Daily Reflections
Morning: My day begins on a blow-up mattress in my Venice Beach studio, a place without running water or a conventional power supply. We lived in and loved a tent inside the IPNT Gallery in Venice, California, from 2012 to 2016. Our only electricity came from an extension cord loaned by our neighbor, Rene the Harley Davidson Man. The first task of the day is always to boil water and make a cup of instant coffee, a small comfort that precedes any creative endeavors. With a warm drink in hand, we dive into reading and taking notes on various projects and ideas. Our chihuahua, George Chooney, needs attention, and feeding him has become part of our morning routine before we head out. Riding our bikes to the boardwalk, we absorb the energy of Venice Beach, observing people as they go about their morning rituals. This time allows us to catch some ocean breeze, clear our minds, and get inspired. RIP Choonz ❤️
Studio Time: Returning to the studio, the day’s work begins in earnest. Creativity flows amidst the minimalistic setting—no refrigeration means snacks are limited to things like crackers, and most of our meals end up being BBQ’d or bought fresh from Whole Foods on Ross. Despite the limitations and the absence of utilities, the studio feels like a sacred space where thoughts translate into art seamlessly. We used this time to create a spot and develop an authentically extensive body of work from this experience, delivering some of the greatest times of our lives.
Environment: Venice Beach itself profoundly influences my creative process. Though I led a hermetic life, interactions with friends and locals added vibrancy. The community centered around places like the Bolt surf shop, where conversations often ranged between the absurd and profound. The atmosphere there was chaotic, a blend of laughter, intoxication, and camaraderie that somehow complemented the intense focus we maintained in our studio. Our dog often kept us company, grounding us with his presence.
Memorable Moments: Living and working in Venice Beach has blessed me with unforgettable experiences. One night stands out vividly: Suzanne from Leonard Cohen’s song visited our studio to see Uncle Thomas Skirtech perform poetry. It was breathtaking to witness him reach his full potential that evening. Stanley Behrens of Canned Heat and War also graced us with his presence at IPNT Gallery that night. These encounters deeply enriched our work and left lasting impressions on our creative journey.
Challenges and Adaptations: Life in the studio came with its challenges—no bathroom, limited electricity, and no running water. The things you learn while turd cutting in one Home Depot bucket, the ducket. Yet, these hardships introduced us to a transcendentalist lifestyle filled with pure moments of beauty and perfection. Adapting to these conditions required resilience and resourcefulness but ultimately offered a unique flavor to our artistic pursuits. We are tentscendentalists; our work is from earth, for Mars, the future’s camp, our camp.
Rear Garden: Our little piece of paradise included a backyard with a jade tree for luck, an oleander symbolizing death, a fig tree for sweetness, and a lemon tree for a touch of sour. Each tree bore fruit, adding a remarkable touch of nature to our living space at 7th and Sunset—a place often referred to as Ghost Town by those familiar with its charm.
My time in Venice Beach was a complex tapestry of daily struggles and artistic triumphs, flavored by the locale's unique atmosphere and the eclectic mix of characters who inhabit it. It was a period of my life that I'll always look back on with a mix of nostalgia and gratitude.
