David Bowie Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago

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.

Stop and Smell the Roses

This was a good day because:

I was driving along at lunch, 

windows open,

the sun was shining on a day when you could breathe,

the air crispy cool, looping around the sunny rays, 

a gift from fall.

Then, the familiar plucking and chords begin,

Heart's, "Crazy Over You,"

fingers turning the knob up to SUPER LOUD,

"My love is the evening breeze touching your skin

The gentle sweet singing of leaves in the wind...,"

And,

I had an ensalada with 

lime vinaigrette,

chicken, 

guacamole, 

extra hot red chili sauce, 

and corn salsa 

And,

As I strolled out of work talking with friends,

I found,

the air still gentle and filled with yellow.

Later I walked my dog slowly in

bright, green grass 

next to freshly harvested earth, 

and then around woods,

remembering skipping along railroad tracks when I was girl.

And, 

the water tower loomed above my head,

cirrus clouds, like a shredded cloth, moving slowly, slowly, slowly

across the periwinkle skies,

and me singing "Blackbird" loudly

no one hearing my crackly voice

in the cricket silence,

or me laughing at myself.

So happy. (-:

"Stop And Smell The Roses"

Heart:  "Crazy Over You"

Bluebird Birdhouse

Here's a commissioned birdhouse for my friend Bonnie.  She told me she liked yellow, red, and her mom loved bluebirds.  I always loved the Paul McCartney and Wings song, "Bluebird," viewing it on Cinemax through an ancient cable box when I was a kid and watching "Rockshow" (from their 1976 concert tour) over and over and over again.

Bonnie loved her mom dearly and the lyrics seemed perfect to use.

The yellow paint has both a sheen and glitter in it, neither of which seem to show up too well in these pictures.

That yellow glitter in the paint is best seen at the top of this picture.

I had a special message for Bonnie and her mom on the bottom of the house, but that's just for her so I won't post it for the world.

Here's Paul McCartney and Wings singing that wonderful song from "Rockshow"

"Bluebird"

Malcolm Young (No Longer Available)

I was so sad to hear about Malcolm Young, founding member of AC/DC, one of the best rock/metal bands of all time, is suffering from dementia.  Actually, I had read that news earlier this year, but reading a second report of it today makes it appear very serious.  Here's a link if you haven't already heard.

I mean, I have to include a classic AC/DC clip here, with brother Angus moving in forward step fury in his schoolboy uniform,  But first, pay attention to the following track which gave a taste of what was to come.  Recorded in their AC/DC precursor group, Marcus Hook Roll Band, listen to this great single Rolling Stone magazine featured back in May of this year called "Louisiana Lady."  The greatness was there, even at 18 (Angus) and 20 (Malcolm) years of age.

Send out a prayer for an Aussie who gave the world a band and a reason to headbang in melodious style.   Thank you, Malcolm.

SERIOUSLY, listen to this--so good and such good sax!

Rolling Stone Magazine Malcolm and Angus :"Louisiana Lady"

Now a little "Highway to Hell."  I'll never forget this song playing on the radio--the VERY FIRST song!--as I headed off with an old roommate, her boyfriend, and his roommate to New Orleans and Austin back in college.  WHY didn't I heed the calling from the boys--it was a disastrous trip, but I ignored the metal warning.  Ah, well.  Live and learn.  Kick it, Angus!

"Highway to Hell"

Here's a great "Behind the Music" special on AC/DC.

Ben Harper Inspired

Inspired by the cool style of Ben Harper.  A little collage and mixed media to honor him.

Here's a slice of gentle groove for this chilly evening.

Ben Harper - from the album, "Welcome to the Modern World"

"The Three of Us"

Jazz At Night with Fibers

Jazz at Night with Fibers

Although this song isn't  free-form jazz, to me it does have a jazzy feel.  And besides, I love it.

"...I'm a stranger in this town, you're free with me."

Jeff Buckley - "Everybody Here Wants You"

Feeling Frustrated SOLD

I am feeling frustrated (not the word I was going to do).  I wrote a blog post for each of my last face paintings, but then didn't include them.  Sometimes I just don't want to explain myself.   Ugh.  I have some really great things going on in my life, but I also feel like I'm spinning my wheels and spinning my wheels and don't know where the hell I'm going or what I'm doing.  Sometimes it feels like no matter what you do, it's not enough and everyone is sprinting ahead of you.  And, every time you think you're achieving something, spilling your guts out through paint, someone is achieving more.   (I know, I KNOW--it's not about comparing...but seriously, SOMETIMES it WILL creep in!)  I was just watching a documentary where this guy who is autistic and a painter, said when people say they could do what he does, he says to them, "Good.  Do it."  (-;

I cringe as I reread this.  What a cry baby.  Too bad.  I'm feelin' it.  Maybe someone who's feeling the same will feel better knowing there's another sad sack out there.  Maybe I'm just tired.  I want to pull a Thoreau and just go live in a cabin in solitude for two years.  Yes, I'd say I better get some sleep.

I read in the New York Times that André 3000 of Outkast was recounting how Prince told him the following:

“When you come back, people want to be wowed. 

And what’s the best way to wow people? 

Just give them the hits.” 

I’m explaining to him that I really didn’t want to do it. 

He said: “I’ve been there. I’ve tried to do other things. 

After you give them the hits, then you can do whatever.” 

Well, I idolize Prince.  I should take his advice.  I should paint some cute, happy, approachable pictures.  Uh, huh.  Instead I'm feeling like Irish-born/British figurative painter, Francis Bacon.

This painting started out as a long, pissed-off balloon face with super squinty eyes and a hand flippin' the bird.  I tried to calm it down.  I feel like I have to censor myself so I don't get all sorts of labels thrown my way.  Shall I say, dear world, UGH again?  I see my future...I'll die from inhalation of toxic fumes from oil paints, both inhaled and absorbed through my skin which is always smeared with something (hmm, that doesn't sound good), lying on the ground outside of 6 storage units, filled with all my paintings.  See?  I AM in a bad mood.  This dude doesn't look nearly as angry as I started out feeling.  Guess the music I was listening to helped me to get out of my funk.

 12" x 24"

Oil, Acrylic, Ink, Ground Pastel, Frustration on Canvas

My palette:

My music to try to get out of this funky funk:

Violent Femmes - "Add It Up"

Iggy Pop & The Stooges - "Search and Destroy"

Face with Wrinkles

Face with Pattern

Lust

I've thought for some time that I would like to have a separate blog for spicier drawings.  Is that bad to admit?  I don't think so... I mean, sometimes I just want to express that arena.* All the great painters did it---how many times did Picasso draw naked men and women and the act of sex?  Uh, A LOT. I mean it's a part of being human, after all.  Why does it have to be twisted around into something forbidden?

Can you imagine me posting any drawings of said nature on Facebook?  No problem, there. ha!  I remember when I included in a blog post, a clip of Tom Cruise in the movie, "Rock of Ages."  Oh, my gosh, that movie got a PG-13 rating, people!  Anyway, some woman wrote that she would not tolerate pornography and promptly de-friended me.  Just so you can check it out, here's the link to the post that caused THAT ruckus (see last film clip there)!  Feeling Awful? Have a Falafel.

Here's a tame painting of lust, just to keep on everyone's good side. (-;

 Oil, acrylic, pastel and ink on handmade Italian paper

*(Just a quick aside here--Does anyone remember Anne Rice who wrote the "The Vampire Chronicles" series?  (You know the Vampire Lestat?) She wrote, under the pseudonym A.N. Roquelaure--and other novels under Anne Rampling--the "Sleeping Beauty Trilogy" about BDSM--I mean, THOSE were the ORIGINAL "50 Shades of Grey."  Just giving you yet another example of someone else who had to unleash a little spice, too. (-;

Dreams of Tea and Singing (No Longer Available)

One of my co-workers and friend, Connie, wants to open a tea and wellness center.  She also happens to be a fantastic singer!  Well, today at work, she belted out a few verses of the Stones', "Angie."

Cue the post-it note:  I had to draw up my vision of her, working at her tea shop, singing a song whenever the mood would strike her.  I also included another co-worker/friend, Lynn in the picture.  Lynn has a wonderful, square jawline, likes to wear skirts and ride her bike.  That's her, circling around singing Connie.  (This is just how my mind works).  I'm in there, too, for encouragement, along with a random tea-guzzling customer.  I think she should call her place the Cosmic Cafe or Coffee, Tea or Me. ha!

If anyone wants to go into business with Connie and make her dreams come true--or hire her as the lead singer of a rock band--let me know, and I'll put 'ya together.  Let the dreams begin!  (-;

Blown

Just felt like painting in oil.

Outdoor lighting.  You can see bits of paper I've added to the painting the best in this version. 

In my art room.  This one is larger at 18" x 24".

Below is a close-up taken not with filters or photo-editing, but rather in my dining room with turquoise walls.  Isn't it amazing the varying results in different lighting?

She Could Go Anywhere - Tattoo Style

My friend Cassie Deason has bought many of my creations.  She "gets where I'm coming from," you might say.  Anyway, here's one that she bought while she viewed my posts on a visit to Seattle.  It's from August 19th 2013, called "She Could Go Anywhere."  I'm pasting my original blog post below.

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Day 229. She Could Go Anywhere

Yes, she had a pasty, pallid face that glowed in the dark and dishwater brown hair that had never known a highlight in the sun. Yet lying on her floor with a book in front of her, she could be anyone, go anywhere, breathe in adventure, love, and fantasy at any moment.  Why, she had traveled to places unknown to those around her.  She was...content.

Cassie now lives near Seattle, and she just took the bold step to get a tattoo of this painting on her thigh. How honored I am!  My original is more murky and dreamlike whereas the tattoo is brighter and more colorful.  Here you go...thanks again, Cassie!