Cagney King - Artist - Blog

Loft Artwork Interviews Cagney King

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:25:07 -0800

It has been interesting over the last few years to realize how artists can delve into a social media and turn it into a sort of pool for sharing – making it our own. Sharing everything from triumphs and disappointments to struggles in the studio to everyday life as an artist. The key word is sharing. As I have immersed myself into the various and sundry on-line social opportunities specifically designed for artists, there seems to be an ever-growing repertoire of contacts and ‘followers.’ Not only does this open up opportunities for discovery of other artists and their work and techniques, but it also opens up opportunities for connections and friendships outside the given forum. Such is the case with Laura Warburton. www.loftartwork.com & www.laurawarburton.com
Laura is an artist hailing from Toronto, Canada and is the Owner of Loft Artwork. This quote will give you a little insight into Laura:

"It’s NOT about what you look at…It’s about what you SEE…Brushing, carving, scraping and pouring various materials, gels and mediums on canvas aids in creating an organic textured feel that hopefully captures and holds the viewers eye. Painting and paintings are emotional to me. I believe that when you walk into a room and you notice the art on the walls... and you really want to ”look” at it... then you are in front of a great a piece of art.”

SO, you see, when Laura asked me if I would consider doing a guest blog by answering some interview questions she had prepared, of course I was thrilled. And considering the depth of my appreciation of her work and philosophies, I was actually more than thrilled.
I am pleased to share with you my interview with Laura here and below. Please enjoy it and do take the time to visit her work and website.
Until Next time!
Rock On and Enjoy!

Art Miami Re-Cap

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:22:01 -0800

Hello everyone!

I want to first say Thank You for all the encouragement and support offered for my trip down to Miami to visit Art Miami • Red Dot • Miami Solo • Art Basel • Scope!!
It was a fantastic trip and I have a lot of work ahead of me in doing follow-ups. I learned SO much and met so many fantastic people!! I am very anxious to connect with them outside of the hustle and bustle of the shows.
I was able to attend a great deal of the event, but found myself running out of time and I can’t help but think that to see everything would have taken yet another whole week!
I can’t explain how so very cool it was to immerse myself in the Art, with the Artists and the Gallery and Representation side of the business. Everywhere you look is creativity and explosions on canvas, in installations and in sculpture…it is incredible and very overwhelming.
Each day brought new energy, new meet and greets and new adventures. The feedback I received on my work was very positive and encouraging…my head is just spinning and I feel as if I have a slight case of vertigo!
Now it is time for me to try and bottle up some of that energy, buckle down, and get back to work in studio and keep building up my body of work with a new found enthusiasm and gusto.
Keep your e-mails and comments coming! I love the sharing and the discussions, but especially love hearing from you all! You can either e-mail me directly or connect with me via this blog or my contact page.

Until next time!
Rock-on!

Destination: ART Miami

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 06:23:07 -0800

On the Easel - In progress. Click to View Larger Image.

Tomorrow I will set out on a journey to Miami, Florida to attend Art Miami. This journey will take me to a magical place where galleries from all over the world will be gathering to celebrate, promote and discuss ART. I am going to tuck my portfolio book under my sweaty little arm pit, swallow hard, gather all the gumption, grace and guts that I can muster and talk to as many people as I can about my art.
Yep…I’m going to do this…I’m pretty sure…no…I AM going to be brave and do so! [I have a back-up plan…my sister, friend, and biggest fan is going to be behind me pushing all the way]

To all that have supported me and encouraged me and been by my side up until now, I thank you! For it is my friends, fellow artists, family and foes that have given me the courage not to give up on my dream of becoming a full-time artist and pushing my art even further out into the world.

I’m not sure what adventure awaits me at Art Miami; but I am keeping my expectations real. At the very least I hope to garner some feedback and criticism that will help me become stronger as an artist, and as a painter. I am already anticipating filling my head with art that will be represented and presented by art galleries and artists from all over the world, and that is exciting in and of its self.

I will look forward to sharing with you all when I return, to let you know just how the journey un-folded! In the meantime…wish me luck and...guts!!

ON THE EASEL

I received an e-mail from a great friend and follower of my blog that inquired about where the ‘on the easel’ blog updates had gone! Well, my bad! I have been holed up in my studio and definitely taking pictures along the way of my work…just have been hoarding them to my self! I apologize. To make up for it I have included a snap [above] of the piece on the easel at this very moment! I am in the beginning stages with only about six layers into it at this point…many more to go!
It is a 48x48” canvas, and a continuation of my current series, which can be viewed here.

Keep your e-mails and comments coming! I will be reading them and re-reading them to keep my engine going over the next week and beyond!

Until next time…ROCK ON!

A Word on Painting

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 05:40:01 -0800

"Trust NO One" - Mixed Media - 29x71"

It is an odd feeling I get when I finish a painting (or at least make myself stop working on a painting). I’m not sure they are ever really finished…just complete enough to allow me to want to go on to the next canvas. I still go through and add strokes or adjust lines on ‘finished’ paintings that live in my studio, even though they have been ‘done’ for quite some time.
When I finish a painting, especially one I have worked on for a long while, it is a mix of feelings actually; but I think more of a sadness that the conversation and dance with the painting/canvas has come to an end, and now I have to let it be on its own out in the world to face the eyes of strangers.

Painting for me has always been like tackling a set of challenges that need to be worked out and solved in order to meet my expectations of the visual message or story I’m trying to portray and convey. Someone asked me the other day if I’m ever really happy with my paintings in the end, or if I ever feel disappointment. I immediately responded that I’m sure I don’t feel disappointment, but I do always wonder if I have done the canvas justice or not.
After thinking it through more later, I guess in truth it is a disappointment, but not because I’m not happy with the end result, but because our painting story has come to the last chapter even though I refuse to read the words – the end.

I admit, there are times I am disappointed and the painting just doesn’t work, and just didn’t exist as I had wanted it to exist, and so it must be abandoned. Not forgotten mind you, just set aside to tackle at another time.
I know that I have satisfied my end of the bargain with a painting when I find myself really wanting to look at it. Very close and far back, I move back and forth taking in the subtle details I have worked in with each layer. I find myself evaluating my performance as a painter. Did I technically execute this painting, and solve each challenge the best that I could have? Such is the case with the painting pictured here.

As I work through a painting I make notes in a notebook about what I wish I had done different, or how next time how I can better achieve an effect, or how I can add a layer here or there with a different medium. In between I will swatch a dab of paint to remember a colour mix I liked.
Before I begin my next painting I review all my notes, start to finish and I challenge myself to figure out how I can be better as a communicator, a painter and a creator to my canvases and for me.

As my latest painting dries, I am beginning to go back through my notes, as I am already sketching out the next idea and have a fresh canvas on the easel eager and ready to go. I have also noticed some additional work that will need to be done on this painting when these current layers dry…

At any rate, the goal is always the same. Paint for myself first and hope that others will like it enough to want to look at it close and far back. People don’t have to like it, I just want them to want to look at it, and maybe even think about it.

Cagney in a Pea Green Boat!

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 11:38:28 -0800

Some time ago, the Arts Council of Indianapolis promoted an e-Zine called The Pea Green Boat, and indicated they were looking for submissions. After checking it out I decided – “What the hell? I might look good in a Pea Green Boat...” and submitted some of my paintings and a few poems for consideration.

Well – Lo and Behold! They accepted three of my paintings! They chose “Find Your Place”, “First Law of Thermodynamics” and then “Poetry Pants” as an illustration to my Poem – Ants in my Cornmeal. This is the poem I wrote and the very same poem that Poetry Pants is centered around.

I am happy to share with you that the summer edition of The Pea Green Boat is OUT! AND…they used “Find Your Place” for their cover art!!!

Fun, fun, fun!!!

You can view it here, or by following this link. http://peagreenboat.site-kitchen.com/summer-2011.html.

If you are a skimmer…here are a few details for you:
My Poem and Poetry Pants can be viewed on Page 19.
On Page 26-27 spread you will see “Find Your Place” used as an illustration to an essay by Jeffrey Shokler called Touching the Sky.
On Page 43 you will find “First Law of Thermodynamics” as a companion piece to the opinion article called: Christian Mediation: Is it Christian to Meditate?

This was a really fun project, and the anticipation of submission to published has been fun too!

I do hope you enjoy it! Do let me know what you think, as I LOVE hearing from you!!
Until next time...Rock on!

The Pea Green Boat (PGB) e-zine is a product of Cathy Weber of the CR & K Group, LLC. The PBG e-zine is copyright © CR & K Group LLC, 2011, (P.O. Box 3568, Carmel, IN 46082)

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Numbers - Our Binary Code

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 13:33:45 -0800

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.

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!

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!

THROW Sad

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 06:48:30 -0800

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.

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.

Winter Doldrums and a Painting

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 08:24:05 -0800

Anyone else feel like they have been living inside a refrigerator for the last four months? Oh, I start out with a pretty healthy and hearty approach to winter. As a matter of fact I do like the seasonal changes of the mid-west. But alas; it is this time of year when the holidays are over (Thank God), and the hustle and bustle of crisp, clean air activities such as shoveling snow, slipping and falling on ice, scraping windshields etcetera, starts to transition into ‘What the *&%^$#*%%* hell?”. February is always hard. Never know what it will bring. And this year the damned month has set out not to disappoint. More snow, ice, and even more ice than is necessary (I am forming a conspiracy theory that they are exporting the damn ice from Alaska and Canada to not just keep Sarah Palin and firearms top of mind, but to attack and fight the nasty germs and bed bugs so that we can have a bug free summer and sleep worry free when we travel…but I’ll keep that to myself until I can actually prove it…or sober up.)

Alright, ENOUGH about the winter doldrums... Nothing we can do but take it. Fortunately, it does allow for more time in studio! No better place to hide if you ask me! After all, the bright side is that there is no growing grass, or growing anything for that matter (aside from little sock balls that snag on the carpet from having to wear two pair in order to save your feet from freezing off. And no, I’m not getting old, I just have cold feet).

Here is a short video I put together of my most recent painting – Chair Legs. The canvas is 6’x6’ (72x72). This canvas was an interesting and emotional journey for me and I will look forward to your feedback and comments. You can get a good look at her in Current Work tab.

Other works on the easel include ‘Hidden Compassion’ which is nearing completion. Actually will be completed any day now…I’m pretty sure, perhaps even in time for the next 2nd Friday Open Studio Night…I’m pretty sure, Yeah, probably. Also in the works is a new larger canvas (40x84) that is developing quite nicely and so far better than planned, as I am combining some different techniques together; and finally also a smaller set of paintings that continue to explore my efforts to sensitize people. As mentioned, ALL will be hanging out in Studio 8 and 8b waiting for you at the next 2nd Friday Open Studio night that will fall on Friday, February 11th. You can click HERE for stuff going on all around the downtown Greenfield area. Or you can just click HERE for directions to my studio and hang out with me and all the other fun artists in their studios.

Until next time...keep warm, don’t fall on the ice…and before you knock it – give the two sock thing a try…plus your boots will fit better.

Rock on!

Working Large on Small Time

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 11:49:54 -0800

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.

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!

Alienation and Dead Poets

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 08:16:20 -0800

Alienation - 5'x8' - Mixed Media

Let me start off by saying…WOW. The comments and e-mails have really been great and I so enjoy receiving and responding and chatting with everyone. I have been overwhelmed with your feedback to my work and my blog entries and I feel so lucky to have such a base of support. So thank you and keep ‘em coming…I love it and it does keep me going!

With some effort and coordination, ALIENATION my 5’x8’ finished canvas made a trip to the ArtBox Gallery in Downtown Indianapolis. Thanks to my fellow artist buddy Steve and his big truck we were able to transport and deliver the painting without incident. The Gallery had called after receiving a picture of the painting and requested it for a show that was opening that night! So after a bit of stressful chaos and some last minute coordination we got her there safely and she looked great among the other artist’s sculptures and paintings and I was very proud to have her included in the show!

On another note continuing on the large painting theme, I managed the relocation of a 6’x6’ canvas from my home studio to my painting studio. I have been working on some preliminary sketches and am getting close to actually attacking the canvas. On a comical note, this exercise did allow me to recognize that the back stairs leading to my studio will not handle anything higher than 6’ as I did have a few precarious moments and managed to avoid permanently wedging myself in the back stairway by only about an inch and a half! But in the end all is well and the canvas is securely fastened up on the large canvas support in my studio and ready to go. Whew! Duly noted!

I am looking forward to an upcoming event at the Creative Arts and Event Centre in honor of Edgar Allen Poe...I know, I know...He's dead but anyway; the Artists Upstairs have been granted some funds as part of a library and educational grant to artistically recognize the author. During the next 2nd Friday Open Studio event (October 8th), we will be doing a live painting event outside in front of the building. Two artists will be paired together on a single canvas to paint in the theme of ‘Black, White and Read all over’. I’m not sure exactly what or how my style of painting will fit into this event, but I am at the ready to give it a good go!
If you are going to be around town for the next 2nd Friday event then please stop by and cheer us on! Plus, you will have the chance to stop into King Studio 8 and check out some of my new work and take a gander at my new large canvas, as all the Artists Upstairs studios will be open. You can e-mail me for directions, or click here.
As a friendly reminder, 2nd Fridays are from 6-9ish every month in downtown Greenfield. Relax, have some wine and snacks as you stroll through and chat with the artists and take a peek into their individual working studios.

October 2nd Friday will also fall smack dab in the middle of Riley Days this year…I know, I know...he is dead too...so there will be lots to see and do around town! If you come don’t forget to hunt me down and say hello - I'll be very sad if you don't!

Until next time…Stay in touch, Cheers, and Rock on!