love

This piece is dedicated to M.E.V. The love of my life <3

Crystal Skull

Tree Lady Tattoo

New tats

The Origin of Mexico City

After a long walk coming from Aztlán located at the western north of Mexico, the Mexicas arrived in the valley of Mexico City guided by their principal god Huitzilopochtli and directed by their Tenoch priest.

The legend tells that while they were seeking for food, they discovered finally on an island, the eagle perched on a cactus rooted in a stone, devouring a snake. This was the sign they were seeking, the prophecy of Huitzilopochtli was carried out.

It was in 1325 in which the mythical town of Tenochtitlán was founded.

text from http://azteca.free.fr/legende.htm

Ouroboros

The circular image of a snake swallowing its own tail - an emblem of the eternal and indivisible, and of cyclic time. The image has been variously interpreted, combining the creation symbolism of the egg (the space within the circle), the terrestrial symbolism of the serpent and the celestial symbolism of the circle.

In its original Egyptian religious form, the ouroboros is thought to have symbolized the sun's daily return to its point of departure, passing through the sky and underworld. In Greece, death and rebirth symbolism seems indicated by its use in Orphic iconography. Gnostics saw it as an image of self-sustaining Nature, endlessly recreating itself, and of unity in duality, the essential oneness of life, the universal serpent moving through all things.

The maxim "One is all" sometimes accompanies the symbol. As an emblem of eternity, it was associated in the Roman Empire with Saturn, as the god of time, and Janus, the god of the New Year.

text from The Complete Dictionary of Symbols: In Myth, Art and Literature

More tattoos!

Crash Landing

Illustration for an abandoned spacecraft theme on the Hybrid Collective blog :}

Semantic Antics

It's been quite a voyage of discovery for me these last few years; artistically, philosophically and emotionally. When I first began toying with the the symbolic presence of words I didn't have a clear realization of where it would take me. My first thoughts were, "Wow, this is interesting! ..I wonder what would happen if I added this.. or tweaked that?" With further experiments, an unfolding array possibilities crept into my mind.

Through the transforming of type into multilayered mandalas and finding inspiration in the simple step of mirroring, these linguistic characters began to emerge. During my time at Pleasure and Pain Ink I was fortunate to also be taught the elements of script lettering. With the added flair of filigree these 'Word Players' started to take shape. Whereas my initial lettering was slightly block like with an accented curvature, this recent font adjustment suggests a more delicate and organic look. Depending on the word, some work better as faces, others as bodies and combining words allows for all sorts of word play (:

Many more in the works!

^ Peace, Harmony, Balance ^

Warrior Artist Shaman

A play on words which can be interpreted as a face, three faces or a complete figure. The top portion exhibits the mind of a Warrior, propelled into action with a cunning resolve and sense of honor.

Directly below are the eyes and heart of an Artist, patiently perceiving patterns and displaying circulated inspiration into a chosen artistic medium.

At the bottom rests the mouth and feet of a Shaman. A combination of Warrior and Artist, the Shaman expresses messages of wisdom and healing and traverses a path which requires integrity and courage. The Shaman is a master of performance and a dedicated guide.

:::A totem for leadership.

Mask

Designed from the word MASK. To read, tilt your head to the right {:

Just Laugh More

A phrase from a recorded lecture at Burning Man 2003 by Alex, Allyson and Zena Grey called Art, Love, Family and Psychedelics that I felt inspired by. Allyson offered advice in regards to helping maintain healthy relationships and how one can become a better parent, partner, artist and person. The advice was to "laugh more"

The treatment here is of the mirrored initials J.L.M.

Love Lot.Us

Lotus like formations made of the word LOVE.

Sixy Circles

Syntaxia

A continuation of my Body Language series. Redesigned the head with more humanlike features.

Sympathy For Our Devils

Excited to announce a spot in a group show at the Steam Whistle Brewery on July 6th 7-11pm to July 31.

Featuring fellow artists Erick Castaneda, Jaime Capell, Paolo Diaque, Jordan McKie, Daniel Martins and Tomas Zatrak in a theme about masks.

A taste:::

Used to assist in the telling of myth, masks have maintained a long preserved and widespread tradition throughout the history of Mankind. As such, they are closely entwined with language. The stories spoken verbally or enacted physically were all the more engaging with a mask to bring an added sense of mystery and symbolic presence. They are excellent aides in the personification of elemental forces and often provide a face for the faceless.

To wear a mask is to alter the perceptual exchange that takes place between the wearer and the audience. With tribal ceremony involving masked players there is great opportunity for expressive participation and community bonding.

With these aspects in mind, the majority of the 'masks' to be presented have been formed from mirrored word arrangements.

Head tilting may be required ^v^

^Sympathy For Our Devils^ ^Light, Shadow, Vision^

Mattoo Tattoo

The business has been registered, the equipment has been purchased, the ink is in. From January to June I apprenticed at the Mississauga based tattoo studio, Pleasure and Pain Ink and thought it well overdue to post some shots. Went in with a blank slate and now I'm sporting eleven tattoos, nine of which are self applied and all placed on my legs... so far. The rumors are true, it's addictive. Started on my feet and with each one I learn something new, with each one I try to challenge myself. To be honest, I didn't imagine doing this two years ago. Nevertheless, the encouraging words of numerous friends prompted me to consider it and when the opportunity arose, I went for it.

I can't think of a canvas more sacred than skin and I'm excited to expand into this field with full force!

P.A.S.S.I.O.N

A recently commissioned piece, redone from a version I did in high school.

Happiness For All

^ Designed from the words above ^

Happy new year everybody!

Version 2.0Version 1.1:::variant version:::