my grandfather, nickolas d’agostino, 1908-2010, passed away yesterday. he was the single biggest creative influence in my life. he was born in nyc, grew up at the tail end of the “gangs of new york” era of new york. he hopped trains, he lived like a hobo. he survived a rattlesnake bite on the ass in the desert. he drove a fire truck off a cliff in long island and lived to tell the tale, and pay for the wrecked fire truck. he never had a drivers license. he wore alot of brown. he met my grandmother on a bus, and proposed to her on their first date. he was the oldest living member of trout unlimited, a large national fishing organization. he was the first member of my family to go to california. his uncle art directed king kong and got him a job working on sets in hollywood. he met walt disney, had cocktails with john wayne, and went fishing with rock hudson. he also once told ronald regan to fuck off, right before getting fired from a movie set. he is the only proof in my family tree that i am not adopted. he was a very creative man, who made his living by making things with his hands. i loved him very much, and wouldnt be the artist i am today without his influence…
a huge thanks to everyone in warsaw who helped make this show happen. it was a one night event i will never forget.
currently i am so exhausted i can barely see straight. jet lag, mixed with three shows in four weeks, eating strange euro food, my system is more fucked than hitlers ghost. check out jons last blog entry on the end of this second phase of “the road less travelled” 2010 mobile art fuck show. a big special thanks to my loyal road buddy jon dragonette for holding it down on all fronts. way to not die jon, sleep is for the dead.
really enjoying hamburg in these days. working hard to prepare some shit for the show on saturday. staying rad in the meantime… check out jons photos so far:
also, check out the best “street art” ive seen in years. these faces are all over hamburg, and they make me happy every time. i love this guy known as “oz”
also, i have an old friend here in hamburg who makes really great artwork. he is also a rad dude…if you arent already familiar, meet flying fortress:
