pearsonart: wordy things

It all starts with drawing.

2011-09-27T10:25:00.000-07:00

A friend asked me recently why I hadn't done any nudes in so long. Long story short...I'm drawing nudes again.

How's that for a blog?

I've also been busy painting in mixed media, doing some software interface design and playing / teaching music.Check out my Facebook page for posts and pics.

Take care,
JP

Saturday Art Crawl - The Rymer Gallery Nashville TN

2011-05-06T13:47:00.000-07:00

Donna, the girls and I will be celebrating life and opportunity together at my new Rymer Art Gallery Show this weekend. It's the First Saturday Nashville Art Crawl! My work will be in the upper level. Come say hi and ask what we've been up to. I promise the answers are more interesting than this blog.

James

List

2010-11-10T16:51:00.001-08:00

Two in one night. Yup. It's a list.

ultraman

pumpkin soup

pico de gallo

curly light fixtures

ghost world

sherlock holmes

popular sandwiches of the 1800's

fmr audio

dominant 7th chords in modern music

someday

Paul Westerberg's

the lyrics to "Just a Boy Named Charlie Brown"

Where is Terry Adams today?

Of course the moon is hollow. All the lava evaporated into space.

I hate the sound of my kid's coughing with a respiratory infection.

I love the sound of my kid's laughter.

basketball doesn't really matter all that much, really, I think, possibly?

wish I'd learned to properly play the piano 20 years ago

will visit New York City again

love Donna's hands

all together....chocolate

Ultrasilversurfersuperman

2010-11-10T16:07:00.000-08:00

Isabella just came in. Crunch, crunch, squeak, bang, out-of-breath and late for dinner.

I understand.

Busy year but you wouldn't have known from the blog. Let's see, I spent the first few months navigating a commissioned sale to Pinnacle through Herb at the Rymer. That had us all very optimistic at the year ahead. Then the economy seemed to stall out again.

Lot's of people I know are struggling. The fear is palpable. Somewhere along the way, we allowed others to define the limits of our happiness. Shame on us.

By the summer, I was refocused and moving ahead with projects.

Most of the time since then has been devoted to recording a second full length CD with Billy Swayze. I'm very excited with the progress we've made since the first record. With luck, we'll be sending it off for mastering the first of November.

After a couple months of working at Apple ( a longer story ), I returned with purpose to painting. A new group of works were delivered to the Rymer in late October with some interest already.

I don't have any answers for where we all go from here. I know I need to see my family healthy and happy. If I can do that painting and playing music, all the better. If not, we'll do what we must. I'm proud of the work I do. It's a life worth living.

James

www.pearsonart.com

2010-02-06T20:23:00.000-08:00

Donna has very kindly reminded me that I have a blog. Oops.

Happy Now Year!

Art news? Yes. I'm actually busy creating a 22 canvas installation for the Rymer to open late this month. I've had a string of sales and feel generally optimistic for 2010.

As usual, I'm also busy with other things: Teaching privately, learning more jazz guitar, rehearsing a band for the fall and writing software for the iphone.

Thanks for dropping by. I'll try to pop in more often. :)

James

2009-09-25T19:55:00.000-07:00

"Hey James....I really like your art. The abstract nature of your art makes it difficult for me to see and understand...just like all those chord changes. So maybe you need a blog to give people and introduction to those little squares and rectangles."

Dan

"Thanks Dan. The blocks and shapes aren't all that difficult to understand. Each block is like a note, chord, word, paragraph, minute, hour, life. Put another way, my mom and grandma make quilts and these are my way of continuing that patchwork."

James

New York Art and Jazz

2009-08-08T08:46:00.000-07:00

There she is over my shoulder, The Chrysler Building. The most beautiful building ever made, New York's finest architectural landmark and a shining example of our country's golden age where design met function and won. It only took me 40 years to stand on the Empire State Building's observation floor and take that photo.

I had an amazing trip to New York City a couple of weeks ago. Chris Minnis and I went up. All he asked was to go to Jazz Clubs at night and I was more than pleased to agree. That left my days free to do whatever I liked.

First day was the Empire State building and lot's of walking around Midtown visiting shops and local eateries. That night we went to the Village Vanguard to see the Fred Hersch Trio. NPR recorded it so you can listen for yourself:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106776373&refresh=true

The second day was filled with Art. We stayed in Chelsea so it was convenient to visit galleries. Many were closed in the morning. What I saw through the day largely met expectations: creative, cerebral with splashes of energy but no great surprises. My work holds up very well thank you. :) The best part of the morning was meeting two locals, Jack and Danny. They're in the quarry business and were both born and raised New Yorkers who very generously spent more than an hour talking to me about the city, growing up there and how things had changed - for the better. Danny's wife served me a great cup of coffee. It was his 45th birthday. On their insistence, I did the touristy stuff on Broadway, visiting the Ed Sullivan Theater, Central Park and 30 Rock. I capped my daytrip with a very satisfying visit to MoMA, noone to rush me. Feeling guilty afterward, I spent way too much time shopping for my family in the shop!

That night we rode the subway to Little Italy for dinner and accidentally went to Brooklyn. All ended well and we made it back for dinner at Angelo's. We got two shows in that night. The first was beyond belief, in part because I didn't know what to expect from Terence Blanchard's Quintet. Shame on me. NPR comes through again with a downloadable mp3 of his Feb show at the Vanguard.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100771911

We finished the night catching the legendary Pat Martino at the Iridium on Broadway playing with Tony Monaco. His story speaks volumes about the human mind and spirit. Check his National Jazz Museum of Harlem interviews out on Youtube.

All in all, a very inspiring two days. I videotaped constantly, people on-the-street, accidental angles, construction, traffic, things I never saw before in films.... and have been reviewing those tapes for painting ideas. So much more to see and do but it will have to wait till next time. My wife and girls will join me next summer when we visit again. Anyone want to give us their Letterman tickets?

James

Summer Speaking Engagements

2009-06-25T09:14:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone's having a great summer. The Art market is obviously slow at the moment but I've participated in a few shows and am otherwise staying busy with teaching and playing in a small Jazz combo I put together. Life is beautiful.

The Bowling Green Public Library is presenting a series of workshops and public presentations as part of a summer cultural program. They've asked me to speak twice. I tried to pick two subjects that are close to my heart AND timely.

June 25 6pm Main Branch
The Art world shift post World War II.

July 14 6pm Kirby Branch
WPA art and influence

Both are free and available to the public. Seating may be limited so come early. :)

Like Someone In Love

2009-05-30T10:04:00.000-07:00

...as in the opening song on my favorite John Coltrane album, "Lush Life". The first three tracks are just sax, upright and drums. It's an amazing recording - exposed and harmonically rich. This is a close to being in the room with John as you're going to get.

I often listen to Jazz while I paint, favorites being Monk and Bill Evans. Some have commented on the correlation which seems very obvious to me. Rhythm, melody, counterpoint and abstraction are fundamental concepts I continue to enjoy exploring as a musician and painter.

If you're in Nashville, come by the Rymer to see "Like Someone In Love" for yourself. If you're up for a drive to Franklin, KY, I'll be playing a mix of Jazz, Blues, Folk and Ambient Americana at the Brickyard every Saturday night this summer.

Show Reception Tonight at Rymer

2009-03-07T09:45:00.000-08:00

I took some new paintings to the Rymer Gallery Friday afternoon and will be attending tonight's reception around 7pm. I'm not technically part of the current show but Herb has always been very supportive and generous.

In particular, look for "Treetops at Midday", which hasn't been shown in Nashville, "You and the Land Are One" which was featured in the Nashville City Paper guide for Nashville Cares and a new series of small canvases called "Rafts".

Hope to see you there.

Watership Galactica

2009-02-24T08:25:00.001-08:00

I write to a few friends about geeky stuff. These final episodes of Battlestar Galactica have us going back and forth each week. The following letter summed my point of view up best:

---

I know I harp on it but you really should read Watership Down. It's been a favorite of mine since I was a kid but I reread it again about every other year.

While essentially another version of the same classic mythos as every other apocalyptic story, it stands apart in it's depiction of how social and political structures are formed in times of crisis.

The parallels to BSG are worth the read alone.

Spiritual / Paranormal cognizance and underpinning
Social decay and overpopulation are ignored
Religious teachings have lost relevance
Foreshadowing for select seers
Apocalyptic event
Small haphazard band escape
Political and social order is tested
Visionary leader recognizes value of individuals
Rules of society are adapted to new circumstances
Secondary leader with military experience supports new mobile government
Low resources and morale lead to compromised decisions
Leadership is challenged and undermined
Temporary refuge proves deadly
Escape strengthens cohesion among group
Former enemies are recruited and given safe haven
Paranormal visions of ultimate home give hope
An established paramilitary society threatens the group
Characters grow exponentially to meet new challenges
Final home is found but reproduction is impossible
A forward thinking leader strikes unusual alliances with enemies
Gambit is successful but brings wraith of enemy military commander
Final confrontation brings together various allied factions
Strategy, risk and sacrifice - major characters die
Dues Ex Machina - supernatural intervention
A new home is established
Formal religion is replaced with new direct relationship to God
Political society is reset as a theocracy
Formal relations are established between former enemies
Interbreeding leads to peaceful reconciliation between cultures
New generations enjoy prosperity and plenty under wise leadership
Original group are adopted into mythology
History is forgotten
Easy life leads to general mailase
The cycle repeats infinitely

They're rabbits, not cylons.

Yeah, I'm a fan! This book was my introduction to the myth. It's not a children's book. We all tend to love best the version we heard first.

James

Louisville Reception Feb 6th

2009-01-30T07:39:00.000-08:00

I'll be at Swanson Reed Contemporary gallery next friday, Feb 6th for the reception so please come by, have a glass of wine, see the show and say hi. We had a surprisingly good turnout for the opening despite the weather. Here's hoping the snow and ice let up!

I'm also finishing up one private commission and contributing another to a new show in Bowling Green. The Rymer has a new small works show with a couple of my pieces in it and I hope to add a few more.

I'm looking forward to getting more paperworks on etsy in the coming weeks so look out for those as well. We'll send a newsletter when they're available. If you aren't on the list, send an email to james@pearsonart.com with "join newsletter" in the title.

Take care,
James

Swanson Reed

2009-01-09T16:44:00.000-08:00

Short one, more later....

The fall show in Nashville went great. Lot's of great press thanks to the Nashville City Paper. They really showed off my work in an article on the Nashville Artrageous benefit show. Thanks Herb, Jeff and Tonia!

New show at Swanson Reed Contemporary in downtown Louisville went up last week and opened Friday night, Jan 2! Thanks to the gallery walk, we had a great turnout despite the short notice and lack of promotion. The actual reception is Feb 6 so join us if you can.

A few words about Chuck Swanson...
He's a fixture on the Louisville Art Scene and now I understand why. Charming, professional, direct and consistently quirky are just some of the adjectives that come to mind. This show wasn't planned but he and I both put in long hours on New Year's eve and day to make it happen. Why am I surprised it looks fantastic? Thanks Chuck!

Finally, I'm working on a commission for a lovely couple from Manhattan so I need to get back to work!

Happy New Year!
James

Rymer Show Artrageous Saturday Nov 1st

2008-10-27T18:23:00.000-07:00

I've been busy as usual. It's funny how, in spite of the economic uncertainty or perhaps because of it, sales have been good. Herb reports that the Rymer is enjoying one of it's best months this year! I read last week that people looking for safe havens to invest are flocking to art and antiquities. I'm not at all surprised. After all, it's a proven strategy that goes back a few thousand years.

Along those lines, you should know that I've finished 11 new paintings for a featured 3 man show opening at the Rymer this Saturday, November 1st titled "Color". This is the first show I've done where my work will be side by side with Herb's own crayon sculptures and it should look fantastic.

The Saturday opening coincides with Nashville's gallery crawl and the following weekend is the much anticipated Artrageous event with coordinated events and transportation to galleries across the city. I plan to be there both Saturdays so come by to say hi!

Twelve Painting Show at Rymer

2008-09-26T14:46:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, things just work out. Take my current show at the Rymer for example. It wasn't scheduled but I had just finished some new paintings and Herb needed work so there. In reality, I know he's got a list of people waiting to show and made space to feature my work. That's humbling and speaks volumes about Herb's character and work ethic.

In fact, there's an opening reception this Saturday night 9/27 from 6 - 9pm for Kevin T. Kelly's new show called "Risky Business". I'll be there for part of the evening so if you're in town, come by and say hi.

New Commission Work

2008-06-24T07:39:00.000-07:00

Aside from the change in gallery representation, I've been very busy working this summer thanks to yet another new partnership.

Lynette Haggbloom came into our lives when she and Donna began working together through B.G. Ky's Artworks group. We met at lunch one day and began casually discussing the imminent Nashville gallery change. Next thing I knew, she called up with enough commissioned work to keep me busy for months!

She's off this week to the pacific northwest, also my wife's home territory, hunting for new galleries to represent me on a regular basis. We've also begun working on getting my foot in the door in New York. Thing is, I think she has the stuff to get it done.

Exit Tag Enter Rymer

2008-06-24T07:23:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm elated and a little sad. I'll do the sad first.

After nearly 8 years together, Jerry Dale's Tag will be closing it's brick and mortar gallery at the end of the Summer. My understanding is that he will continue the website for the time being. We had a good run and I only wish JD the best.

The very good news is that I immediately found myself welcome at a new home across the street at Herb Williams and Jeff Rymer's premiere new 5th street gallery.

www.TheRymerGallery.com

The Rymer Gallery opened with much fanfare 3 weeks ago and included 6 of my paintings in the first show. A tryptich of 3 sold this week so I'd say we're off to a very good start. In fact, Herb and I met years ago while Tag was subletting some space at The Arts Company on 5th. He managed that location and was directly involved in showcasing and selling my work on a monthly basis. Herb shows the same passion and enthusiasm now as a gallery owner despite juggling his family and a hopping career making sculptures entirely from crayola crayons. I like the guy.

39

2008-04-16T09:49:00.000-07:00

One year closer to 40 and I feel pretty good about it.

I'm producing 2 new CD's over the next few months. The first is a 5 song for Billy Swayze and the second is a 10 song for Black Market Peep Show. Both should be done by mid summer.

As of yesterday, I'm blessed to have enough commissioned art work to keep me busy through the summer.

If that wasn't enough, I'm in the early stages of working with Herb Williams new Rymer Gallery in Nashville. I'm meeting him and his partner next week. Herb is a great guy, open, talented and very business savvy. Check out the gallery:

http://therymergallery.com/

It feels like the right choice and I think we can be very successful together.

Enjoy the spring!
James

A painting for Avenue Bank

2008-01-31T13:04:00.000-08:00

I've not written much about the commission for Avenue Bank until now. I was simply too busy getting it done to write about it at the time! A little reflection goes a long way.

The end of 2007 was a very productive time for me. Avenue Bank eventually purchased another 7 paintings on top of the lobby commission. Immediately preceding that, I did a private unrelated commission. When it was finished, I jumped into work on a 10 painting show that opened in October.

In a sense, I'm still recovering from that flurry of activity.

The Nashville Arts magazine referenced my work on the Avenue Bank commission a total of 3 times in 2007. This culminated in an article about the relationship between the arts and economic growth in Nashville. They chose a striking (if uncredited to me) photo of my new painting for Avenue Bank to lead the article. You can see the photo on my webpage beginning today:

www.pearsonart.com

Oddly enough, we never formally announced the title so I'm doing so now.

"We Climb As One"

Thanks to everyone, particularly Ron and Van. It was a wonderful experience.
James

Affiliation and commitment

2008-01-31T12:41:00.000-08:00

Hi again,

I have some news about places in the region to see my work in person. The first is a new group and show. The second is an update worth noting.

I was recently invited to join a new arts group based in Bowling Green and covering southern Kentucky. Here's part of the press release.

Artworks, a visual art coalition founded in 2007, is about to break into the art scene with a members only show February 11 - 29th to be held at The Gallery at 916, on the Square in downtown Bowling Green. Artworks is a non-profit organization of visual artists, patrons and supporters who are dedicated to creating a sustainable art community by increasing visibility, vitality, and economic growth for the visual arts. Artworks is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes.

...on a related note:

Some of you may be aware that TAG art gallery is experiencing some major changes after a personal falling out between Jerry Dale McFadden and his business partner, Susan.

I'm glad to announce that TAG has found a new, if temporary, home at the Arcade space across the street from the old location on 5th street in downtown Nashville. Specifically, Jerry Dale has taken a 6 month lease over from the former tenant, Dangenart. The search continues for a more permanent home but we are hopeful that a good solution will present itself.

Unfortunately, there may continue to be some confusion about the ground level 5th street gallery that now operates under Susan's name. Any correspondence with TAG can still be done via the website:
www.tagartgallery.com

That's it for now. I also have some new work available at Swanson Reed Gallery in Louisville, KY.

My best to all. Stay warm.
James

How to disapear in plain sight - a tutorial.

2007-11-15T20:19:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm obviously not a prolific writer.

If you're still visiting this, welcome back. In my defense, I HAVE been working.

The late summer and fall saw the completion of a high profile commission for Avenue Bank. The bank had an impressive grand opening (the mayor attended :) that coincided very nicely with our 15th wedding anniversary. I understand that the current Nashville Arts magazine also has an article about corporate art projects that features an opening shot of my work for Avenue Bank. I have to say that everyone there was wonderful but I'm particularly grateful for the support of Van and Ron. I wish them nothing but the best success.

I also had a very pleasant show at the Capitol Arts Alliance in Bowling Green, Ky. If you missed it, you might still find a few paintings available through our website and / or ebay store.

Of note, Jerry Dale McFadden is moving his art retail space yet again and it may or may not be called TAG anymore. For my money, I think he should change the name and I've made some suggestions :) He IS the gallery and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I'm going to close there....not for lack of things to say.

It's a blessing to be doing this.

James

Painting instructions.

2007-08-02T20:54:00.000-07:00

Paint without fear.

Paint without expectation.

Paint without remorse.

Paint without resolution.

Letter to Andee

2007-07-06T08:57:00.000-07:00

Andee,

Well, I'm doing the bank commission now and another private commission after but that's mostly summer. Depending on construction, the bank may open in the late summer or fall. I also am trying to do some small work for a gallery in Lincoln, Nebraska that first approached me a year ago.

I do have a fall show at the Capitol in BG. My intention is that it will be a figurative show in the style of my strong woman series but with far more compositional variety. Think Bay Area and you're close to where I'm starting from. Where I go from there will be a surprise to myself. I'm also looking at two of my earliest influences quite a bit: Matisse and Degas - particularly the late period bathers which have been an inspiration to me for at least 20 years. Hopefully, all of this gets filtered through my eyes and hands and comes out looking like my work and not theirs!

Meanwhile, Mercury is drawing a lot of Manga and Isabella is talking about doing some completely abstract work on canvas. In D.C., she spent quite a bit of time with works by Helen Frankenthaler AND Joan Mitchell. Who knows what will come of that? She apologized to me for not liking Pollock's drip paintings but his earlier work instead. How sweet is that?

Take care,
James

Treetops at Midday

2007-04-24T07:45:00.000-07:00

The pace has picked up in the last few weeks with new work on all fronts.

Art

The Nashville Airport show was featured on WNPT's art break. Southern Living also did a photo shoot of Art at the Airport that may have included my work. I haven't seen it yet.

Jerry Dale will show some of the Airport paintings at Tag when they come down this summer.

I just sold two paintings to a prominent family in New York. :)

I'm beginning a series of new paintings for a bank opening in Nashville.

Music

I finished Black Market Peep Show's 4 Song CD. Tight schedule and small budget but we're all happy with the results.

I'm producing a 10 song CD for Michael Hunter.

I've joined Billy Swayze and Black Market Peep Show for rehearsals and a few performances over the next few months. We have a tentative booking for an afternoon slot on the mainstage of Bonnaroo in June. To prepare, we're playing a few gigs between now and then. The first confirmed date is May 11 at Exit In in Nashville.

Spring on Finn Street

2007-03-21T12:54:00.000-07:00

Just got back from eating Tamales with Donna.

As soon as I finished the Airport paintings, I got into the thick of a recording and producing a joint project with Billy Swayze called the Sugarpills. We finished tracking and mixing the first week of March. Donnie Bott mastered the project in Louisville. Donna is doing the website which should be up in a week or two. I'll post more here when the site is up with mp3's and possibly video.

Speaking of video...Bobby Smith is editing what might be the first of several interviews with me for youtube regarding the airport commission and my general thoughts on painting and being creative outside the mainstream.

I've been doing some figurative drawings in ink and wash. That lead to a new canvas painting which listed and sold a few weeks ago. I'm only now just able to get back to canvas painting following the Sugarpills. So far, it looks like I still have some figurative work to do.

I begin recording a shorter project with Black Market Peep Show this weekend. They remind me a little of Honey For Petzi, French Kicks, What Is This and The Whitest Boy Alive. Should be fun. More later....

Spring forward.

Airport Show Open

2007-03-21T12:40:00.000-07:00

Well, the Airport Show opened but I wasn't able to see it for myself until last week! It's hanging in the connector space which is beyond the security checkpoint. If you're travelling through Nashville, check it out.

WNPT and Southern living are also covering Arts At The Airport while my show is up so keep an eye out for them.

Thank you Andee. It was a pleasure working with you.

See more at my site: www.pearsonart.com

Airport Journal No. 4

2007-03-21T12:17:00.000-07:00

....a belated entry from my last notes to myself....

to do:

vacuum studio

paint red

paint fields (for figures)
shades of white, pastels and neutrals

retain field borders to reveal underlying color and structure

work sequentially - area to area, color to color

letter form - left to right, row by row

do not stop to evaluate until both canvases are covered

evaluate

refine with tertiaries

evaluate

emphasize departure and arrival diagonal theme

evaluate

improvise line figures?

Airport Journal No. 3

2006-12-22T11:35:00.000-08:00

Dec. 22, 2006

I'm in the thick of it now.

There's something very meditative about repeating a set of actions. I'm aware of myself and what I'm doing for a while and then, somehow, I'm not. I love this feeling.

What I've tried to do with this work is return to a superstructure and allow myself to improvise within each section of that. It's not a new idea but I will make it my own. Each block is an individual. Remember that and I should be alright.

James

Airport Journal No. 2

2006-12-22T11:33:00.000-08:00

Dec 4 2006

I talked with Andee today. The space is enormous. Two 20 foot walls are separated by a walkway 125 feet wide. She will send jpegs this week or next. Call to follow up.

Big update:

The two paintings will now hang on the opposing walls, separated by the walkway. Each will be connected by continuous line images spanning the entire width of the space.

Andee recommended talking with Brian Bostic in BG. He suggested using solid core electrical wire for the images. It can be purchased in bulk.

Follow up: Brian is a great guy. He suggested solid core electrical wire.

James

Airport Journal No. 1

2006-12-22T11:25:00.000-08:00

Monday November 27th, 2006

After more than a month of preparation, I'm ready to actually begin painting. The construction, took longer due to the cold weather but the real delay has been in finalizing the composition.

As in the accepted proposal, two 4 x 5' paintings are hanging side by side in landscape orientation. Each is filled with vertical bands of color, representing people passing through the airport. The left painting is titled "Departures" and the right, "Arrivals".

The real joy has been incorporating golden proportions of 1 : 1.618 throughout the composition. Most obviously, the canvas area is segmented into 576 golden rectangles 2.5" wide by 4" tall. Each rectangle will in turn, house a representation of one person either painted in silhouette, carved in line relief or abstracted into an organic shape. Various golden rectangles may also be grouped into families of larger golden rectangles, most commonly 4 (2x2) at 5 x 8" or 9 (3x3) at 7.5 x 12". [Not incidentally, the two canvases would make one giant golden rectangle if placed one on top of the other at 5 x 8'.] Superimposed over the entire 10 foot span will be an arch of white rectangles ascending the first canvas and descending the second, giving the work it's title, distance-value and multiple meanings.

The composition's underlying foundation is a reminder that airports are filled with real people with real stories. Structure and organization insure safe, dependable travel but human beings give an airport it's vitality and worth. The golden proportions, arch (also pyramid and sine wave) reference divine intervention, the sun's journey across the sky in a solar year and spiritual themes of resonance and rebirth.

The space between the hanging finished work will be critical as it represents the time people are suspended in the air during travel (between terminals). My thinking is this should be close to 2 1/2, 5 or 10 inches to preserve the golden proportions as closely as possible.

On a personal note, I've experienced more random acts of kindness in airports than anywhere else. Is it the expectation of adventure, the mutual bond of fear in uncertainty or the exclusivity of traveling by air and seeing the world from a fresh perspective? I don't know but I'm happy to be part of it.

Now, I put the brush to canvas. The rest is color and texture. I have one month to finish.

James

One Nil

2006-11-22T12:05:00.000-08:00

A friend emailed last week asking for new music. Well, the following isn't necessarily new but it is a good list of must-have music.

Neil Finn One Nil (One All in U.S.)
my favorite solo cd

Sondre Lerche Faces Down
Lennonesque

Ambulance LTD LP
NYC, think the la's meet my bloody valentine

Broken Social Scene You Forgot It In People
Montreal scene, large ensemble

Kings of Convenience Quiet Is The New Loud
Norway's simon & garfunkel meet antonio carlos jobim

American Music Club Mercury
classic americana, eitzel is a sad genius who predates elliott smith, froom & blake produce

Mark Eitzel 60 watt silver lining
jazzy, mark isham guests

Elliott Smith Figure 8
electric elliott is a very good thing

Thom Yorke The Eraser
nigel godrich with johnny as well

Ron Sexsmith Other Songs
soft spoken, brian wilson pop, froom & blake

The Doves Lost Souls
beautiful, dreamy, mbv

Rufus Wainwright Poses
jon brion produced

Aimee Mann Lost In Space
jon brion produced

Jon Brion Meaningless
jon brion!

Brendan Benson Lapalco
jason falkner produced

Andrew Bird The Swimming Hour
brilliant, 60's vibe

David Poe The Late Album
brad jones produced

Komeda What Makes It Go
very much like stereolab but a family favorite

Bloc Party Silent Alarm
drums and wires period XTC

Built To Spill Keep It Like A Secret
doug writes shorter pop tunes

The Decemberists Castaways And Cutouts
portland via montana, irish songs about the sea, think pogues

The Postal Service The Postal Service
ben gibbard (deathcab for cutie) electronica project

I Am Robot And Proud
happy bedroom electronica inspired by spanish Dot Tape Dot but easier to find!

Enjoy.
James

My vote.

2006-10-30T12:33:00.000-08:00

"The Birches" 48 x 60" acrylic on canvas 2006

Dennis Hopper once once said in an interview on collecting painitngs "I don't care what the artist's intentions were. If I see something I like, I buy it." This from a man who has an extensive collection of contemporary work from artists known and unknown.

I love the honesty in his statement. It's absolutely true. People either feel something or they don't and no amount of convincing is really going to make a difference. So why do I worry about trying to explain myself here and elsewhere?

At the opening of my October show at Tag, I was asked several of those questions that artists hear frequently. One in particular keeps replaying in my mind, the dreaded "what is your favorite?". In this case, the couple was genuine and warm. I liked them. Only, how am I supposed to answer a question like that?

I spent nearly 4 months continuously working to create that show of 20 paintings. Everything was there for a reason. Nothing wasted. How am I supposed to pick one above the others? Any answer I give is going to be subjective. Any answer I give is a condemnation of the other 19 paintings. So what did I say?

I told the truth. "I can't say which is my favorite. It changes on different days. Somedays it's "The Birches" or "Hillside" or.....you get the idea. It's not as if I'm going to lie. I ended with a question of my own "does that help?"

It's funny that some people want and need an additional vote of assurance from me personally to buy one of my paintings. Even if I had a definitive answer, why would I want to rob them of the chance to make their own unique decision? How much should one say about what they do? I'm not, after all, a writer.

I've always loved to watch people work, using their hands, making things. I think we all want to see the process revealed. It's why reality television and blogs are so popular. I like to talk about what I'm doing and why. I don't mind trying to deconstruct the process. I'm passionate about what I do! .....but though it pains me to say so, it's not a sound basis for buying a specific work of art.

A painting should move you. If you feel that, don't ignore it. It's real enough without me or anyone else substantiating it. It's no more complicated than buying what you like.

James

2006-10-18T11:12:00.000-07:00

JAMES' BLOG
Oct 18 2006

Episode 1
MY VERTICAL SELF

"What are you prepared to do?"
That line from "The Untouchables" is on my mind this week. I suppose the sudden cold turn here has me in a reflective mood. I think back on the last year and all the not-so-little successes that added up to one of my most creative (and most publicly promoted) years as an artist. It's also been a year that has tested me financially and spiritually.

Let's see, I had some great press - the national Blick Studio cover, a full page ad in The Artists Magazine sponsored by Blick, a wonderful critical review by a national journalist who has been published in Art in America and a couple of interviews. Creatively, I've had two major shows - a beautiful spring show in Boise and the current new show at Tag, many new works, new commissions. Finish that off with a lot of teaching, new friends and several new galleries representing my work. All great stuff! If there's been a downside, it's been struggling to find a balance between being percieved as an ebay artist and respected as a gallery artist. Sometimes I feel like I'm juggling quite well, only to find out later that I've been neglecting one for the other.

When Donna and I decided to sell and promote my artwork online in 1999, Ebay was relatively new. We began with a few auction listings and no website. Soon, we discovered a very supportive online community of artists trying to sell work through Ebay. We joined a group of them called EBSQ when there was something like 50 members. There are too many groups to count now and EBSQ is huge.

Artists selling their work online isn't a novelty seven years later. It's an established fact that artists can and should maintain an online presence to better reach other artists and collectors. It's been an evolutionary step for those of us outside the metropolitan centers. I'm not sure I would have been able to get started without the internet and ebay. I'm grateful, honored, flattered and still, I know I have to keep reaching for the next level.

See, our goal was never to short-circuit the brick & mortar gallery system with direct sales. True, many internet artists are completely fed up with the gallery system but I believe it's possible and even necessary to find a path that incorporates both. My partners in this have been my wife, Donna and Jerry Dale McFadden at Tag Art Gallery.

Jerry Dale and I began working very closely together about 5 years ago. We've grown successful with each other and it's been wonderful. In the last couple of years, I've prioritized JD by giving him first shot at all my new canvas paintings. It's worked very well in most ways.

1 Jerry Dale McFadden is ethical. I trust him.
2 I've found a community in Nashville that loves and supports what I do.
3 My canvas paintings are selling closer to the average price of other emerging national artists.
4 I can visit frequently and get inspired.
5 I get immediate feedback on new work.

So everything is moving along pretty darn well, right? Yes and no.

Tag has never looked better. Jerry Dale has the best and best looking gallery downtown. It's everything he deserves. The problem is that I still need to sell online for some of my income and, hopefully to gain more exposure ie: a wider (national) audience. The challenge is substantial as online auctions tend to drive original art prices down, putting the squeeze on galleries and....artists. How do I balance both?

I am an ethical person too and selling work through these very different and competitive systems can leave me feeling frustrated and a little confused. Auction pricing will never be equal to Gallery pricing. There will always be a stigma attached to ebay artists. There will always be a bottleneck in limiting yourself to galleries. Many of my good friends never go to galleries at all...and that's sad because....

Like it or not, galleries are not going to be replaced by the internet. There is nothing like the experience of going to a show, seeing the work in person, talking with the artists and enjoying a great evening with friends. Furthermore, some collectors will never purchase work they can't see in person. Why should they? Galleries facilitate a tangible, kinetic conduit that is central to visual art of all kinds. Finally, galleries also are still the only established way to create a sustainable career as an artist.

That final point is the one that sticks. I just want to keep painting! As I see it, that means continuing to search for the right balance between selling work directly and through honest, creative gallery owners like Jerry Dale McFadden.

James Pearson