Don't get caught

Recently, my cousin asked me, "What do I have to do? To do the stuff you do." I replied, " It's simple. Here is a couple of lessons I learned so far. You need to Be eager to learn, Be open to advice (Good and Bad), make art everyday and most importantly you have to be in it for the long haul."

My cousin replied, " That sounds like it would take forever. I am sure there is an easier way."

Me: I am sure.

Cousin: There is only one rule to game... Don't get caught slippin.

So this drawing is for you cuz. Keep Grindin!

Midnight Marauder: From Dusk to Dawn

Walking around downtown usually yields some weird encounters. However this night was pretty silent..... well except for the "Willy Loman" character continuously walking around in circles around an intersection. (Mental note: Avoid people who walk in circles). I should of got his picture but I didn't want to disturb his concentration.

Anyway here's to downtown randomness.

Passion Isn’t Enough

I believe it is safe to say that everyone has heard the old adage that you need passion in order to start living life with purpose; that meaningful lives can be created through pursuing one's passion.

For the most part I believe its true, well kind of, but passion alone is simply not enough.

I have found out that there is something else we need to balance with passion, we need conviction. Being passionate about something is great, but it’s rendered meaningless unless we have courage, the conviction, actually to do something with it.

No Grits No Glory.

Drawing Black Lines

Here’s a sneak peek of the first sketch for an upcoming t-shirt to be released very soon.

The Rub

As deadlines near at Grits late nights are a must. The only thing that has been keeping my sanity this past week has been theses hip hop music mixes from The Rub. There are not "normal" mixtape crap we hear now with Djs yellin and Star Wars sound effects on every song. So if you got a hip hop fix check it out here. It's worth the listen.

I don’t do too much blogging.....

..... I just run the town, I don’t do too much jogging.

One Day It'll All Make Sense...

A couple of years after going some major changes in my life, I came to the conclusion that life was too short not do something I love. So without caution I pursued design with a passion. From that experience Grits was born and so on. Shortly thereafter I found this image and it all made sense. I couldn't believe the answer was so simple that it surprises me how often we don't pursue happiness with much more ruthlessness.

If we did maybe the world would be a happier place. No Grits No Glory.

Houston Streets, Texas Eats: NOT JUS DONUTS

My brother, Ron Don put me onto NOT JUS DONUTS BAKERY a while back. I go here anytime I need to satisfy my sweet tooth. The ladies of NJDB always greet me with a warm smile and some conversation. Now thats Southern Hospitality!! Their cakes and cookies will have you coming back time and time again for more! If you've never been there..stop by. You will not be disappointed!

Do you remember Bootleg Black Bart Simpson t-shirts?

Do you remember Bootleg Black Bart Simpson t-shirts? Those of you who grew up in the 90's remember them very well. Then it everyone seemed like everyone had one. Only the "best" shops carried them like the King's Flea Market, Swap Meets, hell even at the Black Expo…you could get them anywhere!

The concept were to basically take Black Bart, and combine him with some "hood" or pop culture references. The designs varied from tame to the really offensive, “Im Bart Simpson, Fuck you Man,” to Air Bart Simpson, to my personal favorite Bart dancing to the Humpty Dance… the list is endless.

Also there was an article written in the Washington Post in the early 90s about Black Bart. Its funny because Matt Groening kind of suggested that Bart is Black, then remarks, “He’s not Black but Bart listens to Hip Hop.”) Here is a link to the article.

Days of my life

I wake up. I design. I go to bed (sometimes). Life is good.

No Grits No Glory

No Grits No Glory

Yesterday, I had great discussion with some good friends about some of the challenges that go with doing what we love do. Here are some thoughts I gathered from the conversation...

Sometimes it's difficult to stay focus. Its not entirely our fault but due to television and the Internet there are too many options to choose from. It’s no wonder its hard concentrate on our art, there is barely anytime.

Well at least we think so.


As I am finding out the answer is pretty simple, we buy and do too much stuff. We’re over-extended to the point that no one knows what they’re doing anymore. Anyone who’s not creating things (or not making good things) isn’t “not creative enough”, instead they’ve been hypnotized into thinking that accumulating junk and wasting time matters more than discovering their true purpose.

When I started Grits, my main focus was never how much money I was going to make. My main focus was doing something that I enjoyed. Making dope t-shirt designs and giving you a great experience makes me happy. So find out what makes you happy and pursue that 110%.

Everett Bogue wrote,

"The only thing that is important is making art that matters.

The only way to make art that matters is to focus on the important."

Remember, No Grits No Glory.

Cruisin down the Block: Part 2

Strollin' through Yellowstone, Texas.

Midnight Marauder

Downtown Houston

Stick 'em up!

Here sneak peak of the new Grits stickers ... Stay tuned for the others!

Do you remember Pop Rocks?

Do you remember Pop Rocks? The candy, which looked like gravel and crackled on your tongue? I used to love the candy until I heard rumors that kids had actually died from a"burst stomach" — after eating them.Of course we know now that it wasn't nothing more than a urban legend.

Now whenever I think of Pop Rocks can't help but think of the The Simpsons episode when Homer stole the Gummy de Milo. Check it out below if you never seen it. Priceless.

Phunkwhatchaheard Austin 2

Some final thoughts from Austin. The night was plenty of dancing and drinks all night.... I mean all night.





The shrine at Malverde.