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

"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

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

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

...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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

Paint without fear.

Paint without expectation.

Paint without remorse.

Paint without resolution.

Letter to Andee

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

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.