Panel #2- David Rogers, Provo UT

My friends! I bring with me good news and artistic splendor for we shall finally have another update on Panel #2!!

Before I get into the business, I'd like to share a few words on the nature of the project. I know we all have busy lives and daytime jobs and even families, so I am continuously honored everyday when someone tells me they'd be willing to squeeze my project into their schedules. For that reason, I can't hold it against anyone who keeps the panel longer than one week. Hell, I've even lagged on a project for months [Anna, I'm totally working on your stuff!!!!] The only reason I put a deadline on the project is because as artists, we tend to get very busy and sometimes distracted and sometimes we're trying out some new techniques through trial and error which is both fun and scary. This is totally what happened to my man David Rogers when he got his hands on the panel. His craft is photography and he is good. He is DAMN good. He wanted to try out some new stuff on the project and so he gave it a few tries before he came up with the final product. Here is a snippet from the email he sent me about his process, which I found to be quite hilarious:

"At this point I'm freakin' out trying to figure out why you would send this obviously cursed panel to me! The demons spoke to me while I slept, cursing me in Latin phrases while eternal melancholy hovered over my head...there was no end to the terror.

As the twinkie wrappers piled up in a tall pile next to my bed I suddenly realized that this is art and I can do what I want. I went to the trash can, picked out the panel and got to work. I cut a wooden panel, painted the edges of it black and stuck my photo to it using a adhesive that won't come off until the dinosaurs come home! I drilled some holes in the panel and stuck my work over my past attempts using screws to hold it in place. I hope you know that we can never be friends again."

The unpredictability of this project is one thing that I can't get enough of and I hope everyone on the bill feels free to do what they will with it! And yeah, deadlines suck, but we all know that if we didn't have them... well, you know [don' make me say it].

THE BUSINESS! Here she is [and David!], in all of her cross-country glory!

What is your earliest “artistic” memory?

When I figured out that oil paints were good for something other than eating (around age 23).

What are three words that best describe your artwork?

Colorful, symmetrical, sketchy.

What inspires you?

The people I photograph. When I see them enjoying the photos I just took, it makes me want to just keep shooting more...also Rembrandt.

What is your goal in life?

To return from whence I came.

Name something you love, and why.

I love telling people that Jackoson Pollock is the greatest artist of the 20th century (I just like to see them roll their eyes).

What makes you angry?

That Polaroids are so dang expensive nowadays!

What was your favorite toy as a kid?

Those bears that you squeeze and their nose does something fun. Dang, what were those called?

What is your favorite toy now?

My plastic skateboards.

What is your “dream” art project?

To hook fuzzy balls on El Camino's all across America with Leanne, naturally.

What have you been listening too while you’ve been working on your art[recently]?

Mostly stuff by Enya (gotta' keep it mellow).

If you were a cocktail on a drink menu at a bar, what would your name be?

Appletini (also my nickname in highschool). [I thought it was D Money, money....mooonay]

If you could go back in time and talk to “8 year old YOU”, what would you say to her/him?

"Don't worry! You'll grow into your mustache."

If you could collaborate with any other artist [living or dead], who would it be and why?

I'd work with JR, traveling the world and putting up giant poster size photos on buildings (if you don't know who he is, look up his "Face2Face" projects).

What is the best bit of advice that you have ever been given?

"Don't ever do photos for free." (too bad I haven't been charging lately).

If you had a chance to say one sentence for the whole world to hear, what would you say?

"Give Peace a Chance" (naturally).

Funny you mention Enya, Daveed. I was driving to my mom's house on Sunday and that return to innocence song came on And I hadn't heard it in a LONG time [not since I last watched Man of the House with Jonathan Taylor Thomas]. You know, the one with the shaman indian guy chanting in it all "Hiiii yiiii yiiii, oh hii yii yii" hahaha yeah, you all know EXACTLY what I am talking about. Crap, that's going to be in my head all day now.

MILEAGE! From Chicago to Provo- 1,399.07 miles! Daaaaaamn Gina! Totally the longest leg ANY of the panels have done yet! and that's across 5 states too! Impressive #2, impressive. By the time this highly articulated and well-written blog is finished being typed up, #2 will be in the care of some very VERY good friends of mine in Nevada's biggest little city, RENO! We'll check on her in another week but in the mean time, keep you reading glasses on because updates from the other panels are rolling in!

Thank you all for stopping by and please help me spread the word of El Travo Collabo to your friends! Any and all promotion would be awesome! The world must know of the goodness that is El Collabo!

Much love and good vibes,

ELROD

BATTLE OF THE SEXES: PART 1

JEN OAKS vs. ED HE

I have soooooo been waiting for this round to begin! OOooooh, this is going to be some fun because its time for the first update of the Battle of the Sexes round! Just to keep it proper, we’re going to begin with LADIES first ~

First up on the Ladies Panel [aka Panel #5] is Jen Oaks of Berkeley CA. Jen’s style is fabulously girlie and I think it was love at first sight with her art. I could probably spend all day staring at her luscious ladies and plump pinups without ever getting tired of them and just seeing one of them sprawled out on the panel is really putting me over the edge here. Is it hot in here? While I open a window, check out her website and take in a nice eyeful of her work and maybe have a laugh or two [her web comics always put a huge smile on my face]:

www.jenoaks.com

and how about some KITTY BON BON for good measure?

I'm Jen Oaks! I'm from Oklahoma City and now live in Berkeley next door to some chickens. I make pretty prints and buttons and things, and the occasional web comic, but lately I've been drawing babes. Currently I'm working on a fat gi

rl pinup calendar for 2012.

What is your earliest “artistic” memory?
I remember my preschool teacher telling my parents I had "serious artistic talent" because I drew a lacy

border on my valentine heart. Also, when I was six, I drew the scene from Mickey's Christmas Carol where Scrooge is being visited by Marley's ghost. There are leg chains and everything, and it has "Scrooooooooge!" at the top.

What are three words that best describe your artwork?
pretty, funny, colorful

What inspires you?
The gorgeous Bay Area. My menagerie of awesome, brilliant, bizarre friends and all of their talents. Crazy people on public transportation. Design blogs. Ridiculous, decadent fashion editorial spreads. Babes in general.

What is your goal in life?
That my husband and I can support ourselves -- and a future family -- by doing what we love. And also to live somewhere with a porch and a garden. And could I maybe get a window that doesn't look at the

backs of people's fences?

Name something you love, and why.I love springtime in Oklahoma because it's completely schizo and you have to check the weather every two hours. I miss it a lot.

What makes you angry?
Pretty much everything I read in the news that isn't a story about animals being awesome.

What was your favorite toy as a kid?

I played with dirt for hours. I made little villages out of mud, leaves and twigs, and then populated the villages with My Little Ponies. They usually met their demise via the lawn mower. And yes, I did love my Barbies.

What is your favorite toy now?
Ink, pixels, and texture.

What is your “dream” art project?
You'll find out when you get the postcard invite. :)

What have you been listening to while you’ve been working on your art[recently]?
Girl Talk, Department of Eagles, Midlake, Broken Social Scene, Tame Impala, Neon Indian, lots of other d-baggy hipster music I'm apt to get judged by.

If you were a cocktail on a drink menu at a bar, what would your name be?
Fizzy Thunderthighs

If you could go back in time and talk to “8 year old YOU”, what would you say to her/him?

"BE YOURSELF!"

If you could collaborate with any other artist [living or dead], who would it be and why?
I'm dying to do something with one of the many incredible comic artists I admire. I see a sexy mashup in there!

What is the best bit of advice that you have ever been given?
"Quit comparing. Do what you do."

If you had a chance to say one sentence for the whole world to hear, what would you say?
"Be excellent to each other."

FOR REAL. And what a HAWT way to start the piece, amirite??? Bikini babe jammin’ to some tunes... lookin real good to me! What do you all think?? Big thanks to Jen for doing her thing and rockin’ out a solid start for the ladie’s panel! She’s another one to keep a close eye on. I feel big things are about to come from this lady.

Let the competition begin because here comes the boys team with a little sumthin’ sumthin’ on the Guy's Panel [aka Panel #4] from Ed He of San Francisco. Ed is currently a Master’s student for painting and his work is no joke, LEGIT. I can honestly say I’ve been impressed with just about every piece of work I have seen of his and I envy his oil painting skills like crazy. Bums me out that he doesn’t have a website [AHEM*...ED] so you’ll just have to take my word when I say all of his work is amazing. But for now, you can see what he did on the Boy’s panel... which is pretty appropriate and RIDICULOUS, hahaha:

What is your earliest “artistic” memory?

Copying some other kid's farm animal drawings in 1st grade. He was good!

What are three words that best describe your artwork?
Time, Work, Payoff.

What inspires you?

My peers and instructors

What is your goal in life?
Survive with pencil and paper.

Name something you love, and why.
Learning!, because it's fun!

What makes you angry?
Lack of common sense.

What was your favorite toy as a kid?
Transformers from the 80s.

What is your favorite toy now?
Macbook Pro.

What is your “dream” art project?

Book cover illustration

What have you been listening too while you’ve been working on your art[recently]?
Epic movie soundtracks on Pandora.

If you were a cocktail on a drink menu at a bar, what would your name be?
Sake Bomb'ED lol

If you could go back in time and talk to “8 year old YOU”, what would you say to her/him?
"drop your homework and get drawing!"

If you could collaborate with any other artist [living or dead], who would it be and why?
Howard Pyle. He was an amazing teacher.

What is the best bit of advice that you have ever been given?
Practice Practice/ Wrap it around.

If you had a chance to say one sentence for the whole world to hear, what would you say?
Don’t be a pussy

Dude, did you seriously just paint a cock on the panel? LOL *face palm*

Ok, so what do you all think? Who’s in the lead so far? Did the sexy bikini girl rock your world or where you too busy placing bets on Ed’s fighting rooster???

Next up to battle are JDUB of Moreno Valley for the girls and P. Dilla fo Roseville for the guys!

Ready. Set.



GO.


Peace,
ELROD

P.S- This is the SECOND time an artist [Jen] has mentioned having The Christmas Carol as part of an early childhood artistic memory, LOL, remember Ryan Martinez's interview? Check it.

Panel #3- Sarah Holbach, San Diego CA

Hey there collabo appreciators and collaborational art enthusiasts-

I welcome you back to another edition of El Travo Collabo 2011. On this weeks episode, we're checking in on Panel #3 which just left the hands of the sweetest crafty-hands-cute-face mcGee of them all- Sarah Holbach of San Diego. The girl does everything from painting, to sharpie-marking, to sewing, to building, to teaching and positively influencing the youth of tomorrow. Let's do this.

(planets of igloos. tepees. cities. houses. diamond constellations. quote courtesy of carl sagan. we are made of starstuff. ink, thread, nails, and love.)

hi. i'm sarah holbach, and i live in sweet san diego. i do handfuls of random things, mostly to keep me from ever

having a grown up 9-5 job. i teach art and literacy programs in four different cities, sew costumes and other goodness for

the new children's museum (contemporary art museum for kids in sd. magic), doodle my life away, and take a few classes here and there.

What is your earliest “artistic” memory?

taking scraps from the wood pile on the side of the house and torturing the poor things with glitter, puffy paint and berry juice from the backyard. The abstract beauties were then taped together to form rolie-polie communities. nice.

What are three words that best describe your artwork?

soft. domestic. warm.

What inspires you?

wildflowers on the sides of the freeway, a swatch of fabric, an accidental doodle while trying to make a pen work.

What is your goal in life?

live simply, be happy.

Name something you love, and why.

meeting good, genuine people. despite the piles of negativity and greed around us, i enjoy believing that people are inherently honest and wonderful if they are given the chance to be. there's nothing like human connection.

What makes you angry?

wanting to do and learn fifty different things, and only having enough time for five.

What was your favorite toy as a kid?

the speak and spell. creepy. and my plastic lizards.

What is your favorite toy now?

sharpies and thread.

What is your “dream” art project?

creating a life size, semi-functional soft home. felting the walls, stitching up furniture, and opening it up to all for free nap time.

What have you been listening too while you’ve been working on your art[recently]?

this might sound lame, but i've been really enjoying silence. i can hear the birdsongs mixing with the freeway outside of my window, and i've really fallen in love with it.

If you were a cocktail on a drink menu at a bar, what would your name be?

magicface.

If you could go back in time and talk to “8 year old YOU”, what would you say to her/him?

high-five. you're gonna be ok.

If you could collaborate with any other artist [living or dead], who would it be and why?

i'd love to work with niki de st phalle on one of her giant playground sculptures. the childlike imagery and colors bring so much joy to my insides. or friedensreich hunderwasser, for the simple joy of spending days doodling hills and houses while talking about breaking rules and window rights.

What is the best bit of advice that you have ever been given?

nothing good happens after midnight. thanks, dad.

If you had a chance to say one sentence for the whole world to hear, what would you say?

go outside, breathe the air, notice the details, value both silence and words

Hey bar keep, gimme another shot of MAGICFACE. On second thought, make it a double.

Well said my sweet friend. And thank you for partaking in this project and sharing a little bit about yourself and your creativity with us all. Snaps for Sarah, ya'll *SNAPS*. This panel is totally unlike any panel in the travo collabo series- this is the first time a non-paint-like medium [nails and thread] have been incorporated on work surface. Which is bad ass and about time! Don't be afraid to experiment with some craziness on her artists... she's a tough and sturdy girl, she can handle it. Once again, much love to Sarah, muah!

Ok, time for some math. Let's see, we started in San Francisco, up at the VERY tip top point of the city [North Beach] and we scooted on down to the VERY bottom of the state to San Diego. That puts us at [and i'm doing door-to-door calculations here... it's not including travel routes of the delivery men or postal service] 499.39 miles! Juuuuuust a smidgen under 500, not bad.

As you are reading this, the panel is being projected out by non other than the man himself, Forest Stearns of Oaklandish CA. Brush up on your Forest literature and eye candy here and BE. EXCITED. B-E EXCITED.

The launching of a *NEW* panel is taking place this week, more info and art coming soon to a blog near you.

peace,

ELROD

Panel #1-Paul Mendoza Nicholas, Campbell CA

NOW WE'RE GETTIN' SOMEWHERE!

I'm so proud to present to you all the latest and the greatest on panel #1 that was laid down by one hell of talented artist, Paul Mendoza. Paul lives out in Campbell CA and his work is truly something to admire. Check out his work and add him on the facebooks here:

Paul Mendoza ART

Paul graced the panel with his signature slick and bold patterns that I love so much. Did you see his " ICONOCLAST/ B!shop SHAKUR" piece in his photo album? SWOON. I have had the pleasure and honor of working alongside [or rather "hanging" alongside] Paul at two venues- Artillery AG in La Mission, and PAK Gallery in SOMA. Which, by the way, are two sweet spots you need to check out, if you haven't already. Especially Artillery, those guys got it going on!!! Check out their website and swoop by one of their art openings- They throw a proper party fah sho.

Alright alright, now that we showed you the goods and promoted the homies, how about some more artist love? Enter the interview [GOOOOOOOOOOONG]:

My name is Paul Mendoza Nicholas a.k.a Slip2mikoo, a.k.a Kid Clutch, a.k.a Papong, a.k.a Juicy from Campbell, CA and I (try to) paint.

What is your earliest "artistic" memory?

When I was about 4 or 5 years old back home in the Phillippines: I'd use to watch my older brother, cousins and their friends draw all of these bad ass Transformers/Go Bots cartoon characters on the street with chalk, rocks and coal. I remember getting mad whenever it rained and washed all of their work away.

What are three words that describes your artwork?

RAW. INFECTIOUS. SOUL.

What inspires you?

INSPIRATION? My family has always been a constant so I always try to pay tribute to them whenever I can. but, my inspiration comes from everywhere. A single parent working multiple jobs to raise their young? That's inspiring, A blind person trudging along a busy city equipped with nothing more than a walking stick? That's hardcore.

What is your goal in life?

Man, These questions are DEEP! Goals? I don't know really, but maybe just to make my family, especially my Mama, proud and to keep moving forward until I realize my full creative potential, and make as much of a positive impact in the places I've been and with the people I meet.

Name something you love and why.

Halloween! it's a gateway to many of my favorite things. Fall, holidays, NBA season opens... Halloween is definitely underrated.

What makes you angry?

IGNORANCE & ARROGANCE. I'm getting pissed off just saying those words.

What was yoru favorite toy as a kid?

I remember playing with marbles a lot as a kid. I didn't have toys, but I remember loving marbles. That was my earliest hustle. I'd borrow two or three marbles from some of the kids playing and by the time it was time to go home, I'd end up with both pockets compeltely filled with marbles. Plus, I could always use them as projectiles for my slingshot.

What is your favorite toy now?

Now? I'm more of a collector I guess and I think I have a budding CD & DVD/BluRay hoarding problem. Help.

What is your 'dream" art project?

My life is my dream art project SON!

What have you been listening to while you've been working on your art [recently]?

My musically gifted bay area brothers: Wasted, KALDERA and One Over Eight.

If you were a cocktail on a drink menu at a bar, what would your name be?

Slip2miPoison?

If you could go back in time to "8 year old you", what would you tell her/him?

Buy Google stocks. Plenty of it.

If you could collaborate with any other artist [living or dead], who would it be and why?

Dead: Diego Rivera. Alive: My older brother, Jun Nicholas. I remember him doing some radical and original shit back in his adolescent years that would still be radical and original to this day! I don't see him half as much as I'd like to now and I'm still trying to chase his shadow [artisticly].

What is the best bit of advice that you have ever been given?

"Be Real" - Mom

If you had one chance to say one sentence for the whole world to hear, what would you say?

Stand for nothing, fall for everything AND strength in unity, not numbers. (That's still one sentence...)

Well, that may have been a run-on sentence, but I never got a passing grade in English, so I'll let it fly. What do you guys think? Pretty tasty shit, right [licks fingers like they got bbq on them], mmmmHMMMM.

So, from SF to Campbell, this little darlin' has traveled 53.17 miles and is now on her way to make one of the longest legs of her journey to Redlands down in SOCAL [woopwoop] to the doorstep of my friend Lindsey Chesus who crafts like no one's business. I am predicting some mixed media getting thrown on the panel, but who knows. You artists have been keeping me on my toes and I'm not sure what to expect actually... oooooh, I dig it!

Ok then, one more week or so for another update on Panel #1, but we should be getting updates from the other panels within a few days.

PLEASE STAND BY.

Peace,

ELROD

p.s- I literally just noticed the little music bar coming out of the bullet hole in the pharaoh's head, LOL I love little secrets like that!!! more more MORE!