A big thank you to the people at Big City Blues magazine, featuring artists who paint the Blues.
Art and Music Travels.
Chali Rosso Gallery
This fall, I started showing my new “Pop-up Guitar” series at the Chali Rosso Gallery in downtown Vancouver. The opening party was great fun and the gallery looked amazing. There was an impressive selection of food with 2 movies by Picasso and Dali playing in the back.
This series is made from wood, guitar pieces, plaster, acrylic mediums, paint and a thick resin top coating.
New Orleans Jazz fest 2015
I loved jazz fest this year. My new favorite group is Snarky Puppy. Too bad a storm blew through Jazz Fest and shut the final performers down after 15 minutes of playing.
This was a year for bad weather but it was still great.
Memphis and the 2013 Blues Music Awards
I had a great time attending the BMAs in 2013
Memphis was alive with music as always. The BMA show was amazing. I highly recommend attending. Here are some photos from the show, Memphis and the area around Clarksdale.
Delta Blues Museum
I am so pleased to have my name along with friends from Musicmaker.org on bricks in front of the Delta Blues Museum. It feels good to have a part of us down at the Crossroads in Clarksdale. I have a special affection for that place. Here is a photo of our feet. I am near Pinetop Perkins! How cool is that! I am the shoe with a splotch of blue paint on it.
Anyone can get there name put on a brick. The ordering info is on the Museum’s website…http://www.deltabluesmuseum.org
New Orleans 2013
As usual I had a wonderful time in Nola. How could you not? This year I had an Art opening in the French Quarter. Later that day we did Jazz fest which was wonderful. I listened to everything from the Black Keys, to Terence Blanchard.
That evening I had the privilege of having dinner with Taj Mahal and the board members of Musicmaker. If you are not familiar with Musicmaker check out their website..http://www.musicmaker.org and all that they do for the Blues community. Here are some photos from our week in Nola. Click Here
Next stop is Memphis for the Blues Music Award’s.
Making the Guitar Art!
The poster for the Blues Foundation 2013 Award show came from this new series.
My process begins with finding abandoned, broken guitars. You’d think that would be easy but it took me six months of trolling Craigslist and thrift stores as I don’t want to destroy any working guitars.
Then I begin to sketch out my plan for a particular piece. Once I have a sketch I then remove all of the hardware. Then I strip the varnish off. Disgusting and smelly! One of the toughest things to do is saw the neck. Who knew that most guitar necks have a solid steel bar running through them? My husband gets to do that part.
Once the guitar is cut into the right pieces I lay it out to match my sketch. Then I glue, screw, molly bolt it into place onto the wood backing. After that, once it’s new form has taken place I use plaster to fill in the gaps. Then I add black primer mixed with plaster to fill in certain areas. Then plaster the cracks. And only then can I start painting.
Now the art in it’s newly assembled form is ready to paint. This is when I explore the soul of this “broken lady”; to give her a new life in a different form. Every guitar has its own history and my goal is to deconstruct its past and then give it a new life that still reflects its true character. Lately I have branched out into resins. Very smelly and messy to produce. But the end result on the Nude woman is very sexy high gloss.
This particular piece is “Juke Joint Blues”
And now the art for the 2013 Blues foundation Award Poster
Here is a short video about my process….http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6D8Ih0OjIY&feature=youtu.be
And there are others….
I am working on a series with a high gloss resin…
side-veiw-
Montreal Inspiration
I have read many times that Montreal is the most creative city in North America, if not the world. I don’t know if the world part is true but I agree that certainly North America. Here are a few shots from around the city. It’s hard to say what inspires me the most: the fashion, the graffiti, the exhibits, funky cafe decor, store windows…. all of it!
I do not understand how cameras are not allowed in museums but cell phone photography is. My cell is better quality than some cameras. It is a touchy subject for me as I believe art should be protected from pilferage. Having said that, I did take some photos from the Tom Wesslemann exhibit which was amazing. If you have a chance to see his stuff do go! He was very influenced by music. I felt a kindred spirit.
Check out all my photos photos from this summer.
I hope they inspire you too.
Music documentaries
Recently I saw the “20 feet from Stardom” a documentary about back up singers and what it takes to be the headliner. Featuruing big names like Bette Midler, Sting, Bruce Springsteen and more. Loved it!
Two very different documentaries about famous musicians.
The first was Searching for Sugarman, http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/searching_for_sugar_man/
I think Rodriguez’ story is a real life version of “Horton hears a Who”.
The second was Beware of Mr Baker http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83XdEBl0KUg. Ginger Baker is
most definitely one of the world’s most innovative rock drummers. A very edgy film with fabulous
footage and a lot of swearing (if you have sensitive ears).
Incredible flicks if you are into music!
Update: Rodriguez just came to town. Here is a post about the show with photos. People went crazy for him .
http://www.thesnipenews.com/music/rodriguez-venue-vancouver/
Los Angeles
These are my two favorite artists in Los Angeles– Baila Goldenthal and Max Finkelstein. They are also good friends. Here we are at their home and studios. They are a great example of blending life and art. I can only hope I am that accomplished one day.
You can visit their websites at…Baila Goldenthal.com and Max Finkelstein.net
P.S. I’m very sad to say that Baila has passed away. Her amazingly generous spirit and her wonderful works continue to inspire those who knew her.