Rejected from Lawndale for the second year in a row

Yes, I was again rejected from the juried Big Show competition for a second straight year. Like any juried competition, I question the inner-workings of the process. For example, when you submit in person, a person asks you if you are a member of the non-profit. If you are not, which I am not, a certain box is checked on their form(which they keep as a juror card). This only leads me to speculate that if you do not give them money that you are either A. Not considered at all in the competition or B. Prioritized in such a way that drastically lowers your chances of getting in. Nevertheless, I paid my $30 entry fee which I can not recover. It will be the last time I do so. However, all is not lost. I have a good chance of showing at Gallery 1724's 'Salon des Refuses' which opens the very same night and time as the Big Show. If I can't get in there due to size issues(my painting is 2'x4') or whatever, then it will just have to be shown at the same time I show other new work. I really do wish the piece gets seen though. It is fantastic and I count it among some of my best work. For whatever reason I didn't get into the Big Show- screw it! I will do it on my own and I will be successful. I plan on producing my own shows in the future. I of course will have details posted here about when/where the party is going to be. It's time to do it my way.

The intentions behind those resplendent blue eyes are not nearly as bright.

I want to share with everyone my latest painting and preview of stylistic changes to come. Stylistically, my goal was to create a striking portrait with cinematic qualities. The title is based on the brief interaction I had with the subject. It's really another way of saying: " You can't judge a book by it's cover." I also thought the title sounded a bit like a scene description in a film. This is also my one and only entry to Lawndale's annual 'Big Show' juried competition this year. I should be notified by Sunday if my work is accepted. If not, I will try to get into the Salon de Refuses show at Gallery 1724 on Bissonet where I have exhibited before. Fingers crossed everyone!

You Will Only Get Honesty From Me

I recently discovered the winner of the Hunting Prize for 2010 while reading the Chronicle online. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement. Sometimes I get so tired of the 'art establishment' and their attempt to control what is and what isn't acceptable art. Who are they to determine this? What are their qualifications? Who knows better than you what you like? Is visual art any different from music? Could any amount of B.S. discussion convince you to like a particular kind of music that sounds like two cats fighting to your ears? It wouldn't work on me. I am generally a very pleasant, and optimistic individual, but lately the quality of art that is being pushed onto the public as 'the best' is really quite pathetic. I have to keep the art world at a certain distance from myself to maintain my own sanity. It's much like art school. You have to be guarded enough so that your own vision and aesthetics remain intact or you take the risk of allowing your individuality to melt away into the pool of bland boring sameness that the establishment keeps promoting. To be unique in our culture is difficult. It takes courage and it takes bravery. To be a unique artist with a unique voice is even more difficult. You are fighting a battle on two fronts: You are trying to get seen and appreciated by the public, while having to battle the very intricate and political world of the art establishment. I have seen far too much work lately that is just flat bad. I'm not sure if these folks just didn't have proper education, or if they are just so lazy that they'd rather try to pawn off a poorly thought out and executed 'concept' to a gullible crowd. This is what I refer to as 'mental masturbation'. Everyone has the option to either dazzle someone with brilliance or baffle them with bullshit. Baffling people is easier. I can only speak my truth through my life experiences. I consider art to be VISUAL COMMUNICATION. When you fail to communicate, you fail as an artist. My concept may be simple, but it's compelling. Not only is it compelling, but it's authentic. It's not trying to wedge it's way onto the boring art bandwagon. My art, like myself, is real, bright, and straightforward. Expect nothing less from me.

A HUGE Compliment

Last Saturday I met with my friend Melanie Pang to discuss a request she had of me. Melanie asked me to develop a tattoo design based on my bird works. I can't think of many higher compliments than when someone appreciates your art at such a level that she wants to wear it on her body forever. I am truly humbled. Be looking out for the design(s) for it. I'll post pics here.

In other news I was invited at the eleventh hour to participate in an art show fundraising event held at Meteor Lounge for The Osito Foundation last Monday night here in Houston. I donated three pieces, but none sold. All the money raised, however, went to a great cause.