Surrealist Art by Rafal Olbinski

I first came across the work of Rafal Olbinski at an art gallery in Las Vegas. The moment I walked in these paintings immediately jumped out at me. I could see the influence of Magritte's transformative juxtapositions. Looking at Olbinski's paintings reminds me of how beautiful fantasy can be. Over the past few years I have been inspired more and more with his ability to show the beauty in the mundane.


Rafal Olbinski immigrated to the United States from Poland in 1981. Since then he has received more than 150 awards for his work. Much of his paintings have been set designs and promotional posters for Operas.

A Look Behind the Scenes of Episode 3

When I set out to make a new Mr. Right film, I become immersed in every aspect of the filmmaking process. (From concept to filming and then editing) I suppose filmmaking for me is a primal urge. I will take an existing concept that I have had in my mind for a while and expand upon it. Then, when I decide there is enough there to make a meaningful story out of, I set up my lights and camera and go to work. I frame the shots, then stand where I will be in front of the camera and make sure I am in focus and in frame. It can become a very tedious process, though I often find it to be very refreshing. I guess that's the power of doing something you love.




Watch Mr. Right - Episode 3.

Getting Inspiration from Steve Jobs, a true magician

This past weekend, on my trip to northern California, I was invited by fellow magician Kim Silverman to visit the headquarters of Apple in Cupertino. While visiting the campus we talked extensively about Steve Jobs and his ability to transcend the part of technology guru to be a master showman and, ultimately, a magician. Regardless of your personal feelings toward the Apple corporation, it's CEO Steve Jobs has proven that careful planning and attention to details like simplifying existing technology and clarifying purpose can move a business from stagnation to a cult phenomenon. One of the things that has made Steve Jobs so successful is his complete understanding of "the message". His aim is to find the best possible way to showcase a new product, demonstrating its features in a clear way so people will understand why the product is unique and useful. Like a performer he spends months writing and rehearsing his script, choreographing his movements, and deciding exactly how this will culminate into a meaningful message about why this product will enhance their lives.


As an artist, I am fascinated by Apple's simplistic design. With a minimalist style their hardware and software is simplified to only what is necessary with no extraneous parts or buttons. Furthermore, their core strategy lies in creating a complete experience with the consumer. From the initial visit to the store (that is quite reminescent of an art gallery) to unwrapping the package and then using the product, they make it an all out sensory experience.

One of the things we as magicians pride ourselves in is keeping "trade secrets" inherent to our craft. No one understands the necessity of secret keeping better than Steve Jobs. Any information originating at Apple is on a strict need-to-know basis. Employees directly involved with future projects must keep specific details secret from not only the general public, but also close friends and family. Steve Jobs is so devoted to Apple's image that he rehearses over and over what will be uttered about Apple in public and allows only certain executives to speak publicly on a given topic. Marketing analysts have estimated that in the months between announcing and selling the first iPhone, Apple received more than $32 million in free advertising by not making any public statements and letting the mass media speculate.

Looking at Steve Jobs' entire career (being fired from Apple then rehired) we see a man devoted to his passion, leading a company that constantly transforms reality. Now that's magic!

Bird's Eye View

Today I decided to make a short video blog about my Sunday adventure flying over the California Coast.

Mr. Right's Weekend at the Beach

I love becoming Mr. Right. No matter what I happen to be going through or feeling at the time, when I put on the derby hat I just feel "different". And it's wonderful.

Saturday was such a beautiful, sunny day that it made perfect sense to be outside. So Saturday afternoon, my fiance (the girl) and I went to Pismo Beach. Just south of San Luis Obispo, in Arroyo Grande there are beautiful beaches. What makes Pismo Beach so unique is that you can drive on it. In fact, you can even camp on the beach overnight. Knowing this, I planned a few days prior to do a photo shoot on the beach, as Mr. Right, for an upcoming short film. So I drove the MINI, loaded with all my gear (and Shannon), and parked on the beach. Many people take advantage of this privilege as well, so there is a constant stream of cars and trucks coming and going on the beach. Luckily, we were able to find a perfect spot close to the water.

I was dressed in a red shirt and black tie (mr. Right casual wear) with my derby hat. As soon as I stepped out of my car I got a honk and a wave from car passing by. I smiled and waved back. Shannon got all "dolled up" in her outfit and we proceeded to shoot some stills and video of us posed together on the beach. The family that was parked closest to us kept watching us, wondering what we were filming. As we were finishing up another car was driving past and, just as it passed in front of the MINI the driver looked back smiling, then saw us sitting beside it on the blanket and he began laughing and waving. It was as if we were an attraction - a performance art installation. But what the hey, I love performance art.