Beam Me Up

They say “The journey is more important than the destination.” Who are they, and where were they going? Don’t get me wrong there is no other journey I would rather be on, but more important? I don’t think so. Each day and the little victories they bring, propel me forward to a vague artful uncertainty, like diesel in a dusty convertible with the music on full blast driving toward the sunrise. Fearful exhilarating future sunrise I feel your warmth as we come closer and I would trade my tricked out ride for no other, but why cant I just teleport like in those sci-fi movies I watched as a child? I want my international solo exhibition with all the accolades ribbons and bows, NOW. But until I rate a starship I am here on earth driving toward perfection one step at a time. The impossible dreams are the ones that keep us alive after all.

It looks like the most likely month for my first London art show is either April or May. There have been plenty of landmarks along the way and there are a few between now and then. I have a new business card, new webpage (no more pop up ads) and 12 new drawings with post cards in the works (send me your address if you want me to mail you one), research for printing full fledged art reproductions done (now I just have to do it), 3 online art venues for art writing (one of which pays, the others use the bartering system) and energy endless energy. I don’t know, maybe there is something to that whole journey vs. destination thing. I do find my goals and my ascension toward them blending together. Maybe they should say (cue wise man voice) “Focus on the right path and the righteous destination will follow."

Thank you for coming along for the ride in my tricked out art mobile. It is good to have company.

Sal

2012, Still Rings

London is alive with creation, that quintessential embodiment of life. The cranes of construction standing on their single leg, moving men, steel and imagination are only the most visible. Under gothic archways tribal music springs from a primal instrument made of one bow, one string, one gourd and one soulful thank you from its player as if unaware of his gift of harmonic discord between setting, music and man. A block away painters paint away the magnificent cranes with memories of times scenic past and others, their private studios create images of the future. Each creator is pulled forward, compelled. Behind it all is 2012. No one, especially artist, wants to admit it, but it is driving everyone forward. Many resist with their soft words but their actions are deafening, and I am not immune to this Olympic Fever.

When I first arrived here I expected London to provide me the treasure of subject, but I envisioned dancers, musicians and scarves blowing in the wind. I should have seen it coming. My drawings are focused on life, harmony and multiplicity. Using the Royal City to literally draw from, how could I ignore the imminence of the Olympics. I tried. I looked for a place of stillness, so I could write, draw and observe with just me and my pre-established muse, but that is not how life works. If I am truly a creator of artwork rooted in life, I cannot ignore the journey between start and finish that London is now on. Today I started my first 2012 inspired Prismatic Abstraction, “Still Rings”.

Tear Down the Wall!

Walking through double door archways into a greeting hall full of art, the ivory resonance of piano in the air, surrounded by friends and fellow art lovers, individuals becomes one with the crowd and collective unity of the Muses. It is these atmospheric social art offerings that invite the community at large to love art and see it not as only a reflection of life, but a possibility of what could be. For this specific occasion I was attending the weekly Friday Night Music Night event at the National Portrait Gallery. This night was exceptional however because it was also the Evocation of John Gibbons Portraits into the gallery (that’s a big deal by the way). He was clearly delighted with the honour and thrilled to have the beautiful musical performances serenade his evocation. After the music was finished and a few short words by organizers and artist the strangest thing happened, participants went one way and spectators went the other.

Life was so beautiful, we were resonating so powerfully. Manet, Warhol, and Duchamp rebelled against this barrier between art and people. What happened? Where did this divide come from? In no small part we do it to ourselves. It is understandably a little awkward to talk to a stranger (input years of parental warnings here). After that negative self-affirmation does the rest; “They won’t want to talk to me.”, “What will I talk about?”, “I will sound dumb.”. I know not to disagree with your mom, but all that self-induced negativity has to go. People prefer to talk to those with similar interest and at social art events everyone is there for similar reasons. As long as you picked up the artist or gallery information packet (and read it) you have something to talk about. That handy flyer is also the key to becoming an expert, for as long as your short-term memory last at least.

Don’t take my words for it though, action is what matters!

Mr. Gibbons was more than happy to talk with me about his work and being a fellow artist in London (although much more established then me). I mostly asked questions about some of my observation of his work, and he was happy to answer them. He asked me some simple questions and we eventually rapped things up after I noticed a line growing behind me. At our last chance meeting of the night he wished me good luck on my upcoming show as he walked out the door with his wife in hand.

Promise me the next social art event you go to you will find one new friend. Tear that wall down!

The Real Deal

Real art lovers look beyond the extravagant flare of fame and into the unrestrained outpouring of the infamous. That is what I am going to see this Friday at Dirty Cop in the Old Police Station Galleries in Depfort. The exhibition is a festival of what is real in art. One night a month different unknown artists openly and unrestrained share their visual muses with the world. This experimental platform for the exhibition of new work including music, film, fashion, performance and visual art, Dirty Cop Friday presents a social and informal opportunity to produce, exhibit and test within the expanding artist network of South East London.
The Old Police Station is a DIY Art Centre and cultural headquarter for the area comprised of project spaces (PoSt Projects and Volume), galleries, an on-line radio station (OpticalRadio.net), residencies, 40 artists’ studios and a fantastic café/bar.

http://www.tempcontemp.co.uk/oldpolicestation3c.html

Redneck Lightbox

For my first art show I am entering a flip book animation art exhibition, about the process/progression of my work from start to finish. I was so excited to start I had 3 ideas sketched in 10 minutes, then it hit me,” Where am I going to get a light box?” Presented here is my “Redneck Lightbox” (I’m from the South so I get to say that).

Materials: Clear flat plastic container at least 8cm deep (3in), Bendy desk lamp or torch (flashlight), Large piece of white paper, Cardboard box close to the same depth as the plastic container.

1. Dump out contents of a clear flat plastic container
2. Set the plastic container on the white piece of paper with the flat bottom side up and with several centimetres (inches) of paper out to one side
3. Set the light source to point into the container on the side with extra paper
4. Set the cardboard box on the opposite side from the light (this seems like it is not needed but you will thank me later)

Thanks to the BookArtShop in N1 London for hosting the d a u n m a n k i n o - t h u m b c i n e m a, exhibition!

Cheers (Good luck)

QUEST(ion)

QUEST: Visit 2 Museums, Art centres (centers) or Art events a month.
(I am visiting 2 London venues a month, you should too!)

QUESTION: How do I find art events in London?

One of the benefits of living in London is the numerous high quality free museums, galleries, art centres and events. It is time to take advantage! A lot of information is available online, so I have below my TOP 3 list/calendar sites divided into 2 Categories: 1) All Around Lists 2) London Art List

ALL AROUND LIST

Wozzon
With a name like that you know it is going to be good. Wozzon’s best feature is its visual simplicity, and that is why I am listing it first. To many search sites become bogged down with information, and the user is lost before they have begun. The other benefit of using Wozzon is the extensive lists resulting from the self-customized search, including a word/subject search.

AllInLondon
AllInLondon is probably the most frequented event search site. A query for an event or location of interest on a search engine almost always leads to AllInLondon The benefit of this site is the user reviews. No one wants to show up at the place "that guy" said was super just to find out "that guy" was NUTS.

LondonIsFree
If you haven’t figured out why I like this site yet I will spell it out for you London is F-R-E-E. There are a couple of sites that list occasional free things to do under a pile of other options, but LondonIsFree is designed to make free, easy.

LONDON ART LIST

LondOnArt
Art is actively flowing throughout London and LondOnArt is the way to find the best places to jump in. LondOnArt has and is gathering artists and art venues, who then post their work, events and “other things” for participation from artist and art lovers. One of the best and worst qualities of using this site to find out about events is its copious contributors and information. User should be prepared to filter through the first page(s) before finding that perfect pearl, but to much is better than to little.

Artlyst
The Artlyst is thematically very much like LondOnArt, but they are newer and offer a more personal feeling for connecting with local artists. Additionally, the site is much easier to navigate.

ArtSlant
A TOP 3 list of sites that are based off of artists and art venues would not be complete without ArtSlant. ArtSlant gives news on art events and artists in the great art cities of the world and helps connect artists with the contemporary art scene at large. This wonderful site only has one problem. It is so large that it is easy to miss the dirty underbelly of art where all of tomorrow’s great artist are waiting to slap you in the face and yell HEY IM AN ARTIST!

B4 was There Time now, now is Art Time

I am a strong believer in work before pleasure, and job interview 2 out of 10+ applications was a SUCCESS! Now I am free to be free with my painting and drawing. IT IS TIME FOR ART, London here I come! Well, actually I have been here a month already, but now it is action time, really. Each CV (resume) took hours because I am such an awesome Artist, Educator, Writer, Marine, Warehouseman, Fitness Guy, Mr. Fix It (jack of all trades master of none anyone). And if you think about it no one wants to know all that...except for this one post for the Art Technician for Ealing Hammersmith and West London College. As I took the tour last Thursday I kept thinking, “I would be perfect for this job”, Everything including all the fun extras that I usually remove from my “gigantor resume” to make a finalized resume will contribute. Knowing me I will be there more than the required 3 days a week, but this will still give me ample time for some art shows and exhibitions. Now lets go kick-up some art!