Mr.Ward and Daniel Louis Rivas GLOBAL ARTSHOW: June 2009

by DANIEL LOUIS RIVAS

Tony & I were in New York city for several events. One is the launch of our Tokion Magazine cover that we are very proud of. The shoot for that was great, Except I drank to many vodka martinis the night before at this strange underground Russian speakeasy like place, and I was kind of a mess in the beginning of the shoot. I was still on LA time so the world felt like it was going to swallow me up in it's vortex and many black holes. Early morning not so good. Pictures came out great through. Note to self no more Vodka Martini's while exploring space travel. Also watch out for 2012.

The people in NY showed us a lot of love on this trip. The weather in NYC was bipolar. Rain one second and then the sun was beaming another. We had a small exhibition of ten of our paintings that went really well at this gallery/ boutique called EVA on the Bowery. Everyone came out for the show and expressed real genuine interest for the art. Everyone was really enthusiastic about the show except this awful women named Jocelyn Cohan, Who claims to be an art adviser to no one. Isn't that ironic. The name says it all. She caused a scene at the art show and compared Tony & my paintings to a derivative version of Thunder Cats meets Basquiat. How subversive. How the negative criticism fuels the fires. She was cute so we didn't egg her. We are creating masterpieces here lady!

We also did a couple photo shoots & interviews. Tony almost bit my ear off in one of the pictures. He's such a method model. Look out Van Gogh. I had to get rushed to Lenox Hill hospital for 13 stitches in the ER. I am alright now. Scar's give us character. People in New York make shit happen. LA takes it's time. I will always be a New Yorker living & painting in LA. It's funny all the artists we met have really been gracious & warm. Here from my window in Valley Village I can't see a artist for miles. I'd like to meet some more California artists with a similar sensibility's. I'd like to pitch a tent and have a 24 hour punk rock painting orgy of late sixty's serial killer revival. It's a great place to create and take a nap while tanning.

We also filmed some stuff for our TV show. Not sure when & where it'll be on. But it was fun &
I think we got some great stuff. And this country would be very lucky to have our experiences filmed and broadcast for your viewing pleasure. Maybe our greatness will rub off on you. Joshua Von Brown keeps it old school.Calvin Klein dressed us for the interview portions of the show. Very fancy.
They were very cool to us, and now I have some new clean white underwear & black socks. They also invited us to this fabulous party on the newly unveiled High Line. It was an interesting party. It was not as awkward as some of the parties we've attended recently filled with snobby zombie models and wall street bankers. Danny Devito was at the CK party..I mean how bad could it be. He threw momma from the train. Oh too be one of those beautiful people..Wait a minute.
Nevermind..At least we are both well hung.

Francis Bacon show was dynamite at the MET. That's what painting is about. Putting the pain back in painting.

Canal street smells bad, The cats and the rats are in a constant turf war for supremacy of the streets of China Town. but the hospitality is heartwarming. And you can buy a veggie sesame pancake for a dollar. Check it out..Oh yeah Delta airlines sucks. Are bags were soaking wet when we got home..Ok, off to see my sisters band The Black Tales play the Viper Room tonight. They are awesome. The bass player is rad. ..More zombies expected..Forecast at 11pm.