A Torn Screen

Every day is a new adventure when it comes to my world, but when its a really good day, it’s good to try and remember when those happen.

While sitting around with my girlfriends on an LA Saturday evening, we gabbed about boys, art, fashion, celebrities, violence, social media and basically were plotting on how to improve the cosmos. To turn goodness into oxygen for all to breathe. We realized that part of making that happen is to let go of the scars we tend to allow to define us. So often, we get a slice that is personal and for some reason allow that to resonate louder and take up more space than that “one special day”. I tend to think about that a lot, when I paint and create, because I think if I can express and encourage that, and set an example it will not only help me smile more, but encourage everyone to allow and explode a lasting grin. So as I closed my eyes that evening I thought it would be a good idea to do my best to remember those fabulous days when they happen, and savor their every second and take inventory and mix them into the colors that I use in my art and my world.

The very next morning I would get an opportunity to start this exercise.

You would think that something as simple as picking up some repaired silk screens wouldn’t end up being and event and a holiday all on its own, but that is exactly what it turned out to be.

I picked up my screens and the imagery that had been burned into the fabrics that told a story were gone, yet the frames still had their marks to remind me of their journey. Next I would make a stop off to another destination where I would end up meeting an absolute adorable doll baby by the name of Nicole Marie would forever change my view on being Monica Warhol.

While working on a bigger than life project I stopped into meet up with Mario at Ryonet Silk Screen Supplies LA, and was treated to the most pleasurable time. While asking a plethora of questions and getting supplies, Mario, not only took great time, but also took critical care answering my questions, as well as delivering unpleasant news to different aspects of silk screening that I was pretty sure of already as a diagnosis with nothing but kindness and personality. At the end Mario whispered a bit and asked me if I wouldn’t mind having a picture with Nicole Marie who had been a nervous wreck when finding out I would be coming by. Of course I was absolutely complimented and couldn’t wait to hear all about her.. as I live in me all the time. After a few clicks we started talking and the world disappeared.

Nicole told me how she just recently finished up at UCLA where she wrote her dissertation on the fathers of pop art. We started gabbing all about art and quickly I started looking and asking her if she had felt there was a void in pop art and silk screening, and she came to life. Being drop dead gorgeous seemed to be her brand of choice, we dove into conceptual conversation, trying to cover and capture the rainbow of art and expression. We talked about life and love, graffiti and street art, young and old and came full circle to a place where we felt we fit and were so very pleased to have met.

I walked off feeling like it was one big party booming inside of my body. I remembered how I wanted to try and hold onto these moments so as to shine brighter than anything else as they are worth so much more. Not to mention I was invited to an amazeballs party there with what turns out to be a great event that is going to have a food truck. Food Trucks seem to be the tickle me elmos of Los Angeles... and I guess this one was meant for me as it is the one and only Steel City Food Truck founded by my friends from Pittsburgh PA. These are the moments I want to occupy my resonance that I might have the chance to share such beauty with others, not only the brilliance of Nicole, but the brilliance she created for me. You can’t sit pretty in this life unless you have the chance to sit ugly long enough. That is why pretty pictures can tell one hell of a story and give you a lasting satisfaction that is worth holding a mirror up to to reflect out for all to see, while at the same time maybe letting that smile last just a little bit longer.

We are all truly lucky to enjoy the big of it all

MW

Facebook: The Game of Life

My brain tends to move very quickly... and I tend to not explain totally where I am coming from on purpose. I think that takes the fun and potential new ideas generated in others minds if I spell out EXACTLY where I am coming from, not to mention, a series will be created in my mind, and take on more and more meaning throughout time, with new elements that come out that weren't there originally. This happened ALOT in my Facebook/ Religion series.. which needs to and will grow as Social Media earthly existence. I know there are some countries that are quite poor.. and do not have cell towers, and computers as readily available.. but would we all know those places exist if we didn't exists off of ours?? So my idea is Facebook: The game of life. Now.. once I paint this.. remember, someone may look at it.. chuckle and move on, but think about it.. does anyone play board games anymore? People play a lot of games on Facebook, and other games, maybe not be on Facebook, but your scores, and plays etc may be posted on Facebook. So with all of this swirling in brilliant colors, and witty sarcasm I thought.. that is just brilliant! As I am on a mac I thought.. the wheel of death would make an awesome spinner. You could have spots including and not limited to, "unresponsive page, go back 4 spaces", "someone Liked your status jump ahead 2 spaces", "someone commented on your status, move ahead 4", " OF 597 of your friends only 8 people are attending your event go back 2", "Computer froze, go to jail, do not pass go, do not collect $200 (as your credit is maxed out, and you have to file chapter 7)." I think it would be awful fun.. yet.. no one would ever buy Facebook the board game... and people certainly wouldn't get together to play it... yet if I were to paint it.. a few people may like the pic on Instagram, or Facebook.. but with all that being said.. at that point.. should I even bother to paint it? Does anyone go to SEE art anymore, I think mostly people only go out to be seen, and have their picture taken to post to show just how much fun they are having.. or other various reasons. Wouldn't it be actually more beneficial to blog about it.. give it to the kids and see what they may or may not make of it? The concept could infiltrate many more mediums if you just put it out there, and isn't that the point? Isn't that one of the main reasons an artist an artist paints or makes anything? But then again.. there I go, dare I say, everything has already been done,(so says the author of the Wall street Journal article) and as an artist, I can't go beat a dead horse.. and what does that even mean anyway.. why would you beat anything..? People can't even be bothered to exercise.. so eventually, I don't think beating will be the same as it used to be. I suppose artists paint and create things to express their feelings and emotions, but are people losing their ability to be empathetic? Do people really help others or reach out selflessly, or is there always some sort of self-motivated advantage for the individual? If indeed the majority of patrons who go and see art, buy art, is merely to be seen and a scheduled social gathering, isn't it time then, to create new avenues to address the need? Update art and how we show it to include the lifestyle of the majority of emerging youth. Lifestyle for the 19 year old, vastly different from what it was like for the 45 year old. With that thought in mind, the artist today has to also adapt it's craft. Photographs that were once "airbrushed", would be unusable. Any artist knows that if you want to manipulate a photo, you would never get out an air compressor, you would get out Photoshop, or software of the like. Art I think, is to express an idea, to encourage thought, to share........isn't that what Facebook is? Why bother painting and making a mess, spending $ on supplies, and working??? Or does creating it, hanging it in a gallery or museum, really allow for an experience that can't be had online. Seeing my own work hung, and going to such marvelous places such as the Louvre, MOMA, or even art on the streets OR do we have to settle for it being viewed, liked or shared on Facebook is the height of the accomplishment. The outreach is that much more than an actual museums... WILL SOCAIL MEDIA REPLACE MUSEUMS?

No Art on Wall Street

An article featured on October 5th 2012 in the Wall Street Journal, "How Can Capitalism Save Art?" talked about a major decline in the visual arts, and suggests that artists have lost touch with their general audience. The author suggests that it's high time that contemporary artists should admit that the avant garde is dead. He says that artists win attention by imitating once shocking images, such as "Piss Christ", by Andres Serrano.

I DO NOT AGREE AT ALL WITH THIS!! And, I further challenge...Does everyone think that avant garde by definition is to offend others? I thought avant garde meant; innovation of new applications, techniques and concepts? So my understanding is that no artists are being innovative in their concepts, techniques, and applications? I am not sure if I am going to write to this author, I doubt it, but I do disagree with the article. I would like to know what is a new idea? Who is it that judges? I think that there is a more relevant issue at hand and that is reception. This author possibly has never seen my work, and many other artists. We live in a new era, and you cannot judge what you did not see, or did not find. My work has not yet hung at the MET or MOMA, so the thoughts and ideas behind my simple images.. yes SIMPLE images, are I think, complex and challenging, relevant, and dare I say... NEW? How does one see them though, or find them? You have to capture people’s attention in an audience that tunes into "Jersey Shore, Octomom, Football, and the 2012 Presidential Election". People have to go to museums and galleries, but why would they? Can't you just see everything on Facebook? I think so far from what I have experienced and can somewhat relate to this article is what is missing not only in visual art, as well as society, is a bridge on the digestion of technology and its effect on society and everyday life. As a result, a disconnect in not only the way we perceive things but also the way we judge and conduct and condition our families and relationships.

The idea and understanding of the article reminded me of my bubble gum covered crucifix, and acrylic on canvas painting I did with an F resembling the infamous Facebook logo with religious symbols, and opened for exhibit on "Good Friday" this past Easter. There are some perhaps that viewed my work, and thought, sacrilege. A close friend asked me to remove one of my works of art, claiming that it was beyond insulting and disrespectful to their faith. Yet, they were only associating with their particular faith in the series, and missing maybe the whole point of the collection. I equate this with seeing a post on Facebook and reacting as if it solely is an attack on them only and their person. Once hearing me out, my friend respected my choice to keep my exhibit as is. Sometimes it takes a little more than we expected to shine light on something. We can't always just plug it in, and have the exposure we want. Time, tact, education, understanding, patience, and knowledge has to be involved.

With all of that swirling around in my brain, I found my fluorescent fixtures, and now have ordered 22, T-12, 40 watt, 48 inch black-lit fluorescent tubes, and now have to go to home depot to buy wood and wires to construct one of the many instruments that I need to create one of a kind works of art that I can share. All that happens before I even open the paint. Maybe we are accustomed to instant application, instant judgment, and have lost the ability to understand. Whatever the case may be, I sure hope UPS doesn't take too long, because it sure will be a relief once I can flip the switch on this saga, and let it shine.

Enjoy the big of it all....
MW

Dollar Dog

I love the idea of dogs; especially puppies, they look so much better when they are someone else's. Reason being is they just cost alot of money for that loving companionship and darling entertainment. Upon this thought, my circus brain began... and my ink followed. My gorgeous friend Gary said to me upon gazing at my Dollar Dog the following quote which I find his perspective very entertaining...

Gary:
"Hmmm!? Does this innocent looking canine eat money? Poop money? Have monetary ticks? Is it an entrepreneurial pup, a leveraged buyout doggy, a hedge fund hound, a trust baby poodle or just genetically money maned? Are its roots (hair follicles) evil?"

My response is of course:

"Gary, I love your vocabulary, it's a 4 course dining experience :-) .. I don't really know her origins.. but it's probably safe to say, it's not a penny pinching poodle".

Now you tell me your thoughts on my Dollar Dog!