Drinks on Mars...

Art Pimpin

2009-07-26T07:38:00.000-07:00

It ain't easy, but it sure is fun.

Got new business cards for the Gallery Tour last Saturday- as you can see one side is yours truly at 4 months old- the art pimp. So, what is an art pimp? Well to a degree, if you create and sell what you make, then you are a pimp of sorts. But unlike regular pimps, with art it really is like pimping your children out, never to see them again. I dunno about you, but I feel so much more at ease selling work to someone that I get a good vibe off of instead of relegating the hours I put in on canvas to couch decoration.... That said, bills have to be paid, and we all have to tap-dance sometimes for the man. What are your thoughts?

09 Summer Gallery Tour

2009-07-23T20:10:00.000-07:00

Tonight was the 09 Gallery tour. I have never seen so many people at the monkey- it was pretty insane. It really is amazing to be a part of the Flying Monkey, as it is such a public space. Hell in the last two days alone, I have reconnected with a number of people I have known in the past and met some really kick ass artists that came to the gallery tour. Not to mention having my good friends Jason and Heather stop by and talk for a good while. Why am I saying all this? It is because (I believe) that the sharing of ideas with other creative people fundamentally is core to producing better work every time you sit down to create. I know some that disagree with this, but they, um, are wrong. To create is to record/ (re)interpret life, and at the biological level we as humans are social. Yup- it sucks for introverts (and I kinda am one), but that's the way it is.. Oh!- almost forgot- in the picture there are silhouettes to the right- I am letting people take these and write down their wants/desires on them, draw on them, etc... If you are game, come by artist market on Saturday (12pm-4pm).

In other art related news, I busted my ass for the last two days to get my studio in ship shape, and I think it looks pretty good, if I do say so myself. It does suck that I have to take seven of the paintings back tomorrow, as they all fill out the space nicely, but that is all the more reason to paint some replacements.

New stuff on the way-

2009-07-12T11:29:00.000-07:00

Great weekends really make for great brainstorming sessions. I always find it amazing that when you plan out a show like I am - somewhere in the middle of prepping for it you turn everything on its ear and start going in a completely different direction. It might be connected to life and how I am living it, i dunno. When I started to plan I was in a, um, let's just say I was in what they like to call a "dark place." Now, however I am not. And all those ideas that were stewing away, just melt into something that I believe will be elegant and classy. If you let it, life will tell you what it wants you to be, and so I think my art is going to start going in a new direction. More to come....

2009-07-02T21:18:00.000-07:00

My lovely friend, and gifted artist, Heather posted this. Figured I would indulge a bit and join her. It's a list of stuff- can'ts, cans, strikes, gutters, ups and downs, etc....

. . . I can't . . .
-Ever, DEAR GOD EVER, like Thomas Kincade, Jeff Koons, or Matt Barney.
-Deal with lying, in art or otherwise
-Listen to soul music without bustin' a groove as well as a white boy can.

. . . I can . . .
-paint like a mofo
-make people laugh
-string together profanity in a way that would not only make sailors blush, but ensure that I will never host a children's show on TV.

. . . I won't . . .
-ever settle for less than I deserve
-ever be nothing but honest in art, and in life
-let the past ruin my future. (stolen from Heather)

. . . I will . . .
-always strive to paint better than I did today.
-let life take me where it wants me without bitching.
-fail at things, and wonderfully fail BIG.

. . . I shouldn't . . .
-over critique- ANYTHING.
-cuss so much.
-give a damn.

. . . I should . . .
-laugh, and make others laugh, more.
-take even bigger risks on canvas and off.
-achieve everything I know I can.

Teaser on the new series-

2009-07-02T20:24:00.000-07:00

On the left, we have an illustration from the 1950's. On the right, we have a photo of beautiful Amy. Notice anything similar? Not to spoil anything, but there will be 4 or 5 in the series, and they will be HUGE.....

MAYDAY!

2009-07-02T20:19:00.000-07:00

Update on the last painting- I am still working on the smoke coming out the back of the plane, but I kinda like the subtlety of the smoke itself. I also have to paint the rubber band that powers the plane, and detail the wings. Still unsure of what I plan on doing there. The next one like this will probably be a race car or a piggy bank- that is still up in the air.

Happy Clouds? wtf?

2009-06-13T14:41:00.000-07:00

Hello- Those that know what art i generally make might be asking the following questions after viewing the painting that I am still in process of-

A. wtf?
B. Did divorce make you jump the shark to the point that you are so emotionally fragile that you are moonlighting as bob ross?
C. um...WTF?

Fear not, as this is only in process, and the finished result will be twisted, skewed, and odd as ever. So no, I did not jump the shark, I am only really becoming the painter that the last 6 years denied me the ability to become.

That said, they are rather happy, aren't they?

OH! pics of the new digs are posted as well-
enjoy!

Take the High Ground!!

2009-06-02T13:04:00.000-07:00

clo·sure (klzhr)n.

A bringing to an end; a conclusion.

Apologies.
I Don't really mean to talk about personal stuff on here, as I feel a bit stupid talking about my life online, but this has an indirect relation to my art creation process. For those that know me, try not to spit all over your keyboards- I found a bible quote I actually dig- "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (feel free to clean off your computer screens now)

Well, ladies and gentlemen- I am now free (in a non Jesus kinda way mind you) and have needlessly chained myself, beat myself up for WAAAY too long. It's amazing how the ideas for paintings floods in when the veil is lifted, so to speak....

I thoroughly recommend honesty/ the truth. - It's a natural, zesty enterprise.
Any who!--Back to work!

2009-05-29T18:01:00.001-07:00

Prints are in!

2009-05-29T12:28:00.001-07:00

Whohoo! The first of many prints from Amen Break Studios! (Amen Break is me, it just sounds like I know what I am doing, dont you think?) 11x17 digital print. Edition limited to 100.

$15 bucks apiece- will be selling them at the Flying Monkey artist market starting tomorrow.

Spooky.....

2009-05-26T09:27:00.001-07:00

Starting a new series of prints. The subject? Pinup Girls. This all started when I designed an album cover for my friend Steve. This is the same pinup, but I changed things around. I figured it would only be proper to start the series with the first pinup I drew. I should be releasing one of these every month for the next twelve. I have yet to get these to press- when I do I will let you all know. Any who, enjoy!

New painting- WIP

2009-05-18T19:50:00.000-07:00

First step in the new painting. The sound of crickets in here is almost deafening....

That said, if nothing else, I have a profession as an abstract artist to fall back on. It is just a background, nothing more.....

War!.... Kinda.

2009-05-18T11:52:00.000-07:00

Here is a crappy pic of the last painting I completed. It was a commission that was delivered the end of February.

Tonight, I should post where I am at on some new stuff.

*Edit*
I found a better pic of the finished painting.....
enjoy! Oh yeah-- it is 6 feet by 3 feet.

The Rules

2009-05-17T09:37:00.000-07:00

Before we start this art/ getting on with life thing, we need to establish some ground rules. These are mine- take from them what you will.

Brainstorming....

2009-05-17T09:10:00.000-07:00

Instead of just writing down lists of ideas for new paintings, I make brainstorming a creative exercise. I find that ideas come more freely when when you are in a "stream of consciousness" doodling mode.

Hello Internet!

2009-05-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

Let us just say that I have found myself recently unencumbered by the bounds of holy matrimony.
After a good bit of depression and countless beer, It is time for me to get back to work- making art.

Hello Internet. My name is Mark Blevins. Nice to meet you.