A model idea

Necessity is the mother of invention.

Economic times like these call for creative approaches to keeping business flowing. Developers, artists and not-for-profits have come together to call upon the "strength in numbers" philosophy. Beautilful model homes in posh Naples and Fort Myers, Florida are showcasing artists, changing each month and donating the commission to charity. Affluent home-buyers traffic through these lovely models throughout the day, plus there is a reception every second Saturday, giving good visibility to the art, possibly even more than in many galleries.

Something else that was neat for me was to see my art hung on the walls of a nice house. It was as if someone had bought a ton of my work and hung it, and I got to visit their house to see.

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!

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?

"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

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!

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!

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.