Thursday, April 24, 2008Note: Whenever I say Portland, I mean the neighborhood in Louisville Kentucky where I've opened my studio/gallery. It's one of the oldest parts of the city, rich in history but decayed by years of neglect and poverty. What makes Portland interesting is its location, so close to downtown you can easily ride a bike, but considered undesirable by many folks with the money to turn it in the right direction. I, of course, appreciate the history and charm and believe I see into its future.
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I was fortunate enough a few months ago to have Elizabeth Kramer (former reporter for the LEO publication and now a radio arts and humanities editorial reporter on WFPL) into the studio a couple of times. Once when the studio was about 60% finished complete, another when the large room had just been renovated.
She spoke of an article she was putting together — at the time she didn't know if the focus was going to be on young artists making use of space in urban areas, or if she would keep it to people working and creating their artistic practices in Portland. She kind of melted those two ideas together into a very well researched and thoughtful radio program that connected the part of town where my studio lies, with the future of the city and the good that art (in my case art and business) brings to places like Portland. Please read the article and then read and listen to Elizabeth's other Art and Humanities segments.
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Art Features in Portland’s Effort at Neighborhood Renewal
by Elizabeth Kramer on April 23rd, 2008 for WFPL, Louisville's NPR affiliate
One of Louisville’s oldest neighborhoods is working to revitalize itself and art is playing a role. WFPL’s Elizabeth Kramer explored Portland for this report.
Read entire article | Listen to this radio broadcast
Sunday, April 13, 2008 (12:41am) So excited about Derby
Ok. I'll admit it. For the first time in the history of time and space, I'm excited about Derby, maybe not so much the race itself but the events and fun surrounding the race. More importantly, I'll be in the midst of the most beautiful women on the Palnet, it doesn't make an sense. We picked out hats today... flawless.
I'm an artist the way, when I say flawless, I mean flawless;-) I could never imagine how much artistic expression could be refined to one singular piece of headwear until today. I mean... WOW! Suddenly I want to design hats. Is that weird? I think I need to stick to my art and save us all the embarassment.
Thursday, April 10, 2008 (12:35am) Oh my God
Ok. I'll admit it. I am a rather creative person, but not even I could imagine setteling into bed, switching on the TV after a long night at the studio and hearing what I heard on the news tonight. On CNN nonetheless.
We have all heard about the poligymist sects that have been busted in Texas. The details of these cases are grisley at the very least, but something caught me by surprise on such a strange level that I cannot help but find bewilderment and humor in it.
Upon being interviewed one of the young women described the many horrors of her now past situation. No this is not a direct quote but I will try my best to paraphrase:
"One thing we were taught is that black people are black for a reason. They were born white but because of sin God turned them all black"
Now look, I can make up a lot, but nothing that insane. Video here. This world is stranger that even I can imagine.
Sunday, April 06, 2008 War
Where in the hell have I been? At one point I'm almost posting on a daily basis, then, POOF! Nothing. I've been at war. The very day after my birthday an enemy invader takes over my body ravishing the slender, bright, bold and colorful human being you all have come to know and love. Transforming me into a coughing, sneezing, wattery-eyed, foul-tempered, serial-sleeping shell of a human being. Yes my friends — I have been at war with the flu!
I won!
Wow! So much has happened since the last post it's amazing. My two latest and largest Holding Pattern pieces (Shellee and Michelle) were purchased by the Brown Forman Corporation, I had a birthday, and came down with the flu! Me and about 20 of my closest friends had a lovely champagne-accompanied dinner at my favorite restaurant The Uptown Cafe the night before the big day. Saturday, March 29th, was my birthday, I get to witness a nice little bidding war on two of my pieces as they're won by a corporate collection, followed by more alcohol and a very strange night of gay parties and bars with a collector acquaintence. At this point the week seems as though it will carry itself along as any other. An illusion. Monday, I'm at work. Tuesday, I'm at work but wishing I could shoot myself in the head with a high-caliber pistol. By Tuesday at 7pm — when I awoke from my insanely long nap — my temperature had spiked at 103.1 (not the radio station).
I wanted to kill. I wanted to die. But all went well in the end. A trip to the doctor, a few pills later and my 3.5 day ordeal with the Flu was transformed into an idea for a new product:
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