Sometimes you feel like you want to paint. Sometimes, you have a really good idea in your head, and you're staring at the canvas, and you know exactly what you want to do, and it just doesn't want to happen. In that, you don't even want to pick up the brush. Kinda like wishing my eyes were some kind of laser printer and if I stared at it long enough, the image would just appear. Added to general business, that's how I've been feeling lately. I know what I WANT to paint, I'm just not feeling it.
I did finish two paintings and have a nice start on two more. I have two more canvases ready to go (little ones, to compliment one that's started), one I need to build and finish for a display at Hip Sips (more on that later) and two more blanks that are starting back at me.
Without further ado, here are the two finished:
The loose "theme" this month at Phoebe's is patriotic/political. I've been a bit pissed off, lately, about current events, so I decided to act on the political side of it. The first painting I've called "Lost Moon." It's the name of the original book Apollo 13 was based on. I love that movie. I'm sad we're not going back to the moon anytime soon, and it's a shame. This one is similar to that other moon painting I did, but with different colors and added clouds. It's spray paint and acrylic and reminds me of those nights when the moon is still rising and looks so large and golden colored in the sky.
The second one is tentatively called "The War." If I think of a name that fits better, I'll change it but for now, eh. It's VHS tape glued onto canvas, then spray painted, then little oil board stencil letters glued on. It says, "My generation had not seen war. You said we were soft. Happy now" I also just realized I forgot to put a question mark on the end...but there weren't any in the stencil package. I think I'll just paint one on in black. Anyway. It refers to alot of the talk nearly ten years ago, when we went to war in Iraq and Afghanistan. "Elders" on the tee-vee political shows were always discussing how this was my generation's war/Vietnam/Desert Storm/conflict du jour. They always remarked how, while my parents generation was so scarred by Vietnam, they still had it to strengthen them up, or prove they were men, or grow up, or whatever, just like our grandparents had WWII and Korea. My generation, Gen X/Millennials, had gotten off easy; how could we ever stomach such a test? Please. Now these wars have dragged on, while the rest of the country just kind of chirps along, and now the War in Afghanistan has been the longest lasting war this country has ever fought. All on the backs of Gen X/Millennials. Are we strong enough now for you? Or are we still selfish little pansies? Do we now have an excuse to wage wars for the next 50 years based on Millennial politics, just as the last 40 have been constant rehashing of Vietnam policies/fears/politics like the Boomers always have an excuse to do? Yeah.
The second one is tentatively called "The War." If I think of a name that fits better, I'll change it but for now, eh. It's VHS tape glued onto canvas, then spray painted, then little oil board stencil letters glued on. It says, "My generation had not seen war. You said we were soft. Happy now" I also just realized I forgot to put a question mark on the end...but there weren't any in the stencil package. I think I'll just paint one on in black. Anyway. It refers to alot of the talk nearly ten years ago, when we went to war in Iraq and Afghanistan. "Elders" on the tee-vee political shows were always discussing how this was my generation's war/Vietnam/Desert Storm/conflict du jour. They always remarked how, while my parents generation was so scarred by Vietnam, they still had it to strengthen them up, or prove they were men, or grow up, or whatever, just like our grandparents had WWII and Korea. My generation, Gen X/Millennials, had gotten off easy; how could we ever stomach such a test? Please. Now these wars have dragged on, while the rest of the country just kind of chirps along, and now the War in Afghanistan has been the longest lasting war this country has ever fought. All on the backs of Gen X/Millennials. Are we strong enough now for you? Or are we still selfish little pansies? Do we now have an excuse to wage wars for the next 50 years based on Millennial politics, just as the last 40 have been constant rehashing of Vietnam policies/fears/politics like the Boomers always have an excuse to do? Yeah.
These two are very obviously works in progress. They both have to do with the Arizona "Papers Please" law and all the insanity roped around that issue. I've also discovered I desperately need to buy more of that rich blue color of paint before I can finish the one on the left, or the two little ones that will accompany it. I gotta get on that. I have two weeks to finish them...but first...
Next Saturday, June 12, come on out to Modoc, Indiana, and see my booth! I've been graciously lent a tent by my coworker and friend, Gary Gallinger, and he helped glue some PVC pipes so that I could make some panels to hang my work from ('walls' for the tent). The whole event is at Wilson Winery, in Modoc, which is just south of Muncie, or just north of New Castle, if you prefer to drive out on I-70. There will be Jazz, Wine, and, of course, ART. So yeah, come get drunk, listen to some music, and buy my stuffs. :)
I've been hard at work preparing for the event. I have some stuff ready to go, work already done from the Eiteljorg event, but this one is outdoor, so there will be a whole other set of set-ups to accomplish. And I have to keep in mind that I'll be transporting the entire set up, work and all in a Toyota Yaris. It's a hatchback, and that sucker can haul, but I'm limited by a five foot packing height for everything. This will take some cleverness. I have a three day weekend leading up to the event, so I have much to do next 'weekend.' I'm excited and antsy and can't wait. All paintings that I have finished will be for sale at Wilson Winery, including any new ones that are 'meant' for Phoebe's. And *crossing fingers* I'll be able to accept credit cards! I've applied and have been accepted through this company that runs an app off my IPod, so as long as it actually works, and doesn't freeze up or something unforseen, Visa and Mastercards will be accepted. And checks. AND CASH. So yeah! Bring a friend!
Lastly, I wish I could post some pics from this month's First Thursday, but...I didn't make it. I got to the edge of the Indianapolis area, and felt like I was going to pass out while driving! I had to pull off to a parking lot and chill for a few minutes, and then turned around and went back home. I was really mad at 'myself' for not being able to see the gallery with my spraypaint art displayed, but I know when I'm beat. It wouldn't really do for me to be all scraggly looking and sickly and then try to sell art and stuff. I'm gonna try my hardest to make it up to Muncie before take downs so that I can see, but we'll see, with all the Hip Sips preps.
Ok this post is ungodly long. There will be more later this week about the Hip Sips preps, and those 'in process' works when they're finished!
Lastly, I wish I could post some pics from this month's First Thursday, but...I didn't make it. I got to the edge of the Indianapolis area, and felt like I was going to pass out while driving! I had to pull off to a parking lot and chill for a few minutes, and then turned around and went back home. I was really mad at 'myself' for not being able to see the gallery with my spraypaint art displayed, but I know when I'm beat. It wouldn't really do for me to be all scraggly looking and sickly and then try to sell art and stuff. I'm gonna try my hardest to make it up to Muncie before take downs so that I can see, but we'll see, with all the Hip Sips preps.
Ok this post is ungodly long. There will be more later this week about the Hip Sips preps, and those 'in process' works when they're finished!
I love your "blogs"....it's just like I am talking to you. Since you couldn't be there, your "YEAH" is at the end of the long hall/gallery, so everyone sees it as they start down that walk....it looks SO cool, Joy....I couldn't wait for you to see it! Alas, you didn't and we both missed that moment....boo hoo. Of course, Michael has you in the front Gallery, too....you ALWAYS are in the front gallery....not that that's special or anything, he says....he says he hangs by what FITS and color and design and size....OK....I accept that, but your "color and design and size" always fits....:) Love what you are doing NOW...keep it up, darlin'.....Love, Phoebe
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