poorworm

I saw this on my walk today. Stuck in a crevasse between two blocks of sidewalk. Had lunch with a friend and then looked at local art galleries. Amazing work in several spaces, some good chatting with art people. But I really loved this little pepper. The color and shape, the granular concrete of the sidewalk. It is working for me. Returned from the latest residency in Boston almost two weeks ago, still processing, getting ready for an audition of a live performance piece. Life is creative…

Here’s a couple of the latest Antler Pictures…from the end of 2009 and beginning of 2010.

A Glimpse of the Acorn

I Can Hear Your Poetry

I visited Whiting Tennis and his studio on Sat Nov 21^st, 2009. He has a wonderful home in the Ballard/Crown Hill area of Seattle. His décor is sparse and kitsch and the wood paneling suits it all. Just going through the foyer, the kitchen and then into the studio there seemed to be orbits of wonder circling Whiting Tennis’s space. While his home is active with wonderful items to look at, the studio is stunningly filled with drawings, objects, sculptures, old signs and crazed bits of wood. Whiting showed me several parts of projects and I became mesmerized at his focus and ability to translate his doodles into 3-dimensional visions. We talked about art making and art viewing and how sometimes when you see work that is really good, that touches you inside and sticks, you just have to go back to your studio and create. Seeing a Philip Guston exhibit in New York at The Metropolitan Museum of Art,  he couldn’t make it through the entire show the first time through because he was compelled to return to his studio and work. Eventually he did return to see the show in its entirety. In a way that’s how I feel about Whiting’s work. He reminds me of the wonders of using your hands in art, of actually making stuff and getting dirty. Being an on again off again musician too, I have to admit his music does the same thing for me. I saw him play music this past Thursday night at Vermillion, and was reminded of the same thing. Whether it’s his visual art or music, Whiting’s work inspires me to get in my studio or pick up my guitar and play. As I was leaving I noted the photo of Laura Palmer on the mantel; all the more revelatory upon the interesting planet of Whiting Tennis.

Whiting Tennis shows work with Greg Kucera Gallery in Seattle and Derek Eller in New York.

to see more studio images, check the side bar on the right.

This was a great interactive installation! With help in making the set from Cable Griffith and Jess Marie we made a large painting of a rendition of George Suerat’s La Grand Jatte, then using Tungsten lighting and added props people were invited to participate in the set. Very fun evening at the Kirkland Arts Center’s Redux Annual Auction. Thanks also to Amy-Ellen F. Trefsger for her assistance, Jason Hirata and Sol Hashemi for helping with some lighting issues, and Chris Weber for helping with lighting and being such a fabulous model. To see all the pictures click here: KAC Flickr page.

Yesterday I received in the mail a large box of family photos. I didn’t know it was coming, so what a grand surprise to hear a thud on my porch and open this box filled with flat lives. Photographs are so interesting…as Barthes states, “In this glum desert, suddenly a specific photograph reaches me; it animates me, and I animate it. So that is how I must name the attraction which makes it exist: an animation. The photograph itself is in no way animated (I do not believe in “lifelike” photographs), but it animates me: this is what creates every adventure.” from Camera Lucida pg. 20

here’s some of the Pirate Booty:

Gold!!!

Pretty sure my grandmother wrote this on the back

Share the Fun (old negatives too!!!)

It was a rather lonely Sunday on Nov. 15th, 2009 that I ended up walking over to the Hiawatha Artists Lofts to pay a visit to Claire Johnson. Her loft/studio is warm and cozy. We had tea and talked about donuts, portraits and landscapes. She uses a wonderfully rich color palette and her extreme highlight and shadow combinations translate well in all her work. Even in the donuts there appear to be mini landscapes. She also showed me her book collection that includes a few bibles. Claire is a member of SOIL and helps to organize the Erotic Arts Festival in Seattle. Thanks Claire for your time and generosity in sharing your space with me. More images on the side links.

A while ago I was going to post things that I confiscated from students…I posted a few and then it waned. Until today. I have to admit though, it wasn’t a true confiscation. A splendid young lad named Nigel told me today about the MAGIC PEN CAP! He says to me, “I Have a magic pen cap.” I reply, “And what makes it magic?” “Well, when you drop it on the ground, it shows which direction you need to go.” “Really, well let’s see this Nigel.” he proceeds to drop the simple black pen cap on the ground and then states, “See, it’s pointing in that direction, so I am supposed to go that way.” He then walks a few steps and does the same thing until he goes out into the hall way. This is all during passing time just before 6th period. A minute or so passes and he comes back in the classroom, “Where did it lead you?”I ask,”Well it was leading me into Ms. Aliverti’s room, but I decided to come back.” “Can I have the cap Nigel?” “Why you can do it with any pen cap,” he lets me know with point blank seriousness. “But I want that one.” “Fine,” he says, “I can just use another one.” (btw, I didn’t ask for it because he was being disruptive, i just wanted it :0)

AND BEHOLD BELOW…THE MAGIC PEN CAP!

p.s. the cap has been loaned out to Flatchestedmama for some positive vibes in direction.

On saturday in late October 2009, Halloween to be exact, a few friends and I made a studio visit to Joey Veltkamp’s space at Seattle University. He’s the artist in residence and is doing amazing work along with organizing an Artist’s Salon series. We had some interesting talks about the “Pre-Why” and the “Post-Why” concerning why artists do what they do. Much of the time we are in the process, inspired, creating, and perhaps completely unaware about the “Why” we are doing what we are doing. Or the “Why” might be because we saw something or heard something, and then something else went “click.” Then later, when we have to add context to it, the “Pre-Why” might end up different when we add fancy language to what we do. Does that makes sense? I love the bunny…

photos taken through windows with my cell phone at work. then e-mail them to myself, then post to blog. No hard copy, all digital, windows on a screen(window) delivered to a screen(window) and then put back on a screen(window) and seen through a screen(window)

From the Stairs at work 11.06.09

From the Ladies Bathroom at work 11.06.09

• Start playing golf. - lots of business takes place on golf courses
• Purchase a McDonald’s Franchise – Truly one of the most successful businesses in America
• Make a million of these and they’ll see like hot cakes! The Flats of Life…