Tag: los angeles

bookmark_borderMetaphysical Vibes Website Screenshots 2017-2020

Posted on by savethesavages


Man, I really liked the designs here, I always liked things to match you know? It’s too bad – I got DDoS attacked / receiving fake orders / repeatedly spammed by bots til my hosting resources ran out. It was all too much since I was the only person running it so I had to take it down. I used WooCommerce. I even got to use one of my graffiti artist friend’s images, Vyal One – here with his famous ‘el ojo’ signature and layered style technique that you might’ve have seen around the outskirts of downtown LA; you can’t miss his work.

Am I idiotic enough to do it again? I’m half pondering the idea as I still love crystals and stones…but maybe I’ll go with Shopify this time? Idk. Shopfiy isn’t known for blogging the way WordPress is. Just writing it down for now.

My crystal shop’s Instagram is still there if you’d like to take a look: Metaphysical Vibes and my shop on Etsy: Metaphysical Vibes LA

Edit: I just stumbled upon an old photo I took of my crystals and stones. In this photo: Smoky Quartz cluster, Selenite, Optical Calcite, Fluorite, Lepidolite, Pyrite in Quartz cluster, Moss Agate, Labradorite, Seraphinite, Green Aventurine, Eudialyte, Bloodstone, Tiger Eye, Aura Rose Quartz, Rhodochrosite and 3 Pink Lemurian Quartz.

bookmark_borderOld Relics from the Past

Posted on by savethesavages

People search for old stuff from the past and since I’ve had to redo this blog a couple of times, a handful of images are missing or coming up as ‘a page not found’ url. So anyways, this is a screenshot of Mister Cartoon’s blog post from when I got tattooed by him in 2008. It was the most expensive tattoo I’ve ever gotten (2K) because well duh…it’s Mister Cartoon. IYKYK.

I gave him a composite drawing and he gave it his own interpretation. My mom’s nickname was Tita Terri or ‘Terri’ for short. “Tita” means aunt or auntie in Tagalog but we can also call any middle-aged woman “Tita” even though we’re not related.

bookmark_borderReminiscing Over An Old Identity

Posted on by savethesavages

This video was filmed 13 years ago – the year was 2011, when I was still painting graffiti. I was pretty chunky too, haha. I like how my piece came out btw. Oh and the comments are funny now that I look back at it; I actually avoided reading them for a long time because feelings or whatever or even watching the video because of my weight. Of course most guys always have something gross to say.

Time is so wild.

Painted with WINK and Angel179 for Art Primo.

bookmark_borderDrawing: L.A. Ace of Pentacles

Posted on by savethesavages

I don’t know why I prefer to share my drawings here instead of IG.

I guess I just don’t care for likes or to be seen anymore. I think “creating for the gram” or social media in general tends to dampen ones creative spirit…I know it does for me.

A part of you is creating based on the possibility of getting more “likes”…it’s a trap that everyone falls into.

Stop giving a fuck about it.

Create because you want to.

Create because it what drives you to be.

I pulled the Ace of Pentacles today, along with 5 of Wands and The Empress.

I felt compelled to draw it, it’s one of my favorite cards. Whenever I pull it it always screams ‘Money Out of Nowhere’ to me. And that’s always a good thing because I.love.money.

Edit: I took the photo in the daytime so it looks closer though not as pastel-y in real life.

bookmark_borderReminiscing over ✨SHERM✨

Posted on by savethesavages

Some may or may not know that I used to be a graffiti artist, I rarely mention it now. But I was going through my files when I stumbled upon this piece that I painted in 2011. And looking back at it now, I actually like this piece a lot, especially the color combo and the diamond in the middle.

bookmark_borderTaking Part in Your Community

Posted on by savethesavages

It would be easier to say ‘fuck LA, it’s gentrified. I’m moving the fuck out.’

Yes, easy right?

But much harder and more of a challenge to actually stick around and take up space in your own community.

Let’s be real here, do you really want to move; especially if you’ve lived in LA for so long? I’ve thought about the logistics of getting a house that I can actually afford…in the desert, but financially it would still cost the same. And besides, why the hell should you move just because some out-of-towners are taking over your neighborhood. Fight back!

So the question is, how do you fight back, then?

By supporting local businesses, supporting your friends who are all grown up now and have started opening up their own businesses; supporting small mom and pop shops who have become a fixture in the neighborhood. Support them by buying something, don’t ask for free stuff; understand that they have to make money and have bills to pay too.

Fight back by taking up space, why not start your own small business if you have an idea that you think people would love? This is your city, too!

Most of us have gone beyond the self-centered mentality – when you were young all you cared about was yourself. There was a time when it served you well.

Now is the time to give back and help out.

I hope this puts things into perspective a little bit. Here is an excellent read: 9 Tried & True Methods for Fighting Back Against Gentrification

bookmark_borderMixed Media Drawing * Lost in Time * 2008

Posted on by savethesavages

Title: Lost in Time
Description: Framed 11″x14″ black & white, mixed media drawing

If you grew up sometime between the 1980’s and 1990’s, were influenced by gang culture and watched Mi Vida Loca, then this mixed media drawing would be the end result. This is pretty much a throwback to those times.

Echo Park wasn’t a safe place back then. I’m sort of amazed at how much the city of Los Angeles has changed, for better or for worse.

Please inquire to: shermgrafik@gmail.com

bookmark_borderHiking Around Los Angeles, CA

Posted on by savethesavages

[At the time this was written] I was forced to make a lifestyle change 4 months ago – I went and got a physical and was told that I was prediabetic and had high blood pressure too. Fuckin a, bummer. Being Filipino doesn’t help, either.

If I was still a few years younger, I would’ve probably ignored it and kept on eating the way I did (I did ignore my first warning actually). But this time around, it was different. I paid attention this time and commited myself to reversing this.

So long story short, I’ve been eating better. I’ve also been exercising and exploring LA like I never have before. I am learning to appreciate nature a whole lot more. Admittedly I’ve lived in LA for a long time now, but never explored it’s natural environment.

Here is a list of places I have hiked at so far, this list is just for my own record.

Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook

Cahuenga Peak

Coldwater Canyon Park

Eaton Canyon

O’Melveny Park

Runyon Canyon

Stough Canyon Nature Center

Temescal Canyon Gateway Park

Wildwood Canyon Park

Stough Canyon Nature Center

Wilacre Park