The Concrete Stream

Thank you Steve.

2011-10-05T19:54:00.000-07:00

Truth be told, I have imagined this day in my mind for quite some time. Not because I was wishing for it, but because on some level, I was curious as to how I’d deal with it. I’ve thought about the death of my grandmother and my parents, but is it weird that I’ve also thought about the death of Steve Jobs? It’s no secret to my family and close friends that to me, he was more than the dude who created Apple. I wouldn’t even call him an inspiration. He was the reason. The reason I started a business at 23. The reason I believe in a cosmic consciousness. And the reason I continue to blindly push forward, and believe that I will be able to somehow connect the dots looking backward. It should then come as no surprise that when my friend texted me the tragic news, I was left dumbfounded. I was on a film set, and suddenly I was stuck in my chair and unable to speak. What do you even text back to that? Thankfully, our workday was almost over and I just needed to wrap and get out to my car. It was an awkward 20 minutes of hollow conversations that I simply did not care about, but I eventually made it to the parking lot. And as I drove home to write this, in a very private moment, I started to cry. I cried like I had lost a family member but it was almost somehow worse. I had lost my reason.

My first years out of college were heavy ones for me, having gone through a series of events that to this day I don't speak about with everyone. In the funk of depression and an intense period of self discovery, I became interested in the story of how Steve Jobs came to be Steve Jobs. I quickly realized that your dreams don’t simply show up if you work in your room and hope someone notices. Having a vision isn’t enough. You must be willing to create your own opportunities. Where I once saw life as a series of closed doors, suddenly they became unlocked. And even if the door is locked, you can pick the key. And if you can’t pick the key, break in through the window. And if you can’t get in through the window, well than jump down the fucking chimney. The point is that if you’re meant to be there, it doesn’t matter how you got in. What matters is what you do when you get there. As the man himself once said, “Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

My first illustration I ever got published, was fittingly of Mr. Jobs himself back in 2006. I had done it on my own time and contacted a few local newspapers to see if they wanted to use it to accompany the story of the Disney/Pixar merger. Eventually the Contra Costa Times paid me $100 for use of the image in their Sunday paper. And just like that I became a professional illustrator. I was always proud of that piece, and I am still proud of how I got it out there. It was my first lesson in business and I've continued to push forward everyday since then.

Thank you Steve, for giving me courage when I most needed it, and for giving me the strength to believe in myself when I didn't even know I could. Like most men who didn't really know their fathers, you look for the strongest role model to take his place. You have forever changed me, and will always have a special place in my life.

Captain Abstinence

2010-11-04T09:03:00.000-07:00

Here's some concept art I did on a short film for a comic book superhero who promotes the ideas of abstinence. He is accompanied by his trusty profilactic gun. Needless to say, this was a fun one...

The Wizard of Oz-lamabad

2010-09-17T12:58:00.001-07:00

Well it's been quite a while since I've last posted. In fact, almost a year to the day. And here it is: The poster for the second Middle Eastern Comedy Festival in Los Angeles. This year, a Middles Eastern Wizard of Oz was commissioned and thus this drawing was born. There are extra spaces left for text to be filled in later, but I wanted to just show the image. Not to toot my own horn, but I am proud of the Lion from the former Iranian flag as the Cowardly Lion. Funny stuff.

Comedy Festival Illustration

2009-09-16T23:09:00.000-07:00

Here's an illustration that was commissioned by the Middle Eastern Comedy Festival. The client asked for something very peculiar, which was a movie set filming pyramids with wigs to look like the three stooges. Not sure how clear it came out, but it was fun working with a variety of mediums which included sketches, photo collage, and vector parts.

If you are in LA next week, check out the festival! :

mideastcomedyfest.com

Doodles

2009-09-16T23:07:00.000-07:00

Here's a random page from my current sketchbook

Peace in Iran

2009-06-21T17:15:00.001-07:00

I created this in Adobe Illustrator in one sitting. My goal was to use the center part of the Iranian flag to make a peace sign. I got a happy accident out of it since it also looks like a person crying. And seeing as how this is all being covered on Twitter, Facebook, etc, I wanted it to have that web/iphone app feel. I am printing this up large and plan to show it off at the local rallies in Westwood.

If you are interested in using this in your town, please email me directly and I will be happy to send you a high rez copy suitable for large printing. In the meantime, stay safe everyone...

Swine Flu

2009-05-05T00:01:00.001-07:00

Published on LAist.com

Joyce

2009-04-29T15:26:00.001-07:00

A caricature for the lady. She seemed to liked it...

Created in Adobe Illustrator.

Meow 2.0

2009-03-31T14:07:00.000-07:00

Here's a second pass I did at an old favorite.

Bad Brody

2009-01-28T01:03:00.000-08:00

After I scanned this drawing and took a look at it on the computer, I realized that in terms of his proportions, his eyes should be way farther apart. Regardless, I thought it was an interesting drawing which deserved to be posted. I might go back and redo it seeing as how I enjoyed working with all the crazy shapes.

D.D. Lew

2009-01-04T01:51:00.001-08:00

A very loose and quick sketch of the great Daniel Day Lewis to start off the new year.

Couch Enthusiast

2008-12-10T23:40:00.001-08:00

Drawn from some random photo I found on Flickr.

Carbon Mantra album cover

2008-09-02T19:25:00.000-07:00

Here's vector image I am playing around with for an album cover for a close friend's band. The colors on the right are still vibrating a little, so I am trying to fix that but for now I just really wanted to post something.

Another IAAB Piece

2008-06-19T17:00:00.000-07:00

Well, it's official. I have pretty much abandoned working with form altogether at this point. It's a little scary and I feel like I am abandoning a part of myself, but on the other hand, it's totally liberating. We'll see what the coming months hold for my creative work, but don't expect to see much figurative work. At least as of right now.

This is a book cover I did for an Essay Contest.

IAAB Ad

2008-04-26T11:16:00.000-07:00

Blogger doesn't even remember me anymore. It's been that long since I've logged in and posted something! Anyways, it's not often I put a design piece up, but I think I got some interesting textures and colors out of this one. It's a print ad done for the Iranian Alliances Across Borders Non Profit. I layered a whole bunch of images, filters, random vector originals, and some spray paint (all done in Photoshop & Illustrator) to get the effect for the background.

Mices

2007-12-18T17:08:00.000-08:00

Doodling at work during the holiday season.

Bullie the Bulldog

2007-12-11T15:46:00.000-08:00

More Bulldogs for ya.

Kalidah 2.0

2007-12-06T16:28:00.001-08:00

Here's the colored version of the Kalidah Sketch.

Puppies~

2007-12-05T18:25:00.002-08:00

Who doesn't love Bulldog pups? Only Nazis, Communists, Hawks, and the Religious Right, I'd assume. So for those of you who don't affiliate with any of those groups, here are some sketches of pups for my company's holiday gift card (the content of which has yet to be determined). There'll probably be a lack of Nazis in it, but it's a little too soon in the creative process to tell :-)

Kalidah Sketch

2007-11-27T16:22:00.001-08:00

Here's a sketch I just completed for a project that must currently remain under wraps for legal reasons. However, the client was nice enough to let me post this prior to release. I am doing a digital coloring on this as we speak.

Angela Gheorghiu

2007-11-15T15:59:00.000-08:00

And now for something a little different. This sketch is of the world famous Romanian opera singer and diva who is quite frankly, hot as shit. The drawing was going great till I got to her left hand and noticed the giant rock. Damn. A man can still dream. On a side note, don't you hate it when you run out of space on the page?

Meow Zedong

2007-11-14T15:17:00.001-08:00

Seriously though, I need something to do this month.

Kitten Mew Mew Clothing!

2007-10-25T16:25:00.000-07:00

I opened up my store on Cafe Press and am selling my "Kitten Mew Mew" designs on various garments. If you have anything you'd like to see let me know, but for now, head on over to http://www.cafepress.com/digisocks!

Perry/Marilyn

2007-10-25T14:59:00.000-07:00

Perry Ferrell and Marilyn Manson. Two super weird looking dudes, one cool as hell image. I started some coloring in photoshop on this, but I would like to post the drawing first, cuz that might take a while.

Orange you glad you ain't a hipster?

2007-10-17T15:07:00.000-07:00

Hipster dudes piss me off. They just photograph so poorly. Also, I hate the fact that they dress cooler then me and go to better parties(not to mention those assclowns get to bone some fine ass hipster chicks!). Thanks to Last Night's Party for all the great photos. Damned hipsters...

Ahmadinejad

2007-10-08T15:08:00.000-07:00

Here's an unfinished sketch I did earlier in the year revolving around Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's public denouncing of the movie "300" and it's depiction of Persians as bloodthirsty, piercing loving freaks. I thought it would be funny to combine elements of his "A world without Zionism" conference into it. Sadly no one thought this was a good enough idea to publish, so it died, along with so many other great pieces I have started. But now it is ressurected on my blog. Enjoy!

Kitten Mew Mew

2007-09-27T17:52:00.001-07:00

Look out Hello Kitty; Kitten Mew Mew is coming your way.

Alberto Gonzales

2007-08-28T15:43:00.000-07:00

Later Dude...

Last Night's Party

2007-08-23T16:39:00.000-07:00

Last Night's Party is a great site to check out for interesting faces, fun pictures, or my favorite, pretty girls. Here's some quickies I did this afternoon.

Pleading...

2007-08-17T12:50:00.001-07:00

Wien Watercolors

2007-08-13T14:03:00.000-07:00

Just got back from a quick trek through Europe. These are some watercolor sketches I did while in Vienna. Just some random people at restaraunts, cafes, and not to mention the infamous "der porno monster" in a kid's park.

Surprise!

2007-07-31T17:12:00.000-07:00

A masseuse in a box.

Hipster

2007-07-25T20:09:00.000-07:00

Messing around after work in Photoshop. I'd love to actually take this to a real finish, but who knows if that will ever happen. I miss figure painting with Ron Brown...

Stringers

2007-07-25T20:07:00.000-07:00

Here is a piece I am working for a client. It's still in the thumbnail stage, but I liked the movement in these drawings, so I've posted them.

Abbas

2007-07-18T11:14:00.000-07:00

Finding Steve Brodner's sketchblog has gotten me back into political caricature again. If you haven't checked him out before, make sure you do. He is a god that walks amongst us.

Rudy Tootie

2007-07-12T14:09:00.000-07:00

Here's something for all you political hound dogs out there. Ol Rudy has been under attack by American Firefighters as of late for not doing his job well during 9/11. Here I have depicted that struggle as best I could.

Pablo Honey

2007-07-11T15:14:00.003-07:00

Quickie sketch and loose photoshopping.

Light it Up

2007-07-10T13:26:00.000-07:00

Most recent comission for a client wanting to make stickers for construction workers. I tried to go Metallica-Harley Davidson-esque on this one.

Garlic Breath

2007-07-06T16:17:00.001-07:00

Friday fun sketch at work.

Lusty Ladies

2007-07-06T16:16:00.000-07:00

A few sketches from the Pride Parade in SF, specifically the wonderfully great Lusty Lady float.

Preach Comic

2007-06-21T10:42:00.000-07:00

This is for Illume Magazine, which asked me to do a sample comic for their new strip, "Preach the Word".

Hip Hop Anonymous

2007-05-30T13:47:00.001-07:00

Wednesday Work Sketch

Parrot

2007-05-08T16:07:00.000-07:00

Prep for a larger project to come...

Rockin Out

2007-04-30T14:27:00.000-07:00

Here's the man.

Ian

2007-04-24T17:38:00.000-07:00

Drinking on the job, as usual.

Smokey

2007-04-20T16:05:00.000-07:00

a quickie

Madame Flounder

2007-04-17T16:00:00.000-07:00

Sketching from the net at work again. 2 posts in 2 consecutive days? I know, it's a bit odd. Maybe I'll keep going?!

Raul

2007-04-16T16:06:00.000-07:00

Just messing around at work.

Stupid Tourist

2007-03-22T15:49:00.000-07:00

Here's one I did for a client in SF. It's about a stupid tourist, well, you know, being stupid. Included is the sketch, and then final colored in photoshop.

Sorry for the absence

2007-03-02T19:17:00.000-08:00

Hey kids, I am back after a 6 month absence! Crap, has it really been that long? Sorry, I've been busy doing stuff, and probably some other crap too. These are some sketches for a current illustration project.

Face Logo

2006-09-29T14:19:00.000-07:00

The biker lady is back! Here's some roughs I am doing for a logo. I may or may not do an illustrator cleanup.

Stupidheads

2006-09-22T12:49:00.000-07:00

Just a couple of quick portraits of creepy looking dudes I found on the net. Try not to get molested by these guys! (jk)

Sketch

2006-09-20T03:02:00.000-07:00

20 MInutes. I will post a follow up image to this that will be colores shortly.

LIfe Drawings 3.0

2006-08-16T22:25:00.000-07:00

Here's some ones from the other night. The purple ones are 5s and the rest go from 10-15. Again, sorry for the bad stitch jobs. Enjoi!

Loungin' Kate

2006-07-03T20:07:00.000-07:00

This is the latest. Client gave very specific instructions on this one. A Kate Beckinsale lookalike relaxing in a lounge, having a drink a kimono. After spending hours looking at her, I now hate Kate Beckinsale. Drawn with pencil and colored digitally.

Figure Drawing 2.0

2006-06-14T01:47:00.000-07:00

I apologize for the bad stitch job on this piece, but my scanner sucks. After a frustrating night, I was able to do something nice for the last pose, and I was proud of it, even if it isn't finished. This was a 20 minute pose, but felt like an eternity.

Uncle Sam

2006-06-08T20:01:00.000-07:00

Here is a commission I was given for a 4th of July T-Shirt. I had a fun putting my own spin on Uncle Sam. On the left is drawn with Col-Erase, and on the right is colored in photoshop. I had a blast doing this piece.

Life Drawings 1.0

2006-04-26T12:02:00.000-07:00

I decided to post some life drawings, since I have none on here. I included some 1s, a 10, and a 20 minute pose.

Bead Attitude

2006-04-21T19:14:00.000-07:00

Here is the most recent. It's a logo/illustration for a Bead store named "Bead Attitude." They were looking for a mischevious long legged fairy holding a string of beads, which is exactly what they got. I did sketches in pencil and a severe cleanup in Illustrator using the pen tool. Took a lot longer than I though it woud, but I am happy with it.

Biker Lady

2006-04-21T01:10:00.000-07:00

Here are some pieces done for a commision by a mystery woman for mystery purposes. Taken from photo reference.

Tony Blair

2006-03-13T18:20:00.000-08:00

Here is a piece I did of Ol Tony from a little while back. Its a digi, with the underdrawing in colerase.

Steve Jobs

2006-01-24T00:12:00.000-08:00

This was published in the Contra Costa Times accompanying an article about the Disney/PIxar takeover.

I take pretty pictures

2006-01-07T11:36:00.000-08:00

I liked this photo, it was taken on my trip to LA. It came out nicer than I thought. Waddaya think!?

I pitched a show

2005-11-30T00:45:00.000-08:00

Tug of War is about growing up bicultural. Hopefully Fox will pick it up, if they know what's good for them. Here's a little piece to wet your appetite. I am also putting this up for copyright proof reasons.

The Mask

2005-11-04T00:36:00.000-08:00

Hey Ya'll. I am back from LA, without any job...still. Anyway, while I was there, I was asked to do a concept design for a new take at the mask, to be done in the "urban" style a la Gorillaz. Its nice to be on the internet again, so take me down.

LA trip

2005-10-20T08:42:00.000-07:00

Hey all, I am going to be in LA and I have a some job fair to attend tonight. I wont be home till after halloween, so I may or may not post things. If I get access to a scanner, I will certainly do my best to post something for you guys to tear apart! I know, I am behind, sorry...

Wall Street Snob

2005-10-17T01:36:00.000-07:00

I attempted to Design a Wall Street snob today. I have included the some of the roughs and a quick cleanup and photoshop coloring. I feel that my color sens has weakened, due to my long absence from painting. Whats the feedback?

Hey, Its me

2005-10-15T13:39:00.001-07:00

Heres some stuff I did for Disney for the Replacements. What do you think?