Lucky Ladies Launch Party

Lucky Ladies Launch Party 

Saturday April 28, 2012

1-5pm 

http://www.shopluckyladies.com/
Hey, we're having a party!
RSVP and more info: http://www.facebook.com/events/382294165129307/
Postcard by Gwen Harlow Design
Photo by Sarabek Cross

Location-

Rhythmix Cultural Works 

2513 Blanding,

Alameda, CA 94501

www.rhythmix.org

• Schedule- 1:00pm - We are Open - Let's Party 1:30pm - Ahimsa Community Yoga Class 2:00pm - Welcome Announcement by Host Mel Waldorf 2:30pm - Mini Crochet Class by Enchanted Square (Ruth Tillman) 3:00pm - First Raffle 3:30pm - Ruby "Baby" Bennett Performs! 4:00pm - Lucky Ladies Fashion Show 4:30pm - Final Raffle - Don't Miss it - this is the biggie! 5:00pm - Farewell - thank you for joining us! ***Activities*** A Fashion show on the main stage featuring Desiree Salas vintage inspired attire, Gwen Harlow Design Jewelry, accessories from the Enchanted Square and Calliope. Professional photos at our photo booth, a raffle to win awesome Lucky Ladies swag and plenty of opportunities to get to know the Lucky Ladies themselves. Our health and wellness specialists will be on hand to answer your questions, MC Mel Waldorf and Hostess Ruby “Baby” Bennett will provide lively music and merriment! Enjoy light refreshment provided by your hostesses, beer and wine for sale to benefit Rhythmix Cultural Works, and Cole Coffee’s cart will be parked out front! ***Little Dresses for Africa*** http://www.facebook.com/pages/Little-Dresses-For-Africa/108242519205102 Jennifer Serr will be hosting a Little Dresses for Africa sewing event in the Rhythmix classroom. You are invited to join her in sewing sweet little dresses that will be donated to the organization that brings them to girls in need in Africa. Questions about Jennifer’s sewing event jennifer@jenniferserr.com ***Shop*** Bring your cash or credit card and wander our marketplace sampling lush and local all natural body care, hand crafted artisanal housewares, sweet vintage style dresses, adorable hair accessories, playful jewelry, wacky wonderful kitschy collectibles and more! ***Bonus Beats*** We'll be giving out RAFFLE TICKETS to those who dress in their Lucky Ladies Best! Don your Calliope Headband, Desiree Salas Dress, Enchanted Square hat and show your Lucky Ladies Love! ***Who*** The Lucky Ladies are over 12 self-made creative small business owners from Oakland and Alameda. We do: music, skin care, fashion design, sewing instruction, interior/architectural design, felted artisanal products, yoga, web design, estate liquidation, vintage collectibles, nutritional counseling, and photography. Learn more about the Lucky Ladies at http://www.shopluckyladies.com/

Kissing A Stranger; Strangers Kissing; Famous Kisses

We never were

We'll never be

Strangers kissing in the pouring rain

Chasing after your leaving train

 -from Our Song by Spill Canvas

Have you ever been kissed by a stranger or kissed a stranger? Someone you have never met and probably will never even see again?  Yes. I have been. I was the kissee. Three times kissed on my lips-and all took place when I was well past that certain age when I had stopped celebrating my birthdays 'cause there were a whole lot more than 40 candles on the cakes.

All three kissing events were different. One was when I was sitting parked in my car at a Walgreen's, once at a sophisticated, local German restaurant when I was with another man, and the most recent happened at a local outdoor Oktoberfest with my grandkids. I still do not know why I got kissed. All kisses were fast and quite spontaneous. I later did inquire at the restaurant about the well dressed gentleman in his mid 70s who had planted his beer-y lips on mine and discovered from the waiters that this customer had kissed other ladies before, usually when his steins had been too numerous. When I found this out I felt less special and a little jealous!

The famous kiss shown above is a long, passionate one. And they are strangers. Only one of my kiss adventures was similar to this one, darn it. U.S. Navy photo journalist Victor Jorgensen photographed the returning sailor and the nurse in Times Square on V.J. Day August 14, 1945. It is titled 'Kissing the War Goodbye'' and is almost exactly like 'V-J Day in Times Square', a photograph by Alfred Eisenstaedt also taken on the same day and time. 

From Eisenstaedt on Eisenstaedt:

  "In Times Square on V.J. Day I saw a sailor running along the street grabbing any and every girl in sight. Whether she was a grandmother, stout, thin, old, didn't make a difference. I was running ahead of him with my Leica looking back over my shoulder but none of the pictures that were possible pleased me. Then suddenly, in a flash, I saw something white being grabbed. I turned around and clicked the moment the sailor kissed the nurse". 

Years later a few people identified themselves as the strangers in the photo. A nurse Edith Shain wrote to Eisenstaedt in the late 1970s claiming to be the woman in the picture. She related that at the time she thought she might as well let the young sailor kiss her since he fought for her in the war. A Mrs. Friedman also claims to be the lucky nurse caught up in the moment. George Mendonça of Newport, Rhode Island, was identified by a team of volunteers from the Naval War College in August 2005 as "the kisser". George by the way was on a date with another girl when he went on his joyous kissing spree.

Linked forever together in the photographs by both Eisenstaedt and Jorgensen, these two kissing strangers never knew each other or saw each other again. That's art, but then "...a kiss is just a kiss."

Hot Chicks and Homeless Peeps: The Art of Ange McLane

The FLOAT Gallery is Proud to present…
Hot Chicks and Homeless Peeps: The Art of Ange McLane

Opening party Friday 4/27/12, 6 to 9pm
Featuring the music of Tyler Jakes
http://www.tylerjakes.com/fr_home.cfm
Show runs 4/16, through 5/26/12
http://www.thefloatcenter.com/

FLOAT, Floatation Center – Art Gallery
1091 Calcot Place, Unit # 116
(located in a store front loft of the historic cotton mill studios)
Oakland, CA 94606

“Hot Chicks and Homeless Peeps,” takes risks with the borders of the acceptable and the risqué.

About Artist Ange McLane
Born in Mexico City to a Mexican mother and American father, Ange McLane grew up first below the border, and then above, in Texas—finally choosing to make her home in the Bay Area, in 2005. Her experience of the two cultures, and an early exposure to art-making, heavily influence her current photographic work.

                                    

Ange began carrying a camera with her daily at the age of 8, photographing her friends as well as her own installation art work, which was comprised at the time of doll nativity scenes and modeling clay cities.In college, Ange pursued Advertising at the Universidad de la Comunicacion in Mexico City, Art History at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, TX, and Fine Art Photography at the Glassell School of Art in Houston. More recently, she studied Digital Photo-Montage and Experimental Film at the San Francisco Art Institute.

“Hot Chicks and Homeless Peeps,” takes risks with the borders of the acceptable and the risqué. Her subjects are not overtly sexy, nor overtly subjugated. They are complicit with the act of being photographed. She captures each one’s subtle essence, inviting their revelations, whether in flesh made visible through lingerie, or in personal message exposed via cardboard and marker.

She says, “I am interested in the sensuality of the image, the bold colors, not just in a visual way, but in a contextual way. I enjoy when an image brings together a balance in light and dark and bold color.”

Of her series of street photographs, Ange describes, “Seven years ago, while I was studying at the Glassell School of Art, I frequently ventured into downtown Houston—this was pre-gentrification—with my camera. I was meeting people that were living on the streets, talking to them. I would buy them beer or cigarettes and we would talk about their lives. I started to carry cardboard and markers with me. And I would invite them to share their real message with the world. This was way before the time of Facebook and smart phones, way before anyone was carrying a camera and posting their thoughts with apps.”

Regarding the juxtaposition of the two groups of subjects, Ange’s work invites the viewer to question assumptions. She says, “With the homeless, I wanted to portray that beauty and that fight. And when it comes to the girls, it’s not 'slutty' — they’re just feminine.”

The collection of images in “Hot Chicks and Homeless People” bears witness to Ange’s natural affinity to bold colors, architectural composition, and edgy, thought-provoking themes.

                                                        

FLOAT
FLOAT, an urban art spa,  is the only floatation center and art gallery in the San Francisco Bay Area. Floatation therapy is a unique and powerful tool that allows you to shut out the world, and drift into the deepest possible level of physical and mental relaxation. FLOAT offers new, public exhibits of local artists to stimulate and challenge your senses.

Come for a Float – Stay for the Art

FLOAT, Floatation Center – Art Gallery 1091 Calcot Place, Unit # 116 (located in a store front loft of the historic cotton mill studios) Oakland, CA 94606
http://www.thefloatcenter.com/


For more information and high resolution images please contact: Allison Walton, 510-535-1702
info@thefloatcenter.com
http://www.thefloatcenter.com/

New Museum Opens-The Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia

The Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia in Big Rapids, Michigan Soon Open to the Public
Grand Opening April 26, 2012

The Jim Crow Museum at Ferris State University • 1201 S. State Street, Big Rapids, Michigan USA • 49307 • Main Switchboard (231) 591-2000

http://www.ferris.edu/jimcrow/

The Museum's exhibits and artworks address racial stereotyping, attempting to create a dialogue about this subject and to break the wall of racism. There are six exhibit areas -- Who and What is Jim Crow, Jim Crow Violence, Jim Crow and Anti-Black Imagery, Battling Jim Crow Imagery, Attacking Jim Crow Segregation, and Beyond Jim Crow. The Museum also offers a timeline of the African American experience in the United States.

The Jim Crow Museum at Ferris State University strives to become a leader in social activism and in the discussion of race and race relations. It also already has an immense collection of art that is worth viewing.

Regular hours are Monday through Friday 12-5 p.m. and by appointment. To schedule a tour, please contact the museum at (231) 591-5873 or at jimcrowmuseum@ferris.edu. 

Please refer to the calendar of events for availability.

The information and images above are all from the website for The Jim Crow Museum at Ferris State University.

Art That Moves ~ Werner Herzog

Werner Herzog

I am not going to write about movie director Werner Herzog from a scholarly point of view. It's not that I can't do that. I can. That's what I got my college degrees for. I prefer to just keep it simple and remind us what a great artist Herzog is. Of course, creating films is his art.

I have only seen four of his movies-Aguirre, the Wrath of God, Fitzcarraldo, Grizzly Man, and Into the Abyss, but I have netflix so I am going to watch as many of his works that I can.

The movies I have viewed are beautiful-even when tackling difficult subjects. Timothy Treadwell is unforgettable as the star of the documentary about the last years of his life in Grizzly Man. Another documentary, Into the Abyss, is about the death penalty using a real criminal case with Herzog interviewing the criminals and others about the case.

If you have not seen these movies, do. If you have, watch them again. You will see new nuances every time. Herzog's powerful works can affect you profoundly, even change you!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Werner Herzog Stipetić, born 5 September 1942, known as Werner Herzog, is a German film director, producer, screenwriter, actor, and opera director.
 http://www.wernerherzog.com/

Art You Can Drink-and Look At

 "Sunset Beer Garden"

 by Erik Niemann

Unless you have been asleep like Rip van Winkle, you must have noticed all the new cocktails available to the imbiber. All colors of the rainbow, crazy concoctions, ancient liqueurs revived, and more. No one could try every alcohol option unless their liver is cast iron. I have been involved with some local distillers' ADI events at Hangar One in Alameda and at one conference I was fortunate to taste at least 50 different vodkas--one was even made from maple syrup. ADI -- The American Distilling Institute was founded by famous photographer Bill Owens. ADI's mission is to disseminate essential information regarding the art and science of distilling and is the place if you want to learn how to craft artisan whisky, brandy, rum, and more. Personally, I just like the drinking part and will leave the creation of alcohol to the experts!

http://www.distilling.com/

 

  "Smooth Champagne"

    by Erik Niemann

       "Summer Condensation"

        by Erik Niemann

Years ago my brother in law invented two cocktails at a sailor's bar in Alameda, but he was ahead of his time, Now everyone is hopping on the bar bandwagon competing to create the newest drink. It is really crazy and I am enjoying it. Last year there was not enough organic wormwood, a key ingredient in absinthe, and the distillers were panicking. Closet moonshiners have stills in their backyards and combine secret ingredients--even milk or marshmallows. Why there is such an uptick in alcohol consumption is a topic I won't tackle here, Instead I shall plop down on my red bar stool at the Lemon Tree in Alameda where there are no frills and order a vodka cran on the rocks with a side of extra cranberry juice. 

      "The Birth of Beer"

       by Erik Niemann

A few astute artists have realized that cocktails not only are great to drink, but also can make a great subject. A stand out talent in capturing this liquid world artistically is Erik Niemann. Drink Space Beverage Photography was founded by Niemann, who is an abstract painter with a background in architecture. Erik is captivated with the internal space of drinks; how light, glass and liquid interact. ”I love taking up-close and abstract photos of wine, beer and cocktails. I am intrigued by the space of the liquid itself and unique perspectives, such as capturing the underside of the drink’s surface. I look for the beauty that is there, yet rarely experienced.” - Erik Niemann

     "Whisky Isotherms"

        by Erik Niemann

          "Boardwalk Manhattan"

        by Erik Niemann

Just looking at Erik's beautiful work is making me thirsty so I am off to my local dive. Cheers! 

Erik Niemann's Website:  htttp://www.drinkspacephoto.com

       "Champagne over London"

     by Erik Niemann

Monet Owens and Tony Lindsay! Together Live in San Francisco

Hey you San Francisco Bay area fans, just want to let you know that I will be performing with one of my favorite female singers Ms. Monet Owens this Saturday night April 21st at Rasella's Jazz Club on Fillmore Street in the City. Monet and I sing in Brazil together every year for the past 6, and we also did the first Dancing with the Stars tour together. 

Monet Owens and Tony Lindsay 

Saturday April 21, 2012

9pm

http://www.rasselasjazzclub.com/

Rassela's Jazz Club

1534 Fillmore St

San Francisco, CA USA 94115

Open daily 5pm-1am

415/346-8696

Tony's website-http://www.tonylindsay.com/

Artists Who Are Something Else ~ Paul McCartney, Anthony Hopkins, Steven Tyler

Artist-Steven Tyler resting from an art show and signing

Two of these artists whose art is shown here are Sirs and the third could be-if he were British.  I don't mean "Sir, do you want some pepper on your salad?" that type of sir. But sirs with a capital "S". But that is not what this post is about.

                                                                      Artist-Paul McCartney

It is so fascinating that so many celebrities are artists or try to be artists!  In here are examples of work by musician Paul McCartney, actor Anthony Hopkins and bringing up the rear-rocker Steven Tyler.

                                                                  Artist-Anthony Hopkins


I don't have to explain what these folks do for a fat paycheck in their real careers,  but take a look at their artwork and tell me what you think.Do you like these artworks?  Are they marketing vehicles are true expressions of the artist? Would you go to see one of these works--or buy one? To let you in a secret--I like all these three works but my taste in art is very open.

Fado + Ramana Vieira

First if all-what is Fado? A quick overview follows with help from Fado expert and singer Ramana Vieira and Wiki.

Fado (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈfaðu], "destiny, fate") is a music genre which can be traced to the 1820s in Portugal, but probably has much earlier origins.

In popular belief, fado is a form of music characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics, often about the sea or the life of the poor, infused with a characteristic sentiment of resignation, fatefulness and melancholia (loosely captured by the word "saudade", or longing). However, although the origins are difficult to trace, today fado is by many regarded as a simply a form of song which can be about anything, but must follow a certain structure. The music is usually linked to the Portuguese word saudade which symbolizes the feeling of loss (a permanent, irreparable loss).

Several singers of the traditional Portuguese fado have appeared in Canada and the United States.One of these, Ramana Vieira, regularly performs in the San Francisco Bay Area and globally. Ramana received her formal voice training at San Francisco's American Conservatory Theater and has been called  "The New Voice of Portuguese World Music."

Ramana will be appearing in San Luis Obispo this April!


Ramana Vieira and Ensemble
8:00 p.m.
Friday, April 27th, 2012
Price: $15.00 -- Door $18.00

Steynberg Gallery
1531 Monterey
San Luis Obispo
California 93401
USA 805-547-0278
http://steynberggallery.com/

Ramana Vieira sings with such a wide range of emotions one cannot help but be mesmerized by images of “old world” Portugal that emerge from the depths of her soul. Her extraordinary gift of bringing this 15th century style into modern times is her unique trademark.

Often referred to as the “New Voice of Portuguese World Music,” this powerful vocalist is making her mark as one of the premier contemporary Fado artists. Just back from a week-long jaunt to Honolulu and Maui, Ramana will be joined by Michael Mc Morrow -- acoustic guitar and portuguese guitarra, Laura Boytz -- cello, Alberto Ramirez -- electric bass, and Steve La Porta -- drums and percussives.

Get your tickets early. Last year's show was sold out.

The band is exclusively represented by Kurt Huget at Second Octave Talent Agency and are recording their next album, tentatively titled, "Luso Sol."

www.ramanavieira.net www.ramanavieira.net/ibio.html

"A World music treat!--Centuries of traditional Portuguese folk music get a 21st century upgrade when East Bay native, Ramana Vieira, the top Fado singer in the United States, performs. " -Pete Crooks, Diablo Valley Magazine.

A Lively Art Scene in Latvia-Artist Evelīna Deičmane is Part Of This!

Evelīna Deičmane

Evelīna Deičmane is a young, very talented  Latvian artist who can lightly, as if playing and experimenting, operate with new media, while at the same time, filtering everything through intimate, personal experience.

Evelīna's exciting work, whether installations, or videos, experiments with sound or drawings, speaks about her country Latvia in some aspect.





Evelīna Deičmane graduated from the Latvian Art Academy's Department of Visual Communications in 2007 and is a part of the young and talented group known as the “viscom's”. Berlin has become a second home to her; there she studied at the Berlin Art University, in the Experimental Media Department (2004, 2007-2009).

She has taken part in several notable international art exhibitions, such as the 15th Sydney Biennial (2006), the 2nd Moscow Biennial (2007), Manifesta 7 (2008) and the 12th Cairo Biennial (2010). Together with the artist Miks Mitrēvics, she represented Latvia's pavilion at the 53rd Venice Biennial in 2009.

Currently, Evelīna Deičmane was selected to reside at the Künstlerhaus Bethanien Residence in Berlin.

See more about her and other Latvian artists in Latvia at Art Academy of Latvia
-A lot of artist's bio written above  is from her listing at the University

Art You Can Drive

Fastest cars this year~

1. Bugatti Veyron Super Sport: 267 mph, 0-60 in 2.4 secs. Aluminum, Narrow Angle 8 Liter W16 Engine with 1200 hp, base price is $2,400,000. Although the Bugatti Veyron lost the title to SSC Ultimate Aero on March 2007, Bugatti challenge the record in Germany on July 10, 2010 with the new 2010 Super Sport Version and the Veyron once again claims the title of the fastest car in the world at 267 mph. The original Bugatti Veyron has a top speed of 253 mph, priced at $1,700,000 and equipped with 1001 hp.

2. Hennessey Venom GT: 260 mph, 0-60 in 2.5 seconds, has a 6.2-liter LS9 Turbocharged V8 Twin Turbo V8 Engine producing 1200 hp, has a price tag of $950,000. The Venom GT has yet to be tested and proven, but could possibly hit a top speed of 275 mph. This might just be the Veyron Super Sport's closest competitor!

Banned Art in Russia! Is it 'Good' Art

Alexander Kosolapov - This Is My Blood, 2002 - Screen print on paper - HOT BUTTON: RELIGION

Banning a work of art does wonders for the artist and the exhibit or venue that banned it. 99% of these banned images from a Russian art show are pretty bad and I found myself laughing when looking at them.

What are your thoughts. Banned American photographer Mapplethorpe was truly a great artist, but this collection are not of that ilk.

Tell me what you think.

Not Clowning Around~Red Skelton as a Serious Painter of Clowns

Red Skelton was all over TV and radio from the 1940s through the 1960s. I always loved to watch his TV show. His boyish giggle, mistakes on camera, and his self-effacing persona were endearing. I found out he painted clowns when I was very young. As I wound my way up the art historical ladder at New York University and Columbia, I have to admit I found his artwork a little laughable at the time. I was suffering from art snobbism which I have recovered from now that I am older.
Don't get me wrong, Red Skelton is no Michelangelo or great artist, but his work deserves study. 


It appears he is self taught and uses himself as a model. The clowns emit a simple poignancy probably coming from the artist himself. Are clowns really happy or sad--or both. His art addresses this dichotomy.

Richard Bernard "Red" Skelton (July 18, 1913 – September 17, 1997) was an American entertainer best known for being a national comedian between 1937 and 1971. Skelton,  began his show business career in his teens as a circus clown and continued on in films radio, TV, night clubs, all while he pursued an entirely separate career as an artist.

Skelton began producing artwork in 1943, but kept his works private for many years. He said he was inspired to try his hand at painting  after visiting a large department store that had various paintings on display.

Skelton was a Renaissance 'clown' and was interested in many arts. Skelton was a prolific writer of both short stories and music. After sleeping only four or five hours a night, he would get up at 5 AM and begin writing stories, composing music, and painting pictures. He wrote at least one short story a week and had composed over 8,000 songs and symphonies at his death. Skelton was also interested in photography; when attending Hollywood parties, he would take photos and give the films to newspaper reporters waiting outside. He was also an avid gardener who created his own Japanese garden and bonsai trees at his Palm Springs home.

Sherlock Holmes Trying To Save House Of His Creator

 

Interior Today

Sherlock will have to solve this puzzle fast! 

Developers along with a sympathetic City Council in Surrey, England want to turn 'Undershaw' , the crumbling former home of author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, into flats. The actors from the brilliant TV show Sherlock have gotten involved and are helping to get the word about this on facebook.

Exterior Today

Author Doyle commissioned the construction by architect Joseph Henry Ball and Doyle lived there for many years with his ill wife. Bram Stoker, who wrote Dracula, visited in 1907 and found the house "cozy and snug to a remarkable degree", and added that the many curios and artworks created an effect like a "fairy pleasure house." 

                                                                 The way it used to look

Undershaw was converted into a hotel not long after Doyle sold it. During 2004, the hotel closed and the property was purchased by Fosseway Limited - it has remained unoccupied since that sale. On 18 August 2010 it was announced plans were underway to redevelop the home into a multi-unit apartment building, 

The plan is opposed by preservationists who want to see the house preserved as a single structure (whatever form it is subsequently put to - such as a home or museum). However, in June, 2010 the  Waverley Borough Council unfortunately declined to buy Undershaw from the developer.

                                                                       Conan Doyle

The house has literally gone to ruin and hopefully Sherlock and Dr. Watson can help save this important house! It should be elementary, to use Dr. Watson's words.

For more information-

http://www.saveundershaw.com/