Paint Fumes

Sandman (Heart Art 2010)

Posted on January 25, 2010 | Leave a comment

I’ll be donating “Sandman” to this event, Heart Art 2010, which benefits Project Angel Heart.

Casselman’s Bar & Venue, February 11, 6- 10 PM.

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Posted in Uncategorized

Tagged AIGA, Casselman's, Denver, Heart Art 2010, Project Angel Heart, sandman, Tatianna Tata

Billet-doux

Posted on January 19, 2010 | 2 comments

Oil on canvas, 12″ x 12″.

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Posted in art, contemporary art, fine art, new art, painting

Tagged billet-doux, love letter, valentines

Escaping the weight of darkness

Posted on January 13, 2010 | Leave a comment

At present I have 26 canvases (albeit small canvases, for the most part) begun but not yet finished in the studio. I think this is a record high for me.

Would that my muse would light in here, into this drafty old garage-cum-studio and give me the deep soul kiss I need to light a fire and finish these paintings.

Or at least, finish a few and make tangible progress on others.

I feel like I’m treading water right now.

I have not smoked a cigarette in a fortnight now, and I remain hopeful and feel strong about this.

Saw a remarkable film a couple of nights ago. “Werckmeister Harmonies” is one of the most perfectly complete-feeling movies I’ve seen. Nothing was missing, and nothing seemed extraneous. It becomes devastating to watch as it progresses, though, so if you’re looking for mood booster you may want to stay away from it. I’m still trying to work out the meaning of it in my slow and plodding way, and might have to watch it two or three more times. I link to the absolutely beautiful opening scene here:

Time to pick up a brush and muddle through.

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Posted in art, fine art, Inspiration, painting

Tagged muse, unfinished business, Werckmeister Harmonies

Happy New Year! (Maggot Brain)

Posted on January 11, 2010 | Leave a comment

One of my guilty pleasures (and since giving up cigarette smoking for the zillionth time twelve days ago, I cling fiercely to those pleasures I have left) is watching the TV show “House.”

I almost jumped for joy tonight when I recognized Funkadelic’s “Maggot Brain” playing in the background of the final big dramatic resolution scene.

This is not only a great song to paint to, I use it as a sort of timer on my Itunes to help me through studio tasks I don’t enjoy.

The song is just about ten minutes long, and though I figure I can put up with anything for ten minutes, I don’t have a stopwatch or a kitchen timer.

Maggot Brain to the rescue.

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Posted in art, art issues, DIY, Inspiration

Tagged doctor gregory house, funkadelic, general nonsense, maggot brain, odious tasks, smoking cessation, television, ten minutes

I have decided

Posted on December 16, 2009 | 2 comments

to make lefse this year for Christmas.

Hour upon hour in the kitchen, with flour from hell to breakfast…

If I’m going to feel like a dour old Norwegian, my family may as well reap some of the benefits.

No angry letters, please. Some of my best friends are dour old Norwegians.

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Posted in DIY, food, lefse

I hate winter

Posted on December 10, 2009 | Leave a comment

If I could be put into a coma until late March, that would be preferable.

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The Arvada Center’s 23rd Annual Art Market.

Posted on November 29, 2009 | Leave a comment

Tonight, I’m tagging work to drop off for this (always beautiful) show tomorrow morning.

The video includes some shots from last year’s show- my paintings can be seen on the far left at 4:41 in the video:)

Hoping it’s a great, lucrative year for the Arvada Center and for all the artists participating.

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Posted in art, contemporary art, crafts, Denver, fine art, new art, painting

Tagged Arvada Center, Arvada Center 23rd Annual Art Market, Colorado artists

It is Steal Something Day

Posted on November 27, 2009 | Leave a comment

and I am cranky.

I get as annoyed as anyone else with the wads of ads in the Thanksgiving Day newspaper urging me to buy crap I don’t need.

But Adbusters’ “Buy Nothing Day” alternative has always rubbed me the wrong way, seemed a little sanctimonious.

It’s like that couple with the second home who wear new clothing and drive (new! expensive!) hybrid vehicles telling you all about their non-materialistic lifestyle while they sip their micro-brews.

Yeah.

So for others who don’t want to feel guilty about buying a loaf of bread today- if they can afford to buy a loaf of bread today- there is Steal Something Day, a snarky concept with a large grain of truth conceived by a group of anarchists in Montreal.

You could make a grand gesture today and pull a Jean Valjean.

CORE New Art Space is open tonight and I will be working there. Anyone who would like to celebrate Black Friday by buying art is more than welcome.

This economy has been particularly hard on visual artists.

Non-buying lookers are welcome, too. But please don’t steal anything:)

I’m not really that cranky. I hope those of you who celebrate Thanksgiving had a lovely Thanksgiving. Happy Black Friday.