The Artist behind the Mask

A new year deserves a new entry don't you think?

I'm hoping that 2009 will be a year of healing, and a year full of amazing artistic growth. I actually struggled way more than I expected to in 2008. I was forced to finally move right before Christmas, and now I live in the suburbs. I have two roommates, a cat, and two birds to deal with now. The cat is my new best friend, but I'm just not into the birds. Although one of the birds is into me, and has literally chased me around the apartment.

My art will play a major role in my life this year. With all that's going on with me, I don't have a choice when it comes to succeeding. I've been a little off since the move though, and I'm just trying to get back into work. Of course I'm still working with nude models every week. It's about the only consistent thing in my life right now. The last decent piece that I created was a tattoo design for someone. Well, I sort of just did what I wanted to do, and used a style that I usually don't use for such pieces. I ended up giving the design to a certain young lady though. She actually came up with the phrase on the design's banner. "Love Conquers All". The phrase was the one thing that the original recipient wanted me to come up with. This young lady wanted the phrase on her skin, and loved the image that I designed. So, I combined the two, and basically said she could use it instead. It's not like I was getting paid for this job. I liked the original idea, and I rather see the design on her lower back. Who cares about some guy's arm... lol.

( NSFW art and more artsy rambling... )

Ok... I know I usually just use this LJ to vent and bitch, but I seriously should try to change that. I actually have a social life (sometimes), and my life isn't  completely consumed by a big ball of negative energy. I'm really happy when I'm around art somehow. Even when the pain is too much, just being around creative energy cheers me up some.

So, I attended a local art show last month. I was planning to type an entry about it last month, but I'm glad I waited. I now have visuals:D I'm really glad that someone decided to record the event. Anyways, there seems to be an art movement developing in the area. Fueled by younger artists and art lovers. Thank God...thank Buddah...Jehovah... ok... I'm being silly. I just feel like I'm in an artistic wasteland at times in this area. September's show was an all female show. I've actually met the young couple who promoted the show. It seems like everyone in the art scene here is connected to each other in someway. The all female show ("Joan of Art") actually used a tattoo shop to display the art. Fuzion Ink. A shop that is a few doors down from my Drawing group space, and next to the gay bar....lol. You have to love this area in Norfolk (Ghent to be precise) if you're young, open-minded and creative. I've spent a lot of time in Ghent in the last 12 months.

Anyways, the show was a huge success. I felt out of place somewhat at times though. It wasn't the fact that I was just about the only colored individual there (Asians were the dominate minority present), but the fact that I didn't have one tattoo....lol. You had people outside showing off massive back pieces. I guess hosting a show at a tattoo parlor will attract such a crowd. Well, a lot of Ghent individuals seem to be tattooed at times. I have a thing for cute girls with tats:D I have to say that a lot of attractive young ladies were present that night in general. I really wanted to hit on one of the art girls, but it wasn't hard to lose someone in the crowd. It seems like a certain local paper reporter was present as well that night. I met her at my Drawing group a few weeks before the show. Instant crush right there...lol. I doubt that I would even have a chance with her. She's surrounded by so many creative individuals. She has actually been focusing on the art scene a lot lately, and everyone knows her at this point. She's too cute.

Now for the visuals. The first photo features one half of the promotion team MC7C. Kat. I'm loving this girl. She's very energetic, and a cutie. It seems like every time we've chatted, her breasts are always in my face....lol. I think a group of us are going to have her and her husband promote our show next year.

 





















She actually sold a lot of prints that night.







The food was really good. The spread was huge, and I over spiced my sushi. I actually ate there, and went out to a new spot with a friend after the show.



Finally,  we have the female DJ. DJ Spookster. Another cutie, but she was spinning with cds? I'm still traumatized by the club that was using Mp3s. You had to love the three second gaps in between songs...lol. Spookster was cool though. She fooled me. DJs with no records...hmmm.

There was more work up, but this entry is already image heavy. I think you can get the feel of the show from these images though. You can read more about the show, and learn about the MC7C promotion team at: http://www.myspace.com/monochromatic7cities

Edit: A friend just said that I focused on the girls more than the art itself. She's picking on me:P