snow day

Live in Montreal -Duran Duran - RCM

Yesterday was one of those days that just went by too fast. First thing I remember is Stephanie and I were driving up 89 in a snow squall and the last thing was crashing hard on the bed in the hotel. All the rest rest feels like it went by at 100 miles an hour. I really want to write it all down in great detail, but at this point I am so tired. I think it is going to have to wait. So, for now, I will leave you with pictures from the show- Which opened with ( of all things) Wendy Carlos, opening title music from a Clockwork Orange. DD played all the hits and a few songs from the new record, Red Carpet Massacre. I wished they would have played a few more of the newer #'s and less of the old hits. I guess I've seen these guys enough times, that I really don't need to hear, Please, please tell me now, the reflex, view to a kill or save a prayer, live, ever again.

Set List:
The Valley

Planet Earth

Hungry like the Wolf
Nite-Runner

Notorious

I Don’t Want Your Love

Save a Prayer

RCM
A View To A Kill

Falling Down

Come Undone

Ordinary World
Is There Something I Should Know

Reflex

White Lines

Sunrise

Wild Boys
Girls on Film

Rio

I think White Lines and Sunrise where perhaps the best songs they performed. The band really started to connect in the 2nd half of the show and were really rocking by that point.

And Oh Yeah, I forgot to mention, with the help from a few industry friends, Stephanie and I got to meet the guys before the whole thing started. That in itself, was pretty fantastic. I got a sweet little kiss from John and Roger- Simon, had a cold coming on, so there was no kissing him!

Going to Montreal

Tomorrow, Steph and I are going to Montreal to see Duran Duran at the Metropolis. We are making a real trip out of it and staying over night and coming back on Thursday. There will be lots of good shopping, great live music, great food and lots of drinking.

I'm pretty stoked! And although Stephanie is 10 years younger than me- I think she is too.

Talk about getting in touch with your muse. Music has such an influence on my art and my process and Duran Duran (believe it or not) is one of my favorites right now. I was a huge fan when I was in high school and then sort of fell out of love with them in the 90s. I recently re-discovered them when they put out their Astronaut record and have been hooked sinced.

I've been processing the why's that are behind the connection between my art and this band, and it has a lot to do with the moodiness of it all. There's a certain poetic melancholy that I associate with the lyrics. There's that old connection of their heart throb status in my past- but then there is this new connection that is more deeply rooted in something else. Je ne comprehend pas.

commitment issues

Last week, when I was making very large gel medium transfers, I was inspired to start a new project - three collages created from an old class photo. Looks like the photo is from the early 1900's, some where here in Vermont- I think it's Woodstock, but not sure. There's a distinctive brick building in the background. I'm pretty sure this is the the green at the center of town.

So I went out to Recycle North looking for canvas to collage over- they are in the middle of re-doing their art section, so it was slim pickin's. I found one and picked up a two pack at Michael's and as luck would have it- they are all the same size.

I gessoed the recycled canvas and then took over the dining room table laying out the collage elements. Usually when I am in this mode- it's really easy to go from step to step. But for some reason, I was hemmin' and hawin' about this. I'd put the elements on, take them off. I don't know what was making me so unsure- Maybe it is because they were real blank canvases, that I paid money for, instead of some thing re-purposed from the thrift store or dump. Who knows....

When I finally had a rough idea of what I wanted I started in on the background, gluing down large sheets of really old news paper (1916)- Pulling some off with tape and then painting with a wash to make it look all old and uniform.

We took the dog to the park for an hour or so, had some lunch, then it was back to the canvases. Laying three out on the table, laying the elements back on, taking some off, thinking about it too much. I did this for several hours. Between the indecision, I was scanning and listing new pieces on Etsy.

Finally, after the kids where sound asleep and I felt like it was time to just take the leap- I started in on with the glue. Now, two canvases, have first layers glued- and I'm ready to start up on the final one- I don't know what the problem was.... just a little fear of commitment I guess.

80s Look of the day - Friday December 5

I had too give up a little sweetness for this friday's 80's look of the day-

Pretty in Pink-

If you mixed pretty and pink, breakfast club and 16 candles all together as one story, that would be my life in high school. Yes, Molly Ringwald was my alter ego.

I have talked about the Osho Zen Tarot cards before. We actually use this deck of cards as a team building exercise in my office. Today, I participated in a monthly off-site managers meeting and (at the request of one of my colleagues) I brought the zen cards to share with the group. Everyone pulled a card, some had very intriguing ones and that resulted in some provocative questions. ( That's the point of the exercise really, to have your brain focus in on something you may or may not be ready to address.)

My card today, could not be any better. it was the SUCCESS card. That's where I am headed! and it feels good.....

Here's what the card means according to the Zen Tarot book:

Watch the waves in the ocean. The higher the wave goes, the deeper is the wake that follows it. One moment you are the wave, another moment you are the hollow wake that follows. Enjoy both--don't get addicted to one. Don't say: I would always like to be on the peak. It is not possible. Simply see the fact: it is not possible. It has never happened and it will never happen. It is simply impossible--not in the nature of things. Then what to do? Enjoy the peak while it lasts and then enjoy the valley when it comes. What is wrong with the valley? What is wrong with being low? It is a relaxation. A peak is an excitement, and nobody can exist continuously in an excitement.

Osho Returning to the Source Chapter 4

Commentary:

This character is obviously "on top of the world" right now, and the whole world is celebrating his success with a ticker-tape parade! Because of your willingness to accept the recent challenges of life, you are now - or you soon will be - enjoying a wonderful ride on the tiger of success. Welcome it, enjoy it, and share your joy with others - and remember that all bright parades have a beginning and an end.

If you keep this in mind, and squeeze every drop of juice out of the happiness you are experiencing now, you will be able to take the future as it comes without regrets. But don't be tempted to try to hold on to this abundant moment, or coat it in plastic so that it lasts forever. The greatest wisdom to keep in mind with all the phenomena in the parade of your life, whether they be valleys or peaks, is that "this too will pass."

Celebrate, yes, and keep on riding the tiger.

We have a winner!!!

Yes friends- Jack put everyone's name in the bucket and pulled out......

CORNUCOPIAS- Yeah!!!

Thank you everyone who entered- I'll be doing another drawing again soon, I'm sure. Keep your eyes peeled.

I have decided to do two special promotions at my Etsy Site. FREE SHIPPING on all orders $50 and up. Also, mention my blog post and receive and additional 20% off your order, regardless how much you spend. Both offers end December 15th.

I'll be listing new items all week- here's the latest: the Messenger of Truth, Altered Book that was on display at the Firehouse Gallery in Burlington this September.