"Cinema Paradiso"

I've included in my videos this week, scenes and music from the Italian film "Cinema Paradiso". It is a good movie. Has sub-titles but did win an academy award at the Cannes, film festival. I would recommend watching this movie this summer.

New York City-Art Trip

I have been meaning to write about my recent trip to New York which took place at the end of June. Posted down below are some pictures taken which I am sharing for a time. The trip was especially interesting for me as I got to meet some living, breathing, and working artist living in the city. I visited the studio of Greg Kwiatek, and of Gene Binder who owns a gallery in Marfa, Texas. I also met with some exceptionally good artists living in Long Island City. Hi to Nick and Joi.

I traveled with a special friend, an art collector, a supporter of the arts who made it possible to put into contact with these people. Every step of the way on this art path has lead to some very interesting times and experiences and people as I am now continuing to grow and change.

In my interesting links column there is a live webcam from Greenwich Village. Live from the Big Apple

New Painting

Here is a new painting of a scene that I saw in the old town part of Nice, France. It was early morning actually on a Saturday when the outdoor markets are open. The light and the colors in Nice are out of this world and I can see why artists take up residence in the south of France. Painting is representational but very abstract. A study in linear elements. The striped pattern reflected Nice itself with the open air markets and canopys.

The shop to the left holds the memory of me going in there and walking out with a french L' Toile quilt that I could not resist. The price was too good to be true but as I found out later it cost me a fortune to have it shipped back home. I did not want to carry this on the plane with me what with all the searches and scans you have to go through. But it was worth it because of the memories. My friend, who offered to carry this for me for the rest of day, could not believe that I bought a bedspread to begin with.

Painting remains unnamed at the moment.

Pierrot

This is a latest and newest painting to my mask series. Pierrot is the name of this mask as it depicts a character that is known for being sadly in love but his love is not returned. Pierrot is also known for being naive and taken advantage of by being constantly deceived. That is why he has such a sad face as if to be crying.

I was attracted to the whiteness of the face and the black accents. I placed the mask on top of a draped very colorful, translucent scarf which emphasized the stark whiteness of the mask. In the background there are fine grey horizontal lines with a vertical stripe on the right side of an interlocking chain pattern design. The mask is definitely based on a french character and once again I like to give the mask some depth and feeling. This one also, I believe, has an oriental feeling of design. It is just the way it evolved.