Finding Fortune

9:40 pm, CST, Somewhere in The Heartland of America.

  A 30 minute moonlit run somehow evolves into an hour. 

Beneath glowing streetlights I watch my shadow go from behind-to-in-front, behind-to-in-front as I slap down urban roads blasting through minuscule clouds of my own breath colliding with the winter air like a giant with his head in the clouds.

Pounding up cold concrete stairs, my lungs start to do their thing. They are used to this. My body temperature is rising and I drop my hoodie. And all I can think is “I am so FORTUNATE. I get to run! My legs go up and down. I CAN DO PUSHUPS! WHAT?”

Since I was 12 years old, I have spent roughly 300 days a year doing something physical, something taxing, something... satisfying. Along the way, I have been so FORTUNATE to sweat with such inspiring athletes. NFL stars, Olympians, World Record Holders, and for the last decade I have been so FORTUNATE to climb with some of the greatest athletes to ever touch rock.

But it’s not only the accomplished who inspire me. It’s the dedicated.

I have been so FORTUNATE to live in the desert, the mountains, and yes, now, in the flatlands.

I have found it’s THE FARTHEST from the mountains where you see the truly dedicated, obsessed, committed. hair-brained, and most nutcase mountain athletes. These are my people. My tribe.

The crazy ones. Those whose STOKE is not limited by proximity or access.

As I finished my run tonight, I pass by the museum where I took art classes in 4th grade. I pass by the art institute where I teach classes now. I feel so FORTUNATE.

I think of people who have either let go of the quality of life that comes from freedom of movement, or had it taken from them.

If this is you, I encourage you- whatever it takes- FIX IT. Hips or knees too jacked for running? Go to a chiropractor or physical therapist and get your joy back.

Elbows too tender to crank at the gym? Forget the gym, climb slabs. Think of Fred Beckey who was out climbing at Joshua Tree last week for his 90th birthday. A FORTUNATE man who GETS IT.

Say YES every time you get invited and leave the excuses on the couch. Say YES when you feel the impulse to grab a quick run before bedtime. SAY YES when someone asks you to join them on a fresh fitness routine.

We have such a tiny moment to be on this planet, and we are SO FORTUNATE to be able to play here. So... take care of it, and yourself, and find your FORTUNE.

Okay, now on to post run stretching...

Interview With a Latvian

From time to time I receive interviews from art students. Yesterday I did one for a Latvian student studying in Grenoble and thought his questions were well constructed.

1. Your paintings are "different" from others, they are original! I'm talking specifically about the Alpinist 33 Cover, I just love the colours you've chosen and the way you accent the lines. So i would like to know where did you find the inspiration to create such a unique style?

Imagine dragging your toes through the sand, your hand through the air out the window of a car, or a rake in the dirt. Those lines inspire my lines.

2. Has drawing always been easy for you or it took a lot of practice to get to this kind of level?

I have been practicing my entire life and I continue to. I appreciate that people enjoy my art, but all I want to do is to keep exploring, much like I do with climbing. I wouldn't saw drawing is "easy" for me, but it does make me happy and so the more I do it the happier and more proficient I get. We all are artists in one way or another at birth. The noted ones aren't always the most talented, but those who just cant live without creating.

3. I'm wondering, what kind of artists do you like, what are your favorite ones?

My tastes are quite broad- from fine art to street grafitti and influence is everywhere, daily. My "favorite" current artists are the ones who have something to say and have found a way to say it. I lean towards people who work hard, evolve, and empower others, rather than those find a way to make money and regurgitate it for a career. Not that its a bad thing to make a living, but regurgitating isn't living.
I like Chinese brush work done in art "camps" in the 16th century. I like Van Gogh. I REALLY like Gustav Klimt. I like Smashing Pumpkins. I like Sigur Ros. I like Lars Henkel. I like Joe Sorren. I like James Jean. I like Mumford & sons. I like Josh Garrels. I like Marshal Arisman. I like Quixotic. I like Renan Ozturk. I like Zoe Keating. Okay thats a lie. I LOVE Zoe Keating.

BEST OF LUCK AGRIS!!

24 Hours of Laughter...

My clif notes on this years 24 hours of horseshoe hell

And Climbing.com's report.

An awesome "day" with Nate Moore!

Nose-stalgia

A bike-ride to the studio on a perfect day really starts it off right.
I realized I was smelling something the whole way.

Our olfactory senses are said to be our strongest sense of memory.  Nosestalgia, if you will.
On my ride I smelled:

The dying leaves on Walnut street.

The dying Walnuts on Mcgee street.

A dead squirrel on 36th street.

My friend Gregory roasting beans at Oddly Correct.

My friends at Zum Bar cutting soap.

A man in a parked car smoking weed.

A man in a orange vest removing weeds.

Exhaust from a city truck.

Dust from a leafblower at an elementary school.

and finally, hops from the chimney at Boulevard brewing.

Have a smelly day!

Store Rising

... like a phoenix from the ashes.
Check out the new online store while we work out the bugs. Thanks for the many emails and requests for prints! Now- go buy some art!