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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THROW Sad 03/23/2011
 
Wanted to give everyone a shout out and say hello. I am sure we are all looking forward to sunnier days and warmer nights.

In continuing with my ‘Look and Feel’ theme – no…it is not out of my system yet – I have recently finished a painting I am calling ‘Throw’.

THROW is a mixed media (surprise!) piece that is 40”x 84” in which I used acrylic, watercolour wash, oil, charcoal, and spray enamel. It is based on a rebel fighting in the streets for what he believes. I isolated and did various sketches of the action of throwing the rocks. Rocks are such a rudimentary weapon to use in the great battle of defending ones beliefs. Also symbolic in that they put me in mind of the tale spun of a kid named David and a monster man named Goliath which pits a small force against a larger and more daunting force. Never-the-Less, I wanted him to represent fighting not only for human rights, but also for what is right and wrong as it is individually defined by each of us in our own situations. Whether battling life, demons in our heads and hearts, or the ‘unfriendlies’.  I made a video of the process of the painting. I tried to remember after each session to capture the progress…mostly I remembered. I do apologize for some of the shaky video along the way, as I am usually into the fizzy pops by movie time.

Take a look, and let me know what you think. I will be posting a better picture of the painting as I can but for now it is posted in Current Works.
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Click for Detail View
I am also including a sneak peak at a smaller painting (20x20”) that I am in the debating stages with. Not sure if I’m done or not. This is when it is always handy to have someone in the studio with a ball peen hammer to hit me over the head and make me stop fidgeting with it or knock me out all together. You might also throw me a line if you are so inclined as to a title suggestion. Right now I’m just going with…Sad. Again, a reaction to the hurt and depression I can’t help but carry around in my heart and stomach for Haiti, New Zealand, and now Japan…on and on…hell pretty much the whole world feels fucked up at this point.
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Greetings and salutations from the far away land that is my mind! I always pondered the silliness of …’if you think time flies now, wait until you get older!’ Now I know it is not silliness at all, it is FACT. I think I have been swooning between the 3rd and 4th dimension and it has distorted all of my free time and sucked it down a big black hole! Ah, but enough of that! Needless to say, time has surely gotten away from me and I am so thankful to the kind souls that take time out to check on me to see if I’m still kickin’…if it weren’t for these e-mails of inquiry and support I would certainly be lost in my own little world! Why the time warp you ask? Well…since you asked…In August I went back to school to brush up on some left brain skills and I have been immersed in class, studies and homework…so much homework! At any rate…all very left brained and the right brain has suffered a bit I’m afraid. But the semester is soon to be over, and I’m anxiously waiting the time when I can get back to my regular studio hours and let my right brain rule again! That is FOR SURE.
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So! Let’s catch-up!

Although my time has been limited, I am still making a mess in Studio 8. I am working large with small time you might say. I am currently working on two pieces right now. A 6’x6’ canvas that I think I am going to call “Chair Legs” and a smaller work that is 28x48” that I am thinking of calling “Hidden Compassion”. Here is a little sneak peek of Hidden for you…

I have also been working on some drawings and some studies for future paintings…so on all fronts…stand by!

Something kind of fun and exciting came my way this month. I am very proud to announce that I was chosen by Dick Blick to be the Artist of the Month for November! Along with this honor I received a nice gift certificate that should arrive in the form of paint, brushes and such at my door any moment now! This was very exciting and definitely a right brain bright spot in my month!

Looking ahead there is a lot going on…don’t forget to visit ARTBOX Downtown to see my work on display there, and also don’t forget to mark your calendars for the 2nd Friday in December. As is the case on EVERY 2nd Friday of the year, the Artists Upstairs will have the welcome mats out and you are invited to tour the studios, chat with the artists, drink and be merry! I’ll try to clean Studio 8 up by then…but, if all goes well, I’ll make it even messier for you! Keep your fingers crossed and your right brain energy flowing!

Until next time…ROCK ON!
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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!
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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!
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Dylan aka Bunny Killer
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