Style Fashion Week: The Men

I attended the opening night party for Fashion Week LA. It was in an "undisclosed location" in Bel-Aire. Of course, in an event like this you'd expect to see beautiful people in beautiful clothes. This party did not disappoint. Here are some pics of some of my favorite guys.

Oh, that smile

Love that shock of blue!

I loved this big guy--he was faaaabulous.

I liked the swagger of these two men. Comfortable, but not arrogant

Something tells me he's been in front of the camera before.

What an interesting face. He almost was shocked when I asked to take his picture.

I really liked these two. They just were kinda cool. No pretense.

Just men with nothing to prove.

Thre was a bow-tie theme, which I always think takes a confidant man to wear.

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Meeting and Becoming "Meathead"

(The Mayor's Prop 8 press conference)

I'd been reflecting a lot recently. In February, I honored 10 years that I've been a published author. Of course, I'd been creative much longer than that. I got my first acting agent at sixteen. I went to colledge to study Drama at 18. I started doing performance art/solo work in my twenties. My first novel was published when I was 34.

However, long before that, I remember feeling that there were some things that just weren't fair in the world. All of that shows up in my writing. When my family first moved to America, we lived in a ghetto in Boston. I remembered that dishevled neighborhood, and maybe feeling there was something not right about that situation.

My father was happy that we left for Los Angeles. In Boston, he said cops would come around and harrass the immigrants. This was back in the late 1960's and early 1970's. In my adulthood, I'd had the pleasure of performing near that neighborhood (which is now a trendy part of Boston). I felt nothing but safe and welcomed.

In the 1970's we moved to Los Angeles, and I remember the class divide when "Bussing" came into the fray. Kids from economically depressed neighborhoods (like mine) were bussed to wealthier nieghborhoods (like Bel-Air). I think the goal was to improve race relations and equal out educational opportunities. I'm still not sure.

(With writer Dustin Lance Black)

When I was going to drama school in the 1980's, I couldn't help but notice that my white friends were going out for real roles, roles with names and backgrounds. I was going out for roles like Drug Dealer #1 or Asian #3. I knew I was as talented as my counterparts, but the opportunities were slim. In the 1980's, I also saw how gay people were dying of AIDS and there was a good portion of society who believed that they deserved it.

Recently, I'd been thinking about my work and my life. I'm grateful for the opportunities that came my way and the opportunities that I created. If I have work or get published, I think it's with people who feel along the lines that I do.

I continue to write and I continue to be socially aware. Every once and awhile, it gets glamorous, like when I was asked to represent API Equality-LA , (I serve on the Steering Committee) at a press conference on Prop 8. It was really cool.

However, most of this creative and socially conscious life is usually pretty ordinary. I write as much as I can. I show up to help at work.

(With actor and writer Rob Reiner)

Sometimes, I like to think that I get a sign that I'm on the right path. I do think it was pretty cool meeting "meathead" at the press conference. Rob Reiner played the fiery liberal antagonist to bigot Archie Bunker in "All in the Family." At the press conference, he came off that very same way! Mr. Reiner spoke passionately for gay marriage.

I've become that fiery liberal. I'm Meathead.

Personal Faves of the LA Art Show

There was lots to see at the LA Art Show. The art from all over the world was truly impressive. I wish I could write about everyone. However, there were two artists that I found myself drawn to. Their voice, their skill drew me in.

I met Tony Abeyta last year at the LA Art Show. I was simply awed by his work. I consider myself a Los Angeles writer. I love my town, and often use it as a back drop for my work.

I like that Mr. Abeyta does that with his paintings. The Southwest has an active art scene, but is sometimes dismissed as, well, being the Southwest. There can be regional snobbery, which I find defeats the purpose of an artistic community.

I fell inlove with the Southwest when I'd visit my college friend in New Mexico. Back then, the Southwest was a really big. Fashion, design and art, particularly by Georgia O'keeffe and R.C. Gorman, was being widely explored.

I love that he uses Native American iconagraphy in his abstracts.

Another favorite was discovering the work of the late S.C. Yuan brought down from Carmel by Trotter Galleries. I was happy to see a person of Asian descent in a gallery known for "early California & American Paintings."

I loved his color palate, and the spirit his paintings evoked. From his bio, one read: "Despondent over what he felt was lack of recognition for his work, his inability to become nationally known, and his failing marriage, Yuan took his own life and died September 6, 1974."



I had a discussion with a gallerist about Pacific Standard Time, which hopes to solidify Southern California as an active part of post-war art. He wasn't sure if PST had done that. However, I did think PST did manage to explore the work of artists of color who were never mentioned.


It would be great if they could do PST Northern California, and Mr. Yuan's work would finally get the recognition it deserves.


Let's take a look at this still life.

Look at the brush work of this painting. I loved that he piled it on thick! Of all the paintings I'd seen, I probably spent the most time gazing into the work of Mr. Yuan. Mr. Yuan thank you.

LA Art Show thank you for bringing art from all over to my city!

Sculpture and Stuff

There were some wacky things that were shown at the LA Art Show. Among all of the beautiful paintings and vibrant colors, it was nice to see some work that was a little more challenging.



I liked this pod theme. I really had to look at it to comprehend what it was about. I like seeing art that causes me to see the world differently.

These life-like torsos was something to behold!

This three-eyed Asian dude gave me the creeps--in a good way. He stands about 2 and half feet and was positioned behind glass. I wondered what was the artist's intent in doing this. The "third eye" is an important pychic trait in some cultures. Seen in that way, it becomes less scary and more provocative.

Oh, Buddha! More from the LA Art Show

Like last year, China was well represented at the LA Art Show. Read 2011 blog post here. The China Pavillion was truly charming, particularly the presentation of Buddhas. Spirituality was absent at last year's show. 2011 exhibited more of China's nationalism. This time we're asked to look deeper into the Chinese soul.



These paintings of monks made me pause.


Some revered Tibetan Buddhist leaders were among the Buddha Show.



There were some naysayers who felt all this joyful Tibetan stuff was propaganda by the Chinese. Tibetan life under China is not as tranquil as these paintings portray. Point well taken. I noticed that His Holiness the Dalai Lama was not painted among the portraits. HHDL is, of course, considered an enemy of the state.

Regardless, the artist's skill of these paintings can not be denied. You can't tell from this post, but the next picture was HUGE. Maybe 20 feet by 40 feet. It's basically a mural--and this was worth the price of admission.

The LA Art Show is HERE!!!

I went to the opening night of the LA Art Show. What an amazing event. It's great to start off the year being exposed to art from all over the world. Galleries and artists make the trek to our glamorous city to see if we're intereted in paintings, sculture, prints. If you're wondering, you bet we are.

I spoke with one gallerist who had come for the past several years because the LA scene is so supportive of artists. Another gallerist said she has three different booths at the show to showcase work from the east coast. She contacted her west coast clients, and was happy to see that they came.

I'll be blogging about the event all weekend, so keep dropping by. The China Pavillion, Santa Fe Art, the Buddhist exhibit, Northern California galleries were a highlight for this writer. I'll be sharing images in the next few days.


One critique I had about last year's show was the lack of social commentary that art can provide. That was not the case this year as visitors were greeted with performance artists carrying signs educating us about rape. It grounded the evening, reminding us that art can inspire change and thought.



Upon entering, it seemed the energy changed quite drastically as we're greeted with a large fortune cookie!

The fortune cookie theme continued into the show...

There was a showing of some familiar names:
Jasper Johns

Basquiat

Joan Miro

There is a ton to see. Go check it out.

Write in 2012!

I start my Winter writing class on January 25th! Come write with me. Click here.

What's Your Story?

Last year, the White House Initiative on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs asked members of the community to submit a video called "What's Your Story?" The purpose was to highlight the accomplishments of Asians in America. Here is my contribution. It was on the mighty Prince Gomolvilas. I make fun of Prince whenever I get. I've called him Thai crackhead and a whore, but I have to admit: he's talented.

With affection, here's my video of that crack--ur, fine artist Prince.

Long Beach Literary Life

I was invited to this really cool literary event. I'll be reading at around 1:30pm. Come for the day. Would love to see ya!

A New Plot Twist

Earlier this year, I was appointed to the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs, a body that makes recommendations to the Governor's Office and the Legislature on matters concerning the Asian and Pacific Islander Communities. While others had been congratulating me--and my family is ecstatic!--I was actually alarmed at my new role. I am flattered that there were those who felt my background and knowledge would qualify me for this. When I was asked to apply, I said, jokingly, I would do it just to see if I'd pass the background check. This required them looking into my credit and financial records.

It's odd to say that I'm a "Commissioner." When I think of "Commissioner," I think of some old guy, maybe someone who'd been to war, and has a gruff old voice. You know, like Commissioner Gordon from the Batman comics. There was a part of me that thought my creative voice will somehow be stifled. In going through the background check, I made it clear that I'm a writer who firmly believes in Free Speech. There was no way that my Voice will be quieted. On my curriculum vitae, I did point out that I was anthologized in Best Gay Asian Erotica, and if they had a problem with that, just throw my application in the trash right now.

Apparently, there was no problem with that. So, I'm a commissioner. It's been interesting work, which included meeting with the Governor's Staff in Sacramento, and listening to the needs of the community. I'd been going to "hearings," where people and organizations talk about what the collective community is worried about. It's actually been quite informative.

Recently, I went to a hearing in Long Beach to hear a survey taken with Cambodian youth, an underserved community still experiencing the traumatizing effects of the Killings Fields. I sat with Assemblymembers Mike Eng, Bonnie Lowenthal and Warren Furutani as we became educated about this community experiencing an array of issues: racial profiling, immigration, education. All of this I will report back to the statewide committee.

I was truly moved by the youth who provided personal testimony of being pulled over by cops or having a relative deported. I found their civic engagement inspiring.

I know I have new duties under my belt, but these young people have it harder. I wouldn't want to be a teenager again for all the chocolate at Hershey.

Who Needs Vampires When You Have Art?

My latest on the Huffington Post. It's on artist Bonnie Lambert. Click here.