Feeding the Monster

Saturday Night's Alright

2012-02-25T19:02:00.001-08:00

... for starting a series of HORSE collages. I've never been "horsey", if you will, but it so happens I have a bunch of beautiful horse pictures just begging to be torn up. And when I say begging, I mean they are DESPERATE.

Arnaskunk

2012-02-24T18:40:00.007-08:00

February 2012 - Mixed Media - 8X10

My good friend Sheri Arnason turned 50 last week and we flew to Montreal to surprise her (AND BOY, ARE MY ARMS TIRED). It was worth it for the look on her face when she saw me- I am still re-living it. Not that I am some awesome prize, but my sudden presence in Montreal could shock a person, and I think maybe it did.

I collaged & painted the artwork above to give Sheri for her birthday- the white painted face is from a photograph of her taken by Shari Hatt twenty-five years ago or so, back when we were all in the Fine Arts department at Concordia University. Shari Hatt has since become a Photo Star, and although her website domain seems to have recently expired (I'll link it when it's back up), there are some other links I can add:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/gallery/2008/dec/10/photography-art
http://www.canadianart.ca/online/see-it/2008/11/06/shari-hatt/
http://www.paulpetro.com/arc/h/hatt.php
http://www.elcslpl.org/programs/artgallery/pastexhibits/hatt.htm
http://ratsdeville.typepad.com/ratsdeville/2011/08/shari-hatt-donald-browne.html

Here also is the snippet of the photo of Sheri from art school days that I keep on the bulletin board in my studio. I evidently carried it around for years, and re-discovered it when we moved to this house three years ago. It's only a section of the photo- must have been a test piece.

Disorganized Thoughts

2012-02-12T17:51:00.000-08:00

A fine, fine video by Dixie's Death Pool / Lee Hutzulak... so beautiful. Real art that I haven't got a thing to say about. Lied: this is perhaps what is happening inside your mind when you're doing your best work.

http://www.leehutzulak.com/

Asylum Photos

2012-02-11T19:20:00.000-08:00

The blog has been a little photo heavy of late, but all the same I have to post these photos that Yasmin sent my way the other day. She said she wasn't sure if they would "float my boat", but boy do they. They are photos of what appear to be abandoned mental institutions by a photographer named Christopher Payne. I'll give you a taste, and then I'll post a link to the rest of the photos at the end (as is my wont).

Bathtub, Fairfield State Hospital, Connecticut

Patient Dresses, Clarinda State Hospital, Iowa

Beauty Salon, Trenton State Hospital, New Jersey

Autopsy Theater, St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Washington, DC

Unclaimed Cremation Urns, Oregon State Hospital, Oregon

Straightjacket, Logansport State Hospital, Indiana

Buffalo State Hospital, New York

Patient Toothbrushes, Hudson River State Hospital, New York

File Boxes, Spring Grove State Hospital, Maryland

Here is a link to Christopher Payne's website: http://www.chrispaynephoto.com/asylum.html

And here is a link to one of my first posts on this blog, very related to this one: http://balampman.blogspot.com/2010/11/deaths-bloom_19.html

70's Rock Stars with their Parentals

2012-02-10T13:48:00.000-08:00

JUST BECAUSE.

And here's the link:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2098596/Photos-1970s-rock-stars-parents-reveal-humble-roots-childhood-homes.html

Beercan

2012-02-08T18:10:00.000-08:00

I have an itch to post (or is it a post to scratch? Or a bone to pick?). And therefore. This top quality video by my boyfriend Beck.

ICED DREAM SANDWICH

2012-01-30T14:04:00.000-08:00

Don't be a fool. Check it out.

DETROIT Revisited

2012-01-28T13:39:00.000-08:00

Last week I posted some photos of abandoned houses and other decrepit buildings in Detroit. WELL, it turns out I was contributing to a vast misconception about Detroit and how dead it is.... sorry, Detroit. Thank you to Kim Sinclair for providing these videos about Detroit and the burgeoning music and art scene there. The second video focuses more on music; the third on art. They are worth the watch.

Indigenous Bidness (dedicated to Marek Tyler)

2012-01-21T17:00:00.000-08:00

Mixed Media - 8X10 - 2012

I rarely set out to make artwork "about" something, unless I have been asked to do a CD cover (which is also quite rare). When it comes to collage, I leaf through my massive cache until I find something that appeals to me; then I keep looking in order to find something that either looks good with the first thing, or looks interesting with the first thing, or makes me laugh when put with the first thing. Then it goes from there.

To wit, this piece involving indigenous persons. I'm not trying to say anything. It just "happened", man. (The face painted in white is from a picture of Elvis... what does that mean?). But if it does say something to someone, I enjoy that! I love hearing what people see in my artwork- it's always a big surprise. I couldn't stop thinking about Marek Tyler while making this one- he's studying Indigenous Business. Or as I like to call it, The Indigenous Bidness. I hope you like this one, Marek!

On the topic of whether or not art should make a statement, here is a recent clip of Laurie Anderson talking about just that. I like how she is unafraid to state what she thinks, but at the same time is unafraid to say when she doesn't know what to think about something:

http://www.calgaryherald.com/entertainment/Multimedia+icon+Laurie+Anderson+occupies+Calgary/5972150/story.html?cid=megadrop_story

100 Abandoned Houses and The Ruins of Detroit

2012-01-21T09:34:00.000-08:00

David directed me to this set of photos, "The Ruins of Detroit", that someone had posted on facebook. Those photos reminded me that I had once bookmarked a set of photos called "100 Abandoned Houses", so I endeavoured to find those again. It turns out that those photos are from Detroit as well. What must it be like to live in a decaying city? I can't imagine it would be too good for the ol' peace of mind. Here are the links:

http://twistedsifter.com/2011/02/ruins-of-detroit-yves-marchand-romain-meffre/

http://www.100abandonedhouses.com/

Vanity

2012-01-19T21:04:00.000-08:00

Yes, Vanity (6x6 inches). I can't really read her... I'm not entirely sure what she's trying to say. If anything. Sometimes artwork has a slow burn, and three years from now I'll get something from this wench. Or, someone else will look at it tomorrow and tell me that she's saying something very specific to them. I'm not allowed to question it, and I'm not allowed to judge it as "a good one" or "a bad one"..... MUST...JUST...KEEP...WORKING. Them's the rules. Not following those rules kept me from producing artwork for quite a long time.

WE WON'T GET FOOLED AGAIN!

Ghana Movie Posters

2012-01-14T08:38:00.000-08:00

In three weeks my daughter will be leaving to volunteer in Ghana for five months, and now that I've seen these posters, I'm not at all concerned for her safety. HA. HA. HA. Seriously folks, the truth is that I can rest assured she'll be surrounded by some kick-ass artists! These posters are, how do you say, over the top. Grisly, graphic, and bursting with colour... intense. Here's a link to the blog from whence they came:

http://acidcow.com/pics/3623-ghana_movie_posters_38_pics.html

David P. Smith Has Started a BLOG

2012-01-08T19:00:00.000-08:00

My talented husband has started a blog called "A Song a Week" in which he's going to record lo-fi style in the basement music room, you know, a song a week. He's going to do both originals and covers, and he's starting with a cover (The Flatlanders version of "One Day at a Time"). If you know him or have ever heard him play, you don't need me to tell you that he is absolutely his own man - singular, original. I would go so far as to say sui generis... this is of course even more apparent when he's doing his own songs. I don't say this because I'm married to him, but because it's true. So here's his blog:

http://davidpsmithasongaweek.blogspot.com/2012/01/one-day-at-time-january-8-2012.html

Don't delay... check it out today.

Chick-a-boom-Chick-a-boom

2012-01-07T09:32:00.000-08:00

The Temptations performing "I Can't Get Next to You" live. The first one has more energy and is performed a little faster, but the second one has the guy with the high, high voice. I love the facial expressions of the guy with the lowest voice. I guess if I were a true Temptations fan, I'd know their names. I'm a lazy fan.

(REPRISE: Ashamed of my laziness, I tried to do some research on The Temptations, but they have changed their line-up so many times that I was not able to ascertain who-was-who. I stand by my original laziness).

New Year's Day

2012-01-01T14:52:00.000-08:00

"Canada" - 2012 - Mixed Media 16x20 inches

"Tiger" - 2012 - Mixed Media 11x14 inches

New Year's Resolution No. 1 is DO MORE WORK IN THE STUDIO. It could also be phrased as "do what you love", which is more all-purpose. More art, more singing, less fretting.

The two new pieces shown here (and more) will be part of a group show at The Nanaimo Art Gallery called "Person, Place, or Thing" that opens Thursday, January 12th at 7:00 p.m. (150 Commercial Street, Nanaimo, BC - if you plan to go please take note as the Nanaimo Art Gallery has two locations!)

http://www.facebook.com/events/257119267685011/
http://www.nanaimogallery.ca/index.php?p=1_137_Community-Exhibitions

I wish I could say "New Year's Day" without hearing U2 singing the words...

Clifford Doerksen

2011-12-16T18:32:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow will be the one year anniversary of the death of my friend Cliff Doerksen. He was someone I not only loved but respected, admired, and was profoundly influenced by. There aren't many of those in a life. Not mine, anyway. As well as being a singular guy, he was a stellar friend.

http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/good-prose-from-the-past/Content?oid=2922455

http://timeoutchicago.com/things-to-do/out-about-blog/143541/in-memoriam-cliff-doerksen

http://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2010/12/20/remembering-cliff-doerksen

http://www.dailynorthwestern.com/campus/nu-professor-remembered-for-unusual-career-1.2428896?MMode=true#.Tuv8h9RAa8A

http://www.celebritytweet.com/link.php?s=http://t.co/3WQSoUn

Here again is the cover of "Goin' Away Party" that my husband David P. Smith recorded in memory of and in tribute to Clifford. Playing with him are Rachelle Reath, Eric Gallipo, and Calvin Dick; filmed and edited by Brad Johnson:

Back in the Studio

2011-12-03T18:26:00.000-08:00

Wilderness - 2011 - 6x6 inches

Back in March when I had my last show at Polychrome Fine Arts (a duo show with Christopher Starkey), this piece was not quite ready and didn't make it in. It's been sitting on my table in my studio taunting me ever since. FINE! I WILL FINISH YOU! Stop TAUNTING me! Please just LEAVE ME ALONE! I want to LIVE!

Compassion - Nina Simone

2011-12-02T18:07:00.000-08:00

I have been taking ear training/music/piano lessons with the (truly) lovely and talented Rachelle Reath, and in between lessons I often ask for musical help from the (truly) lovely and talented Chloe Lampman. Chloe and I talked about working out some harmonies someday (that is, she would work them out and I would listen carefully to what I was supposed to do), and finally one day Chloe suggested we do Nina Simone's "Compassion". We learned that Nina Simone had put music to a poem by Paul Lawrence Dunbar (he doesn't mince words):

Because I have loved so deeply

Because I have loved so long

God in his great compassion

Gave me the gift of song

Because I have loved so vainly

Sung with such faltering breath

Oh-oh-oh-oh, the Master in his infinite mercy

Offers the boon of death

Chloe pointed out that the recording had Nina doing harmonies with herself, and Chloe of course had to figure out the parts because although I am taking ear training lessons, WHOA, I could not discern what was going on there. I do have faith though that one day I will have this ability, as I do see the progress I have made. You can, you can, you CAN teach old dogs new tricks! And don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Notpaper Interview

2011-11-24T12:34:00.000-08:00

I am seriously chuffed to be featured and interviewed on the collage blog "Notpaper":
http://www.notpaper.net/2011/11/b-a-lampman.html#more
Makes me feel like a Big Man on Campus. The blog is the brainchild of Aprile Elcich- it's very nicely put together and is chock-a-block full of fabulous collage work. Thanks, Aprile!

How It's Done

2011-11-23T13:44:00.000-08:00

Fashion '73

2011-11-11T19:59:00.000-08:00

This is the real deal, my friends. Real 13 year old girl in 1973 cutting and pasting pictures from the Sears catalogue and writing her own "copy" to go along with them. My God, who was I? Who knows! One thing is clear- I really wanted STUFF. I used to pour over the Sears catalogue and dream of what I would buy IF ONLY I had unlimited funds. Little did I know that I would grow up to become independently wealthy!

A few weeks ago I finally got back into the studio (after eight long months) and started a piece that I keep hoping to be able to post. It's just not coming to fruition that quickly, so I keep posting other things. I felt a little dirty after I posted a Beyonce clip directly after a Nina Simone clip... there's something about that that doesn't sit well (short of making you throw up in your mouth a little). I'm glad I found my "Fashion '73"... maybe that will hold me over (or, hold the blog over) till I finish that piece. If nothing else it's pretty funny -to me, at least.

BEYONCE

2011-11-04T19:13:00.000-07:00

Yes! It's true! Next it will be Lady Gaga, just watch! I can't help it. Watch this clip, and remember that this woman is not lip-syncing. She's singing, and she's dancing, and generally being bigger than life:

Nina Simone

2011-10-30T16:59:00.000-07:00

Whoa- I've never seen this clip before. She looks quite possessed. And young. And crazy. Plus super talented and self-assured.

More Vivian Maier Self-Portraits

2011-10-26T13:27:00.000-07:00

I really love the photos of Vivian Maier. I would go so far as to say that she is my FAVOURITE PHOTOGRAPHER--- and her photos were only just discovered in 2007. Read all about it on the new website dedicated to her work: http://www.vivianmaier.com/
I was lucky enough to see a show of her work in Chicago last February, and I look forward to owning the book of her photos.

Don't Forget Me

2011-10-25T19:09:00.000-07:00

One of my all-time favourite songs- Marianne Faithfull singing Harry Nilsson's "Don't Forget Me". After watching this, I think I prefer the recording I have (from her "20th Century Blues") to the video, because watching her face distracts me from the feeling the song usually gives me and the tears it produces like clockwork. There is a recording in my future- the most slowly-percolating CD that ever was (called "Possible Hits")- and this will be one of the songs.

More Artists' Studios

2011-10-23T20:17:00.000-07:00

Rex Ray

Francesco Clemente

Philip Guston

Henry Moore

Roy Lichtenstein

Georgia O'Keeffe

Robert Rauschenberg

Gathie Falk

Wayne White

Daniel Clowes

Lisa Grue

Marc Chagall

Paula Scher

Andy Warhol

Martha Rich

The Clayton Brothers

I could do this all night. Already I've been sitting here for several hours flitting around the interweb, staring at various artists' spaces (and artists' work), imagining what my perfect studio would be. I've actually had it pictured for a few years now- ever since we moved to this house. It's a detached studio that will one day be built in the back yard. I see it- I know where it will sit- I know what will be in it- it's here now, but so far only in my mind.

It's Too Good

2011-10-22T08:56:00.000-07:00

You can ask my daughter how obsessed I've been with this clip- I imagine there might be a big eye roll involved. I'm just so enthralled with this performance. Stevie Wonder would have been around 19 years of age here.

Artists' Studios

2011-10-19T17:27:00.000-07:00

Allison Schulnik

Henri Matisse

Judy Pfaff

David Hockney

Willem de Kooning

John Currin

Louise Boureois

Wangechi Mutu

Alice Neel

Francis Bacon

Salvador Dali

Nara Yoshitomo

Peter Doig

That is to say, FAMOUS (or almost famous) artists' studios. I want to find some interesting less-famous ones as well. That'll be the next project. When I find a moment. God willing (or even unwilling, come to think of it).

I Love Louis CK

2011-10-16T18:49:00.000-07:00

Louis CK is a very funny man. Right now we are downloading a lot of his newest TV show called "Louie", and I can't get enough of it. It's smart, hilarious, odd, raw, sometimes somewhat arty, and probably too rough and "out there" for some. This clip was apparently never aired as part of the show, and I've just watched it for the first time. As much as anything will, this will give an idea to the uninitiated about what to expect. Louis is my new remote crush.

Lee Hutzulak

2011-10-13T13:33:00.000-07:00

I've long admired the artwork of Lee Hutzulak. I always imagined that he created his drawings in some kind of a direct-to-the-unconscious dream state that regular, less talented people didn't have such easy access to. I don't know- it could be that he's just a really great artist. I'm not sure how old this is, but I found an interview with him where he talks about his work:

I have been consumed by a fantastic world of bottled colour. I delight in fluorescent, iridescent and metallic inks in addition to the full CMYK spectrum. Vaguely surreal or metaphysical in nature, I ooze and scratch blobs and lines into colourful demons, monsters and spirits. I leave them to twist and drift in minimal or non-existent contexts. Paper is an ever-present element in my work as I attempt to preserve expanses of it untouched in the compositions. My visual art practice is quite portable and travels with me to day job lunch breaks, improvised music shows, commuting on the ferry or plane - anywhere I can find a sweet spot to open my book of paper and bag of markers.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Lee left Victoria for Vancouver around 11 years ago, and as far as I can tell he is still very active both producing artwork and making music. Here is his website: http://www.leehutzulak.com/index.php

There will be a show of his works on paper at BLIM - 115 East Pender, Vancouver, BC
Opening Friday November 4th at 8:00 pm
Closing Sunday November 27th.
http://blim.ca/

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Lee's artwork has been used for the newly released LP by Himalayan Bear (Ryan Beattie):

http://www.myspace.com/himalayanbear
http://absolutelykosher.com/profile/himalayan-bear
http://www.reviler.org/2011/10/11/himalayan-bear-hard-times-review/

Gathie Falk

2011-09-30T18:46:00.000-07:00

When I lived in Vancouver in the 80's my friend Neil would sometimes talk about the artist Gathie Falk. A couple of times, out on evening walks, we would walk by her house and stand there looking at it for a while. I knew very little about her, except that she was a painter that Neil admired and that somehow I needed to be more like her... that she was living the life that I was supposed to be living, too. I have yet to get exactly there, but I don't let that torture me so much any more. Gathie Falk, I salute you.

Here is a short video about Gathie from a series called "A Window Looking In" - interesting name, considering how Neil and I stood outside her house all those years ago: http://vimeo.com/22104366

And more links for Gathie:

http://viewoncanadianart.com/2008/10/24/underrated-canadian-artist-gathie-falk/

http://www.canadacouncil.ca/prizes/ggavma/to127240202739375000.htm?subsiteurl=%2Fcanadacouncil%2Farchives%2Fprizes%2Fggvma%2F2003%2Ffalk-e.asp

http://www.uleth.ca/unews/legend/content/lasting-images-gathie-falk

http://projects.vanartgallery.bc.ca/publications/75years/pdf/Falk_Gathie_30.pdf

MIPS Then and Now

2011-09-25T21:26:00.000-07:00

The Most Important Peeps - they're all grown up now. As my good friend Sheri once said, "life is long and short". Don't I know it.

Run Chico Run

2011-09-18T18:59:00.000-07:00

High quality local Victoria BC band. Best bloody high quality local Victoria BC fantastic must-see live band. I have tried to find the name of the "new" (not so new) third member, but perusing the website has me versed only in ex-members... meanwhile, it's Thomas Shields and Matt Skillings you need to know about (and please, if anyone wants to let me know what the other fellow's name is...)

I have been informed that the 3rd member's name is Dallas Budd. And what a fine name indeed.

http://www.runchicorun.com/
http://boompa.ca/bands/runchicorun/

Bugle Boy

2011-09-18T18:45:00.000-07:00

Direct from my childhood- and a a rare find at St. Vincent de Paul's. It's a birthday card, and the inscription is to a "Mrs. Hawes" (a teacher perhaps?). The title of the artwork is given as "Young Satchmo", "Designed by Strev". I guess these people with interesting names must stick together.

Leisure Suit

2011-09-14T12:43:00.000-07:00

Some young and talented folk from our very own hometown- if I am not mistaken, ranging in age from 16 to 19 years. The bandleader O.P.D. Brooks, who also made the film, is 19 years old. Scary, huh? The other members of the band are Rowan MacKenzie, Zack Santella, and Andrew Taylor.

http://www.facebook.com/LeisureSuit
http://opdbrooks.com/

David Gifford

2011-09-13T16:56:00.000-07:00

David Gifford, AKA The Great Giffoni, has a solo show of sculpture and pen and ink drawings at Polychrome Fine Arts in beautiful Victoria, BC. It runs until September 29. When David isn't making magic as The Great Giffoni, he teaches at The University of Victoria: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:MG-vzENWaH8J:finearts.uvic.ca/visualarts/contacts/facultystaff/dgifford/+david+gifford+victoria+bc&cd=8&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca&client=firefox-a

Rotherhithe

2011-09-06T13:40:00.000-07:00

Tom Holliston's newest solo CD is on the verge of "dropping". It's called ROTHERHITHE, and you must buy it as soon as it comes out. I'll let you know.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Holliston
http://www.showbusinessgiants.com/
http://www.myspace.com/tomholliston

The video is by the talented Cal Dick-

http://crownlandmusic.blogspot.com/
http://thegiantsbutterpad.blogspot.com/
http://neckbeardarchive.blogspot.com/

Paul Lozano

2011-09-05T10:48:00.000-07:00

I used to work with a fellow named Paul Lozano, and he would produce these lovely paintings and sell them for next to nothing. Of course, they were often painted on cardboard with no priming of the substrate involved- we would give him a hard time about that (hey, we worked in an art supply store! We were educated!). I'm looking at the one that I have proudly owned for several years - a painting of Egon Schiele painted on a piece of press-board from the back of a ready-made frame - and I'm wondering, so what's it going to do, without its properly gessoed substrate? EXPLODE? No, I guess it just might not last 500 years, but then, neither will I. Clearly.

Paul moved to Mexico City a few years back, and judging by the photos I see on facebook he's having a grand old time. Photos can lie, mind you- he may be suffering. (How are you, Paul?). Here are some of his more recent paintings: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150730150815046.715538.683535045, and here is his blog where he sells his beautiful handmade ties: http://mexicocitytraffic.blogspot.com/. If he has his paintings online somewhere else, maybe he can let me know.

Take Me To The River

2011-08-30T22:29:00.000-07:00

I haven't had time - I haven't had time - I haven't had time! But here is a song that was put on a mixed tape for me by a good friend back in the eighties, and I like hearing it because it makes me think of him. In all the best ways.

Terri Saul

2011-08-19T13:19:00.000-07:00

http://terrisaul.com/index.html

Brancusi's Studio

2011-08-18T20:56:00.000-07:00

I was never much into sculpture while at art school, but in some class or another I learned about Brancusi's "Endless Column" and I was fascinated by it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sculptural_Ensemble_of_Constantin_Br%C3%A2ncu%C5%9Fi_at_T%C3%A2rgu_Jiu#The_Endless_Column

Looky here:

HELL YES!

2011-08-13T19:14:00.000-07:00

Art School Relic

2011-08-07T20:09:00.000-07:00

I recently brought home from my mother's basement some boxes containing my old journals, numbering close to 80 I believe (and no, they aren't very interesting, except to me sometimes). Inside one of the boxes I found the following- a book in which I had glued photos I had developed and collages made from letters from old friends. I must have put this together at least 20 years ago, and it felt pretty bittersweet looking at it as I scanned the images. Two of my greatest friends are gone now- Neil in 1997 and Clifford just this past December. That they are gone is not to be born, but I do bear it because I don't have the choice.

I imagine these must have been some of the first collages I ever put together... not that I reeeeally remember. Some of the first, certainly.

The first image is the cover of the book.

Bill Blair

2011-07-20T20:13:00.000-07:00

If you don't already know him, please let me introduce you to Victoria, BC artist Bill Blair. You can see photos of his work on Flickr here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/billblair/sets/, and check out his much-needed blog, "New Stories for Paint-by-Numbers" here: http://paint-by-numbers-stories.blogspot.com/. The photos of Victoria locals shown here feature beautiful paint-by-number backdrops created by Bill, and these backdrops will be part of a paint-by-number themed show, "Bumber by Number", at the Bumbershoot Festival in Seattle on Labour Day weekend.

The last two photos shown here are of my MIPs - OMG, I just made that up BTW- it stands for " Most Important People" (or Peeps, if you prefer). Judging by the youthful appearance of both daughter and husband, I'm going to guess that these photos were taken 10 years ago or so. Ever since the photos of my MIPs were taken in front of the paint-by-numbers I have wanted to see the others, and finally I can lay that yearning to rest.

Collage for Days

2011-07-15T08:06:00.000-07:00

I have just discovered a website chock-a-block full of enough collage work (and interviews with the artists) to keep a person happy and entertained for days. It is called NOT PAPER, and you may see it here: http://www.notpaper.net/ I am always surprised and heartened to see how many people are out there producing collages. Perhaps I am not the scourge of society after all!

Ultra Violence

2011-07-09T21:32:00.000-07:00

Awkward Family Photos

2011-07-04T13:48:00.000-07:00

Surely everyone has seen "Awkward Family Photos" by now, but if you haven't, you have to check it out: http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/category/photos/awkward-hall-of-fame/ (this is a link to their "Hall of Fame", but there's more in there- so much more. The photos I've posted here are nowhere near the most outrageous). I ask you, what is this world we live in?

BASEBALL ... which normally I really have no time for.

2011-06-30T13:45:00.000-07:00

Days of Wine and Mixed Tapes

2011-06-25T19:49:00.000-07:00

Back in the day when mixed tapes roamed the earth and I had time for such things, I worked on some artwork for a tape I had in mind to make. It would appear that I wanted to have a nice lady with her mouth wide open, singing with abandon. But as you can see, the abandon became a little fierce... intense? Angry even? And so I (speaking of abandon) abandoned it, and the very last image you see is the one I eventually used. (My favourite now is actually the third one down).

Abandon!

The Bedroom

2011-06-23T08:31:00.000-07:00

A desperate bid to entertain- if anyone is even looking. I have been too busy to post much on the blog, let alone do any artwork of my own to post on the blog. I am hoping that this will turn around soon... yes my spidey senses tell me it is so. REVOLUTION! Where's Che Guevera in that hat of his when you need him?

J. McLaughlin

2011-06-15T13:32:00.000-07:00

I loves, loves, loves the paintings of J. McLaughlin. I'm a sucker for the retro imagery- there's that. But I also love the colours and the expert way she combines the exclamatory blurbs from vintage ads with the choice imagery. Sometimes they become downright abstract. As far as I know J. doesn't have a website I can direct you to, but she does often show around Victoria (if you are lucky enough to live here and catch one of her shows).

My Talented Husband

2011-06-13T08:22:00.000-07:00

This is an oldie, but a goodie. David's music nowadays is more- how shall we say... refined. Bordering on orchestral, with his amazing 7-piece band (The Euphorians). But right now, let us enjoy a blast-from-the-past, shall we?

HOBO CLOWN - Alison Schulnick Again

2011-06-08T13:36:00.000-07:00

Last Friday I posted a painting (actually a detail of a painting) by Alison Schulnick. The post was called "Sad Clown", but the painting is called "Hobo Clown", and it turns out she made a brilliant 5 minute film that goes by the same name. I was in such a rush when I posted the painting that I did not take the time to explore the website that I posted a link to, but luckily for me, my husband David did. And he found this.

Stina Persson

2011-06-07T13:41:00.000-07:00

Stina Persson is an illustrator based in Stockholm, Sweden. I enjoy the tension between the free-flowing ink and the way it's controlled. Here's her website: http://www.stinapersson.com/portfolio/watercolour/

Shivers

2011-06-04T22:24:00.000-07:00

For some inexplicable reason, the video I have been attempting to upload is not co-operating. PLEASE, hit this link: http://youtu.be/HxyhOZAKgk4

Sad Clown

2011-06-03T13:33:00.000-07:00

This is the work of Allison Schulnick. Here's her website: http://www.allisonschulnik.com/
Here's an interview with her: http://www.fecalface.com/SF/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1665&Itemid=92
Bon Appetit!

It's Fun To Make Things

2011-05-29T18:45:00.000-07:00

I don't get to post stuff here as often as I'd like. In fact, there are a lot of things I don't get to do as often as I'd like. My perfect life would consist of making things, painting, collaging, writing, and working in the yard. There might be some other things I'd need to throw in there, such as... speaking to people, and other unavoidable things like that. This perfect life will all unfold in the future, when I have my dream "out-building"/studio with the fantastic mature garden surrounding it. Everything in good time. I just hope that robots aren't already in charge by the time this all happens.

The Great Giffoni

2011-05-21T22:42:00.000-07:00

If ever you get the chance to see The Great Giffoni perform his magic show, please run, don't walk. Here's a way to contact him, if you want to find out when he's performing next, or if you'd like to hire him: http://www.facebook.com/thegreatgiffoni . Also, have you read The Amazing Adventures of Kavelier and Clay? Run, don't walk.

Shary Boyle

2011-05-17T13:24:00.000-07:00

I bought this book a couple of years ago while on vacation on Galiano Island (Galiano Island Books- I really like that little bookstore- http://www.galianoislandbooks.com/)

Thus was I introduced to the amazing artwork of Shary Boyle. As Sean Rogers says in a review of the book on The Walrus's blog back in October 2008, Boyle is concerned with "the fantastic and feminine and grotesque". This is true, so far as I can see, though those "concerns" are not what make her great. She executes everything she does masterfully (painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture... I haven't seen the overhead projection work), and this along with her unerring vision makes for some formidable artwork. It's not some creepy little system she's devised... there are no easy answers here. To my mind it's not so much an alternate world as it is a projection of an inner world (isn't that always the way?). Anyway. I don't claim to be an art critic- far from it. I JUST KNOW WHAT I LIKE.

Here's her website: http://www.sharyboyle.com/

20th Anniversary

2011-05-13T13:12:00.000-07:00

To commemorate my and David's 20th anniversary. To all you hubbies and wives out there!

The Artist is Present

2011-05-06T19:00:00.000-07:00

Last year at this time (14th of March - 31st of May 2010) there was a retrospective at MoMA in New York City of the work of performance artist Marina Abramović. Part of this retrospective was something new called "The Artist is Present", where the artist sat across from participants (many of whom had lined up for hours to be there) for as long as the participants wished (or could stand) to sit there. In total it was a 700 hour long performance, involving 1500 participants, and seen by 1/2 a million people. The 2nd link below is an article that touches on the "buzz" surrounding the performance. There were celebrities (yes, that's Bjork above); there were tears; there was some jostling. It also sounds like there were some pretty intense moments, dude.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/themuseumofmodernart/sets/72157623741486824/

http://www.metamute.org/en/content/the_artist_is_present

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCyN5JzaQQI&feature=related

The Great Depression in Colour

2011-05-01T17:56:00.000-07:00

I came across these photos some months back and was wowed by their beauty (and pathos!). It's much easier to relate to photos of The Depression when they're in colour, somehow.... just looks really familiar.
Here are many more: http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/2010/07/26/captured-america-in-color-from-1939-1943/2363/

Face 10

2011-04-29T23:13:00.000-07:00

2009 - Acrylic & Acrylic Ink on Board - 7x15 inches

Here she is! She lived in a closet for a year and a half, but now she's out, and she's for sale on Etsy (please see sidebar). Snatch her up, by gum! Or don't. I don't mind.

Oh God

2011-04-24T21:24:00.000-07:00

I, like so many others these days, am in love with this woman. Here is "A Mother's Prayer For Its Child", by Tina Fey: http://melodygodfred.com/2011/04/15/a-mothers-prayer-for-its-child-by-tina-fey/

Tin Can Alley

2011-04-23T10:30:00.000-07:00

Just a couple of rusty old tin lids that my dog found out in the woods. Nothing to get too excited about.

Fred Herzog

2011-04-20T17:01:00.000-07:00

Fred Herzog emigrated from Germany to Canada in 1952, and after living briefly in Toronto and Montreal moved to Vancouver where he took many incredibly beautiful photographs. It's difficult to be objective about many of them because they show a bygone era (that of my childhood, the 1960's), and many were taken on the West Coast, where I grew up. It's kind of heart-breaking to be taken back to a world that no longer exists, but is brought back so vividly. Apart from all that, many of them are simply stunning- the light, the colours, and the compositions. They made me feel a little sick to my stomach.

A short video / interview with Fred Herzog: http://vimeo.com/22104316

Wayne White

2011-04-17T18:41:00.000-07:00

I was given a gift certificate for Chapters for Christmas from my brother-in-law Michael. A gift certificate to a book store has got to be my all-time favourite gift (one I almost never get), because it affords me the luxury of traipsing around like I own the joint, taking my sweet time perusing the shelves till I find a book I might never otherwise buy but for the magic ticket in my pocket. This time around I pretty-much went straight to Wayne White's "Maybe Now I'll Get The Respect I So Richly Deserve", a book I had been attracted to in the recent past though I hadn't a clue who Wayne White was or why he so richly deserved respect. I bought the book, and am I ever glad I did. Wayne White is an artist who has done puppet shows, cartooning, sculpture, painting, commercials, set design... I'm sure I'm forgetting something. No dabbler he, though. He is what I would call a Great Artist... though I realise that could mean something vastly different to me than it does to you.

The book shows a lot of his art-work of course, but it is also comprised of a long interview with him by Todd Oldham that I found quite engrossing. This is a guy I would like to know, and I'm not sure I say that too often. Here is his website: http://waynewhiteart.com/index.php?/store/

Here also is a page about him that includes an audio clip by his wife Mimi Pond, and if you click on a link within that page, you'll also hear an audio clip with him that includes the story of how he came to do the paintings-on-thrift-store-paintings (some of which are shown here): http://www.scpr.org/blogs/offramp/2011/02/03/orb-wayne-white/

Long post. Excuse-moi.

Paintings in Etsy Land

2011-04-10T18:26:00.000-07:00

Many of my mixed media paintings have come home from the show at Polychrome Fine Arts (some are still for sale there), and I have added them to my Etsy shop for those who might be interested. You can see them here: http://www.etsy.com/people/inflatableeye
If you are in Victoria, you are of course welcome to view them in the flesh! Thanks for looking, folks.

The Original Skeleton

2011-04-09T21:07:00.000-07:00

From the vaults - again. I can't seem to stop myself from rummaging around through ancient sketchbooks these days. This collage may very well have been the very first one- the collage that launched a thousand collages. This is a copy of the original, and it was glued to the front of a sketchbook- hence the paint splotches, et cetera. I'm going to say that this collage is from 1990 or 1991.

Below is the skeleton collage that became one of my first cards, and has been copied about a trillion times. Give or take. I think it's from 1997 or 1998. Old times.

Seattle

2011-04-04T20:59:00.000-07:00

Dolly

2011-04-02T09:58:00.000-07:00

I found this in an ancient sketchbook last night- one of the first collages I did after university (and no longer had room to paint. At least, I think that might have been one of the things that precipitated this behaviour). Hil-arious! Dolly really knows how to attract fish.

Bombast Furniture

2011-04-01T19:03:00.000-07:00

I have a friend I love named Russell Baker, and he designs furniture. Beautiful, understated, quality furniture that is manufactured at his workshop in Vancouver, BC and sold in stores both in Canada and in the United States. For the last few years Russell, along with his partner David Eichorn, has had a retail showroom at 27 E. Pender, Vancouver BC, that will knock your socks off. Along with his own furniture he also sells lighting and rugs (among other things) that you'll probably be prepared to gnaw your own fingers off to get (am I projecting?). If you're anything like me you'll want to live there, you'll want to lounge there, you'll want to throw out everything you own and start over. More often than not you'll find Russell himself there, and he's one of the smartest (and funniest) guys you'll ever meet. So go already!

The beautiful and glamorous Jill Elliot

These are my own (non-professional) photos. For more, you know, STUNNING photos, take a look at the website: http://www.bombastfurniture.com/

Till Gerhard

2011-03-28T21:24:00.000-07:00

Lives in Hamburg, Germany... born 1971. That's all I know so far. I just found this painting on "Share Some Candy", and I must say I loves it quite a lot.

True Love

2011-03-26T12:07:00.000-07:00

11x14 - Mixed Media on Board - 2010

Apparently considered by many to be "the creepiest" piece in the show at Polychrome Fine Arts (1113 Fort Street, Victoria, BC). Unofficially known as "Canary Face" (naturally)... to see it in person is to feel the full brunt of the creepiness. The show continues until March 31st (closed Mondays and Tuesdays)... ending soon!

It's Not An Opening Without Cheese

2011-03-22T20:23:00.000-07:00

Presenting a few shots from the Opening of "Enigmatic Veil" (or is it "Cryptic Drape?" THANKS FORD) at Polychrome Fine Arts. The show runs until March 31st, it's a duo show with Christopher Starkey, and word on the street is that the gallery is happy to do lay-aways. Photos by D.P. Smith.

Cheese!

Crazza bought "Friend"!

My homies made an appearance

...as did a few other people.

There were hardly any problems at all.

The Euphorians

2011-03-20T18:27:00.000-07:00

The Euphorians. They are downstairs in the music room practising, as I write. They have 2 shows coming up this weekend, both at Discovery Coffee (664 Discovery Street, Victoria BC)--- Friday, March 25th, and Saturday, March 26th... doors at 8:30 pm, show at 9:00 pm sharp. They do not disappoint. They are... epic. Talented and intense. Unique, diverse, and très interesant. If I am not mistaken, the show will be half David P. Smith originals, and half western swing. Or thereabouts. Come on down!

The Euphorians are: Megan Boddy, Stefan Bozenich, Eric Gallipo, Scotty Henderson, Rachelle Reath, David P. Smith, and Marek Tyler.

Bessie Bug

2011-03-06T13:12:00.000-08:00

Mixed Media - 2011 - 8 x 10 inches

The newest addition to the pieces that will go into the "Enigmatic Veil" show at Polychrome Fine Arts opening next week. I was going to call her "Shithouse Rat" (as in, crazy as a...), but I decided that she deserved better. Or at least, something less profane.

Shameless and Shameful Self-Promotion

2011-03-05T17:53:00.000-08:00

I don't do it very often, Lord knows. Just having a blog is far more "out there" than I ever would have allowed myself to be in the past, but what the hell, I've become old and shameless. A "facebook whore", as I was called the other night. It's not that I think I'm so great- I certainly don't. But I've come to realise that some people actually do want to look at artwork, and the people who don't want to look don't have to. And on that note:

Come one and come all! Whatchoo talkin' 'bout Willis, EVERYONE.

Categories! We got categories!

2011-03-04T19:27:00.000-08:00

It may not seem like much to you, but I am pretty excited about my new CATEGORIES on the sidebar of this blog. When coming to a "weblog" for the first time, who's going to scroll back to the very beginning, or even close? No-one. Yet with these new-fangled CATEGORIES, a viewer can dip back into the history (may I call it that?) of the blog at will, according to whim. WIN / WIN. Or should I say WHIM / WIN? You be the judge.

Mini Plays at The Belfry

2011-03-02T16:30:00.000-08:00

My multi-talented husband David P. Smith will be participating in this years SPARK Festival at The Belfry. He will be performing a "Mini Play" called "The Day Dad Died". It's loosely about, well, the day his Dad died, and knowing David you can be sure it will be mysterious and evocative. The dates are March 10th, 11th, and 12th at 7:20 and 7:40; and March 13th at 1:20 and 1:40. Here's a link to the SPARK Festival: http://www.sparkfestival.ca/ The performances are 10 minutes long, and they're FREE.

Kate Scoones

2011-03-01T13:11:00.000-08:00

Kate Scoones has a show coming up at Xchanges Gallery (http://www.xchangesgallery.org/), opening March 4th. I have just discovered these fabulous oil paintings - I loves them! Here is a link to her website: http://www.katescoones.com/. Check it out.

Flight 1 and Flight 2

2011-02-27T13:22:00.000-08:00

These are small fellers - 6x6 inches - and don't involve any painting. Just plain ol' collage, with some silver leaf on Flight 1 and some gold leaf on Flight 2. Collages are usually a much more complicated business for me, even when they don't involve painting, so I feel hesitant to leave these be - they are very simple. But they're not calling for anything else, so... I need to shut up and back off.

Friend

2011-02-23T20:47:00.000-08:00

Mixed Media - 2011 - 8x10 inches
SOLD!

Here is my friend. Or is it your friend? Or perhaps the two, or is it three people in the painting are friends. How the hell should I know? I just make the things. I don't claim to understand them.

Vivian Maier Self-Portraits

2011-02-18T20:48:00.000-08:00

While in Chicago we saw the Vivian Maier photo exhibit at the Chicago Cultural Center. And lo, it was good (as expected). Her self-portraits especially are "what you want". See below for more Vivian Maier photos...

The King

2011-02-14T21:34:00.000-08:00

Mixed Media on Board - 6 x 6 inches

Eyes wide shut. The duo show with Christopher Starkey at Polychrome Fine Arts (called "Enigmatic Veil") is coming up, opening March 13th. Thank you, come again, hurry on down!

The Shape of the Day

2011-02-14T19:14:00.000-08:00

Back from Chicago. Poised to face the new world order. I'll understand when I'm older. (I'll try to be less mysterious in future posts, I promise).

Character Study

2011-02-06T17:57:00.000-08:00

Mixed Media on Board- 6" x 6"

I used a photo of myself at nine years of age for this one (I speak of the white painted part, not the child with the ringlet, or the simian).

(P.S.- I just wanted to use the word "simian". Reminds me of Planet of the Apes.)

Vivian Maier

2011-02-05T20:34:00.000-08:00

Take a look at this blog: http://vivianmaier.blogspot.com/

Vivian Maier was a nanny in Chicago who took photos that she never showed to anyone. As in, hundreds of thousands of amazing street scenes from the 50's to the 90's. Her photos might never have been discovered if a man named John Maloof hadn't bought her negatives, photos, and rolls of undeveloped film at an auction. It's a crazy story, and the photos are something to write home about.

That's Why The Lady is a Tramp

2011-02-05T16:36:00.000-08:00

   "Face 17" - 2009
   Acrylic & Acrylic Ink on Board
   7" x 15"

This lady will be auctioned off LIVE at the "Opposites Attract" fundraiser/auction/show on Saturday, February 19th at Open Space, 510 Fort Street. There will be work from local artists, UVic Visual Arts faculty, and UVic Visual Arts students. Half the proceeds of the sale of art go to the artist; the other half, plus all other funds raised during the night, go to the Mustard Seed Food Bank. Please check out the website for the event: http://oppositesattract.uvic.ca/

Let the Train Blow the Whistle

2011-02-04T18:50:00.000-08:00

Another of the songs David performed in tribute to my friend Clifford Doerksen. With Eric Gallipo & Calvin Dick. Filmed by Bradford Johnson. It's a long one. Get a glass of wine.

The Fam

2011-01-30T17:31:00.000-08:00

These are them - the most important ones. A few years ago, of course- Christmas 1997 at the in-law's in Alberta. You can't get Chloe to dance like that nowadays.

Bears

2011-01-29T09:18:00.000-08:00

This is the story of some bears, and their furniture. North American bears are known for their love of colonial stylings. Home is very important to them. If they didn't have to forage for food they would never leave their cozy living rooms.

Just kidding! It's all a joke, folks! Only east coast bears like colonial furniture.

This collage was made a few years ago, and has resided at the Regalia/Boucherat Gallery conglomerate in Fan Tan Alley since its birth. It's much larger than my usual - 16x20 maybe? (It's been so long since I've seen it). Resplendent in a cheap-ass gold frame. I've tried to unburden them of it more than once, but Kirsten wasn't having any of it. C'est la vie.

Sure to Fall

2011-01-23T00:06:00.000-08:00

Boxing Day pressure to perform.

Alberta

2011-01-22T15:16:00.000-08:00

Mixed Media - 2010 - 11x14 inches

Going Away Party

2011-01-22T08:38:00.000-08:00

David made a video in tribute to my friend Clifford, who died on December 17th. Brad Johnson is the filmmaker, and the other musicians are Rachelle Reath, Eric Gallipo, and Calvin Dick. I believe they did six songs in all, three of which have been uploaded to Youtube.

It's Epic, It's Old, It's Sequential, It's About Pregnancy!

2011-01-15T19:58:00.000-08:00

This is an art project I was asked to take part in back in the mid-nineties, part of a large project/installation by the artist Diana Lynn Thompson. I had completely forgotten about it, but I was cleaning up in the studio today and came across it. It's so funny to see, right after finishing "The Sketchbook Project", as these are indeed the pages of a sketchbook too. There was a show at The Richmond Art Gallery (that I never saw- I'm such a putz), where apart from Thompson's paintings & installations there were 18 desks, on each of which were placed the journal/sketchbook of a woman who had experienced the birth or loss of a child (this is reminding me- I was probably asked to write a journal, not do a bunch of insane collages. Whatever.) These pages kind of freak me out- I'm pretty sure I never went through all that craziness... I'm pretty sure I can't have had a baby. I know she's upstairs on our bed eating ice cream and listening to "Pride & Prejudice" on audiobooks with her head-phones, but still. It's hard to believe.

Pious Girl

2011-01-14T20:11:00.000-08:00

An oldie but a goody. I could never bring myself to use this as a card, for several reasons I guess. I love this one for the colour, the sumptuousness, and especially for the look on that girls's face. But the girl was lifted straight from a book published by a certain religious sect (HINT: they knock on your door and they don't leave you alone), and that always made me nervous. So, it hangs on my studio wall, and now it's showing here, and I think that's as far as it will go. Vive La France!

The Sketchbook Project, Part Three

2011-01-09T17:34:00.000-08:00

I think this may be the end of it. It's going to have to tour The United States of America AS IS. Anway, let's face it - there will be so many sketchbooks to look at, it will be a crap shoot as to whether mine gets plucked from the shelves and perused at all. What is cool is that if and when someone does look at it, I'll get an email telling me so (thanks to the barcode on the back). So... waiting and seeing.

More Sketchbook Project

2011-01-08T18:52:00.000-08:00

Please see the previous post for a brief synopsis of what "The Sketchbook Project" is all about. By the time I signed on there weren't that many themes left to choose from, and I chose "It's Raining Cats and Dogs". So there you go. And now the race is on to get something done before I have to mail it out Friday... but I just can't get too worked up about it. I have other things on my mind... DO YOU KNOW WHAT I AM SAYING? (That's me resisting the urge to write "gnome sayin?").

Sketchbook Project

2011-01-05T19:43:00.000-08:00

Perhaps you remember The Sketchbook Project from the first page of this blog (oh COME ON PEOPLE... you haven't gone back as far as the first page?). Here is a reminder:

http://www.arthousecoop.com/projects/sketchbookproject

Basically, you sign up, the fine people at Art House Co-Op send you a 5x8 moleskine notebook, you fill it (or, attempt to), you send it back, and it tours the United States of America, ending up in the Brooklyn Art Library. The books must be post-marked no later than January 15th for their trip back to the States, and I regret to say that I left mine till the last minute and am now frantically trying to fill it up with quickie collages. Smitty says I'll probably go back to these and add to them, but I highly doubt that. It's probably a good thing that I'm doing it quickly, and anyway it's a SKETCHBOOK, remember? A SKETCHBOOK. Not the goddamn Sistine Chapel.

ADDENDUM: I should have mentioned that when you sign up for The Sketchbook Project, you have to choose a theme from a list they've provided. There weren't that many left by the time I chose, and for better or worse I chose "It's Raining Cats and Dogs". Hence the heavy cat & dog content you see here.