The Art of Jose Mertz

Jose Mertz is someone who doesn't mind breaking out of his comfort zone. The Miami-based visual artist blends the contemporary and the traditional and draws inspiration from science fiction, ancient civilizations and the mystic arts. Whether it's a collaboration with Adidas, a mural for Dr. Smood, or a poster for Pacific Rim: Uprising, Jose seems to approach each project with the same passion.

After graduating from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2002, Jose decided to live in New York and studied Zen for several years. During that time he also traveled the world and encountered different people that would eventually inspire his work and change his life.

Below are some of my favorites, but you can check out his website and Instagram for more.

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It's Beautiful, But Also Could Explode

Ah, Taal Lake. Admirable, breathtaking, a perfect postcard of tranquility. And then you remember. Oh right, there's a volcano inside the lake, inside an island, inside another body of water. It's like an Inception movie directed by mother nature, and frankly, I'm pretty sure she's just messing with us at this point.

Biking to School with Kids

I love biking to school with my children. It's a great way to start the day, and it's a lot of fun. Both of them have their own bicycles, meaning I'm basically herding two slightly erratic cyclists. My kids' two-wheelers are quite new and pretty decent. Mine is more like a rusty ten-speeder with a penchant for chain slippage. It's a cheap, rickety bike from China but it's my vehicle of choice for running errands, and honestly, it gets the job done. My youngest is still working on his steering. My eldest, on the other hand, is all about speed. She thinks she's in the Tour de France, so I'm constantly shouting, "Slow down!" Of course there are moments of near disaster. But you know what? Despite the mayhem, there's something undeniably satisfying about arriving at our destination, slightly out of breath, on our bikes. There are also moments of pure, unadulterated joy – like when we are pedaling along the street, the sun on our faces, the wind...

Why Walking is Basically Magic

I like walking. It's really convenient and no fancy equipment is required. You can do it anywhere, anytime. It's also good for my heart and can somehow untangle the chaotic mess that is my brain. It's meditative, allowing my thoughts to flow freely and my anxieties to melt away. Whether it's a short stroll through your neighborhood or a long vigorous hike in the countryside, this TED-Ed video explains why walking is lauded as a cure for everything from boredom to slightly-too-tight jeans.

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