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May 31, 2005
"The Weight Has Lifted from my Shoulders, But is Still Above My Head"
the title says it all...
oil pastel on paper, 2005, 10" x 10"
"Rescue Ladder"
sometimes we need to get down from the clouds
oil pastel on paper, 2005, 10" x 10"
May 27, 2005
Wise Man Said:
Just when you least expect it
Just what you least expect
"Why Does it Always Rain on Me"
or is it just my perception?
completed work from Live Coverage Auction, purchased by Diana Sieger, mixed media on terra cotta tablet, 12" x 12"
"Listening to the Words"
I find myself finally listening to the words of songs....
completed work from Live Coverage Auction, purchased by Diana Sieger, mixed media on terra cotta tablet, 12" x 12"
May 26, 2005
Parade Home Photos
Just a few pics of the paintings and drawings on display at one of the Spring Parade of Homes houses, details below.
A few of Tommy Allen's photo based works.
Philippe Starck Interview
Interesting interview on Designboom of Starck:
May 25, 2005
Politics of Art
Last week I had the unique chance to meet Michigan's Governor Jennifer Granholm at a fundraiser. She has a strong handshake and really fired the audience up about how to turn around Michigan's economy (last in the union). Here we are: Gwen O'Brien (Plenty Creative), Tommy Allen (artist), Governor Granholm, and myself.
May 24, 2005
"Eye to Eye Vessel"
terra cotta with screen printed images, 2005, apx. 20" x 18"
Spring Parade of Homes
A Parade home built by Holwerda Homes will feature the artwork of myself and Tommy Allen. The builders decided not to furnish the show house with furniture but instead to fill the walls with art. The home is at 2540 Longcrest NE, which is West off of Northbend Drive, in Northbend Estates, across from Huff Park on Aberdene NE. The Spring Parade of Homes is May 27 - June 11, 2005.
For hours and tickets:
For more about the builders:
No summer off for me
I have two teaching jobs this summer. First a six week session for Artworks and will involve teaching 8 students at UICA's clay studio. We will be making clay wall murals and bowls that will function as the student artists' journals. The items from the class will be available for sale after the program. Secondly, I will be working with 5 GLBT teens as part of an Art Therapy class at UICA for an eight week period. This will also take the ideas of the students and translate them into clay pieces.
May 23, 2005
"Climbing Higher"
We strive to reach bigger and better things.
oil pastel on paper, 10" x 10" $275
"Reaching the Peak"
a clearer view from the top of the mountain.
oil pastel on paper, 10" x 10" $275
May 18, 2005
mountain 1
a new series of yet titled terra cotta sculptures dealing with the burdens and uphill battles we all seem to face.
May 15, 2005
Live Coverage 2005
"The Race" 2005, mixed media on terra cotta slab, dedicated to all my friends who ran in the River Bank Run this year and all of us who continue run the races in our own lives.
Live Coverage 2005
Two clay slabs in progress with underglaze painting : B "Why Does It Always Rain On Me?" and C "Listening To The Words"
Live Coverage 2005
Last night at UICA's Live Coverage auction, with my work space behind me. I completed one terra cotta wall tablet, and started two more during the event. This years party was very well attended and a successful fundraiser for UICA, as well as being a great time for all. The most interesting comment I received all night was by a woman who "thought I would be taller and darker", oh, well...my hair was pretty high last night.
May 14, 2005
Rufus Rules
My latest favorites, "Want One" and "Want Two" by Rufus Wainwright. I have found myself playing these two cd's over and over in my truck lately. Another example of a wonderfully poetic modern singer songwriter. Check out "Waiting for a Dream" (Want Two), its true dreamlike quality will take you away.
May 11, 2005
"Small Shadow"
people are not always as strong as we think.
oil and acrylic on paper, 2005, 10" x 10"
a reminder
Sometimes you need a reminder of how good you have it. Late last night I was a second away from being a victim in a severe accident. A van in traveling right in front of me was broad-sided by another vehicle that turned left into its path. Thankfully all were ok but the guy in the van was unemployed, had just gotten his van a week ago, it was pretty much totaled, and it was not fully insured. As I stood there as a witness, I thought to myself how lucky I am to have my health, livelihood, and wonderful people around me. Strange how it takes an accident to help us appreciate life.
May 10, 2005
Green Day Rock
Well, I felt like one of the oldest folks at the Green Day concert last Saturday, but the show rocked its way to one of my favorite live performances. The raw post-punk energy and showmanship of the band kept me and most of the 12,000 fans on their feet shouting and dancing for the entire show. While the Grand Rapids Press review faulted the bands lewd behavior, I felt it brought a genuine note to the band Green Day, born 16 years ago out of the punk movement. It was refreshing to see an honest rock and roll show and see Green Day band finally get the recognition it deserves.
May 09, 2005
Eastside/Westside Review
East meets West
Sunday, May 08, 2005
BY ROGER GREEN
Ann Arbor News
The group exhibit "Eastside/Westside" brings together works by artists active in the eastern and western parts of the state - the Detroit and Grand Rapids areas, to be exact. Since the exhibit is framed by that distinction, visitors might expect a face-off based on regional differences, with local concerns arrayed on opposite sides of a divide.
But no such dichotomy marks "Eastside/Westside," the inaugural presentation at Ann Arbor's new Gallery Project, continuing through June 6. Most of the 16 participating artists give expression to independent concerns, outwardly unaffected by place. Many of the works are challenging, even impenetrable. But technical handling is uniformly first-rate, and the artists address rousing ideas.
Gallery Project defines itself as "a fine arts collaborative (whose) mission is to provide a venue for contemporary at that is culturally aware, courageous and thought-provoking."
Managed by 10 core members, the collaborative plans to mount regularly scheduled shows of cutting-edge art. The inaugural exhibit was co-curated by Kristen Beaver and Dan Gay (east side) and Ben Van Dyke (west side).
Of the participating artists, only Grand Rapids painter Stephen Duren - easily the best-known contributor - is exhibiting works specifically tied to place. His naturalistic landscapes and phosphorescent abstractions suggesting landscapes largely draw inspiration from western Michigan.
Works by another Grand Rapidian, Michael Pfleghaar, are responses to personal changes in the artist's life. "In the past few years I have taken leaps physically, mentally and emotionally," Pfleghaar writes in his artist's statement. Those anxious leaps find surprisingly strong expression in his highly simplified, somewhat storybook-like oil paintings on paper and board.
Another westside artist, Michelle Bowers, specializes professionally in custom typesetting and publication work. Not surprisingly, she addresses and solves formal problems in two-dimensional constructions. To create her works, Bowers first cut out, then pasted together parts of photos from magazines. The results are elegant and, since the photos sometimes record perspective depth, animated by engaging spatial ambiguities.
Kevin Ewing, representing the east side, probes a conflict in human nature: that between instinctive attraction to elevating, visual beauty and what French people call nostalgia for the mud. Ewing's wall-hung "Pet Helskin" is a sophisticated, minimalist composition, balancing a black and a white rectangle. But each of the rectangles is composed of tacky faux fur - yuk! Viewers might alternately understand the work as contrasting human aspirations with what consumer society affords.
Social criticism is more blatant in the work of Ann Arbor artist Monte (Jacob Montelongo Martinez). His installation "American Addiction" is a scathing indictment of a value system that privileges unilateralism and violence, and that many perceive as the root cause of America's troubles. The installation comprises a number of metal shelves attached to a gallery wall. Lining the shelves are syringes and other emblematic items, among them a football, a flag, family photos, a ski mask and a crucified GI Joe doll. Aligned on the floor are suitcases that may hold explosives.
Subtler and in their way more chilling are enigmatic, mixed-media constructions by east sider Brian Nelson. "Tears for Emily & Cole" is a wheeled, stainless-steel cart. Overspreading its topmost surface are a glass tube of white powder labeled "mother" and seven white cylinders carved from rock salt, each inscribed with the number "18." The work remains a puzzle - and gains expressive strength from openness to multiple readings.
In the end, then, "Eastside/Westside" reveals that, far from taking cues from geography, Michigan artists are gripped by independent concerns, and are pursuing disparate goals. Thank Gallery Project, a welcome addition to Michigan's cultural landscape, for showcasing that diversity.
Gallery Project is at 215 S. Fourth Ave. Hours are noon-5 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, noon-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday, and 1-4 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call (734) 997-7012 or access www.thegalleryproject.com
May 05, 2005
New and Old Faves
Lately I have found myself drawn back to music after a long period of being somewhat indifferent to it except for being a background soundtrack. The lyrics never much mattered to me as well, as long as it had a good hook and melody. Well, that has all changed, and I find that I am attracted more and more to singers and songwriters and the stories they tell. I think there is a bit of what we all go through in a good song and it can help us through the day to day of life.
I have updated my two itunes mixes on the right column and here is a list of my favorite c.d.'s for this week:
Annie Lennox - "Bare" (a year or so old now but, a wonderfully sad and moody album about relationships)
Everything but the Girl - "Adapt or Die" (a remix c.d. with new unreleased mixes that bring new life into the groups best works)
Ben Folds - "Songs for Silverman" (I just can't get enough of this guys work, the ultimate storyteller, poignant, ironic, political songs that I find myself singing even in my dreams)
Looking forward to this weekend's Green Day show...a report on that next week.
May 04, 2005
Live Coverage 2005
LIVE COVERAGE 2005
May 14, 2005
Experience the wonder of the creative process during Live Coverage 2005, Saturday, May 14. Fifty west Michigan artists will gather at UICA to sculpt, build, paint, draw, print, and mold fabulous works of art to be auctioned that very evening.
Live Coverage 2005 opens to the public at 6:30 PM. This remarkable event includes a silent auction along with terrific food, drinks, and music. Guests are encouraged to engage with the artists to learn about the art, the process and the artist's creative vision for the piece.
Artists participating in Live Coverage 2005, UICA's most popular fundraising event, represent the best of West Michigan's arts community including Tommy Allen, Tom Clinton, Israel Davis, Cathy Marashi, Julie Moore, Michael Pfleghaar, Reb Roberts, Deb Rockman, Phil Wilson, and many more talented artists.
There will also be live raku firing outside durring the event in UICA's South parking area.
Advanced tickets are $55 for the general public, $45 for UICA members and are available by calling Stacie at 616-454-7000 ext. 20. (All tickets will be $60 at the door).
Art and Doughnuts 1
A selection of oil pastel landscapes is on display at Susie's Doughnuts and Cafe, 1120 Knapp St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Phone: (616) 363-1530
May 03, 2005
"Cloud Climbing"
the eternal search
Mixed media on paper, 2005, 10" x 10"
"Lost Footing"
"he felt like his feet had been knocked out from under him"
Mixed media on paper, 2005, 10" x 10"
Letter Series
Grouping of mixed media on clay tablets from the "Letter Series"
May 02, 2005
May On the Town
The May "On the Town" magazine with my cover art is on the streets of West Michigan, so pick one up..of course the printing doesnt look as good as this photo...but its newsprint so what can you expect? Still it's a good image for spring..if it ever gets here in Michigan..it was snowing again today!
"Muscle Worship"
silk screened images on terra cotta clay slab, 12" x 12"
May 01, 2005
Sketchblog Shares
A fantasy stock market for blogs called blogshares shows my Sketchblog at #64 and climbing on the top 100 incoming links. This is a list of the most valuable incoming links at the time OTHER blogs are indexed. It is indicative of FUTURE value not CURRENT value. Sketchblog stock is at $366.67 a share...I really dont know what any of this means but it was cool to be in the top 100 of something.