I got back from Las Vegas Friday morning. It turned out to be a less then smooth trip. Turns out it was NBA All-Star weekend, which drew a large crowd, around 250,000 extra visitors many of whom were rude and obnoxious, and dangerous. There were 3 shootings while we were there, one in the MGM Grand parking lot, and an additional 350 arrest that weekend. The entire Las Vegas strip was rather disgusting.
Since I started posting 'in progress' pics of my works, I have to say that I haven't gotten much more comfortable with it. The problem I have, is because I concentrate on one small area at a time, to the point that it may look finished, I think a lot of people will think a certain section is finished, when I know it's not. So I hope that's not the case and you all reserve judgement and critiques 'til I unveil the completed work.
If you live on the west coast, especially in Sacremento, San Francisco, Seattle, or Palms Springs, pick up a copy of MGW News Magazine, it's free! The new issue that comes out on Monday has an article on the release of my book "Summer Moved On", and a short interview with me.
For the third year in a row Edward and I are headed to Las Vegas. He attends a conference and I tag along. It's a nice getaway but since we are not gamblers and we've been there 2 years in a row if we had to choose we'd pick somewhere else. But that is where the conference is and that is where we go. I take the opportunity to make it a business trip for myself as well.
Here in Massachusetts we are experiencing our first real snow fall of the season. Every time a bit of snow is forecast it's really quite entertaining. Whenever there is a slight change in the weather, the people here shrug and say "well, that's New England". So it's so bizarre seeing people react as if it has never snowed here before. Perhaps because I come from upstate New York, 60 miles south of Montreal, where people just dealt with the cold and snow that I find the people here so comical. Here in Massachusetts just a mention of snow in the forecast and schools and businesses announce closures the day before. This is not North Carolina folks, as they say, "this is New England!"
The vile former Governor of Massachusetts, Mit Romney, or as I like to call him, 'Monster Head', has announced his run for the Presidency. I really, really dislike him. Admittedly I disagree with the twisted beliefs of most political conservatives, since for the most part they go against the principals of America, (equality, freedom, liberty and justice for ALL). But even so, they generally truly believe in their own misguided notions.
Once I reach a point with the faces, even if I am not 100% done with them, I start to fill in other areas. I've found it helps substantiate what I've already done.
It appears that there will be no annual NYC Erotic Art Fair hosted by the Tom of Finland Foundation this spring. The annual event which takes place about a week before Memorial Day each spring in New York won't be held this year. As a venue for many artists to promote their work the fair will be missed by many. I had planned to attend this year, having missed last years. A similar fair is held each October in LA.
One component of this commission is to incorporate a few traits of the buyers into the subjects. I am not rendering likenesses but just some basic features, such as eye, hair and skin color. Little flourishes that will connect them to the piece. At the same time there are certain expressions and a look I want the faces to have.
It's obvious that she had some quality that caused public fascination. It was evident in Anna Nicole Smith's life and seems even more so in her untimely death.1982, "Don't You Want Me" - Human League
My latest piece is a commission that I've accepted. I get inquiries from time to time, and it depends on the details of the project whether I take it on. It might seem snobbish or elitist but the project has to appeal to me in some way, otherwise I won't enjoy it and the result will reflect that. I'd rather pass up a job than do something I won't be proud of or the client won't be happy with.
Tomorrow finally marks the return of "Lost". At one time my favorite show. After so many plot twists that have gone nowhere, countless re-cap episodes and a couple months since a new episode... does anyone really care anymore?
For a couple weeks the Cartoon network has placed LED ads throughout various cities in the The response by authorities cost millions of dollars in police and bomb squad over time and snarled traffic for hours. The city officials are seeking to press charges and recoup the money they wasted from the perpetrators of the ad campaign.
It seems that the expense and hysteria was cause by the overreaction of the authorities. After all these ‘lite brite’ signs were in place for some time and in other cities without panic breaking out. I would think that placement of an actual bomb and an advertisement would be on the opposite ends of the spectrum. The bomb would be hidden or disguised in some way; the ad would be placed in a highly visible location. Also there are a lot of items with wires and batteries, I am not expert but don’t bombs also need an explosive agent? Looking at the picture...uhm...even to me that doesn't look like a bomb. If these were so suspicious looking why did they not cause a ruckus when they first appeared or in any of the other cities they were in?
Have we become so paranoid?
The wise Winston Churchill said “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”. I think it's time to step back and take a deep breath.
