Memphis

Well, finally. a list that includes Memphis that Memphians can be proud of, at least the ones that care about the arts. Unlike most of the lists that come out that include Memphis, we some o the fattest, dumbest people in America. But at least it is now recognized as a great city for young artists. I just hope that they are skinny and smart.

So, all you young artists type, make the move to Memphis. The rent is cheap.

Happy Birthday Mr. Audubon

I have always been inspired by the lifework of John James Audubon (1785-1851). His illustrations are crisp with detail, rich in color and line, and laid the standard and practice for the future of scientific drawing. It is no wonder his works have inspired artists and naturalists alike.

We are lucky to have one of his large scale illustrated books, Birds of America, at the Huntington Library here in SoCal- I visit the book often and get excited when the page is turned in the big glass case. If you are ever in the area I highly recommend you make the trip to the Huntington.

Here is an image of the book for scale:


More by Audubon:

In The Playroom

I came across this series of photos by Jonathen Hobin other week. It is an interesting portrayal of current events done in a twisted but humorous way....

DIANA'S DEAD

The Saints

Seal Heart

Boxing Day

White Nights

American Idol

A Boo Grave

Dear Leader

Spring Break

39 Lashes

Vegas wedding

The Twins

" In the Playroom is a metaphor for the impossibility of a protective space safe from the reach of modern media. The quizzical disposition of youth and the pervasive nature of the media are symbolically represented in my images through tableau-vivant re-enactments of the very current events that adults might wish to keep out of their child’s world. Just as children make a game of pretending to be adults as a way to prepare and ultimately take on these roles in later life, so too do they explore things that they hear or see, whether or not they completely understand the magnitude of the event or the implications of their play."

Man, what an idea...

Seriously, what an idea....



Okay, so the company gets a bunch of artists to basically give away their artworks, or duplicates of their works anyway, in hopes that there may be a sale for the artist someday down the line. In the meantime, the company makes cash off of the free imagery and unlimited printing rights to the works.... this seems skewed relationship.
The good of this- exposure of some sort for the artist to a mass audience, the subscribers get a rotating crop of images that is sure to keep up with the modern day attention span, and cynical people like myself have something to blog about.

Here's to the "netflix of the art world"! Seriously, why didn't I think of that.
Does anyone else find this video a bit creepy?

Long time no blog

So I, and many others, have lost the spark for the good ol' M365 blog. Recently I have been thinking about ways to jump life back into it and the ways in which the format is obviously failing. I think that the super structured nature of the idea was the intrigue at first but also the downfall of the blog. By this I mean, it is hard to keep up with and easy to forget about the posting day when one's life gets busy and chaotic- the scheduled day then passes and it becomes something that is blown-off. For those of you who have been awesome at keeping up, I give kudos to you!

Where does it go now?
Ideas?

I thought maybe making it more open would help- basically post whenever you find something to share. I love the contributions that we have had on the blog and feel like the group involved is dynamic and worthy of continuing. It has been awesome to see what people have shared and how different the subject matter has been.

The main goal of the blog was to get a group of people together to inspire and motivate one another creatively. I think that in this new format we can continue to do that.
Any other suggestions are appreciated!

On that note, I have become involved in a weekly photo group and thought that I would share my image for the week, The theme was "the small things":
I have been using images like this one for a starting point in my drawing/painting process for years. This photo group is making me really appreciate the photo in its original state... but I also have a flood gate opening up for painting ideas based on this series of photos. I will be sure to post the evolution of this image.

Which also leads to a question for a-a-allllll of you, yes you (wow. I have been watching too much elmo's world), how does your artistic process start? I would love to see images of other peoples work and process!

Lets share!!!!