News & Nonsense

• Tomorrow Massachusetts sales tax increases by 25%. The current economic stress has taken a toll on state budgets as well as well as Joe Q. Public's. Fortunately for the state they can simply solve their money woes by putting their burden on the shoulders of it's citizens.
• For the good of Alaska, Palin steps down as governor, can't argue with that. But, she felt the need to do a farwell tour...come on Sarah you're no Cher!
• My health insurance premium just increased by 38% over last year and more people everyday are being priced to death by the health care corporations. Rather than take action and work toward protecting the health and welfare of it's citizens congress has shrugged it's shoulders and is on (a surely well deserved) vacation for the month of August. Is it time for revolution yet?
• And with important issues (like health care) on the table, it's a good thing the 'news' media has focused attention and provided non stop daily coverage of the Professor Gates incident.
• Newsweek's cover story proclaims that the recession is apparently over. Yay!
• I just heard that the tired and tedious Saturday Night Live sketch MacGruber, that parodies 'MacGyver' is being turned into a movie. That news is actually funnier than that sketch usually is.

Artist unplugged

I am working on a new piece and really want to share my in progress pics, but the video card in my computer has died and my Internet access is limited to my phone. :-(

My Top 10 Work & Playlist, July 24, 2009

1. "The Girl and the Robot" - Röyksopp ft. Robyn
2. "Happiness" - Kristine W
3. "In for the Kill" - La Roux
4. "When Love Takes Over" - David Guetta Ft. Kelly Rowland
5. "Gone (Radio Edit)" - Lasgo
6. "All I Ever Wanted" - Basshunter
7. "All You Need is Me" - Morrissey
8. "Paparazzi" - Lady Gaga
9. "Good Girls Go Bad (Ft. Leighton Meester)" - Cobra Starship
10. "Infinity (Klaas Vocal Mix)" - Guru Josh Project

Perpetuum Jazzile - "Africa"

Perpetuum Jazzile is an a capella jazz choir from Slovenia performing the 1982 classic 'Africa'. The intro is an amazing audio creation of an African thunderstorm.
Thanks Ray B for sending this my way!

New Release #2: Bernard & Anthony

I don't often accept portrait style commissions, but I was approached by Bernard who wanted a piece done of him and Anthony. From our conversations it was obvious that he is a really sweet guy, and I think they both look amazing. He sent me a few snapshots, all he had, since their situation keeps them very far apart. He mentioned that the distance is taking a toll on them, and even if things don't work out, he wanted to do this, so that Anthony would know how much he loves him.

While the original is sold, limited edition Studio and open edition Portfolio prints are available for purchase at the Special First Day Price until Midnight ET tomorrow.

New Release #1: The Anniversary

Our lives, as with time, move constantly forward in a linear motion but it is in our nature to measure and record events, both the personal ones as well as the cosmic ones. As our world completes an orbit we commemorate a birth, a marriage, or even a kiss. Because we choose to acknowledge these specific dates it does not mean that the days in between are any less treasured. To the contrary, the days between are what make the Anniversary so very special.

I actually finished this piece back in May, but the customer wanted to surprise his boyfriend at my show in Provincetown. While the original is sold, limited edition Gallery and Studio prints are available for purchase at the Special First Day Price through Midnight ET tomorrow.

Massachusetts Health Insurance Plan: A Failure

In response to rising health care cost and a growing number of uninsured residents, Massachusetts, in 2006, came up with the less than brilliant solution - mandatory health insurance.

Sure it has decreased the number of uninsured people, because by state law they are now required to pay the bloodsucking insurance companies a monthly premium or face tax penalties. Any doubts that the corporations are running the show? They actually got the government to force 'free' citizens to buy their product. Not to mention it's a product that often fails you when you need it most.

Of course there was more to it than forcing it upon everyone, all sorts of programs were set up to 'assist' those who could not or barley afford it, and supposedly something was going to help control the rising costs.

As a self employed individual, I have the burden of obtaining my own health insurance, no discounted employer program is available to me. So last year I signed up for a plan and in order to come close to a monthly premium I could afford I ended up with something fairly limited with high co pays and deductibles.

A few weeks back, as my one year anniversary with this insurer approached, I was notified that the monthly premium for the policy I have (which meets the minimum requirements dictated by the state) is increasing by 19%. So this 'wonderful' health insurance solution, has failed miserable at controlling costs. A 19 % increase in ONE YEAR! At this rate my original premium will be doubled in 3 years. Meanwhile the insurance companies and health care industry are raking in millions, perhaps billions more by squeezing those who can barely afford it. I guess that explains why the hospitals around here have new sleek buildings with extravagant lobbies like ritzy Vegas resorts.

So with this increase looming I investigated these 'assistance' programs that say they will find you a policy you can afford or help you meet the premium to obtain minimum coverage. But, while my net taxable income falls within the range of eligibility for one of those 'assistance' programs, it was determined I was ineligible.

Perhaps instead I'll just pay the tax penalty, which seems to be about 1/3 of what I would pay for minimum health insurance, and put the difference in a savings account. Hopefully the fools in Washington can come up with something better than this half-assed Mass plan, but with the health industry being the biggest lobby in the country I'm not counting on it.

My Top 10 Work & Playlist, Friday July 17, 2009

1. "The Girl and the Robot" - Röyksopp ft. Robyn
2. "When Love Takes Over" - David Guetta Ft. Kelly Rowland
3. "Happiness" - Kristine W
4. "Sing (Pete Hammond Radio Edit)"- Wynonna
5. "Infinity (Klaas Vocal Mix)" - Guru Josh Project
6. "In for the Kill" - La Roux
7. "More Than a Dream" - Pet Shop Boys
8. "Paparazzi" - Lady Gaga
9. "Gone (Radio Edit)" - Lasgo
10. "Lay Me Down" - Cyndi Lauper

on the drawing board: exchanging gifts

This is an early shot of an upcoming release. I'd forgotten that I'd redone the guy in the foreground's face, but I do see why. I also see a few other changes I made since then.

Pics before and during

A few shots from before and during the reception for The Breathtaking Blue. Thanks to all who came! There was an even larger turnout than last year.

Opening Night!

One Day Away!

Just Two Days Away!

GM - General Motors or Gay Men?

When you're in a financial pickle what do you do? Get some gay bucks to lure in the gay bucks!

Three Days Until!

New Release: 'View from the Top'

Gentle caresses and the slow entwining of two bodies quickly accelerates with heated passion. Desire becomes frenetic as a touch becomes a grip, soft strokes turn into a pounding. Muscle strains against muscle as lovers tumble into new positions like naked wrestlers. For a moment the victor basks in his glory and gets to enjoy the view from the top. In the next match will he again be triumphant or will the top find himself on the bottom?

The original 'View from the Top' is on consignment with the Lyman-Eyer Gallery. While available for purchase, it must remain with the gallery through the end of my upcoming show, The Breathtaking Blue, July 10-22. Limited edition Gallery and Studio prints as well as open edition Portfolio prints are available for purchase at the First Day of Release Price through Midnight ET tomorrow.

Four More Days!

Only Five Days To Go!

Six Days!

Seven Days!

on the drawing board: dynamic duo

I know it's been a bit quiet here on the blog lately. I was spending a lot of time getting framing and things ready for my solo exhibit, and now am slowly getting back into the groove. My current piece is a commission and I just wanted to share the sketch. It's a portrait commission, and if you know me, that's not something I often do. But it just struck me right and felt it would be fun and interesting.