was meant to be a quiet evening with a few friends turned into a massive, chaotic party – lots of fun, but definitely not what we intended. Then, coincidentally or not, what was meant to be my year of full art dedication turned into something else entirely.

I was determined to greet 2013 with full correctness, so my friend Eso and I sequestered ourselves in a Pine Mountain Lake cabin. The glorious former 70s party den is undergoing renovation and only a small section is habitable, but between our sleeping bags, provisions, a drive to Yosemite and a vintage yellow hot tub, we had all we needed for the perfect 48-hour sojourn. We toasted the future with silver tequila from that hot tub after a day of frolicking in the snow, then meditated into the wee hours of the new year.

I hope everyone had a great time welcoming the new year, too! I leave you with my photos and a mantra, to help kick things off:

“Whatever you do or dream you can do – begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

7:00

Eso and her new chicken purse

“Let’s go that way!”

A log we considered sitting on, before realizing it was iced over. Next time – blow torch.

Hodgdon Meadow

Charred tree

Sherbert skies

Supplies

Removing construction dust

Happy new year!

10 Comments

Photo Flurry 114 – San Francisco Holiday

December 30th, 2012 · Photo Flurry

Driving into the city.

Deco building in Chinatown.

The plaque on my old dorm; long ago, I took a comic book illustration class at the AA.

Micron, staring down the ghost of the aged radiator.

Cognac by the fire with my beautiful mother.

French breakfast with Cameo at Boulette’s Larder.

Pretty chairs at the De Young museum. We went to see the Nuriev exhibit.

Driving to Half Moon Bay.

My rubber boots make me invincible.

Black sand.

Japanese Tea Garden.

Micron’s first fish.

Hadn’t seen this guy in 20 actual years, glad to have caught him before his move to LA.

Happy new year, my beloved star-squidlings! Off to a cabin in Yosemite, see you on the other side.

2012 Space Odyssey·San Francisco | 5 Comments

What it Do.

December 17th, 2012 · Biorequiem

It’s been over a month since my arrival in a Northern California autumn wonderland. What have I been doing besides taking pictures? Only a few things, and I intend to keep it that way.

Alien Botany. Finished two more specimens for my drawings series, documenting details here as I went. So many more of them to capture.

Building a three-dimensional model of Specimen 1. My first sculpting experience since way back in the day, when I carved human organs and faces out of Sculpy for an SFX studio I moonlighted at. So far, my creation looks like an extraterrestrial shlong and I can’t promise that will change.

Reading 1Q84. The latest from Haruki Muarakami.

Working on releasing the first finished video-bites from Beijing for The Secret Guide. Oh my god, when will we release this stuff already? (Soon.)

Walking. A lot.

Collaborating with my brother on his album cover and release. Remember this gelfling? He and his friend, Grey, spent two (!) years working on an album which is just about ready for your ears and is due to drop on 12-21-12. The intro track was released here yesterday – check it out and sneak peek the cover art, too – drawing by brother, the rest by me. Add alterGeist on Facefuck and Bulat on Twitter for more.

I’ve had a few visitors and went out into the world a few times, but for the moment, it’s art hermit mode uber alles. I’m calling this The New Ascetic. How are you winding down your year and preparing for the next?

housekeeping | 8 Comments

Photo Flurry 113 – Forest

December 3rd, 2012 · Photo Flurry

2012 Space Odyssey·forest·horses·nature | 10 Comments

Photo Flurry 112 – Walk

November 27th, 2012 · Photo Flurry

2012 Space Odyssey·Autumn·California·flora | 7 Comments

Photo Flurry 111 – Sun Dapple

November 21st, 2012 · Photo Flurry

2012 Space Odyssey·Autumn | 11 Comments

Photo Flurry 110 – Wet Leaves

November 19th, 2012 · Photo Flurry

Backyard documentation. Also, I’ve been sharing daily Instagram photos here, if you’re interested.

2012 Space Odyssey·Autumn·bark·dew·fall·leaves | 8 Comments

Shift, Reset

November 12th, 2012 · Biorequiem

There is a change coming, and I felt I ought to let you know about it, if you’re still reading this. I say “still”, because over the past year, I’ve been writing here less and less, and I’m told inconsistency is how “readerships” decrease. But I have my reasons. One of them is the fact that I’ve been thinking about my voice here, and how important it is to reflect who I am as closely as possible. It’s difficult to do that with integrity, on a schedule, especially when you’re in a state of flux – and aren’t we all? I often wonder how other bloggers manage expectations when they wake up one day, and realize they don’t really care for make up tutorials and outfit breakdown anymore. Must the show go on?

For a long time now, I’ve thought about my place online, my place in the world, about you and the wonderful, humbling letters of thanks you’ve sent me. I’ve thought about where Biorequiem is headed, whether I’d still be of use to you if I changed, whether I’d get as much work if Biorequiem changed… In all of my ambivalence I barely wrote here at all. It comes down to this: while I love keeping my chronicle, my focus has shifted and it’s time to shift things around here, too. How else could you trust me?

Which brings us to a series of events that finally pushed me to hit the Reset button on just about everything.

On October 10th, I got an opportunity I’ve fantasized about for years: a chance to step back from all the things I do and focus on the one I’ve neglected most. Having drawn my entire life, but lacking the financial security necessary to dedicate all of my time to it, the idea of focusing solely on art has been a goal that’s eluded me for a long time. Savings were spent, projects got in the way, I let new adventures sweep me away – all without giving myself time to do the one thing I have always loved most. And though leaving Coilhouse helped usher me in this direction, I spent the majority of 2012 working on commissions, photography and writing gigs – for all of which I’m beyond grateful, but they got me no closer to my goal. And then, suddenly, in the actual midst of a personal catastrophe (regarding which I hope you will respect my privacy) there it was. My dream, in my hands, all infinite facets and multiple choices. And I jumped.

Today, 75% of my possessions are in a storage unit in LA, and I’m unpacking boxes of books and art supplies about an hour south of San Francisco. This house is surrounded by trees, and I look forward to spending a while here, living simply, thinking thoroughly, reading a lot and working on only two things: my Alien Botany series and The Secret Guide to Alternative Beijing. Feel free to nudge me regarding anything you’re owed via email; orders, Kickstarter rewards and outstanding emails will be addressed in the coming weeks – I hope you will forgive the delay as I arrange myself. I’ve moved away from LA after ten years, from many of my friends and all of my family. Away from a persona that no longer fits. A physical shift on par with my inner one. For me, this is big and I hope to document it here in whatever form is called for, as seldom or as frequently as feels right. In the meantime, have a cup of spiked tea and let’s see what comes. No promises.

Polaroid by Lou O’Bedlam

53 Comments

Declaration Station

October 8th, 2012 · Biorequiem

Good morning, stardust surfers! Here are a few announcements for the coming weeks.

October 11 This Thursday, I’m struttin’ for Halcyon at the gorgeous historical Mayan theater in downtown LA. Get your tickets today, right here, by clicking the yellow banner titled, “Provocations”.

November 2 I have a piece in the 100 Skulls exhibit at Kat Von D’s Wonderland gallery. My skull is inspired by Russian lacquer art, my Alien Botany research and gilded grills everywhere. A sneak peek of the process:

November 3 I’ll be speaking at Farmhouse Conf 3, among an impressive squad of what the Conf website describes as “amazing people from a variety of backgrounds and influences”. So far, the announced speakers are Shepard Fairey, Andy Baio, Kate Darling, Caroline Woolard,Michael Lopp, Justin Ouellette, Megan Dean and yours truly. I’m happy to be in such talented, diverse company. Tickets are $100 and can be purchased directly from the event page. My talk summary:

And! Fall is here again – what better time to pick up a GHST RDR jacket and skirt for your winter wardrobe?

events·Exhibit·Modeling·speaking | 3 Comments

Inkdrops 027 – Foxy Fairies

October 7th, 2012 · Biorequiem

Right before leaving for China, I received this commission request: two small drawings, on a budget, in the pages of a journal that would serve as part of a marriage proposal to a girl who really loves fairies. I was asked to make it sweet and told it didn’t have to be chaste.

I received the journal the week before my departure, hoping for a few spare moments to work on it from the road, but the leather-bound notebook ended up traveling to Shanghai, Beijing and back – untouched. The Secret Guide shooting schedule was just too intense for me to think about anything else.

I had to get started on this a couple of days after my return to make the deadline. Working with a limited amount of time, limited space, and a client’s limited budget, these slinky little temptresses are what I came up with – one drawing at the beginning of the journal, one at the very end. Though I wish I’d had time to make the drawings more elaborate, I infused the pages with as much sweetness as I could. I’m told she loves them.

Incidentally, these were commissioned by the same client who tasked me with the Death+Delirium hybrid a few years ago. All the above images are clickable – do so to see them bigger.

commission·fairies·ink drawing | 9 Comments

Inkdrops 026 – Gibson Girls Now Available Individually!

October 1st, 2012 · Inkdrops

It’s October, in theory my favorite month of the year because of Halloween and the idea that fall is here, in the wake of the late September autumn equinox.

I say “in theory” because here in LA we’re still melting in 100-degree heat, but skull-shaped goblets are readily available in drug stores, which means that Halloween is, in fact, approaching, despite this decidedly unglamorous heat.

To celebrate, I’m making the ladies of the Gibson Girls Print Set available individually. This means that you can now collect Molly Millions, Cayce Pollard and Chia Pet McKenzie at your own pace. They darlings can be yours at $30 each.

I’m not sure how long these will be around just yet, so I suggest you snatch ‘em up while they are.

Art·cyberpunk·prints·William Gibson | 2 Comments

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