I have been putting a lot of thought lately into the idea of numbers and their correlation to our existence. Alright, alright…for those of you who really know me…I always think about numbers! But stay with me for a few ticks as I work this out with you all…

It seems of late that I have had a strong desire to work numbers into my work. I reveal them, draw them, write them, spray them and stencil them as I work on through my many painting layers.

Since you asked, here is what I have been thinking about -

It seems to me that we are represented and identified by numbers at so many levels and in so many ways. From the time we enter this world we are measured by our weight and length – a set of numbers that verifies we are indeed here. We are then assigned a set of birthday numbers. These numbers will then follow us along year after year – growing as you go. Sure they will start out fun and innocent enough; but then they will evolve into landmark numbers. For example there is ‘Sweet’ 16 and the ever popular ‘Thank God I’m finally’ 21.

Then of course let us not leave out the biggest identifier of all! The Social Security number! The magical number that identifies you as a legal and working citizen and is linked to some bank of dwindling numbers somewhere on the 3rd floor of the white house I think. I’m sure you have heard the giant sucking noise when they refer to it on the tele or in the news. That social security number then leads to other important numbers of identification such as bank account numbers. And even a passport number that will allow you to get through airport security and hopefully land you into a proper seat number. Hopefully a nice even number by the window, and not by a talky, smelly person with screaming child in tow!

Numbers identify where we live - our house address, and certainly our zip code. And numbers are what are assigned to those beautiful little talky boxes we all carry around, but don’t like to talk into because texting is so much the better.

Numbers identify the car we are driving, the license we carry to drive said car, and then the numbers are even kind enough to remind us how many miles over the speed limit we are driving. I especially like the digital orange, easy to read displays that glow warm at night. And if you care to notice, there are even number signs posted here and about to remind you how many miles over you are traveling and softly wink at how fast you should be traveling.

Numbers mark the days of the month, the year and they even dare to tell us what time it is. Your shoe size, your ring size, your hat size, your shirt and pants size…hell even the size of your socks…

Numbers, numbers, numbers.

So I believe that it may not be just my love of math and numbers that has unzipped my sleeping bag of sub-conscious to creep slowly in its feety pajamas and onto the canvas; but a realization that numbers seem to have become the binary code of our human existence.

Well now that we have gotten that out of my system, I will probably go back to cross-correlating Fibonacci numbers with Pascal’s triangle and then try to figure out what it all means to my life.

RECENT NEWS!!

Recently three paintings were accepted into the Annual Will Vawter Show put on by the Hancock County Arts Council. The three are Transitions, Take Control of you Horizons and Throw. Take Control of Your Horizons took First Place over-all in Mixed Media and Transitions took 3rd Place. So not a bad show of it! The artist reception was fantastic, and I always enjoy the opportunity to chat about art and techniques with new artists.
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I also submitted and had work accepted into the Indianapolis Arts Council Show called Contemporary Figurative Work and held at Gallery 924 in downtown Indianapolis! I had two pieces accepted – Pleadand Find Your Place. This show was a great success and the artist reception allowed for some great artist networking; and I received lots of great comments and feedback on my work. A really great night indeed! Here is the 4 Star-review from NUVO: http://www.nuvo.net/indianapolis/review-contemporary-figurative-work-at-924/Content?oid=2290319.


Here is a video re-cap of the show done by Dan Cooper for the Arts Council of Indianapolis. Check out my cameo appearance!
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Reach - Mixed Media - 48x48"
The show runs through July 29th so if you are downtown pop in and see it! It is an extraordinary collection of works from a great group of artists for sure! Not to mention the really cool space that holds it all!

And finally, here is a first look at my latest painting, “Reach.” 

Do keep the comments and e-mails coming…Until next time! Rock on!

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Konrad Marshall from the Indianapolis Star paid me a visit in my studio to interview me for my Indianapolis solo show - Cagney@Wugs  - I hope you enjoy the video interview!

Here is a link to the story and the video on-line!

http://blogs.indystar.com/artseen/2009/06/cagney_king_com.html

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