What to hang?

I've been thinking again about being in galleries, I had (or have) a chance to have a solo exhibit at Kirtland Community College, but I started wondering about what would go in it? Should I put a mash-up of artwork,have a theme or exhibit one of my series', such as Jack Nicholson or Popeye? Or both? I could go with a personal hero theme. If the opportunity arises, what do you think my exhibit should have?

Put your ear up to the Plant and listen....

**This drawing on display at Kirtland Community College Art Gallery in the West Branch Artist Pool Annual Art Show until October 31st****

I would like to recommend, if you are a fan of Robert Plant, and specifically Plant and Alison Krauss's album a year or two ago, Robert Plant's new album "Band Of Joy". It has some bluegrass, some blues, and an all-around soulful feel throughout. I was doubtful when I first listened, but it grew on me. Alot. I'm thinking of doing a series of Robert Plant artwork (behind my Popeye series, my Jack Nicholson series and my Sammy Hagar series), as his work, old and new is very entrancing to me.
Nuff said.

Kirtland Art Gallery has FOOD (and artists) tonight!!

Alright, cats 'n' kittens, today's the day! From 6pm to 8pm Kirtland Community College will be host to the WEST BRANCH ARTIST POOL ART SHOW Reception! We will have over 7 Ogemaw County-based artists, not even including two published authors AND a dance performance!
Oh, and there's free food and refreshments.

Art Ramblin'

How are young, talented artists supposed to feel positive about what they do when there's nobody encouraging them? What if your precious football teams came to a game, and the stadium had only 1/16 of the seats filled? Then those players get discouraged because they don't feel supported by their community. If sports got the same support as artists, sports wouldn't be as popular. If you know an artist, be it a musician, a painter or a writer, come to their events and bring friends.
I created the West Branch Artist Pool ( http://westbranchartistpool.blogspot.com so all ages and varieties of artists in Ogemaw County have a place to share their opinions, their talents and their outlets for their abilities with others who may share as well. I hope to make it a community where we can share with one another and the general public so they know what this county has to offer in the arts. Too often, the performing and literary arts are forgotten when talking about "The Arts". That is another aspect of the Pool that I am stressing greatly.

But I'm rambling. I know I am. I yam bloggin' without editin'. Just come out to support your artists, people. How'd you feel if you threw a party and nobody came? That's how artists feel. Alot.

Big ol' update post

Alright, I'm back from vacation and feel less relaxed than when I left!
My hero, my idol Sergio Aragones will be appearing (from the neck up) on FUTURAMA tonight on Comedy Central!
I was hoping to enter an art battle in Hale, but the vacation soaked up all my funds, so I might not be competing.
The West Branch Artist Pool art show at Kirtland, according to the curator, is on his schedule for October, not September. He's supposed to get back to me this week.
The studio will be open this Friday during Fabulous Fridays in Downtown West Branch from 5-9pm. This FF is honoring the Veterans and those who've fallen.
I haven't heard anything about displaying my Popeye series during the annual Popeye Picnic, although I can't afford to go to Chester, Illinois anyway.
The documentary about me is on hold until, well, basically, I and my art career gets more interesting!
I think that's all for right now. Please remember that it's not too early to set up for artwork for Christmas. It's $50 to start a project and you can either pay here and there or pay the remainder upon completion of the project.

I'm back, but then, I never left...

I know I haven't blogged alot lately, and it's (1) because I've been teaching off and on and (2) not much has gone on lately. I have one more week of teaching this summer at the Midland Center For The Arts. I taught last week during the C.O.O.R. MEAP summer camp thing at Kirtland Community College. I was the Photography instructor. Usually my wife teaches it with me, but she was in Midland teaching Ceramics. So I was solo, with help from a couple other instructors who admitted they were photography-blind.
This was the last year for this MEAP program due to budget cuts. I've taught every year for the last 9 years. It's a shame, because I get parents come up and tell me their kid was in my class and now he/she's taking photography in high school or college. And every instructor in the program has similar stories. It's one week that the kids and their parents tend to remember for a long time. And in the case of kids in my class, it's been a positive memory for them. Some kids had siblings in the class and ask me if I remember them. HA!! "I don't even remember YOUR name, and you're wearing a name tag for the class!" was my recurring comment this year. You see, the reason both my wife and I taught was because every year, we have up to 35 students in the class. The average has been about 29 for 9 years, so I've taught roughly 261 students, and it's one week out of the Summer. I can't remember last YEAR'S class, much less 3 or 8 years ago! The sad thing is, most of the years, we would have run-ins with kids, parents or instructors that would sour our interest in teaching the next year, but these past 2 years have been the best kid-wise and all around feel-wise. And now it's over.

My Photography

I couldn't remember if I'd posted images of my black and white photography. Here are some, and HERE are more
Back in 1996 when I started college, I wanted to draw and paint from my own photos. I got tired of relying on others' images to work from. I was able to choose the subject, lighting and location. Well, once I got into the class, I REALLY got into it, and black and white photography became it's own beast. Instead of just using them as reference material, it became another medium for me. I still love the feel, the grain, the power in emotion I can orchestrate through the lens. And I still have the same camera I started with. These images might be photos of photos, so they might be blurry, but the actual photos aren't out of focus. Most likely.

New updates

Here's an update:
Alot of brainstorming for the documentary. Hit a few walls in getting gallery attention, but that's nothing new. I don't have any new projects so there's no money coming in. Right now I've got a recurring ailment that's kicking my butt. I started on a Jack Nicholson drawing. It's a more detailed rendering, like the old days. I've gotten into a bit of a lull of drawing or painting quickly to get things done for events or keep prices down for clients. I've come to miss the articulate photo rendering that I've prided myself on.
Once I get some money around, I will be entering the Art de Combat 3 at the Enchante Gallery in West Branch, Michigan on Saturday, October 17th from 4-7pm. $20 at the door to get in, but you get to vote, drink and eat all you want.
I'm planning on doing a series of Popeye drawings and paintings, as well as Nicholson.
The West Branch Artist Pool exhibit will be up until October 15th at Kirtland Community College in Roscommon. The reception went well. Alot of positive feedback.
I think that's all for now. Chest pains are kicking in.

JUST ANNOUNCED

I have confirmed that the West Branch Artist Pool Exhibit reception at Kirtland Community College is set for Wednesday, September 16 from 6-8pm at the KCC Art Gallery. I will be one of the exhibitors, as well as other members of the Pool. Joe Donna, the curator, asked if we, the Pool, would be interested in having this be an annual exhibit same time every year. I think that's great for those who couldn't show this time or new artists to the Pool.
The show will be up by Thursday, Sept. 10 and will be up until the end of September.

Movie of Jason the Artist (?)

SO, I've been want to do a documentary of my life as an artist. The work I do, my inspirations, the events I display at or participate in to get my abilities seen, and the struggles involved in trying to make a career and living while raising a family in a small town. I hope to be a part of the new Traverse City comic convention, the Cherry Capital Con ( www.cherrycapitalcon.com ) and the group I've put together, the West Branch Artist Pool, is going to have an exhibit at Kirtland Community College. So, I need to get new work done for those events, plus work my gig at Olan Mills, teach at Kirtland and the Midland Center For The Arts, finish VIETMIME and keep my kids alive. No small task, the lil daredevils.
BUT, the person I have to film and edit the documentary is concerned that my story is too all over the place and asks what my focus is and doesn't want to start until I figure it out. I thought we'd film different events, different days and interview people who know me or know of my work and see what we have. I don't know. It's starting to feel like thismight not happen. The process of getting the film started is a great example of what I'd want in the film. Trying to do something, only to see it fall apart. Any ideas?