A key to success by Alexander DCD

We are all aware of keys in life.  We are always unlocking something in ourselves or others.  One of the themes in most people's lives is success.  It starts with learning to do the basics.  We, hopefully, succeed in learning ways to convey ourselves through life - rolling, crawling, walking running.  We must succeed in learning how to nourish ourselves.  Eventually we learn how to cook, shop, grow food but first we must succeed in getting food into our bodies.

Next would probably be communication.  A baby succeeds at getting the attention it needs by squacking or crying if it is in some kind of discomfort.  Eventually it learns words or signs if they are mute.  If they are deaf they must succeed at learning to read lips and sign language.  A blind child must learn braille.

After we succeed at the basics then we deal with more complex concepts of success. Transportation/conveyance - riding a skateboard, skiing, rollerblades or driving a car.  Communication - using a telephone, a computer, ART!  And of course success in a career.

Alexander hits the nail on the head with this piece.  Success takes dedication, conscious or unconscious. The baby is dedicated to succeeding in getting the attention it needs.  It does not stop making noise and/or moving until an older, more developed human notices and comes to the baby's aid.  The five-year old wanting to ride a bicycle will suffer bruises, cuts and sore muscles until they have achieved that perfect combination of motion and balance.  The college student who gives up a party to study so they see that Suma Cum Laude next to their name in the graduation program.  The eighty-year old who sits with their laptop until they succeed at sending that photo of their grandchildren to a friend via email.    Each of these people at each step in their lives have committed, dedicated themselves to the task at hand.  If they lose focus, drive or ambition they are no longer dedicated and even if they do not fail, they will not succeed in completing the task to its fullest end.

You can learn more about Alexander DCD and watch more videos on his YouTube channel, on his blog and on his official website .

Hans Haveron - an artful life

Earlier this year I sat down with Los Angeles artist Hans Haveron.  The goal was to educate myself and subsequently my readers about the man and his art.  What I learned was that this is someone who is deeply passionate, emotional and spiritual.  He is dedicated to his craft and sees all of its results as a Thank You note to the Divine Spirits for blessing him with his talents, family and friends.  

In our recent conversation, Hans reiterated all of this to me while sharing his latest endeavors and filling in some blanks since our talk back in May.  Haveron is pretty relentless for a man who is so chill and laid back.  Even in those rare moments that he disconnects and unwinds from day-to-day stress, he is still in an artistic state.  Hans Haveron creates no art without purpose or message.  From the body art that started with Lucent Dossier which has now progressed to gorgeous sugar skulls for a film feature in 2012 and alluring blue Shiva princesses for another potential film project to live painting exhibits, Haveron feels his way through each new project.  

After taking a few days of downtime at his eighth trip to the Playa this summer for a "burn" that Hans described as mellow, he was back at it, working on pieces for his solo show at C.A.V.E. and doing live installments with John Park.  If that wasn't enough Haveron jetted to Miami just a week before the gallery opening for Basel, touted as the most prestigious art show in the U.S..  Hans teamed up with Fish Tank, LLC to add his own style to the gondola midsection of the groups art car.  He adorned one side with a mermaid and the other with his signature Telescope Goldfish to add to the fish/water theme of the car.

As for his live works with Park, we discussed some of what late-comers miss in the creation process.  I had noticed in some of the time-lapse photo videos I've watched of these installments both Hans and John start out by sketching in Sharpie on the surface they will be painting.  Although much of what is sketched doesn't get painted into the final piece, Hans explained that due to the markers' oil base, some of the sketches will bleed through the paint.  I told him I saw that in the most recent project he had included the children that are the focal point of "Sepia's Secret".  In this drawing one child holds a dagger pointed at an eye on the garment of the other.  I asked if there was any significance, knowing that everything thing in Haveron's work has symbolism and meaning.  Hans said that, again it is the inner child at the root of the creative process.  The dagger symbolizes protection and the "All Seeing Eye" keeping spiritual watch.  

The "Shiva" make-up was used in the filming of the Kickstarter information video for Elijah Sound's "Jesus Christ Superstar" remake project.  Sound is a friend of Haveron's and owner of the 2013 Boutique in L.A. The Kickstarter is to fund a full-length trailer for the JCS project which portends to be a massive endeavor.  The sugar skulls made their first appearance at Insomniac's "Escape From Wonderland-Life After Dusk" Halloween installment in San Bernardino.  Hans says we will be seeing them again.  

There was a great moment of spontaneity in our conversation when I mentioned my complete inability to draw even a decent stick figure.  We followed one of my favorite arts tangents; "what art do you wish you could create in but pretty much suck at?"  Hans said he wishes he were better at electronic music creation.  He said that he has dabbled in it in the past and may not completely suck at it but just needs more time to work it out.  He would love to take a stab at music production some day.  For now though, drawing and painting consumes most of his time so he is fine with just listening to as much music as possible.  

As posted previously, the "Black Diamond" one-man show will have its gala opening this evening in Venice, CA.  Also mentioned in the promotion article, "Caducues" is the central piece of this show and Haveron is incredibly proud of it.  Based on his enthusiasm explaining learning about the early history of the Caduceus symbol that was revealed in Sumerian tablets discovered in 1912, this painting is inspired on every level.  Like myself, Hans is intrigued by the crossovers in most spiritual mythologies.  The Sumerians depict tales of winged creatures that would be identified as angels in Judeo-Christian myth and a human creation story with similarities to those found in the Bible and Torah.  It was not surprising that the Vatican and other religious leaders tried to squelch information regarding the tablets from being released to the public.  Haveron's rendition of this messenger of the gods is stunning in her serenity.  She is a woman of strength but with a countenance of peace and grace.  

Hans Haveron has worked hard to get to this point and is not likely to take a moment off until the bitter end of the afterparty in the wee hours of Saturday morning. Even then, he might allow himself a little downtime but assuredly will be back at it again soon with new projects and revisiting some of his favorite arts haunts.  It will be exciting to see what he comes up with next.

Hans Haveron - moving toward the light

Mural done for Lightning In A Paint Can

I recently had the chance to sit down with Hans Haveron, fine artist from West Hollywood.  Haveron is another one of the post-modern gypsies who now reside in Southern California.  He had just returned from "Lightning In A Bottle", the annual gathering of the tribes that takes place in Silverado, CA.


Hans was still very excited about his time at Oak Canyon Ranch.  At the event he created a five-foot "live mural"...a piece that is part performance, part painting for the "Lightning In A Paint Can" fundraiser for The DoArt Foundation.  I asked what surface he used for this work.  He said that he usually packs some large canvases and a staple gun.  The fabric can be stretched between trees, mounted to a wood frame or a convenient wall.  He went on to say that he has traveled to other countries and just picked up trash found lying around and painted on it.

Just before "Lightning In A Bottle", Hans had been commissioned to paint a tour bus for Felix Lighting.  The project was completed in one day along with Sean Griffin using "cans and caps", graffiti art.  I asked if there was anything he hasn't painted on, knowing he has covered slices of trees, factory windows and the bus.  Haveron responded that he's sure there are things he hasn't painted yet but he has worked on a fair variety of things including "planes, trains, and automobiles...and boats."

Tour bus for Felix Lighting - collaboration with Sean Griffin

 Where did all of this gorgeous art start?  Haveron ran away from his home in Texas at the age of fifteen.  On the road he picked up a spray can and did a lot of graffiti art.  Eventually he added bristle and airbrushes to his arsenal.

After landing in West Hollywood, Hans did many things to keep life and limb together.  Some commercial art, modeling and make-up.  As he integrated himself into the WeHo Tribe, he connected with groups such as Lucent Dossier, the burlesque cirque troupe.  He designed the airbrush, fantasy style make-up that they continue to use today, after Hans stopped working with them.  "Imitation is a sincere form of flattery" is how Hans prefers to look at it rather than being angry over being ripped-off. 

Cassidy Haley with body art
by Hans Haveron

Haveron worked for eight years as a model.  This put him together with a group of clothing designers that  would become Skingraft Designs.  Here he added people like Cassidy Haley and Johnny Cota to his circle.  He recently worked with Skingraft on the Britney Spears video. 

Another clothing designer he connected with was Roxy Contin.  Roxy is currently Haveron's business partner and room-mate along with being an very successful designer in her own right.  Hans has recently collaborated with her on some design projects. 

Getting down to the really nitty-gritty of Hans' art, he gave a beautiful analogy of how he approaches the creative process.  He said "It's like making a Mother's Day card.  There is nothing in your heart but excitement and love.  You just want to make something amazing for love.  All my art is done out of love and gratitude for being here.  It's like a Universe Day card, thanking it for all the good things.  It's a gift.  An offering."

What drew me to Hans' art was all the symbolism I perceived as I went through the catalogs he has on-line.  Fish, butterflies, moths, these things seemed to speak to me and were the driving force to try to book this interview.  It turns out these symbols were not just my perception but very intentional.   The first thing he explained was my error in identifying certain fish as koi.  They are telescope goldfish, which are bred and raised by the Buddhist monks of Tibet.  Many of the female figures denote the Goddess and the prominent moth is always moving toward the light.

Haveron likes symbolism because he feels it creates doorways for your mind.  Certain objects and creatures cause you to think.  They are also represent spiritual ideals.  Hans considers himself very spiritual, a result of coming through a rough early life and emerging on the other side intact physical, emotionally and psychologically. 

The most profound story he shared with me in regards to symbolism was the explanation of his painting "Sepia's Secret".  Recently pop-rocker Adam Lambert chose an element from the painting as inspiration for his latest tattoo.  The painting had existed for a while and Lambert has now purchased it.  In "Sepia's Secret"  there is the female "goddess", her cloak outstretched to protect two children, symbols of innocence and counterpoint to the ego.  They hold a large key.  Above the goddess is the all-seeing eye of the universe, with its keyhole shaped pupil.

The point of the story is that the child holds the key to unlock the wisdom of the universe.  Therefore all of us but especially artists of all types must always make sure the child is present.  The most difficult part of being an artist is the battle against the ego to let the child prevail so the art can be made.  The child is the creator.  If the ego gets too big, the child dies and so will your art.  It was after Adam learned this story that he chose the key for his growing collection of body art. His previous tattoos, the eye of Horus and the infinity symbol also have very specific meanings to the musician.

Hans says Adam's choice makes complete sense as he does an amazing job of keeping his ego in check and calling on his child to create.  He is a pure spirit who loves helping his friends.  As for Lambert's art, despite his success he still doesn't settle for less than his best. 

Lambert shared the tattoo via Twitter and included a mention of Hans' inspiration.  Word traveled fast and Haveron found himself talking to the head of ICM, an agency that represents actors such as Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise, who congratulated him for having his art being chosen.  This is the first time, that he is aware of, that someone has had any of his work inked on themselves.

Moving on to other works, Hans has done more than one large mural with other artists.  I asked if he prefers collaborative works or creating solo.  He continued on the theme of the ego vs the child by saying that collaborations pull from a different side.  They challenge him to subdue that ego that wants to show-off and take charge of the project so that the child can just let go.  When working alone these two sides also fight for dominance but it's all internal.  He likes both opportunities because of these differences. 

A question I have been asking every artist I talk to is, "What other 'art languages' do you speak?"  I have learned that most creative people, once they tap into that first talent, challenge themselves to find other medium they can recreate emotions in that will connect with observers allowing them to become participants.  Haveron is a classically trained musician who plays guitar, bass and flute.  He is a welder, woodworker and performance artist.   

The last question I got in before we had to wrap due to a photoshoot at his studio was based on listening to the tracks Hans has on his playlist on his Myspace.  There is a lot of "free composition" electronica.  I wanted to know if this is the type of music he listens to when he is working.  He said for the most part, yes.  He likes it to be "other worldly".  He favors pieces with electronically created noises.  He tries to imagine what might make that noise or what the world would look like where the sound came from. 

As we parted we agreed this wouldn't be the last time we talked.  I've already started a new list of questions in the days that followed this conversation.  We both look forward to doing it again.

Haveron Studios
Hans Haveron on Myspace
Haveron Studios on Facebook

Hans and I would like to extend a very special thank you to Adam for giving permission to publish the tattoo/painting story.  There were no Adam questions in my prepared list as I wanted this interview to be about Hans.  The story was part of his spontaneous response to the question about symbolism.  We agreed that I would not include it though unless Adam was ok with it as he has not spoken about it to the press previously.  I'd also like to give a huge thank you to Hans for giving me the photo of he and Adam.  I ask all readers to direct others to come here to view it, rather than copying and pasting it all over the internet.