The Tram-O-Lantern says if you haven’t already had the pleasure, why not go ahead and take the Portland Aerial Tram and do it for less than 1/2 price? The trick to get the treat is to take the #8 Trimet bus up to Marquam Hill. Get off at the main OHSU stop and take the tram down. I find the ride down more exhilirating anyhow. Since you only pay on the tram ride into the skies you simply pay $1.75 for the bus trip up the hill instead of the normal $4.00 and still see the sights from the heights. Not recommended for rush hour. After you get down to South Waterfront consider taking in the multidisciplinary art experiences curated by choreographer Linda K. Johnson. Consider it a tip and not a trick.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of being one of the first folks on the block to see QPCA artist Bryan Schellinger’s new work before it’s shipped off for viewing at Aqua Miami (w/Romo). These works on paper are intricate, multilayered, ornate lil’ fantasies that are expressively detailed and colorful. Quality Pictures will host one of my pieces in their room during the event (more details soon). In the same breath I have decided to make the trip. This’ll be my very first time on Florida soil (er, sand). Should be great people watching, and some interesting art exchanges. Don’t miss German photographer Oliver Boberg at QPCA opening this week, this is by far what I would consider their most anticipated show at the gallery since they swung open their doors last year. My prediction is that this is gonna hit real hard.

Fenixworkshop is having a Grand Opening at their new location at 1007 SW Morrison Street, Downtown (right on the Max). This will take place on Monday, November 5, 5-8PM. See the new digs, check out artwork gracing the walls by myself and Tim Dalbow. During the event, sign up for a class and get 10% off. Learn the Adobe Creative Suite, Dreamweaver, Filemaker Pro and more….

BOO! Don’t miss our fun-filled (spooky) TONIGHT at Mississippi Pizza, the annual event organized by über talented friends Hilary Pfeifer and Leah Hinchcliff. We’ve got a great show for you this year, emceed by yours truly posing as Miss Ann Thrope. I will (dis)grace the stage with so-called witty banter and “nightingale” vocals. It will be worth it if you want to watch me make a complete fool of myself anyway. Though it’s Halloween, this ain’t the Gong Show, please don’t boo me! Though it is very much an embarassing photo op……All dressed up and only so many houses to haunt! One night only folks. :O

At 7:30 is the Wow Wee Zow Wee Shadow Cinema — an all new, short programme of shadow puppets all designed, created, and performed by Tripper Dungan. After that, dance a little to the zydefunkalicious sounds of Voodoo BBQ, a local four-piece band with a big sound that will get you up off of your seats in ten seconds flat. We’re gonna have a dance contest as well as a costume contest. The suggested theme is: come as the “Disney Spinoff Character You’d Like to See” but come as whatever you like just come play with us! Mississippi Pizza is located at 3552 N. Mississippi Ave in Portland. Show starts at 7:30pm and ends around 11pm. > $5 cover

CONTEST: This grouping was randomly sitting alongside SE Stark Street a few doors down from the studio yesterday. It was startlingly comical at first. Like a cartoon cross between a detached Magilla Gorilla meets wayside medical malpractice in the streets - must have been a spooky prank? It’s been a field week of these odd sights. I found a small tile emblazoned with an Indian godlike figure as well - brought it back to the studio for good luck. What do you think is going on in this picture - the most creative answer wins my personalized, but still-in-working-order old 4gig silver iPod Mini - Enjoy! [Winner announced Friday. All spare parts sold separately.]

My favorite magazine, The Wire has finally gone dually digital this month. The even more exciting thing is that in doing this they are offering a Free Trial Issue to peruse before you buy. You may notice that in this particular issue that Emmy Hennings review of my triMIX project appears on page 80 at top left. After 25 years of amazing journalism they have really put a face to the underground, truly responding to the most edgy and vibrant music on Earth.

Does anyone beside me remember France Joli? I can’t hear you….Well, I do, and have been completely haunted by the memories of ‘79 all day. “Come to me, when your world is empty and cold……” (erp)

On my way to the studio today there in the middle of Water Street lay a strewn set of pink rosary beads. The color was off to me, but I later wondered why. Does color matter when counting prayers? It reminded me of a childhood memory of sitting quietly at an abbey as many veiled ladies murmured on for what seemed to be hours in some strange tongue (Latin). Pink is actually a traditional Italian color for these beads after a moment of research. Seeing these also reminded me of another song, this one from the 90’s called Counting the Rosaries by Book of Love.

Atlanta’s Drain Magazine has just released Cruelty which includes a review I penned earlier this year.

This issue led by Olivier Chow and is dedicated to cruelty and its visualization in art, culture and politics. One of the chief concerns of this issue is the legacy of Abu Ghraib. Abu Ghraib is explored from a variety of angles: through an essay by Adrian Parr which discusses the controversial Abu Ghraib paintings of Gerald Laing. Cruelty and its relation to the state of exception and the work of Giorgio Agamben is discussed by Kim Paice. We are also proud to introduce an analysis of the psychology of cruelty by the French psychoanalyst Dominique Cupa, whose work is here accessible in English for the first time. A review of the work of the Chilean artist Alfredo Jaar discusses his engagement with the traumatic visualization of famine, war and genocide in the Sudan and in Rwanda. The horror vacui themed Drain exhibition Blank is reviewed by TJ Norris. These artists explore a number of themes related to cruelty such as authority, the war in Bosnia, collective violence and video games, the alienation and fragility of the subject in the threatening non-space of hospitals, everyday melancholia mediated by the TV screen.

Shhhh. Just a lil’ secret. The Wire magazine continues to celebrate its 25th Anniversary. Only select people were invited to this online event (those who couldn’t make it to London) as Matmos & Laub will be broadcast live direct from London’s Bush Hall. This takes place tonight, streaming approximately at 8:30 (Pacific) (20:30 BST). Simply tune in by checking this page. I can’t keep a secret.

Today the Contemporary Arts Council of the Portland Art Museum made a visit to our studios. They were an engaged group of about twenty collectors and enthusiasts, asking informed and investigatory questions, looking around at my studio nooks and crannies. I had no script, and it was the first group visit of this sort that I’ve given since being on Oregon soil. It was really invigorating to speak from the point-of-view of a studio arts pro, in terms of being with an audience made up of strangers who are art lovers. Could an artist ask for anything more than to engage a public? It’s certainly one of the biggest highs for me, knowing that someone is walking over your threshold for the very first time. Taking that step, that risk, of getting closer to what you do as a creative, a maker. The dialogue about use of color was interesting as was talking the context of where the work is first sprouted. We also talked about curatorial practice (artists wearing multiple hats, or delivering work that is hybrid), and the concept behind making work informed by place and history. I discussed some influences, and my practice to a certain extent. The group also visited with MK Guth, Sean Healy and John Brodie today. I appreciate a saavy conversation, especially on a particularly lovely October morning. And it already has a residual effect as I sold a new work, as well as being asked to be included in an exhibition in ‘09.

Yesterday I took my monthly visit to PAM, though this was just a quick hour. I spent most of the time looking very closely at the Ann Gale show. And though I’m not much of a portraiture fan, this show is totally about looking. And looking. She has a very intimate way her medium and her subject - particularly in the way it informs about light. Her use of greens and yellows says more about the time of day than it does about the tube it came from. The alchemical transposition of paint I’ll call it. And her really remarkable mark making suits these mostly unflattering personages with a rooted sense of fleshy reality. Though the figures seem to all have similar facial features, the bodies and silhouette of selves are very telling as if she sees herself in all the people she paints. There’s a mirror there indeed. And the way she uses the plateau of a room permeates a sense of space as container of those appearing on these canvases. Even though she’s using neutral colors to depict an otherwise plain background. These have a mixed essence of painters Lucien Freud, Francis Bacon and Alice Neel - all sort of blended with a slight hint of Georges Seurat for good measure. It’s a small powerhouse show. Then we somehow breezed through what looks to be an amazingly informative (educational, historic, process) show of prints by Chuck Close. I am going to have to come back to it and spend a good few hours in these galleries alone. Included are plates and die cutters and aquatint samples…I am always fascinated by this stuff, so when I am not on someone’s parking meter I will re-engage. Oh, and there was this big spin-art tapestry Lucas Samaras (I used to love his work). As we walked the halls up to the Ursula von Rydingsvard show there were some obvious changes to what’s currently on view from the collections, so if you haven’t been to the museum in a few months know it is an active entity, like a breathing being. Along the way I was so happy to see the Christian Boltanski work on the lower level, alongside a Wolfgang Laib piece. It’s in a very odd lil’ nook that didn’t allow for the full impact as his work deserves. But for some odd reason I liked the relationship built from the floor to the Laib. A perspective of towering over the work, even at 5′6″. The work appeared as something of an installation motif, but I believe his work stands best in a noir, dark room. Still, it is always a thrill to see his work live in the physical.

And it was well worth the ascension to the fourth floor to see von Rydingsvard. Wow. This was my first exposure to her work. And this is a lady with whom I am dead sure I could have a conversation with. Totally after my heart in terms of using the ominous presence of sculpture (in this case a huge wooden mountainous kinetic piece). The work, while still at first operates via an internal mechanism (kinda like a big toy train) at its top 1/3. The piece produces a sort of domestic repetitive noise that is equally calming and makes you aware of its presence. I guess if you had a big mastiff who cycle snored it may have the same effect. Maybe not, but I hope you get my drift. Anyhow, there were also some accompanying drawings that I glanced over, but they seemed to have similar forms sketched out. The work is reminicent of a cartoon quarry that looks as though it could walk away on its Seussian ‘legs’. A work of fantasy seeming like a larger than life sleeping giant.

BEYOND TREND: How To Innovate An Overdesigned World

My work will be included in this new book by author Matt Mattus. A new international release expected out in Spring by How Design Books. I will be in good company alongside architects Zaha Hadid, Sir Norman Foster and Coop Himmelblau, as well as leading designers Tord Boontje, design firms like London’s Attik, MK12 and Australia’s Rinzen. Other contributors from pop culture are folks like Gary Baseman and Tim Biskup. Should fit snugly on any favorite coffee table nook and provide quite a read.

BEYOND TREND: It’s a whole new world for gifted creatives, and big business is inviting them in. Now that marketers have discovered the value that design brings to their brands, the pressure is cranked on high for creative people to continually deliver the newest looks. With the design world becoming more and more unpredictable, it’s difficult to know what the next big trend will be. Full of visual examples, Beyond Trend comes to the rescue with new ideas for combining influences that will lead to breakthrough designs and new ways of innovating.

Hey reader. Perhaps you are one of the few, the proud, the regulars who saw me through the transition from Livejournal to OregonLive to right here on unBlogged! Well, no more lines or waiting as I was finally able to piece together all of the archives from O-Live into three handy components (sorry the images did not transfer, and forget about recovering those batches). I felt it was important to keep the good word alive somewhere online, as I had a handful of requests and saved it for a rainy day. So, let it pour!!! Since my good word is copywritten under my own name, I re-claimed it for those out there who wanted to reference those pages again. Though it was a days worth off wrap-tapping at the olde (pre-Intel) keyboard - for you it’s as simple as 1 (2005) & 2 (2006, Pt I) & 3 (2006, Pt II).

You know that Shop Victoriously campaign over at Ebay? Well, I thought it was cheeky, unnnntilllll I was able to score a copy of the ‘92 release of the Onobox!!! This is absolutely essential - and right now I feel mighty real. Well, the long and short of it is I bought a brand-new copy of it (a rare find in ‘03) while in an underground shop in Montreal. My entire luggage was stolen, my camera, clothes, a cache of Terre Thaemlitz Love Bomb(s) and the sacred Onobox. Of course its been on and off Ebay over the years at ridiculous auction prices up to $350 - but I copped mine for $82 (w/shipping included). It’s a treasure that won’t leave my sight (plus I already downloaded the discs “just in case” some fat burglar breaks in for it). Ya see, this was my b-day gift to myself this year. Ahhhhh.

triMIX in the News: Just when you thought all potential media attention had laid to rest on this release from last Winter, out comes this one from out of the blue. Ink19’s Bob Ham voices his opinion. Another reviewer from Leicester UK just contacted me this week to review it as well…a small resurgence perhaps? Hey, maybe it would make a nice gift this holiday season? See the Innova page for more info.

The Red Sox will host the World Series at Fenway Park! I’m not sure if y’all know this about me, but my first photography teacher back in high school was the official team photog of the Sox. My former hometown team has really socked it to us over the last years. Though I’m not a baseball fanatic, I’m kinda excited about this.

The just concluded Today’s Art Festival in The Hague recently hosted The Character Ride which is altogether too weird not to mention here.

Kenny & Zuke’s opened in the Ace Hotel building yesterday. A bagel fan like me wouldn’t miss the op. There are many major cities with Jewish delicatessens, and Portland has a few that may or may not fit the bill. From the onset this one reminds me of the edge you find from Brooklyn to Brookline from Pittburgh to the Bay Area. These guys purportedly cure, pickle and smoke like the best of em, and you can’t beat the convenient location to Powell’s, Living Room Cinemas and most of the Golden Burnside Triangle. They have matzoh ball soup, seven kinds of root beer and the whole nine yards. The place was pleasantly packed for opening day. They are sticklers too. From day one their policy is not to serve sandwiches on their small but dense bagels. That would be fine if the only breads they offer weren’t exclusively the super trad pumpernickel and rye. Well, I, for one won’t be able to get a sandwich here (I can’t eat rye because of dietary restrictions, and pumpernickel is just not in my best taste buds). But the bagel was heavenly.

Critical Mass registration is due this Friday by 5PM PST. I will be one of the judges, four years running. This truly is a great opportunity for all contemporary photographers, regionally or internationally. It has given a select few the opportunity to publish a collection of their work, and a solo exhibition. Above all else, it gives many an opportunity to be noticed and viewed by a vast group of professionals in the field.

• • •

I’ll leave you with this new small painting by Bellwether Gallery’s Ellen Altfest that I just got in email form from the London gallery of choice, White Cube. Realism has come full circle. Is sharing still caring?

ONE YEAR OLD: Though one year is the paper anniversary to some - here in our collective, paperless blogosphere we have all but spared even the soy ink to bring you a wishing well of endless tedium and other treats. This particular (un)blog, as you can see, now has a two headed mascot (better than one?). Is it because this is the official one year anniversary of this personal blog of culture (and blah-blah-blah)? Well, yeah. And is it because there is something special coming soon to the blog world near you. Yeah, yeah. Is it also because I like to futz with things ’til the cows come home? Make that a triple. More soon on this.

FAQ: Why change the name to ‘unblogged’?

Simon Says: Why not? Though probably just another ‘ism’ it’s a misfit cross between the essence of being “unplugged” and the sensation your pipes get when you fill em up with Drain-O.

In the meantime, I just received a package from Bremen. My friends Glit[s]ch & Baraka[h] (otherwise known as Troum) sent me a kit of new sounds they are stirring. If you are unfamiliar, but love drone as much as I do, please don’t hesitate to bring one of theirs home. You could probably find something by them (or their former selves as Maeror Tri) at your local specialty music shop (though they are few and far these days). A few years ago I shot a varied series of composite images in industrial Portland. And though I have created artwork for a handful of commercially available CD projects, these gents are using one of my diptychs for an upcoming vinyl release as the entire inner sleeve fold-out! Since I’m often much more involved in the community of experimental music than anything else, this feels like a real homecoming achievement to me. More info will be forthcoming.

This was also ‘old home week’ as the moon must be drawing from the past. In less than three days I heard from or saw four old friends who I haven’t connected with for up to 2.5 years! Having a birthday gets you on people’s radar somehow magically. Kent and his partner brought me a pbn’j sandwich one day while I was working, Antonio and I went up to 82nd and ventured for Malaysian food in the new Chinatown - the tamarind fish was delicious. My buddy Todd from Happy Valley called me out of the blue from his farm and wants to get together to catch up. And today I saw my former squeeze Stan who pretty much costumed me for my appearence as MC Miss Ann Thrope at the Halloween Pageant (and Zydefunk Night) at Mississippi Pizza! You heard that right, and if you want to see me make an absolute fool of myself I welcome you to join in the festivities. There will be prizes for the best costume. The theme is “Disney Spin-off Characters We’d Like To See” (I would take that as liberally as you wish). I could use a pair of mouse ears for my costume - though it already has about sixteen parts - so maybe I shouldn’t push it. Anyway - Stan is dear and his garden and yard, which he built by hand is packed with herbs and a huge arbor, a sunken patio in stone and a hot tub. He gets plenty of sun, and much growth. The lemon verbana was out and pungent!

Oh, and this weekend, jeeeshers, I spent most of Saturday working with my studio colleagues John Brodie, MK Guth, Sean Healy, Stephen Hayes, Blair Saxton-Hill, Angelle and Phil as well as Philip Iosca who lent a hand to help us paint (and paint and paint). Yes, it was that time of the year - we painted nearly the entire common area of Today Art Studios! It was work, muscle, sweat and lots of coverage. But for some reason it seemed to go quite smoothly and everyone seemed to really work as a team - this was the first such group activity since we moved in nearly a year ago. Well worth it with a visit from PAM very soon as well as Prints4PICA coming in December…..Right on team.

After that I dashed out to pick up my copy of Scott’s totally fun in-joke project of the season, The Portland Art Coloring Book. And I think it’s just freaking funny and simple and clever and stupid and all sortsa good things. For $10 those who appear in it can nab a copy (and though we are colleagues, I had no idea about this until the night before he released this). It’s about an inch and a half thick too, so though its low-tech and pretty zine-esque I think it’s a nice “first volume” tribute to a shiteload of contributors to the scene right now (and a few from years past, like Mark Rothko!).

Um, the rest of the weekend was pretty damn sleepless and included a party at Rose’s place. Moreso a brisk and misty night by the firepit with heaping portions of bbq meats, mutts, biker memorabilia - all to the repetitious spinning of The Doors on an antique Silvertone. There was also garlic peanut tofu over glass noodles and Ty in his hoodie, seemingly inseparable from his lil’ Nokia. Yes, it was a night of mythic ambiguity. Then came Saturday evening and Dude’s Night Out Carport Party at Jesse Hayward’s place. For an ‘illustrious cast of invited characters’ I must say it was more low key than I would have expected, which was exactly what I needed. Chilled with some mint whiskey punch and some of the best homemade cc cookies I’ve had in years. Nice lengthy chats with a few folks about what they are up to, hanging by the fire. It felt solid, the group dynamic, the camaraderie. Seemed like a cohesive, respectful scene and give Portland so much credit for playing host to many talented folks who can engage in the larger conversation.

I HATE YOU, YEAH YEAH YEAH: The rest of the weekend was spent battling the elders…the Boxelders that is. Our lil’ treehouse is crazy infested by these stinky (when squished) red underbelly striped bugs. I have become the vacuum master in the process (which was just instinct, but it’s actually recommended). They are trying to make my home theirs, but there will be no vacancies at the inn this season.

Creative Capacity @ Holocene

In celebration of the first anniversary of this site, we now have a new logo and are optimized for the ADD generation as “iPhone Ready” (is that a real term?) and from this day forward is officially dubbed unblogged.

iPhone from ijustine on Vimeo.

Portland transplant Susan Bein’s title for her image above makes me smile. The fact that she used my visage reconciles the grounding that we all need at times. Humility is something so foreign to so many. It also made me think of the skies again. As I was watching passing clouds this morning, the whites seemed more like an undulating river than what I saw on Wednesday. Just proves that the world can seem quite upside down at times, though perhaps that’s the infinite reverse. As I kept focus two super high flying fighter jets ripped through the background, almost mocking the geese that were in the very same spot just the other day. Once they were clear from sight (and earshot), a long-winged bird floated gracefully in the foreground.

The image somehow also oddly enough reminded me of the cover of Debbie Harry’s solo debut.

Certainly one of the most important artists of our time, Cai Guo-Qiang’s Head On (2006) with its replicas of wolves certainly speaks to yesterday’s topic (thanks Azriel). “With few wolves scattered in the front gallery, all ninety-nine wolves run, gallop, and jump toward the far end of the exhibition hall, where a wall stands. The bravery of the wolves is met head on by the unyielding wall. As the leading wolves go down, many more follow with force and determination. As those in the front fall and pile up, those behind take up their positions.” Kind of reminds me of how I’ve been thinking these days.

Not I, but the birds. Yes, so many geese, in formation, flying South as the temps drop some. The weather lately has been active and vibrant. Have you looked up at the skies and seen the amazing cloud forms and the purplish greys meeting the cool puffy whites? In another moment of nostalgia I recalled my days in 3rd or 4th grade doing my presentation on Cumulus and Stratus, Cirrus and the like. It’s been a theater above us. So, when I saw the arrow patterns of those birds I could imagine the weather ahead, as they are much more predictable than the categorically political movement of Daylight Savings Time. Is this the first time it’s fallen in November? Did you know this is something voted on by Congress? Just a thought for the day as I wave goodbye to the birds for the duration.

[or Fathers, Lovers + Spare Parts]

Last night I had a flashback to the deep past. I may have been six or seven years old. There are two odd things that remind me of my dad, black raspberry ice cream and ABBA. I get plenty of the latter since I live with someone who seemingly has the entire discography, not to mention books and dvds - Including As I Am by Agnetha Fältskog. But the former, that pastel purplish treat is something I rarely engage in as I have suffered from the magic of diverticulosis in the past, the berry. Though, in this form, aside from not being my waistline’s best friend has filtered all the nasty seeds. This treat has its own dimension. And brought back some of my earliest memories of going to Ipswich, MA (world famous clams) to a 50’s-style, old fashioned walk-up window for the homemade variety. It’s funny how certain things spark memory. Of course the other things I remember are him dragging me to the late night betting dog track, the football bookies, trips to Vegas and all that romancing misfortune. But, eh, that was my dad. A post Air Force longshoreman by trade, a galloping gambler by night.

Just this week I sent some photo negatives (circa ‘88) to lauded filmmaker friend Thom Fitgerald in Nova Scotia to honor a friend of ours who passed a few years back, Michael Weir. Michael would have been 42 (like me) a few weeks ago (fellow Libras) was one of those truly beautiful men, inside and out. An a/v artist mostly working within the context of film and video. We had a wonderful relationship that year, but over time and miles we fell out of touch. But I held on to a few important items, memorabilia of an impactful time in my life. So I sent along a DVD of never-before seen video footage of Michael and I. Thom may be piecing together a film about his life, a quiet, tea drinking, no-nonsense life as I knew it. I remember Michael driving an old orange VW Bug and smoking, I remember his big waft of sandy blonde hair and his sleepy eyes, I remember dining and cavorting with common friends and the late nights at Silver Spoon (now defunct) hunkering down for dessert. And many other happy times. This is a wonderful thing for Thom to honor him in this way. We miss you Michael. I think you would have truly enjoyed my homage to Yoko Ono.

Onoism: 3 Heads.

A moment of silence will be cast this Sunday afternoon. The news just in (from Brooklyn Vegan) that this very special lady (née Jacqueline Breyer) from the life and trying times of the ever-morphing Psychic TV has left us. This was a very much unexpected passing, as they even just played in the area six weeks ago to little fanfare (due to documented bad management). She, the other half of thee, or s/he, Genesis. This recent piece about them in Last Visible Blog is worth the read. You may recall that just recently I referred to the current goings-on as well as a very special message.

From their site: “Genesis Breyer P-Orridge and her reactivated Psychic TV aka PTV3 are terribly sad to announce the cancellation of their November North American tour dates. This decision is entirely due to the unexpected passing of band member Lady Jaye Breyer P-Orridge. Lady Jaye died suddenly on Tuesday 9th October 2007 at home in Brooklyn, New York from a previously undiagnosed heart condition which is thought to have been connected with her long-term battle with stomach cancer. Lady Jaye collapsed and died in the arms of her heartbroken “other half”….

It’s nice to get a spot of solar isn’t it? Thick blue skies, fat wavy clouds gone North, fog broken. Sundays are usually slower than normal. Not this sunny Sunday, however. Looking out my front window, most of the trees are already in advanced stages of transformation, brilliant and multicolored. It’s thrilling to imagine that I am part of the cycle that reprocesses this rich part of the Earth in my work on paper. But today is more about paperwork.

Yes, in front of me I have about nine different types of interesting opportunities shaved down from the hundreds that could potentially apply to my life and career. It’s always a delicate balance to know how to apply for anything. What are the judges, the curators, the adminstrators seeking? How do I fit in? Will I speak my piece or retrofit for someone else’s scope? If you are an artist who is developing a career, you probably know exactly what I mean. Yesterday I was photographed by a magazine for an upcoming feature and the photographer came to do the shoot with me without the writer and without knowing what the story was. I accepted the offer knowing solely that the others in the story were in and around a similar stage in their career (an clectic selection). But without information I am not one to accept anything blindly. My grandmother always referred to me as a child as Doubting Thomas (the associated Caravaggio is so very real to me - it’s all about intimacy and inspection), which was a real term of endearment. She could see that part of me so early on.

So, strewn along my desk are opportunities for a few residencies, donation requests, curatorial ideas, web-based events, a fitness chart, a friend’s plan for a restaurant she plans to open next year (which I am editorializing), tips for working with RAW images, all balancing a calendar of events that reaches into the Spring of ‘09. In ways I have grown to a very flexible space in the way I allow myself to book life in advance. In some cases it has become necessary, in others I have to allow myself to turn down opportunities that don’t fit within a context of time or measure of practice. Those measures are really what are particularly very personal and/or exploratory. So, without further adieu I must close the clamshell case and pick up my red pen.

“Feel the steering wheel….warm leatherette burns on your melting flesh, you can see the reflection in the luminescent dash….A tear of petrol is in your eye, the handbrake penetrates your thigh. Quick, let’s make love - before we die….” I love Grace Jones (and The Normal before her). There I said it.

OK, I also admit that I am just in from Amnesia (after dinner at Widmer) where I had a fine pint of porter, but, eh. That’s the way I feel tonight. It was filled with revelers, and some big burly FedEx’rs. I made it home to the fridge where I finished the last piece of birthday cake too. It was still intact and tasty two days later. Upon my return to the homestead I opened a letter from the Portland Art Center declaring that I have been selected for a solo show in ‘08! I was one of seven out of almost 50 submissions. Pinch me. Um, are my fairy godmuthas all tap dancing up there for me, kicking up a stardust storm or what (did you look up in the sky last night)? Things like this come in threes…hmmm, what’s next?

There was more online about Couture as well. If you read my post a few days back, you know I couldn’t agree more. As I walked around to some of the galleries today it was very sweet to receive the kind well wishes from some of our finest local gallerists. The D.E. May show at PDX has a certain elegance and mystique. I like something about Matthew Picton’s show at Pulliam Deffenbaugh, but will require additional viewings to absorb its shadowy and mapped out topographical drawings. Jim Neidhardt and Kerry Davis‘ Crybabys at PAC is a welcome, if offputting, strange environment. Marcy Adzich at Tilt is a melange of objects that make their own internal sense. I was particularly drawn to the undulating wooden propeller at center, but the collection of objects is peculiar, especially the plastic flowers. I’m not too up on the painting style of Kojo Griffin, whose work has changed dramatically over the last few years. His latest is at Quality Pictures. But a sneak peak of Holly Andres‘ work for next month has me very excited!

PS: Oh, yes, and the ballots are in with the results of the Ultimate Blogger….