Collusion
Well, it’s been awhile. I can’t even remember the last time we spoke and that makes me a wee bit sad. But I know you were busy with the holidays and then you went nuts on NYE. Don’t deny it. I know you and it’s all good. Whoopa.
Joe and I have recently been putting together a podcast. Check it out here…. We mostly talk about music and music related occurrences. And deer. Midgets. Monkeys. That kinda thing. Let us know what you think.
Well I’ve been out putting a lot of paint on things recently. I even touched up a mural at a local Italian joint in town and might be getting to do some original mural work soon.
Where did we leave off? Fiasco? Are you serious?? Being without my laptop has its downsides. Chiefly that I can’t have uninterrupted internet access with which to build this site into the art machine that I would call Rainbow Destructo Omicron Man. It’ll happen.
But until then, I give you this. A sampling of photos of paintings and the corresponding dates they were birthed. Maybe I talk a little about each one. Maybe I do not do the talking. And maybe, just maybe, I use the heart-mind powers. I said it. Whoopa.
I had been set to paint for BBB on 11/17/07 in Jersey and then found out that the Natural Breakdown was playing at The Donegal Saloon in Kearny, NJ the night before. I love the Donegal. You have to understand this. I love it. They always treat me really well and every show I’ve seen there has been on point. I knew Natty B wouldn’t disappoint, so I shot them an email and they told me to bring it on. This painting, created on 11/16/07 has since been gifted to someone very special.
11/17/07: Painted to the Breadbox Band @ Mexicali Blues, Teaneck, NJ
This was a fun evening, despite there not being much of a crowd. Minus Dave Halchak, but with Naldi on lead guitar this time, the guys still put on a solid show. Ed from Scarecrow Collection stopped by and added his keys to duel with Jordan Simms for a few tunes, washing those attending in funky bliss. It was a bittersweet night for me. What can I say? I missed seeing Dave play and I guess I was grieving the change. But everything DOES change. Expands, contracts, sends small filament arms outward into ether, retracts, starts over.
But, of course, after the initial petulance about wanting to stay in my rut, I was happy for all of the guys. Everything is an opportunity and I look forward to hearing what each individual does next. I’m looking forward to seeing and potentially painting with Jordan and Dave later this year.
And I can only hope that my art is slowly transforming as I, myself, grow and change. Last year was triumphant, amazing, grueling, heart-breaking, exploratory, madness, discipline, ice storms, instances of manifestation, love, depression, elation, back to calm.
And I learned a lot, having embarked on this journey only a short time ago. Valuable lessons gleaned the hard way and a better understanding of how to be human in all endeavors. This started as a hobby and has become something that has given me new life. Granted, this past year, some things went wrong and I could’ve done better in some situations. But I have no regrets and am happy for having gained the wisdom and patience that healing brings. Perhaps, I think, this time I won’t make the same mistakes.
But I digress.
After BBB, I think the next show landed in December back at the Donegal with Buzz Universe. I don’t have any shots of that one, because the bar bought it, so I’m not sorry for you at all. Now you’re going to have to go there to see it and get served great beer while hearing great music. It sits alongside a piece done by Lisa, also. She’s an amazing painter from New Jersey whom I’ve gotten a chance to collaborate with on a few occasions.
From there I got wrapped up in the holiday season, trying to keep everything balanced (failed miserably, but I think because I wanted to). Got to spend time with the family and with Julia so for that, I was thankful.
Then it was on to NYE with U-Melt in NYC. They opened with Praise You by Fatboy Slim, which I thought was an appropriate nod to the audience and everyone involved with the production, the fans and everyone else about how far all of us had come together. It was a feeling of mutual respect and thanks. I wonder if that was just me.
U-Melt has matured remarkably over the years and they showcased a number of older tunes, along with some newer ones and some well place covers. The Seal cover of Crazy was absolutely perfect and I felt at that point that the universe was speaking directly to me, as it often does when I’m painting in this sort of setting.
They also played ART1 and ART2 which I believe was no coincidence and Red Star which has particular meaning to me.Here’s a pic of the painting from that night.
Painted live to U-Melt @ The Highline Ballroom, NYC, NY on 12/31/07-01/01/08.
Thanks again to Jason and U-Melt for allowing me to share that sacred, creative space. It always means a lot.
The new year brought some down time until just recently. FIASCO! 2 went down on 02/02/09 in Allentow, PA at Starters Riverport. Once again, the place had no idea what was about to hit it. The hoopers, fire-twirlers, DJs and painters descended in a flurry of creative expression which left a lot of people kind of impressed, I think.
02/02/08: Painted at Starters Riverport in Allentown, PA for FIASCO! 2
And finally, my birthday weekend…I jumped into the realm of my 30s this past Saturday on 02/09/08. My parents came up and treated Julia and myself to lunch which was really good and then we were off to Staunton for the Natural Breakdown show at Byer’s St. Bistro. We got there and the opening band kept telling me happy birthday between almost every song which I thought was hilarious.
Then Natty B hit the stage and I started painting. Om symbols and the Bee Day. So many things colluding at once…I’m just going to post it for now. Might comment on it later.
Much love to you guys out there. Let me know if there’s any new stuff you want prints of.
02/09/08: Painted to the Natural Breakdown @ Byer’s St. Bistro in Staunton, VA (with contributions by Fair Maiden Mcree and Shamus)
