White Christmas

Atlanta experienced it's first "White Christmas" since 1882, on that day 128 years ago, a third of an inch of snow was recorded, yesterday we got over an inch. OK... that's not a lot but we can't be too picky here, besides, it was fantastic to watch it fall out the window while making dinner. See you next year folks.

Art Reviews And Christmas Trees

Atlanta's cultural sage and "wise man", Jerry Cullum, has a fine review of my current show at TEW, read it here at ArtsCriticATL.com. Art blogs have filled the gap left by the major newspaper's decreased coverage, (was it ever that much?). These bloggers' (see toolbar on right) thankless job is much appreciated by those of us out here making the stuff. Early in my career I believed a good review would propel me to stardom and riches but I quickly realized that tastes could not be swayed by words, art's too much a personal choice for that.

That cute kitty introduced in my video, is wrecking havoc on our Holiday decorations. Last year our extra large Christmas tree tipped over, breaking most of the ornaments collected over the years, now this little terror. It's hard to be angry though when it's so entertaining to watch.

Dali In Atlanta

When I was 13, I received for Christmas a paperback book about Salvador Dali, it was my first "art book", not much text but great full color illustrations. Up until then my artistic output consisted of still-life and landscape themes, with an occasional copy of an album cover or Mad magazine character. This book changed everything, how?, It sounds simple now, but at the time it never occurred to me, "I could make things up", art didn't have to reflect the outside world, concept trumped copying. I was hooked, still am.

Most artists I know have been through a "Dali is a fraud" phase (mine lasted from 1979 to1991, those prints!). If you are still in yours, get to the High Museum in Atlanta before Jan. 9th 2011, it just might change your mind.

Photo by Laura Watson, Creative Loafing

TEW Galleries Opening

"Qu'ils mangent de la brioche"

Last night was my opening at TEW and...yes, I baked 2 Red Velvet cakes for the patrons. My painting of said cake was on display and at the preview party Thursday evening, everyone I talked to made a comment or told a story that featured this dessert. So..why not bring the real thing. As the artist at a show I am always asked "What does it (painting) mean", but what I enjoy is hearing their thoughts, and sometimes they will offer insights that go way beyond what I had in mind.
How was 'biz"...well it's not 1998 or even 2008, the Atlanta market is very cautious these days, looking longer before making a choice, come on, hop off the fence, its ok.


Some of my ole college buds were in town for the SEC Championship game (Go Cocks!) and stopped by the show, haven't seen some of these knuckleheads in 30 years, what a nice surprise, (please, no collect calls from lock-up guys).
Left to right: "Tall Ted","Squeege", "Sal", "Cig"(me, don't ask), "G-helmet Do"

The Good Stuff

So... this is what happens when an art dealer discovers the "Flip" video camera and Apple's iMovie software.

Timothy and I shot over 3 hours of interviews and "action" scenes, all to be whittled down to a 12 minute film. At first I tried to get involved in the decision making process; what to film or cut, what music to use, etc. but I quickly backed away, let him have fun. This was going to be his interpretation of what I do and am, which is always the case, whether its a critic writing a review or an author doing an article. The message gets spun as it leaves its source.

I did film all the scenery footage, holding the camera in one hand while riding my bike around the neighborhood, uhh...not safe, glad my health insurance was current. "The Good Stuff", where does that title come from?, watch it to the end. I just want to know...do I really talk like that? Yikes!

Watch the video here.

This Little Piggy Went To Market

This will probably be the last painting to be included in my December exhibition at Tew Galleries, finished last week, it was the culmination of a process that started over a year ago. 365 days, that's about what it takes for me to create a new body of work for a show. Kind of daunting when you look at it that way, which is why I don't, to me its just a chunk out of a long line, a line that will continue next week when I start my next painting.

I brought 10 paintings to the gallery yesterday, they needed to go to the framer, who happened to be there at the time. I watched as they discussed moulding choices (an artist really shouldn't witness this process). I had to step back and let the march to the market begin, my job was done.

Above: The Piglet oil panel 16x14 2010
Below: Tim, Corky and Rannel (center) a framing wizard.
I mentioned in an earlier post about filming a promotional video for my show, watch a short intro here, more next time.

The Sky Is Falling And Other Madness

I put this painting into my "pictorial pun-puzzle" category, (a companion piece to my blog header above, it would be fun to do a set of these, hmm..). It started as just a man holding a sign with a cloud backdrop, but during the drawing phase I just kept adding things. First a chicken, then a briefcase with mini clouds, the costume is old-timey how bout a wood sidewalk, it needs an ocean for more depth, put it in. I had an Abe Lincoln beard on my man but painted it out, thought it was too much. What does it mean?...a comment on climate change?...a response to all the election hysteria this past month?..take your pick, I just enjoyed painting it.


If you are curious about what the art biz is really like, check out Jim Kempner's (NYC art dealer, above) web series, "The Madness Of Art". Even though its lighthearted, clever and funny, each short episode holds more truth than most of us would like to admit.

Above: The Sky Is Falling 16x14 (22x20 fr) oil on panel, 2010