Keith Haring

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving. How about the Keith Haring float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade? What a great choice for a visual artist- perhaps the artist to best represent New York City, perfect style for a parade, his foundation continues to fund childrens' programs across the country, he was a social activist- great choice! I was just excited to see that an artist had a float.

What a cool artist, I've always been a fan. I'm so glad to see him recognized. If you're not familiar with his work- look him up. His work is just a high dose of happiness wrapped up into a visual language.

Taliesin

What a nice surprise I received yesterday- my friend Mary Margaret and her very cool daughter Cristina recently visited Taliesin, the home and architectural school of Frank Lloyd Wright - and they thought of me while browsing the gift shop! (I am a museum gift store junkie by the way, I love them!). So I now have a very cool, signature cherokee red Frank Lloyd Wright coffee mug.

I was just talking about architecture recently on one of my blog posts. What I love most about Frank Lloyd Wright is his philosophy that people are most content when living in harmony with nature rather than imposing themselves upon it. His designs reflect that philosophy.

I am amazed Hollywood hasn't done a movie on Frank Lloyd Wright. Most famous architectect in history- his family was murdered by one of the house staff members and Taliesin was nearly burned to the ground. Wright vowed to rebuild, and he did. He considered Taliesin his masterpiece. Amazing story, no? And just when everyone had sent Wright off into the sunset, he produced Falling Water for the Kaufmann family. Could that story be any more dramatic?

Anyway, my coffee tastes better today in my new Frank Lloyd Wright mug.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Life

Thought of the day:

Today is the first day of the rest of your life.

Metropolitan Museum

I've been in New York for the last few days. I just love the city- love it. I had a pretty busy schedule, so I didn't have time to do a whole lot. I would have liked to have met up with a few friends and to have had time for coffee with Antonella (artist website review on previous entry). I did spend some time in China Town (which I love) and had time to hang out with friends Beth and Susan. They are both so upbeat and good natured - it's important to surround yourself with people who have positive energy. They made me laugh quite a bit- it was a good time.

On Friday I visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art and saw the Art and Love in the Renaissance exhibit. I'll sum it up in one word: disappointing.

The Renaissance had so much passion. Love is a prevailing theme in both art and literature, but this exhibition featured too many paintings about sex and physical relationships. It misses the mark. Perhaps to appeal to a broader audience? Alright, so perhaps in the presence of true love, a sexual relationship can grow into Divine Love, but this exhibit didn't present it in that manner. I thought it cheapened the passion behind the art of the Renaissance.

I still had a great time in New York, and how can you not love the Met?

Everyone is Beautiful

Everyone is beautiful. Aren't they? Aren't you? Certainly. There is something truly beautiful about every person. The word beauty is often times reduced to a superficial representation or abbreviation of what the word truly represents.

Beauty comes from the heart, from the soul, not from reconstructive surgery or calorie in-take.

Life is good. Find something beautiful in everyone you meet.

Wear Sunscreen

Take a moment- go to this site and listen to the song. It will improve your day. Trust me. Everybody's Free (to Wear Sunscreen) by Baz Luhrmann. I love it.

http://www.karmatube.org/videos.php?id=12

Hero Worship

Okay- I don't get it. The hero worship that goes on in this country. Why? Why are so many people obsessed with the speed and strength of a professional athlete? Why are so many people obsessed with the lives, success and failures of athletes? It's entertainment, yes, but the odd way in which people worship those people just baffles me. People decorate their houses with the images of teams and players.

If I were to make a list of the most important people in history (good topic for a new post), I would include Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed, Confucious, Einstein, da Vinci, Mozart, Shakespeare, Lincoln, Jefferson and Washington. I would also include Michelangelo, Freud, Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.

There are others that could be included in an extended list such as Newton, Franklin, Gates and Guttenberg. I don't think an athlete would ever make the list.

Here's a question. How many people in the country can tell you what sport and what team either Michael Jordan or Peyton Manning play/play for? Now- how many people can tell you why Newton is on my list?

Have a nice day.

Plato, art and philosphy

Thought for the day: Plato often times promoted the discussion of philosophy and art, debating which was closest to truth. The discussion continues to this day among scholars with no clear answer.

I have an opinion on the matter that I would like to offer. Understanding of course, that in comparison to Plato, the great scholar, I possess the intelligence of a lab monkey! Nonetheless- you know what they say about opinions!!

Here it is- to continue this debate, both sides will do their best to prove superiority, which, in turn weakens and degrades the other discipline. This debate will (undoubtedly) continue without resolution, but why?

Why does one have to be superior? Why can't we love both? Why can't artists also be philosophers? I guess in a sports crazed world people need to know who can run fastest and jump highest, but does that kind of discussion have a place in the arts?

Peace out,
the lab monkey

Michael Fratangelo

I thought I would review another artist web site. Since Mike stopped by recently and left a message, I will have you take a look at his work today.

Website: http://www.fratangelo.com/. Fratangelo has a great sense of color. That's my favorite aspect of his work, and yes I do have one of his paintings in my home. If you read his statement, I think you will have a far greater insight into his paintings. He is very concerned with the spirituality of art and the ability to communicate. That's an important mission- to communicate.
I think the best thing you can do as an artist is to be true to yourself and believe in your art. Fratangelo certainly does that and the work in genuine because of it.

Go check out his site, there are some great works in there- bold, energetic paintings that tell a story about far more than the face value of a person or object. I like to call them energy paintings. Go look.... go ahead, I'll wait. Then come back.

Ciao!

Movies

Happy Friday to all!

So the new James Bond movie comes out today. Very rarely do I get excited about new movies, but I'll make an exception for a Bond film. I do admit I'm not completely sold on the new Bond. Sure, he's a bad ass, but Pierce Brosnan was a great Bond. Speaking of movies, I went to bed super late last night after watching Jet Li's Fearless. Great movie. I've seen it so many times now, yet I can watch it again right now. I love good martial art movies. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is another amazing film- love it.

Also a big fan of the Matrix movies, but it's the philosophy and metaphysics that make those great. The fight scenes are awesome, but it's a heavy story line about our existence. You know, now that I'm thinking about it, I love Fight Club too- that's a lot of fighting films. That's about far more than fighting though.

Other great movies: What the Bleep Do We Know? Have you seen it? If not, watch it- tonight. Seriously, it's that good. Pollock is a great movie, but I'm a Jackson Pollock fan, so I might like that even if it wasn't so good.

My little friend Cassie tells me what cinematic masterpieces I need to see to be a respectable film critique. I'm still getting around to those. At least I've seen Citizen Kane. Then again, what does she know? The girl is addicted to ice cream- serious addiction. I'm surprised she still has teeth.

Alrighty, have a great Friday- celebrate appropriately. Go home and watch What the Bleep Do we Know? It may change your life.

Architecture

I know everyone is all geeked out about Dubai, but I just don't get it. It looks like the setting for a new Star Wars film. So, do our futuristic movies actually influence our future designs and styles? If that's the case, are we regressing when we should be progressing? Funny- self fulfilled prophecy for designers and architects.

So, speaking of architecture, my favorite architect is Frank Gehry. I expect him to be the new alpha dog in the history books. Frank Lloyd Wright was fantastic, but Gehry appears to have done the impossible with his designs. I'm still a fan of Wright- love the Guggenheim in NYC and love to make the drive to Falling Water every fall (hour and a half from Pittsburgh and a must see). Gehry has an exciting energy to his buildings- they are bold and fluid allowing function to follow form.

Whether it's art, fashion, music even personality, it all comes down to the right kind of energy.

Fashion

Fashion is similar to art in so many ways that it's hard not to have an interest in designers and trends. I do admit, it's an area I would like to venture into some day- in the same way that many tattoo artists have started their own clothing lines. Ed Hardy is very colorful and has adapted his work to clothing and objects with a high degree of success. The Miami Ink crew is also producing nice work. Speaking of tattoo artists- what is Kat Von D doing to herself?? She has a classic beauty about her and she is tattooing all of her skin. Yuck.

Other random thoughts about fashion.... I would have to say my favorite designer to purchase would be Calvin Klein. Kenneth Cole is becoming a second favorite. I am guessing that Vera Wang is a favorite of most women? Don't know about that, but she seems to be a rather powerful person in fashion. Hottest supermodel: Adriana Lima.

Another thought- I am going to be in New York next week. Hopefully I find some cool new clothes while I'm there.

Ciao.

Antonella Mason

I thought I would review other artist sites and galleries from time to time. I stumbled across Antonella one evening and had a very nice exchange with her. She truly embraces the life of an artist and has so much passion. The first line of her artist's statement reads "The essence of the human soul has become the purpose of my search." I posted my new statement last week for all to read. The statement tells so much about our (the artist's) mission, love, passion and purpose. Antonella has composed one fantastic statement.

When you view her site (antonella-mason.it) you will find very expressive brush strokes, introspective views into her subject and an intensity that reveals the artist's heart and soul.

Very cool paintings, poetry, great photos and one very impressive resume. She travels back and forth between Italy and NYC. There are so many great artists out there- so many interesting people in the world- add Antonella to the list.

The Secret of Life

As a special bonus, today I will disclose the secret of life:

The secret is that there is no secret. Just be. Find happiness.

As you were.

Life on Mars

Sunday morning- having coffee and thinking that I should really go to the gym. I'm feeling a little lazy at the moment. Maybe I'll just do the eliptical later.

So I was thinking about the Carnegie International "Life on Mars". That was my second visit through the exhibit and I have to say, this is the best International in over a decade. I was disappointed with the last few Internationals and started to question whether the Carnegie had forgotten the mission statement of the Internationals, which were designed to inspire a dialogue about social and aesthetic concerns. This one is a homerun. If you haven't been there-go. I won't promise that you'll love every single artist in the show, I certainly didn't. There will always be a few works in any exhibit that you will not connect to or appreciate. Overall, I thought this was a fantastic representation of what is new and exciting across the globe in regards to contemporary art. I love the theme, not a literal search for life on another planet, but an exploration of what it means to be human today, a self portrait of humanity. Brilliant.

Highlights:
I Wish Your Wish- very clever. An intimite way of connecting people and their hopes, wishes, dreams. Stop and read before you begin to view the exhibit, it's a nice way to open your heart to the work you are about to see.
Cavemanman- interesting, it is literally a cave with several rooms. A message about consumerism and greed- I don't think the artist is a very optimistic guy! A must see.
A Thousand Daddies- I love the texture and presentation of theseworks .

Also, the video installations are very nice, possess an interesting energy.

Go see it before it ends in January.

Sacred Places

I hope everyone is having a great weekend. I slept in till 9 this morning (woohoo!), and then went to the dojo and trained for 2 hours. We trained with swords today- I still have all my fingers and limbs, so it's all good!

I went to the Carnegie Museum this afternoon. I spent every Saturday of my childhood in the Carnegie attending art classes, so now as an adult, the museum is one of those sacred places where I can go to think, to disappear, to get inspired and revisit my childhood all at once. I finished my day at Del's in Bloomfield. For those outside of Pittsburgh, that's an Italian restaurant in a little Pittsburgh neighborhood known as Little Italy.

There are so many great things about Pittsburgh, but that's a whole new post. So-where is YOUR sacred place? Now the last time I asked a question, I received dozens of emails from friends telling me their answers (favorite artist). Stop being so shy and answer with a post.

Ciao!

My visitors

Hello there my little lurker friends. I know the blog is only a few days old, but I felt bad that only a couple people left messages so far. That is, until I looked at my website report and saw that nearly 100 people viewed the blog already. I feel better about it now that I know I'm not writing to myself.

It's the weekend! I do love my students, but I love sleeping in oh so much. Speaking of my students, all artists should teach. It changes your perspective, it improves your abilities and knowledge base. It's also very enjoyable.

Warm fuzzy wishes for a great Friday.

New Artist Statement

So here is my new Artist Statement. It better reflects my philosophy of art, living and why we do the things we do. Perhaps it better tells what goes on inside my head than the last statement. Hope you like it.

Artist Statement:
The artworks I create represent the bold, upbeat nature of life. Life is exciting and passionate- I want my art to reflect the excitement life offers us everyday. I want my art to represent the pure beauty of the moment.

The reward for living in the moment is the heightened awareness of the sounds, scents, tastes and sights that represent the pure beauty of life. These rewards are available to us every moment in the form of a smile, through laughter, in the taste and scents of your favorite foods, in an evening breeze or the sounds of nature.

My art is about everyday and everyone. It's about living in the moment, it's about you and me and all of the things we find interesting, funny, exciting, care free and enjoyable. It's about the discovery and rediscovery of your environment, of yourself. It's about the first sip of a great tasting coffee, a song that makes you want to sing along, a passionate kiss, a nostalgic moment, a sense of empowerment, it's about the choice to embrace life.

Music

How about musical artists? Life is better with the Beastie Boys. That's all I have to say about that.

Who is your favorite artist??

Who is your favorite Artist? I love that question. I ask it all the time. My favorites? They have changed over the years, afterall, how can you love just one? At the moment I have to say Andy Warhol, Henri Matisse, Jackson Pollock and Peter Max. There are many others, but these are my favorites today.

Now if I had to guess the favorites of some of my artist friends, I would say that painters Michael Fratangelo will choose Kandinsky, Paul Lakits will go with Norman Rockwell, even though he can talk for hours about Adolf Gottlieb and Chris Panza is going to offer up either Sargeant or Rubens. Cassandra, you will probably go with either me, Don or Rich- no, just kidding, I am guessing Warhol for you. Ronna, I am thinking that you still love Dali enough to give him the honor. Ray- M.C. Escher because of his technical ability.

As for the friends that are not artists (but still very cool people, of course- otherwise we wouldn't be friends!) I am guessing that you fall into the following categories: Monet, Raphael, Picasso just because they are the favorites of so many people. Someone surprise me with a Rothko or DeKooning!

New Blog

Welcome to the new blog! I've never had a blog before, so this is all very new. Apparently, this is how many potential buyers and collectors learn about the artist. Yes, we are a different breed. I like to think of it as an enlightened few that experience the world differently. Either that or we are just a bunch of freaks that don't fit into the mainstream. I'll take either.

Anyhoo- here we go.