So do y’all like it better when I embed video via plugin or the traditional way?  Am I the only one who thinks about these things???

Aaaaaaanyway.  Jean-Michel Basquiat.  What more can I say?  Ever since I was introduced to his work, he has been one of the biggest influences in my life.  His ability to seamlessly transition from painting to writing, music to visual, fashion to introspect, and to do it all within a few years yet still impact the world.  Sure, a tragic death isn’t something that I believe any artist in their right mind aspires for.  But even still, on hindsight the urgency behind Basquiat’s work suggests that he worked as if there was no other choice.

I’m sooooooo juiced that I’m going to be at SXSW for the screening of The Radiant Child, a new documentary uncovering never-before-seen footage of Basquiat right at the height of his career.  At times, especially in today’s realms of Youtube views, blog posts, flashing lights, and TV specials, it’s good to get a reminder of what draws me to being an artist in the first place – making pretty things to hear and listen to, and to be around others who enjoy the same.

Via Couch Sessions

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“I’m an artist. When you tell people that they usually say, ‘what’s your medium?’ I usually say, ‘extra large.” -JMB

Today marks the 21st anniversary of Jean-Michel Basquiat‘s death, and as morbid of a first sentence for a blog post as that is, let’s instead remember this phenomenal painter/poet/musician for teaching us that this planet is our playground.  Mispell your words.  Walk vertically.  Mix your genres.  Make your medium extra large.

[In Italian, 1983]

[Sense títol, 1983]

[Poison, 1984 (collaboration with Andy Warhol]

Speaking of Basquiat’s influences, if you’re in NYC this week check out our homie Fahamu Pecou‘s interactive art gallery The Fak’try, where Ruby will be present in all her glamourbabiness!  More info at her blog.

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