Amnesia#1 Cronica Mexicayotl

The Coat of Arms of Mexico has been an important symbol of Mexican politics and culture for centuries. It was originally seen designed on the Cronica Mexicayotl as more of a "ying yang" or "burning water" symbol, but Spanish invaders tweaked the design to fit European Heraldic christian elements, which is seen on the mexican flag. This design is a return to the original version with the feathered serpent god Quetzalcōhuātl, creator of humanity. The eagle was a representation of the sun god Huitzilopochtli. The Cronica Mexicayotl is a chronicle of the Aztec empire that was written in the Nahuatl language (which ive written in the Nahuatl language on the scroll).

Amnesia#2 Santa Catarina

I kinda explained this in an earlier post, Our Lady of Guadalupe, a 16th century Roman Catholic Mexican icon mixed with the Aztec goddess Mictecacihuatl and Santa Catarina (it's current incantation). Catholicism merged with indigenous religion is often know as Santeria, the feathers and candles are from sacrifice rituals that are a part of Santeria life.

Amnesia#3 Zapata

Emiliano Zapata was a leading figure in the Mexican Revolution who defended the poor and indigenous people. Zapata has in the last few decades been recast as a quasi-religious icon as well, mostly within the "Zapatista"(EZLN/Mayan) communities, where he is called "Votán Zapata". Below is a EZLN Woman soldier wearing the Infamous red bandanna, the orange/yellow flowers and smoke are part of a "Dia De Los Muertos" to evoke dead souls.

Amnesia#4 Mistico

Mistico, a luchador, raised in the notorious Tepito district of Mexico City, has risen to a saint-like superstar status in Mexico, "El Corazon desenmascarado" translates as "The unmasked heart" A parody of the Sacred Heart, which is sometimes seen in Eastern Catholic Churches as a point of controversy and is seen as an example of bastardization from Western/latin Catholic church. Here its a Mexican cultural hybrid.

Accension

This is way old but i realised i never posted it. Drawn up for a mate who had it inked somewhere in between his Brazilian jujitsu lessons and Oasis coverband rehersals.

Diseno Tatuajes

Im ramping up to do a lot more painting, this was the warm up canvas. The snake is from a tattoo flash set i designed a year ago with a little mexicana street lettering thrown in.

¡Que viva Mexico!

Mexico has a such a solid sense of style, i cant say enough about the place. Ive been gathering so much inspiration and cant wait to get into the studio to get busy, unfortunately all I've got is photos at this stage..

Día de los Muertos

For the past few years or since i started this blog at least, ive been lucky enough to be in epic locations for Día de los Muertos, this year i outdid them all by experiencing the festival in Oaxaca Mexico.
A mix of Catholicism, indigenous Aztec and more recently Wicca rituals. Its a complex 3 day celebration to mourn the dead and celebrate their lives.

Cautionary Tales

This was an illustration i drew last year, and finally got around to painting, acrylic on wood.

Barrios Guadalupe

Our Lady of Guadalupe, a 16th century Roman Catholic Mexican icon mixed with the Aztec goddess Mictecacihuatl a.k.a the modern dia de los muertos Catrina, .. or maybe im just a little over eager for Mexico in a few weeks.

PasteModernism

It was a busy week, I was in a group Guerrilla art show "PasteModernism" in the legendary Sydney Artist village/slum/warehouse "Hibernian House". This piece was one of four i put up.

20x20x20: Work Buy Consume Die

I did this for a a group show with the Stupidkrap crew called "20x20x20" at Palmer Projects on thurday night, it went really well.

Host Nation

With the olympics upon us, I thought this was only fitting..
http://www.freetibet.org/

Aztec Gold

Another history lesson... The Aztecs, once a nomadic tribe, were wandering throughout Mexico in search of a divine sign that would indicate the precise spot upon which they were to build their capital. Their god Huitzilopochtli commanded them to find an eagle devouring a snake, it was found after two hundred years of wandering. This motif is now the on the mexican coat of arms.

Personal Deity

My own twist on Ganesh, he is known as the Remover of Obstacle's and a patron of arts, hence the drawing pen and chai.. which gets me up in the morning.

Whaleshark fun

Last weekend i went diving with whalesharks off the West Coast of Australia, It was a truly amazing experience and highly recommeded. This is how close i got.





If you dont know what they look like, see below (:

Koma Inu

Okinawan Shisa dog with a little bit of tibetan foo lion aesthetic thrown in for good measure..

El Sarristos' Golden Flash

Some simple old school tattoo flash stuff,
p.s let me know If you want to use, just dont steal it!

Thors Hammer

This is an old one i drew in a sketchbook whilst lying on the beach last summer, a monster forked viking chopper.. cos i couldnt think of anything else..

Black Ink Attack

Revenge of the Octopussy..

Santa Muerte

My dad gets keeps asking me to draw something happy and floral.. here is La Santísima Muerte, a variation of the Virgin Mary who is often seen as the grim reaper.. sorry dad maybe next time (:

Dagger & Heart

A sacred heart with a dagger right down the middle, an age old concept with an enduring relevance.
"Pura Vida" means Pure Life. it can mean everything from "it's all good" to "goodbye"

Bali god

One Balinese god. Two colorways.

Inked up

This was another tatt for a forearm, it was to add to a sleeve i previously had put art on, There's no greater thrill to see someone get your art in there skin forever.

Flying Dogs

I just found a photo from a show i had last year, this dog was in the bahamas chasing rocks, makes me laugh just thinking about it.

Evel Forever

Evel Knievel died yesterday.
He inspired my countless BMX jumps as a kid, including one which sent a handle bar through my leg when i was 12.
Below is a detail from a larger piece: his final ride with his eight other lives..
R.I.P

Real Gotham City

This time last year i spent halloween/day of the dead in Salem MA,
This year in Prague was a bit different.. the gothic architecture was way more impressive than 1000 fat american kids in goblin masks.

Stationary Wave

Stationary wave under a bridge in Germany, Ive seen one before near Waimea Beach, Hawaii.. but to see some guys ripping it up in the middle of munich city was super impressive.

Quiet Riot

I'm wandering between Paris, Munich & Amsterdam, Here's a tense moment involving riot police and the armed guard in B/W

Tokyo Bullet

Currently in Tokyo, this is a speeding bullet train on a 1 sec exposure.




And here's a sneak peek at a new bullet range i designed for Sterling Familia, out soon.