for zenfrog..

a request..
Thanks for the suggestion, zenfrog!

Our New Space

Gallery On First

Tracy working on Robert Deniro the
Saturday before we moved in.


Sunday, hanging our stuff.

Pretty much filled the space but we still have more to add.

Ybor Highlights

Here's a few images of our trip to the west coast.

They gots devil crab as big as a man's head over there!

This 3 piece band was kickin it at the Blue Shark.

Step 1 in making the perfect sandwich.
A good piece of bread is essential.

I heart Shawn Barber's art

Not to rip off Sinatra, but I don't get around much anymore. But I had to take a break from the ironing & housework (man, I crack myself up so much) to go see Shawn Barber's show in Ybor (Tampa) last weekend.

And if that ain't the sweetest uh... whatever, the next day he gave a demo. The guy's truly amazing. Go to his website, go see his shows if you can. Then thank me with a box of dark chocolate for helping you make one of the best decisions of your LIFE. Yah, that's right.

New Diggs!

As of April, you'll be able to see us in person at Gallery On First in Sanford, FL. We're excited to be able to have a physical presence, to be able to meet and talk with collectors, and possibly get a square foot or two of living space back. (sweet!)

The Gallery is located at 211 E. First Street, and is right in the center of the downtown historic district.

(pic coming soon...)

New Joe Strummer

Painful Eggsalad

3 eggs, 1 T horseradish, 1 T mustard, 1 T mayo, 1/2 t oil, pinch o' salt, a bit of shredded cabbage, some dill, 1 T onion, and some pickled jalapenos-- not sure how much, but a crapload. I mean, otherwise, what's the point, right?

It's way too cold. I'm just trying to creatively clear my sinuses. When it comes to whippin' up some creative cooking, I'm there.


I didn't say I was good at it, I just said I was there. --Yes, I really did ignite this cookbook. (email me for the recipe.)

Andrew Wyeth left us a whole lot to be thankful for.

"A lot of people say I've brought realism back - they try to tie me up with Eakins and Winslow Homer. To my mind, they are mistaken. I honestly consider myself an abstractionist. Eakins' figures actually breathe in the frame. My people, my objects, breath in a different way; there's another core--an excitement that's definitely abstract. My god, when you really begin to peer into something, a simple object, and realize that profound meaning of that thing--if you have no emotion about it, there's no end.

...You see, I don't say, 'well, now I'm going out to find something to paint.' To hell with that. You might as well stay home and have a good glass of whiskey."

Richard Meryman interview with Andrew Wyeth, published in 1973

No Laughing Matter. I'm no photographer.

So here was this morning's project: a request. But lemme clear the air on my photog skills: I got none. **Note the brighter light on the right, and the glare in several areas. Ace!



Remembering the classic line from Ferris Bueller, "Sir--Please. ...You have nothing to worry about. ..I'm a professional."

One Day Like This.

Beautiful day! Got some last-minute shopping done, stretched some last-minute painting sales, and enjoyed the weather. It was actually pretty warm today. Must be spring.

Time to plant the chickens!

Hey Joe..

Watched "The Future is Unwritten" a bit back, and have had the soundtrack on my playlist ever since. It's a strange mix-- Elvis, U-Roy, MC5, Woodie Guthrie.. and Joe Strummer's several band-lives.

"Tracy, are you serious? That's crazy-all-over-the-place!"

I know, right?

Complete with Joe-as-DJ comments in between songs. I can't explain why, but it makes me feel like BBQ'ing.

and painting Joe again. .. and again.

Hey man, what's up?

Oh, everything and nothing, thanks for asking..

Working on a commission tonight... second of 2. The first I finished earlier today, then slacked. Now this:


Really cute tikes!

AND, I received the newest Naomi Klein book in the mail (which actually isn't new, but..). Started reading, but this weekend was full of the usual holiday chaos. Not familiar? The first thing I read by her was an old Harper magazine article. --a knock-your-socks-off sorta thing.

Holy Crap is this your lucky day or what?!? I just found it online here.

"Tracy, this is a Friedmanite economics expose during wartime-- I'm just not into it"

It's 8 pages (with pics). You'll thank me-- Really. That's how I get all my chocolate, ya know.

Oh the locking pill caps thing hit home..

I have a list of sites I *should* hit regularly, but I really treat like the week of finals. I know from past experience that the more I waver from a regularly scheduled list of tasks, the more I'm likely to oh... watch youtube videos of 80's bands for an hour and whine that I didn't get anything accomplished...

BTW, the 'finals' reference was to demonstrate how close I am to college age. buyin' it?

My dog had surgery last week. And I'm more than your average pathetic dog owner. --no, she doesn't have a pink mesh bag that I tote her around in... but I did walk out on her vet. Scheduled surgery that I got that movie tinge about last minute... "these people don't know this dog like i do and her life's in danger!" Yah. Who's your drama queen? That'd be me.

Well, scoot forward-- happy ending, surgery's done...by her *new* vet, and the antibiotics... OH! The antibiotics! And their new fandangled container to keep the bird out-- er me out. ANYONE out. *WAIT--when did *this* happen?? That old age "i-can't-open-the-pill-container" thing happened to me.

So My sign that the planets are in alignment happened when I read Ralph's sister's blog here.
I'm not the only "this pill bottle sucks!" game in town.

wah-wah-winter

Every year I fight winter. I'm not a 'cold's okay' person. I wish I were.

Cold feels like cold to me for a very narrow range, and then feels like numbness --Like when you run fingers under water and can tell the water's either really hot or really cold, but can't determine which. It makes it difficult to stay focused on painting. And I'm not talking 45 degrees, I'm talking 60 degrees.

Yesterday I got some work done. I'm pretty happy with the way this Frank Black (formerly with the Pixies) is coming along.

Fingers crossed today stays on track. Lots of work to do...and hot coffee ready to go.

Observation

Smooth Sailing.

Yesterday was my brother's birthday. His wife (both pic'd above) organised for us to all go out on a short sail cruise off Cocoa. The trip was amazing, the weather cooperated, and everyone had a really good time. I highly recommend these guys if'n yer in the area. (click..)


my mom and the mascott, GiGi..


My dad, my brother, and his wife..

..and Ralph.

How'm I doing? It's my birthday!

Indeed it is. And Ralph got me these bad-a$$ boots (modeled by yours truly.)

Jealous? Yah, I thought so.

Jude Law... in the woiks.

I was hopeful to finish today, but no such luck.

Ricky Gervais

Francis Bacon paints anxiety. That's what I feel when I see his paintings. He communicates anxiety like no other.

New show opens at the Tate.

I think it's gonna be a Keane day.

UPDATE: This is now live on Ebay. Click to view.


Today's project-- another band that has moved in and put permanent roots into my daily playlist - Keane. If you haven't heard them yet, for the love of Pete! get to it. You'll thank yourself. Heck--you may even thank me..by way of a box of dark chocolate. Hay! Thanks!

I don't know how far I'll get on this project today. I have the inevitable scheduled-- death and taxes. --wait: no. Just the taxes part. (who schedules death??)

And the Elbow painting's done. Hopefully will be scheduled to go live on Ebay tonight.. (nudging Ralph).

Ralph's new WIP


Artifacts 4

No Orlando, FL on Elbow's tour

wha--why? Elbow--why no Orlando? --don't answer that, I already know.

Ok, but answer THIS: why no New York?! Ah-HAH! We've been known to fly up for a show. Actually, we did a few years back to see sneaker pimps, and when we flew home, they added Orlando as a tour stop. We caught both shows.

OutEffingstanding.

Next!

So Keane's done and ready to post, and I'm looking for a new volunteer to be painted.
You sir--in the front row!

Always looking for subject matter suggestions... Feel free to comment with any ideas.

Saturday Morning

Tracy working on painting of Keane.
She's probably listening to Elbow...heh.

Always looking for positive feedback.
Actually, this is one of the clips that we use to secure paintings as we work on them but every little bit helps.

"Discovery is the ability to be puzzled by simple things." -Noam Chomsky

Ralph's brainstorming process.

...and a new one in progress. The original sketch is probably in that shoebox somewhere..

New Work

Just finished this painting entitled "Artifacts 5".

I came across the work of David Cobley recently.

I love his paintings-- but I also love that he isn't bound by the 'stick to your own style' rule. He's very accomplished, and he's all over the place.

See what I mean here.

Music

Music is a very important part of our daily life.
Fortunately we share a very similar taste for music that is normally considered "alternative or ecclectic". We just think it's really good.
Some of the bands that we have been listening to lately...

My Morning Jacket

Unfortunately we waited until the last minute for their show here at House Of Blues & they sold out. DANG!

Elbow
These guys are incredibly understated but the music is very emotional.



Check out this video."One Day Like This"

Animals

Our chicken, Billie. We raised her from a chick. She's getting on in years but lives a pretty good life considering she sleeps on the back of our couch at night.

Our rabbit Maggie

Sebastian.
We found this one in our backyard after one of the 2004 hurricanes.

Tracy working on a painting of the band Elbow

Sunday.
Weather is pretty bleak.
Surrounded by massive storms.
Definetely a good day to paint.