Ooo-ka-le-le, Not YOU-ka-le-le

As a professional visual artist, I found the folowing story about DaVinci's fingerprint to be of great interest...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061202/ap_on_sc/leonardo_s_fingerprint



Last night, on a total whim, I purchased this on Ebay...





It's a ukulele. I have always had a crush on the little things, and when well, or even decently made, they can produce a sweet, harmonious laid back sound that reminds me or lazy summers and front porch swings, or even to be more in the season, warming fireplace hearths, soft twinkling lights, and lilting christmas carols.
I have discovered that they have had a recent resurgence in popularity as of late.
I intend to learn how to play it one way or the other. Though I have only dabbled around with musical instruments in my past, I come from a family with strong musical ability on both sides, so I don't think it will be much of a problem to learn, and certainly easier to move about than a piano! Now, watch this amazing ukulele performance...

"Bobby"

Last night, George and I went to the movie theatre to see "Bobby". The critic Mathew Turner of www.viewlondon.co.uk describes the film as such "written and directed by Emilio Estevez, Bobby is a multi-character drama that takes place in the Ambassador Hotel on the eve of Senator Robert Kennedy's assassination. The ballroom of the hotel is due to be used as Kennedy's venue for a press conference following that day's California Primary and the film follows 22 different characters (including hotel staff, campaign workers and hotel guests) as they prepare for the big night".

He also names it one of the "best films of the year". While I wouldn't go that far, it was certainly enjoyable. George had already seen the film at the beach and he gladly welcomed the opportunity to watch it a second time with me. The cast is phenomenal and all star featuring Anthony Hopkins, Demi Moore, Sharon Stone, Elijah Wood, Harry Belafonte, Nick Cannon, Emilio Estevez, Laurence Fishburne, Heather Graham, Helen Hunt, Ashton Kutcher, Martin Sheen, William H. Macy, Lindsey Lohan and much more. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Sharon Stone isn't nominated for an Oscar. Her performance as "Miriam" the hotel's hair stylist was truly amazing. The film is getting mixed reviews, though I find that those who have panned the film, have overlooked the nuances of the film, it's message, and performances.

George was much more taken with film, but he actually remembers being a 9 year old in 1968 and can relate to what was happening in the country at that time, even if only through the eyes of a child. I, on the other time, was only 3 years old. The only thing I remember from that year is seriously wounding my knee in a freak-accident fall onto a very large broken coca-cola bottle. Nevertheless, the film resonates that time period quiet well and also does a fine job of segueing it's message with validity into the events of today, which, synchronistically, are similar are several levels. If you have an interest in that time period, or the Kennedy's ( though Robert Kennedy is more of a background character than anything else - convincingly weaved into the film via several cameos and voice overs through actual film footage) then I think you will enjoy the work. Again, watch and see Sharon Stone get nominated for a best supporting actress award for her amazing performance.

If you visit flickr.com and put 1968 into it's search engine, you'll get several intriguing results. Such as these:







I don't know any of these people, but the memories that I have from the late 60's are also those of a child, a very young child at that, so naturally, of course, things are remembered differently from those who were older at the time. Though, I do remember people dressing like those in the photos above.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for...

How odd. Here it is the first day of December, 2006 and I have my windows open. That's because it happens to be a balmy 66 degrees outside at 8:00 AM. A high of 71 is expected for today. Where do I live where I have my windows open on a December morn you may ask... why New Jersey, of course. Go figure.

Are you familiar with the Internet Movie Archive? Formed in 1996, The IMA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that was founded to build an Internet library, with the purpose of offering permanent access for researchers, historians, and scholars to historical collections that exist in digital format. They have an outstanding collection of films of every kind ranging from classic film, to historic visual documentation, ephemiral films, news reels, vintage cartoons, public service films of all kinds and more. For example, this classic commercial from 1969 titled "VD is for Everbody" (you can opt to stream it by selecting one of the links on the left side of the page). This ran for a few years and I remember as a very young child my siblings and I singing the very catchy jingle around the house having no clue whatsoever as to it's meaning. You'll be pleased that you visited.

I found this story fascinating: Ancient Astronomical Device Thrills Scholars


And now, because it is Friday, here is some totally tasteless Holiday Humor. I guess.

It's a nice day for a white...xmas tree

Today has become the last day of November, 2006. Again, another week has slipped by my keyboard without a posting. Well, in the spirit of staying in the "now", I'm simply going to focus on the entry that I am writing this very second - the words that you are reading, right now. And of course, like every other event in your life, it is happening now simply because it is impossible for it to happen at any other time. You will never be able to read this entry "later" or "then", since it will always be now when you reach that spot. Obviously, I'm still enthralled with the book that I am now re-reading, "The Power Of Now".



I would also like to take this opportunity to wish a Happy Birthday to rocker Billy Idol. He was born on this day in 1955. From all accounts, he is still an amazing performer. If you search for his image online you will also notice that has kept all of his bad boy sexiness intact, in fact, I think his body actually looks better now than it did 25 years ago.



One of the other things that took up some time over the last couple of days was the decorating of the house for the holidays. In particular, the tree, which fell apart as I was bringing it up from the basement. It's artificial and white, ( we purchased it last year ) but I love the snowy and crisp look that it has. It makes me think of trees from the North Pole or Narnia. This year, I went for white, non-blinking lights and choose only orb ornaments with a high gloss finish to them in shades of red, silver, gold and dark green. So, here tis...



I've had the old tarnished silver star on top for several years now. I found it in the Pottery Barn in Georgetown in the 1990's and have used it every holiday since. I suppose it's one of those things that have become ritualistically tradition, at least until it changes, in the "now", which of course, is the only time that it could change. Tee Hee.

T-Day Memory

In the house that I grew up in, the night before Thanksgiving was the night that my mother would bake pies for the next day’s feast. Each year there were usually other family members that would either join us for dinner or would come by afterwards for dessert, coffee and or after dinner cocktails. So, it seemed to me that there were enough pies made to stock a pastry shop. She would usually bake about 3 pumpkin pies, 2 apple and one mincemeat. The mincemeat pie was definitely not one that either my siblings or myself were interested in.





One Thanksgiving morning when we were still very young, my mother made a special deal with us, if we would stay out of the kitchen the entire day, we could each have a slice of pumpkin pie with whipped cream as a special Thanksgiving Day breakfast treat – but – it would be the only day of the year when we could have pie for breakfast, we could only have one piece each and we had to stay out if the kitchen all day.


Her idea worked like magic. The thought of having pumpkin pie for breakfast with whipped cream while watching the never-ending Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was too much to deny. We had the pie, watched the parade and stayed out of the kitchen. We ended up repeating the same Thanksgiving Day ritual for years. In fact, even though those days are light years away now, guess what I’m having for breakfast this morning? Happy Thanksgiving all!

Giving back...

I was forwarded this email yesterday from the curator of the gallery that shows my work in Richmond and Charlotte. In the spirit of the holiday, I want to not only express thankfulness for my ability, but to “give” back by offering my thoughts to aspiring artists.

“Mr. Chasen,
I would like to thank you once again for your help and patience this weekend. The girls were absolutely spellbound by the outstanding collection you feature at the gallery.

The following are some of the questions that the girls had for Michael Sprouse:
1) Please provide any biographical information you see fit (birth date and location, education, inspirations, etc.)
2) Are your paintings based on real people?
3) Why do you choose to paint the faces of only women?
4) How long have you been an artist?
5) How many different works have you composed?
6) How long on average does it take you to complete a painting?
Any additional information you would like to provide would be appreciated.

I have an additional request, as well. Do you have digital images of Aspirant and Recital that you might be able to pass on via email? I took decent black and whites of them this weekend, but thought you might have something better.

Thank you kindly for all of your help. Please pass on our collective appreciation of Mr. Sprouse's work to him.
Jason Strong”

So, I figured that for today’s post I would answer these questions and see where it goes. I have been the subject of many individual student’s art projects, but this is my first time that I have been the subject for an entire class. It’s an honor for me to think that I or my work somehow serve as an inspiration to young artists.

Here goes:

1) Please provide any biographical information you see fit (birth date and location, education, inspirations, etc.)

I was born in Somerset, Massachusetts in May of 1965 though my family moved to Bowling Green, Kentucky in 1969. I was raised in Bowling Green and lived there until 1989 when I began traveling to different parts of the south eventually ending up in Washington, DC in 1990. Though I did attend Western Kentucky University at different times in the early 1980’s, I never officially finished. I mention this only because somehow along the way, different Press publications list me as having graduated from WKU with an BFA. That is not the case, I actually have never had a painting class in my life, though I did take several drawing classes, which I highly recommend for any beginning artist. I have several artistic inspirations, not only through visual art of course, but also film, music and photography. Some of the fine artists that have inspired me are Amedeo Modigliani, Chuck Close, Edward Hopper, Kate Kollwitz, Jackson Pollock, John Singer Sargent, though there are always more that I could add to this list. I am totally captivated by the lives and works of the late photographers Robert Capa and Diane Arbus as well as the films of Sergei Mikhailovich Eisenstein, Fritz Lang, and Federico Fellini. When I paint I listen to a wide variety of music, though a large percentage of that music is early American and French Jazz and Jazz vocals. The one important fact is that I can’t paint without music in the background. It is without a doubt an integral part of my creative process.

2) Are your paintings based on real people?

Though I have painted real people by the way of commissions, by far the majority of my works are based on vintage photographs that I find in flea markets and yard sales, or that are just given to me by those who know that I appreciate them. I go through hundreds of photos until I find the one that seems to call out to me. I then create an artistic portrait of that person. It’s a very emotional and spiritual process and though I have never met these subjects and they have been physically dead for many years, some kind of connection does form between my work, my process and the “energy” of the subject. I still find the process fascinating. Imagine if you could go back in time to the moment when a photograph of one of my subjects was taken and then say to them, “you know, one hundred years from now, a painting of your face from this photograph will be hanging in an art collection somewhere”. There is a cycle that forms, though I’m still trying to work it out in my own mind. Exercises like this and answering questions like yours really help me to do that.

3) Why do you choose to paint the faces of only women?

Though the majority of my works are of women, I have painted several portraits of men as well. For some reason, they don’t seem as popular as the images of women. There seem to be definite societal ideas at work in this. I think that society has been taught historically over the years that women are more artistically approachable as subjects in art then men. We are taught that they are have an easier ability to express and sense emotion. I believe that the core essence of art is about expressing emotion in one way or the other. There have been times when I have painted portraits of men, and because they were such close-ups of the face, people have assumed that they were women. You may also find it interpreting that I began my career as an abstract painter and I still am a big fan of well done abstracted work. In fact, I my last two works were abstracts.

4) How long have you been an artist?

I feel that I was born to be an artist. I remember when I was in 2^nd grade, the agor old question was brought before us by the teacher of “what did we want to be” when we grew up. Amongst all the answers of fireman, nurse and doctor, came my response of “I want to be an artist”. This caused the whole class to laugh and I remember very clearly the teacher telling me that I couldn’t be an artist because the chance of being successful were very, very slim. Of course, that was a long time ago. I began creating work professionally in my late teens, but I was working many different jobs at that time to financially support myself outside of my artwork. Now, however, I have been working full time as a professional artist for several years.

5) How many different works have you composed?

I have created so many different works of art over the years that I literally don’t know the answer to that question. I imagine hundreds though I have every intention of creating much more.

6) How long on average does it take you to complete a painting?

I’m asked this question often and there is no solid answer. It depends on the work and my mindset at the time, my level of inspiration. Some works take only a few days and others a few weeks.

Any additional information you would like to provide would be appreciated.

There is so much advice that I could give young artists that I have learned over the years that I don’t know where to begin. Perhaps I will write a book, because I have really had a wild ride, though I am grateful for every second of it. However, one key piece of advice that I would suggest is to strive to do something creative every single day. It doesn’t matter if it’s a doodle on a notebook, a painting, or rearranging items on a shelf. If your try to do something that requires you to think creatively each and every day, you will begin to see that there is beauty and inspiration all around you, no matter where you are or what type of situation you may find yourself in. If you can do that, you will begin to think like an artist and a whole new world will open up for you.

Thanks for your interest in my work and for your engaging questions. Best of luck to you all,

Michael Sprouse

P.S., you can learn more about my work on my website at www.sprouseart.com

In Memoriam...

A brilliant director, artist, and visionary.

In Memoriam...
Robert Altman
February 20, 1925 – November 20, 2006

The Power of Now

First, I want to begin by stating that this particular post today is in honor of my dear friend Kathryn who has a lovely way of emailing me subtle hints about needing to update my blog when I fall behind. Kathryn has been a part of my life for over 20 years - a fact that I pleases me very much. Now, last evening before I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer, I was preparing a long and wordy explanation as to why I have been absent these last several days. This morning, however, I decided against it. I'll incorporate the KISS (keep it short and simple): SInce my last posting I have been mostly on the road between NJ, Delaware, and Richmond transporting new works into the Chasen Gallery. When on the road, I rely on my Mac Powerbook. However, this time I realized that one of my kitties had decided to chew into the power cord leaving me with a quickly draining battery. Since the replacement cord was shipped to my home in NJ, I didn't have access to a computer until last Sunday afternoon.

There is much that I am leaving out, very much, from my crazy last week.
One thing that I did manage to do (one of the joys of stepping away from the computer for a few days) was to read a book that I found fascinating. In fact, I found it so fascinating, that I immediately began to reread the book after I finished it just so that I could absorb it's message more clearly. The book is titled "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle.



I'm not going to spend too much time here describing the book because there is so much about it available online. I will say though, that it has really opened my eyes to a new way of thinking and clarified many ideas and thoughts that I have had before reading the book.
The morning sun is now streaming through the window and it is lovely. It's also streaming through the incredibly beautiful stained glass windows that Kathryn made for me last year. I'm going to sit quietly now and enjoy. Back later.

Scatter Perm

Needless to say, I am wonderfully happy with the results of the election. With that said, here's something totally different. I ran across it on You Tube. It's wonderfuly retro. See if you can recognize a young Erin Grey, Cheryl Tiegs and Ali McGraw.

It's ELECTION DAY!!!! GO VOTE

If you're reading this and you are a registered voter in the United States, you should either have already voted today or you are on your way. It is your civic duty! NOW GO VOTE, and remember, your Democratic party members love you!

GET READY TO VOTE!!!

It's early and I'm still waking up slowly through mouthfulls of hot and robust coffee. Tomorrow is election day for those of you who may be reading this seconds after waking from a coma or a Rip Van Winkle like sleep. Though I have made it no secret that I am a Progressive Democrat, there's something that I want to stress the importance of here, and that is the need to get out and vote!



Frankly, regardless of what party you may hitch your wagon to, if you're not registered to vote or have no intention of voting, then please, keep your f**king mouth shut the next time you feel the need to discuss politics with me. I've had it with these idiots who attempt to have a political discussion with me and then reveal that they aren't even registered to vote. It's shameful and there really are very few excuses for not voting.
So with that said, abcnews.com has posted some useful information about how to make sure that your vote counts tomorrow. You can read about them here. I placed the link on page 3 of the article which cuts to the points, though the whole article is worthwhile.
And, please, in case you don't know who to vote for, just vote all Democratic and you'll be fine - and so much more happier too!

Post Halloween Rapture

Well, turn your back for a minute and an entire week has gone by. I'll begin by stating that I had a wonderful Halloween week. I attended two very fun parties and my undead costume was very popular. On the actual night of Halloween, I was the one to give out candy at the home of our friend's Larry and Tom. The second party was held there and of course the place was decked out. Though it wasn't my intention, I made 3 little kids scream and cry when they came to the door. But, isn't that what Halloween is for?



Last night, George and I happened to catch a very poignant film on television. It was titled "Rapture". Directed by British-born John Guillermin, the film stars Melvyn Douglas, a young and striking Dean Stockwell, Gunnel Lindblom, and most importantly an absolutley enchanting and amazingly talented actress named Patricia Gozzi.


It happened to be showing on one of the INHD channels offered on comcast. So, if you have high-definition television and digital cable, you may be able to catch a rebroadcast as they seem to show films more than once. You may also be able to locate it in your local video store or library. I don't think that I can describe the film as well as this page that I found online.
http://www.deliriousfilm.com/rapture/rapture.html
Though I did find some more info here in an article in Time magazine from 1965.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,828378,00.html.
Finding much online about Patricia Gozzi is very difficult. It seems that she dropped out of the film industry all together 5 years after this film was released. What a shame. She had amazing film presence and incredible acting ability.

KATE : The Woman Who Was Hepburn

It's still Friday, but just wanted to mention that the most recent book I'm reading is KATE: The Woman Who Was Hepburn by William J. Mann
So far, this is turning out to be a fascinating read. If you're a Hepburn or classic film fan like I, you'll enjoy this book tremendously.

Ick.Ick.Ick.

McDonald's latest slogan ( "it's what i eat and what i do" - actual insipid lack of correct capitalization) , takes on a macabre new meaning with the perfect Halloween twist when you read the following story...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/football/nfl/10/26/cowboys.rat.salad.ap/index.html?cnn=yes

PINK KICKS ASS!!!

I have always been a fan of Pink. Now I am simply in awe of her. Please, listen to this song. By the way, I have been a SUPER fan of The Indigo Girls since my Athens, GA days back in the 80's. SO pleased to have found this hard hitting and mega-insightful song. Enjoy.



Get music codes at Bolt.

Olbermann's Special Comment on GOP Fearmongering

My new favorite Olbermann video.

Rainy Friday and the death of habeas corpus...

It has been a week since my last blog entry - I have been very busy, enough said.
I will also state that I had been in the middle of a wonderful new blog posting just moments ago when the freakin' browser crashed destroying everything that I had been working on for the last hour. I am still fuming. So, just read or listen to the ever brilliant Keith Olberman excellent commentary on the death of habeas corpus instead by clicking here:

Your words are lies sir...

You'll find it much more enjoyable than my prose about having to take out the trash and the recycling this morning in a cold, drenching rain because I completely forgot about it last night as I was deeply entrenched in watching Dick Cavett interview Katherine Hepburn on Turner Classic Movies.

A K.I.S.S. (keep it short and simple) Friday...

Idiots.

Melting, melting...

Here's my favorite new headline...

http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=2546110&page=1

Don't you just love the word "withers"? That's what the Wicked Witch O' De' West does in the Wizard of Oz when Dorothy splashes her with a bucket of water.



Well, now it's time for the Wicked Witch of the West Wing to do the same thing, and this time it's the newly awakened American Public holding the bucket!

Bravo Keith Olbermann!

Keith Olbermann is a brilliant, brave knowing man and a true Patriot! Click here to read his words, or listen to them by watching the video.

A little dance and then Six Reasons Republicans Can't Win The War on Terror

I tried all day yesterday to get this highly freaky video posted here. I think this will do the trick now. It is just much too surreal for words. And of course, I'm just a sucker for the maniacal grin plastered on the face of a shirtless break-dancing Indian little person with the ability to statue-freeze when the music stops and a weakness for the smokes...

---

Now I found this online and am happy to repost it! It was written by RJ Eskow

Six Reasons Republicans Can't Win The War on Terror

October 4, 2006

Six Reasons Republicans Can't Win The War on Terror

The reports are in and the debate is over: The Republican Party, that bastion of hard right ideology, has fumbled the war on terror. The question is no longer whether conservatives are failures in the national security arena. What's important to understand now is why they've done such a poor job. While many factors contribute to their dismal record, there are six key reasons conservatives are ill-equipped to protect our nation.

First, a quick review of the facts: It's now clear that they ignored the flashing red lights warning of an imminent terrorist attack in 2001. We'll never know if 9/11 could have been prevented, but the evidence demonstrates that they failed to do their jobs properly to avoid it.

What's happened since then? Worldwide terrorist incidents have skyrocketed in the last three years alone. They've grown exponentially - from 165 in 2003, to 655 in 2004, then exploding to 11,111 in 2005. Holy Katrina! That's a lot of incompetence.

The President has declared a "Global War on Terror." The result is the global collapse of antiterrorism.

The Iraq war has spawned a lot of anti-US hatred and created quite a few new terrorist recruits, as many predicted. Even so, Iraqi incidents only accounted for approximately 30% of the 2005 figure.

Officials defended themselves by explaining that the definition of a terrorist act changed during this three-year period. That's true. But under the new definition, there were 3,192 attacks in 2004 vs. over 11,000 in 2005 - a nearly fourfold increase. That staggering number reflects four years of GOP mismanagement.

But we haven't been hit since 9/11, comes the conservative response. That's like driving with your eyes shut and bragging that you haven't hit anything yet. Let's look at the facts: Our ports are no safer. We're only inspecting a tiny fraction of cargo containers coming into the US. And for all the theatrics at airport screening locations, the government has yet to respond to two reports that indicated their TSA efforts have made us no safer we were on September 10, 2001.

If this crowd stays in power, it's just a matter of time until the next attack.

That's the what. Now for the why. Here are the six reasons why the Republican record on national security is one of failure:

1. They don't believe in government.

National security is a government initiative. It requires an interlocking network of well-functioning agencies, led and staffed by the most competent people available. The Republican Party has been hijacked by extremists who, with Grover Norquist, want government small enough that "you can drown it in a bathtub" -- or the floodwaters of New Orleans.

It's not an accident that I refer to last year's hurricane. Giving leadership of FEMA to a political crony was a typical Republican act, and organizations like FEMA have a critical role to play in protecting the American people. The GOP believes that government posts are favors to be given to their political pals, and contracts are candy to be given to their friends. (More about that later.)

Most Americans understand that government has a role to play. This crowd doesn't. Their hostility toward the institution of government itself weakens their ability to use that institution to protect the American people.

2. They help their contractors get rich off the American taxpayer, at the expense of the public.

The Republicans have run the country as their private piggy bank, with favors to be dispensed to their rich friends. The Iraq war's been one such get-rich-quick scheme, and some of our soldiers have lost their lives so that Republican cronies can get rich. (See this report on faulty bullets, then read about how the guy who sold defective body armor for our troops spent $10 mil on a party for his daughter.) America's coffers have been plundered by GOP-aided profiteers.

Don't believe me? Then ask yourself why Sen. Patrick Leahy's anti-profiteering bill has been defeated by the Republican leadership over and over, ever since the Iraq war started.

Still don't believe me? Then read this story on how the hiring of TSA screeners turned into yet another get-rich-quick orgy for contractors, complete with anecdotes about charging the government $1,500 to rent 14 extension cords for three weeks. (They also paid $5.4 million to hire an executive for nine months to do "event logistics" - I wonder which party gets his contributions.)

3. They wear ideological blinders.

People who use buzzwords usually aren't thinking. People who think in terms of old-fashioned ideological terms, like equating the anti-terrorist struggle to past world wars, are truly the ones with a "pre-9/11 mindset." The Republican Party is so infatuated with pie-in-the-sky think tank mentalities that it can't see reality. That's why Cheney thought we would be "welcomed as liberators" in Iraq, or why they thought we wouldn't need a post-war military presence. They've read too many papers by flaky right-wing professors.

They need to take off the rose-colored glasses and take a cold, hard look at the real world - but they won't.

4. Their "moderates" aren't moderate.

The extremist ideology of the radical right has hijacked their party from top to bottom. The party's so-called "moderates," like John McCain, are themselves deeply in thrall to extremism. (The recent cave-in on basic American principles regarding torture and habeus corpus demonstrates that.)

Even those Republicans who haven't yet drunk the Kool-Aid can't win or keep elective office without bending their knee to the cultists. That means that, when it comes to stepping outside their comfort zone and reaffirming our values, they won't do it. And, in the end, our Americanism - honored and respected worldwide - is our best weapon in the anti-terror fight. Sacrifice that, as they have done, and you've made us immeasurably weaker.

5. They're "flip-floppers" - about everything except their own power and influence.

Tragically, you can't take a Republican at his word when it comes to the fight against terror. Take Bill Frist. He was "for fighting the Taliban's supporters before he was against it." The GOP was against the Department of Homeland Security before it was for it. They wanted to kill Bin Laden before they outsourced the job at Tora Bora, then they didn't care whether they got him or not. And on and on and on ...

Why the flippety-flops? Because today's GOP has shown that it will say or do anything it needs to do to stay in power. Guys like that will never lead a consistent and effective fight against terrorism. Their half-assed management of the Afghan war (a country from which we were attacked), proves it. Sadly, so do the results.

6. They've politicized the war on terror.

This is the crime for which today's Republican leadership will forever stand in disgrace. America's national security has never been a matter for partisan political gain. The nationwide unity after 9/11 was unprecedented. But the Republicans saw the opportunity to rescue an already-failing Presidency, and they jumped on it.

The result was spectacular success in political terms, but profound failure in national security terms. Their relentless effort to exploit every circumstance for their own gain led to blunder after blunder. The most recent example is the British investigation into possible hijacking plans from that nation. Published reports indicate that British intelligence was disturbed by US interference in the case, and by our government's insistence that they move to make arrests before the investigation was complete.

The infamous manipulation of "orange alerts" during the 2004 campaign is another such example. By using our national security apparatus as a political dirty trick, they undermined national confidence and unity at a critical time.

That's more than just a disgrace. In my book, it's treason. Loyal Americans of both parties need to throw this Congressional regime out of power in November. Its executive cabal - a syndicate that's deeper and more permanent than whoever happens to occupy the Oval Office - needs to get the boot in 2008.

Then, and only then, can we begin to rebuild our national security apparatus - and the principled and idealistic America it's designed to defend.

RJ Eskow
10.03.2006
www.huffingtonpost.com

Tell Me Why I Don’t Like Mondays...

It’s the end of Monday. It’s been a perfectly lovely Monday for me, but obviously not for some. One of my favorite 80’s songs was “Tell Me Why I Don’t Like Mondays” by the Boomtown Rats.



The lyrics become hauntingly synchronistic in comparison to today’s tragic events.
It seems that our current American culture is just so freaking tainted with blood that I’m surprised that there’s not a river of it running down the streets. That would be followed quite closely with a flod of fear and hatred.
I, personally, point the finger of justice at these bastards:
www.gop.com.

If you don’t happen to like that opinion, I would suggest that you do the following
1: Wake up
2: Get Bent
3: Leave the pages of my blog and never, ever, return

Welcome Ocotober!

Today is Sunday, October 1st, 2006. I love the month of October and I have for as long as I can remember. First and foremost because of this...

Glorious Halloween! With out a doubt, one of my favorite, if not my favorite Holiday! There are a few different parties that we’ll be attending though I have yet to decide what costume to wear.

Today also happens to be the 71st birthday of actress Juile Andrews.

This fact I happened to discover during a fit of insomnia after waking at 3:30 AM to discover Victor/Victoria on television (which happens to be one of my favorite films.) I couldn't believe that the film was in it's 25th year (which did much to make me feel quite old at while sitting and staring at the screen bleary eyed at 3:30 AM). I began to wonder how old Julie Andrews was when she made the film (47) and that’s when I discovered that today is her birthday. That is probably why the film was being run in the first place. I personally think that Leslie Ann Warren steals every scene that she’s in, but the entire cast is perfect and the film is a comedy classic.

Now, according to Myheritage.com Face Recognition software and this photograph, I most closely resemble Kiefer Sutherland. Hmmm…

Here it comes....

Be afraid folks, be very afraid...

http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/42255/

TEQUILLA

Wow - what do you know. I turn my back for a minute and six days have flown by. Well, clearly Autumn has begun. I am so very fine with that. Somehow I managed to mis the news of the passing of no other than Danny Flores. Who was Danny Flores you may ask. He was the composer of the mega-huge 1958 hit "Tequilla". One online article described it as a " classic instrumental" which "featured Flores' instantly recognizable saxophone line and his periodic growl of the sole lyric – "Tequila!". It has to be one of the most famous songs of al time with that classic "ba dum budda badum bahdum - ba dum budda badum buhm ...tequilla!" Unfortunately, its states in the article that he sold the rights to the song for a pittance.

I caught an intriguing film on Tuner Classic Movies last night. It was titled "Death of A Cyclist" though it seems to have had several different titles including "The Age of Infidelity" and "Egoisti". Though it seems to have been panned during it's initial release, the film has aged well and I really enjoyed it. Here's how the NYTimes describes it "Originally titled Muerte de un Ciclista (Death of a Cyclist), it is a Spanish-filmed guilt trip with overtones of social upheaval. The young wife (Lucia Bose) of an older industrialist inaugurates an affair with a university professor. While driving from their trysting place, the adulterous couple runs down and a cyclist. They can't go to help him without exposing their affair, so the cyclist is left to die on the side of the road. The consequences of this act destroys the lovers' lives -- but not before director Juan Antonio Bardem has illustrated the shallow upper-class lifestyle that has fostered the woman's amorality in the first place. Shorn of its sociological implications (which incurred the wrath of the Spanish press), the plotline of Age of Infidelity was later cannibalized for innumerable American TV dramas, and for the 1965 Theatre Five radio playlet "Ride to Nowhere."
There is one brilliant and visually riveting scene where the leads are visiting a flamenco club together which makes the whole film worthwhile in my opinion. Also, you can't help but be entranced by Lucia Bose (Ms. Italy 1947), is stunningly beautiful and seductive in the lead role.

Lucia Bose circa 1952

Here is my latest work which I finished yesterday:


"Eyewitness"
36" x 48"
acrylic on canvas

Now, it is time to begin my new work for my friend Randi Rhodes, who has commissioned me to paint her portrait.

Try to remember...

Ah - the joy of returning home. Last night was the first night that I have spent in my usual bed for over a week. Though I had every intention of documenting my mini-road trip through the south, it just didn't come into being. I was easily distracted from my Mac for a variety of reasons. I had a wonderful time - met some new people, visited with some old friends and family, and managed to sell two paintings as well. The states that I traveled through ( Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Maryland) are geographically beautiful.



I only wish that I had taken more photos. Like the computer, it somehow got left in my bag during my adventures. Which, actually, is fine. Somethings are just meant to live on in the memory and no where else.

Today also happens to be the first day of autumn.



It often plays around annually within a few hours, but more or less, September 21st is the day. It was also on this day 5 years ago that my father died joining my mother who had died in 1989. Anniversaries of this nature naturally cause one to reflect. But, these are interpersonal thoughts that I will keep in my mind and free from this digital forum.

Superman vs Wig-Wam Village

Surprise Surprise I have been up since 4:00 AM. Perhaps that's what afternoon naps are for. Well, at least I was able to witness and digitally capture a particularly spectacular sunrise over the bay.



I saw the film Hollywoodland last night. I was on the list of films that George and I wanted to see. We both thoroughly enjoyed the film. I found the whole did or did George Reeves not commit suicide story rather compelling.


Photo of Noel Neill ("Lois Lane") and George Reeves ("Superman")

Based upon stories that I have read from the case, the film stay pretty true to reality. There is one particularly edgy scene where a little boy dressed as a cowboy shows up at a publicity function and wants to bounce bullets off of Superman's chest. The only problem is that the kid has a real gun loaded with real bullets.



This is also supposedly based on an actual event. The entire cast was spectacular, but Adrian Brody really was amazing and I would be surprised not to see an Oscar nomination for him.

The same can be said for Diane Lane and of course, Ben Afleck as well. After watching the film and based upon my own reading of the case, I have to believe that he was murdered. There are just so many oddities connected to his death that night that would rule out suicide. You can read more about George Reeves, his life and career as well as this intriguing case here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Reeves

My new musical obsession is the Polyphonic Spree.

I was first turned onto them about 3 years ago ( it may have been longer) when they were featured on an NPR segment. They slipped through my memory banks however until I ran across them online last night. They are very conceptual ( with 20 plus multi-colored choir robe wearing band members) and I find their music brilliant. I purchased their latest EP on ITunes this morning for 5 bucks. It may be the best 5 dollars I've ever spent. Check out their visually compelling website here: www.thepolyphonicspree.com.

So. I'm off on my mini-road-trip to the South today. I intend to have a great time. This time of year is particularly lovely in "Kentuckasee" and I'll be able to visit with some close family and friends - and maybe even be able to take in a roadside peculiarity or two...

Lovely Tuesday

Wow - Tuesday already. My whole weekend and the Monday that followed flew by. I spent a large part of my weekend in NYC. I was there to visit my friend Randi Rhodes who has comissioned me to paint her portrait. She held this great little gathering at her place and we had a total blast. I haven't laughed so much in a long time. Great people, great friends, great conversation. I also smoked enough cigarettes (which I rarely do anymore) to supply Hong Kong and drank enough martini's to keep Las Vegas afloat for a few years - but we had a blast.





I'm on the road again starting tomorrow. Going down south for Art Business. I'll be posting from the road - so check back if interested.



Peace, love and light,
Michael

Crazy...

On this day in 1932 was born country music icon Patsy Cline in a little town in Virginia. Where I grew up in Kentucky, she was legendary. I have always had quite the soft spot in my heart for her songs, especially her soulful ballads which were tinged with hue of wistful melancholy, like all great country and folk music. This is a digitally enhanced image of her that I created. It is from the last known photograph taken of her before her tragic death.



The original can be found here. http://images.soundclick.com/05/pro/album/3/82803_10.jpg

Steve Miller band's "Wild Mountain Honey" just came on over my XM satellite radio. This makes me want to say "Hello, Sandy, wherever you are!". Anyone who knew me then when that reference would make sense, also knew Sandy and her strong affection for that song. And if any of them are reading this entry, they are smiling too.
Peace, light, and love,
Michael

Cocoa Paint...

Wow - I never want to drive through heavy rain again. 90% of my ride back yesterday to Philadelphia consisted of my maneuvering through, according to the weather channel, the remains of Hurricane John. Is that true - I don't know. I spend most of last weekend watching the remains of Ernesto swallow the beach only to battle John on the way back. I thought John was in California. Where ever it came from, it created a white knuckle driving experience of driving through what seemed like a 2 hour high-pressure car wash in my little VW Bug while being sandwiched between two semis. Sounds like fun, no?



After surviving the deluge, I spent most of the day yesterday on the phone speaking to the Art Director from the high-end design group (McCartan) that had selected prints of my work for the lobby of the famous Cocoa Exchange in NYC.


(3 large scale fine art reproductions of my work grace the lobby of the above building)

It's also the lobby where the photo for the August/September issue of Trader Monthly was taken.

I also spent some time in the studio cleaning up water that had gotten in. So, overall not a bad for a Tuesday.

What I found of interest today is that the photo that I posted on flickr.com of Steve Irwin has become somewhat of a flickr.com internet homage of sorts. I didn't really mean for it for that reason. Well, sort of. But, I'm just amazed at how popular he was and still is. As of right now, the picture has been viewed over 850 times and has had over 30 comments and 25 people have called it a "favorite". That's a new record for photo I've posted I think. I wonder what, if any, effect all of that energy may have on the soul energy for someone who has passed into that dimension. In any event, I've had a good studio day today and am looking forward to getting in some time tomorrow as well.

In Memoriam...

It's Labor Day 2006. I must begin by saying that I was a bit heartbroken when I read about the unfortunate and unexpected death of Steve Irwin aka "the crocodile hunter".



Though I had only seen his programs on a few occasions, he had a definitive charisma and charm connected to his work that made him fascinating to watch. He would get as excited as a kid at a candy store and some of his scenes practically would crackle with excitement as he would draw uncomfortably near a particularly dangerous creature. He died doing what he loved.

In Memoriam...
Steve Irwin
22 February 1962 – 4 September 2006

September...

September once again. Frankly, after a particular topsy-turvy summer, I have never been as willing to welcome autumn as I am now.
I love autumn and it's glorious color and crisp air.

With that said, now this, since I am in between the ages of both - and they are born on this day, I say

Happy Birthday Keanu (42)



and Salma (40)