Lovely Sunday

We took off on another "adventure" today and headed down to St. Mary's County.
St. Mary's City was the site of the fourth permanent settlement in British North America and Maryland's first capital. The county was also home to Margaret Brent, the first woman to demand the right to vote.

Some of what I saw today...

Bathing Beauties

My first attempt at Va-Va-Voom! Girls "Bathing Beauties".



"Betty"


"Bianca"


"Bea"



I'm thinking of doing some "beachy" scenes. Now that I've got vintage bathing suits and bathing caps on my mind, I'm also thinking about old-fashioned boardwalks and all the imagery that comes along with them.

I'm in!

As of today, another gallery will be representing my work...abstracts, to be exact.
At the moment, of the galleries which represent me, it is the only one dealing strictly with my abstract work. Other galleries show a variety of my styles; either in combination, or in turns. It's a bit silly, but I have to admit that I like the way, "...and Art Expressions handles my abstract work." sounds.

I met with the gallery owner today. I brought him 9 initial pieces to choose from. He kept 8 and I got a year-long consignment contract.

Meanwhile I'm trying to spend any free minute of this Labor Day weekend (we have a houseguest) completing a trio of bathing suit-clad Va-Va-Voom! Girls in hopes of meeting a Tuesday submission deadline for yet another gallery.

Here's an abstract painted last year.
It is a collaborative piece between myself and Mike Trovato.


"F Train"
Mixed media on canvas/9x12"
Now available through Art Expressions Gallery, Gaithersburg MD 301-216-1388/Gallery website coming soon!

Auto-matic

In the interest of making things less about fashion and more about pleasing sponsors, this week's challenge was to recycle SATURN auto parts into a wearable creation. When all was said and done, most designers created note-worthy looks.

Leeanne finally stepped up her game and proved, by winning the challenge, that her conceptual design aesthetic and superb construction make her a true threat in this competition.


My humps, my humps my lovely lady lumps!

Korto once again showed us that she knows sophistication, making a tremendous, yet chic, coat out of hundreds of woven seat belts. "I want to wear that! I want to own that!" exclaimed hungry guest judge Rachel Zoe. Come on, Rachel, it's a miracle you don't crack a rib under the weight of ONE seat belt.


I'm wearing airbag panties!

Tragedies of the Week:

I-now-communicate-with-the-dead designer Suede escaped the wrath of the judges, but not mine. What the hell was that dress about??? It looked like a cheerleader being run over by a monster truck (I'll give you a minute).
You gotta go soon, Sylvia Browne!


Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!!! (I'll give you a minute)

This week we learned that Stella is dating a man who goes by the name of Ratbones.
And here I thought most necrophiliacs had regular names like Jim or Bob.

Unfortunately, our favorite (she actually grows on you...like a drunken fungus) Lil' Leatha Queen sent a boring and disconnected look down the runway.



Why does my skirt smell like Scotch?



And finally...



Yes! It's back to Utah for you, Keith!
On the week when all your shredding would've actually made sense, you gave us a look inspired by a Banana Republic clearance rack. On top of that, you tried to go head to head with Michael Kors.

Silly boy, no wannabe-designer challenges the Gay Orange and lives to tell about it.


Do I at least get cab fare next week?

Since you're so "edgy", perhaps you can revolutionize the world of Salt Lake City fashion by sending the Tabernacle Choir down the runway in robes made out of shredded Book of Mormon pages. It's sure to get you back on TV when your 15 Bravo-minutes wear off.

On the plus side, you did wear a tank top way better than Jerrell and we'll miss you for that.

PS.
The Gascot Method has obtained this EXCLUSIVE photo of Blayne's parents at home, watching Project Runway, of course.


We're so proud of our little Blayne!

PSS.
I'm gonna call it early for the ladies. I'm thinking Leanne, Korto and Kenley for the top 3.

New Abstracts

"Passage"


"Cosmic 1"


"Cosmic 2"

All mixed media on canvas/12x12".
I personally prefer them as posted, but will be signing them on the back and double-wiring them to increase their hanging possibilities.

Holy Kitty-Cat Batman!!!

Cher 'to Play Catwoman' in Next Batman Film
By Jessica Salter

Cher has been lined up to star in the next Batman movie, it has been claimed.

The 62-year-old singer and actress is reported to be in talks to play Catwoman opposite Christian Bale in the third Batman film from British director Christopher Nolan.

The Oscar-winner will join a cast that includes Johnny Depp as The Riddler as she plays the whip-carrying burglar. The character has also been played by Michelle Pfeiffer and Halle Berry.

A studio executive said: "Cher is Nolan's first choice to play Catwoman. He wants to her to portray her like a vamp in her twilight years.

"The new Catwoman will be the absolute opposite of Michelle Pfeiffer and Halle Berry's purring creations."

Filming of the new Batman instalment, provisionally entitled The Caped Crusader, is due to begin in Vancouver early next year.

The Dark Knight, this summer's blockbuster, has become the most successful of the Batman movies. Warner Bros expects the film to make about $530m.

It stars the late Heath Ledger, who was found dead in his Manhattan apartment after taking an accidental drugs overdose. His performance as The Joker is widely expected to garner an Oscar nomination.

Cher's recent acting performances have included Tea with Mussolini in 1999 and Stuck on You, in 2003 in which she played herself.

Meowwwwwwhmmm!

Sure, she sounds a little more Mr. Ed-ish than feline, but she can work on that.

I'm having gay dreams of a Mackie Catwoman outfit.

I might hyperventilate over this one!

A Lovely Day

We threw a few towels and our bathing suits (no two-pieces LOL) in the trunk of the car and took off this morning. We landed just 40 or so minutes away in Chesapeake Beach/North Beach, took a dip (our first swim of the almost-over summer), and explored the small community a bit.



We stumbled upon a cute little gallery right on the main strip and I started thinking about possibly painting some of my Va-Va-Voom! Girls in vintage bathing suits for the purpose of pitching to beach-town galleries/boutiques.

Playing Hooky

Ron has a few unused vacation days laying around and decided to make this past weekend a long one. He's home with me today and again tomorrow. A well-deserved break for him and a treat for me...I love when he's around, even if he's doing his thing and I'm doing mine. Just knowing he's in the next room is nice.

Today we might take a spontaneous little ride out to explore some spots we haven't had the chance to since moving here.

Maybe the Chesapeake Bay area.

I better pack my two-piece, just in case.

Feeling British

Today a package came in the mail...all the way from the UK.

But it wasn't for me.
And it wasn't for Ron.

It was for Orion!



He sends a big wet thank-you kiss to Auntie Melissa for his new "baby" and yummy treats.
It's hard to tell, but I think he's been trying to bark with a British accent all day.
He's such a show-off!

They're baaaack!

September 3rd.
If you enjoy my Project Runway recaps...get ready.



It's best y'all start praying now.

When You Care Enough to Send the Very Gay

This week, Hallmark unveiled their new line of same-sex "marriage" greeting cards.
I write "marriage" in quotations because although one design features hearts in Rainbow colors and another side-by-side tuxedos, the nation's leading greeting card manufacturer was careful to avoid the word or any direct references to weddings.

According to Hallmark spokeswoman Sarah Gronberg Kolell,"It's our goal to be as relevant as possible to as many people as we can."

Hallmark is also leaving it up to all of its stores to choose independently whether or not they wish to carry the new cards. So if your local Hallmark is managed by the neighborhood's Sunday School teacher, you just might be shit out of luck.

Personally, their already existing "For my Husband"-type cards served me just fine. I have no qualms about picking out anniversary cards with all the other wives, however puzzled or disapprovingly some of them might look at me.

Here's an idea, Hallmark: since your goal is to be as relevant as possible...how about a line that welcomes the new gays-next-door?!

Cover: Welcome New Neighbors
Inside: Thank you for raising our property values!

Or maybe, since you're into wide-appeal-type messages, a general gay-appreciation card!

Cover: Thank You for Being Gay!

The inside messages could vary to suit the consumer with heart-warming offerings like: I could've never decorated my home without you! or My husband would never allow our friendship otherwise.

Or here's an even better (more "relevant") idea:
How about a line of Gay Pride Greetings???
Such cards, of course are already offered by independent companies with balls.

Don't worry about the wedding cards, Hallmark (we can continue to customize them by drawing little moustaches on the ladies).

I know I shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth but...If you want to cash in on our community, give us something that actually means something and has some real relevance. Don't be afraid to go all the way. We will appreciate it and in turn buy your product.

Just a thought.

Here's some companies that offer gay-themed greeting cards:
PaperWords.com
10 Percent
Over the Rainbow Shop
Gaycondoms.com (Yes, they have greeting cards! LOL!)
Alternative Greeting Cards

Let's Talk Drag!

So at long last something halfway interesting had to happen this season on Project Runway and after weeks of kneeling bedside and saying my Gypsies Tramps and Thieves like a good little gay...Cher finally answered my prayers by way of this week's Drag Queen Challenge.

Praise her! Hallelujah!
uiogwhopfm;!!! sghsnlkm;oki ahallla! <---typing in tongues! This challenge was right up my alley and I watched carefully with an especially critical and extra bitchy eye at what the designers put forth. Why the extra dose of bitchy, you ask? Oh, did I never mention I'm a former drag queen??? Who would've thought that the straight guy would take this one?! And deservedly so! Varla Jean Merman is one of my faaaaaaaavoritest (yes I know that's not a word) queens on the face of the earth. (I recommend that everyone go out and get a brilliantly hilarious little movie called "Girls Will be Girls" if you're not already familiar with her work. Warning: It's not for the easily offended!).
Joe understood what Varla is about. He listened and created a look that is not only outrageous...but utterly her! You go, straight dude!


My penis is numb!

Korto was a close second, in my opinion. She really captured Sweetie's larger-than-life bawdiness. I almost wasn't sure which of the two designers was gonna take today's prize.


I will eat you alive.

This Week's Tragedies:

I can almost hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing Keith's name.
They're coming for you man... ENOUGH with the fuckin' shredding!!!


Holy Sham-Wow Batman! Is that drag queen wearing recycled rags???

Oh Danny Boy! I had such hopes for you.
You were the third gayest designer (second place is a tie between Blaine and Jerrell, first place goes to bi-tee-hee-sexual queen, Suede) on the show and when faced with the task of making a fabulous drag queen costume you gave us a pretty dress a biological female might wear to a fancy-ish beach wedding. You're not even butch-gay, how could you be that far off the mark on a drag-challenge???
I just don't get it. Buh-bye!


I feel fresh and confident thanks to Summer's Eve!

PS. Y'all didn't think I'd send you off without draggin' (pun totally intended) everyone down Sequin Memory Lane with me, did ya???


Ladies and Gents...Ms. Demeanor!


Old publicity photo


Feelin' hot, hot, hot! On stage.


Last appearance: Halloween party '05

Changing Styles

I wonder how often other artists do this.

For me it's not really all that often.
"Latin Pop" is my signature style. It's been there since I put brush to canvas in a serious way. It's evolved over the years and from time to time variations do develop within it, but it's my one artistic constant. It flows from me and of all the styles I've explored so far it is the one I consider most personal.

For a number of years I painted a comic-book inspired series alongside Latin Pop. It was well received and I really enjoyed it. Much like Lichtenstein (one of my favorite artists), I worked from actual comic books, interpreting single panels into paintings that usually carried some sort of tongue-in-cheek commentary. But something happened along the way and though the paintings earned me some gallery acceptance, I began to feel less and less inspired to carry on the series. It's been about a year and a half since I've produced a new "Strictly Pop" painting.

I guess I feel that, while no less legitimate an art form, manipulating other people's imagery to convey my point of view, is no longer satisfying. At least not while there are images of my very own lining up in my head...just waiting to be expressed.

So if I have no real desire to pursue this series, why is it that I feel as if I'm turning my back on an old friend?

I'm not going to say that I will never re-visit this imagery (who can ever figure artists out!), but for the time being I have no plans to. The remaining pieces from this series (for the exception of a few still at some galleries) have been sitting in a corner of my studio. So I've put them up on my Etsy shop, which I've just opened.

Here are a few:


"Bombshell"/24x36"
Available through Artiszenarts Gallery


"Always"/16x20"
Available


"Glad"/16x20"
Available


"Medicine"/16x20"
Available


"Catwoman for Friskies"/24x24"
Available through Artiszenarts Gallery


"Betsey Johnson"/16x20"
(Purchased at an art market in the Hamptons by Ms. Johnson's business partner as a gift for Betsey)


"Ralph Lauren"/16x20"
Sold

No-so-Extreme Make Over

I'm not one to spread rumors...but it seems one of my girls (Varla) has gone under the brush and had a bit of work done. We called "her people", who declined to comment.

You be the judge:

Small Abstracts

I've been talking a lot about painting abstracts lately and quite honestly have not produced as many as I'd hoped.
Now I have to.
A gallery has asked some abstracts of me and I must have some ready for the owner to pick from in two weeks.

Today I started trying to loosen up a bit with these little guys.



Up
5x7"/ Mixed media on canvas panel


Tumble
6x6"/ Mixed Media on canvas


Searching for Quiet
5x7"/Mixed media on canvas panel

Can't Shake the Visual

Last night while coming home from meeting with a gallery owner and later visiting a friend, we were being silly and jamming out to something on the car stereo when I see a shape to the right coming onto the highway.

A deer.
A big deer.

I immediately scream at Ron to WATCH OUT and he swerves (doing the mom arm over passenger move).

The car to our left was not so lucky and hits the deer.

The deer literally goes up into the air and lands to the right of us.

It was just like in the movies when everything is at regular speed. Then the impact comes, followed by a few seconds of slow-motion, then the speed picks up again.

It was such an awful sight to see (and hear/feel) the poor thing land next to us.

For the Birds

Well, more like from the birds, actually...

This Is for the Birds: Poo Facial Promises Smoother Skin
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
By Marrecca Fiore, Fox News
see http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,402422,00.html for links & more pix

If you've ever had bird poo drop from the sky and onto your head — heck even if you haven't — it's probably pretty hard to imagine forking over almost $200 to have someone massage bird doodoo into your face for the better part of an hour.

But there's a price to pay for healthy skin and many in New York City are “flocking” to try this latest anti-aging craze.

The Geisha Facial given at Shizuka New York, a day spa in midtown Manhattan, doesn’t contain just any run of the mill pigeon poo. It’s made from dried nightingale droppings imported from Japan and mixed with rice bran.

WTF is wrong with people???
What's next???

Imma open a spa up in my backyard and introduce an EXCLUSIVE new treatment where I squeeze Lola (our Basset Hound) over the client's face. I'll play Enya in the background.

Very fancy.

Thanks Purple Trekkie for making me aware of this lovely practice.

Vanity

I know what you're thinking...
But this Vanity has never dated a rock star.
Not even an itsy-bitsy one.
And she doesn't own a little red corvette either.

She's just a fan who gets a little carried away from time to time.


Va-Va-Voom! Girl "Vanity"
Acrylic on canvas/10x30"

Welcome to the Jungle

The second this week's challenge (design a day-to-night look for Brook Shield's character on her show "Lipstick Jungle") got underway I felt like I might not have much to blog about. I love Brooke. She's entertaining and she looks fab, but quite honestly I don't see the unique angle of the challenge.

Ah well, but the show must go on. And some people have to win, and others loose and I must say something bitchy about at least one (maybe two).

Keith redeemed himself this week by winning the challenge.
His look was actually quite nice and tasteful, which means he will remain safe from Mormon capture for at least another week. Whew!
I loved how the model worked the sleeves on the runway.


Lovely!

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed Jerrell and Stella's look! Stella even looked as if there might be something other than scotch and formaldehyde running through her veins this week.
Now if Jerrell can wear a shirt with a neckline above his navel I might start taking him a bit more seriously.


Grrr!

Tragedies of the Week:

It was all about taste this week...or lack thereof.

Blaine's creativity seems to be fading faster than his tan. He was supposed to create an outfit for a high powered TV executive. Instead he created something fit for a bike messenger.


You can buy this at Walmart.

Kelli on the other hand, seemed to have a whole other type of profession in mind.


Angry tranny in a Heidi Fleiss power suit!

THANK GAWWWWWWD next week it's Drag Queens!

YAY!