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I decided to buy some more art for my pad. Now, I'm not really a photography person, but I have been following Troy Paiva -- aka "Lost America" -- and his night photography for quite a while and decided to buy one or two of his prints. I love old signage of motels and desert scenes (I was so bummed the neon graveyard in Vegas was closed while there last) as well as bombed out looking buildings with glorious crown moldings, so I'm still trying to do decide. These are open edition prints made to order, so you can pretty much pick any image and get it...

Hmm, can't decide.

I'm starting a band, it is called Black Wolf Vietnam Fuck Mountain -- a name that is very now don't you think?
It is just me and a gal pal so far; anytime a chick band pops up people pay attention because it is oh-so rare you know. Especially a female bass player or drummer. But if you are a guy with a scuzzy half-grown beard, you can join too, and maybe write some songs about how you'd rather knit than get laid. Maybe you'd rather write songs about how you're actually sort of scared of girls, or how bummed you are the indie-tastic chick at Starbucks didn't give you as much foam on your latte this time because she's got her eye on the new bike messenger dude.

See, this band is already built and designed for a purpose from the get-go: to make it baby! You'll see us at CMJ and Pitchfork Fest in no time. All we need now are t-shirts with an 80s retro twist, and some limited edition cheap crappy CDRs to sell at shows; the hidden track can be the sounds of my air conditioner turning on and off, or my cat crying on loop, which ever.

My husband is going to be our manager, so already that creates "conflict" and tension when on tour which is what all young bands today need. His job as manager of course will be to buy our chicken sandwiches at Wendy's, and negotiate how much free beer we get at each venue for playing.

I don't know why I left Hollywood sometimes; I'd make a great junior VP hack at any network, Development chick, or reality show producer.

I rather like the few pieces of art I've been able to collect thus far, it is nothing like my own, and I do it sparingly because I hate clutter on my walls. I'd like to get my hands on several things really; I just wish I had a better income when working at a gallery in L.A., as it was a friggin' art history candy store of fashion illustrations, pop art, set designs, lithographs and etchings I would have enjoyed a bunch. I still kick myself for not grabbing an Albrecht Durer woodcut for $1200 (although it could have easily been a fake). Ah well, I have good taste and sucky finances. So besides my own crap, I thought people would like to see the stuff I have hanging around. This does not include rock posters however, these are just the originals and limited edition fine art prints. Click on each photo for the description...

these photos have nothing to do with art really, I just thought they were funny because my friend Veronica took some on Saturday; the vintage Seventeen Magazines are a constant source of entertainment and the new Sabertooth Tiger skull on my coffee table is really fun...

Turning 30 was not so fun. Well it still isn't fun, as I find I am particularly uninspired for the time being and put away all my art supplies for a while. I'm the gal that cried when she turned 22, so yes -- I am that depressed about it. On my birthday, husband asked if I wanted to go hit Heavy Metal karaoke night. My response was something like, "but people might say I'm too old for a chick to be in a place like that and they'll laugh at me". I had a little party with friends, and as I dressed for it, I realized I looked like one of those Telemundo M.I.L.F. women who host the "news". Big hair, leopard print everything, and spike heels (which were quickly changed into something more mild). All I was missing were the hoop earrings and the French manicure accented with diamond tennis bracelets. Christ. I always had a fear of being one of those vulgar women that tries too hard to act younger than she is; granted part of me will always be vulgar in different ways -- it is just who I am. At least I've now made peace with certain aspects of my personality; thank God I surround myself with friends who either compliment these aspects, or are just really forgiving...perhaps entertained even.

So I've reached a point of panic as it were. I got marriage out of the way; am never having kids; don't need to think about climbing the corporate ladder; so then what really? My choices popping in my head were things like getting another tattoo; buying a motorcycle; giving up art; starting a gallery; going crazy Vanishing Point style; getting a Master's degree; moving to another state yet again; or buying property. Well, I have made some appointments to look at condos -- yes I may actually tie myself to one location -- so it is kind of scary but I figured I'm at a point where I should own some real estate and it happened that hubster got a promotion this week. What I'll do for a down payment is another matter, but when a mortgage is less than my current rent, it only makes sense to try. Suburbia here I come!

Shows and stuff on the eastern front...

June 13th - Jul 5th: Artspace Member's Group Show @ Wooltex Gallery in Cleveland, Ohio. Gallery hours, 11am-3pm Wednesday - Saturday.

June 20th: Group show @ Artery 717 in Alexandria, VA. Live portrait painting by Emma O'Rourke of the Corcoran College -Auctioned work benefiting Children's Hospital Foundation. Reception 7pm-11pm

June 30th: "Ladies First" travels to Crybaby Gallery, Asbury Park, NJ.
Opening Night is Saturday July 12th from 7:30pm onward.

Jul 11- Aug 14th: “Identity Theft: Is Comic Book Art Really ‘Fine’ Art ?” @ The Mill Gallery, Guilford CT. This exhibition will include comic books and graphic novels renowned for their social commentary as well as more familiar examples. I hear Storm Troopers will be on hand opening night. Curator: Chris Uminga Opening Reception: July 11, 5-7 PM

Here's my piece for the comic show...

Vampirella framed

Wow, I really don't know where to begin on this whole crazy weekend to Michigan. What started out as just a trip to Grand Rapids for a 5k turned into a beer fest of sorts. I'm glad I stuck to my new little program of "smart drinking" where I can enjoy many beers and yet not get hungover at all. But that's a class I'll teach someday. Anyways, be sure to click the photos below for descriptions.

At first on the way to Grand Rapids we stopped in Ann Arbor for lunch, remembering how expensive and overrated Zingermann's is now, we opted for a Whole Foods off the freeway. I was constantly worried about running into people I didn't want to see, and realized I just cannot move back there for whatever reason unless offered a job of $100,000 or more year. I like a certain level of "smug" but A2 has gotten out of control. Stops at Outlet Malls and such were had, and we checked into a rather nice Travelodge once outside Grand Rapids. My husband likes the bear a lot...

Stilllife

The Brian Diemer 5k was the next day, so we decided to drive around and find food in the downtown area as neither of us had ever been to Grand Rapids. I'd say it compares to Akron pretty much, but with a few nicer restaurants. Anyways, it was easy to spot where we'd be eating -- The Hop Cat -- mostly because the second I saw the sign my exact words were, "KITTY KITTY KITTY!" It was a damn fine place, with extensive beer list and really good food. Mister is still talking about that "Killer Mac and Cheese"...

Hopcat4

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Next morning was the 5k race in Cutlerville outside of Grand Rapids. Cute little town, with cute simple people -- tractors and all. My man ran 16:57, and was told he won a donut since he actually caught up to Diemer -- the former Olympic bronze winner. Friends Stephen and Jennifer came up to watch the race, but before the donut could be had and awards, a parade was to take place. Let me just say this was the slowest parade ever. We realized it was because all the floats and cars were actually stopping at a red light each time. Plans had been made for the 4 of us to meet up at Founder's Brewery, so it was a toss up, wait for the donut or get some damn beer. After waiting an hour for the parade to end, the beer won out. It was an amusing parade though...

It was time to hit Founder's, baby. We had been looking forward to it for quite some time and it was a beautiful space. The only problem? The staff, well, they were pretty un-attentive considering there was practically no one in the place. So I'd say, great beers and environment, bad service and a weak jukebox. Still we plan on going back next year...

We really lucked out on the weather the whole trip, and later that day drove down to Kalamazoo to meet up with another friend of my husband, and to hit the Bell's Brewery. After a short nap at a Hawthorne Suites (dude, those tempurpedic mattresses are so amazing!) we were picked up by my husband's pal the "Coach". The Coach took us for a small dinner, we walked around quite a bit around downtown, and then arrived at the amazing and beautiful Bell's Brewery...

Now, after these photos essentially is when things got interesting; interesting in that we decided to go to a few more places and it was graduation weekend. While I adhered to my "smart drinking" program, others didn't, and the results were both hilarious and sometimes iffy. I don't like not knowing where I am, being led around by drunkies, and when testosterone levels of college boys drinking gets out of control and weirdos in cars are offering up free cocaine, I sober up quickly -- especially on foot wandering dark streets in a rain storm. I won't get into all the details, but in the end, we were in a way "rescued" by some college students at their home when the Coach brought us up to their house hidden in the woods. I'll give you a rundown of various quotes from all of us at one point or another, it should give you an idea of how the night went:

"if your path isn't righteous, your destination is gonna be crap"
"I'm trying to be the sensible drunk", "if you were, you'd be telling us to drink more!"
"your purple tiger stripes are beautiful, I want my children to have purple tiger stripes...just. like. you"
"we need 3 more bars, and some Gin and Tonics"
"I think we need a cab"
"I don't think there should be women drivers"
"We should leave, because there's gonna be a fight, and I think you might get in the way"
"We can cut in line, they won't beat us up because you ran under 17 minutes today"
"It looks spooky that direction, and there's some cops, and a domestic violence dispute"
"it is a 2 mile walk...okay no, 50 meters"
"you are vegetarian and run 3 miles a day, you don't have gout", "no, I'm pretty sure I have gout"
"Alright you monkeys, I'm in charge now and we're walking this direction!"
"Bella Vendetta, Bella Vendetta, Bella Vendetta...have a granola bar"
"I'm cranky, I'm sobering up, and it is raining on me -- I hate Michigan"
"I'm taking you to Appalachia, Appalachia in Kalamazoo"
"Be careful, the neighbor wears jeans, and has only one eye"
"Are you guys okay? Do you need coffee? A sandwich? Vegan gummy bears?"
"I want peanut butter, and popcorn...I want a peanut butter and popcorn sandwich"

Yeah. So that was our trip. Not bad for 2 days in Michigan to attend a 5k race, huh?

THE SECOND ANNUAL ARTSPACE MEMBER SHOW
@ Wooltex Gallery at Tower Press
1900 Superior Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44114

June 13 ~ July 5, 2008
Opening Reception:  Friday, June 13, 2008 (5:30-8:30pm.)
Gallery Hours:  Wednesday - Saturday 11:00am – 3:00pm

Artists:
Pamela Dodds - Mike Zellers - Bridget Ginley - Ed Parker - Mallorie Freeman - Gina DiSantis - Arabella Proffer - Rob Romeo - Debra Rosen - Todd Pownell - Liz Maughans - Tim Bannock - Anne Kibbe - Michael Greenwald - Charmain Spencer - Pete McDonald - Abby Maier - Keith Berr - Linda Barbaric - Cindy Parrish - Barbara Breen - Stephanie Milner - William Gould

I'll have 3 pieces in it.

Nice write-up about my Switchblade Sue series. Go buy those girls! I need gas money honey.

Over the weekend was the Wilmington Skate Project benefit art show. Go take a looky if you are in the Philly/DE area...

WSP_Art_Show_flyer_2008

I'm working on a comic book character tribute for a show coming up next month. Can you guess who it might be based on this?

Boobies

I made a new drawing of horses, because they rock; also went and got my super limited edition 11x14" giclees done of "Varcua, Duchess of Scovelica". Please email me for details. Here's some pictures of that whole shebang...

Saturday was the "Ladies First" group show out in Chicago. I normally don't do 24 hour trips, but I wanted to at least attend something out of all these shows this summer that are out of town. I also had to bring replacement art for the paintings that are still somewhere in transit (please let them be unharmed Jeebus!).

I awoke at 5:30am (Milkshake's idea not mine) and was making some strange food choices along the way. By the time we got into Chicago I was bleary eyed to say the least. The one great part of this trip was our discovery of a super pornotastic Rodeway Inn about 30 minutes away. I seriously felt guilty for either not throwing a party, or shooting a dirty movie. In fact I think the front desk people assumed we would do both; we were not far off Route 66 and as we walked in, "is there a concert in town? Everyone is all rock n roll checking today!" I should have invited the biker rally people over, what do I need 3 couches for? The tub was awesome.

The one photo cut off my awesome shoes -- they matched the sign. I couldn't decide what shoes to wear so I brought just a few things really.

Shoe Selection

Anyhow, here's some shots from the show.

Gallery owner David van Alphen does these kick-ass works....

70s Fun

Ladies6

You can get the full image view and details on the works here. It was a cute show, I felt bad I was so totally faded and wacked out on Canadian Coke (yes it is different than US Coke). I hadn't eaten yet, so my husband's pal John came by the show and took us out a bit. We went to a great bar called The Map Room with a very extensive beer list (too bad I was too tired to really experiment beyond Framboise), and to a place that used to be a speakeasy and had underground tunnels still.

Ben & John

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John Barleycorn was a little over hyped for my taste, I like the taxidermy, but the whole area around Lincoln Park was just a meat market. All the men looked the same with too much hair gel and dorky polo shirts, and all the women were wearing blouses that made them look pregnant. Something much like this. Along the street it was cool though, they were filming a period movie and all the storefronts has false 1930s looking ones. My camera sucks in low light, but you get the idea.

The next morning we just decided to head home instead of hitting Weiner's Circle or anything else for that matter. There were many problems along the trip just logistical and communication and such. I think it finally ended when we stopped at an Outlet Mall -- which we never do -- and Mr. locked the keys in the car with the car still running! After momentary freak outs and realizing my cell phone is useless in an emergency, a good 'ole phone book came in handy at the Levi's store. $60 and 20 minutes later it was fine, and I got my hot new jeans. That was the important part you know. Point is: we went, we saw, I can't remember much but had awesome shoes, and we made it home in one piece.
Stay tuned for more from Columbus, Grand Rapids, and Kalamazoo. I only travel to the most fabulous destinations you know.