I, like many of you, was so shocked to hear that George Michael died today. I always thought his voice was so strong on the song "One More Try" soaring from low to high with ease. On Twitter someone posted him singing a Queen song (with David Bowie and Seal, no less, looking on from the sidelines). I always thought that no one could match Freddie Mercury's or Elton John's vocals, but George Michael could. And who could emulate George Michael's? Not many. Some singers make it look so easy. Maybe the singing is the easiest part of it for them, and living life is the harder part. Please read this article by the great Bob Lefsetz on George's artistic contribution, and what it costs to be an artist.
Please also read Rob Sheffield's great tribute to George in Rolling Stone, here.
I need to work a day ahead here, so following is something in advance for Sunday. I'm not even sure how I arrived at this, but since Kim Kardashian West is everywhere, how could I not have her pop up in my artwork? I happen to be, just like Jennifer Lawrence, a fan of the Kardashians. To me it seems they work quite hard and they are beautiful chiquitas, you must admit!
I know they live a glamorous life, but can you imagine the constant vigilance it would take to always monitor what you look like and have to be followed by paparazzi? Better they have the life than I. I like the freedom to move anonymously and freely.
I just read a quote by David Bowie today from an interview he had with Tracy Emin. It was originally from The Guardian, although I ran across an excerpt of it in Artnet News.
TE: Did you always want fame? Is it something you'd wish on your children?
DB: I certainly fancied my own spoonful of it when I was young. I was more than downcast to find that fame brought nothing more than good seats in a restaurant. There is nothing there to covet. The nature of fame seems to have shifted recently. I understand that it doesn't even get you a Madonna ticket these days. So I won't be recommending it to my offspring. Having influence is more rewarding for feeding ego. Satisfaction and excitement with one's work is the biggest buzz, though.
Click here for that full interview in The Guardian.
Back to Kim Kardashian West--here she is in full shopping mode according to my interpretation.
I had to really push myself to draw David Bowie tonight...I'm still in such shocked upset about his passing that I'm finding it hard to get it all together...a fitting drawing, a fitting tribute. I feel so sad about it...like the world has stopped spinning in its regular path, such a loss that it is.
11" x 14"
Charcoal on Paper
Major Tom, you always led the way. Why did you have to lead on this path so soon?
David Bowie...I feel heartbroken that you are gone. I want to write about you, I want to paint a tribute to you, but I am so sad and so shocked by your passing that I can do neither. I'm so sorry to see you go...
It was tenuous. I wasn't feeling well Friday and Saturday, but I had gotten tickets to see David Bowie last month as soon as they had went on sale. Entry was via 1/2 hr. time slots, so if you didn't get there in your allotted time, you didn't get it. Well, lots of sleep and vitamin C got me to it, and I'm so glad it did. What an excellent exhibition! Filled with handwritten song lyrics, videos, clippings, memorabilia, TONS of clothing throughout his career, little black stuffed puppets with Bowie's superimposed upon them, German expressionist paintings, Hollywood references, earphones with David Bowie speaking through them as well as music synced to each room of the exhibit...I mean, amazing! At the very end was a huge room filled with screens of David Bowie in concert at about 8 different venues...it was surround sound and sight David Bowie. I truly felt like I was seeing him in person in the early '70's! You couldn't take pictures inside, so I'll let these outside shots and a few pics of the streets of Chicago suffice. The Chicago Marathon was also that day so the streets were overflowing with people wrapped in "foil" C.M. capes. Quite a memorable day!
Huge Bowie image at parking garage to begin.
Navy Pier
Inspiring art quotes in the parking garage. (-:
Outside of Museum of Contemporary Art
Don't let the empty lines fool you...the prior time slot had just went in and the next 1/2 hr. set couldn't enter yet...
It's over...returning the headphones...
A few gift shop shots.
Next line starting to fill up.
Look at that girl's super cute shoes to the far right.
Trump Towers.
See that foil-blanket wrapped guy toward the far right. Yep, one of the marathoners roaming the streets post race.
Hmm. I should have cropped this more. That doorway was so cool. But then again so was that chiquita strutting her stuff. Those fellows liked her.
One of my favorite places on earth. The Art Institute. Magritte is still showing, but I think it ends tomorrow, the 13th. I didn't write about that exhibition. Something for another blog post.
My uncle had given me about 7 David Bowie albums from the early '70's onward before he had moved out to San Francisco in the early '80's. They were all damaged in a flood. Sob. Anyway, my very favorite was "Young Americans," and "Diamond Dogs," and...oh forget it. I loved them all! I posted this another time in my blog here (Day 92. The Beauty of the Black Female Voice.)
Young Americans - Complete Album
David's most recent film appearance (lyric-wise) with Kristen Wiig in "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty." I can't find a clip when Kristen sings an acoustic version of "Major Tom" in Greenland to Walter...SO inspiring. See the movie, peeps.
