Golden Age

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the one and only Martine Syms came to town a week, or so, ago. She just finished school at the Chicago Art Institute and was in the Kansas City area with some friends. We went out and had pizza and hung out.

She and her boyfriend are opening a book/art store in Chicago named Golden Age. I wish her the best. She was the first art director for re: magazine. How much can one person rule?



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belated birthdays

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there was a surprise 40th birthday party for me at Cha Cha Cha in Los Angeles. I knew we were eating there but didn't know how many people were coming.

it was really amazing to see everyone. people from many significant areas of my life thus far.



and the most significant was in rare form.

entertaining the whole crew. thanks, dawn for the cake. it was breakfast the next day as well. yum.

for the next birthday surprise, I pulled out all the stops and

did it up in style.

i took my wife to a little known place in Kansas City that I'd been waiting to bring her to...

it was nice to be alone together after so much commotion recently.

happy birthday, my love.



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dia de los vendedores - Venice, CA

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sorry, I know these are always there, but they are too amazing.

Venice waking up, early morning around noon.


buff men hugging together for a cause.


...and of course that guy. he was wheedling away on his axe and articulating the need for shelter from the aliens that will be her shortly - who isn't yelling about that these days?

grandma and grandpa Kemptner bought Violet her first wooden blocks. Hours of fun.


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re:Active magazine launch - re:Birth

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the magazine launch was a huge success. The space was great and it felt like a big party.


A lot of people showed up. A good mix of youth and their families,

friends and supporters.

some of the young people were only represented by their art

... but some came out and read their work - strong and vocal. It was a really strong showing of young voices with increased confidence. This young woman, Victoria, is what it's all about for me. So excited and empowered by her success. I hope she continues with it.

Moms's row.

Shirlania tearing the house down with her emotional stregth and open heart.


Darleezy showed up and brought much strength and wisdom as she does.



Elijah and Heavenly looking on. Designers and poets of the future.

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your eating heart

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We were just in Los Angeles.

It was a great time full of so many friends and family that is became a little overwhelming to keep up. Certainly a good problem to have. I've had worse.

The food was our secondary focus.

The best burrito in the Southland. Tacos Villa Corona. May the powers that be always bless this place.

Paru's Southern Indian on Sunset. Idyllic.

Pho - vietnamese noodle house.

the birds next door to the burrito place were of much interest to a little girl.


as well as the birds at National Forest Design.

Justin and Steve cracking us up. They are doing such good work and enjoy it so much that it is infectious. They will be guest illustration instructors for next year's re:Active magazine. the kids are lucky.

...back to the food. somewhere in Venice.

a happy young lady.

Dan Monick's studio is adorned with new delights. We were picking up the old magazines and distributing them around the city.

The queen and her child. So beautiful.



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