Colorful Max

Peter Max is on display and for sale at Off the Wall in the Galleria.
**Please pardon the tardiness of this post; Blogger has been down since last Wednesday.
Unfortunately this post comes after a back to back in-store visit by the artist himself.**

Who is he?
You may recognize one of his most popular works:

Max is referred to as a pop culture ICON...
His work has been a part of historic events such as Woodstock, Olympics, various pivotal sporting events, and The Grammy Awards.  He has worked for both celebrities and presidents.  Max is best recognized for his Poster Revolution which came on the cusp of the print media explosion of 60's where psychedelic movement in graphic design was imitated in commercial illustration.
Max’s art was often cited by journalists and art critics as the visual counterpart to the music of The Beatles.

My favorite:

Some current popular pieces:

 

TWO TIMES

;)

Captivating Youth

Greg Gorman is best known as an American portrait photographer of Hollywood celebrities who primarily works in black in white.  It all began for Gorman with a series of images taken at rock concerts in the late 60's. Afterwards, he "made the rounds" in Los Angeles until he got noticed.

My favorite quote from him:  "For me a photograph is most successful when it doesn't answer all the questions...and it leaves something to be desired".

His current book:

The Decorative Center of Houston is displaying a 200 piece retrospective exhibition of four decades of photography by Greg Gorman.



A Distinct Vision 1970-2010
April 27- June 3
Suite 1050

Please note that the Dec. Center is open M-F 9:00-5:00



Something to be admired...



Get it. Got it. Good.

Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committiee Pt.2

Cinco favoritas

My five favorite Mexican-things.

>Tissue decor...all kinds<
But especially papel picado (those banners you see hanging in Mexican restaurants). I love the colors and the layers of detail. I had always seen custom ones in magazines and on other blogs, but in person they are much better!  My family had some made for my brother and his wife for their rehearsal dinner. 

My recommendation is to use a lady (Yreina Flores Ortiz) out of California...her listing is on Etsy.

Here is some more of her work I am in-lust with:

>Margaritas<
Best place to drink em on Cinco de Mayo in Houston is at El Pueblito. The atmosphere is perfect. They have all kinds of dancers, kids selling "chicle! chicle!" in the restrooms, cabanas, and fun/delicious drinks. Their margaritas come in coconuts and pina coladas come in pineapples!

>Chips & Salsa<

NUFF SAID.

>Mi Tierra<
So far this is my top "Mexican" experience in the states, as far as atmosphere and amusement.  Mi Tierra is decorated floor to ceiling, has a wonderful bakery (panaderia) and is in the Market Square (another must visit).

You will forget you are in the USA!

>Pinatas<
I probably buy 3 a year! I love everything about em...the blindfold, the element of surprise, the colors and shapes.  Recently I found  a gold-mine...Confetti System...AMAZING stuff here.  I have seen their work in Bergdorf Goodman adds and most recently in a wedding.

Above is a photo from a wedding I attended...not a pinata, but looks like work by Confetti System.

I am not certain this is Confetti System's work...but it sure does look like it.

Below IS some of CS's work *sigh*

The Owl gets some friends...

Earlier today I was a part of a meeting that was not only exciting for the company I work for, but it enlightened me on the development of a particular section of Houston.
This section is at Kirby between Richmond and West Alabama.
It is about to get inundated with new bars/restaurants.
Some specific locations are:
The old Kopf Funeral Home
The old Chase Bank
The strip center that contains Cafe Express on its eastern side (where The Owl aka the old Mugsy's is).

I do not have specifics on what exactly is going in at the Funeral Home...rumors are that it is going to be a multi club complex (possibly backed by the same investors as Red Room and Armando's).  This is a bit humorous and intriguing to me...wonder what their names will  be? I've heard the following:
-Twist Cafe Bar
-Fountain Bar
-Club ROak
-Club Rush

Hendricks will be opening at 3320 Kirby. 
Hendricks is brought to you by the same people as TAPS on Washington, NOX on Nett and Kobain (former owners of Whiskey Creek and Escobar).

OTC Bar & Grill will be opening in the old Chase Bank Drive through and will have an outdoor patio, bar, games, and grill.

Dorsia will be opening around June/July in the west end of the Cafe Express strip center (farthest away from Kirby). The name Dorsia comes from the movie American Psycho...it is a mythological high class restaurant in the movie.  Dorsia will contain private wine rooms, food, bar, and lounge.

We shall see what actually comes to fruition...neighbors are not pleased!

ByeBye Catalan

Chris Shepherd's last night at Catalan was last night...it was bittersweet.
Catalan was my first commercial project. It will always be remembered by me as a huge contribution to not only me, but Collaborative Projects, and Washington Ave.
Here are some photos of it five years ago:

What is in store for the space now? Read this to find out.



On to the next...