The Lardner Report

Unleash your creative superpowers!

Why Urban Decay Is My Jam

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Confession: I slam on the brakes and jump out of the car to capture the detritus of life.

It’s the dirty, weather-beaten, peeling surfaces of walls and structures in any large city. You typically won’t find these textures in the fancy parts of town, so that’s why I like to take detours and longer ways home. Some of these moments end up on canvas, some find their way onto the hand-painted jackets in our new “Urban Artwear” collection.

It might just be a simple combination of colors…sometimes it’s just erosion, but most of the time it inspires an idea — or series of ideas — for some funk-ass abstract art.

(Pic #2) Ventura, Cal.

(Pic #3) San Pedro, Cal.

(Pic #4) Los Angeles, Cal.

(Pic #5) Oxnard, Cal.

Fleeting Moments: Catch Them When You Can

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(Pic #1) Mukluk finds a fashionable moment with my blue bandana. Ten seconds later she was out the door.

Savor the seconds. Save the sentiment.

I’ve started relying on my iPhone for little visual bursts of joy. Whether it’s a goofy or graceful pose choreographed by our cat, one of our garden blooms reaching up toward the morning light, or a concrete wall sporting abstract patterns of smudges and cracks, I make sure to document the moment. (Pics #1,2,3)

(Pic #2) Okay, this pic was shot by Josh — but the point is the same — it’s all about capturing the moment — and it’s why he ALWAYS has his Fuji Camera in tow.

These flashes of beauty, art, and love can disappear in an instant. In nature, they can leave as quickly as they came into view. I’m making a point to cherish these ephemeral gifts, as long as they keep presenting themselves.

(Pic #3) A deteriorating exterior wall (with cool smudges) outside an old recording studio in San Pedro, Cal.

It’s a Bird, It’s a Plant….It’s WTF?

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(Pic #1) Yulan Magnolia flower

Lately I’ve been looking for distractions to extricate myself from the grim news all around us. Experts say we should take in headlines in small doses, and seek out more zen experiences to balance out the darkness with something light and joyful. I typically turn to nature.

I’ve started exploring “the best of” photos in National Geographic, and I keep my eye out for Images that will lift my spirits, not crush them.

I ran across the photo above — of the Chinese Yulan Magnolia flower — that teases the viewer with an alter ago: that of a precious pink baby bird, sitting in a cozy nest. The web went abuzz when these pics began to surface, and then skeptics pointed out that they are too perfect, that very few of these photos actually exist, and someone may have Photoshopped an eye onto one of the flower babies.

I’ve decided I don’t care. The beautiful thing about art — especially in nature —  is that its purpose is to engage. Ideally, when we look at a painting, we’re drawn in — we may not be able to figure it out — but we’re hopelessly hitched. I love when I’m fooled. I look forward to being tricked. I’m drawn to the kind of art that messes with my head. Whether it’s an optical illusion, trick photography, or yes, even Photoshop — I’m in for the ride.

(Pic #2) Monkey-faced orchid

(Pic #3) Dracula Orchid