...the origins series

Photographs by the infamous Joshua Araujo of San Pedro Tattoo.

'For Mom' was inspired by my mother's childhood street, Jackrabbit Lane in Scottsdale.
Built in the early 1960s, it's an enclosed community bordering Carson and Wilmington, California.
Broken dreams amidst broken glass.
No guests after midnight.
Someone once scraped "FUCK YOUR LIFE" on my car window.

'For Pops' was inspired by my father's place of employment.
He's a roughneck at the Tesoro refinery bordering Carson and Wilmington, California.
Two years ago, my dad was working his shift with his best friend Willy and a few other guys.
A railcar ran through the loading rack and pinned Willy.
My dad bolted over to his assistance, but instead found his best friend cut in half.
My dad told me that he fell to his knees crying. Then he started praying.

William Barry Wise (1957 - 2011)

An earlier blog post about my dad and the refinery

Shirts for sale at:
www.weAREbutTHREADS.com

...artist spotlight 1

This is the first in (hopefully) a series of intermittent artist spotlights.
I've selected six songs from these artists.
If they're not already, maybe they can be a part of your life as well.
Make a playlist of these songs and let them play in the background while you're driving, or at work, or cutting vegetables.
Slowly but surely it will begin to become apparent.
You are a hero on a hero's quest.
And are exactly where you should be.

Billy Corgan

• "Love to Love You"
• "Think You Know"
• "Wasting Time"
• "My Life and Times"
• "Always"
• "To Love You"

Lauryn Hill

• "Ex-Factor"
• "To Zion"
• "Tell Him"
• "Fu-gee-la"
• "So Much Things to Say"
• "Killing Me Softly"

 www.weAREbutTHREADS.com

...I once was lost

Majestic photo series done by the insanely talented Joshua Araujo of San Pedro Tattoo.
Modeled by the roller blading phenom Patrick Smith.

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...I only got love

...for those who support.

The one and only Sage Francis sporting the original "For Pops" shirt. I think I'm going to resurrect this one soon...

Sage Francis Vine post

Here's one of my favorite Sage Francis songs from his 2005 album A Healthy Distrust.

Sage Francis - Jah Didn't Kill Johnny

AND

My amazing, uncompromising co-worker Dani Duran showing her love with an owl tattoo from my Sad Bird series a few years back.

Tattoo done by Abel at Graffiti Palace

...3 things

Number 1 Thing:
A poster I made for my son's first birthday plus my beautiful fam. Silly huh?

Number 2 Thing:
I was in a Korean documentary about The Croods. Silly huh?

Number 3 Thing:
Some of my favorite Jeff Buckley (1966 - 1997) songs/ covers.

• "Hallelujah"
• "I know it's Over"
• "Alive"

...and we are but threads

Pics executed under the steadfast mindfulness of Charlie Lopez and Liz from Axis Photography
And modeled by Chris and Isaac Scissorhands

...the universe is an intricate tapestry

Pics executed under the unyielding perspicacity of Joshua Araujo of San Pedro Tattoo
And modeled by rock-star Aaron Vigil

...01.07.2013

Jimi Hendrix
"Little Wing"
"Angel"


Elliott Smith
"Trouble"
"You Make It Seem Like Nothing"


Johnny Cash
"Flesh and Blood"
"If You Could Read My Mind"


The Avett Brothers
"The Ballad of Love and Hate"
"Find My Love"


Queen
"All Dead, All Dead"
"Spread Your Wings"


 Radiohead
 "High and Dry"
 "Fake Plastic Trees"


Led Zeppelin
"Bron-Yr-Aur"
"Going to California"