Patrick Swayze: Now pushing up daisies…

Just a titch of dirty dancing. Somehow, somewhere, in the big of everywhere, a lovely artist by the name of Karen Bystedt, reached out to me. It was beyond fascinating as well as intelligent and comforting. She had lost some photos of a defining time in her life, in New York city, where she had the opportunity to convince, and photograph Andy Warhol for a modeling shoot she was working on. She lost those photos, and later found them. It had been like 30 years or something since her initial photo shoot.

As Karen and I met we started brainstorming about ways we could collaborate with these photos, it was a beautiful conversation, and the ideas were flowing. She has had a successful career of photographing amazing people before becoming famous.  I am blessed to have a copy of her book , “They Dared to Dream” showcasing these amazing actors and their words, prior to their successful careers.

Karen had this beautiful picture of a young Patrick Swayze, she offered to give me a high res file of the image, to see what I would do with it. I accepted the offer, and produced a few different versions of Patrick to show her what I was seeing, as the first step in our collaboration together. Ironically I had been obsessing over daisies dancing, while in Idaho. Perplexed, Daisies and Swayze’s, seemed to belong together.

Enjoy the Big of it ALL!
MW

Common Sense Is Uncommon

Morning is always my favorite time of day.  I tend to be up before most individuals, which is nice because it gives me a chance to evaluate the plan of the day before the circus begins.  This morning was particularly poignant, as it seemed to be filled with amazing complications of everyone in the household grasping common sense to solve a problem.  If your hair is tangled, try brushing it.  If your leg is in pain, try some Tylenol.  If you want Chex cereal for breakfast, ask for it before you lick the icing off of a cinnamon roll.  I think that common sense isn't common anymore.  Once everything and everyone was off into their set plan of the day the reality that the lack thereof expanded into how it seems to be a widespread problem.  Randall clicked on some current news as I was cruising the web for potential new spaces and that is when I heard it.  "Apple Maps, are leading people into the middle of nowhere and creating life threatening situations... some people being stranded for up to 24hours without food, water, gas, or cell reception!"  Really?  At what point does one or should one.. go on instinct or perhaps a natural thought process and say.. "hmm.... this doesn't seem right?".  It's things like this that was part of the motivational process for the painting I created, "The buck stops here".  What does that really mean?  Does the buck ever stop?  I think a lot of people go throughout their daily lives without actually even touching paper $.  Virtual doesn't mean actual.  It seems to me the buck can keep going long after it should, creating an entire new set of dilemmas.  But what is the buck even?  I think that you can rely on that notion as much as apple maps.  Sometimes it may just be a good idea to be basic, but I guess if you end up in the middle of nowhere, that would be an entirely new opportunity for an exciting adventure!

 

Enjoy the big of it all...

MW

 

Mind, Body, Casa

I had an early Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday by being a part of the launch of "Mind Body Casa", a concept and creation of the lovely Tanika Ray.  Invited as the guest artist, I found myself surrounded by the supreme brilliance and queen, Jody Watley, amazeballs actress, Tangie Ambrose, Heaven HI and hallelujah singer/songwriter Niki Leonti, ethereal beauty, Andrea Bendewald, delectable and delightful celebrity chef Ameera, magic hands and masseuse to the stars Greg Lewis, and my drop dead hotness musician with astrological infusion, Randall Swindell.  We dined, danced, sang, teared up and bonded in a way that the universe could only set in motion. A pilot, and collaborative unity that warms, guides, educates, and entertains left me tranquil, and ecstatic!! Hand in hand with producer, P. Frank Williams and so many other amazing individuals, I can't wait to share what was captured, and continues to grow well after the cameras turned off.  This is everything that is FABULICIOUS!!!!

 

Try

For Sale: Visit: http:/www.monicawarhol.com

While watching Pink's performance at the AMA's of "TRY". I had to smile and feel I could somewhat relate on so many levels.  As I haven't been abused in the last year.. nor been involved in any domestic abuse and violence in at least 3 years (joke.. and  I do take such matters very seriously.. but my cynical nature provides me a bit of a buffer to maintain a peppy spirit.) I find Pink’s lyrics, performance, abilities and talents quite amazeballs.  Though aspects of the song, and or performance could be controversial, I have to say that the overall message to continue to get up and "TRY" is something I can relate to, and maybe everyone could be encouraged or reminded to do the same.

This is epic and necessary as an artist... especially with screen printing.  From the journey of concept, to drawing and composition, to Photoshop, to being reliant on a printer (which may or may not be problematic) to exposing a transparency, to proper exposure time, to pressure of water while hosing out, to applying paint with varying weather conditions, to hand registering (which is how I do my work) differently each and every time, so many things can go wrong.  This rings very true on many of my pieces, but especially my "Family Crest" of the Campbell's soup can.  While doing this print, my transparency literally got eaten by the printer... and I had to dig it out after search and rescue to even at least fix the printer.  I took this mess, slop, and did my best to flatten it out, and found that I saw a lot of parallels of the image to myself and who I felt I was that day.  The image and what had happened to my work was what happened, and as a person, I found it unique and wanted to keep going, use it, and just "TRY". 

Chaos + Chaos

We were doing a little bit of filming last night.. which was a family event.  I was surprised at how competitive, and willing the little people and a few big people were with such a notion going on.  It was really great.  I realized that I think that the desire to shine, share and entertain, if unscathed is really there at birth and will grow if given proper light, stage and opportunity.  So I guess we are born that way.  

This brought me full circle back to an original work I did of Lady Gaga, or Stephanie Geramatta.  I really was visually excited with the somewhat simple image of her face for the "Born this Way", album.  Hair that looked like smoke almost... ethereal.  My mind went all sorts of places, and I thought about how amazing, talented and beautiful she is.  I thought about all her amazing costumes and the many hands of artistry that make up such an amazing creation of the production of her.. and as she sings.. "I was born this way..".  I thought ...golly, I know she has worn a dress of meat..and I can't imagine did that smell, or feel cold, slimy..? Who sewed that?  Does a meat dress need to be refrigerated? Is it like beef jerky?  Can you serge a cut of meat?  Is there a possibility of bacterial contamination?  Looking once again at the album cover, I thought she kind of looks like a gorgeous "Medusa", the snake god or whatever from the "Clash of the Titans".  Medusa with hair of snakes though, wasn't born that way... at least not according to the story I know which is mostly based on the 1970-something movie.. maybe 80's I don't know.  Never the less... I wondered why Lady Gaga hasn't worn a headdress of snakes yet.  I thought I would like to just go ahead and paint it.  Only make the snakes somewhat happy.. because I like happy things.

Once well into this painting which takes time, a person had asked me while picking up my little lady from preschool if I had any more little people.. I said yes, and started doing inventory.  The lady looked at me all wide eyed.. and said "WOW... that is amazing.. ", .....and "... how do you do it.. it must be chaos!!!??" ... I thought about what she said.  I wasn't sure what to say, that happens alot.  So I said.." Well, I suppose it is chaos.. but I think after you have a 3rd, it can be chaotic.. and really what is the plural of chaos???". "Chaos + Chaos...= .... what's the difference... the equation doesn't matter at that point.

I went back to my Lady Gaga painting.  My screens gave me WICKED issues... which I am sure comes down to some sort of magical user problem.. never the less... my own challenges.  What is a challenge, or a problem?  It is nothing more than an opportunity... so  I pounded out my ink onto lovely BFK Rives French paper.  One at a time I registered every single one differently.. much like the noise and activity around me.. the "chaos", that I wouldn't feel comfortable if it wasn't. I finished my Gaga... and looked down at my work.  I didn't like it.  I didn't understand why I would have worked so hard ... on an image I just wasn't thrilled with.. why didn't I just stop?  I guess I was just born this way.  Nah, I know I was.  Quite certain..(and that is something to celebrate)

Gaga Chaos is now one of my favorite works.  From frustration scanning my drawing into Photoshop, to redrawing it at least 4 times, to torn screens, to bad photo emulsion, too pleased initial pulls of ink, to disgust of 4th pulls of ink, to tranquil quiet moments in the gallery at Rancho Linda Vista looking at her all framed and deciding, I wasn't sure why I was ever unhappy with the painting, Gaga Chaos, is a full journey for me.  I really like it.

As I went through my collection trying to choose something for the Children Institute for donation, I knew what work I wanted to see there at the London on the rooftop in West Hollywood.  Chaos + Chaos = whatever you decide ... and you can always change your mind.  That is why it is the ever "Big of it all :-) "

One Nation Under Facebook

No time like the present with the election yesterday taking a second to explain my original artwork of my AMERICAN FACEBOOK FLAG.

Initially when I came up with the concept, and jotted it down onto a post-it, I had in mind that Facebook not only is a ginormous part of American life, but also many countries..

That being said Facebook has been the paper, and the user the pen, to post opinions, and argue with otherwise folks they don't have issue with. From Lady Gaga, overzealous teens, and all walks and users... It brings out yet another meaning in my artwork... As most of it does. A bit contradictory to the word... 'United'.

 

Ah the big if it all...

Monica Warhol

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!