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Archive for the ‘Video’ Category

Christmas Time

Posted in Favorite Things, Television, Video, tagged , , on November 28, 2008| 2 Comments »

I am a product of television and pop culture, having spent innumerable hours as a child glued to the tube.  It was in many ways a classroom where I picked up many details about the outside world that didn’t seem to exist in my world at the time.  That may be a sad commentary but luckily, when I was growing up, many shows had moral compasses and had lessons to teach through their humor.  Shows like The Andy Griffith Show come to mind.

Well, a great part of TV watching as a kid were the Christmas specials and since today marks the start of the season I thought I’d show a clip from one of my favorites, one that started when I was a kid and one that I try to catch every year.  Great music, great story and the greatest characters– It’s a Charlie Brown Christmas.

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Thanksgiving Appeal

Posted in Painting, Video, tagged , , , on November 26, 2008| Leave a Comment »

Seeking Imperfection 2001

Well, it’s Thanksgiving eve and I doubt I will be able to post tomorrow so I thought I’d put up a couple of things.  This is a piece from 2001 called Seeking Imperfection which was the title piece for my show that year at the Principle Gallery.  The solitary, windblown figure is only used a few times a year in my work and remains a favorite theme for me.  He is the seeker, the existential traveler, and he represents a lot of things to me.

I choose this piece to show because it kind of brings to mind the feelings raised when I think of Thanksgiving, beyond the pleasant ones of family and feast.  There is empathy for those whose lives are a struggle and there is remorse for not having done more to help others in need.  There’s regret for feeling sorry for myself at any point when it’s obvious that there are so many who suffer much more than I ever have.  But there is the hope that we can do more in the future and that some, maybe many, will be raised up from their suffering.

Below is a video of Steve Earle’s version of Tecumseh Valley, written by the late Townes Van Zandt.  It’s a sad, heart-breaking song but maybe it will serve as a reminder that on this day of thanks we need to truly appreciate the lives and blessings we have and should not forget or forsake those who have not been so fortunate.  With that in mind, give a listen then don’t forget to extend a hand.  Donate cash, food, clothes, or your time.  Just don’t turn a blind eye…

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After the Show- Pt. II

Posted in Video, tagged , , on November 24, 2008| Leave a Comment »

In the days after a show there is an inevitable letdown, a short time when it takes a few tries and more effort before normalcy returns and you start taking on tasks with full vigor.  I think this has to do with having been focused for a period of time on a specific goal, in this case the Haen Gallery show and suddenly that goal is gone and past.  So a new goal must be set and things that have been put aside in order to achieve the previous goal must be done.  

So I’m puttering around, prepping a few commission pieces and trying to rev my engine.  But it’s gray and damp outside and all the tunes that come on seem sad and bittersweet.  This is always how it feels after a show has passed for me.  Not good nor bad, just different.  Slower…

This song came on and seemed to fit the mood.  I looked for a video of it and sure enough, there it was.  This is I Never Really Cared For You by Willie Nelson, backed by Emmylou Harris.  Enjoy…

Note::   After I added this video, it was pulled from embedding which means it won’t show here on the page.  To see it on youtube, click here.

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Sunday Morning Music

Posted in At the Movies, Favorite Things, Uncategorized, Video, tagged on November 16, 2008| 1 Comment »

I wanted to leave the week with a little something other than painting.  I was going to have a clip of the great film, The Third Man, starring Joseph Cotten, Orson Welles and Trevor Howard.  While searching for a clip I came across this, the Crazy Rockers, an Indonesian rock band from the early 1960’s doing their version of the unmistakable title theme from the movie.  It’s pretty cool…

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Saturday Morning Roundup

Posted in Favorite Things, Influences, Recent Paintings, Video, tagged , on November 15, 2008| Leave a Comment »

Island of Hope

Well, it’s Saturday morning and I’m plugging away in the studio, finishing up the last details for my upcoming show at the Haen Gallery.  There’s always a sense of relief and gratification in finally having a show completed but those feelings are soon replaced by slightly shaky nerves.  You see, in the studio while the work is in process, the work is completely mine and in my control.  Once it leaves to go to galleries it changes and becomes something quite different, something new and out of my control.  It’s exciting in a way but there’s always that fear that people won’t see what I see in the work and they won’t connect with it.  All I can do, however, is put the work and myself out there and let the chips fall where they may.

The piece above is Island of Hope and is a 10″ by 30″ canvas.  I use the island often as a representation of a safe haven or a place that other aspire to from afar, a place of hope and desire.  I particularly like this piece , especially the feel and atmosphere of it.

Anyway, it is a Saturday morning and we all could use something to get away to.  Here’s a little classic Bob Dylan to help.  Enjoy!

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Ring of Fire

Posted in Favorite Things, Influences, Video, tagged , , , , on November 9, 2008| 2 Comments »

Just thought on a Sunday morning I would throw out a small bit of Johnny Cash, someone who I have unabashedly idolized for over forty years.  This song, though earlier in the decade, reminded me of Cash’s TV show of the late 60’s and the the incredibly diverse talent that would appear.  The very best of rock, pop, soul and country would show up every week.  It reminds me how our explosion of media access has separated everything into niches, neatly labeled and put apart.  As a kid living in the country, I remember being glued to my little radio, listening our local AM station, WENY, and hearing guys like Johnny Cash one minute then the next the Rolling Stones and after that the Doors then Otis Redding, all topped off by Frank Sinatra. Or maybe Barry Sadler singing “The Ballad of the Green Beret”.  Or the 1910 Fruitgum Company.   What great diversity!  And the funny thing is that it seemed to make complete sense, that the transition and flow from one song to another was not abrupt or shocking. It forced the young mind to find the common thread and grab it.  

This is not to condemn today or glorify yesterday.  Each is what they are.  Just a memory.  It’s Sunday, so relax and give a listen to the Man in Black.

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The Ballad of Tom Joad

Posted in Influences, Video, tagged , , on October 21, 2008| Leave a Comment »

I watch the film version of John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath” a couple of times a year in the studio and am always moved by this scene.  I think it fits well in this current environment.  I want a president who feels the pain and the longing for justice and equality of all the Tom Joads in this country, not one who only uses them in the form of “Joe the Plumber” to further his aspirations to a position where he can best serve his cronies.

To me, this is a scene that defines us as Americans, that speaks to our desire for fairness for all.  I could write on and on about it but none of my words would have the sheer beauty and strength of the original words.  Take a few minutes and take a look…

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Solitary Man

Posted in Influences, Video, tagged , , , on October 6, 2008| Leave a Comment »

This is a short film featuring some paintings I have done featuring a lone character that inhabits my world, often seen from a great distance.  It also features the song, “Solitary Man” from the late-great Johnny Cash, a hero of mine for over 40 years.  His “American” series is one of the great pieces of self-expression I’ve ever heard, seen or felt.  His was a truly unique voice in American music and he remains an influence…

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