Hailing from a log cabin in the hills of Los Angeles, Mel just designed 6 bottles of wine, did some graphics for Foundation, lives with Travis Millard, used to skip school and designed Beck's Christmas card?

33, Los Angeles, CA. I started out at Mass. College of Art (boston), then left after 1 semester. I didn't think I wanted to got to art school, but after a year I changed my mind and went back... to Moore College of Art (philadelphia).

I was 17 when I moved to Boston to go to Mass Art. The dorms were co-ed and the school didn't give grades; it was pass or fail. So, all these kids were unleashed together celebrating their freedom from structure and parents, by drinking bottles of robitussin and eating acid. Aside from my own debauchery, I probably wasn't old enough or confident enough to prevail in that environment. Also, I didn't like robitussin. I had nothing to compare it to, and just thought that's just how art school was.

8 or 9 years ago, I moved there after living in NYC and Philly most of the time. It was a pretty aimless move to try something new and to shake some stuff off.

My neighborhood smells like tacos and bbq's and our home feels like a tree house.

We met where so many couples meet... In the ladies room at a bar. He was painting some stuff up on the wall, and I was waiting to pee. So, that's where we first locked-eyes and talked, and all that stuff. After that, he just wouldn't stop calling me.

Having a strong idea of what a piece is about, is the start. After that, the process is drawing it out. I hang on to the original idea, but do a lot of cutting and changing it as I go.

Mooshy?

You don't find a lot of old paper that's big. So, I collage a lot of little ones together, or stain it with coffee.

I'd talk you out of getting in the car and driving through the vast traffic. So, you should probably just come over to our place. I think you'd like it. There are some edible flowers to munch on, and Nebula practices next door if you're into loud metal and heavy drums.

Our house is rickety. It's one of eight cabins that were built by mormons in the 1920's on the top of Echo Park. There is a lot of weird history floating around these places. Hemingway use to finish novels in one, Steely Dan wrote a couple hits in another, and a dentist was murdered in our front doorway in the early 80's. Our cabin was the first one to be built, out of the group. Our kitchen is the stage-coach that it drove up on, and the house was built around it. Now, it's an old camp for riff-raff grown-ups.

If we don't leave the house, it does feel like nature. The 5 Freeway sounds like a river from here. But, we do have talks about moving and it's pretty confusing since we like where we are.

Bob Dylan's 'Theme Time Radio Hour' on XM radio. If there is any way you can get your hands on some of these radio shows, you're in for some eye opening sounds and the most entertaining hosting to hit the satellite airwaves. The "Drinking" and "Devil" shows are a couple of the best.

When momentum is happening. The more I'm getting busy, the more thoughts I have about what to do next.

Port Antonio, Jamaica. Before tourism in Jamaica, Port Antonio was the place to travel to. But then Montego Bay and other spots sprung up on the opposite side of the island. So, P.A. was left alone from any big construction. It's a radical place.

Yeah I'm looking forward to it. It's been a long time since I've been there. Other than the "Volcomics" opening on the 14th (Space Gallery), and Travis's book signing on the 15th (Giant Robot), I'm looking forward to sailing with you.

We have a rad relationship. I've always liked what he did, so it feels good to work with him. We all invent our own paths, so it's hard to give one way of advice. Be hard working.

haaa... I just started thinking about the way my bangs looked, and how I got saturday-work-detail for hucking a piece of gum across the classroom. The principal actually told me that I could have hurt someone. I use to skip a lot. I'd open and slam the door, so my mom would think I left the house to go to the bus stop. But, I was actually hiding in the basement for an hour or so, until she left for work. Once I heard the garage door close, I'd go about my day. Sorry mom.

I would just have the house to myself. I don't know... it's probably not that interesting to list it all out. I wish it was. And if that's not disappointing enough... sometimes when I skipped, I would go to my brother's school as a guest.

I just designed 6 bottles of wine, called 'Strong Arms' Shiraz. We got a sample bottle the other day, and it's good... and strong. If you like wine, you'll be able to find them in the early fall.

Two Shows I'm in now: The Porch Show at the Cinders Gallery: http://www.cindersgallery.com/ Banjo Quilt at the OKOK Gallery: http://www.weareokok.com/ and.... Richard Heller Gallery: www.richardhellergallery.com - melkadel.com {moscomment}

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