For 2 weeks, my friend Audi and I drove from SanFrancisco south crossing the U.S./Mexican border into Baja. We camped on the beach of Burrows, which was a paradise of white sand, clean air, clear water, and I started everyday by swimming with the fish in the warm water. I had planned to do much reflection, it being a new year and all, and taking a break from all technology I decided to do so with art as well. Impossible. I took no art supplies, but picked up a sketchbook and pen in Los Angeles on the way down. I would end up drawing some of these reflections and incorporating the reflections via text into the works as well. My reflections took me to a place of gratitude for some friendships, and unfortunately this disappointment of others. Then I thought to pay gratitude towards the positive ones, I would present the works as gifts for those that they were inspired by. This first one was for Brett Amory. He's a fellow artist, google the name, and I met him in art school. Our relationship developed after school however, when living in the realities of the challenges of life. We were going thru a certain transition and I felt a certain kinship, empathy, joy develop. Years later, I have enjoyed watching him grow into a beautiful man and continue to find inspiration in our relationship. Whether its having a short talk at an art show, or reading about him in a publication. The following are the words in the posted drawing... "from the ground to the sky, from a seed to a tree, bottom to the top, from lost to being found, from crumb snatcher to kingpin, from hoe to pimp, student to teacher, little mind to big mind, from birth to death and death to re-birth, poor to rich, infant to elder, sad to happy to content, meaningless to meaningful, hidden only to be discovered, from waiting to… We've known one another for a decade now my friend, and its been an inspirational experience to watch you grow. In life where I've witnessed the vulnerability of your trial and error, struggle transformed into resolution achieving victory. And this victory is consistently reflected in your art endeavors, in your art and your art is reflective of your life in this same manner. As one to be lived through and through, always building. Never stop amigo and thanks for the continued inspiration you bring to the world. Nothing but love.""Gift to a Friend", pen on paper, 5.5"x 8.5", 2013