I wasn't planning on posting anything none painting or tattoo related but I've changed my mind. This is too good not to show you.
It's a short film by French Director Jean Painleve. Stunning. I suggest putting it on full screen and do not skip any of it either.
Enjoy.

I did this last night. I have to stop spit shading though. I Felt sick all day from the chemicals. But damn it sure looks cool when its finished. Maybe I should risk the kidney failure? Still need to sign it though.....

-Murray

Growing up

I got into a lot of trouble as a kid. This painting was sort of an exploration of a few themes that ran through my youth. Some good, some terribly bad but all a part of the growing process. Growing up in the south SURROUNDED by criminal minds does weird things to a kid. My parents defiantly had their hands full for sure. Now looking back I don't wish to glorify or up lift the more nefarious elements of my "kidhood" But to see it for what is was. Ugly, violent traumatic and of my own doing.
The "prisioner of conscience" represents the excusses some of those people made for their actions. The tiny eyes behind the bars represent the truth.
The rose with the sun wheel and the skinhead girl represents the romantic symbolism of the of the sub-culture I was involved with in my early teens while the cop being punched and the skull with the bats represents the ugly truth.
For me this painting is about looking at crude rugged truth in the face, having an honest realization and then learning from it. It took me two weeks to do this painting. And It's going to a friend In DC.

-Murray

Here are some of my trip Highlights from when I traveled down to DC for the Jinx proof 13 year anniversary party. Starting with some pictures of my Daughters and I right before I left town and ending with Two pictures of PHENOMENAL paintings from Teddy Safarian's girl friend Hayden who is the apprentice at tattoo paradise. She's only been painting flash now for less then a year and Let me be the first one to come out and say it, she is going to CRUSH tattooing one day. By the way, Tattoo Paradise is stocked with some of the nicest gentlemen I've ever had the pleasure of spending 10 hours sitting around with other then the fellah's I go to work with each day here in Connecticut *wink*. Matt Knopp, the owner was super hospitable and gave me a little tour of all the art work all over the shop. Their piercer George is rumored to be able to eat 100+ hot wings in one sitting. Nuff said. Carlos Truan was also in town from Perfection Tattoo in Austin Texas and I'd like to note that he is one bad ass tattooer and a very funny and nice guy. It was awesome meeting him.
Anyway, It was a lot of fun. People where nuts at the jinx proof welcome party. I wish I could have actually spent more time with everyone. Karl is an excellent host and all the guys at the shop who I haven't seen since the Philly tattoo convention where in top form. Now that I'm home I can renew my painting and tattooing with a new sense of purpose. I saw some real TREASURES in DC. OG sailor Jerry Sheets behind stations, OG Ed Hardy's..Malone all over. It was amazing. I'd highly recommend stopping at both tattoo paradise in Adams Morgan and Jinx Proof in George town. These places are like Museums. There are Literally little artistic diamonds and rubies hidden and scattered all over both of these tattoo shops. I'd go as far to say that any tattooer or tattoo enthusiast should go out of their way to check these places out and get tattooed there. I'd just like to thank everyone I met down south and I look foreword to coming back again real soon.

-Murray