Sidebar 07/27/2010
 
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It is funny how life will lift you up on its wings allowing you to soar to new heights one day, but then leave you mid-air to fall, crash and wait to die. Some people are lucky. They endure happiness and their climb from a fall is much shorter. Actually, happy people piss me off. This occasional climb is where my art becomes a necessary companion for me.

I utilize my art as a distraction, to allow myself to feel sorrow, to heal, to live, breathe, be angry or happy, and to sometimes change my perspective. Art takes me on a journey and sometimes it helps me to find the proverbial ladder back up from the depths of a dark place in my mind and a darker place in my heart. And sometimes it is what allows me to remember those smile muscles. Art also gives me a way out and allows my mind to wander and live outside of me for a while.

I fashion it much like sitting in a comfy armchair with a book, loosing yourself  and opening your mind so that you might travel to new worlds and exotic places, sail rough seas, take on lovers, experience sexual fantasies, fight wars, fly planes or float anywhere out of your life…if albeit temporarily…so this can be art for me…

Much like life, art is subjective and has admirers, critics, lovers, enemies, friends, clock watchers and blind people.  But it still exists only to be held up and loved; or to be destroyed by its maker. In the same fashion it is only our own right to destroy or do harm to ourselves. 

For me my art has always been the friend that never went away, the lawn that never needs mowed, the roof that never leaks, and it will never remind me of what time it is. It will just be with me and take me on journeys of discovery.

Just like people and our ability to love and hate equally; art and it’s various forms and subjects and styles won’t appeal to all people. However, each thing created might have something hidden within it that is a small part of its creator that will enlighten, enrage or open our minds to new things…if albeit temporarily…
 
 
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There is lots of buzz and excitement at King Studios these days! At the TOP of the list is my up-coming show at ARTBOX Gallery in Downtown Indianapolis! I am thrilled to invite each and every one of you to “Eclectic Expressions: Works by Cagney King” presented by ARTBOX Gallery. For those of you familiar with my work, I think you can appreciate the Eclectic Expressions title! I am so excited and thrilled to spread my work out in this fantastic space. It is such an honor for me, as I have been a longtime ARTBOX fan. My artist reception will be held as part of the IDADA First Friday Gallery Tours on July 2nd from 5:00 pm until Midnight. So be sure to mark your calendars and make the ARTBOX a stop on your gallery tour. Please come and let’s celebrate together!  
The other ‘little’ project that I have been working on is to build, stretch and gesso the hell out of a 5’x8’ canvas. With the expansion of Studio 8 into connecting Studio 8b, I had the opportunity to use the connecting wall to design and build a large canvas support system in which to hold my large canvas. I am so excited to be able to work large! I have been diligently working on sketches for what I am envisioning putting on this canvas and am getting close to getting started. What has really been fun for me is the fact that I have fabricated the frame, stretched the canvas and even made my own gesso so that I could not only enjoy the entire process and journey of constructing it all together from scratch, but so that I could also save myself a lot of money! So, aside from a little transport issue here and there and some bruises that I’m sure will heal in no time…I am ready to attack this canvas!
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Large Canvas Wall Supports
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5'x8' Stretched Canvas
Well…I had better get busy…I have a show to put on!

I look forward to your e-mails and comments and will definitely hope to see a lot of you at my ARTBOX show!

Until next time…Rock on! 
 
World of Hurt 05/06/2010
 
I wanted to share with you my latest work, which is a triptych series I am calling HURT. I couldn’t shake the thoughts from my mind how so often we, as a people, get glimpses of the world and its associated tragedies through our living room picture boxes. We see the pain and anguish of people far away from our everyday lives, we experience it in the comfort of our homes, and then after the weather we turn off the tube and head for bed. Perhaps we take some time to think about and process what we have just seen, or perhaps not. Soon the pace of life takes over and it is forgotten.  The pictures of devastation are often times better forgotten and not dwelled on, but I do think they are important to SEE and not just notice. I personally feel that as a society, we tend to become de-sensitized to the overwhelming bits and pieces of information so readily available and thrown at us on a daily basis. I didn’t want to be de-sensitized in any way, so I started really looking at the people and their situations. I visited website after website, scanned newspapers and magazines and read story after heart-breaking story of both death and survival. The more I really looked and listened, the more touched and saddened I became. I decided that as an artist, the only real way I could relate what I was feeling was to create images that would cause people to stop and look and really SEE and FEEL and become sensitive along with me.
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These three paintings are the result of that journey and thought process. I would love your feedback on the work as I also have taken a completely different stylistic approach to the work. This allowed me to experience the journey holistically as I not only spent a great deal of time laboring over the mixed media and toned down palettes – but also was presented with several problems that needed to be addressed and solved to get the look and feel I was going for. After all…painting is problem solving, and this series really took the task to hand.  

The paintings will be on display in Studio 8 at the next Artists Upstairs 2nd Friday Open Studio Event on May 14th. (Click here for more information.) I hope you are able to attend and can give me some first hand feedback, as well as take a look around Studio 8b and the beginnings of a new painting!

Also a reminder that my show – Layered Senses: Works by Cagney King has been held over and will also be open in the Creative Arts Gallery for your viewing pleasure. If you missed it last month…now is your chance to see a complete collection of my work in a gallery setting.

Keep your e-mails and letters coming!

Until next time Rock On!
 
 
 
Well folks…it happens from time to time, and I have to admit it has happened to me. What is the ‘it’ you ask? Well…since you asked…I have been in a slump. Most of you that are familiar with my work know that I tend to diversify quite a bit and am always experimenting. Sometimes this experimenting frenzy can lead to lots and lots of work and ideas; and sometimes it just doesn’t get up and go. I burn myself out I think. Then I don’t work. Then I get very short tempered. Then I get downright down and sad. This is where I have been for a bit now...just plain blah.  I find it very interesting how the sadness moves about on its journey. It starts as a little twinge of an idea in my mind, then settles in my eyes for a while, then decides to move its way down to my heart and sits heavy there for what seems the longest time.  

I took a little hiatus to Florida to spend time with family and friends and that helped to put some sun back in my heart and soul. Vitamin D and Love very much dried up some of the sadness. But have no fear I’m on an upward climb with…you guessed it…new ideas, media combinations and subject matter.
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Fishing in Florida. I caught a Sheep Head!
I am currently working on a triptych that I hope to have finished by the end of the month. I would give you a sneak peek…but then what fun would it be to see the whole thing come together in the end? I promise to have pictures and such as it is complete. Those of you, who have stopped by to Studio 8 either for 2nd Friday events or for a little visit, have already seen how it is progressing. For the rest of you…you will just have to wait.
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I have a show going on right now through May 30th at the Creative Arts Gallery on the main floor of the Creative Arts and Event Center. My show is called: Layered Senses: Works by Cagney King. It is the first time that all of my work has been assembled together in one place and I have to say for me it seems almost like a journey in time. It is definitely an interesting exercise to walk through the gallery show, then come up to my studio and see what I’m currently working on…very different indeed.

And, conveniently while the body of work is out of my studio, I have been able to make some changes there. I am happy to announce that Studio 8 has expanded! I have taken over the connecting space next to me and have spread out a bit! Whew…the much needed space is a welcome one as I was getting very cramped and also having difficulty working on larger pieces. The expansion will allow me to work on larger pieces and also I won’t have to worry about disturbing my current body of work while working on new paintings. (Over spatter and such was becoming a worry). So I can now proudly say that we are now Studio 8 and 8b! I’m in the process of setting everything up and moving things around to suit me…but I have no doubt soon I will tire of this nesting process and just jump into working again…I hope…that would be good anyway…that is the plan…yes! I am sticking to the plan...  

Keep your notes and e-mails coming…they are definitely what keep me going strong! If you have a chance, do come and visit Studio 8 and 8b…the next 2nd Friday will be on May 14th!
 
 
Hello Art fans! It has been a while since we have chatted! I want to start off by sharing with you a really cool opportunity that came my way from Kunst Art in Belgium. They have a very cool website called Start Looking featuring artist’s videos and interviews, and they asked if my video from my show at Wug Laku’s Studio & Garage could be included! Of course I was very excited and happy to oblige! You can click HERE for the link to my video. While you are there be sure to check out the site…it is very cool! I love thinking I’m on an artist site right along side Chuck Close and Francis Bacon!!

Let’s see…what next. Ah Yes! I was invited to attend an Artist’s Salon at the beautiful studio of Artist Elle Siskind. About six artists got together and we spent an afternoon chatting about art and reviewing each other’s work in progress for critique and input. It was awesome! I took a painting that I had been struggling with, as well as a painting sketch for a new painting. I got terrific feedback and know now exactly what I need to do to get the struggling painting back on track. Sometimes I get so close, and spend so much time on a painting that I forget to step back and really SEE it. I learned first and foremost – don’t forget to breathe, step back and LOOK at what I am doing. Oh that poor canvas…but no worries…I’ll fix it! The biggest fun for me was to be able to ‘talk art’ with a group of people with like interests. This made for a very enjoyable afternoon for me!
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And finally, I went to a Dr. Sketchy’s event that was held in Broadripple. Those events are always so much fun! Some of you may remember my interview with the founder of the Indianapolis Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School. For those of you who would like a little nudge reminder, or for those of you new to my blog you can listen to that interview below. Great time had by all, and it is so much fun to work from live models. Plus, the Burlesque troop really goes out of their way with costumes, themes and in keeping the evening lively! 

So, as you can see I have been keeping myself busy! (Which is good…I can’t get myself into too much trouble that way!) In-between I am of course working in studio and keeping things very messy there. As usual, I have very much enjoyed all of your comments and e-mails. Do keep them coming!  Until next time, Rock on!

Dr. Sketchy's Interview Part I

Dr. Sketchy's Interview Part II

 
Attack Video! 01/13/2010
 
So what do you get when you give nine artists of different artistic backgrounds and disciplines over five gallons of paint and 90 square feet of canvas? I’ll tell ya! You get an ATTACK the WHITE live painting event! The event was a chaotic success!  Check out the video below and see for yourself!

For more background on the event click here!
 
 
Peace and Love Art Friends! And may I add a…BRRRRRRRR! WOW, Mother Nature has really decided to Chillax this winter! Ahhhhhh, but don’t let that bother you too much! There is plenty of warm stuff to do inside. Like, for instance, Attack the White coming up on this Friday!  

All of my fellow studio artists from The Artists Upstairs Studio Group will be working up a sweat and attacking a 4’x15’ canvas! I am SO excited about this event. Sure, the weather outside is indeed frightful, but the event is going to be just delightful!! Eight plus artists, each of their own discipline and design all spontaneously working off of one large canvas with music pumping in the background…wow, I say Let the paint fly! We will be attacking this canvas with no forethought or pre-designed notions. We are just going to let our emotions, our talents and our ‘what the hell’ instincts kick in. We will be responding to each other, the music and the crowds. At the end of the evening we will either have a complete mess, or a beautiful and collaborative work of art! Nothing like this has been done before to my knowledge, so I think it is going to rock this conservative little mid-west place on earth!
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What excites me the most about it is the collaboration with the other artists. We are going to all be working together and just letting it happen as opposed to being hidden in our studios all snug within our comfortable little worlds. Many of the artists have mentioned to me how they are going to have to put aside their inhibitions and fears and break outside of their comforts zones. That, to me, is just cool as hell.

So…if you are in the area, and are looking for something to do, and a warm place to break the cabin fever winter blues – then consider coming out and witnessing ‘Attack the White.’ You can click HERE for Directions. You can also click HERE for other stuff going on as part of the on-going 2nd Friday events!
Below is an article that ran on the front page of the local paper about the event!
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On the Easel – I have been working away at some new work in my studio. I have finished a couple of pieces. The first I am calling “Dead Dreams.” It is a mixed media piece with the primary media being pastel. I used to do quite a bit with pastel, and it felt really good to go back to it. I have to admit that I was very much inspired by an exhibition I went to at the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia in Spain of the work of Paula Rego. Seeing her work up close and personal really inspired me to get back into pastels, especially on a larger scale.
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The next piece I am calling “Re-Born.” This piece came about in my continuing journey with textures. Constantly working with new material ideas, the combination of materials and the resulting textures is so exciting to me! This piece involves for example the result of some studies that I did involving carpet glue, wall paste, concrete, cat litter, marble dust and tile grout. I know, I know...I can’t help myself. As you can tell, a walk through Home Depot takes on a little different meaning in my world. But after working with the various materials, I have come upon some textures that I find visually exciting and fun to explore. So as you look at this abstract piece, I hope you will see how they have all worked together to create a motionless emotion.

I also have some other pieces in concrete that I am still working on. They are not quite ready to reveal yet, but I am getting close! One I am going to call ‘Taking Control of Horizons’ and the other I am debating between ‘Drip’ or ‘Don’t get Wet’ I can’t decide. Perhaps in my next blog I should reveal the painting and let you decide the title! That would be cool. I think I’ll do that! Be ready to put your thinkin’ caps on!
And lastly on the Easel is a portrait painting of the beggar lady that I discussed back in an April post. (http://www.cagneyking.com/1/category/april%20show/1.html). I have FINALLY gotten back into it and have started blocking in some colour and will soon begin on my skin tones. She is up on the easel in Studio 8 – so come by and check her out! And, since she is in what we artists call the ‘ugly’ phase you can go ahead and paint on her at this point to if you want! Just ask me and I’ll hand ya a brush…just don’t be upset if I cover it up laterJ 

I hope everyone has buckled down and is ready for a whole new year!

I hope to see everyone very soon! Keep your e-mails and comments coming…I just love it!

Until next time – Rock on!
 
 
Peace and Love my Art Friends, Peace and Love!

I’ve been on holiday in beautiful northern Michigan for the last week or so and haven’t had a lot of time in studio; however, I did find some time to do some sketching and planning for some new paintings that I’m very excited about. Just to tease you a little bit, I am taking my concrete work to a new level with even more texture and more mixed medium usage – if you can believe that! As always I have been experimenting and testing some new ideas and I really like the direction it is taking me! So be on the look out for some really keen stuff!
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In the meantime, I have some new works in progress that will be on display in Studio 8 for the 2nd Friday Artists Upstairs Open Studio Event! So if you have some time and are looking for a place to warm-up this Friday Evening then head on over to Greenfield and enjoy the festivities. Lots of holiday themed activities will be taking place (‘tis the season right?) including a parade of lights through downtown and the lighting of the Christmas tree complete with choirs a’ caroling! Everything get’s underway around 7 PM and you will have plenty of time to stop in and visit all the artist’s open studios on the 2nd Floor of the Creative Arts and Events Center! You can click HERE for a list of events; and you can click HERE for directions!
I’m both sad and excited to say that this post will bring you the last installment of the WHBU Artist in Residence Radio Show. My good friend and host, Leland will be moving on to other opportunities. The reason I am sad is because I just loved talking about art on the radio, and the reason I am excited is because of the great opportunity my friend will get to experience as he moves on and I wish him all the luck in the world!

So, without further delay – grab yourself a tin of fizzy pop, sit back and relax, and listen to the December radio show!
Hope to see everyone hovering around Studio 8 tomorrow night! I’m kind of a hum-bug when it comes to all this holiday jazz, but that won’t stop me from talking about my art and sharing my new work with you!

Until next time – Rock on!
 
 
Greetings art lovers and fans! Time is just flying by and the paint and concrete have been flying as well in King Studios! I have been getting a lot of questions about my new work and I’m pleased to announce that at the November 2nd Friday Open Studio night at the Creative Arts and Event Center –  I will indeed have some new work to share with you in Studio 8! I’m also excited to share with you that my Juarez Painting Series will be on display in the J. Ward Walker room – all hanging together for the first time ever! If you have a chance to come out to the event I would love to see everyone and chat about my new work. Click HERE for directions. As usual you will be able to find me hanging about Studio 8 on the 2nd floor, as all the Artists Upstairs Studio Artists will have the welcome mats out for you. It promises to be a fun night of music, wine and of course ART. For some insight and more discussion about my work, be sure to scroll down and check out the November installment of the WHBU Cagney King Artist in Residence Radio Show.
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I have received several e-mails about the picture featured on the November E-mail flyer. It is a detail from my ‘Fibonacci 42’ mixed media painting. Mixed media including but not limited to concrete, tempera, graphite, acrylic, collage, and oil paint. But of course the only way to really enjoy it is in person, and you guessed it, I will have it hanging in Studio 8 for you to spend some quality time with. You can also read a little more about the background of the painting HERE in my journal. And you can visit the CURRENT page to see it as well.
Well…back to work! Lots to do before the Friday Night show. And remember, “when asked what to do with the weight of the world on his shoulders; Atlas merely shrugged.” And then I’m pretty sure he went to an art exhibit to help lift his spirits.
Until next time!
Rock on!

Listen to the WHBU Cagney King Artist in Residence Radio Show!

 
 
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.
 

Cagney King : King Studios - 2 West Main St., Greenfield, IN. 46140