Complicated Game: time to give back.

A year ago, a few months into showing art in the 'real world' (non-blogosphere-type) I saw an ad for the Outsider Art Fair. Not knowing anyone, I contacted the owner of the frameshop hosting it adjacent to the hip/happnin' art fair in the same city where the patrons discuss the latest ozone therapy for headaches.

--They say never say never, ..but... cripes.

Anyways, it was a success. the show, the bloglist, the commissions--everything. Then the sponsor moved to san fran and sold her business.

But local artists Maisy May Mars, Chris Tobar Rodriguez and Travis Smith, along with Kim Marshall, the new owner kept it rolling. New press, write up in several local papers, and the event seems bigger than ever! --You're missing out if you don't come to Outsider Art Fair tomorrow in Winter Park.

Press? http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_arts_letter/2011/04/outsider-art-fair-is-saturday-in-winter-park.html

Arm wrestling myself: the long-term wounds and incredible rewards of self-doubt

Finished a painting today. The strokes just 'worked', and it just came together.. but that's not always the case.

When a painting 'works', you take a step back and try to figure out why, so you can apply whatever the 'magic formula' is next time. When it doesn't work, it makes it all the harder to start the next one. --in fact, it becomes tedious work.

You toggle back and forth wondering whether you had too much self confidence at the start and took the process for granted. Then, I like to blame things that really don't have any affect on the end result-- like whatever crap music Ralph's playing. Because, you know, crap music can ruin a painting.

So, following this line of thought, the formula's the answer. John Lennon had the formula. Babe Ruth had the formula. I just need to get the formula.

But that's not it either. IF there was a formula, it would compromise the discovery and growth, and the whole process would become mundane. That's when a creative process becomes a factory product.

It's a juggling act. If it was all struggle, I'd give up and go get an office job. If it was all ease, well, then I'd get bored and go get an office job.

New Innovation (Let the Bad Times Roll)

Not trying to paint rosy (that wasn't a painting pun) the recession and bad economy, and I'm certainly not a 'silver lining' kinda gal. But where did all these cupcake places come from?

Lots of them. And they're all up'ing the bar. GREAT cupcakes. I didn't see a cupcake 'specialty shop' 5 yrs ago.

The 'cupcake phenomena' isn't an isolated incident. It's a larger trend of people getting creative and coming up with great ideas to keep things in forward motion despite our economy standing still.
These are the people causing innovative positive change, not waiting for *things* to change.

Here in Orlando, we have great alternative art spaces thanks to curators who show art, no matter what. Frankie Messina, Michael McGrath, Steve Parker, Tre Harris --they MAKE successful art shows- with or without a gallery. Charity benefits and auctions in empty real estate open houses, craft fairs in parking lots.. so why would someone with a long-standing radio career rely on the radio to continue to do what they do best? They wouldn't.

JB WeBB is the newest innovator we've been fortunate enough to work with. Thanks to creative people like him, we all continue to move forward.

Wine, Art, & Amway series painting auction

The Amway Center's hectic running came to a close with the Grand Opening and festivities.

Several of my pieces from the Amway series are now on display and for sale at Tastings Wine Bar in downtown Orlando, and one painting is being silent auctioned throughout the month of October to benefit the North/Central Florida Alzheimer's Association.

If you haven't been to Tastings, they have an *incredible* selection of great wine, and a beautiful atmosphere, outdoor balcony with a view of Lake Eola, and great appetizer's as well. I couldn't say that without sampling first, of course.

Visit their website: www.orlandotastings.com for Happy Hour details, specials, and a menu preview. Then head out there for a great evening and to bid on an original Amway series painting.

OK: Let's Go!

Delivered the Amway Center abstracts yesterday. (Yay!)

That being behind me, I can shift gears and focus on several up-coming shows: Next in line is this Saturday night --I'll be live painting at Tastings downtown on the corner of Washington and Magnolia-- it'll be visible from the street, and the venue has a nice crowd-- along with some great wines!!

We were there recently and had a great recommendation from the server. --not a "this has been around a while and we can't sell it-- I think you'll like it" recommendation but a *REAL* "based on your preferences, I think you'd enjoy this" recommendation, and he was ace-on. So we found a new place to actually discover new wines without the guess work.



I'll be showing a couple of my new abstracts from the Magic series as well. You should stop by!!

Amway Center's gonna look all purdy.

I just received word yesterday that my work's been selected for the new Amway Arena. All abstracts.

What else is new? I thought you'd never ask!

New show hanging at Dexter's in Thornton Park tomorrow. Next month is my solo show at Ichiban's downtown.

Our show at Taste! in College Park is taking a break for a few days, and will have a makeover with new pieces next week.

Small appearances: Ralph and I have a couple pieces showing at the Fringe Festival this year, and we still have work at Neu America Gallery downtown, Dandelion, Florida Museum of Art, and Pom's.

So yah, I've been sitting around doing nothing.

'cept this:

New pieces on Zatista!

I have another outlet. I gave Zatista.com a try, and have been very pleased with both the sales I've received and the support from the staff. Please add them to your favorites-- they have some great art on there and have a lot of nice tools!

One of my new pieces available on Zatista.com:

Orlando Arts Magazine

In the March-April issue.

Virginia Woolf selected for exhibition

I just received word my Virginia Woolf portrait has been selected for the Florida Biennial V exhibit at the Florida Museum of Art. The reception will be April 9 from 5-7pm. Yay!!!

Thanks Mr. Garibaldi!

Artist David Garibaldi purchased one of my paintings from the last City Arts Factory show, then was nice enough to post about it. Click for more...

I once saw a Shawn Barber demo where he told everyone to make sure to wipe the galkyd bottle neck after pouring each time. I thought it was good advice.



--not enough to follow it, I just thought it sounded good.

Kurt.

Ralph and I are in re-stock mode, and motivated as ever. Our pieces at City Arts Factory come down this week, but we just hung new stuff in the side gallery at Taste! in College Park-- I added about 10 new music portraits. We're in talks for a new show (details once I get them), and have a few pieces going up at PomPoms downtown for a February show, including a new co/lab. Also, the gallery in Sanford is hosting a 100 paintings for $100 show we'll both be in that I'm really psyched about.

And we've been painting.

Jeff Tweedy of Wilco

New Lou Reed

New Tom Waits

Downtown

Have a few pieces hanging at

CityArts. You can see some of my

stuff if you look real close. What you

can't see is one of Tracy's missing pieces

that sold the first night.

Art & Tacos

Some of our work at Taste restaurant.

Stop by & have a look... and try the fish tacos.

Show at Taste

Have a show going up Friday, Dec. 11

7:00 pm at Taste restaurant in College Park.

Stop by for some eats & arts.

They have a killer espresso brulee dessert.

Our stuff will be there the rest of the month

but come by Friday.

Desperate Times

"Skitch" has already proved that she knows

how to handle a paintbrush. She just has some

control issues. We keep finding them under the

couch.

Gallery on First Holiday Art Show

Every year, I hope to find that perfect, heart-felt gift everyone wants to find under the tree--the Universal Remote. --I'm aiming to own at least 22 of them.

Not on your list? How bout the iphone/wii/knock-off handbag/blah/blah/blah... Somehow online shopping has brought on a unique socio-side effect: The same 9 things in EVERY brick and mortar store.

The fix? Ah! I'm so glad you asked!

Ralph and I will be there for the OPEN HOUSE (read: FREE FOOD AND VINO) next Sunday, Dec 6th. We'll both have new pieces up, including that perfect Universal Remote substitute for someone special. 211 East First Street, Sanford, Florida - 407-323-2774

Tim Burton Study

No news to report.. Dec 1 is a real estate open house showing in Heathrow Country Estates, Dec 11th is our joint show reception at Taste! in College Park.

Until then...

Citizen Cope

Newest add on my playlist (thanks to Frankie at Apartment E for the recommend!)

Check out this: (click...)

MMMMorgan's

One of our favorite eats in Sanford is Morgan's

Burger Bistro. Damn good bugers & a great

selection of toppings. Even though they taste

great just plain.

2 food entries in a row...I'm seeing a pattern here.

I gotya focatcha right here...

Justa like momma used to make-a.

Guy Garvey

New stuff... Guy Garvey from Elbow, who I'm sure you're familiar with, because I only told you to check out his stuff like 20 times now. Sheesh. ..Do it already!

Have you seen me? On TV?

Fuel TV's airing the Orlando DewTour stop, along with Ralph's Art. How cool is that?

Jason Shawn Alexander - AMAZING!

I have him in my 'blogs to watch' list, but seeing his paintings on the screen are *nothing* like seeing them in person. Jason Shawn Alexander show in Miami.

Slide Show

A sample of some

of our work.

In Pursuit Of...

Our latest collaboration piece.

BackBooth Benefit

We had a great time at the Wishes on Wings Art benefit at BackBooth last night-- thanks to Tara for organizing such a great event!

Short video clip: *click here*.

...and a coupla pics.





More info about Wishes on Wings here.

Hap'nins

This week's been kinda busy. If you're in the Orlando area, Ralph and I will be doing a live art benefit tonight at BackBooth (tix available at the door).

Also, Ralph was selected as one of 5 artists participating in the FUEL TV Mtn Dew tour
here in Orlando this weekend. Click for details...

Jimi.

Destroying Angel

From Sneaker Pimps - Splinter

The Fall's Mark E. Smith

...and a youtube clip from his younger days here

and here.

Check out Ralph's write-up in the new issue of InProgress if'n ya get a chance.

a bird in the hand..

*Perfect distractions* : Our Zebra finches had a new clutch hatch. Who can concentrate on work when you have this??

Leaving

Just finished this piece.
I struggled over the caption but I like the dual
meaning of this. On the one hand it could be the
occupants of the house referring to the strange
creature outside. The other meaning is a message to
him as he sets out to live a life beyond his home.

Recent Events

This is a new piece entitled "Event Horizon"
It's a 10"x 10" digital collage mounted onto
a wooden box.

Call it as ya see it.

Wandering online tonight I found a great charcoal portrait artist from Jacksonville. Haven't seen his work before.

Why?

There's a lot of great art out there. A LOT. But sometimes the who-ya-know-not-what-ya-know plays dominance. The public sees sub-par art in the downtown venues, and everyone pays.

Take a minute to look for the good, not necessarily the connected. Here's who I found tonight. an outstanding command of charcoal portraiture with unbelievable emotion.

and the other day. This girl's all over the place with creativity and drive. Always a great read, and on my check-back list.

Who have you seen that needs a shout out?

Don't think. Just do. (re-learning how to run)

when stuff slows down, the thoughts start tugging my time. I can loose an hour deciding what to do next.

Like this morning.

Could cut canvas, could stretch some abstracts. Could work on the online listings. <-- see that? That's another chunk of my life I'll never get back. One of my favorite second-hand scenarios was relayed by one of my college professors-- who's also a runner. A student asked him to train him to run. The professor told him to run every morning for a month, then come back and talk about it.

This photo was actually taken by that professor-- my drawing teacher at UCF. --I'm guessing '94ish?

I need to go paint. Somehow I have confidence the rest will fall into place.