'Head Honey-Hive Mind' portrays a character, whose mind is made up of many catacombs filled with pockets of space and time,which is ever eroding. As he screams eternally, his sticky thoughts contemplate a future on none self, and manifest as psychoplasm. Commissioned to be a piece for next months themed exhibit at the Hive Gallery in LA, its a part of the Dark Lands realm of Hive series.
I wanted very much to work more intricately on this piece, but alas time caught up with me, my son is already in the air, and will be here within hours.
I am beside myself with excitement.
We have lots of excursions planned, and where I can, I'll make a little travelogue of his time here.
'Remember when we used to go to church on Sunday's,
I lay awake at night, terrified of school on Mondays.
Oh, but it's too late now
I wish I was a child again
I wish I felt secure again.'
David Bowie-Can't Help Thinking About Me
In between mowing and weeding, I grew something of my own.
It's really coming along, although there were moments yesterday when I wanted to abandon the piece, since the scale of producing something that small, belied the process, plus I'm still feeling beholden to the uniform message of my current series, and not wanting to jar the equanimity too much.
I'm very happy I persevered anyway, the piece is meant to be an avatar-a representative of my other self within the confines of another plane called Hive land. I'm really looking forward to having it completed this evening.
I was looking forward to a lie in, but the furry little dictator had plans to take over the world at seven this morning. Here's my moggie- Pepper,using me as her human matress, whilst I was trying to work the other night.
We are all minions, planted here for her ultimate comfort and convenience.
I'm combining my time between several projects at the moment, one particularly which is exciting as hell. I've been asked to contribute a new themed piece for a book compilation, which will also go on display at The Hive for their 4 year anniversary show. I'm tremendously happy with the first etchings, and chomping at the bit to let the paint fly.
'Retribution' is coming along nicely too, and again I'm fired up to see the piece in its finished glory. The all seeing eye follows me around my studio-its a little disconcerting.
One thing that I have been neglecting is my side project-my reinterpretation of Dickens Xmas Carol, and I'm wanting to revisit that soon. I read that Robert Zemeckis is reworking a Polar Express style version with Jim Carey, and so I'm feeling a little competition. My version of course is more akin to Franz Kafka, than Mickey Mouse.
Perhaps with all that in mind, its no bad thing that I have a furry little alarmclock.
The piece continues to evolve, taking on new facets of meaning with each stroke. It's something I'm struggling with, because I'm not wanting to compromise too much the equanimity of the minimalist approach. My temptation to layer on the baroque symbolism in the past is something I'm at pains to avoid. I see far more immediacy these days, in the most simple forms and iconography.
With the paint still thick and glistening on the canvas and the turpentine heady in the air, I began another piece which I'm calling 'Retribution'. In the most simplest terms, its a study of war in the name of religion.I'm using a childs eye for reference, as I think a smiting deity, always makes me think of a petulant brat throwing a tantrum.
I'll post more progressions soon.
After negotiating traffic in the wrong direction up a one way street in downtown LA, and a delicious bite to eat at the Hop Woo BBQ Rest (I'm serious-the shrimp was exquisite) we arrived at what was a considerably extensive collection at the Hive. And what remarkable company to be amongst, consisting of such an eclectic mix of the pop surreal vanguard.
I met a lot of new admirers,made lots of new friends, and was inspired by some fabulous art-a great night all told, well worth the two hour journey home in the early hours. My only regret is that I'd have liked to have taken more pics, such was the evening that we were so engrossed in chat, there never seemed the opportune moment to play the perennial tourist, but the smattering below gives you a snapshot.
My serious arty farty face, and then doing my best David Brent (Ricky Gervais) below:
Lots of people all night, and a wander through the catacombs-Oh that's why its called the Hive-I geddit.
A steal at eight bucks admission, there's a concession charge for anyone wearing black and yellow. Note the adorable little ankle biter dressed as a bumble bee below-the natural star of the show.
Some beautiful young ladies stare on admiringly-I knew there was a reason I loved being an artist.
One of the wonderful things about group shows, is the immediate camaraderie one feels, from meeting artists you admire. Such an artist is the exceptionally talented Christopher Ulrich, whose intricately detailed work I am told, was conducted in little than a month. Coming on like some kind of occult Magus with considerable flourish from some dark 16th century cavern in remote Tibet, his vision was profound in its multi layers, concept and foundation. I look forward very much to getting aquainted with him and his work more.
Another darling artist, I had the chance to become aqainted with, was one Amy Bernays -a superlative expressionist whose golden landscapes are spliced with urban sprawl.
Like myself, she's also a British ex pat, and it was lovely swapping home grown bonheme with her. Thank you Amy
Special thanks to curator-Nathan Cartwright, Sensei, Lance, Margot, Ty, all the other artists, and everyone who attended that night.
