Obsession is Dangerous

     My current new obsession influencing me right now is spray paint on canvas art. The fact that people are laying paint down from a can onto canvas the way they are is ridiculous. Some of the stuff really looks like oil on canvas. I'm going to let you peek at some of my favorites right now.

A take on the Morton Salt Girl which I thought was so cool. The lines are so clean and the stencil work is retarded.

A little out there but definitely an amazing example of what the art form has evolved into.

Literally looks like a photography. Astounding.

I also love the way people are able to render faces like this. 

     So this is going to be my current obsession for a while. Once I get done with school this year I am going to work on pieces non stop. I'll keep up with my photography since I totally shine in that realm compared to this one, but I really love the medium. I'll also keep you guys updated. 

My Name Is...

      Today is quite a big day in music for me. Wiz Khalifa's album dropped today which I was quite excited about but kind of disappointed when it leaked a week ago. I had high hopes for it to be a really complete album but I still found myself pushing the forward buttons on the tracks that were lack luster. I was still a good fan and actually bought a physical copy because I have higher (pun intended) hopes for Wiz and the rest of Taylor Gang.  From what leaked before the album came out, Wiz is one of the artists changing the future of hip hop for generations to come. When I'm listening to his new stuff, it's like the world fast forwards a few years. He's on a whole different level than most rappers out there today. It's still the same subject matter but the way Wiz conveys his feelings is so different than all rappers out there currently. So serious props to Wiz, don't fall asleep big homie.
 

Image Courtesty of Bobby Hundreds of The Hundreds

     So if you happen to live under a rock, Dubstep has completely taken over the electronic music scene. Its that hard hitting, crazy mix of drum and bass and house music. It's almost hard to explain what it sounds like because it really has no defined sound. Probably the closest thing you can say about it is the soundtrack to a riot. There is so many different things assaulting your ears, in a good way, that all you can do is riot. It's almost like the new hardcore music from my high school days. Kids would wait for months for their favorite hardcore band to play the local venue. Now kids are lining up to see their favorite dubstep artists, which does my heart good. I've liked electronic music since high school back in the days when DJ's like Tiesto, Deadmau5, and Armin Van Buuren were just getting their start. 

     One of my current favorite DJs in scene is Skrillex. A native of sunny California, I actually have a strange relationship to Skrillex. My girlfriend actually dated him at one point when he was the lead singer of the hardcore band From First to Last. Since he has moved on, he's become almost an overnight success in the electronic music world. Hooking up with Deadmau5 on his mau5trap music label, he's released a few very successful EP's on Beatport which are ridiculously good. 

     I first heard his music on XM radio and my first reaction was "is this a serious song!?" I was so excited that someone was doing something different. Now I'm sure Skrillex didn't start Dubstep, but he was the first artist to really make it big producing Dubstep and now the fact he's teamed up with one of the most successful DJs in the world, there is no doubt that he's going to be making music for a really long time.

    

Artists For Japan

     Since the movement started, I have been all for Artists For Japan. Pretty much all of my photography gear comes out of Japan directly and I know the industry has taken a huge hit because of the damage done by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami. I have felt for the Japanese and have followed their strife almost with every update I can get. Knowing how resilient the Japanese are, they will bounce back but they need our help to get back on their feet. With a nuclear disaster hanging in the balance, I feel that every little bit can help so I embarked on a little project fueled by my desire to help those in Japan.

     I threw this piece together last night at around one in the morning because I kept thinking about what was going on overseas. The rising sun is depicted like I see it dripping from its ever so clean seams. Only waiting for the last punch for the deluge to coming pour over it's people. It also symbolized the blood shed by those who died in the disaster and the tears cried for those who were affected. Simple and effective. I included a striking message for all those watching the events unfold too. Save Sendai. We should not let a small Japanese city who gives the American public so much fall into a nuclear wasteland. 

     It is your time to act people. Gather up what little change you may have and send help to Japan. I am only asking a simple $25 dollars for one custom made piece just for you. It will be done on high quality paper and come to your doorstep ready to frame and mount on your wall. Not only will you be getting a really nice starter piece to your art collection, 100% of the proceeds made from the sale of these once in a lifetime prints will be sent to the American Red Cross specifically to help those in Japan. If you would like to purchase one, contact me at patmcpeak1@gmail.com. I will quickly get back to you to discuss details. Thank you guys so much in advance for helping me do my part to help those in need.

    On the topic of art, I love working with the medium I chose for this painting. Spray paint is one of those really fun mediums that requires complete control and is very permanent. The cold feeling of the can as you la down some fat lines on a crisp wall or some brand new canvas. I love the way it sticks to anything, the way you only use stencils as a guideline and the fact that there are so little rules when it comes to using it. 

     Another thing I enjoy about it is the fact that I can just pick up a few cans after work and it costs about the same as a tube of oil paint. Now you can control oil a little better than spray cans but it's definitely no where near as fun for me. I know just about every trick in the book when it comes to using spray cans but I usually always end up keeping it simple, clean and refined. I rarely ever find an idea to get crazy about.

       Although photography is my main form of artistic expression, paint is definitely a very powerful medium. Painting is probably the oldest form of artist expression and spray cans have just made it easier to get paint into the hands of the masses. I hate watching an old customer buy cans and cans of paint only to hear that they need to paint their wheelbarrow the same color it was originally. C'mon pops, get creative. I bet you'd be the only dude on the block of your living community with a seriously sick purple wheelbarrow. 

      Now on a more serious note, which I will leave you with, please do anything you can to buy some really nice art and help those in Japan. Donating directly to the Red Cross and any other reputable charity is the best bet, but why not get some cool artwork for your thoughtfulness. Just as a token of appreciation. I will appreciate every dollar you send me but I'm sure those in Japan will appreciate it more than I will.

Hold Up

     So I have some bad news ladies and gentlemen. I am currently a slave to life's daily struggle. Working full time, school full time and among other things, I have a ton of stuff on my plate right now. Don't sweat though, this blog will survive and I will do my best to update you guys on a daily basis but the posts might be interrupted until I finally settle in a groove. I love the grind but it sure hurts sometimes.

     I'll leave you guys with one of my current favorite pieces of mine. A photo of my favorite person and inspired by one of my favorite artists, Richard Avedon. We've all seen this piece of his.

     

     I tried something like it here with some really technical flash.

entered in Grace Loves The Beatles photo contest

    So there you guys have it. It's not for sale but I may put it in a book later in my career. I'll hopefully be getting back to you guys tomorrow after I escape Lowe's Island. Stay hungry, America. It's our only chance to survive these hard times.

Bright Futures

      After a wildly successful SXSW last weekend, a lot of new rising artists really did blaze the stage out of nowhere. Some of my favorite acts this year were from the hip hop genre. Although I am a huge fan of current hip hop, an important part of music is looking for new artists that will take the reins from current artists. All of the stages sounded hot this year but Fader Fort was definitely the spot to be. All kinds of artists came through but these were just a couple of my favorites.

Yelawolf.


      Yelawolf was featured on XXL's freshman class and I see why they were so hyped about him. His music has such a raw feel. It's gritty, uncut and has the classic rap feel. Alabama hasn't had many good rappers come out of it lately but Yelawolf is going to be here to stay. His future is seriously one of the brightest I've seen in a while.



Machine Gun Kelly.


      The one thing I felt when I first heard MGK was "seriously, this kid's got heart." I have never seen a rapper currently with more heart than MGK. This kid goes seriously hard. He spits harder than anyone rapping as of late. He almost reminds me of a young Eminem but goes harder on stage. This kid is seriously the craziest performer I've seen in a while. If you think about it, the reason people go to see shows is to feel the energy. I don't think I've ever seen a performer with more energy than MGK. One minute he's bouncing around the stage the next minute he's on top of the speaker tower screaming at the top of his lungs. Another kid with a seriously bright future.





     Make sure you find the artists that are going to define the industry in the future and actually go out and support them. Downloading their album from piratebay does not count. Go buy a CD, usually the sound better and it's nice to know that you're supporting something you believe in.

One Twenty

Very Limited. Scoop them up while you can. 12 x 12 prints.

     Email me at patmcpeak1@gmail.com if you are interested in any of the four prints. All four prints will have very limited numbers and will never be available to the public again. All prints will come with an artist proof and certificate letting you know what number print you got. All prints will be sold at $100 USD which is a reasonable price to start collecting art. Hope to hear from you guys soon.

Fried Egg

     Thanks to Rebecca Black, the title of this post is dedicated to the way she pronounces Friday. Let's start off by saying that this Friday was by far the best day of the year. It was a balmy 86 degrees in March which is unheard of in the greater North East. I started my day off normally by reading up on my friends' website. See the sidebar if you are interested. I then decided it was time for something different for lunch. I had been eating constant sandwiches all week and wanted to switch it up. If you know me well, my preferred method of food intake is in tube form. Specifically burritos. So i went to my local burrito place to grab one.

     This gem is a chicken burrito from my local Chipolte. Apparently all the ingredients inside are gold which is why it's wrapped in a gold foil wrapper. I already love this burrito. I opted to go from some medium salsa and some guac. Another thing I love in this world is guac. It's like eating avocado flavored velvet which makes me hungry just thinking of it. The wrapper didn't stay on long though.

      So good. Everything just melted in my mouth and it came with the most delicious chips and the freshest salsa ever. It tasted just like summer. After about ten minutes this resulted.

     Gone! After that wonderful snack I hit the road for some cruising to my favorite camera supply house. It's a good hour away so I loaded up my Ipod with some new music I just downloaded. Like I said in my earlier posts, I'm kind of a big Wiz Khalifa fan. Not on the level of Justin Bieber fans, I just like the take he has on hip hop. When I listen to his newer music, I feel like I'm listening to the future of hip hop. Stuff I might be listening to in 2014 is coming out of my speakers. After I picked up my film and chatted with my buddy Carl, my old friends from our college residence hit me up to hang out.

     Frank and Kim were probably my closest friends in college which was a very miserable part of my life. I wasn't gelling with the material and I wasn't really fitting in anywhere in the school minus a few good friends. They invited me to see their new place in the city. They lived in a really nice house on Pennsylvania Ave in the north section of the city. Awesome place and awesome people.

     Frank showed me his toy collection which was scary good. A lot of rare pieces and he also shared his new interest in art collecting. Check this jewel out.

     I then was introduced to this litte guy. His name was Chase.

     After the grand tour, Frank and I sat on the back patio and shared drinking stories for an hour. It was a really funny hour. We also took a little tour of the neighborhood. They live next to this really cool foot bridge where I plan to do some really nice street art when I get some new cans.

     It was quite a sight to see the skyline again. I miss living in the city so much because I'm such a city oriented person. I love what they call the heartbeat of the city. Philadelphia's beats stronger than any city I've ever been to and I seriously can't wait to get back. I hope to be back in school there in the fall. It was definitely a refreshing experience seeing old friends and promising I'd bring my firecracker, drunk self back once and a while. Let's just say it's going to be a wild summer.

How to Get Fresh

     Ok guys and girls, there is a serious problem in the world today. I'm not talking about Japan and my thoughts and prayers go out to all of the victims. The problem I am talking about is people who do not know how to detail a car. I am about to give you the low down how how to detail a vehicle Electric Dreams Inc. style. This will be an easy step by step method that you can print out for your own good.

Step 1:
Set aside a day in which you have at least 4 hours to do this. Getting your car fresh is not a simple twenty minute thing. People who do that think their car looks good but I can spot a fake from a mile away. Take pride in your car and put some time into it

Step 2:
Get some good products. I sound like a snob because I am a snob. Don't fall for gimmicks and new products find something that works and stick with it. Here are some suggestions for products that I use.

-Meguiar's Gold Class Wash Shampoo and Conditioner
     Just like your hair, your paint needs a good shampoo and conditioner
-Meguiar's SwirlX
     Because swirl marks make your car look like you buffed it with a brick
-Mother's California Gold Clay Bar System
     If your car's paint has that dimpley feel you're doing something wrong
-Turtle Wax Carnauba Cleaner Wax Paste
     Never buy synthetic wax, it always looks horrible and doesn't harden like true carnauba wax
-Meguiar's Gold Class All Wheel Cleaner
     If your shoes look bad, the outfit looks horrible
-Turtle Wax Wet 'n' Black Tire Care Aerosol Spray
     Best tire shine product available, lasts for a solid two weeks. When your tires look dripping wet, you know you look good.
-Turtle Wax ICE Total Interior Care Spray
     When they call it a lotion in the description, your interior will be thanking you
-Turtle Wax Oxy! Power Out Carpet Cleaner
     If your shoes get dirty from your floor mats, you need some help
Step 3:
Get a good sponge, bucket and a nice long hose. Forget those stupid washing mits, nothing is softer than a nice clean sponge. You also have a greater chance of getting small rocks and dirt in lamb wool than in a sponge.

Step 4:
Add a small amount of Car wash to the bucket and fill it with water. You want a lot of suds. These are what get your car clean.

Step 5:
Hose down the car with water and scrub with a sponge saturated with soap solution

Step 6:
Rinse the suds. All of them. Work in little sections so they don't dry onto your finish

Step 7:
This is a very important step, DRY the entire car with a shammy. I use the Absorber and it is awesome

Step 8:
Read the directions on your clay bar kit and apply to the car. This smooths out your clear coat and takes environmental contaminants out of your paint.

Step 9:
Apply a nice coat of SwirlX. This is a wax like substance that makes it easier to seal your clear coat with the carnauba wax.

Step 10:
Wax on, Wax off. Once again work in small sections to make sure you don't miss any spots. Left over wax looks atrocious.

Once you're done all these steps, bask in the glory of your amazingly detailed exterior. You might even find some abstract art like me.

Interior goes the same. Vacuum everything first to pick up major chunks of rock, dirt, ash if you smoke, and anything else your shoes leave behind in the car. Glass comes last. Use a specialized car glass cleaner. I am a big fan of Invisible Glass wipes. They don't streak and don't have ammonia like Windex does. Last but not least. Add a new Fresh Tree to your review mirror collection. The one who totals their car with the most wins.

     There you have it. My way of getting your car super fresh and ready to annihilate the streets. It's going to be really nice tomorrow in the Northeast so be inspired to clean up your whip and cruise around your town in style.

Rest in Peace, My Brother

     Although I usually make music posts on Thursdays, today is one of those days that is important to the music world. The iconic, scratch that, legendary west coast rapper, Nate Dogg passed away yesterday. Gone from us here on Earth, Nate Dogg will live on through the music that he left us. It is not time for us to mourn but time to celebrate the life he lived.

      The first time I ever heard Nate was in this video above. I wish I could have said a classic like "Regulate" but it is what it is. I think I even learned the word ho from Nate and I've never been the same since. Like Eminem said, Nate's voice was irreplaceable and we'll be lucky to find another artist that could drop a hook like Nate Dogg. The old saying rings true. "It ain't a hit if Nate Dogg don't spit."

     Nate was to me the definition of a triple O.G. This man had a voice softer than a baby's bottom but still spit on hard tracks like it was his job. He knew who he was and wasn't willing to compromise his flavor to fit on some generic rap track. Hip hop was changed for the better once Nate got into the booth. Today hip hop holds a moment of silence for his legacy.

We all wear the trademark top hat and cane today for Nate. Rest in Peace big homie. We know you're in a better place spitting hook for Big and Pac.

Spring Breakers, Risk Takers

     This weekend was the official start to my Spring Break and unfortunately I will not be heading anywhere cool this year. I haven't gone anywhere cool for spring break ever, to be blunt, but I always have a good time on spring break. My break started out with doing homework on Friday (awesome, I know) and Amanda coming up to my house. Uneventful, but chill Friday night. Saturday morning started with an early morning run to the King of Prussia Mall. I've never been to mall anytime before noon but it was awesome watching all of the store employees open the metal grates to the public. It felt like watching the gears in an intricate machine turning and making the machine work. Amanda had an interview with a nanny company that dispatches nannies to rich people who have kids but don't want to take care of them. While she was in her interview I picked out this beauty from the hat store.

     People have asked me why I picked a Pittsburgh Pirates hat since the baseball team always finishes in the basement. I happen to like the hat and like pay homage to the state that raised me. I recently saw on the news our Governor, Tom Corbett, a man I voted for, wearing a Green Bay Packers jersey. I was flabbergasted to see this happen. My philosophy on politics is that you should be passionate about the thing you are going to be representing. Governor Corbett is a bold man, slashing budgets and making heavy political moves in his first 100 days, but i didn't think that he would be that bold. He could have at least put on a Steelers jersey.

      Which brings me to my next bit of knowledge, Pennsylvanians are pretty passionate people. Eagles fans, Phillies fans, Flyers fans, Pennsylvanians always think that each one of their sports teams are going to win everything each year they compete. Pennsylvanians, especially Philadelphians are very proud of their heritage. Not only their nationality but where they are from. Whiz wit is the only way to order a cheesesteak and if you order anything else, we know you're from out of town. We have our own accent too which I am a product of. The "Prolly", "Broadstreet", "Iggles" and "Alnee" are all words that I use frequently and I proudly call myself a Philadelphian because I live in the greatest city in the world. 

     Back from tangentville, The rest of the weekend was capped off in Jersey. We had a family style meal in Mays Landing consisting of Lasagna and all the fixings and played Pictionary with all of the fam. Monday I stayed in New Jersey and worked on Ghost Towns which you should be excited for. I only gave you a little taste cause I really want it to get hyped like crazy when the book and show drops this summer. I'll leave you with my plans for spring break, I'm going to hit up Philadelphia for some street photography and hopefully get an orientation for my new job at Lowe's. That's right, slinging paint. wood and plumbing supplies like it's my job because it is. Hope you guys make some cool plans for your Spring Break, feel free to share with a comment. I'll gladly return with a response. Over and out.

Ghost Towns: The Side of The Shore You Never See.

Get Ready.

Rigged

      A lot of people have been asking me what medium format camera I use. This is the old broad. A Mamiya RB67 Pro. I have a 127mm lens and a 120 back. I like to use 120 cause it's cheaper and I don't lose inspiration after half a roll. I love all seven pounds of this camera. It's the most gratifying camera I've ever shot with. Composing shots through ground glass, the rack and pinion focusing and the loud thwack of the mirror after a perfect shot.

     Everything about this camera is what I want in a camera. Huge negatives, sharp glass and mechanical. I always seem to forget to charge batteries and this monster runs without one.

    So there you go kiddies, my medium format camera in all it's chunky glory.

Everyday is Like Sunday

     This weekend was all about my favorite things. Amanda, photography, hot dogs, diner food, New Jersey and dreaming of future ideas that may never come true but I can see myself doing one day. I've come to accept the state of New Jersey as my second home probably because of my distaste for the word Pennsylvania. There is nothing wrong about the Keystone State, I just think the word tastes ugly in my mouth. New Jersey has everything I want in state minus the fact that it doesn't have a major city that hasn't laid off more than half of it's police force. It has the ocean, a giant strip of woods, better known as the Pine Barrens, plenty of opportunities for art and most places have that weathered, small town feel. Even Millville has that creeping touch of our parents' childhoods that I love so much.
     Which brings me to my next topic. I love New Jersey because of the inspiration I get to do everything when I'm in this state. I can go to any small town in New Jersey and find something that I want to do. Even if it is just take photographs of my experience there, Jersey has so much to offer. The people are generally friendly and have a hometown feeling. Like you've known them for a while. Even the ghost towns that exist throughout the state, whether fallen on hard economic times or places that just don't have houses, drip with inspiration for me.

Who would have known that John C. Peterson owns a HUGE boat.

     Back to the weekend, Amanda and I had an exciting day on Saturday. We got up early, made coffee and read the paper (awesome, I know). We then went to Moe's Southwest Grill for lunch. We brought her dog, Zorro, and planned a picnic in his favorite place ever, the park. Well let's just say, Zorr doesn't like car rides and we forgot a fork at Moe's. We went back home and ate lunch and took the dog for a walk in the woods behind her house. He loves this place too and knows exactly where to go on the trail. The trail that is behind her house is actually a really old part of the Black Horse Pike/US-322. It's old and full of mystery. A ton of broken glass and old soda bottle line the woods on the sides of the trail and old fire pits are to be found deep in the woods way off the trail. The Old Pike leads to the Volunteer fire house where he dad was assistant chief and still an active member. It was a very interesting walk to say the least.

     Let's just say I have some ambitious plans for this week and even more ambitious ones for next week. As the winter slowly dies off, spring break starts and a whole slew of new pieces for Ghost Towns will be made. I plan to even do some night photography to supplement the landscape heavy pieces I have already done for Ghost Towns. Although I love landscape photography, I completely agree with Ansel Adams in saying.

"Landscape photography is the supreme test of the photographer - and often the supreme disappointment."

 Look out world, you're going to have a new artist to watch.

Your Rights

Know them and carry this with you when you're out and about.

Electric Rant

      Directional light is what I'm addicted to. Although I'm up hard on a pack of Marlboros a day, directional light is my natural high. Bright sunlight that hugs the horizon that makes those clean, crisp shadows and offers that perfect contrast. Colors come alive and black and white tones become as rich as chocolate mousse. It's something that either makes my day or completely ruins it.

    The most essential thing to a photograph is light. If we break down the word photograph, it comes from the Greek, photo which means light and graph which means to draw. Drawing with light is what photography really is. Although I'm a decent artist when it comes to charcoal and paper, light is definitely one of those artists that you read about in a magazine. One of those artists that gets really famous before they die. Kind of like Banksy, Light is everywhere you look.

     Light is also one of those things we just can't understand. Even science has no idea what it's made of and why it exists it just does. Pretty much everything has a purpose in life but light is one of those strange things that just exists. It exists in almost every corner of the universe minus the occasional black hole. We can bend light, split it into a visible spectrum, capture it and even tell how fast it moves. Light is a physical representation of magic except no one has figured out how it works yet. Like if no one ever found out how David Copperfield made the Statue of Liberty disappear. Even though a quick Google search told me exactly how to make the monument disappear, I don't think anyone could have done it like David Copperfield.

The thing that really makes photos "work" is very strong directional light or strong light in general. So to all of you fauxtographers, get on your job. Find some serious light and don't stop shooting. Let me make myself perfectly clear. DON'T STOP SHOOTING. The worst thing you can do is walk away from something beautiful because you get frustrated. Photography is an enriching experience but only if you let it enrich you and your soul.

(All Rights Reserved to original image owners.)