September 2nd, 2010
An empty bottle crashes upon the sidewalk sending shimmering shards into the dark street. Swerving cars sway through the glass as a feeble corner house sends midnight serenades into the early hours. Doors slam and hiccups echo under the swollen moon. Windows rattle and a neighboring dog yelps. The front lawn, moist with late night mildew, is scattered with long faced silhouettes in sleep or drunken stupor. Night prowlers and hoodlums creep from the shadows as possums and raccoons scurry. The houses facade reflects the colors of humanity’s terrible passions from the neighboring traffic signals and a siren screeches in the distance.
The moon falls victim to cheap liquor and the sun awakens to a lawn littered with cans and half eaten burritos. Articles of clothing hang from the overhead wires and tipsy doodles scribble the face of a snoring teen. A mid morning breeze whips relics from overflowing ashtrays and a smirking neighbor washes the black marker from his fingertips.
Was the disgruntled neighbor’s retaliation justified?
Posted in rambles | 1 Comment »
August 30th, 2010
A sandy toed boy sniffles as his favorite beach ball rolls into the distance. It tumbles along the sandy asphalt as a boy sulks on the porch of his beach side bungalow. Barefoot kicks launch the ball into the air and gusts send it bouncing off roadside debris.
The ball yearns for the delicate hands of his boy. His colors begin to fade and his healthy stature begins to sag. Nagging thorns prick and the ball winces with a slow hiss.
The ball is lost and his boy is lonely. Help them reunite…
Have you seen me?
Posted in rambles | 3 Comments »
August 27th, 2010
I first met Don “Same ‘Ol” Hocza in the back of Rite Aid, formally known as Thrifty’s, in the early 90s. I was a young skateboarding kid who used the village streets as my training ground. At this time skateboarding became illegal in the Carlsbad village and the local group of skateboarders 
instantly became rebels, outcasts and viewed by some as a plague contaminating the carefully manicured streets of the village.
At this time Same ‘Ol and I began frequenting the same spots. He used these locations to drink and live without hassle and I used them to continue skateboarding while avoiding citation. He used ledges to sleep on and I used them to grind. There was a homeless group that also frequented the same alleys, back side of grocery stores and empty parking lots, but Same ‘Ol always stood out. His scruffy beard whipped in the wind and round belly jiggled upon 
his rickety bike. A plastic bag of cans dripped along the asphalt and a wide smile greeted all.
Same ‘Ol and I soon developed a friendship and with each story and conversation, I realized the close ties between society’s view of the homeless and their view of the local skateboarders. The homeless and I felt the same way, forced into feeling sub human when all we wanted was to continue the lifestyle we had chosen. I wanted to skateboard without possible citation and Same ‘Ol wanted to continue living simply.
Same ‘Ol did continue living simply. He was void of all stresses and responsibilities, lived on the beach and was loved by many. I began to skateboard less over the years, but I think about the common ground we once shared every time I pick up a board.
In memory of Don “Same ‘Ol” Hocza 1954-2007
Posted in art | 2 Comments »
August 24th, 2010
Some artists prefer to create behind closed doors where they meticulously work from photographs or from within the imaginative walls of their mind. Their creative process is rarely seen and their finished product is unveiled weeks, 
months or years after completion. Others prefer to capture their subject in its natural environment, under natural light and in view of the public.
En Plein Air is a French term which means “In the Open Air” and is used to describe the act of painting outdoors. Plein Air painting became popular during the late 19th century when the French Impressionists began emphasizing loose imagery based on capturing the variations of light at differing times throughout the day rather than finely delineated pictures.
The popularity of plein air painting increased drastically around 1870 with the invent of paint in tubes. Prior to these tubes, painters made their own paints by grinding pigments with linseed oil. The “French Box Easel” with telescopic legs and a built in paint box and palette was also invented at this time making treks into the forests and along rocky coastlines less onerous.
Have you seen plein air painters lately? Where?
Click HERE for info on the Carlsbad Village Art Academy!
Tags: en plein air
Posted in rambles | No Comments »
August 20th, 2010
WHAT: Stencil Demo by Snyder Art
WHEN: Sunday Aug. 22nd 2PM
WHERE: Beech St. (on the beach)
WHY: Live Art and a remembrance of Same ‘Ol
Snyder Art will be recreating a mural that was done years ago and has since weathered to nonrecognition.
Come out and observe the multi layer stencil demo, enjoy the sun and share a Same ‘Ol story!
Posted in events | No Comments »
August 16th, 2010
“The heads of bats remained intact this night, but the crowd made up for Prince of Darkness’s professionalism with their own array of animalistic behaviors as Ozzfest swaggered and swayed through another barbaric weekend.”
Click HERE for the FULL STORY, PHOTOS and VIDEO!
Posted in events | 1 Comment »
August 13th, 2010
WHAT: Eight Ply Sk8 Deck Art Show
WHEN: Friday August 13th
WHERE: ASR during day/Syrah Wine Parlor during night (map)
Show organized by We Love Creativity and Sk8ology
Tags: eight ply, we love creativity
Posted in events | No Comments »
August 12th, 2010
Carlsbadcrawl.com is proud to announce that The Art Street Journal, created by those at Carmichael Gallery, will now be available FREE at Snyder Art. TASJ covers exciting emerging and established artists who are exhibiting in museums and galleries or participating in public events and completing personal projects of note.
The Art Street Journal also covers shows, events, art fairs, auctions, interviews artists and collectives and reviews publications and films.
Visit Snyder Art to pick up your copy!
For journal inquiries, contact elisa@theartstreetjournal.com
Tags: The Art Street Journal
Posted in events | 1 Comment »
August 7th, 2010
Drunkin’ Jack Daniel ‘O Lantern has been squatting on the sidewalk in front of Snyder Art for the past week. He has been seen haggling locals and making frequent visits to Fiesta Liquor. After his week of village shenanigans, he has developed a swollen belly.
Guess Drunkin’ Jack Daniel ‘O Lantern’s weight and win a original Snyder Art painting!
Visit Snyder Art and Design during the Art in the Village on Sunday to submit your guess. The winner will be contacted at the conclusion of the day (5PM).
WHAT: Art in the Village
WHEN: Sunday August 8th, 2009 9AM-5PM
WHERE: State Street and Grand Avenue in Carlsbad
WHO: Art and Carlsbad village enthusiasts
WHY: An artistic culture is growing… be part of it!
Click HERE for a map to Snyder Art and Design!
Tags: Art in the Village Carlsbad
Posted in events | No Comments »
August 6th, 2010
As a visitor to coastal Carlsbad, you will have the dilemma of choosing one of the many outstanding vacation rentals to call your temporary home. Chances are you will want to stay on the beach with barbecue pits, large balconies and breathtaking ocean views. Most rentals offer these amenities, but few offer the visual treat that the Ocean Villas of Carlsbad boasts on the walls of their rooms, hallways and outside stucco.
A floral explosion of color welcomes as you enter the Ocean Villas property. Birds of Paradise are smeared across a light blue sky while other floral designs introduce the tranquility of a mellow week to come. Sandy community beach toys pile in a corner in front of another impressive mural of a parked woody upon a tropical beach. Picturesque waves peel in the background while green leaves and 
flowers stretch to the adjacent wall and onto another beach themed mural of a pounding set and sun bathing pelicans.
As you enter the villa hallways, you can almost feel the sand between your toes and the fresh burn from a mid day nap on the beach. Framed paintings hint at paradise-to-be as 
you descend the sandy stairs to your room. Green palms sway on these bright canvases and waves are captured in mid peel. The ocean has yet to be seen through your room windows, but you already feel as if you have experienced a week of beach side sunsets.
Your room is also decorated with impressive oil paintings of the ocean and beach, though one giant masterpiece captures your eyes. Wide windows showcase a view even the sandiest local would awe at. Waves tumble to your doorstep and sunset colors reflect on your villa walls.
Whether looking at the impressive canvases on your bedroom walls, glancing at murals on your way to the village or marveling at the beach through your giant windows, the Ocean Villas in Carlsbad create a sense of beach tranquility during each moment of your stay.
Ocean Villas of Carlsbad
2895 Ocean Street (map)
(760) 730-3000
Click HERE to visit www.oceanvillascarlsbad.com!
Tags: carlsbad vacation
Posted in art | No Comments »
An empty bottle crashes upon the sidewalk sending shimmering shards into the dark street. Swerving cars sway through the glass as a feeble corner house sends midnight serenades into the early hours. Doors slam and hiccups echo under the swollen moon. Windows rattle and a neighboring dog yelps. The front lawn, moist with late night mildew, is scattered with long faced silhouettes in sleep or drunken stupor. Night prowlers and hoodlums creep from the shadows as possums and raccoons scurry. The houses facade reflects the colors of humanity’s terrible passions from the neighboring traffic signals and a siren screeches in the distance.
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