Boston

Hail to thee Bell High School, we love thee

I spent most winter Friday nights playing soccer on that field. That hard, concrete, plastic turf field...

Art can save the world.

Our one-sided education with the emphasis on knowledge has neglected those attributes of growth which are responsible for the development of the individual's sensibilities, for his spiritual life, as well as for his ability to live cooperatively in a society. The growing number of emotional and mental illnesses in this nation, the largest in any nation, as well as our inability to accept human beings first of all as human beings regardless of nationality, religion, race, creed or color, is a frightening sign and vividly points out that education so far has failed in one of its significant aims.... Art Education, introduced in the early years of childhood may well mean the difference between a flexible creative human being and one who, in spite of all learning, will not be able to apply it and will remain an individual who lacks inner resources and has difficulty in his relationship to the environment.
-Viktor Lowenfeld, 1957

I won something, again.

Mr. Burns took home the John Weinkein Memorial Award #4 at the Visual Arts Society of Texas' 125-Mile Fine Art Exhibition on July 9 in Denton, TX. It's the equivalent of 17th place out of 40, but I got some chalk pastels out of the deal, so I am happy. :)

Artists- Scam Alert

I just got an offer to buy three of my pieces totaling $1300. Needless to say I was ecstatic. I called my mom, I emailed my boyfriend, I waited for a reply from the buyer... and waited and waited. While I was waiting my rational and practical boyfriend did some searching and found out the buyer's email address has been flagged on Craigslist as a scammer. Awesome.

About that time my phone rings and a man named Michael calls to talk about the gallery. I was livid and tore into him.

I said, "I did a search of your email address and you came up flagged as a scammer."

"Really?"

"Yes. Can you prove to me you are not a scam artist?"

"I don't understand this word, 'scam artist.'"

"Ok, then can you tell me specifically where you saw my artwork?"

"Downtown."

"Downtown where?"

"On Pearl Street. The TVAA Gallery."

Knowing that was all on my website I said, "Can you tell me more about my paintings? You said you saw them the last time you were in the States. When was that?"

"I am looking at them right now."

In disbelief I say, "So you are in the gallery? Who is there with you?"

"No one. I am the sitter."

Then it all hits me. OH. NO.

"What was your name again?"

"Michael. I was calling to remind you that you are sitting at the TVAA Gallery tomorrow."

I could have died. I apologized over and over again, explained what a scammer is, why I was so upset, that I thought his name was Matthew and not Michael, and so on. The poor guy must think I am an absolute nutcase. (And he's not too far off.)

So anyway, don't trust either or these e-mails: matthew.joe1@yahoo.com or matthew.joe212@gmail.com. He's a SCAMMER. A scammer with good taste in art, but still a scammer.

Also, it's not enough to ask for money orders or cashier checks. Apparently there are many fake checks going around that banks WILL cash, only to hold you accountable later. I guess it's cash only, artists.

Awful. Just awful.

She looks so happy, doesn't she?

I just watched about four minutes of TLC's "Toddlers and Tiaras" and I can't decide if I am sad, angry, or disgusted. Or appalled.

I thought for a second it might be alright when I heard a mother say something like, "To me it's not all about the money and the gowns- as long as [insert toddler's name here] is having fun." Cut to the next shot when her daughter is whining and crying on stage and she says to her afterward, "No, you did NOT do good up there! You will not get ANY prizes for acting like that!"

That poor little girl. She's being judged on beauty, swimsuit, and outfit choice at the age of TWO! And at this particular contest there were babies entered as small as 8 mos. At 8 mos. all babies can do is crap themselves.

But that's not the worst of it in my eyes. Some pageants require "Glitz Photography" where the picture of the child is airbrushed, turning them into creepy living dolls. This not just touch-ups (removing shine or a mole), this is completely changing the facial structure of your child! "No, honey, you're not pretty enough the way God made you. We need to Glitz you up."

Please tell me when THIS became acceptable.

I'm scared.

I won something.

I always think it is winning to get into a show. It is. So I was happy just to have all three pieces I offered up selected for the Texas Visual Art Association's "Nostalgia" show. Here's more info:

Anywho, I found out last night that even better than just getting into a show is WINNING a show. No, I didn't receive the ever-elusive "Best-in-Show," but I did win first place, and I am happy for that. Here is the painting that won, one of my favorites, "Grasp."