Tuesday, May 27, 2008

I'd rather be lizard fishing.


It is lizard season here and the little guys are sunning themselves all over. I love the blue bellies. Our cat Nacho came walking in from the garage carrying a lizard by it’s front leg. The detachable tail thing must not have worked, but luckily I was there to rescue the lil’ fella. He had a small flesh wound and lost his tail, but when I put him down in the backyard he took off.


I remembered a trick my dad taught me a long time ago- you can use fishing line and tie a slip knot onto the end of a fishing pole and catch lizards with it. I tried it out the other day. It’s pretty much just like a little noose, and it’s very easy to get it around their necks. They must think the fishing rod is a tree branch or something because you can touch them with it and they don’t even move. When they’re caught, they wiggle alot, kinda like a real fish. You have to be quick to loosen up the noose around their neck, and be careful you don’t grab them by the tail (they will detach it if scared). They're really beautiful when seen up close. I took a few pictures and showed Shannon and let them go back to their lizard homes. Nature is awesome.


Messed with the macro function on my camera. Kinda fun...


I grew up near Disneyland but we didn’t get to go that often. I think that made it pretty magical to the Soto boys, and we loved it and dreamed about going. After I worked as a cook at an amusement park (and saw behind the scenes), some of the magic had worn off, the place wasn’t as fun. But it’s pretty neat seeing it again through my daughter’s eyes. She thinks things are real which is awesome. I asked her what Ariel told her because they were talking for a while, and Shannon told me, “I don’t know”.


Giant pizza is always good. Thanks Ribaudo's!


That talk at my old community college was cool. I told them everyone should try graffiti at least once in their life. This is the RCC Art Club...


I’m in a group show called The Sublime Landscape at Project4 Gallery in Washington D.C. Some great artists, including some of my favorites- Gregory Euclide and Randall Sellers. Here’s some new work I sent.



And last, Skullphone is coming to Riverside.... more pictures soon...

12 comments:

Shaftscaliber said...

Heya brotha...

I remember one trip our family had to Disneyland. We were staying in a hotel over night and I was super excited and couldn't fall asleep. Don't think I've ever been that excited since then hehe...Gotta love being a kid. I can't wait for Karen and I to have kids and take them places. Good stuff!

Love that dragon wing painting...very awesome. What's that? You wanna give it to me? Ok if you insist...

talk to yah later brotha!

Merissa Revestir said...

Jeff Soto, you are the most awesomest of artists (if awesomest is a word) and so stoked to see you snapping photos too! It's great to see what your eyes see! Love the photo of Shannon with Ariel..so cute!!! Can't wait to see Project4's pieces. Hopefully they'll post the entire show on their site so people from across the ocean can enjoy your work too!

JP said...

I loved this post- your art is eye popping gorgeous, and it's so great to see it combined with those photos. great stuff.

Anonymous said...

i NEED to see the new work in print form ! AWESOME work !

shaunna said...

WOw, your camera takes rally good macro photos! Those are awesome. Anyway, great post, have a happy b-day on Tuesday, and let's do up Disneyland on Wednesday!!!

Anonymous said...

whu? i hope you told those college kids not to get caught doing graf! because it will piss their parents off if they go to jail for it ;) AND it's a felony! (come on, that's funny. right?)

Anonymous said...

oh yeah, wanted to say too we lived in alhambra when i was a kid. when we had a trip planned to dl (once every 3 or 5 years?) my sister and i couldn't sleep for 2 weeks beforehand. which ride first? remember that time on the matterhorn? then we moved to oc and we went all the time when i was in high school. i got oversaturated. i wish i could still get that thrill for dl i had as a kid. i miss it...

Gabe said...

Happy birthday!

Mrs. D. said...

Hi Jeff,

Cool update. I just learned a lot about lizards...I've seen lots without a tail, but had no idea that they detach when scared! Loved your macro photos...your artist eye shines thru.

Jen's friend, Erin
PS: Shannon makes a great addition to the RCC art club :)

P.L. Nigrum said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
P.L. Nigrum said...

Your Birthday, I forgot! Oh schnap! (The cool kids are still saying it. I hope you had a happy one, brohammad. Will we see you and the brood this Saturday?

p.l.

Anonymous said...

dang Jeff, the two pieces u submitted to project4 are awesome! very fresh and deeply moving at the same time. good job, homie.