Chalk Dust Settles - Cagney Wins! 08/18/2009
Hello everyone! I thought I would share the results from our First Annual Sidewalk Chalk Art Fest, held at the Creative Arts & Events Center on Friday, August 14th. The Event was great fun! As it turned out, the artists got a bit competitive, and one in particular challenged me to a chalk duel - or chalk off as it were. Well, game on! I had originally planned on just helping with the event, but alas, I had to accept the challenge - that is what one does in such cases. And as chance would have it, I just happened to have all my supplies at the ready for just such an occasion. The categories you could compete in were Lincoln Theme (to coincide with a Lincoln exhibit and his 200th birthday (or what would have been his birthday...whatever - you get the point); Copy a Master, or Free Form. Each assigned portion of the sidewalk was 36x36". Well, in keeping with the spirit of the day, I chose to do the 'ol blue coat Lincoln. So I set to work, and after six hours of on-and-off again work sessions I rendered out my own Lincoln portrait. (As well as a sunburn and near heat stroke, but that is another story.)  Click for Larger Version So here he is in all his glory - 'Cagney's Lincoln'. At the end of the day I ended up winning the People's Choice award overall, and first place in the Lincoln category! I had a great time, and the First Annual Sidewalk Chalk Fest was an overall success! The overwhelming question of the day from the attendees was - 'Aren't you going to be sad if it rains and washes your painting away?' In which I responded in turn - 'No. That is the premise of chalk on sidewalk in general. But it also reminds us to appreciate what we have in this moment, because in the next it could be and will be gone.' That is the true lesson and cool parallel for me. So bring on the rain! I'm thinking now I'll take pictures as it deteriorates and does wash away and then morph them into a video...now that would be cool! Until next time! Rock On Everybody! Cheers! Radio, Lincoln & Chalk Dust 08/13/2009
Hello everyone! I'm still reeling from my show - Cagney at Wug's going on in downtown Indianapolis. The Artist Reception was fabulous! I met so many new people and have some great new contacts to add to my artist circle! It was so awesome to see everyone! Don't forget that the show runs through the end of August and is open Friday's and Saturday's from 12-4 pm! The fun just doesn't stop there though! NOW, I'm gearing up for the Artists Upstairs Open Studio 2nd Friday event! It is going to be 'chalk' FULL of excitement. Why the play on the word 'Chalk' you ask? Well, since you asked! We are kicking off the 1st Annual Sidewalk Chalk Fest! Participants have until 7:30 Friday night to finish thier sidewalk art and then it will be judged. The theme can range from Abraham Lincoln to copy a Master or Freeform - anything goes! I think it is going to be great fun and the weather promises to be grand. Why Abraham Lincoln you ask? Well, since you asked - the J. Walker Ward room of the Creative Arts & Events Center is playing host to a traveling exhibit from the Indiana Historical Society called - The faces of Lincoln. This is an awesome exhibit sponsored by the Hancock County Historical Society, Riley Old Home Society, Creative Arts and Events Center and the Hancock County Arts and Cultural Council. There is even going to be a Lincoln impersonator there! (Which is kind of wierd in a 'I'm afraid of clowns...' kind of way - but educational I suppose. ) So...I think you are starting to get the idea - what could be more fun than re-living the life of Lincoln, covering yourself in chalk dust and then parading around a great building to chat with all the Artists Upstairs in their open studios about wine, cheese, ART and clown phobias!? You can hear more banter - including my idea to play off of the fact that Lincoln is actually buried (Yes Mr. Impersonator - he is dead, and not on an island re-drafting the Gettysburg address for Elvis...) under a huge slab of concrete! If you know your Lincoln history you will know that they did this so people would stop stealing his body for ransoms. Which, of course, puts us on a whole other road of wierdness that I will spare you of traveling for now! So my chalk art might just end up being...well...a blank peice of concrete entitled - Lincoln's Tomb! We will have to see... Come out to 2nd Friday celebration and be sure to seek me out! In the meantime - Rock on! Enjoy August's radio installment of Cagney King - WHBU Artist in Residence! Wow! I can’t believe how time flies! Tonight is the Artist Reception for my held over show at Wug Laku’s Studio & Garage Gallery. I’m very excited – and nervous as usual – and looking forward to an evening of talking about my art and showing my paintings. I am flattered and overwhelmed by the response, and to think the show is being held over to accommodate more visitors and attention…just awesome! Hope you can make it out to Downtown Indianapolis tonight for the Downtown Gallery Walk! The weather looks like it is going to be very cooperative and will make your visit even more enjoyable! Stop in and say hello! As a reminder – wUG LAKU’S Studio & gARAGE is located off of 10th Street at 1125 Brookside Avenue – it will be a fun time! Don’t miss it if you are around!  Mr. Juarez Bass Man - 35x70' On the easel – I have been also trying to find time to paint in Studio! Here is a little peak at a painting that is nearly finished. Just working on some details and will soon be calling it done! It is probably the next to last painting in my Juarez, Mexico portrait series. The painting is 35x70”. Drop me a line and let me know what you think! I am planning on putting a little video together when all finished to show you the journey up to this point – so be on the look out for that! (I know, I know! So much excitement and fun stuff coming your way!) Summer is flying by, and I know that makes most people sad, but I have to say that I’m pretty happy about it. When the weather is crappy, and the wind, snow and rain are blowing, I do seem to spend a great deal more time in studio working. After all that is what bad weather is for in my mind, and I don’t have to invent reasons or excuses like – I think I’m developing an allergy to grass and air; or my oxygen level is too high and I need to be in a small room with tubes of sealed paint to help balance it out; or to keep my tolerance level for turpentine and gesso ingestion high I need to subject myself to it in large doses. Right now however, tins of fizzy pop out on the deck with the great weather, family and friends are winning out over studio time…then there’s the yard work…ugh. (I refer to yard work as the dark evil force in my life that makes me question liberty and freedom and if it really exists on the other side.) But have no fear…I do have several projects – as usual – in store and in my mind to keep me busy! And to answer some e-mail inquiries – YES – cement will be involved! There is no going back now! Well, I’ll leave off for now…I have a show to get ready for! So I better get to hopping! Speaking of hopping…my miniature Doxie – Dylan – killed a rabbit in the yard today. I hope that is a sign of nature in action and not an omen that I will be visited by the yard work devil soon. Stay tuned and be sure to check in next week for the next installment of Cagney King – Artist in Residence on WHBU radio show. Rock on everybody!  Dylan aka Bunny Killer |   Cagney KingI am 98% Artist (110% at heart - but bad at math) and 2% human being. I keep working hard in the hopes that one day my art story will be like the great artist fairytale. You know the one - the one about how the poor, struggling artist rocking on the edge of insanity is toiling away in her studio day after day, when one day a handsome person comes to see her work, and decides that she should be rescued. From that day on they pay her to paint, pimp out her work and buy her beer. Everyone lives happily ever after. Click the 'Z' for Link to 2nd Friday Event Information! ArchivesJuly 2010 CategoriesAll 
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