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In case any of you missed the opening, try and make it down to BLVD Gallery to see David Choe’s fantastic work. Except for one wall of mostly published work, he told me an amazing story of how the rest of his work came to fruition. He arrived in Seattle on Tuesday, locked himself in his hotel room with the ‘do not disturb’ sign, and proceeded to ruin the towels and floor of his room while rushing to get his work finished. He did several pieces by the time his show was set to open at 6 pm that same Friday. I was totally astonished. I mean, the work in this show is by no means super detailed or even premeditated, but the inspiration and passion in these pieces really shine.

David has always been one of my favorite artists. I met him at the San Diego Comicon in 1998 or 1999, where he would hang out with the guys from Giant Robot selling his zines, handmade t-shirts and super cheap artwork. I bought a few pieces of art that he did on paper bags - some robots and some sickly looking naked chicks.

Years later, in a mass email he sent to his friends, I learned that he spent some time in a Japanese prison for clocking an undercover cop.  David proceeded to make art within the confines of his cell, but due to a lack of art supplies, he painted and sketched with urine, blood and soy sauce.

David Choe has been called a thief, a lady killer, and even a prisoner, but in the end, I still consider him my friend. You can watch a movie about him here: http://www.dirtyhandsmovie.com/

Check out his website: http://www.davidchoe.com

Please go see his show at BlVD Gallery 2316 2nd Ave Seattle, in Belltown next to Roq La Rue.