I'm virtually everywhere. Almost everywhere, virtually. Social networking comes naturally to me, it runs through my veins along with everything else that feeds my body and soul.
Before the internet brought us to this point of connectivity, I was already the person who you could find other people through because I kept in touch, the person who values relationships like water or air and makes a giant extended family of the world. I was also already obsessed with documenting life, it's what artists do - we write, photograph, paint, sing, film, play, enact - it's all part of an innate need to hold onto everything as it happens. Every moment is so poignant, it must be worth documenting, and someone must want to know about it, right?
So, yes, social networking works well for me. I'm excited to be in touch with so many more people than I normally would, I have great business contacts, I have met new people and learned new things, thereby closing in the global distance immeasurably. I love it.
There are a couple of side effects from micro-blogging that I've noticed, though. With the advent of sites like Twitter, text messaging and status updates on every other communication and messaging program out there, I have fallen behind on the longer blogs. That and I'm starting to think in status updates!
Jessi loves dancing in the kitchen. Jessi is invoicing. Jessi thinks the lyrics to this particular song fit some situation perfectly. Jessi is thinking of the next painting she'd rather be working on instead of a newsletter. Jessi is making coffee at 3:45 in the afternoon. Jessi misses someone. Jessi wants a new laptop.
Jessi has a lot to say that probably never needs to be published. LOL LMAO hahaha.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Black is the new green
We're all doing our part (hopefully) to save the world by being a little greener every day. What are you doing right this very second? Do you know how much energy it takes to light a white screen? Neither do I, but it's more than it takes to power a black screen. Enter Blackle.
Check it out: www.blackle.com – it runs Google's search engine, but it's, well, black. It's like a sleeping screen that is awake. How much difference does it make? Right now it says: 930,703.497 Watt hours saved. If nothing else, each time you look at that screen, you will be reminded that every move you make has an impact and maybe you'll reconsider something for the better. Maybe. It can't hurt, start to use it and see what you think.
Besides, black is cool (says the artist/graphic designer).
Oh and yeah, I realize this blog is mostly white. Should I change it?
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Documenting Election Day
"Art is documentation of life, colored by emotion."
~ me
The latest 24/7 was on election day. [For those not already familiar with project 24/7, you can find it along with the latest postings on its Facebook group page.]
I walked out to my car with my children at 6:45am that still-dark Tuesday morning, only to see that my Obama lawn sign had been stolen. Until then I had remained unviolated by the Obama lawn sign thief(s) who had roamed Ocala over the past few months. I promptly retrieved another from my car and put it up. Hmf!
Later that morning I went to vote. Most people I knew had early-voted to avoid the long lines, but I enjoy the whole experience of election day so I braved it. There were no lines at all! Easy-peasy. Unfortunately I was not allowed to photograph inside. I get not taking pictures of people while they vote, that's private, but the people who check you in? Shouldn't that all be transparent, public knowledge? Oh well. There was tons of anti-Obama crazy, hommade propaganda about to keep me clicking. I will write another blog just on propaganda and show more of them soon.
After voting I went down to Florida's Blood Centers where my awesome friend Debbie Roth works, and I gave blood. Lots of blood. I hooked up to a new machine that takes twice as many red blood cells - but replaces saline and other stuff - so it takes a really long time but you walk away feeling better than the traditional method. I almost fainted. It was worth it, though, because I was getting a tattoo that week and won't be able to donate again for a year.
Later that evening I attended the Marion County Democrats "Victory Celebration." I had designed the flyers, invites and tickets for the event. Premature to say "Victory" before the election? Doesn't seem like it now, over a week later. It was a very exciting night for Democrats, especially in Florida.
Visit the 24/7 Facebook page for more photos of this historic day.
Monday, November 03, 2008
What does it matter?
As we embark on Election Day, November 4th, 2008, I am compelled to speak for a moment on the "art of what matters."
What does it matter if you vote or not?
This country has been through hell and back – again and again. From its very inception, blood has been spilt and drastic compromises have been made by real, live men and women in order to insure that we can live a life based on the noble concepts laid out in our Declaration of Independence. Read it if you haven't lately.
I say "real, live men and women" because it is easy to think of them as fictional characters in a book or movie, they are so far removed from our daily life today. Progress and technology has put us in a figurative science fiction flick compared to the grim and gritty reality our forefathers were trudging through. What do you think it mattered to them if they could vote or not? What were they consumed with every day? Do you think they were worried about how much holiday shopping they could do at Wal-Mart? Are you ready to die for your right to shop at Wal-Mart?
We have soldiers overseas right now who are doing just that. Maybe on the surface it seems they are just fighting so that Dick Cheney can fill his pockets full of dollars whose value is based on you borrowing money to buy a bigger house, but on the inside each soldier is fighting for our freedom. They are killing and dying - real lives are being lost - so you can afford video games and have the time to play them. They are blowing up people - men, women, children - so you can buy a bigger car and drive it wherever you want whenever you want. You can bet your ass the soldiers are voting from wherever they are.
As you go about your day, swimming in an ocean of convenient abundance, take note of that urges you get to complain and the tinges of fear that you feel. Why is gas so expensive? If only I could afford the medicine, I would feel better. I am so tired of working this schedule at a job I don't like but can't afford to quit. What if I can't scrape together another mortgage payment in time? Why does so much of the world hate us? Will my children have plenty of clean water? What the hell happened to health insurance anyway? Where are my taxes going? Are these student loans ever going away? How am I supposed to support myself when I'm too old and tired to work?
You might think it doesn't matter, you might think you don't care or that you can't make a difference, but listen to yourself and your concerns and complaints. You do care. Rest easy, you don't have to kill anyone to make a difference like our forefathers or present day soldiers. Just go vote.
PS – if you need a reminder about all of the REAL people (past and present) who have suffered, persevered, fought, died, invented, stood strong, loved and moved people to change life for the better – go check out a movie. How about: PT 109, Amazing Grace, Rendition, John Adams, Apollo 13, Good Night and Good Luck, The Last of the Mohecans, Hotel Rwanda, Christopher Columbus, Martin Luther, To Kill a King, Amistad.............oh there are hundreds, name a few I've missed. Then, GO VOTE.
What does it matter if you vote or not?
This country has been through hell and back – again and again. From its very inception, blood has been spilt and drastic compromises have been made by real, live men and women in order to insure that we can live a life based on the noble concepts laid out in our Declaration of Independence. Read it if you haven't lately.
I say "real, live men and women" because it is easy to think of them as fictional characters in a book or movie, they are so far removed from our daily life today. Progress and technology has put us in a figurative science fiction flick compared to the grim and gritty reality our forefathers were trudging through. What do you think it mattered to them if they could vote or not? What were they consumed with every day? Do you think they were worried about how much holiday shopping they could do at Wal-Mart? Are you ready to die for your right to shop at Wal-Mart?
We have soldiers overseas right now who are doing just that. Maybe on the surface it seems they are just fighting so that Dick Cheney can fill his pockets full of dollars whose value is based on you borrowing money to buy a bigger house, but on the inside each soldier is fighting for our freedom. They are killing and dying - real lives are being lost - so you can afford video games and have the time to play them. They are blowing up people - men, women, children - so you can buy a bigger car and drive it wherever you want whenever you want. You can bet your ass the soldiers are voting from wherever they are.
As you go about your day, swimming in an ocean of convenient abundance, take note of that urges you get to complain and the tinges of fear that you feel. Why is gas so expensive? If only I could afford the medicine, I would feel better. I am so tired of working this schedule at a job I don't like but can't afford to quit. What if I can't scrape together another mortgage payment in time? Why does so much of the world hate us? Will my children have plenty of clean water? What the hell happened to health insurance anyway? Where are my taxes going? Are these student loans ever going away? How am I supposed to support myself when I'm too old and tired to work?
You might think it doesn't matter, you might think you don't care or that you can't make a difference, but listen to yourself and your concerns and complaints. You do care. Rest easy, you don't have to kill anyone to make a difference like our forefathers or present day soldiers. Just go vote.
PS – if you need a reminder about all of the REAL people (past and present) who have suffered, persevered, fought, died, invented, stood strong, loved and moved people to change life for the better – go check out a movie. How about: PT 109, Amazing Grace, Rendition, John Adams, Apollo 13, Good Night and Good Luck, The Last of the Mohecans, Hotel Rwanda, Christopher Columbus, Martin Luther, To Kill a King, Amistad.............oh there are hundreds, name a few I've missed. Then, GO VOTE.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
One Leg at a Time
At the beginning and end of the day, my goal in life is world peace. Saving the world might sound lofty, but basically as long as whatever I do has that motivation behind it, I am doing the best thing at any given moment. With that in mind (as always) I have embarked on my new series, "One Leg at a Time."
It is based on the phrase, "He puts his pants on one leg at a time, just like everyone else." A certain amount of inspirational credit goes out to Christopher Walken for his use of it in the "More Cowbell" skit on SNL, and to fellow AdFedder Steffanie Yacques for her idea to pose as a stripper. If I can get someone to relate to a stripper in the same way they would relate to a business man or anyone else on earth, than I will be successful.
If we can all relate to each other, realizing that through our differences we all are spirits going through a human experience on earth and we all put our pants (or underwear, shorts, hoes, etc) on one leg at a time, then we might treat one another with more compassion and respect.
Here is the beginning of "One Leg at a Time - I" ... finished product and other pieces in the series to come!
It is based on the phrase, "He puts his pants on one leg at a time, just like everyone else." A certain amount of inspirational credit goes out to Christopher Walken for his use of it in the "More Cowbell" skit on SNL, and to fellow AdFedder Steffanie Yacques for her idea to pose as a stripper. If I can get someone to relate to a stripper in the same way they would relate to a business man or anyone else on earth, than I will be successful.
If we can all relate to each other, realizing that through our differences we all are spirits going through a human experience on earth and we all put our pants (or underwear, shorts, hoes, etc) on one leg at a time, then we might treat one another with more compassion and respect.
Here is the beginning of "One Leg at a Time - I" ... finished product and other pieces in the series to come!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Dead or Alive: Artists' Rights
I was in Moe's with my kids yesterday, eating a "Close Talker" with tofu when Crowded House's Something So Strong came on, which caused my fork to stop mid-way to my mouth for a second. Then I remembered that the drummer had died a couple of years ago and resumed my bite of salad with a tinge of sadness.
I found it interesting that Moe's was continuing to add music to their collection of dead artists even after the lawsuit that had prompted them to change their decor. When Moe's Southwest Grill opened in Ocala they had fun paintings of dead musicians hung on the walls and menu items like the "Ugly Naked Guy" burrito.
Soon after, Jerry Garcia's estate sued them for use of his image on their walls, claiming that it was advertising. Another restaurant chain also sued them over the use of the word "naked" referring to a burrito, since they had trademarked the "naked burrito" describing the contents without the wrap. Oddly, "Ugly Naked Guy" actually referred to the tv show, Friends, which didn't seem to mind. Moe's conceded in both cases, removing all of the art and the word "naked."
They are still playing music from 6-feet under, though, and if the music isn't seen as advertising, why are the paintings? Do the House of Blues and the Hard Rock Cafe pay for the rights to use all of their photographs and paraphernalia? Dubious.
As a live artist who wants to paint a series of musicians called "The Messengers," I have struggled with how to go about it for quite some time. I don't want to work from commonly-known photographs for various reasons including originality and the photographer's rights. I have thought about contacting some of the live musicians and asking if I could get permission and an original photograph to work from. But what of the dead musicians? Would Rita Marley agree? Jeff Buckley's mother?
I am sensitive to an artists' rights, both as an artist who wants my rights protected and as one who knows how easy it can be to cross over the line with creative expression into copyrighted territory. Did the little old lady with a bony hand reaching out from her hood, as she sits and begs for money on the steps under a Venetian arch need to sign a waiver before I photographed her?
I sure do wish I had a close friend or relative who is an intellectual rights attorney to clarify all of these questions that constantly arise. Then there's the question, if the laws were there to write all over again, would I change them and if so, how?
I found it interesting that Moe's was continuing to add music to their collection of dead artists even after the lawsuit that had prompted them to change their decor. When Moe's Southwest Grill opened in Ocala they had fun paintings of dead musicians hung on the walls and menu items like the "Ugly Naked Guy" burrito.
Soon after, Jerry Garcia's estate sued them for use of his image on their walls, claiming that it was advertising. Another restaurant chain also sued them over the use of the word "naked" referring to a burrito, since they had trademarked the "naked burrito" describing the contents without the wrap. Oddly, "Ugly Naked Guy" actually referred to the tv show, Friends, which didn't seem to mind. Moe's conceded in both cases, removing all of the art and the word "naked."
They are still playing music from 6-feet under, though, and if the music isn't seen as advertising, why are the paintings? Do the House of Blues and the Hard Rock Cafe pay for the rights to use all of their photographs and paraphernalia? Dubious.
As a live artist who wants to paint a series of musicians called "The Messengers," I have struggled with how to go about it for quite some time. I don't want to work from commonly-known photographs for various reasons including originality and the photographer's rights. I have thought about contacting some of the live musicians and asking if I could get permission and an original photograph to work from. But what of the dead musicians? Would Rita Marley agree? Jeff Buckley's mother?
I am sensitive to an artists' rights, both as an artist who wants my rights protected and as one who knows how easy it can be to cross over the line with creative expression into copyrighted territory. Did the little old lady with a bony hand reaching out from her hood, as she sits and begs for money on the steps under a Venetian arch need to sign a waiver before I photographed her?
I sure do wish I had a close friend or relative who is an intellectual rights attorney to clarify all of these questions that constantly arise. Then there's the question, if the laws were there to write all over again, would I change them and if so, how?
Monday, September 08, 2008
Reaction
"Colorful Friends," the show featuring my wonderful friend Stephen Gray-Blancette and myself, had its closing reception at Arts for ACT Gallery in Fort Myers last week. It was a blast! Of course, it was mix good friends, good art and cocktails!
It is a great venue for my art (and anyone's) – featuring brick walls, old wood floors, open spaces, good lighting and separate rooms to categorize art as well as funky retail space in the back. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing my art on display in such an area... and it was fun to see how compatible mine and Stephen's art is... many people who weren't familiar couldn't tell our work apart!
My favorite part about the show was seeing and hearing people's reactions to my art – and beyond that, talking to those interested patrons who eagerly asked questions. When I have a concept for a painting and then execute it, I honestly have no idea how anyone will react. Will they get it? Will they care? Does it look good? Does it convey the emotion that I intended? The answer to these questions, for the most part, is yes! If it is not immediately obvious, I see their faces light up as I explain in more depth everything that went into a painting. People not only get it, but they appreciate it! What could be better?
Saturday, August 23, 2008
"Colorful Friends" Show Goes Out With a Bang
You are invited to attend a special VIP Reception for
Colorful Friends
featuring the art of
Stephen Gray-Blancett & Jessi Miller
Colorful Friends
featuring the art of
Stephen Gray-Blancett & Jessi Miller
Also on exhibit is "Eco Art" art made from recycled objects and created by local artists
Saturday, August 30th • 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Arts for ACT Gallery
2265 First Street
in the Historic River District in Downtown Fort Myers
It's the closing reception... last day of the show... join me if you can!
Saturday, August 30th • 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Arts for ACT Gallery
2265 First Street
in the Historic River District in Downtown Fort Myers
It's the closing reception... last day of the show... join me if you can!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
The function of beauty in design
Form follows function. Everything should have a reason, don't just put something in because it looks "cool." Good design isn't good because it looks good, it's good because it conveys a message, it communicates effectively. It has a job to do, and that job isn't to hang on a wall looking pretty... even if that's what you want to do with it when it's done.
This is not to take the beauty out of the recipe for a good design. Beautiful women, for example, are subject of the bulk of advertising and fine art, but it's not just because they are beautiful, it's because beauty conveys a message all of its own. It is a tool. When we look at these women we think we can have them or be them. We are, for a split second, that beautiful. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, mostly because we are so diverse and we identify with what we find beautiful in everything we see, therefore people see beauty in different things. Out there lies a little piece of something similar to ourselves. The lines of a chair, the bold color of a fabric, an expression of emotion on a face, the strength and grace of a pillar, are all things that we recognize in ourselves. If it's not something that we recognize in ourselves, it's something that we see as missing in ourselves, that we ache to have and be a part of.
That is why beauty is effective as a tool, not a reason. Adding an element because it looks good is different than adding it because of it's particular beauty and appeal to the target market or viewer. Reasonless beauty is distracting. Reasonless anything is distracting. In the end, as Mr. Fuller says above, when it is done right ... it's beautiful (at least in the eye of some beholders).
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Saving the world, one graphic design at a time.
Yes, I'm a person with a tagline.
Since my recent, self-employment status came unexpectedly, I wasn't prepared with a specific focus for my new business other than, "I will design for money." It's been a month now. I have created a website, gotten business cards, networked my heart out, and basically adjusted myself to a life without a real schedule. It's awesome, by the way, just not something I'm used to. The kids are home for the summer and so am I, so I'm working more at night and sleeping later in the morning. It's more in keeping with my natural bio-rhythm.
During this month I have also had the opportunity to really hone in on what I want to do with my life, work-wise. This has been such an awesome opportunity for me to re-craft life after 17 years of being out of college and into a career. Everything I am doing is leading me in the direction of my passions. I am an activist at heart, no doubt about it. Since high school I have felt strongly about something or other that is not in the mainstream view, and therefore something or other that I believe needs changing.
I am happy to report that I am finding myself merging my passions with my work. I really can save the world, one graphic design at a time, AND earn a living! Or is "graphic design" limiting? I paint and I write, too. Oh, well, I'll get the semantics right soon ... at least I know I'm heading down the right path.
Be the change you want to see in the world,
Jessi
Since my recent, self-employment status came unexpectedly, I wasn't prepared with a specific focus for my new business other than, "I will design for money." It's been a month now. I have created a website, gotten business cards, networked my heart out, and basically adjusted myself to a life without a real schedule. It's awesome, by the way, just not something I'm used to. The kids are home for the summer and so am I, so I'm working more at night and sleeping later in the morning. It's more in keeping with my natural bio-rhythm.
During this month I have also had the opportunity to really hone in on what I want to do with my life, work-wise. This has been such an awesome opportunity for me to re-craft life after 17 years of being out of college and into a career. Everything I am doing is leading me in the direction of my passions. I am an activist at heart, no doubt about it. Since high school I have felt strongly about something or other that is not in the mainstream view, and therefore something or other that I believe needs changing.
I am happy to report that I am finding myself merging my passions with my work. I really can save the world, one graphic design at a time, AND earn a living! Or is "graphic design" limiting? I paint and I write, too. Oh, well, I'll get the semantics right soon ... at least I know I'm heading down the right path.
Be the change you want to see in the world,
Jessi
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Documenting Life
A great part of my life is spent documenting things. I write, I paint, I take photos, I design ads and stories so that they are fit for public consumption. I blog, I write in diaries, both on the computer and in notebooks. I sketch things that I see in my dreams.
I find that as time goes by – and with the progress of technology – that this documentation is increasing. I love going to AdFed conferences, where everyone is whipping out their cameras to take pictures of almost anything. If we're not taking pictures, we're having someone else take our picture in front of something or with someone.
I will be doing a project called 24/7 this coming weekend. A friend and AdFed colleague (founder of AD3), Jim Clark, came up with this brilliant idea as we were running around Atlanta taking photos of what-the-hell-ever. We will choose a day, any 24-hour period, and both take whatever photos we want as we go about our lives normally. Now, I have to say, this is something that I'm excited about! How fun!
What is this innate need we have? Does it correspond to our love and preservation of history? Do we want every single event in our lives put on record for others to view or read about in the future? Is it our need for significance? I bet everyone has a good book in them, directly taken from their life... or at least everyone probably thinks they do.
Sting is one of my favorite musicians ever. I bought his book "Broken Music" and got about 1/4 or more into it before becoming too bored to continue. It's not all about the exciting part of his life, but rather school years. Maybe it will get better if I trudge ahead, but my point is that no matter how cool, famous, talented and interesting you are, does everyone really want to read about the minutia of your life? Probably not. Still, I continue to grow my obsession with documentation.
In the end I think that's why humans love the arts. Art is just a documentation of life, emotions, moments, messages, beauty, pain... all of it is just creative, expressive, documentation... and I am simply becoming more and more of an artist.
I find that as time goes by – and with the progress of technology – that this documentation is increasing. I love going to AdFed conferences, where everyone is whipping out their cameras to take pictures of almost anything. If we're not taking pictures, we're having someone else take our picture in front of something or with someone.
I will be doing a project called 24/7 this coming weekend. A friend and AdFed colleague (founder of AD3), Jim Clark, came up with this brilliant idea as we were running around Atlanta taking photos of what-the-hell-ever. We will choose a day, any 24-hour period, and both take whatever photos we want as we go about our lives normally. Now, I have to say, this is something that I'm excited about! How fun!
What is this innate need we have? Does it correspond to our love and preservation of history? Do we want every single event in our lives put on record for others to view or read about in the future? Is it our need for significance? I bet everyone has a good book in them, directly taken from their life... or at least everyone probably thinks they do.
Sting is one of my favorite musicians ever. I bought his book "Broken Music" and got about 1/4 or more into it before becoming too bored to continue. It's not all about the exciting part of his life, but rather school years. Maybe it will get better if I trudge ahead, but my point is that no matter how cool, famous, talented and interesting you are, does everyone really want to read about the minutia of your life? Probably not. Still, I continue to grow my obsession with documentation.
In the end I think that's why humans love the arts. Art is just a documentation of life, emotions, moments, messages, beauty, pain... all of it is just creative, expressive, documentation... and I am simply becoming more and more of an artist.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Doors
I live uptown
I live downtown
I live all around
I had money, and I had none
I had money, and I had none
But I never been so broke
That I couldn't leave town
I'm a Changeling
See me change
I'm a Changelin'
See me change
~The Doors, from The Changling
Sometimes the best change comes to us in the form of a sharp kick in the ass. I was laid off last week from the publishing company that I worked at for 5 1/2 years. I know the economy has taken a downturn, I know even Vanity Fair is pretty thin this month, but it was still a surprise to me. I wasn't prepared to be hitting the proverbial street that day.
I'm getting there, though! It's been one week now and I've done a lot of networking, meetings and calls. I am deep in the middle of creating a new website for myself... not just to feature my fine art anymore, but to represent the whole professional me. I think I will do it in stages, there is so much I want to do with it but I need to get the basics up so people can see what I do, so I can be marketable, and then I will keep adding to it as time allows.
One door closed suddenly last week, and now it seems to me that I'm standing in a world full of open doors. They are definitely not all for me, but they are there. Even in this economy, opportunities are everywhere! It's exciting. The trick is going to be to make the right choices without taking too much time... to keep paying the bills while holding out for the right thing.
The idea that I have the power to create my career right now, that I'm not stuck in any situation, that I'm free to go where I want and do what I want, is just sinking in. It's amazing that that kind of freedom must have always been there! Any feeling of being trapped I've ever had must have been completely false!
Change is good, change is fun... I can't wait to see how this big change unfolds!
I live downtown
I live all around
I had money, and I had none
I had money, and I had none
But I never been so broke
That I couldn't leave town
I'm a Changeling
See me change
I'm a Changelin'
See me change
~The Doors, from The Changling
Sometimes the best change comes to us in the form of a sharp kick in the ass. I was laid off last week from the publishing company that I worked at for 5 1/2 years. I know the economy has taken a downturn, I know even Vanity Fair is pretty thin this month, but it was still a surprise to me. I wasn't prepared to be hitting the proverbial street that day.
I'm getting there, though! It's been one week now and I've done a lot of networking, meetings and calls. I am deep in the middle of creating a new website for myself... not just to feature my fine art anymore, but to represent the whole professional me. I think I will do it in stages, there is so much I want to do with it but I need to get the basics up so people can see what I do, so I can be marketable, and then I will keep adding to it as time allows.
One door closed suddenly last week, and now it seems to me that I'm standing in a world full of open doors. They are definitely not all for me, but they are there. Even in this economy, opportunities are everywhere! It's exciting. The trick is going to be to make the right choices without taking too much time... to keep paying the bills while holding out for the right thing.
The idea that I have the power to create my career right now, that I'm not stuck in any situation, that I'm free to go where I want and do what I want, is just sinking in. It's amazing that that kind of freedom must have always been there! Any feeling of being trapped I've ever had must have been completely false!
Change is good, change is fun... I can't wait to see how this big change unfolds!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Visual Music
Music moves me. It moves everyone. It drives emotion in a movie, creates and then anchors memories, changes moods, invigorates a workout, soothes a bedtime, moves a body and a heart. Music also makes me think, if the lyrics speak to me, and that's what my next series is based on.
I am going to illustrate music. A painting could be depict a whole song, or simply one line. I am starting with "The Tear," which comes from Jeff Buckley's song, Lover, You Should Have Come Over. Specifically, this line: "She's the tear that hangs inside my soul forever." I may do several lines from this song.
Another planned painting is of the song, The Beauty of Gray, by Live. In this song he sings, "This is not a black and white world. To be alive the colors must be swirled. And I believe that maybe some day we all learn to appreciate the beauty of gray." For this piece the subject will be in shades of gray, but I will not use any black or white paint. The background will be the colors that make up the grays.
I am looking forward to finding songs and lines from songs that move me enough to paint them!
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Orlando Museum of Art 1st Thursdays Fun
What a fun show it was!
After picking up 15 of my paintings that had been on display in the City of Brooksville, I drove straight to the OMA to drop off "Kiss VI."
I spent the rest of the day in Orlando... lunching with AdFed "League of Presidents" (ha ha! fabulous people that either were, are, or will be club President). Larry, Wagner and Cheryl hosted a great downtown lunch. I then shopped for a blue dress to wear to Ocala's 2008 Creative Blues Addy Awards Gala. Success on all accounts.
I met my friends Shonna and Kim at our hotel, we changed and went to the museum for the show. Arriving right on time, there was no parking to be found for blocks... a good sign!
The show was packed, hundreds and hundreds of people... maybe 300, hard to tell because of all the comings and goings. [Late edit here, I found out there were 894 people there!! so much for my estimate of 300!]
My painting had great placement, seen from most of the main areas. It also had great lighting! I admit I might be spoiled by museum lighting now, it definitely beats how my work looks standing up against the wall at my house. I enjoyed watching people go up to it and gesture, talk and linger. I heard several positive comments about my quote, "There is a perfect second in every kiss." which was in my Artist's Statement.
The evening was great fun, I saw old friends, new friends, rarely seen friends, and met new friends... drank, ate, listened to good music, went through the entire museum and saw lots of modern art, had an overall wonderful time.
Kim, Jessi and Shonna... friends since we were 14.
Cheryl and Jessi
Barbara, Jessi and Cheryl
Kim, Letty and Shonna
After picking up 15 of my paintings that had been on display in the City of Brooksville, I drove straight to the OMA to drop off "Kiss VI."
I spent the rest of the day in Orlando... lunching with AdFed "League of Presidents" (ha ha! fabulous people that either were, are, or will be club President). Larry, Wagner and Cheryl hosted a great downtown lunch. I then shopped for a blue dress to wear to Ocala's 2008 Creative Blues Addy Awards Gala. Success on all accounts.
I met my friends Shonna and Kim at our hotel, we changed and went to the museum for the show. Arriving right on time, there was no parking to be found for blocks... a good sign!
The show was packed, hundreds and hundreds of people... maybe 300, hard to tell because of all the comings and goings. [Late edit here, I found out there were 894 people there!! so much for my estimate of 300!]
My painting had great placement, seen from most of the main areas. It also had great lighting! I admit I might be spoiled by museum lighting now, it definitely beats how my work looks standing up against the wall at my house. I enjoyed watching people go up to it and gesture, talk and linger. I heard several positive comments about my quote, "There is a perfect second in every kiss." which was in my Artist's Statement.
The evening was great fun, I saw old friends, new friends, rarely seen friends, and met new friends... drank, ate, listened to good music, went through the entire museum and saw lots of modern art, had an overall wonderful time.
Kim, Jessi and Shonna... friends since we were 14.
Cheryl and Jessi
Barbara, Jessi and Cheryl
Kim, Letty and ShonnaMonday, January 21, 2008
Kiss Number Nine
It's good to know that my favorite paintings of mine are the ones I finish last, meaning, they're getting better... or at least they're evolving with me. "Kiss IX," which I finished just in time to submit to the Orlando Museum of Art's WOMAN themed "1st Thursdays" exhibit, depicts a man lovingly kissing his wife's pregnant belly. The kiss series is moving right along, there are only a couple more that I need to do. Of course, I might not stop with those, kisses are such a great subject matter, I have enjoyed painting them very much!
What was really fun for me was the beautiful subjects. Look at her face, it is so beautiful, her lines are just begging to be painted! This is the under-drawing, where she looks like DaVinci might be starting a drawing of her.
I am definitely having this couple model for me again... and I have paired the perfect idea which has been brewing for a long time now with them. I want to illustrate Jeff Buckley's song, "Lover, you should have come over." I have seven paintings concepted – and am truly looking forward to getting these beautiful models into the brooding, emotional and intensely passionate song.Over and out for now. Happy and peaceful January to all.
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