Diagnosis: Post Pastel Depression?

so... I've noticed that I typically have a day or two of the 'blahs' after finishing a piece. I just feel depressed. I've never been really sure why. I've thought that it might have something to do with releasing a new illustration and not having it sell right away. There was a time when my new pieces would sell within a day or even hours after release. That was nice but it also made me aware that I was underpricing my work. Now things are more balanced, but maybe the hopes that someone will immediately snatch up my newest creation is still with me and I get the blues when it doesn't happen.

But now I don't think that theory is correct. Today I've found myself feeling down again, and I haven't even released a new work... but, I did just finish one. I've been working on pieces that I am saving to debut at my upcoming show in July. So I think my depression has more to do with finishing a painting than it does with not selling one. I guess it's a reaction to the end of something, like the end of a relationship, end of a vacation, just the feeling of loss. When I am working on a picture, part of myself is there, in that world I am creating. Then suddenly it's done, it's over, I leave it behind. I'm back to reality and I don't have that place to escape to anymore.

Time to create a new world to step into.

My Work & Playlist: April 25, 2008

1. "A Love Thing" - Stonebridge (Weeks at #1 - 1)
   
2. "Money" - Daggers
3. "Beautiful (Hex Hector's Vocal Mix)" - Taylor Dayne
4. "Piece of Me (Vasquez & Viscious Radio Edit)" - Britney Spears
5. "Cheap and Cheerful" - The Kills
6. "Keep on Rising" - Ian Carey ft. Michelle Shellers
7. "Golden Heart (GRN Golden Glow Remix)" - Erasure
8. "Like A Drug" - Kylie Minogue
9. "Loaded" - Seal
10. "Because I Love You" - September

Flashback 1987: The Box "Closer Together"

This was one of my favorite songs from the summer of 1987. I don't think it was a hit and probably not even released in the US. Growing up 30 miles from Canada, I got to listen to CKMF and CKOI the 2 big French stations in Montreal that played a whole slew of French and English songs I wouldn't have ever heard otherwise.

Pentagon Caught Using Propaganda to Promote War for Contractor Profits

Sign the petition at http://freepress.net

Bush and the Republican administration urinating on America again.

CLAW - Leather Weekend and Art Exhibit

If you're in the Cleveland Ohio area this coming weekend, check out CLAW. Though I got asked on short noticed, I sent off a few pieces for the BD/SM Erotic Art Show that is part of the event. The show runs from April 24-27th. For more info visit: http://www.clawinfo.org/

My Work & Playlist: April 18, 2008

1. "Money" - Daggers [Weeks at #1 -5]
   
2. "A Love Thing" - Stonebridge
3. "Piece of Me (Vasquez & Viscious Radio Edit)" - Britney Spears
4. "Beautiful (Hex Hector's Vocal Mix)" - Taylor Dayne
5. "Funplex" - The B-52's
6. "4 Minutes" - Madonna & Justin Timberlake
7. "Loaded" - Seal
8. "Golden Heart (GRN Golden Glow Remix)" - Erasure
9. "Like A Drug" - Kylie Minogue
10. "Cheap and Cheerful" - The Kills

Sponser me in the MS Challege Walk

I find it hard asking someone to make a donation. I guess we all do.

My good friend Jenny was diagnosed with MS a few years ago. She’s fun, good natured and love’s ballroom dancing! (You go girl!) She’s got a team, aptly called “Keep on Dancing” that will take part in the MS Challenge Walk, a 3-day, 50-mile walk this September. Edward and I have joined the team and will be walking alongside Jenny. Along with walking we are raising money for research so Jenny and hundreds of thousands of others can ‘keep on dancing’.

You can help me reach my fundraising goal of $1500 by sponsoring me in the MS Challenge Walk. This is not a per mile pledge, just a simple flat out donation. Any amount, big or small ($5, $25, $100, whatever you choose) is greatly appreciated.

Donate to MS Challenge Walk.

Having multiple sclerosis means that you may suddenly have blurry vision. your memory will fail you for no apparent reason, or you may not always be able to walk. MS researchers have made remarkable advances these last few years searching for a cure. Your contribution will help support these vital efforts.

Thank you,

Michael

New Work: "Closer To God"

As a young Catholic boy, my first lessons in religion were that God was about love and compassion and being a good person. By adolescence I discovered that just because I was gay, the Church would never see me as a good person, would deny me of love, and would show me no compassion. To me this wasn't what God was about. I learned then God and religion are two different things. It’s not following rules written and preached by men, it’s simply having love, compassion and being a good person that puts you Closer to God.


The original of Closer to God as well as 3 different print sizes (including full size Gallery prints and signed and numbered limited editions) are available. Visit my website www.breyette.com for purchasing and more details. During the 'Day of Issue Sale' they are 20% off, that's $500 off the original. This special offer ends around midnight Midnight (EST) April 11th, 2008. Framing is also available.

The issue of growing up Catholic and being gay, turning away from a religion who's leaders pass judgment and preach being gay as immoral despite a Lord that says "Love one another", is one that I've wanted to deal with in one of my works for years, but never quite knew how to capture that. I found new focus & motivation for the piece because Pope Benedict's recent praise of states that passed marriage discrimination laws and his upcoming visit to the US this month. I figured if he is coming here then I am going there (at least with my artwork). I chose St. Peter's Basilica as the setting for my couple to show that gender is inconsequential for souls who find love.

About McCain...Pass it on.

10 things you should know about John McCain (but probably don't):

1. John McCain voted against establishing a national holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Now he says his position has "evolved," yet he's continued to oppose key civil rights laws.
2. According to Bloomberg News, McCain is more hawkish than Bush on Iraq, Russia and China. Conservative columnist Pat Buchanan says McCain "will make Cheney look like Gandhi."
3. His reputation is built on his opposition to torture, but McCain voted against a bill to ban waterboarding, and then applauded President Bush for vetoing that ban.³
   
4. McCain opposes a woman's right to choose. He said, "I do not support Roe versus Wade. It should be overturned."
5. The Children's Defense Fund rated McCain as the worst senator in Congress for children. He voted against the children's health care bill last year, then defended Bush's veto of the bill.⁵
6. He's one of the richest people in a Senate filled with millionaires. The Associated Press reports he and his wife own at least eight homes! Yet McCain says the solution to the housing crisis is for people facing foreclosure to get a "second job" and skip their vacations.
7. Many of McCain's fellow Republican senators say he's too reckless to be commander in chief. One Republican senator said: "The thought of his being president sends a cold chill down my spine. He's erratic. He's hotheaded. He loses his temper and he worries me."
8. McCain talks a lot about taking on special interests, but his campaign manager and top advisers are actually lobbyists. The government watchdog group Public Citizen says McCain has 59 lobbyists raising money for his campaign, more than any of the other presidential candidates.
9. McCain has sought closer ties to the extreme religious right in recent years. The pastor McCain calls his "spiritual guide," Rod Parsley, believes America's founding mission is to destroy Islam, which he calls a "false religion." McCain sought the political support of right-wing preacher John Hagee, who believes Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment for gay rights and called the Catholic Church "the Antichrist" and a "false cult."
10. He positions himself as pro-environment, but he scored a 0—yes, zero—from the League of Conservation Voters last year.

From MoveOn.org http://pol.moveon.org/mccain10/email.html?rc=homepage

Crescendo!

An annual Gala Celebration & Auction benefiting the Boston Gay Men's Chorus

Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 7:00pm
The Roxy Ballroom
279 Tremont Street, Boston

A fun and festive celebration and auction (I've donated a framed Limited Edition Gallery Print of Afterglow) benefiting the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus. Crescendo adds your voice to our mission of creating a more tolerant society through the power of music.

Join 500 BGMC friends at The Roxy Ballroom, for cocktails, Crescendo’s distinctive live and silent auctions, a sumptuous dessert buffet and entertainment by the Midwestern maven of comedy, Miss Richfield 1981.

More Info. Buy Tickets.

Work & Playlist: April 4, 2008

1. "Money" - Daggers [Weeks at #1 - 3]
   
2. "Funplex" - The B-52's
3. "Piece of Me (Vasquez & Viscious Radio Edit)" - Britney Spears
4. "A Love Thing" - Stonebridge
5. "Fancy Footwork" - Chromeo
6. "Love it When You Call" - The Feeling
7. "4 Minutes" - Madonna & Justin Timberlake
8. "Rise Up (ft. Jaba)" - Yves LaRock
9. "The Valley" - Duran Duran
10. "Let Go (Single Edit)" - Paul van Dyk (ft. Rea Garvey)

Green indicates songs new to the top 10 list. Song links will take you to the iTunes store.

This is simply a (partial) list of my favorite songs of the week that get me going and keep me motivated.

On The Drawing Board: An Interior Motive

Though I wanted to continue working on the figures, I thought it best if I got the background underway. The concept for this piece is one I've had for sometime, and it's always been the challenge of the ornate interior that's kept me from moving forward with it. So rather than save it for the end I wanted to get to work figuring out how I was going to tackle it.

Mama Mia - Trailer

Art of the Month: Rainstorm

Rain. We curse and avoid it, either staying indoors or shielding ourselves with umbrellas and coats. But in the right setting, it can be so beautiful: a city street at night, bathed in the silver of falling rain, car lights glowing in the mist, the patter as it hits the sidewalk. If you dare to venture into it, you'll feel each droplet exploding on your body, the rivulets trickling down your torso as your clothing clings fast to your skin.

Being the month notorious for rain, I selected Rainstorm as my art of the month for April.

Now through the 30th, all prints and magnets featuring Rainstorm are 15% off at my gallery site, www.breyette.com. In addition ALL Gallery Prints including Rainstorm are 20% until April 15th.

2008 New England International Erotic Art Festival

The Erotic Art Festival returns to Provincetown, MA June 6-8, 2008. The work of many artists will be on display and available. I am not sure I will be in attendance but I plan to submit three originals in the show. In addition to paintings, drawings and sculpture the festival has a film and performance art category. An erotic fashion show is planned. Last year they had a condom modeling segment. I don't know if that will be repeated...