Things are back in full swing for King Studios! Needless-to-say, I have jumped back in with both feet and I’m off and running on several new projects. It took me a little bit to get back into a schedule again, but I think at last count I have about five paintings in various stages, each with their own energy and spirit that calls to me at various times. So…I am keeping myself very busy! 

I have been promising and hinting at a video about my most recent Juarez series painting. And ta-da! Here it is! I am calling this painting ‘Juarez Bass Man’ and it is a 36x72” Mixed Media painting. This fellow may very well be the last in the Juarez series – I am tossing and turning over one more that has been swimming in my brain pool – but I’m not sure. Of course if I do paint this last painting that is living in my head, then that will make a series of 6 paintings which is a very nice even number as opposed to 5 which is an odd and dodgy number. We will see what time and temperature bring my way! Maybe I will and maybe I won’t – but I probably will, maybe. In the meantime – enjoy this video!
A now, a brief editorial rant, for those of you with above average intelligence that may find yourself offended or distracted by the opinions expressed here, read no further and enjoy your day. Keep your comments and letters coming, I absolutely adore them! 

For the rest, read on…for THIS is a small example of why Americans are such entertainment for the rest of the world. 

A friend of mine shared this link with me about a news story of a man, in his own home, who at 5:30 in the morning was spotted - by a woman and her son walking outside - going into his kitchen for a cup of coffee in the buff…IN HIS OWN HOME. The woman was apparently offended, as the yenta bitch took it upon herself to call the police and report the man. The very man, who was in his OWN F&@#$%ing home, minding his own F&@#$%ing business. And now IF charges are filed it could result in a misdemeanor and a possible jail sentence of one year. 

This is the kind of stuff that makes me crazy! Thus, the reason my friend shared this with me, as he likes to see me crazy. With all the things going on in our country that are so devastatingly horrid - such as gangs of kids beating honor roll students to death with broken rail road ties; armed gunmen shooting pregnant women; people busting into homes and slaughtering families for $20 and some change; armed boys sticking up children at bus stops for their lunch money and i-pods; women and men – not to mention old ladies; being mugged at ATM’s for their grocery money…does this really seem necessary?  

One, and let’s get this straight America – nudity is not a representation of evil. The body is a beautiful vessel in every shape and form and everyone has one, and depending on the model it may come with a vagina or a penis! (...and in some cases both) Get over it.

Two – mind your own F&@#$%ing business! What in the hell gives someone the right, to a)peek into someone’s windows and judge the activity therein – especially at five-f’ing-thirty in the morning – and b)take on the responsibility to take action against this person. What is next!? Will she be errantly peeking into someone else’s window while walking the dog or her son outside, and notices someone watching an R-Rated video and turn them in to the police for watching a ‘dirty’ movie in the confines of their own home, in which someone in the film might have cussed or was naked? This is the kind of petty, backward, close-minded, pea-brained crap that makes me get that wrinkle in my forehead that won’t go away…the one that surrounds the little vein that pops out. I have suspected it for years, but now I know – yep…that little vein is indeed a stupidity detector, and unfortunately it is not going to go away anytime soon.
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Every time I return from a European holiday, I return with a renewed perspective on life. I have been blessed now to have traveled to Italy, Ireland, Spain, Germany and France. Each time I travel to Europe, I am immediately impressed with how they have their priorities in the right order. Albeit cultures differ, there is still a sense of calming down, and keeping what is truly important in the forefront. Those priorities are family, friends, God, food and shelter, and then work and chores. Whenever I return, I find myself renewed and committed to relaxing and remembering to place emphasis and offer time to what is truly important and is the supporting structure of who I am. At the end of the day, when work is done, the paint is put away and the quiet has settled in, it is my family and friends that will be with me. If all is lost, and I should ever find myself struggling – it will be my family and friends that will see me through to the next means. I try to hold onto this feeling of relaxation and renewed energy and it does stay with me to a degree, but I admit (sigh) that it is difficult to hold onto in this fast paced, work driven, high anxiety society with an emphasis on ‘things’ rather than living in the moment and enjoying each other; begins once again to take over my senses and occupy my time. It drowns me in a struggle to balance all that I hold dear.

Well, once again, I am setting a goal for myself to stay true to the correct (in my mind) priorities and to slow down, enjoy and appreciate everyone and everything I have and will have as I move forward. I need to remind myself to slow down and weigh each moment and decision against what is truly important in the end. This means fighting against the ‘ASAP’ disorders; the ‘hurry up’ disorders; and especially the ‘I need it now’ disorders. It is OK to let the phone ring if in the middle of a conversation or busy with a project. And e-mail won’t explode if it is not read every 2 minutes. I definitely plan to carry this feeling of relaxation into my studio and with my own work. 

Speaking of 'work', this brings me to the subject of my most recent work! I have finished a few new paintings that I will be showing off at the next 2nd Friday Artists Upstairs Open Studio Event (October 9th) so please swing by Studio 8 and check them out. Click here to view a flyer highlighting a few of the things going on with the event!I also have some new work that is in the discovery phase right now on the easel, and the more I explore and test my ideas the more excited I am getting about working toward a finished painting…so keep your eyes out for some up-and-coming new paintings as well. I am also working on a new video of my most recent finished painting in the Juarez series. 

RADIO SHOW! Please click below and settle in for some Cagney Radio! I have posted the latest installment of my WHBU – Artist in Residence segment.

Until next time, I encourage everyone to breathe deep with me, and enjoy the moment you are in to the fullest. Love one another, and stay true to yourself and to your life!

Rock on!

WHBU - October Radio Show

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