Lately

Lately some of my latest favorite songs:

Townes Van Zandt - Rake
Steve Earle - Guitar Town
Emmylou Harris - Tulsa Queen
Elliot Smith - Either/Or
Marty Robbins - The Masters Call

I haven't had a lot of time to watch television lately, but when I do get a chance I enjoy watching "How I Met Your Mother" and "Storage Wars".

Lately I've been busy with school and studying for Octobers LSAT.

I really enjoy living in the Pacific Northwest. I love the Portland area, it is full of life, culture, and art. Not just lately, but for a while.

The Vacuum Museum

If you're in the need for checking out some super old vacuums, look no further than Stark's Vacuum Museum. They are located off of Grand Ave in SE Portland. Serious stuff folks. They have a two-man pump vacuum.

iWish

I occasionally think to myself excellent possibilities for musicians to cover other songs. I've always thought that "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" would be a great one for Tom Waits. I've also wanted to hear him sing the "Star Spangled Banner". But one particular wish of mine is Tom Waits covering an albums worth of Sesame Street songs. The Cookie Monster song "C is for Cookie" is a no-brainer, but what about "I Love Trash" from Oscar the Grouch or "Elmo's Song" by Elmo. He sorta did a somewhat cover with "People in the Neighborhood" on one of his earlier albums. It's something to think about, Mr. Waits.

Northwest Lincoln

8 inches tall on scrap 2x4 pine. Acrylic. Hanger on the back.

Lincoln Town

Lately i've been experimenting with finishes. This is one of the better ones i've done with the old crackled look.



This is an upcycled/recycled scrap board in which I mix my acrylics on to paint other pictures. My beautiful wife says it looks like gum.




Title: Lincoln riding a dinosaur through fields of poppy. (practicing for Lincoln riding a Llama)

new paintings.

couple new one's are up on my Etsy shop for now. I might could take them to a gallery down in SE PDX. We shalteth see-eth. In the works I have a portrait of a sea-faring man by the name of Paddy McGann, and another one started with a new style of paint, hoopty digidoopty. I've been thinking about oils, but the more I think about oils, the more it makes me realize I need to put some in my car before the engine locks up. It should be spelled oyl or oyel. Does the word have Hebrew roots? I love green beans too, thanks babe.

latest favorite song

I've been listening to a lot various music lately, this ones my current favorite. I also have been listening to a guy from Seattle sing some pretty and good-weird music. His name is Richard Panzer but I don't have any links to anything online.

Lakers v. Celtics

I'm a Jazz fan, always.

However.

This series, considering I really dislike the Lakers, I am a Celtics fan. One of my favorite non-Jazz players in the League is Garnett. I love to watch his theatrics when he's on the bench. He is more interesting than the game itself. I also like Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. I don't know what to think of Rondo yet. He's good, but he's not Deron Williams good.

Unfortunately, I also appreciate super duper talent when I see it. Therefore, I appreciate Kobe Bryant. I will be the first person to state that Kobe Bryant is easily argued the best NBA player in NBA history. He is equal if not greater than Jordan. He's finally become a closer (been so for about 4-5 years). I really enjoy watching him play. That guy is so determined, and so talented, it makes me sick.

So really, I wouldn't be terribly disappointed if the Lakers win game 7 because I like Kobe. But I will be hoping that Boston gets the banner this year.

two couples of very homely looking folks

Original, acrylic, 22x44ish. I haven't sealed or framed them yet, I still want to get some pro photos/scans of these and i've heard it is better w/o sheen. I enjoy doing larger ones like these.

I love sitting at a desk looking at numbers.

LIAAAARRRRRR!

2 new pieces

Hey all, two new pieces to report. Two new Lincolns too. I haven't put hangers on the back yet but I will then i'll put them on Etsy and/or a local showing. By the way I am aware my sentences aren't gramatically and/or punctually and/or repetitive but I don't care because I'm not being graded by a professor/professor's aide. I have to use up my favorite trash before I can justify bringing more home...so I am using it up. I have a lot to use up.

Abe in 2010

He's baa-aaack

Abe is back on a recycled 2x4 cut-off (cut down to 2.5x3.5x2) with a bunch of screws. It's a black and white beauty with red accents. Marvelous. The thing is, I started painting an entirely different person and this guy showed up. Well, I'll put this one either on etsy or somewhere in Portland...we'll see.

Lately i've been listening to Lady Gaga and a new (new to me) Townes Van Zandt CD I got at Borders. I can't get enough of both of them. I wish the two could do a duet. I bet they both would've if they could've.

Portland is weird?

I have moved to the sunny Pacific Northwest. I only wish it would rain a little bit more.


I finished a painting today. Abe. I thought I was done with Abe, but he came back. He's a hanger-on. It's a sweet looking black and white miniature. I should get around to photographs in the next two days. I really like what I did with it.

I have been busy with job hunting and catching up on schoolwork. More art and music is sure to come.

adieu.

some of my current favorite songs

Some of my current favorite songs:


1. "No One Knows I'm Gone" by Tom Waits
This is a song that creeps me out as I think how many people lie under the ground I stand on, and no one knows they're there. I really like Scarlett Johansson's version of this song as well. She nailed it.



2. "Parting Glass" by Emer Kenny
This song is part of the legendary Putumayo album series, from "Celtic Crossroads." I have many versions of this song, and they are all good. But this version is the best.




3. "Crystal Ship" by The Doors
This isn't a typical Doors song at all. It has a quality more consistent with classical music than anything. I don't think I have ever listened to this song just one at a time. I always repeat it.



4. "Has Been" by William Shatner
In this song, Shatner has a spagetti western theme song as he speaks. He makes an excellent and thoughtful argument that 'has beens' are better than their critics. "Has been was. Has been, might again." Meanwhile, you and me are critical of other's fame, and we have nothing to show for it. Just listen to the song.




5. "Portland, Oregon" by Loretta Lynn and Jack White
Aside from the fact that I am moving to the Portland area, this is a great song. Loretta and Jack are great. I hope they continue to collaborate. I also hope Jack White collaborates with other old time musicians that are ready for a comeback. It's very Rick Rubinish.

functional art

Once upon a time I wanted to create bizarre furniture for a living. These were the days before I was practical and realized it wasn't for me. I had an idea of opening up a store in a ritsy part of the country, catering to the extremely rich and weird. I now have a new dream and this one is -the one-. But a look back on my old inspirations is fun too.

http://www.theblogismine.com/2009/08/12/the-best-garden-bench-ever-spaghetti-bench/

The Spaghetti Bench by Pablo Reinoso is a combination of a piece of art and a functional piece. Many people question whether or not his Spaghetti Bench is practical, but it is sure not simple or discrete. The impressive design is outstanding, and no one could ever pass by it without laying an eye on the piece. It is shaped like a bench, but shape changes as the wooden pieces extends and twists into an interesting form which resembles a tree giving the wooden bench some life. Pablo Reinoso has created this bench as a part of a normal cell and spaghetti. And the result is absolutely fantastic. Awesome work, Pablo.

Some words about Pablo. Pablo Reinoso is an artist and a designer that lives and works in Paris since 1979. He designs scent bottles and furniture. He also creates fabulous works of arts such as sculptures, installations, and videos. Many of his works were displayed in galleries and attracted many admirers. He has shown an interest in furniture since he was 6 years old, and has drawn, made, and bought them as part of his collection at a young age. Pablo Reinoso is known for taking normal everyday furniture, and recreates them into something extraordinary. His projects have misleading appearances that seem unreal. [PabloReinoso via Toxel]

Fred Frith - cool.

Cabaret Voltaire

Cabaret Voltaire. European. 1973-1994. This is a little...more.....different.

Philip Glass

Two great things come together like peanut butter and toast. Here is a composer who wrote a piece for Sesame Street. This segment on Sesame Street looks familiar to me. It probably will be familiar to you too.

Lady Gaga

These are my thoughts on Lady Gaga:

She reminds me of a female version of Jeffree Star. She espouses the plasiticty and fiction that is the entertainment industry, and she embraces it. Her genuinity is unknown, but believable. Regardless of what my wife says, I have no attraction to her other than her music. Her fashion is unique and I like it. Her interviews bore me. Very high quality pop star. Madonna, eat your heart out...and goodbye...you have been replaced.

Vesti la giubba by Placido Domingo

I would say of all the versions of this aria, Domingo is my favorite. He is very dramatic and musical. It sounds cliche, and it may be, but he truly is one of the greatest performers of all time. The show must go on...Put on your costume!



If you're on the Youtube, check out Caruso's and Pavarotti's versions of this as well.