Friday, January 30, 2009

Fierce Fridays!

80's and 90's club legend and designer David Cabaret.
David became known for his outrageous art-inspired looks.

THE GREEN LADY:

Vladimir Tretchikoff 's "The Green Lady"


David Cabaret as "The Green Lady"
It's hard to see, but Tretchikoff's signature is on the sleeve! Brilliant.

ROY LICHTENSTEIN'S MAE WEST:


This is my favorite. Amazing!


The speech bubble reads "Come up and see me sometime!"

ANDY WARHOL'S MARYLIN MONROE:

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Nancies

Chocolate and Strawberry...





Nancy images for Raw Style, in California and Artiszenarts, in New Jersey. Both galleries carry my "Strictly Pop" paintings.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Painting...not the kind I had in mind.


I've gotten absolutely nothing done in the studio this week.

The past two days (and nights) have been spent giving Artworks@7th, the North Beach coop I belong to, a much-needed "facelift".
I joined in September because I fell in love with the location and the immense potential of the gallery. The space, however looked a bit drab and tired and lacked style. Being steps from the beach and boardwalk, I suggested we are better off capitalizing on the "charm" of the gallery, rather than fighting the architecture (a beach house) in an attempt to make it a white-walled museum-like space.
I proposed a "Beach Gallery" style and got the green light on the project.
Here are some of the results so far:









Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Throwing Out Old Brushes


Why is it so difficult to throw out old brushes???
Is it just me?

Even as they begin to fail me, I feel an overwhelming sense of guilt at the thought of tossing them.
I keep thinking well maybe I can use them in a different kind of paint application.

Am I emotionally attached or just cheap?

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

A New Day

Today feels more like New Year's than New Year's Day did!


Alive!

Happy Inauguration Day.

Friday, January 16, 2009

Fierce Fridays!

Madonna and child!
Selene Luna is so awesome.



Thanks Purple Trekkie! ;-)

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

WHY???



Oh Religion...how fun!
Was there a Passion of the Christ coloring book I didn't know about???

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Monday, January 12, 2009

Sabor Latino

Last night I made Arroz con Pollo. It's really very easy for anyone to achieve authentic Latin taste with this dish. I make it exactly as my mother taught me.

ARROZ CON POLLO

I recommend cooking this in a Caldero. It makes a difference.
If you don't have a Latin grocer near you, you can get them online or...I actually got mine from Kmart (Martha Stewart makes 'em...go figure )

Ingredients:

A:
-6 boneless/skinless chicken thighs cut into bite size pieces (you may also use drumsticks/boneless breast/wings cooking)
-Cumin
-Adobo

B:
-1 can beer of choice
-1 cup water
-1/4 cup Goya Recaito
-Dried Oregano (4 shakes)
-1 packet Goya Sason (with culantro and achiote)
-1 packet Goya chicken bullion (or a cube)
-1/4 cup tomato sauce
-6 (or more) olives

C:
-2 ½ cups long grain rice

D:
-1/2 cup frozen green peas

1) Season chicken well in Adobo (to taste) and Cumin (3-4 shakes, don’t go crazy).
2) Brown chicken over med-high heat in Caldero and add ingredients in B.
3) Cook covered on medium heat for 5-7 minutes.
4) Add rice (C) and stir.
5) Cook over medium heat un-covered until bubbling or rice is visible (about another 5-7 minutes). Careful not to let it dry out. Stir.
6) Cook 20 minutes, once again covered, until water is absorbed and rice is cooked. Add peas (D) over rice during the last 5 minutes. Fluff (mixing peas into the rice) before serving.

Serves about 3-4 normal humans or 2 hungry men (with a bit leftover for lunch).

Friday, January 9, 2009

Fierce Fridays!

Ru Paul's new single, "Cover Girl" has been released.
Funky Fierceness!



A new album is scheduled to drop along with the new show.
I CAN'T WAIT!!!

Thursday, January 8, 2009

A Sign From the Comic Book Gods?


Nancy Goes to Fashion Week
Acrylic on canvas/18x24"


In August I wrote a post titled Changing Styles, stating that there might not be any new additions to my comic-book inspired series.
A few folk tried to discourage me from completely abandoning this style of painting; however, I've not made any additions to date.

Since ringing in the new year, I've received 2 queries for paintings in this series and learned yesterday that Artiszenarts gallery, in Lambertville NJ sold another.

Is this a sign???

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

A Must-Have for Every Artist



Since 1975, Artist's & Graphic Designer's Market has been the most complete resource for fine artists, illustrators, designers and cartoonists who want to show and sell their work. This essential guide gives creatives completely updated contact and submission information for more than 1,500 art markets such as greeting card companies, magazine and book publishers, galleries, art fairs, ad agencies and more. Informative interviews with successful artists and art buyers offer advice on how to make contacts and succeed in the competitive art industry. Readers will also discover valuable resources for obtaining grants, marketing and promoting their work, and networking with fellow artists.

If you don't already have one, grab yourself a copy!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Feliz Dia de los Reyes!

As a child, in Puerto Rico, I had the best of both worlds when it came to holiday traditions (and gift-getting!). Being the son of an "Americana" I got to celebrate Christmas and get goodies from Santa. Then, on January 6, I'd get more gifts for Dia de los Reyes Magos (Three Kings' Day). Usually 3 more gifts, to be exact (one for each King).


Illustration by Aruye

I remember going out and clipping grass from the yard to put into an empty shoe box, which I would carefully then slide under my bed. The grass was for the Kings' camels. During the night the Kings would come, the camels would "eat" the grass and leave toys in the box under your bed. An oddball combination of Cookies for Santa and the Tooth Fairy if you will. LOL!

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Friday, January 2, 2009

Dear Prince: (part 3)

from Pop and Hiss: The L.A. Times Music Blog
by Ann Powers

He did not vote for Proposition 8.
In fact, he didn't vote at all. "I didn't vote for Obama either," he explained. "Jehovah's Witnesses haven't voted for their whole inception." The controversy over a recent New Yorker "Talk of the Town" item, which Prince feels implied he supported the gay-marriage ban, has upset him. It's the first thing he wanted to discuss when the Web geeks had gone and we were alone. "I have friends that are gay and we study the Bible together," he said. He added that two sides fighting "only benefit the third person" who instigated the fight.

Dear Prince:

I'm glad you've finally said something.

I'm ok with you not being an advocate of Gay marriage (you don't have to be, to each their own). What I'm NOT ok with is you speaking out against it in a hypocritical and irresponsible manner... the way the whole New Yorker thing (allegedly) went down. I personally think that you could have (and should have) clarified something like this right away, but that's me.

For once in your life I wish you'd speak clearly, in normal sentences that need not be deciphered.
However, I do realize that we may never see that day.

You have always communicated with the press (and us fans) in a ridiculously cryptic manner (which was only cute for about 2 minutes during your Purple Rain days). In this instance I suspect, you might just want to keep your fans without the church turning its back on you.
That is something I can't be mad at you for. There are plenty of stars who identify with a church (few of which are accepting of gays) but manage to remain friends of the gay community (or at least remain impartial) on a personal level.


But again, I'm glad you spoke...and not some "rep". It's really all I wanted all along.

Prince, you're no longer in hot water, but until further notice...
consider yourself on Gay Probation.

*Dear Prince
*Dear Prince: (part 2)