buy art. details

4/3/07, 1:40am
so a little over a week after my last update i inadvertantly bought a bookstore. here's the website and the myspace. who knew owning a business would be time consuming? oh well, won't let it stop me from painting.
these are the newest, marker sketches of hly on scrap wood, painted with spray paint, some highlights with pastel on the one on the right.

i also finished up the girl at the end of the bar and started another big gouache painting that'll take months to finish, sort of a marriage of bars and alleyscapes, a sorority girl puking in an alley. i'll try to get an in-progress image here soon.

and these two are collaborations with hly. both on 36 x 12 canvases, both mixed media.   if the one on the left has a title i don't know it. the one below i call ophelia. it includes some work by jonathan dye as well.
and that was a segue to the important part of this post: jonathan was to have his first solo show at my bookstore this first friday, april 6th. but last week he and his sister lost their home in a fire. so this friday the bookstore will be showing artwork donated by friends of jonathan, from three sities group, the arts exchange, and others. all proceeds from any work sold go to jonathan and his sister. so please come by and take home some art. or just make a donation. thank you.

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and the winner is

1/ 30/07, 1:43am
how i spent my weekend
something came up very last minute and i was unable to attend the 11th hour awards. but burkhalter called me from the show to let me know i won for favorite artist. again. by a whole 2 votes over craig hamilton. so thank you everyone who voted for me. i honestly can't beleive it. i was sure hamilton had it.
last year i did a little thank you painting on my studio wall. this year's thank you will take up half the wall. it is what i intended to paint at the ceremony that night: their award statue going godzilla on downtown macon, specifically that most appalling blight on the skyline, the fuckling building. i hope to be done before first friday.
i just started it saturday nite before going to the bird for the legendary jc's. i first saw them at bragg jam, and they had my ass movin' at the front of the dancefloor. and if you know me, you know that just doesn't happen. yeah, i'll go see them any chance i get.
but it was in the middle of my first drink that i had an important realization. most of the architectural notes and sketches i've done of the 'bird were done during happy hour. at nite i sketched the people. the lighting and color on the stage are quite a bit different with a band up there. the color scheme that worked so well in the whole fuckin' bar was wrong. saturday the lights at the back of the stage were red.

sunday that little change made a big difference in the girl at the end of the bar. and it turns out i wasn't done adding people. 2 more sunday, maybe more next time i work on it. but most of my studio time sunday was spent on the 11th hour award piece. it ties in to the sky background i'd done for something about american values. you can barely see last years thank you thru it, though i brought it out a little more with pencil.
then twas time to go to the foodies. i must say, heatherly looked omg wow!!! in that dress. lots of friends in attendance. free food. some hilarious moments on stage during the giving out of awards. than a break in the awards for the art auction to benefit the douglass and macon outreach.
never seen my art auctioned before. never known what any of them went for. till now. i dreaded low bids or no bids. some of the pieces before mine went down when no one wanted to offer the minimum. yikes. but then in a minute or two mine went from $75 to $240 in the most heated bidding of the nite.

it was more than i'd been asking for the painting, which would support those who tell me my prices are too low. but i still have to ask, if they're too low why do i still have so many paintings lying around? but if you wanna give me more i don't mind.
and it was nice to see how my work does against some other well known local artists: pretty damn well.

i mentioned last time i'd post the collaboration with heatherly this time. i didn't forget, but she said it wasn't done yet.

i thought i had something else to say about sunday nite, but its late, i'm tired, so good nite.

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hummingbird

1/21/07, 6:25pm
<< detail, the girl at the end of the bar
four months ago i estimated two months to finish it. still not done but almost. getting closer. at least i'm done adding people. i think.

the trio in the back right began as an afterthought, some lines and weight to balance a composition. in the end they may be one of the most interesting parts of the painting.

i have finished quite a few other projects in the meantime, most recently a collaboration with heatherly which i'll post next time, and changes in the buy art stencil to remove the outdated web address and add the studio's myspace instead.

i think it looks better this way. it seemed a little off balance before. and "will paint for food" was part of the original sketch so i'm quite happy i could get that in.

want it on a t-shirt? bring one by on a first friday. chicken little and protest stencils also available. another coming soon, bacause 3 cities is planning a show called multiplicity feature editioned work, single images used multiple times. that will be at the exchange first friday in march. 

in february we'll have several black artists from the area to tie in with black history month and the fellas' a night in africa: "african-inspired music on authentic instruments, as well some blues, jazz and folk. guests will learn about africa's influence on american music, and also how to play african drums."

& a completely unrelated odd coincidence: every once in a while some charitable cause wants to have an auction and asks me for a painting to sell. this month i was hit up twice. i picked out 20 or so paintings for each to choose from, and the two that were chosen, right >>, were painted as a set way back in the dea days. weird. the first auction was last saturday, aka international swainsboro day, the second is sunday the 28th at the foodies at the douglass.

and speaking of award shows, don't forget i'll be painting live with heatherly at the 11th hour readers choice awards (weather permitting) this thursday at the capitol.

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fun with spray paint

1/9/07, 11:42pm
"business trip"
spray paint and marker on canvas. 12x36.

you can see this saturday nite at brantley's pool hall in swainsboro. it's their grand opening with live music from the barricade nancy's, and several of us from the exchange - heatherly, burkhalter, the other eric, zellner, misti, maryann... - will be showing. its one of 5 art events in swainsboro that night. a few of us are also showing with 3 cities group in a show called simplicity at jack's java cove, and some of us sent work the gallery rfd's inaugural show, the art of communiation. all part of swainsboro's second saturday art showcase organized by everone's favorite rural revolutionaries, stillmoreroots group. thanks guys.

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hy

12/31/06, 11:18am
happy new year everyone!

hy & b>>
her xmas present.
spray paint and marker on found wood.

though she's inspired a few things, this is actually the first time i painted her. underneath is a previous (failed) attempt to paint her.

rumor has it the two of us will be doing a live painting at the 11th hour readers choice award ceremony on the 25th at the capitol. i say rumor because last time i thought i'd be doing a live painting it didn't work out. my fingers are crossed. we'll see.

speaking of the awards, you should vote for the arts exchange for best gallery. and winning last year for fav artist was cool but this year i'm voting for someone else.

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sp&m

...for "the art of communication," the inaugural exhibit for stillmoreroot's gallery rfd in swainsboro, opening reception jan 13^th. the same night i'll be showing with 3 cities group in a showed called "simplicity" at jack's java cove, also in swainsboro. other venues around town will be open that night with art and music, all orchestrated by stillmoreroots group. "the art of communication" show is open to anyone, just create something on the outside of an envelop or package including their address (106 n. green, swainsboro, ga 30401) and postage and put it in the mail. deadline is jan 1.

next update: heatherly's xmas present.

12/21/06, 10:28pm
every so often (whenever a model volunteers) we have figure drawing at the studio. not having any particular project to use her for, last time i just searched my space for any interesting thing to draw on and see what might come it. these are on a busted up scrap wood cut from fire. sketched in sharpie, finished with spray paint. they've been gifted. i drew a few more that may get painted. i also drew on a plate which will soon lead to my first attempt at lithography.

meanwhile, on an envelop...

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buy art

12/8/06, 11:33pm
oopsy. long time, no update.
sorry 'bout that.
busy life.

a couple newish things to the right. the top one is from a stencil, that time i went to protest dubya at the coliseum. the bottom is spray paint, marker and gesso, something about american values. expect more political work from me in the coming months. i'm in a mood. and i picked up two books that i highly recommend: design of dissent by milton glaser et al and wall and piece by banksy. go request them at your local independent bookstore.

but mostly i've been working on a myspace for the studio.  if you have a myspace you should add us.

several shows in the works for early next year. details forthcoming.

's all for now.

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bat style teehee

10/19/06, 2:08pm
fire >>
5'7"x2'ish, spray paint and marker on found, textured wood.

sometimes, when i'm really lucky, i get to work on an idea or a feeling and get lost in it. it takes over and leads me. and when its done i look at it and can't believe i did it. this is such a painting. truly inspired. thanks hy.

oh, and lookie, the invites for the fall show are in:

designed by our own katy olmsted.

we'll feed you. we'll give you beer. and we'll show you art. and it will cost you nothing, unless you wanna take some art home with you. you'd be a fool to miss it.

and for those of you who work first fridays, there will be a preview party/cocktail hour nov 2^nd at 7pm.

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spray paint

10/8/06 10:01pm
<< sleep. the latest installment of fun with spray paint and marker, and a little newspaper for texture. sawed off the wood at the edge of the bed.

meant to post this before first friday with a reminder for you to go. oops. oh well.

click to read the article in fridays telegraph

it was great all around. the 3 cities show drew a good crowd. it came early and it stayed. got to see people i haven't in a while, welcomed old friends to the studio for the first time, met some new artists, traded work with a couple (yay, i own a jonathan dye and 2 more mark watkins).

out front they handed out poster board and markers for anyone to make a sign protesting anything. they got quite a few, some protesting the show or the group or art generally, mostly humorous. others left serious political thoughts. signs were taped up out front for the show and now reside in the gallery, part of the show. it will be up the rest of the month. you can come see it by appointment with anyone with a key the building. unfortunately the video part of the installation probably won't be available.

the artists all seemed happy with how it went, and surprised they actually ran out of beer. the party went late, barely made it to the 'bird before the band was done.

oh, check out the current macon magazine piece on the exchange. the print version is accompanied by several pages of photos of each of us in our studios, by our own maryann bates. 

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prints

9/29/06, 3:27pm
new prints from the hummingbird sketchbooks >>

just in time for bragg jam, 3 new prints in editions of 5. i'll scan them and post them to the prints page next week but you can see and buy them saturday at the arts exchange's booth on cherry street, by blair's and bella donna. 

i wanted a way to offer my drawings without tearing up the sketchbooks and giving away the originals. people so enjoying looking thru the books and always want the drawings they're in. so i consulted printmaker extraordinaire burkhalter and he taught me how to make solar etchings.

i scan the sketch and print it on a transparency, put the transparency on a the etching plate and let it bake in the sun a while. the areas exposed to the sun harden and the rest can be brushed away in warm water, then ink and print like any other etching. and after i learned how, i started looking for ways to make is more than, or at least different from, the original drawing, adding extra shading and form by finger painting the ink back on the plate once wiped. its fun. i'll definitely do more, and hopefully learn other methods.

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3 cities

Macon - The Three Cities Group, a local artist collective, will hold an exhibition at the Contemporary Arts Exchange of Macon during the month of October. The exhibition is titled "Success Through Scandal," and will feature the work of over 10 artists from throughout Georgia including Jonathan Dye, Mark Watkins, Michael Marks, Derek Gasaway, Heidi Clinite, James L. Sammons, Megan Tiedeman, Charlie Tebeau, Britney Carroll, Joanna Prather, Conn Browning, Megan McCurley , and many more! The Contemporary Arts Exchange, a landmark of the Macon art scene for over 15 years, will host the exhibition and is located on the corner of Second and Mulberry in downtown Macon.

The Three Cities Group was founded in 2004 by three artists who desired to create a stronger contemporary art movement within the rural communities of Georgia. The founding members believe that recent developments in technology and communication offer a new and powerful opportunity for artists from rural communities to develop a stronger voice in the local, national and international art world. The group began as a way to foster communication between artists living throughout Georgia and eventually hopes to create an even larger community of artists.

"The chance to hold an exhibition at the Contemporary Arts Exchange is a real validation of our group’s accomplishments over the past two and a half years," comments Jonathan Dye, the group’s exhibition coordinator. "The (Contemporary) Arts Exchange is run by working artists just like us, and to be recognized by them and invited to be a part of what they have built is just an honor." 

This exhibition represents the largest group of artists that have exhibited with the Three Cities Group since it’s inception. "Success through Scandal" is described as a bold attempt to create a new paradigm for art exhibitions, especially within the rural South. The purpose is to satirize our popular culture, now filled with celebrities famous for simply being famous, and to satirize the use of controversy as a marketing tool. The exhibition will include traditional paintings and drawings, video installations, performance art and spectator interaction.

"The irony of this exhibition is that it attacks the idea of fame through scandal, but at the same time it is a blatant attempt by us to gain fame. I hope that irony is not lost on our guests. We invite them to come out, have a drink, see some art, and even protest us...if they want!" remarks the exhibition’s CO-coordinator Michael Marks. The exhibition will kick off with an opening reception on Friday, October 6th from 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Complimentary beverages will be served.

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stencil

9/19/06, 7:44pm
<< yay, its a new stencil!

finished up the circus raised me friday night, spent the weekend on this. all the artists at the studio are supposed to be making posters for the fall show, just an image to put with a text block giving the who what when where. after the meeting heatherly and maryann talked me into making a "buy art" stencil to put on t-shirts for that night.

2 birds? one stone? why not.

since the text isn't ready yet i'll just tell you: the contempoary arts exhange's annual  fall members show with art, live music, free food and alcohol, first friday november 3, at the exchange, corner of second and mulberry, above michael's restaurant.  

in other news, there's an opening this thursday for a new exhibit by carl phillips at the 11th hour offices. food and drinks provided. you should go

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hank vegas

9/10/06, 11:09pm
<< some months ago i was talking with hank vegas about an album cover. he wrote a couple lines on a napkin to guide me. i set the napkin down at the studio and, like any note that enters that space, it was soon buried and forgotten. last friday brad s. brought the subject up again. so i searched until i found what hank had written: "the circus raised me," and i got to work thursday. its hard to make a woman look feminine after you paint a beard on her. and i wondered for quite a while where two-headed boys find their shirts. its not quite done but should be in a couple days.

saturday was my second anniversary of getting to work in the studio. i celebrated first by painting and then by drinking and picking up a wonderful new drawing by bobby holliday. one of the best perks about being an artist is being able to trade. i'm getting quite a nice collection that way.

if you want to add to your own art collection, come out to bragg jam sept 30. this years arts and crafts festival will be bigger and better than last, with artists and vendors from all over middle georgia, including me and several others from the arts exchange, and 3 cities group. after the circus raised me is done i'll get back to the prints to have them available for bragg jam. i hope to see you there.

edit: updated pic posted 9/18. i'm done with it.

and there it is on a poster >>

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happy bday hy

9/3/06, 10:32 pm
<< its called birthday painting. spray paint and marker on found wood with wallpaper on it. nfs, a birthday gift.

i usually do birthday paintings on the wall of the studio to photograph and post on friends' myspace pages, and then destroy them: elisha's, roger's, and so on.

since the live painting for chris' birthday didn't happen, this was the first to survive and be gifted.

the rock and roast still happened and was, in my opinion, the best birthday in the history of birthdays.

first friday was slow but still a good time with good friends. maryann shot pictures for an upcoming macon magazine piece on the exchange. she also informed us some of us, myself included, are in the photo slideshow running in the background of newtown macon's site. walking by their offices later that night i ran into gordon who informed me the same pic of me thats on their site is the front cover a new report from the uga center for community design and preservation titled "make every night saturday night in macon." and if deals between drunk people at bars are binding i'll have some other good news soon.

next first friday the exchange will be hosting an outside show by three cities group. and november will be our annual fall show. i'll post more details on those closer to the events.

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hummingbird

incidentally, that sketch and others are now available as prints. more coming this fall.

8/30/06, 12:16am
<< finished this tonite. not sure what i'm gonna call it. two feet by three feet nine inches, $300.

work on the girl at the end of the bar continues, adding a band on stage based on the treas in season london calling sketch:

and added girls dancing in front of the stage, based on this one of juliette and thalia:

you can see these and everything else this friday, and every first friday, at the studio, corner of second and mulberry above michael's restaurant in downtown macon. i hope to see you there. and don't forget chris horne's rock n' roast at the 'bird this thursday. 

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hummingbird

8/28/06, 12:47am
<< i started the painting on the left about a week ago. i intend to call it the girl at the end of the bar. i figure it'll be at least two months' work to finish it like conversation, the whole fuckin' bar, and corner.

meanwhile, when it gets tedious, or when i don't know where the next brushstroke should go, i turn to the easel behind me and continue to play with spray paint, learning how it works and what it can do. started this one today:

<< that one i finished up yesterday. its called ummingbird for obvious reasons. its about four feet by twenty and a half inches, on a piece of wood i found. and it can be yours for $350.

i'm liking the textures of beat-up, found wood so much i started adding my own textures with the one above, collaging wood & paper on before i started painting. it is, after all, play. experimentation. lets see what happens if...

this thursday i'll be doing one of these with nigel pierce in front of the 'bird for chris horne's birthday rock n' roast.

in other news, i'm changing the format of the site to something more like a blog, this being the first such update. and look, you can comment. i'm using haloscan for that.

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page last modified 4/2/07