Stop Your Whining

In case you didn't tune in last week, I thought I'd let you know that this is part two of a column about Denver. The first part was mainly about video games, beer, ice cream, skating ledges, and playing skateboards at skateparks. This installment is mainly about art. So if you like art, you're totally stoked. And if you don't like art, you're totally f'd.

Last week I described going to a skatepark with [Lindsey Kuhn](http://www.swampco.com/ ). After we left the skatepark, Lindsey was kind enough to take me over to his studio to poke around and shoot some photos. I don't want to turn this entry into a history lesson, but if you're into DIY skate/art culture you should look into what Lindsey has been doing for the past 20-plus years. I first met Lindsey in Dallas around 1997 and I've been inspired by him since. It's rad to see people who blaze their own trail and carve out their own niche in their respective industry. It takes guts to do your own thing and it takes hard work to keep it going. Excuses don't buy dinner.

One of the first things I saw at Lindsey's studio was the original Pushead "Floating Expression" ink drawing. I bought a sticker with this design on it when I was twelve years old and still have it in my studio. I used to keep it in my calculator case when I was a freshman in high school and I'd stare at it during algebra class and try to convince myself that things wouldn't always suck. The point being, it was freaking awesome seeing this original art. I can't even put into words the impact that Pushead's art had on me when I was a prepubescent kid reading Thrasher magazine. Much respect.

Oh, you have the original "Gargoyle" drawing too?

Yep. Master illustrator status.

…and the original Rob Mertz graphic? Why not?

Lindsey used to print for [Frank Kozik](http://fkozik.com/ ) back in the day in Austin (upstairs from where Camp Fig Gallery later opened for serious art nerds).

Wesley Willis drawing pre 9-11.

Stoked to see one of my buddy's prints in Lindsey's collection. Darin Hoopes, Dream Destroyer.

Some of Lindsey's work.

If you collect art toys then you'll probably know what this is. I don't collect art toys so I don't know what this is. Lindsey told me what it was but I forgot. He said it was pretty rare and I'm inclined to believe him since he doesn't seem like a bullshitter. He also told me that Jeff Phillips hand painted this particular piece. If you know who [Jeff Phillips](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foXfQhUt3V8 ) is then you'll understand the gravity of the previous sentence.

Miscellaneous radness.

Funkyard painting.

Art photo.

Thanks Lindsey. I know it's annoying to have somebody dig through all of your stuff while taking photos. Thanks for being a good sport about it.

After I left Lindsey's studio I headed over to [Black Book Gallery](http://www.theblackbookgallery.com/ ) for the opening of the art show that I curated. That's why I was in Denver in case you didn't read last week's column.

The gallery printed up really nice price lists with black covers on them. Get it? Black book? Attention to detail is everything.

The show consisted of work by [Ariel Diaz.](http://www.snakepig.com )

[Mike Aho.](http://mikeahoart.com/ )

[Mel Kadel](http://melkadel.com/ ) and [Travis Millard.](http://www.fudgefactorycomics.com/ )

Mel Kadel

Mel and Travis collaboration

Travis Millard

And [myself](http://msieben.com/ ).

Here's an assortment of photos I shot during the night. This photo is titled: "The Birth of Miami Steve's."

We can say we were there since the beginning.

Two of my favorite things.

Art photo 2.

Art photo 3.

Huge [Even Hecox](http://evanhecox.com/ ) wood print in the back room of the gallery. I love his work. (If you're reading this Evan, thanks for coming to the opening. Made my heart warm.)

Finally got to meet former Roger of the Month, [Whitney Wells](http://rogerskateboards.com/WhitneyWellsVid.html ). He was as nice and awesome as I'd hoped he'd be.

Never hurts the ego to see a tattoo of your work. Thanks for the video.

Got to meet the [Flaming Shit Crew](http://flamingshit.tumblr.com/ ). Stoked to see a new generation of weird skate art dudes out there. Skateboarders complain all the time about skateboarding becoming too mainstream, etc. blah blah. As far as I'm concerned, there's always going to be rad creative kids involved with skateboarding, so focus on that instead of the X-Games or Mountain Dew commercials or whatever it is you're upset about. Problem solved. Stop your whining.

Many thanks to Tom Horne and Will Suitts for bringing me to Denver and hosting the show, and many other thanks to Lindsey Kuhn for driving me around and showing me some sights. I take none of this for granted.

Next week: A bachelor party and Night of the Comet review.

Previously - The Idiot Days