History for Sale

Here are some less than stellar photos of Stephen Keene at Moore College of Art and Design in the Fall of 1995ish. While waiting for Rachel to get done class and being double parked outside of her school, I watched the guest artist from my car as he painted dozens of pictures all at once. The wood slats were all lined up and he went down the line painting the same smudge or swerve or swish on each piece. I know a lot of people think of this as conveyor belt art, and that it's not real, that it lacks true emotion, but I don't think so. I think it's refreshing that there exists an artist with one idea that he can translate onto many pieces and make it possible for the unwashed masses, such as myself, to own an original Steve Keene painting. Do you know how many Julian Schnabel paintings I own? Yeah, a big fat zero, because I will never, ever make enough money to possess anything he created.

At the time when I took these photos I was obsessed with art and wishing so desperately that I could be an artist, a painter like Jean-Michel Basquiat or Francesco Clemente or Enzo Cucchi. Twenty years later and I'm not an artist, but I do have six Steve Keene paintings hanging in my home to inspire me to be more creative in every aspect of my life. And I don't care that thirty other people have the same thing in their home, because when I look at his Wuthering Heights painting from 2009, I feel like I am the sole possessor of this one-of-a-kind painting. And it only cost me a dollar fifty. That wouldn't even get me some of Schnabel's toenail clippings. Or would it...hmm...anyone know his manicurist? Too far? Oh well...anything for a laugh...

Lewis G. Brown

I picked this up at Baldwin's Book Barn in their Instant Relatives bin by the register. What I like best about this fabulous photo is that the photographer's shadow is clearly visible. That and that it's nearly one hundred years old and all mine!

 

Pennsylvania Railroad - Lamokin, PA - 1917

Hugh!

Hugh Jackman is pretty much as close to perfect as a fella can get. Have you seen pictures of him and his lovely wife? The ideal couple. Actually, I'm such a huge nerd that I started following Hugh on Instagram. His smile seriously makes me so stinkin' happy, it's not to be believed. Also, I feel compelled to note that I only follow about 22 people, most of whom are my nieces and nephews, plus Hugh and Liv Tyler. Random, I know. Oh! And I follow a couple companies that manufacture beard oil and moustache pomade. Why?, you ask. Um, because they post photos of sassy, dapper, bearded gents. Hello! Baby needs some eye candy to brighten her days...

Frank Langella

Based on the number of photos in Aunt Berne's scrapbook, it's safe to say that she fancied Mr. Langella during the Dracula years. He sure is purty...

Watch Out, Corey Haim is armed...

...and extremely dangerous.

(Is he wearing Mary Janes with white socks?? Love it.)

To: A very specil person named...

In taking a closer look at this sweet lil' note from my niece Nicole, I noticed that this was apparently meant to be completed and given to her mother. Oops...guess Donna was on Nikki's shit list that day, so instead, I got it! I love the coupon she has for sleepovers. And the classified ad that stated a reward for thanking her and taking care of her would be love. How freakin' cute is that?

Edgar Allan!

Check out this fabulous card that Helen Coldwell created. I absolutely love it and soon it will be in the mail to Miss Kayla, who will undoubtedly tack it up on the wall next to her bed. I think I'll get another one on my next order and frame it for my office...

I Heart Anita

Here she comes with yet another rave review of a documentary seen on Netflix... I'm sorry if this blog is becoming redundant, but Jesus, Anita was an unbelievably engaging film and deserves to be talked about. I remember, vaguely, when all of that was going on, but I was young and didn't really have an opinion. Now, at age thirty-nine and having been on the receiving end of sexual harassment in school, at work, and elsewhere, nothing that Anita Hill said in those hearings sounds over the top or unbelievable. The things that have been said to me have been equally, if not more so, ridiculous, absurd, and, always, offensive. Watching this film I was reminded of Kathleen Hanna when she said that if she told her story, all of it, no one would believe her. That it was too big a can of worms; but then she realised, no, other women would believe her. It's true, because I 100% believe Ms. Hill. Out of all of the times that I have been sexually harassed, I only ever spoke up was when the harassment expanded to include two of my coworkers who were significantly younger than I was. Luckily, my general manager was female and not only took me seriously, but telephoned the man in question, an assistant manager, told him not to come in for his shift that night, worked a double to cover his hours and then terminated him after discussing the matter with her superior. Looking back I realise the reason I never said anything on the other occasions is because it is so much easier to remain silent. I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to see this documentary because it introduced me to Anita Hill, an erudite, poised, graceful, and strong woman who will be admired for generations for standing up and being heard and not taking the easy way out by remaining silent.

(photo kidnapped from impawards)

Mona Lisa is Missing

(photo kidnapped from art-crime)

I had the opportunity to watch this the other day and it was really good! Very interesting and a well made film. I had completely forgotten that the Mona Lisa had once been stolen and the story sucked me right in. The film also succeeded in making me miss Italy more than ever. Can't wait to go back and explore Rome for at least three days and Positano for a full week. Eight months and counting... 

Eugene Mirman

Okay, so I am four minutes and forty-one seconds into Eugene Mirman's stand-up show in Tucson called Vegan on His Way to the Complain Store and I have already decided that he and I are new BFFs. He has no say in this matter whatsoever. It's final. Eugene + Star = Best effing Friends Forever. So I guess we are more like BFFFs. Either way, it's on. Eugene, baby, text me. Let's hang out and laugh as only true besties can!

An Unfinished Song

I was a weepy, sappy mess during this wonderful film, also known as Song for Marion. Oh how I love to watch that Terence Stamp... Seriously, though, it was such a sweet movie with a great cast.

From Autumn

This letter reminded me of a time when right after Christmas me and my friends would call eachother and tell every single thing that we got from Santa. In Autumn's case, we were never allowed to talk on the phone because the long distance call from the East Coast to the Midwest was too expensive, so instead, we wrote letters. My favourite part of this letter is that Autumn got a hair ribbon like Madonna's. Okay, so that puts this letter at about...1985.

Hotel San Moisè

The hotel that Nicole and I stayed at in Venice was super cute and very quaint. The decorating was dated and garish - both of which I adored. I loved the steps that led to nowhere most of all. But the best was falling asleep to the sounds of Venice; the tolling of the church bells, the laughter and chit chat of people passing beneath our window, and the distance boats in the canals. We weren't in Venice for very long, but the time we spent there was completely wonderful.

Miranda's Wedding!

Yesterday was my cousin Miranda's wedding. I'm no good at large social gatherings, but thankfully Miranda asked me who I wanted to sit with and I got to hang out with her mother's family and friends. Whew! Miranda's sister, my niece Nicole, was a bridesmaid, and clearly the most beautiful, and my godson MJ sat with me and plied me with Shirley Temples all night. And I didn't even have to ask! What a guy...

(Kerri and Nicole!)

(Just married!!!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(MJ!)

(Ava, Miranda's wee one!)

(My cousin Barabaraanne - this lady gave the world Kayla and Jaeden!)

(Me and the stunning bride!)

 

(Miranda is an angel, she called the caterer and asked if they could prepare a vegan meal for me and they did! Portobello mushroom, spinach, red pepper, topped with zuchinni. Delish!!)

Amber Alexander

A few years back I picked up some beautiful cards on etsy from Amber Alexander's lovely shop. The cards turned out to be too cute to send. Until now. These two were my favourites because of the darling story on the back of the card. I want a picture book of all of Ms. Alexander's artwork and corresponding tales!