Sprouseart: The Official Blog of Professional Artist Michael Sprouse

One bad apple…

2012-01-26T10:12:00.001-05:00

If you blissfully stroll through the the brand driven, ad agency carefully crafted, glistening, candy-coated Apple dreamscape of an exalted place of refined air far above the hellish nether-world of jaw-dropping labor abuses in Chinese sweat shops, it's time for your wake up call.

Yesterday’s Business Section of the New York Times, featured a scathing and comprehensive article titled, “In China, Human Costs Are Built Into an iPad”. It does a fine job of describing just how much blood, sweat, and tears (literally) goes into the shiny new iPhones and iPads that have driven Apple sales into new realms of success.

Make no mistake, I’m no fan of China. In my opinion, they are simply wrong on every level whether it be citizen oppression or social injustice, wildly flagrant environmental damage, over population and a strict unyielding compliance to an outdated, failed, political system steeped in dysfunction. I could go on, but my point is made.

Regardless of my personal feelings however, I understand that when all the layers of psychological, religious, social and personal identification are gone, people are people.

And a human being deserves better than what is reported in the article.

I’m curious now as to what steps Apple will take, if any, to repair this ugly situation.

Now who’s gonna swab the deck pirate scum?

2012-01-25T09:15:00.001-05:00

I laugh heartily when I hear GOP spin-masters decry Obama with baseless implications about him being weak on military support or lacking in concern about defense against terrorism and the such.

As Commander-in-Chief, not only did he authorize the taking out of bin Laden, last night, right before/during his SOTU address mind you, he authorized an operation to rescue Jessica Buchanan, an American citizen who was kidnapped and held against her will for three months in Somalia by pirates.

These are pirates who now will no longer be needing an eye patch, peg leg, or parrot.

(Image by johnx1 of the Independents for If Pirates Ruled Photoshop strange pictures contest)

Way to kick some smarmy Somalian pirate pirate ass POTUS!

Read the entire article here courtesy of thehill.com

Empty Subway…

2012-01-21T11:10:00.001-05:00

Having lived in Washington, DC for over 20 years, I’ve taken countless metro rides throughout the great city and surrounding metro area.

While journeying via the metro to the Shady Grove stop for a business meeting late yesterday morning, I realized that it had been years since I had ridden to any of the “last stops” on the system. I lost track of time gliding through the tunnels as I mentally flipped through the years attempting to pinpoint the last time I had the experience. No luck. As I lifted my head out of the futility of my memory haze, I noticed that I was the sole passenger on the car.

I quickly glanced to both the left and right to see if I could see a distant profile of some other rider lost in a newspaper or iPhone. No one.

It’s a surreal, dreamlike, short-lived and rare experience to be the only person in a passenger car on a metro system that shuttles over 2.5 million people annually. So, of course, I reached for my iPhone to make quick use of my favorite camera app to quickly visually document the fleeting experience. After a wee bit of tweaking in Photoshop, I present the results here for you to enjoy.

If you ever find yourself alone in an otherwise crowded space, after taking a moment to take in the Zen of it all. Grab your camera, visually document, and then let me know. I’d like to see what you come up with and I’d like to share it here.

(and please remember folks - all images in this post ©Michael Sprouse 2012)

Click on the image below to see a larger version in a new window

Pardon me, is that a head in your bag? Say Cheese!

2012-01-19T19:07:00.000-05:00

What kind of twisted American society have we created where the first impulse someone has when they have the unfortunate and horrific experience of stumbling across a severed head while walking through the park is to have a photograph of taken of themselves posing next to the hideousness with a smile?

What if their second impulse is to list the macabre image to a photographic licensing firm so as to get at least a 5 grand asking price from the media frenzy as they each attempt to claim it?

I envision snarling, angry junkyard dogs leaping wild eyed for a gnarled bone dangled from the hand of an inbreed mouth-breathing freak.

Horrifying though this thought may be to the sane few who dwell amongst this culturally decimated society , it's all true. You can find the sordid details here.

How rich the irony that this news item appears on the same day photography giant and American icon Kodak files for bankruptcy?

Remember, say cheese...

STRIKE AGAINST CENSORSHIP

2012-01-18T07:30:00.001-05:00

More Free Facebook Covers!

2012-01-15T15:17:00.001-05:00

The last time I posted some recent Facebook covers that I designed for free, they became very popular. So, being that I’m in a generous mood today – I’m posting more. Share as you will and enjoy!

I created these in Photoshop using either my own original photographs, or digital collages from vintage and/or retro photographs.

To use them, simply click on the image below for the larger version which is the size you’ll need for the cover image. Then

Go to your timeline
Click Add a Cover
Choose choose “upload a new photo” and direct it to the are where you have saved the image
Once you choose a photo, you can reposition it by clicking on the image and dragging it up or down
Click Save
Enjoy!

Kim Novak Lashes Out?

2012-01-10T07:50:00.001-05:00

According to an article I ran across in The Mainichi Daily News, Kim Novak feels “violated” because music from the Alfred Hitchcock masterpiece film “Vertigo” is used in “The Artist” (the new French black-and-white homage to the silent-film era and expected to be a front-runner at this year's Academy Awards).

Violated? It’s not as if she co-composed the film’s astounding score, and I’ll make the safe assumption that the film’s score wasn’t being piped onto the set during her scenes in the film.

Let me mention that I am a tremendous fan of both Hitchcock and Novak and “Vertigo” is truly an outstanding work of cinematic art. Masterfully directed by Hitchcock, the magical and skillful performances by Novak and the late great Jimmy Stewart are integral parts of the film’s mystique and allure.

That being said, I find this reaction by the now faded, but still treasured, star over the top. Was this really worth having a “statement released by her manager” to document her disdain?

According to the article, Kim feels that her "body of work has been violated by 'The Artist.' This film took the love theme music from 'Vertigo' and used the emotions it engenders as its own. Alfred Hitchcock and Jimmy Stewart can't speak for themselves, but I can. It was our work that unconsciously or consciously evoked the memories and feelings to the audience that were used for the climax of 'The Artist.'"

Perhaps, but I sense that this smites more so of bitter grapes then anger over music. Novak was at the pinnacle of her film career in the early to mid 1960’s. She made a handful of forgettable theater and television films in 70’s and early 80’s culminating in her last film appearance, 1991’s “Liebestraum”. According to Wikipedia however, “owing to battles with the director over how to play the role,” in that film, her scenes were cut. “Novak later admitted in a 2004 interview that the film was a mistake.”

In 2007 she said in an interview, that said that she would consider returning to the screen "if the right thing came along." Personally, I would love to see her on the big screen in a meaningful role. Where’s Taratino when you need him?

That interview was over 5 years ago. Perhaps Kim felt that some attention getting, rattling of the cage of the film industry was in order over what she considers to be a cinematic no-no in connection to a master film that she starred in over 50 years ago.

It isn’t.

Vintage New Years Cards Facebook Covers

2011-12-30T11:40:00.001-05:00

In order to kick off the New Year with a good start, I created these New Years Eve themed Facebook Cover images for the new FB design. These have been fashioned in Photoshop from vintage, early 20th century Postcards to work perfectly as cover images in Facebook. Click on the image below for the larger version which is the size you’ll need for the cover image. Then

Go to your timeline
Click Add a Cover
Choose choose “upload a new photo” and direct it to the are where you have saved the image
Once you choose a photo, you can reposition it by clicking on the image and dragging it up or down
Click Save

Happy New Year and Good Cheer!

Risky, dangerous, selfish behavior…

2011-12-18T13:05:00.001-05:00

Following suit of surrounding states, last year Delaware wisely banned the use of a speaking on a phone while driving (unless a hands free device is being used) and all texting. Even though there is a stiff fine attached to the law's violation, I still see people blatantly ignoring it every time I get on the road.

Every. Single. Time.

Clearly, the law isn't being enforced. I find that surprising considering there have been people killed in phone related accidents in this area in the last few years. I cringe when I see people doing it. They're usually easy to spot as they are usually the ones driving slower than most and weaving in and out lanes.

I once heard an interview with a policeman who said that they recognize phone related distracted drivers because they drive just like like drunk drivers. That's how dangerous and problematic this is.

I'm on the road frequently between Delaware and DC. If I could shoot a laser beam from my eyes that would transform the cell phone someone is chatting or texting on while driving into the rotted, fetid corpse of a dead fish I'd do it in a heartbeat.

The New York Times has a very good article in the December 17th issue titled “2 Habits Hard to Break: Smoking and Phone While Driving - Reframing the Debate Over Using Phones Behind the Wheel” .

There’s a great line from Keith Humphreys, a professor of psychiatry at the Stanford University Medical Center, in the article that reads, “even addicted smokers, he said, do not light up in theaters or churches. The same thing can happen with distracted driving. “If we create a different culture,” he said, “some of the people who feel addicted will stop.”

If you read the article, you’ll understand the context. And you’ll understand why he’s right.

The Artwork of Josh George

2011-12-08T07:44:00.001-05:00

I had a pre-sunrise, aesthetically pleasing, eye-opening experience this morning of stumbling across the work of artist Josh George.

Even a brief visit to the gallery on his website reveals a truly gifted painter who has forged a clear mastery of paint to recreate his vision onto canvas honed with immense skill.

His work is beautifully composed and rich with depth and emotion. His color choices are visually completely appropriate for the work as the perfectly meld like long lost puzzle pieces snapping seamlessly together into a dreamscape of surreal narratives that waft into the subconscious of the viewer and tap them on the shoulder releasing misted memories of the past. Like the scent of burning wood from a distant fire undulating through the frosted air of a winter’s night, his paintings give one pause as they strike hauntingly familiar chords from music that you know you but just can’t quite place.

If you get a chance, visit his site and see for yourself. You’ll be impresses to say the least…

“To Regale Luxuriously and Give Free Scope To” 48 x 48 © All rights reserved by Josh George

www.joshgeorge.com

A speech to be remembered by history…

2011-12-07T13:10:00.001-05:00

Amazingly, I can't find the words to express how important and moving this Hillary Rodham Clinton’s address before the United Nations in Geneva is. The Advocate describes it as a speech "to be remembered by history", to which I agree. In my opinion, if you are a member of the LGBT community, or care for someone who is, then it is absolutely vital that you watch the speech and then - share it. This is how equality begins...

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton shakes hands after her speech on human rights issues at United Nations headquarters in Geneva. (Anja Niedringhaus, AP / December 6, 2011)

WATCH: The Speech You’ve Been Waiting For Hillary...

iPhone Finger Dysfunction….

2011-12-01T14:35:00.001-05:00

It's rather frustrating when you've just left a voice-mail for someone via your iPhone and you think the call has ended and you begin singing rather loudly along with one of your favorite Steely Dan tunes from the Aja album that starts playing in the background and you just happen to notice when you hit the chorus that you're still being very much recorded onto the voice-mail from the call that never ended in the first place. Very frustrating indeed...

“Where the needle goes, the thread must follow”

2011-11-28T09:43:00.001-05:00

I have exhibited the work of several fiber artists over the years in galleries and exhibitions that I have curated, so I’m no stranger to fiber arts. However, these works were usually large wall pieces richly constructed from of a variety of materials assembled together in all kinds of different ways. Whether the materials were sewn, glued, bolted, tied, or woven together, these works were impressive and heady constructions that were more like soft wall sculpture rather than fiber works.

That’s why I was so impressed with the delicate miniature portrait embroidery of fiber artist Cayce Zavaglia that I discovered when I came across an interview with her on mymodernmet.com.

© Cayce Zavaglia

While her pieces are usually just under life size and take approximately 6-8 months to create, these new works are much smaller in scale, measuring only about 8" x 12". Though smaller than her traditional work, these gems still pack a visual wallop. They are insightful, compelling and deeply sincere. All at once, they successfully present a full circle portrait that reflects not only the humanity of the subject, but a deep awareness of the sitter’s psyche and spirit.

A viewer of these stunning works isn’t simply looking at a well executed portrait, they are bonding with it. The viewer’s eyes lock with the subject’s eyes thusly opening a channel of myriad back stories and memories, mist, light and shadow. The works are so successful, that the fact that they are composed of countless and deliberately placed stitches (normally one of the most important aspects of the works) almost becomes background music to an unforgettable scene from some classic film.

Zavaglia has so adeptly created these mini-masterpieces that once they leave the artist’s hands and studio, one gets a true sense of them beginning a life of their own with a symbolic tapestry of life experience created with one ply embroidery floss. In my opinion, Zavaglia has obtained a goal that many artist share but so few achieve – the ability to create work compelling enough to stand on it’s own without a tipping of the hat to the work’s creator. Viewer’s of these works are compelled to learn more about that artist from viewing the work – not the other way around, which, in my opinion, has become a bane of the contemporary art world.

You can read more about these stunning works and see examples of her artistry in the interview here - mymodernmet.com.

To learn more about this fantastic artist and to see examples of her equally impressive largr works, visit her website at www.caycezavaglia.com.

The Umbrella Man

2011-11-22T13:19:00.001-05:00

On the 48th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Errol Morris explores the story behind the one man seen standing under an open black umbrella at the site in a fascinating and well-produced video short...

The Umbrella Man - Video Library - The New York Times

Recent Work

2011-11-14T11:14:00.001-05:00

Here are three recent works – all digital collages of my original photography and vintage photographic imagery.

These are soon to be available as a personally hand-crafted mixed-media print on canvas in a variety of sizes ranging from 18" x 18" to 6" x 6" on gallery stretched canvas for extremely affordable, you artist friend wants to continue to exist, holiday friendly prices. The copyright information will not appear on the purchased prints.

Email or message me if interested for more information. Also, I can create astonishing works from your old family photos and letters that will make you the envy of those who purchase their wall art from the likes of Pier One and Target. Really. ♥ and Happy Holidays....

”Triplets” – digital collage with mixed media on paper and canvas. Copyright ©2011 Michael Sprouse

Ghouls and Zombies Of The Past…

2011-10-27T11:44:00.001-04:00

With Halloween just days away, I thought it would be appropriate to rummage through my old trunk of vintage photographs to see what spooky snapshots might be lurking about. I was in luck. It seems that the undead have been undead for quite some time.

Happy Halloween. Muhahahahaha….

The Visual Joy that is Autumn…

2011-10-17T09:14:00.001-04:00

This Monday morning brings sweet autumn air of calmness after a true whirlwind of a weekend composed of art gallery receptions, dinner parties, live jazz concerts, sparkling and witty conversation of general socializing and travel that all took place between three states and the District of Colombia.

I enjoyed some superb live music thanks to the Rehoboth Jazz Fest, saw and helped to sale some wonderful original art, and ate some spectacular food. I met several great new people that I hope to run into again, ran into others that I’ve met recently and visited with dear old friends that I’ve not seen in a while. Despite the hurly-burliness of it all, it was a fantastic ride of a weekend.

Fortunately, during the drive back to Delaware from DC yesterday on a crisp late Sunday October morning, there was a welcome couple of hours of calm between engagements. My partner and I wisely decided to stop at the rustic Adams Fruit Market.

Nestled in the pines just past the Maryland/Delaware state line on route 404, Adams is located about 8 miles west of Bridgeville, Delaware. I’m not certain how long it’s been there, but I feel it’s safe to say at least 45 to 50 years or longer.

It was a lovely and peaceful experience. With the breeze rustling through the pines, everywhere I turned were the colors of autumn. I took some quick photos with my iPhone. Rather than post them as traditional photos, I felt like adding a bit of an artistic twist to them this morning so I incorporated a bit of a kaleidoscope treatment compositionally in Photoshop.

Perhaps it will help to transfer the experience of being surround by the richness and vibrancy of the color that is Autumn.

© 2011 Michael Sprouse

© 2011 Michael Sprouse

© 2011 Michael Sprouse

© 2011 Michael Sprouse

© 2011 Michael Sprouse

If you'd like to experience an Autumnal Kaleidoscope of color in real time of your very own, I suggest you stop by Adams Fruit Market if you find yourself in the area. They have a tremendous amount of pumpkins, gourds, mums and more (I'm looking forward to the Jack-O-Lantern I’ll be carving soon from my Adams Fruit Stand pumpkin). Or, if you get the opportunity, take a drive out in the country and visit your own locally owned produce stand before the season passes. You’ll be glad you did.

Visual Jazz…

2011-10-15T10:57:00.001-04:00

My thanks to the many who attended the opening reception for Visual Jazz last night at Prudential Gallo, REALTORS® in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. It was a spectacular event and a fantastic time was had by all.

Special thanks to Julie Borden and Sydney Arzt for their inclusion of their beautiful and fascinating work and to Touch Of Italy for their greathearted donation of delectable foods.

Also - a very special thanks to the fantastic people of Prudential Gallo Rehoboth for their tremendous support and invaluable and truly generous help with this artistic and worthwhile endeavor which just seems to get better and more successful every time.

Artist Julie Borden chats with Jazz and Music Promoter Sydney Arzt.

Art appreciator and Music Promoter Sydney Arzt.

Enthusiastic patrons attend the event

Enthusiastic patrons attend the event

Enthusiastic patrons attend the event

Is this portrait a lost Leonardo? | Art and design | The Guardian

2011-09-28T11:13:00.000-04:00

I've blogged about the entirely fascinating story of La Principessa before. It seems a new chapter, quite literally, has opened in this amazing story...

Is this portrait a lost Leonardo? | Art and design | The Guardian

An enlightening interview with wise being

2011-09-26T09:32:00.001-04:00

I’ve mentioned several times on this blog how two of Eckhart Tolle’s books, “The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment” and “A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose” helped me to not only change my outlook on life and existence, but to “awaken” through a shift in consciousness.

I’ve read each one several times over the last few years since I first came across them on my journey and I highly recommend them. I came across a very well written interview with Tolle on his website that may serve as a basic introduction to the shift in consciousness that he presents in these life changing books.

The article and interview titled “The Awakening of Eckhart Tolle” is written by Paula Coppel for Unity Magazine and may be found here.

Life Imitating Art with a big price tag…

2011-09-07T08:03:00.001-04:00

I find it admirable that one of the tactics Samsung is using in defense against Apple’s current patent infringement suit is the claim that Stanley Kubrick actually had the original idea behind the iPad and not Apple.

Here’s a still from the scene that according to this article on abcnews.com, Samsung says proves that at least the concept of the iPad came from someone other than the developers at Apple - not just years mind you - but 4 decades before the pricey tech tool was released! The amazing Kubrick film “2001: A Space Odyssey” was actually filmed in 1965 prior to it’s release in 1968.

Here is the actual clip in reference can be seen on youtube.com by clicking here.

I think the reason that I like this tactic is its mix of the old “David verses Goliath” story and the fact that art from over 4 decades ago is being referenced as a source of inspiration for very current technology.

In my opinion, even though it’s being used as a tug-of-war tool so to speak between two mega-tech industries over fortunes that are practically impossible for us to comprehend, it quite elegantly underscores the eternal beauty of art itself.

One of the wonderful qualities of great art is its sense of timelessness. Art itself borders on the eternal because, ultimately, it is the manifestation of an artist’s creative mind which is based in the eternal. It’s the same “eternal” that lives within us all.

Perhaps the final story here is the fact that an artist’s vision is being used in a court of law, regardless of the reasons, perhaps may just let those of us who notice reawaken the eternal in ourselves as well.

A politician is a politician is a politician…

2011-08-31T10:21:00.001-04:00

Wisdom alert here!

Jesse Lava: The Real Obama Betrayal

This above is a well written article that I came across this morning on the Huffington Post written by Jess Lava (Director, criminal justice campaign at Brave New Foundation). He does a fine job of explaining why President Obama is not the same man, politically speaking, as Obama the candidate from '08 and '09.

I have believed this for quite some time, so I find it validating to see more and more articles with similar stances hitting the digital and print driven press outlets. While I was quite open during the last presidential election about my support for Hilary Clinton. I was quite taken by surprise by the strong, and at times unpleasant, reactions by my fellow progressives who were supporting Obama when the conversation would arise. There were even some who passively/aggressively suggested that my lack of support of Obama was based in racism. Ridiculous.

My lack of initial support for Obama wasn't based in racism ; it was based in my perception of his lack of meaningful political experience when it came to taking the wheel , so to speak, in leading this country out of some very thick fog. On an analogous level, I wouldn't feel comfortable letting a 11 year old drive a car through a blinding snowstorm in which I was a passenger no matter how adamantly they insisted they could operate the vehicle. However, if a seasoned professional driver who knew the lay of the road ahead had insisted on taking the wheel, I would have sat back, relaxed and enjoyed the ride. Not only did the electorate insist that Hillary get out of the car, they proceeded to hand the keys to Obama. Once he became the party's choice, I of course supported his run and did indeed vote for him. I even adopted a bit of Pollyanna vision and opted to hope, and at times believe, that perhaps his words about "change that I could believe in" were valid. Of course, his current record shows that promise to be nothing more than a slick campaign slogan.

I had a similar conversations recently with hardcore Obama supporters about my, and others, dissatisfaction with the President. For the most part, all I received were snarky responses about how "I'd better not vote Republican in 2012" and acerbically toned questions asking would I rather have a president Perry or Bachman. These are all useless comments clearly arisen out of the speaker's own frustrations with the situation and a level umbrage that naturally comes forth when one feels as if they have been hoodwinked.

Obviously, I won't vote for a Republican candidate no matter how frustrating Obama's actions, or lack thereof, may be as I realize that having a Democrat, even if just by name, in the White House is far better than any alternative. Though, frankly, with Obama's current lackluster track record, the sad and disappointing difference currently seems small.

Fight For Your Right…

2011-08-17T17:38:00.001-04:00

Somewhere, someone must be drooling...

Beastie Boys Action Figures Being Sold To Raise Money For Charity

Because it’s the day before the day before Friday…

2011-08-17T09:26:00.003-04:00

(click above for larger version)

A wealthy and wise man speaks...

2011-08-15T07:52:00.002-04:00

"My friends and I have been coddled long enough by a billionaire-friendly Congress. It’s time for our government to get serious about shared sacrifice." ~ Warren E. Buffett

Stop Coddling the Super-Rich - NYTimes.com

A Disquieting Dream…

2011-08-10T10:16:00.001-04:00

Though I rarely discuss them publically beyond close friends and family, I have long been one of those people who have been blessed/cursed with intensely vibrant, realistic/surrealistic, often meaningful dreams. I usually remember them in extreme detail as they seem more like memories of recent events rather than fuzzy, misted dream recollections.

I have no idea why I have these dreams. Perhaps it’s because of my artistic nature, my right brain lean, my enchantment with the esoteric or a combination of all. I think it’s a bit genetic in nature as I’ve other family members with the same ability, my mother in particular was gifted in this department.

Sometimes these dreams are purely entertaining, joyful experiences filled with laugher and nonsense. Sometimes they are more somber steeped in symbolic imagery and detail. I’ve had uncannily prophetic dreams, dreams where I’ve had long heartfelt conversations with people long passed, and dreams filled with complete strangers spent walking the streets of ancient lands and other worlds.

And sometimes I have dreams filled with deep mystery that hint of messages from beyond and leave me feeling as if I must search for a missing puzzle piece before I can see the “big picture” of it all.

Last night was one of those experiences….

It began in a hospital. A hospital in some town in some state somewhere in this country. There had been a major renovation to the hospital – either a new wing had been added or one had been completely renovated.

I found myself in the dream space a few minutes after what must have been the ribbon cutting for the new addition. The area was filled with medical professionals, community leaders, and citizens of the town that seemed connected somehow to the renovation. Everyone was quite pleased with the new addition and there was much chatter amongst the attendees over bites of cake and sips of punch.

No one seemed to notice me at first and I was able to pass amongst the crowd as I pleased. I saw a printed program documenting the event on a desk and I decided to read it. That’s when I realized that the reason that I was there was that some of my art had been placed in the permanent collection of the hospital and was being featured somewhere in the renovation. For some reason, either I didn’t see or can’t recall exactly where this hospital was in the dream.

I still hadn’t been noticed by the crowd so I decided that I would explore the area myself and locate my art, as I was curious as to what work of mine was part of the collection.

I started off down a hallway to the left of where I had been reading the program leaving the chattering of the crowd behind me. The hallways were well lit with and painted a soft beige color. Everything sparkled with a feeling of newness to it. I still didn’t recognize my art so I continued deeper into a series of hallways and I soon realized that I had become lost in the process.

This made me slightly uncomfortable as I was now completely alone in a hospital with zero idea of where I or it was located. I decided that the best thing to do would be to try and back track my steps and listen for the voices of the crowd to find my way back to the main area.

I started back in the direction that I had came, but everything began to look the same and I was never certain that I was going in the right direction. That’s when it happened.

Suddenly, I found myself walking through a hallway that was darker and much cooler than the others. I realized that there were literally no lights fixture in the hallway. The hazy ambient light that was there was coming from an adjoining hallway that was separated from the one in which I was standing in by a wall of windows. The windows were of an old fashioned kind that had some sort of protective wire meshing incased within them. I stood in the middle of the hallway and looked through the glass into the other side.

It was like looking into the hospital’s past. I’m no expert on vintage industrial interior design, but I would guess it to be anywhere between the late 1930’s to the mid 1950’s. The floor had been yellowed and burnished with use and the light fixtures were of an earlier time. The light was yellowish which cast everything with a vintage sepia hue. A few chairs and a desk or two also had the same retro look and feel. It was then that I noticed the door.

Across and slightly to the left of where I was looking was a door to a room which caught my attention for no apparent reason. I found myself staring at the door for what seemed like quite some time as if I were waiting for something.

Then, quite suddenly, something startling happened.

The door knob transformed in a photograph of a little girl. It was about an 8.5” by 11”, black and white studio portrait of a lovely little girl with pigtails and a big smile. She was about 7 to 10 years old and the photo seemed to be taken around the same time period as the wing that I was looking into. I found myself entranced with the photograph. She had dark blond hair, blue eyes, and she was wearing what appeared to be a hand made knit sweater over a blouse of darker color. I could feel a connection form between my eyes and hers. I could sense that the girl was trying to tell me something but I couldn’t quite make it out. It was as if there was static filling the airwaves.

Without warning, the photograph began to very slowly turn as if by two invisible hands. I could hear the clicking of the old mechanism of the door lock and I watched as the door creaked open revealing a completely dark room that seemed to go for an eternity. I felt a rush of cool air come over me and the sound of wind.

At that very moment that I was able to peer into the cavern of the room, the lights in the hallway in which I was standing popped on with a brilliant bright flash.

I found that the wall of windows was simply gone – now replaced with the sparkling newness of the other beige walls of the new addition. I found myself now face to face with one of my abstract paintings – now part of the permanent collection and hanging on the wall that a nanosecond before had been a portal to the hospital’s past.

I was stunned by the event and found myself shaking my head to clear away the confusion when suddenly I heard voices to my right.

It was a small group of nurses, some of whom were long retired, that were in attendance for the celebration. They said that they had been looking for me and they were glad to see that I had located my art work in the building. My face must have still registered the intensity of my experience as they asked me if anything was wrong.

I told them what I had just witnessed and they were stunned. One of the older nurses asked me to describe the girl in the photograph. I did so. Another of the other retired nurses began to weep as a third told me that when they were young women and working in the hospital, that where we were standing had been another area completely and that this particular spot had been the location of a room where long ago the little girl in the photograph had spent her final days before succumbing to the effects of a tragic event.

The nurses said that the entire staff had become very taken with the child. That said that she had such charisma, charm, and optimism that they all fell in love with the little girl. They were absolutely devastated when she passed.

The same nurse then told me that one of the child’s visitors, a gentle and mature man - perhaps a relation, insisted that the girl’s photograph be hung on the doorknob outside of the room so that he could find it more easily during visits as he would often become lost in the hallways of the hospital.

And at that point in the conversation, I simply woke up. I never got the girl’s name, the name of the hospital, the name of the visitor, the tragic event, or even the year.

What I did get is a haunting memory tinged by time and the sense that there may be much more to come from the little mysterious girl in the photograph…

Smashing Success for the Opening Reception at Prudential Gallo, REALTORS® in Rehoboth Beach!

2011-07-30T14:49:00.001-04:00

A large crowd braved the intense summer heat and the beach traffic to attend the opening reception for the Dickey, Peghini-Räber and Sprouse Recent Works Exhibit At Prudential Gallo, REALTORS® in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware on the evening of Friday, July 29th resulting in a tremendous amount of fun, multiple sales of fantastic original art and a thorough enjoyment of the complimentary Hors d'oeuvres and wine courtesy of a Touch of Italy Salumeria and Pasticceria and Prudential Gallo, REALTORS® in Rehoboth Beach.

A sincere thanks to all of those in attendance, the talented artists and the hard working and dedicated Realtors of Prudential Gallo, REALTORS® in Rehoboth Beach as well as Touch of Italy Salumeria and Pasticceria of Rehoboth and the Touch of Italy Foundation.

This exhibit runs through the end of August so be sure to stop by the Prudential Gallo Rehoboth Beach office at 37230 Rehoboth Avenue Ext. to view this compelling exhibit!

(photos from the event)

Mr. Potato Head and Pals

2011-06-26T09:23:00.001-04:00

I never knew that Mr. Potato Head had a pal named “Pete The Pepper”.

With a name like “Pete The Pepper”, it seems possible that this “friend” may have been one of Mr. Potato Head’s more nefarious associates possibly with ties to organized crime or at least to the shadier aspects of the vegetable import business.

I also was unaware that the first Mr. Potato Head toys were made to actually be inserted into real vegetables.

According to the included instructions, “most any vegetable or fruit” can be used. When I was a small child, the fruits and vegetables in our home were strictly for consumption and not play. It seems to me the act of shoving plastic eyes, mouth, moustache and a pipe into a ripe tomato over and over again would render the fruit unappetizing at least and would most certainly produce a rather macabre doll. I can’t imagine the fun would increase with the use of the more stable fleshed onion once it’s wildly pungent and real-life eye scalding, milky juices would begin to weep from the wounds created by the hard plastic facial prosthetics. It takes no great stretch of the mind to imagine horrified children attempting in vain to comprehend why their new best friend the onion headed doll was lamenting its creation with foul smelling, bitter and burning tears.

According to Wikipedia, “in the 1960s, government regulations forced the Potato Head parts to be less sharp, leaving them unable to puncture vegetables easily. By 1964, the company was therefore forced to include a plastic potato "body" in its kit. Little children were also choking on the small pieces and cutting themselves with the sharp pieces”. Though the date on the box above is clearly listed as 1966 and there seems that there were only “face parts” in that particular box.

Regardless of the math, by the time I was playing with Mr. Potato Head in the late 60’s, there was a plastic potato body included in the box.

And the rest, as they say, is toy history…

Baby Face Rooney?

2011-06-09T07:55:00.002-04:00

To be fair, I’ve never seen this film and chances are I never will. I just have to wonder what was going on in the casting director’s head when the decision was made to cast little and loveable Mickey Rooney in the role of a hardened blood thirsty criminal – “the deadliest killer of all time” - mind you, should you choose to believe the poster hype.

While a talented artist did his/her best to illustrate Mickey Rooney shaking a blazing sub-machine gun at some unfortunate (perhaps they did something as innocent as give him the wrong change), it just doesn’t work here - at least not for me. I just know Rooney so well as a song and dance man that in my mind’s eye he looks like a middle aged star on a shoot break playing with a prop from Some Like It Hot.

The artist was slipping a bit with his/her portrait of the great actress Carolyn Jones. In this poster, she looks more like an angry drag queen that has learned how to work a sawed off shotgun in the back parking lot of an Arkansas truck stop. While an angry drag queen with a sawed off shotgun isn’t someone I would want to run into at the SuperFresh, her poster representation just doesn’t instill a sense of intimidation here. After looking more thoroughly at this poster, I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that two different artists may have worked on it each responsible for one of the leads.

The poster suggests that “Baby Face Nelson” not be viewed unless “your nerves are bulletproof”. OK, finding that hard to believe as well, but stranger things have happened. In fact, interestingly enough, this film was highly praised on IMDB.com.

Perhaps I need to bundle up my bulletproof nerves and see if it’s available on Netflix. After all, maybe in 1957, Mickey just needed to kick some ass – gangsta style…

Made right in the can…

2011-06-08T09:01:00.001-04:00

This morning, I ran across a fab retro magazine ad featuring two things that I’ve not tasted in a very long time – lime Jell-O and canned pineapple. In fact, scanning my memory banks for the last time I may have had the palette envelope pushing experience of having the two distinctive tastes (one an artificial lime infused, eye-crossing uber-sweetness and the other a tinny slab of fruit fleshy sugar loaf) comingled in my mouth would require a mental time travel machine the size of a semi.

Nevertheless, the kitschy joy and the in-your-face “we love chartreuse” art direction of this retro masterpiece of advertising is simply too much for me to resist.

Feast your eyes upon the culinary magic of the early 1960’s!

My parents were married in the early 60’s. And like so many young people at that time, my mother loved this kind of advertising and was drawn to it like a vampire to a virgin’s neck. If it was instant it was pure perfection. Instant coffee, instant orange juice, instant milk, instant oatmeal, instant rice, instant mac and cheese and much more were quite popular menu items of my childhood. I have little doubt that had this glistening and enticing manna blipped across her radar, it would have been proudly served the next time such a side dish was called for.

Simply open a can of sliced pineapple, pour out the juice, fill it with Jell-O, stick it in the fridge and voilà - instant dessert. Or, should you find the need, smack a slab or two down atop an acid-green leaf of lettuce and add a hefty dollop of pure mayonnaise to the plate party to create a slickened summer side salad from hell.

When Jell-O/Mayo molds were all the rage, I was fortunately young enough to be intimidated by the mix and to this day have yet to experience that questionable concoction. Though, mayonnaise is one of my favorite guilty garnishes. Perhaps I’ve been missing out all these years…

In any event, this ad has loudly plucked a string of culinary interest in my mind and there is a strong possibility that if I end up in the SuperFresh this afternoon, I may have to take a stroll down memory lane and check out the canned pineapple selection which couldn’t possibly be too far from the Jell-O selection…

Stay tuned, there may be photos…

Real Men Use Reusable Grocery Bags.

2011-05-18T18:48:00.004-04:00

Real Men Use Reusable Grocery Bags., originally uploaded by sprouseart.

I split my time between the Delaware shore and Washington, DC. I am somewhat amazed and a bit befuddled that by far the majority of people that I see in the grocery stores in Delaware choose not to use reusable grocery bags opting instead for those terribly environmentally unfriendly and flimsy plastic bags.

When I am in the grocery stores of the great metropolis of Washington, DC., I notice that the majority of shoppers are using some kind of reusable bag, or at least, they have brought a plastic bag with them and are using it anew.

What's the difference? In January 2010, Washington, DC passed a "Bag Law". The law, the first of its kind in the U.S., requires any District business selling food or alcohol to charge 5 cents for each disposable paper or plastic carryout bag. The business keeps 1 cent (or 2 cents if it offers a rebate when customers bring their own bag), and the remaining 3 or 4 cents goes to the new Anacostia River Protection Fund.

Though controversial when it was passed, almost immediately, businesses began seeing a drastic reduction in bag usage, and environmental clean-up groups witnessed fewer bags polluting DC waterways.

Personally, I think the law is brilliant and I'm happy to do my part. Reusable grocery bags are affordable and easily found in practically every city in the country. The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. offers incredible bags created specifically for The Elizabeth Haub Foundation which are distributed exclusively through the A&P Family of Supermarkets. I'm holding one in my hand in the photo above. I own about 10 of them in total. They are available for a mere 99 cents!

The bags are incredible! Not only do they easily hold at least 10 times the amount of groceries that the useless plastic bags hold, they are amazingly strong and durable, easily hand washable, and portable with extra sturdy and flexible double-grasp nylon handles. And, artistically speaking, they are also absolutely beautiful as each different bag features a stunning wild-life themed photograph in rich, vibrant color.

Why do I have 10 of these beauties? Because I use these bags for far more than just hauling groceries. I can fill them with art supplies, CDs, books, clothing and much more which makes transporting such items a breeze as I travel back and forth between destinations.

Though made in China (which admitedly doesn't fill my heart with joy), they are made from 100% post consumer recycled content. Better yet, a portion of the 99 cent purchase price goes to The Elizabeth Haub Foundation, an organization that works to support the development and implementation of necessary legislative provisions for the conservation and sustainable use of nature, as well as for humankind.

It's frustrating to me that I have seen so many Delawareans leaving the grocery stores with plastic bag after bag. Can they not get their head together about how harmful plastic bags are to the environment (especially here at the shore!) and how there are much better options so easily available. Perhaps they need an incentive. Why not a "Bag Tax" for the Delaware shore - perhaps nation wide!

Because in case you don't know by now, plastic bags are for losers.

Subway Spirit…

2011-04-28T09:27:00.001-04:00

© Michael Sprouse 2011

I like this instagram snap I caught yesterday afternoon on the metro to Dupont Circle. I've titled it "Subway Spirit". Not, mind you, as in the pom-pom accompanied "I've got spirit, how 'bout you?", but as in the ethereal, vaporous, wafting sense. Think of the oddly quiet moments when you've walked into an empty elevator into an aura of warmth mingled with the lingering perfume from a mysterious previous rider. It fills your mind with oceans of ideas about the existence of a woman you will never know. The mystery fades like an old, yellowed photograph vanishing in a dusty, time-worn frame eternally placed in some sun-drenched corner of a forgotten shelf when you reach your floor...

The Wigmaker

2011-04-15T09:22:00.001-04:00

When you can’t fall asleep at 3 AM, it’s time for Photoshop fun on retro wig catalogs. Click the link and make sure and view full size.

http://www.sprouseart.com/images/wigmaker.jpg

1975 Datsun ad - Check Out the MPG

2011-04-04T07:35:00.002-04:00

1975 Datsun ad, originally uploaded by retro-space.

Look at this retro ad I came across on flickr.com this morning and let the headline register in your mind for a minute. That's right, this 35 year old ad features automobiles capable of reaching 39 MPG on the highway. Again, for clarification, that's 35 years ago and 39 miles per gallon.

I find it shocking and borderline nauseating that after 35 years the average MPG of most cars on the road today is about 22.4 (based on data from the Department of Transportation dated from 2009 - a mere 2.5 years ago).

While it's true that the Energy Act of 2007 calls for average of 35 miles per gallon by 2020 for cars (still 4 MPG under the average listed for these now antique automobiles), it is painfully clear that this is a situation born out of greed and rampant blind consumerism without impunity based on a naive belief by the auto driving populace of this country that the auto manufacturers know best when it comes to making their cars more fuel efficient and that they, and they alone, sit on the top of the pyramid when it comes to research. I can just see the auto manufacturing industry and the oil companies skipping down the road together giggling like flower girls at a wedding tossing dollar bills in the air like rose petals.

It is outrageous that in over 35 years the average MPG has dropped while the cost of gasoline has skyrocketed. Now is the time to seriously demand that our government insist through legislation that the auto manufacturing industry begin to seriously research and produce fuel efficient, hybrid, electric or other alternatively powered affordable and available automobiles. They can do this and they have been able to do this for years.

This shell game will only end when the public begins to become aware that it is unwinnable and that they will perpetually lose in the end. Become aware and become proactive.

Octave Tassaert

2011-03-30T07:30:00.002-04:00

I have no particular reason to post this painting other than I came across it online in some secondary manner and I found it compelling for reasons that I cant quite ascertain.

Studio Interior, Octave Tassaert, France 1845

It is certainly beautifully rendered on myriad levels – light, composition, pallet, theme and more. Perhaps it’s the visual back story that intrigues me about the work.

At first glance, I thought this was a painting of a young man peeling potatoes by the hearth, but on closer inspection, I saw that this was either an artist himself, or an artist’s assistant perhaps taking a break while the master attends to something else in the studio. Or perhaps, the artist has yet to begin his work as it is clearly visible that the pallet is free from paint. For that matter, there appears to be no paint in the box whatsoever. Perhaps the project ahs yet to begin making this the calm before the storm so to speak.

It’s actually quite serene and peaceful and I’m sure there were worse places to be in 1845 in France - where and when this work was created. It now hangs in the Musée du Louvre in Paris. Perhaps I came across it there several years ago and its memory has drifted through my subconscious mind until this misty reacquaintance this early morning.

The artist was Octave Tassaert. At the age of 74, after Tassaert became an alcoholic and his health and eyesight deteriorated greatly, he took his own life. He never quite found the success of peer approval that he was seeking – it’s a rather tragic tale actually and you can read about it briefly here - http://www.terminartors.com/artistprofile/Tassaert_Octave

In Memoriam…

2011-03-23T10:21:00.001-04:00

It was with sadness that I read of the passing of Dame Elizabeth Taylor. There will be much written and spoken about her now that she has died and I won’t attempt to compete here. I can say only that I found her to be a true master of her art and a great and cherished humanitarian.

To this day, I find myself riveted by some of her film performances. In particular of these is her well deserved Best Actress Oscar winning performance as Martha in “Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf”. I have seen that film so many times that I have literally lost count. It is a timeless piece of movie mastery that will live in the halls of honor of film making.

I think I will honor her life this weekend when I am back at the shore with some good scotch and another screening of that astounding film…

Another brilliantly performed scene…

In Memoriam
Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor
February 27, 1932 – March 23, 2011

De Niro helps to end Art Fraud.

2011-03-21T11:08:00.001-04:00

Courtesy AFP/Getty Images

The actor Robert De Niro, who last year created a new art prize in honor of his late painter father's legacy, appeared in a packed courtroom on Friday to testify in the trial of Leigh Morse, a dealer who worked for Larry Salanderduring the notorious swindler's multimillion-dollar spree of art fraud. Appearing in the Manhattan court in a green corduroy blazer and white shirt, the actor — recently labeled a "post-empire" icon by Bret Easton Ellis— related how he had a deal to evenly split the sale of commissioned works with the gallery, but then failed to see any proceeds while noticing that Salander was flying around the world in a private jet. "It didn't seem to add up," the actor testified. MORE HERE - [Bloomberg].

The nude men clock - Huh?!

2011-03-10T11:08:00.001-05:00

Who would want to see scores of tiny animated nude men in your browser telling you what time it is? The real question is – who wouldn’t?!

This cute and clever flash app was sent to me by my dear friend Denise. It does actually tell you the correct time, at least as shown on your computer. Click to switch back and forth between an analog clock and a digital read out. Check it out here:

http://lovedbdb.com/nudemenClock/index2.html

Oh those crazy 60’s….

2011-03-09T11:08:00.001-05:00

I’m going to file this one under the WTF category. While it must have been fun while it lasted, this just seems like a game with, ultimately, disastrous results - or at least - an unpleasant throbbing headache hued sunrise search for a taxi the next morning. . .

The Associated Press: Pompeii exhibit in NYC shines light on buried city

2011-03-04T10:04:00.000-05:00

NEW YORK (AP) - A new exhibition from Italy that opens Friday at New York's Discovery Times Square captures the last gasp of the ancient city of Pompeii before it was buried under volcanic ash, mud and rock when Mount Vesuvius erupted 2,000 years ago.

Copies of body casts that researchers made from the skeletal remains of residents buried alive are an eerie part of the exhibit - a crouching man covers his mouth, a chained dog appears contorted, a family of four huddle together.

A short film recreates what Pompeians might have felt as they tried to escape. The museum's floor vibrates as the volcano's furor grows; a movie screen rises and a double door opens to reveal a funereal scene of 20 "bodies" hardened in poses from their final moments.

Pompeii existed for 700 years before it was snuffed out in just 24 hours.

"Pompeii The Exhibit: Life and Death in the Shadow of Vesuvius" also chronicles life in the vibrant mercantile city before and after Vesuvius erupted. Colorful room and garden frescoes, mosaic floors, pottery and gold jewelry are among the artifacts featured.

Located on Italy's western coast, Pompeii's rich volcanic soil produced wine grapes, wheat and other crops. Both a river and sea port, the city exported goods throughout the Roman Empire and imported such items as lamps, pottery and olive oil from northern Italy, France and Spain.

Its 25,000 inhabitants were well-to-do farmers, bankers, ship captains and traders whose thriving city boasted 200 wine bars, inns and restaurants, 33 bakeries, and Thermoplia, the fast food shops that ladled hot foods from big terra cotta pots.

"The exhibition provides a complete picture of life in an ancient city. No archaeological excavation gives the totality of life like Pompeii," said Judith Harris, ...
http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/4e67281c3f754d0696fbfdee0f3f1469/Article_2011-03-04-Pompeii Exhibition/id-c49b4de85f334b1a8b114e86d79470f7
Shared using News360 for the iPhone. Learn more at http://www.news360app.com

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Fab Fun Florida. . .

2011-02-22T09:47:00.001-05:00

I've been in fabulous, sunny, Fort Lauderdale, Florida since Sunday afternoon and l'm loving every second of it. One lovely excursion yesterday was to the Coconut Grove Art Festival in Miami. It was a massive collection of some truly outstanding work by hundreds of talented artists and I'm glad I was able to attend on the last day of the event.

One sculptor in particular whose work was particularly compelling in a kitschy, voyeuristic manner was Marc Sijan. His works are startlingly lifelike poly-resin casts of live models which he sculpts and paints to an uncanny level of realism. I've either seen his work, or similar, somewhere before as it rang familiar, but nevertheless, it packs a whalop upon close inspection. Here are a few snaps I took of his work on display. . .

A cherry lover no doubt.

This model seemed to be popular with the artist

This work was particularly unsettling/amazing. Every pore seems to be accounted for. Of course, that is to be expected with a cast from a live model, but the artist truly has enhanced these works to add new dimensions to their lifelike appearance.

See this happy-go-lucky bald chap. He's not real.

By the way, the next time you find yourself in Miami, and are in the mood for something with a touch of European/Latin infused Bohemia - head over to 412 Espanola Way and Cafe Nuvo for a brilliant Mojito and an the outstanding "Europe's Favorite" platter for two. You'll be ever so happy you did. Plus, the people watching is fab. You'll never know when a Cuban model may show up for a photoshoot.

Keith Haring–on this day, Feb. 16. . .

2011-02-16T10:15:00.001-05:00

Keith Haring was a visionary visual pop artist whose work seemed to be everywhere in the 1980’s.

In 1982, Haring had his first New York one-man show at the Shafrazi Gallery.

Untitled, 1982
marker ink and acrylic on found canvas
86 x 86 inches
218.44 x 218.44 cm

Untitled, 1982
vinyl paint on vinyl tarp
72 x 72 inches
182.88 x 182.88 centimeters

Haring opened Pop Shop in New York City in 1986. The store sold posters, t-shirts, and other items baring his artwork and designs. He was also interested many social causes, painting an anti-drug mural that same year. In all, he did more than 50 public works and held numerous workshops for children. In 1988, Haring discovered that he had AIDS. The next year he created the Keith Haring Foundation to support AIDS organizations and children’s programs.

Sadly, Keith Haring died on this day, February 16th in 1990 at the age of 31. Click on this link to read more about the fascinating life and brilliant, though sadly short-lived, career of this influential artist here.

Rest In Peace Betty Garrett

2011-02-15T08:55:00.001-05:00

Somehow, the news of the passing of Betty Garrett three days ago slipped under my radar. I first became aware of her as a child growing up in the 70’s. She was a regular on television portraying Archie Bunker's liberal neighbor Irene Lorenzo in All in the Family and landlady Edna Babish in Laverne & Shirley. I was a fan of both of those programs and it was difficult not to notice the vitality, spunk, and fiery charisma Betty Garrett infused into those roles that certainly would have been missed had they been portrayed by a lesser actress.

Betty Garrett, lower right, in the cast of Laverne & Shirley

While she was quite good in those roles, her career consisted of far more than the sitcom sessions. She had a long and glorious career as a dancer, singer, Broadway star and musical film star.

Though she and her husband Larry Parks had to suffer through the indignities of the Black List in the 1950’s she still managed to find work, she managed to land on her feet leading her to a career that only ended when she passed. According to to this LA Times obit, just last Wednesday, she “went to dinner with friends and afterward taught a weekly musical comedy class at Theatre West, the nonprofit theater she helped found in North Hollywood half a century ago.”

Now that’s what I call an artist.

In Memoriam
Betty Garrett
May 23, 1919 - February 12, 2011

Al Pacino to play Henri Matisse

2011-02-14T11:30:00.001-05:00

Henri Matisse and Al Pacino … Photograph: Carl Van Vechten/Corbis and Frederick M Brown/Getty

This is intriguing – one of my favorite actors will portray one of my favorite painters on screen. Academy award winner Al Pacino will play the French artist Henri Matisse in a film about the painter's relationship with his nurse, model and muse, Monique Bourgeois, Variety reports

Producers are still searching for two female leads for the film, titled “Masterpiece”. In 1941, Matisse, who lived most of the year in Nice in the south of France, developed cancer and underwent surgery. During the long recovery he was particularly helped by a young part-time nurse, Monique Bourgeois, who had answered his ad seeking "a young and pretty nurse" and who took care of Matisse with great tenderness.

Matisse asked her to pose for him, which she did. Several drawings and paintings exist. She later became a Dominican nun, and the pair re-encountered each other in Vence, France, where she inspired him to decorate the Chapelle du Rosaire, often known as the Matisse chapel and one of the most important works of art of the 20th century.

Bourgeois, or Sister Jacques-Marie as she was later known, died in 2005. She insisted her relationship with the painter had always been purely platonic. "I never really noticed whether he was in love with me," she told an interviewer in 1992. "I was a little like his granddaughter or his muse, but he was always a perfect gentleman."

Henri Matisse and Sister Jacques-Marie

The Indian-Canadian Oscar-nominated film-maker Deepa Mehta is set to direct a script by Donald Martin.

While thievery sucks, Art Thievery REALLY sucks…

2011-02-07T11:44:00.001-05:00

It seems some unscrupulous person literally lifted a stunning eight-by-ten, black-and-white Polaraid snapped by photographer Jason Lee of the late actor Dennis Hopper from a Los Angeles art gallery following the opening of a new exhibit, Friday night.

Not only as a professional visual artist who has had work stolen myself but also as someone who owned and operated a successful art gallery in Washington, DC for 11 years, I can tell you how reprehensible this is and how much it sucks.

This work is described as “extremely sentimental” to the photographer. So much so that Jason Lee has offered a no-questions-asked, no charges pressed, anonymous return of the work reward of $25,000.

It is my sincerest hope that the perpetrator/s return the work, and if they have any self-respect at all (doubtful), they will refuse the generous reward.

More on the crime here - WE NEED YOUR HELP. Please spread the word.

Google Art Project: 'Street view' technology added to museums

2011-02-01T09:35:00.001-05:00

Preview of the Google Art Project

Here’s some exciting news for all of you museum and gallery lovers out there (myself included). It seems that Google is bringing its "street view" technology indoors. With the launch of the Google Art Project, announced at a press conference in London this morning, Google jumps into the online art arena with tools that will allow web surfers to move through 17 of the most prominent art galleries in the world, with the option to look more closely at individual art works, including some that will be digitized so exhaustively that individual paint strokes and hairline cracks in the surface will be visible.

I think this is a brilliant and innovative idea that will only help bolster interest in the visual arts, especially for students around the world who have no access to these masterworks. It’s better to have an experience with the work on a computer than not at all.

For a complete article regarding the event, read about it in the Washington Post’s ArtsPost here:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/arts-post/2011/02/google_launches_the_google_art.html?hpid=moreheadlines

“The world is life, fun, and energy.”

2011-01-24T06:57:00.001-05:00

No matter what your stance on the validity of horoscopes, the following is of interest. The folks at www.informationisbeautiful.net wondered if horoscopes really all just say the same thing? They scraped & analyzed 22,000 predictions to see the results.

Frankly, I find the meta-horoscope composed of the most common words from 4,000 star sign predictions may be the only horoscope that I will ever need. . .

Words to live by no doubt. . . More here -

www.informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/horoscoped

A collection of work. . .

2011-01-23T12:14:00.001-05:00

I’m in the process of updating some of the work on my visual artist website at www.sprouseart.com. Coupled with the fact that I recently was commissioned to create a “Narrative Portrait” work, I found myself revisiting some works that I’ve not examined in a while. I created an album on my Facebook page for the process and I found the synchronistic manner in which FB’s album app situated the works so that the eyes of each subject of the paintings are the main focus of the thumbnails rather uncanny.

You can see the full treatment, as well as the large version of each thumbnail plus a description of my “Narrative Portrait” process here - http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=279568&id=767354227

Feel free to share!

Crazy Cat Animation…

2011-01-21T12:51:00.001-05:00

It’s Friday and the perfect time for this silliness…

Enjoy your weekend!

Xtras Café In Richmond’s “Carytown”

2011-01-20T12:10:00.001-05:00

A couple of months ago, I became aware of a new hot spot in the “Carytown” section of Richmond called “Xtras Café” that just opened last September.

The place is off to a great start getting rave review after rave review in the Richmond press, including being named one of the best new restaurants in Richmond” in the January issue of Richmond Magazine.

The reason that Xtras came across my radar is the fact that they have practically designed their phenomenal deco themed interior around one of my large-scale paintings entitled, “The Farewell” which was purchased from The Chasen Gallery – a wonderful gallery with whom I have been represented for a number of years now.

(interior shot of Xtras Café with “The Farewell” center wall)

(detail of interior shot of Xtras Café with “The Farewell” center wall)

I’ve not had a chance to get to Xtras yet, but I have an artist friend who will be traveling to Richmond soon who plans to stop in and check it out. Based upon the reviews, I’ll make sure and do the same when I’m there next. I mean, after all, I already admire their great sense of taste! –

Recent reviews online:

Dining Out Review: Xtras Café

and

Xtras Cafe impresses with design, patio

The Amazing Work of Brad Elterman

2011-01-19T06:36:00.001-05:00

I’m not sure how the work of Brad Elterman, the phenomenally gifted photographer with a golden eye who visually documented some of the most iconic entertainers of the 70s and 80s, managed to slip under my radar for decades. I find his work incredible.

These are not just random paparazzi fluff photos – it takes a keen eye to capture these moments and an highly skilled artistic eye to select the best of the myriad frames to release.

“I did several photo session with Cherie Currie of The Runaways. One day in 1977 I drove out to the San Fernando Valley to photograph Cherie at home. She was rather carefree during a tour of the family kitchen, placed a lollipop in her mouth and I took the photo. It is incredible how you can accessorize a photo session with a lollipop!”
Photo by Brad Elterman

Visit his website and review his amazing work from his book “Like It Was Yesterday” here :

www.bradelterman.com.

You won’t regret the visit…

“75, 25, 51”

2011-01-17T18:17:00.001-05:00

Simply to make a rather blah January Monday fade a bit faster – a bit of digital collage to spark creativity…

Make of it what you will. Enjoy…

”75, 25, 51” Digital Collage, 2011 ©Michael Sprouse

William Dyce painting reappears…

2011-01-16T07:58:00.001-05:00

While I’m glad that this work has reappeared, what I’m most curious about is the story behind its being lost for the last 100 years. Where had it been?

The current story here -

LONDON.- A stunning William Dyce painting that has been lost for over a century is to be offered for sale at Sotheby’s next week. The Meeting of Jacob and Rachel is expected to fetch between £100,000 – 150,000 when it is offered for sale in Sotheby’s Victorian and Edwardian Art sale on Wednesday 15 July 2009. The painting illustrates the Biblical text ‘Jacob kissed Rachel and lifted up his voice, and wept’ - Rachel’s father had tricked Jacob into working for him without payment on the understanding that he could marry Rachel. The work has been untraced since it was exhibited in the 1850s – first at the Royal Academy in 1850 and later at the Manchester Art Treasures exhibition in 1857. The discovery was made when an image of the work was sent to Sotheby’s specialists who were later able to identify it as the original by a small part of torn label on the reverse that identified it as having been in the Manchester exhibition.

Discussing the work Grant Ford, Senior Director and Head of Victorian Paintings at Sotheby’s said: “This is one of the most important pre-Raphaelite paintings to appear on the market for some time. It is thrilling to have uncovered the whereabouts of this striking Dyce work, especially as it was just last autumn that we set a record William Dyce, The Meeting of Jacob and Rachel, Est. £100,000 – 150,000 for a work by the artist at auction with Welsh landscape of two women knitting which was included in the sale of the Scott Collection at Sotheby’s London.”
The painting illustrates the Biblical text ‘Jacob kissed Rachel and lifted up his voice, and wept.’ Rachel’s father had tricked Jacob into working for him without payment on the understanding that he could marry Rachel. However, after fourteen years he insisted that Jacob should first marry his elder daughter Leah before eventually allowing him to marry Rachel. This theme must have been particularly meaningful to the artist as he had been forced to delay his own marriage until January 1890 – maybe on account of the 27 year age difference between him and his 19 year old bride.

Other highlights of the Victorian and Edwardian Art auction include Liverpool Docks, by John Atkinson Grimshaw, an atmospheric night-time depiction of 19th century Liverpool estimated at £250,000-350,000 and Wind and Sun by Dame Laura Knight – a light-filled costal scene painted in Cornwall expected to fetch £200,000-300,000.

More on Dyce here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Dyce

New home for Degas painting

2011-01-12T09:34:00.001-05:00

Congratulations Saint Louis Art Museum for your recent acquisition, Edgar Degas’ phenomenal painting, The Milliners (Les Modistes).

Degas has long been one of my personal favorites of the late 19th and early 20th century European artists. I remember clearly the first time I saw his tremendous work in person the first time I ventured into the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC in the summer of 1990.

I was in my early twenties and I had just moved to DC from a small university town in Kentucky. It was a pivotal and life changing move and that summer presented the expected torrent of discoveries and new experiences that naturally accompany youth and transition.

As an young artist in Kentucky, I had only read about the splendors of the famous museums and galleries during Art History class. Then, as if floating through a blur of a hundred fast forward buttons, one day I found myself standing in front of Degas’ astounding work, “Four Dancers” in the National Gallery Of Art in Washington, DC.

It was a mesmerizing moment and I became completely lost in it. Though, “moment” isn’t the correct word, and frankly, I’m not sure what would be. It wasn’t a moment as much as it was a cloak of eternity that enveloped my artistic psyche. My senses became one with the masterpiece – the colors, the composition, the flow, shapes, texture, expressions, form, movement and so much more. Each second of awareness of something extraordinary brought others that exploded like super-novae exponentially across the canvas and my mind.

I left the gallery a changed man and and artist.

So, I was quite pleased to learn of the purchase of The Milliners (Les Modistes) by the Saint Louis Art Museum – in particularly - for the following reasons

This is the first Degas to join the museum’s collection
The work had been in private hands since it was first sold after Degas’ death in 1917
If I ever get to Saint Louis, I now know one place to put on my “must see” list.

Details of the major acquisition can be found here - Saint Louis Art Museum Acquires Important Painting by Edgar Degas

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face…

2011-01-03T10:39:00.001-05:00

Whether the claims made by the Italian researchers are true or not, I don’t know. It is intriguing nevertheless.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Still mysterious after 500 years….

Personally, I can’t think about the Mona Lisa without remembering the time that I first saw the masterpiece during a trip to Paris in the autumn of 2001. The tickets for the trip were purchased in the summer of that year prior to the fateful 9/11.

My partner and I, plus a mutual close friend, would be traveling together. After the events of 9/11, we had a brief discussion between us as to whether we should go ahead with the trip or not. (our trip was scheduled for the last week of November). Based upon the idea that security would more than likely be at an all time high, we decided to go ahead with the trip.

It turned out to be the perfect decision resulting in a marvelous trip to Paris. One of the unexpected outcomes of traveling internationally within 2 months after 9/11, was the effect on tourism. Basically, at least in Paris, trips had been canceled left and right leaving the entire splendor of the city available without crowds or lines.

This was most noticed during our day trip to the Louvre. The three of us had practically the entire museum to ourselves. As you’ll see in the video above, there are usually mobs of tourists surrounding the Mona Lisa. The day we were there, there literally only the three of us in the room, plus a few security guards.

I was amazed and I asked our friend who had been to the Louvre several times in the past whether it was normal for us to be the only ones in the room. “Absolutely not” was her reply.

It was a rather magical moment to say the least…

HAPPY NEW YEAR ONE AND ALL - ♥

2010-12-31T07:28:00.002-05:00

A very happy New Year to each and every one of you who may come across this post today! Cheers and joy to you and yours!

Year End/New Year Original Art SALE

2010-12-29T15:13:00.001-05:00

Hey folks – I finally took the plunge whilst snowed in over the last few days and I opened an etsy.com online shop. I think it’s a good way to feature original small-scale works from my private collection and studio.

While these paintings are usually from a different body of work that I exhibit in gallery shows, they are all artworks that I am quite fond of and they make excellent works for beginner collectors or for those looking for an original Sprouse, but not quite ready to commit to a higher-end price. Because of the smaller size, the prices are kept lower – making them quite affordable.

So, in honor of the new online shop and the end of 2010 and the start of 2011, I’ve created a MASSIVE Year End/New Year Original Fine Art SALE! If you've ever longed to own an original Sprouse - here's the perfect opportunity to do so!

These are great prices on recent, colorful, smaller works that will fit perfectly in your collection or on that overlooked wall that so desperately longs for that extra sparkle in your home!

Proud ownership of an ORIGINAL SPROUSE can be yours, but act now, as these will only be available a these prices for a few short weeks. You can visit the Sprouseart Etsy.com shop by following this link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Sprouseart?ref=pr_shop

Happy New Year All!

2010-12-28T12:00:00.001-05:00

I’ve been a bit busy with the holidays and the unwelcome blizzard and I apologize for being off the radar for the last few days. I’ll be back on track soon – until then. . .

Target on homophobia….

2010-12-22T07:40:00.001-05:00

Did you get a great deal on holiday gifts this season from your local Target store? Did you save room in your cart for homophobia?

It seems that the late last summer/early fall’s brouhaha stemming from the revelation that the ever so chic discount shopping mega-chain Target had been throwing money into the campaigns of some very outspoken right wing and anti-gay politicians did nothing to stop them from continuing with the same bad behavior.

Though Target’s Chairman, President and CEO Gregg Steinhafel released a statement in which he apologized for how the company's decision had affected many "in a way I did not anticipate" , the chain has still funneled money into the campaigns of these politicians. In fact, After Steinhafel's August 5 letter, Target's Political Action Committee, helmed by the former right hand of Senator Thune, Matt Zabel, recorded $41,200 in federal election activity. Of that total, $31,200 went to anti-gay rights politicians or PACs supporting those candidates!

Hold on one second, is this the same Target whose commercials look as if they were created and produced by some sun streaked blonde, sparkly-eyed, 20 something design student with a Martha Stewart complex and her two best gay friends?! Why, yes, that’s the one…

I think it’s time for all of us to reveal the ugly and hypocritical face of Target and stay out of their stores until their support of homophobic and anti-gay inspired politicians ends!

And, on a more personal note, I also want to know why they feel the need to continue with this action and why they felt the need to do so in the first place? Who behind the corporation is so fueled by this hatred that they green light that out of the $41,200 recorded (meaning only that which they have allowed us to be aware of) dollars of contributions given to politicians that almost 85 per cent of that go to the homophobes?

What possible good could that do for them? And in doing so, why continue with the obviously gay friendly advertising campaign that we all know so well?

Really, Target WTF? The eye-opening article can be found here - http://www.theawl.com/2010/12/the-anti-gay-donations-that-target-apologized-for-they-never-stopped

Net Neutrality Headache...

2010-12-21T08:15:00.001-05:00

Am I the only one confused by the imminent FCC rules concerning net neutrality? This article in the NYTimes begins with “The Federal Communications Commission appears poised to pass a controversial set of rules that broadly create two classes of Internet access, one for fixed-line providers and the other for the wireless Net.”

This doesn't seem like good news, though it does seem to stop the evil Comcast from blocking access to sites and applications. But, on the other hand, it does allow wireless companies more latitude in putting limits on access to services and applications. And therein lies the issue.

Alex Wong/Getty Images
The chairman of the F.C.C., Julius Genachowski, introduced his net neutrality proposal at the beginning of the month.

According to Senator Al Franken, Democrat of Minnesota and a personal favorite of mine, said over the weekend that the F.C.C. was effectively allowing discrimination on the mobile Net, a fast-growing sector. “Maybe you like Google Maps. Well, tough,” Mr. Franken said on Saturday on the Senate floor. “If the F.C.C. passes this weak rule, Verizon will be able to cut off access to the Google Maps app on your phone and force you to use their own mapping program, Verizon Navigator, even if it is not as good. And even if they charge money, when Google Maps is free.”

And he’s right, and Verizon does suck. And, Google Maps is better then Verizon Navigator (I have used both) and it is free. One day, in the not too distant future, I will be free from the evil claws of incompetency, greed, and apathy that is Verizon. Until then however, the Android operating system, which I have yet to purchase, is featured in several of their phones and was created by Google. The Android OS used in many phones available via Verizon features as an app – you guessed it – Google Maps. And thus the headache of confusion. The article is here for you to figure out. Let me know if you do…

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/21/business/media/21fcc.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=a2

Fascinating discovery. . .

2010-12-18T08:12:00.001-05:00

Step aside Pythagoras. . . not that your spotlight in history is undeserved, but it does seems that scribes in the Old Babylonian period knew your theorem 1,000 years before you did.

Here’s the story on CNN - Pythagoras, a math genius? Not by Babylonian standards

Don't Forget To Bring The Vodka. . .

2010-12-16T06:56:00.000-05:00

Fear not - my obsession with uber-fun xtranormal.com will end soon. Until then, why not enjoy my latest flick where the office manager Larry questions the appropriateness of Isabelle's e-invitation that she created for the office Christmas Party. . .

Busted

2010-12-14T13:54:00.000-05:00

I find myself addicted to creating scripts and making these fun little movies at xtranomral. Here's my latest. . .

Rudolph (You Don't Have To Put On The Red Light)

2010-12-14T05:53:00.000-05:00

Love, love, love this!

Alfonso Velez - "The Weather" -CD title track

2010-12-09T09:17:00.000-05:00

This tune may be a couple of years old - but I just heard it this morning and I love it. So - it's my new song of the day!

An imperfect, but not-that-bad, deal on the tax cuts – perhaps. . .

2010-12-07T08:34:00.001-05:00

(Photo credit: By Dennis Brack-Pool/Getty Images)

Am I happy about Obama’s compromise with the greed driven Republicans, no. But, I do feel like I understand the logistics with a bit more clarity thanks to Ezra Klein’s explanatory article in the Washington Post. . .

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2010/12/an_imperfect_but_not-that-bad.html

Ascenseur pour l'échafaud (Elevator to the Gallows)

2010-12-04T09:10:00.001-05:00

I had the distinct pleasure last night of watching a brilliant modern film noir French classic that I streamed via the praise worthy Netflix entitled “Ascenseur Pour L'Echafaud” (English translation – “Elevator to the Gallows”).

This was the feature-film debut of famed director Louis Malle (amazingly only 24 at the time) staring the stunning Jeanne Moreau (this is film that launched her into stardom) and Maurice Ronet.

Jeanne Moreau in the opening scene from “Ascenseur Pour L'Echafaud”

The film is majestically scored by Miles Davis and it has been described by jazz critic Phil Johnson as "the loneliest trumpet sound you will ever hear, and the model for sad-core music ever since. Hear it and weep."

Netflix describes the film as such, “When the bewitching Florence (Jeanne Moreau) and her lover, Julien (Maurice Ronet), plot to kill Florence's unsuspecting husband (Jean Wall), they don't count on a technical glitch -- a broken elevator -- getting in the way of the perfect murder. Louis Malle directs this haunting French thriller in his feature film debut, an impressive achievement heightened by the film's memorable improvisational score composed by jazz legend Miles Davis.”

While the description is valid, it is only a whispered hint of the many dramatic twists and turns in the storyline of this prodigious thriller.

Visually, the film is simply stunning as cinematographer Henri Decae makes extensive use of Paris at night, giving the film the feel of claustrophobia and desperation reminiscent of the classic noir films.

The following scene offers a perfect example of the film’s power visual impact. Here, Florence (unaware that her lover Julien is trapped in an elevator and suspecting that he may have abandoned both their murderous plot and her) has been desperately walking the streets of Paris for hours searching his favorite night spots in the hopes of finding him.

The astonishing actress Jeanne Moreau plays the role perfectly. She is lost in a somber and dark world of paranoia and anguish stumbling through the rain slickened streets like a zombie searching for the clarity that can only be found in the embracing arms of her lover.

Pay attention to the way she walks directly into the path of an oncoming car in the scene (and again into the traffic at the end) – astounding! No special effects here – just a very brave actress dedicated to her art.

Despite the fact that this film is close to 55 years old, the visuals still seem fresh and contemporary and the artistic echos of the imagery from this classic can still be found today in film, fashion, music video and more.

A sublime scene from “Ascenseur Pour L'Echafaud”

While I know that this film is available via Netflix (both as a DVD and streaming) you may also be able to find it in your public library or the foreign section of your local video store (if you still have any in your area, I no longer do). Or, consult with the local Art Cinema house, museum, or university (again, some of you may not have access to such) and inquire about adding this film to the line-up.

Enjoy!

SHeDAISY - Jingle Bells

2010-12-03T12:55:00.003-05:00

I was turned onto this unique and lovely contemporary version of Jingle Bells last night at a tree trimming party. It's by a group called SHeDaisy. Thanks Lori!

Here's another video of the trio performing Deck The Halls. It's surprisingly sultry (especially with the sexiness of the hot blond - who seems particular titillated by the fact that Santa has a "brand new bag" which she breathlessly mentions at the very end of the video).

I could do without the cheesy Disney touch which, I presume, is there to balance out the steam heat offered by the joyous and randy Christmas vixens.

Happy Holidays!

Museums shouldn't bow to censorship of any kind!

2010-12-02T08:53:00.001-05:00

I would like to thank my friend Natasha Reatig for alerting me via Facebook to an insightful and pressing article written by Blake Gopnik for the Washinton Post (article linked here: Museums shouldn't bow to censorship of any kind). As an artist, a gay man, and a fellow Washingtonian, I find this kowtowing to the bullying of the culturally antiquated and puritanical Catholic League and "various conservatives" atrocious and inane.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - "Art ain't for sissies". Gopnik states it best in the article with this: "In America no one group - and certainly no single religion - gets to declare what the rest of us should see and hear and think about. Aren't those kinds of declarations just what extremist imams get up to, in countries with less freedom?"

This is still America is it not? It is by far time for anyone who does not fall into the homogenized clone state of existence offered by the likes of the religious right-wing and their political allies to arise from their apathetic coma and stand up against these outrages before you find yourself assimilating into an artless existence ruled by religious zealots motivated by fear, greed and lust for power.

If you think it can't happen - put down the remote and pick up a history book. It's happening now. Make your voice heard!

Virtual actor takes over in 'Tron'

2010-11-30T07:17:00.001-05:00

“Bonnie and Clyde” staring Warren Beatty and Marilyn Monroe?!

I have long thought that a time when digitally created virtual actors will fill the screen and eventually replace their human counterparts in film and television is just around the corner. For example, if you want to watch the 1967 film classic, “Bonnie and Clyde” with Marilyn Monroe in the role of Bonnie rather than Faye Dunaway, a few click of the mouse or the remote will allow that casting change to occur in mere moments.

Does it sound far fetched? The following article (linked at bottom of this post) discussing how digital special effects artist were able to present Jeff Bridges in the film “Tron” looking as he did 30 years ago sans make-up and lighting, proves that we are much closer than I thought. . .

Disney
(above – a digitally created Jeff Bridges playing himself 30 something years younger than he is in reality for the soon to be released “Tron”)

Cosmic Log - Virtual actor takes over in 'Tron'

'Kryptos' sculptor inspires hope in weary code-breakers

2010-11-27T07:24:00.001-05:00

I had forgotten about this intriguing work created by artist Jim Sanborn in 1990, in which he placed cyphered messages within the sculpture's 2,000 alphabetic letters.

I’ve never seen this work, though if I happen to find myself near the Central Intelligence Agency in Langley, Virginia, I may venture in to view it in person.

Though I have no deep seated desire to crack the code, I am thrilled by art that incorporates textual elements (I’ve been doing it myself for years) and the fact that there are messages encoded within the work adds extra sparkle to the brilliance.

Read more about it here: 'Kryptos' sculptor inspires hope in weary code-breakers - CNN.com

Happy Black Friday. . .

2010-11-26T08:50:00.001-05:00

Selene

2010-11-22T08:39:00.003-05:00

I came across this spectacular painting titled “Selene” created by the artist Albert Aublet in the year 1880 and I was so taken by it that I felt compelled to post it.

Even though this is technically an artistic presentation of a new moon, last night’s full moon certainly enhanced my enamourment with this glorious work.

Albert Aublet (1851 Paris, France - 1938 Paris, France ) completed his artistic training under the history and genre painter Claude Jacquand (1804 – 1878) between 1870 and 1874.

He is best known as a genre painter with works such as “Communion at Neuilly” but he also painted portraits and transitional subjects, bridging the gap between Impressionism and traditional realism. Furthermore, he was also a sculptor exhibiting busts at La Nationale and Les Artistes Francaises between 1910 and 1936.

He exhibited paintings also regularly at these two institutions, from 1890 to 1914 at the former, and 1920 to 1937 at the latter. He was awarded a Gold Medal at the Universal Exhibition in 1889 and the Legion of Honour in1890. Amsterdam, London and Madrid also bestowed Gold medals on him and he received Silver Medals from Munich and Nice.

Aublet was commissioned to illustrate “Fort Comme la Mort” by the major French writer, Guy de Maupassant.

Museums where his work can be seen include Philadelphia, Quebec and St Etienne.

Happy Hallothanksmas

2010-11-21T09:03:00.001-05:00

I was speaking with my partner the other day about the holidays and we both mentioned how it was impossible not to notice that with each passing year, the celebration of the holidays, or at least, the presence of the oncoming holidays via the increase in marketing and merchandising among retailers. seemed to arrive earlier and earlier.

We both acknowledged that we had heard others speak of the same awareness, and that that subject of conversation amongst peers had also increased with each passing season.

Suddenly, during the discussion, a new wave of understanding about the subject came upon me. . . So what if the marketing of the holidays creeps closer every year?! Is it really so affrontive to find a bit of joy with the recognition of the upcoming holiday season?

Now, before I get 1000 emails cursing the commerciality of it all, understand that I am fully aware of that aspect of the issue. It’s a non-discussion point for me. But understand that just because the retailers throw up the décor the moment late August and September come about doesn’t mean that someone has to rush blindly into the shops with credit cards and cash in hand to pick up every bag of bite size snickers or blinking tree lights. Unless they want to of course – and that’s fine too.

But what someone can do is to simply just enjoy seeing the decorations, listening to the music, feeling the excitement of the coming joy of the holidays. Rather than a bah humbug tinted cynical reproach of the ever closer moving approach of the holiday marketing, what’s wrong with getting excited, indeed happy, about the holiday season?

I have always been a fan of the terms “Happy Holidays” and “Season’s Greetings”. When you think about it, each month between September and February contain one major holiday – Halloween,Thanksgiving, Christmas/Hanukkah/Winter Solstice, and New Year’s Eve – . Indeed, in my book, that makes a Holiday Season.

Our country is traveling through some extremely rough terrain now. Personally, I welcome any opportunity to feel happy and am more than ready to welcome in the joy of the seasons. if I have 4 months to do so – all the better!

Happy Holidays all!

Recent Work–“The Mind Reader”

2010-11-19T10:41:00.001-05:00

Canned art draws oooohs and awe

2010-11-18T06:27:00.001-05:00

CANstruction is designed to raise hunger awareness during the Thanksgiving season and there are some pretty impressive photos to go along with this artistically and seasonally inspiring story - especially when you realize that the cans cannot be bound with glue or adhesives and designers are not allowed to color the cans.

All of the cans used in the contest will be donated to City Harvest for distribution to programs that feed impoverished New Yorkers. Link below.

Canned art draws oooohs and awe - CNN.com

Happy Birthday Neil Young

2010-11-12T12:45:00.001-05:00

A dear friend of mine reminded that today is Neil Young’s 65th birthday. . .

Oh what a far better world we live in because of your presence within it. Your music, sir, has touched and stirred my soul on countless occasions. You are a master of your art and I can not overstate the joy that your craft has brought to my life over the years.

The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

2010-11-10T07:53:00.001-05:00

Today marks the 35th anniversary of the sinking of the Bulk Carrier SS Edmund Fitzgerald. I was just a ten year old boy at the time, but Gordon Lightfoot’s haunting and mesmerizing ballad (released almost one year to the date after the tragedy) still causes my mind to drift when I hear it as it fills my thoughts with aqueous imagery and misted memories. It has become a timeless classic and an artistic documentation of a tragic yet historic event.

Recent Work. . .

2010-10-22T15:23:00.001-04:00

O’Donnell needs a new hat. . .

2010-10-19T14:29:00.001-04:00

I have a feeling her witch hat may be a bit tattered after the last few weeks. The hat above is so much more appealing and, frankly, so much more appropriate. It would look utterly smashing on her during debates.

Especially in such debates where she freely allows her idiocy to shine through, such as the one held earlier today before an audience of legal scholars and law students at Widener University Law School in which she seemed genuinely surprised that the principle of separation of church and state derives from the First Amendment. . .

It borders on amazing really. But, if only she had worn this appropriate hat during the debate, she could have had at least something to blame for her gibberish other than her own ignorance of the Constitution of The United States.

Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. . . and she with Senatorial aspirations. . .

But alas, for you know what they say, if it speaks like a dunce, sounds like a dunce, and debates like a dunce. . . .

Big Bang Big Boom

2010-10-17T09:27:00.001-04:00

I came across this outstanding and inspirational work that produces a sublime combination of graffiti art, found art, sculpture, and performance into one mind-boggling video animation. Imagine how many individual wall paintings must have been created for this project! The video was directed and animated by an artist that goes by the name of Blu (www.blublu.org) who is a member of an Italian artist collective called Studiocromie. The video is just short of 10 minutes. Click on the image to go to the site to view the video which is best when viewed full-screen.

"Breathe Normally"

2010-10-15T12:43:00.001-04:00

"Breathe Normally", originally uploaded by sprouseart.

Family thinks it has Michelangelo painting

2010-10-12T22:27:00.001-04:00

Is it my imagination - or have stories about the discoveries of unidentified masterpieces and the inevitable controversies surrounding their authenticity been a bit more on the radar over the last few months? Just two months ago I blogged about the controversial "La Bella Principessa" and now this recent item : Family thinks it has Michelangelo painting - CNN.com

The battle for Cumbria's Roman helmet. . .

2010-10-12T07:35:00.001-04:00

Sadly, this amazing and exquisite ancient Roman helmet,unearthed in May of this year by a metal detector enthusiast in Crosby Garrett, near Kirkby Stephen in Cumbria, England, was sold to a private collector at auction by Christie's recently for a little over 3.5 million dollars. A such, it is almost certain that the public will never see the helmet now that it is part of someone's private collection. For more information, follow this link.

The battle for Cumbria's Roman helmet | Jonathan Jones | Art and design | guardian.co.uk

Revel In New York. . .

2010-10-05T08:46:00.001-04:00

Here’s a very intriguing find today courtesy of www.revelinnewyork.com. It’s a short film by discussing the art of duo Peter McGough and David McDermott who have spent the last 30 years living life as if it were the end of the 19th century as sort of an ongoing living art work. Fascinating, slightly bizarre, and vaguely unsettling.

http://www.revelinnewyork.com/videos/peter-mcgough

Judge the work, not the artist

2010-10-04T09:21:00.001-04:00

I came across an intriguing article in the New York Times entitled, “When Life Gets In The Way Of Art” that ponders, if an artist lies, does it change how we see their work.

It’s a highly worthwhile read and an issue that I’ve come across before in discussion with other artists, collectors, and admirers. Though, these discussions weren’t actually related to the truthfulness of particular artists (the NYTIMES article discusses such examples as the famed civil rights era photographer Ernest C. Withers and the recent revelation that he was a paid FBI informant, and Casey Affleck’s film, “I’m Still Here” documentary – now mockumentary - of the unsightly celebrity disintegration of the actor Joaquin Phoenix, now revealed as a hoax), as much as they were about whether it was possible or not to still admire the work of a great artist after discovering something disagreeable about them. For example, Edward Hopper’s mental and physical abuse of his wife Jo or Clint Eastwood’s conservative politics.

I came to the conclusion that, as a general rule, it is better to judge the work rather than the artist who created it. Of course, there are extreme exceptions to the rule – Hitler, John Wayne Gacy come to mind – and I have personally met artists who were such complete nincompoops that I basically dismissed them and their work in one fell swoop, but overall, I prefer to remain neutral. If there are idiosyncrasies of an artist that merit some form of eyebrow raising attention or scorn, history, or sometimes even the work itself, often has a way of revealing them.

In Memoriam...

2010-09-30T07:42:00.001-04:00

Tony Curtis
June 3, 1925 - September 29, 2010

“If you don't know your gift, you've got no lift.” – Tony Curtis

New Work

2010-09-26T21:17:00.001-04:00

Despite having a rather active social schedule during my last 3 day visit to my DC studio - as well as a 1.5 day power outage - , I did manage to find some time to actually create some art. This acrylic and vintage photographic and print ephemera collage work is titled “It Was True”. It measures 9” x 12”.

Happy 90th!

2010-09-23T10:04:00.001-04:00

I’m not sure what is more impressive – the fact that Mickey Rooney, icon of American film and stage, turns 90 today, or the fact that he is still working! Congrats!

In case you were unaware, in his youth, MR was the Tom Cruise (as in younger Tom Cruise) of his generation. . .

www.mickeyrooney.com

Skinless Wieners

2010-09-23T08:29:00.001-04:00

skinless wieners, originally uploaded by retro-space.

What an odd advertising campaign. I'd like to see the grandmother's befuddled repsonse. . ."Why, um. No, dear - but, if that's what you would like the good fairy to bring. . ."

Prisoner 4100

2010-09-21T20:21:00.001-04:00

Prisoner 4100, originally uploaded by The National Archives UK.

I came across this on Flickr and felt compelled to post it. This child was10 years old at the time of his arrest in 1872.

I wonder what his motivations were to steal the rabbits. We have no way of knowing. In any case, it's a powerful image.

The Mere Mention

2010-09-16T17:31:00.001-04:00

Here’s a quick photo of one of my latest works. It’s a contemporary, acrylic and mixed-media vintage ephemeral collage entitled “The Mere Mention”. This happens to be the first work created in my new studio space in DC.

Art or Abuse?

2010-09-14T09:40:00.001-04:00

In today’s The Independent is a fascinating article discussing the current hysteria surrounding photographic imagery of children and it’s effects on the contemporary art community in general. This article is of particular interest to photographers, digital artists, and gallery curators. The brilliant and controversial work of Sally Mann features prominently in the article.

The article may be found here: http://tinyurl.com/26o6w8w

Catfish – it’s not what you think. . .

2010-09-11T09:14:00.001-04:00

I’ve read quite a bit of buzz about this film/documentary called “Catfish”. I intend to see it, though, I made the mistake of reading about the film on Wikipedia and now know the ending. Nevertheless, I think the concept behind it sounds intriguing to say the least.

You can read more about the film on their official website here: http://www.iamrogue.com/catfish .

Happy Friday All . . .

2010-09-10T08:57:00.001-04:00

Saffron Threads. . .

2010-09-09T17:15:00.001-04:00

Saffron may be the world's most expensive spice, but I adore the color of paint that shares its name. It also make for a great color to paint the walls of your studio should they need perking up as did mine. I wanted a color that fell somewhere between warm candle light mixed with early autumn sunset gold and a touch of ancient, yellowed parchment. I think I found the perfect match. . .

My new studio in DC

2010-09-02T08:54:00.001-04:00

I’ve been very busy over the last few weeks setting up my new live-in studio in Washington, DC. It’s been several years since I’ve had my studio in the city that I love so and that I called home for so many years. I am ecstatic with the space! I’ll be splitting my time frequently between the studio and the beach creating work for next year’s upcoming exhibitions.

Friends have been asking to see photos of the studio, and even though, I’m not quite finished tweaking the space, I'm posting some now to visually document the process. It’s everything that I was hoping for – intimate, secure, and located in a truly phenomenal neighborhood in the District. It’s the perfect realm to unleash the creative process!

A mosque near ground zero?

2010-08-28T08:38:00.000-04:00

Thank you once again Tom Tomorrow for your brilliant wit, keen sense of irony, and timely insight!

A mosque near ground zero?

Key Lime Red Velvet Cinnamon Glitch

2010-08-24T08:53:00.001-04:00

I was in one of the local grocery stores the other day and noticed that Yoplait® Light Thick & Creamy was on sale for only 35 cents a container. I’ve seen the clever ads where an office worker is drooling over an entire Strawberry Cheesecake in the office kitchen fridge and, as we discover as we are able to hear her thoughts, she attempts to justify devouring a slab of it for lunch. Moments before she succumbs to her decadent desire, a stunningly beautiful co-worker walks in and swiftly plucks one of these yogurts from the same fridge proclaiming their excellence. The new cheesecake addict on the cubicle notices that the yogurt lover has lost weight and tells her so. . . you get the scene.

At 35 cents, I decided to try a few and see if they really were as satisfying as they claim allowing me to forget entirely about actual cheesecake, or brownies, or pies forever more.

I purchased two Blueberry Pie flavored containers as well as two Cinnamon Bun and two Red Velvet Cake. Last night after dinner, my partner and I each tried one. I tried the Blueberry Pie and he the Cinnamon Bun. I also, just to ensure my experience, tried the Red Velvet Cake this morning.

Let me tell you, regardless of what the ads and the web sites may say – these taste identical to each other and if I had been wearing a blindfold, I would have been hard pressed to distinguish one “flavor” from another.

Truth be told, they all tasted like uber-artificially sweetened glitch. The only difference that I noticed was the pastel-hued color of the glitch. In fact, the Red Velvet Cake was hued somewhere along the line of Pumice-Cream. Ick.

Perhaps one must be a 20-something fashion model posing as an office worker to enjoy these, or wildly gullible, or both. My suggestion would be to have a small slice of the cheesecake and take the stairs a few times rather than the elevator.

Bon Appetite!

Frankly, Franco. . .

2010-08-21T09:14:00.001-04:00

It was recently mentioned to me that the actor James Franco had decided to make his entrée into the world of visual art. I found it mildly interesting and a bit annoying.

It seemed, in my opinion, that his “celebrity” status would trump anything that he would create visually or become involved in whether he had valid artistic ability or not. And that is exactly what has happened as the press to date covering his first solo exhibit, The Dangerous Book Four Boys, at the Clocktower Gallery has been tremendous.

What has not been tremendous, however, are the reviews, at least not the review written by Roberta Smith for the NYTimes. To be fair, I have not personally seen the exhibit, and more than likely will not, so any review that I may have of the show would be unjust. However, Smith’s well written review should appease any non-NYC denizens curious about the exhibit.

Though I have personally seen moving and inspiring installation and video projection works of art in my time, (I once saw an installation/video projection work on the third floor of the Hirshhorn Museum that literally filled my eyes with tears), I am not usually a fan of such simply because there is so much room for pretentiousness. Because of this, most installation/video projection art, in my opinion, registers as a fail – a la The Emperor’s New Clothes. It seems that the majority of Franco’s exhibit centers around both.

Personally, I find it pretentious and uninspired to fill a room with “stuff from Mr. Franco’s actual childhood room strewn about in familiar disarray.” Yawn. Is this really the best that he could come up?

I have friends with teenage children that could probably give this particular installation by Franco, entitled “Scatter Piece”, a run for his money. Now, before you mistake me for one of those old-school, “Why that isn’t art!” type of artist, let me correct you. Installation works like “Scatter Piece” have been created long before Franco’s. The questions that must be asked is, would this piece work if were created by any Joe Shmoe and not James Franco? Is it possible that James Franco was able to land his first solo exhibit at the prestigious Clocktower Gallery simply because he is James Franco or did he really earn this exhibit and media attention because, as it states in the article, “he studied painting in high school and has apparently at times considered being an artist.” I don’t know the answer to these questions, but, inevitably, the mind goes there. Perhaps it’s the Pink Elephant in the middle of the installation.

While Roberta Smith doesn’t completely pan the exhibit, calling it a “confusing mix of the clueless and the halfway promising”, if I had to pick one word that represented her review of the show, I would chose the term mediocre. Or, maybe it’s no more than my reaction to the news that he was entering the world of visual art to begin with, “mildly interesting and a bit annoying.”