GJ Willis' Art Notes

Saturday, July 17, 2004

Yesterday, I made it down to Artscape at around 2:45 in the afternoon. I immediately headed over to the ATM machines that were stationed in front of the MD Institute Book Store. I had to do this because I was hungry and had no money. I soon learned that the money had yet to arrive for the ATM machines. So there I was hungry and broke. I decided right then and there that I should first set down my chair and then head over to Rite Aid to get snacks and change.

When I got to the Sun Stage I was surprised to find that people already had blankets and chairs set out. Some of them were abandoned. I thought I would be the only nutty music fan to arrive so early. The show didn’t start until 7pm.

After I staked my claim on some land I took the light rail train down to Rite Aid. I could have walked but wasn’t too sure how far a walk it would have been.

While walking around the Artscape grounds I saw some artwork that I wanted to get. I was really taken by these three-dimensional like works on glass. I’d love to get one but they were a little too pricey. I think I may come back today and get a print from this guy who did African artwork on paper. The prints he had were more in my price range.

I tried to see if I could find booths for the Creative Alliance or the Art Mob, no such luck. However, I did find the booth for School 33. I should say that when I got there the majority of booths were just setting up.

I got back to my chair at around 3:15pm. When I got back I was surprised to see that four chairs had sprung up beside mine. The chairs had inhabitants who were very friendly. Also, I saw this girl who looked strikingly like my niece, Alexis, when she was 12-13 years old. It was so creepy. She was really skinny had the same facial expressions and everything. I couldn’t believe my eyes.
At around six the man who had laid out a big blanket next to my chair had finally arrived. He came with a cooler and three other people.

At around 4pm the pre-show started. The first performer was this woman from Virginia and her jazz band. She was full-figured. She wore glasses and a print blouse with tan pants. She started off her set with an accoppello version of Bob Marley’s, Redemption Song. Then a little into her set she introduced this old man who had written one of the songs she was going to sing. She said he was from New York. He looked like he was from Africa. I guess I felt this way because he was a dead ringer for South Africa’s, Bishop Desmond Tutu. He danced and sang along with her on stage. He looked happy as hell to be there. I’d never seen a more happier senior citizen.

The next group was yet another jazz act. This time the jazz act hailed from LA. The organizer of the show said that they called him up numerous times asking to be put on. They looked as though they were in two different groups. Three of the members of the band wore red jewel toned shirts. The guitar guitar player wore a blue plaid shirt and jeans. He looked like that guy from the Eurithymics. The bass player wore a black muscle shirt and khaki pants. I have to say my eyes kept drifting to him. He was hot. He looked a lot like Aidan Quinn. I once had a crush on Aiden Quinn in the 80's. I was really taken by his performance in this little known movie called, Reckless. Well, since they were from LA I kept wondering if the bass player was related to Quinn. After there performance there was a throng of girls around him so apparently I wasn’t the only one who thought he looked rather nice.

Just a little before Isaac Hayes took the stage a girl I went to college with named Sheryl came to sit absent mindedly beside my chair. I’m sure she had no idea that she was sitting by someone she went to school with. I wasn't quiet sure if it was her or just some one who looked like her. I didn’t want to say “Hi Sheryl!”, and then turns out not to be her. I played it safe. I kept my mouth shut.

Her hair was still dread locked. I remember back when we were in school she was dating this guy who also had dread locks. They were like this very laid back dread locked couple. I imagine that there kids would also have dread locks too.

She wore pink capri pants, a white sleeveless shirt and sandals. Also she wore a flower in her hair. Sheryl was always a bit of a hippy chick. She was the first woman that I ever saw in real life with dread locks.

She was really into Isaac Hayes. She was dancing around, waving her hand in the air, screaming etc. He played a lot of songs that I wasn’t too familiar with but Sheryl seemed to know them all. Isaac ended the show with the only song I was familiar with, the theme to Shaft.

The Commodores took the stage under a hail of sparks. I felt a little afraid remembering the incident that occured with a heavy metal band in a club many years ago. We were outside so I knew the odds of a big fire occuring was nill but still I felt a bit antsy.

I noticed that they turned the sound up way too loud. Why do they do this every year? Why the neccessity to blow your eardrums out with sound for the headlining act? This I feel is a stupid thing to do the sound levels were perfect for all the other acts. Why do they have the need to push it up to 11? It made the show less enjoyable because it was painful to hear. The Commodores was all flash.

One thing I should say that I haven’t noticed before is that the English guy in the group aka the Lionel Ritchie sound alike looks a heck of a lot like my dad. So I guess you can now say that the celebrity my father most resembles is the British guy from the Commodores. Heck, the Bristish guy looks like almost any male member of my family.

Overall, The Commodores were a little to flash for me. The one act I liked the most was Isaac Hayes, despite, only knowing one of his songs.

Friday, July 16, 2004

Today, is the first day of Artscape. For the first time ever I bought one of those portable chairs. I am taking it to work with me. I regularly go to Artscape every year on Friday straight from work. As I’ve written before the light rail stops right dab in the middle of it. I bought the chair a couple of weeks ago at Walmart. I got it so that I could plant it down in the grass where the Sun Stage is. Then after my chair is planted down I can safely go about visiting various sites in the festival. I would like to plant it somewhere near a tree. I hope no one runs off with it.

In all the years I’ve went I’ve never seen anyone steal a chair or a blanket. In a way it’s comparable to the chairs that people leave out after they’ve cleared there parking space after a snowstorm.

The only big thing I hope is that it doesn't rain. I would hate that I went through all the trouble to buy a chair and lug it all the way to work for nothing.

Today’s big acts are Isaac Hayes and The Commodores. Yeah, I know it’s not the original lineup of The Commodores but I don’t care. A couple of years ago I saw Kool and the Gang and was shocked to later learn that it was not the original line up. They sounded just like Kool and the Gang. I didn’t know that anything was different until I did an internet search on them after the show. I trust that The Commodores will still be good even without Lionel Ritchie. I wonder if they still have that British guy in the group?

It’s been a very long time since I’ve posted my daily logs. I’m rarely happy around this time of year. The reason for this is because my mother died in July many years ago. Thus, in July, I’m very depressed. I’ve been writing regularly in my Alphasmart but not posting.

Yesterday, I washed my hair and re-twisted my locks.

WARNING: IF YOU’RE A BABY BOOMER THIS IS OLD NEWS

I’m really enjoying this new cd I got called Nilsson Schmilsson by a guy named Harry Nilsson. I kind of discovered it while listening to NPR’s, All Things Considered, a couple of months ago. They were doing a review of the reissue. I liked the songs that I heard so I recently bought the cd. I’m not dissapointed. The cd doesn’t sound dated at all. I can see someone like Loudon Wainwright playing this stuff today. I think I may get another Nilsson cd. I want to get the one that has Girlfriend on it because Girlfriend was the original title of the theme song to The Courtship of Eddie’s Father. In case you didn’t know Nilsson wrote and sang the theme to that show. He changed the title to Best Friend. He never put the tv version of the song on an album because there would be all these legal entaglements as to who owned the rights the networks or Nilsson. The only album that has that rarity is one of his greatest hits cd’s. I must buy it!

You know I find it ironic that I’m enjoying listening to music that is as old as I am. Nilsson Schmilsson has been on the earth as long as I have... It's like my musical twin!

Also I found a lot of facts about Nilsson yesterday by doing an internet search. He was a drinking buddy of John Lennon's. He never performed live. All his work was done in studio. He wrote a lot of songs for other people. He wasn't the writer of two of his own biggest hits, Everybody's Talking and Without You. After John Lennon's death he lobbied for more stringent gun control laws. He died in 1994 something about diabetes and a massive heart attack. From the pictures I've seen of him he did'nt look morbidly obese. He looked average sized. It must have been all the booze and partying that done him in.

Oh, I would also like to get a dvd of the cartoon he wrote the music for. I think it was called, The Point. I remember that I loved watching it when it came on tv. I recall that I loved one of the songs on it in particular called, Me and My Arrow. I believe I saw it on PBS. I think they ran it during one of there fund drives.

Anyway, right now I want to learn almost everything I can about Nilsson. I'm, that blown away by the cd. I can’t get one song out of my head. The song that’s trapped in my head right now is the very catchy, Got To Get Up in The Morning.

Wednesday, July 14, 2004

The bus came on time this morning. I left for the bus stop five minutes earlier than usual. The odd thing this morning was that two of my neighbors were on the bus stop with suit cases. It was the tall thin dark skinned lady who seems pissed off all the time and the old tall thin man with the beard. I wonder if they’re related or married. I guess they must be going on vacation or visiting someone. I wonder where they’re going. Oh, well I guess I’ll never know for sure....

In exciting Baltimore news Mayor Martin O’Malley will be giving a speach at the upcoming Democratic Convention. He will be the only mayor and the only Marylander who was invited to speak. Congratulations to O’Malley, the mayor with the hottest biceps.

July, 13, 2004

Today my bus was late. I had to take another cab to the light rail. This time the driver was an Indian from India. He had white hair and seemed pretty nice. Like the other guy I had yesterday he didn’t say much.

I wonder if it’s possible that the bus has been arriving earlier than usual or if it’s just late. Either way I’ll have to make an extra effort to leave out early tomorrow. I can not afford to take cabs everyday. It would be nice to get some exercise by walking to the light rail stop.

Yesterday, I mailed out Paul Murphy’s book and magazines as well as the Time/Life cd that I didn’t want. I tried to call up Time to let them know that I no longer wanted the series because I already own it under another title. It turns out they close there offices at 7PM instead of 10PM.

In Hollywood news Isabel Sanford who palyed Weezie on The Jeffersons passed away. She was 86 years old. Hmmm Marlon Brando died last week he was also in his 80’s. Could this be the start of the 80 something fat celebrity triad. After all celebrities tend to die in threes. I wonder who’s next?

Monday, July 12, 2004

I had to take a cab into work today. I was running late. The cab driver I had this morning was a SURPRISE, an AMERICAN!!!! I didn’t know that we still drove cabs! How refreshing! Anyway, he wore a big mesh cowboy hat. He was quiet throughout the entire trip. No cell phones went off no rapid talk to someone on the other line in a foreign language. No trying to pick me up. Just silence.

Let’s see I never went to the opening reception for Artscape at the Pinkard Gallery. I kept having these horible painful panic attacks. However, I did visit my painting the next day on Saturday.

I went there after work. Yep, we had overtime on Saturday. I was late for work on Saturday once in my life actually left work at the time I said I was going to which was 12pm.

Also on Saturday I called up Paul Murphy after tracing his name. Who’s Paul Murphy you ask and why was I calling him?

Here’s what happened... On Friday after work I took the #8 bus to the Hunt Valley light rail stop. I did this so that I could deposit the check that Marc gave me into my bank account. One of my bank’s branches happens to be near that particular light rail stop. After I left the bank I got on the light rail train. When I got on the train I saw this big stack of magazines and a small note book. I thought maybe someone had left it there in a rush to get off the train and would soon be back to pick them up. I like to read so leafed through the books and magazines. I noticed that they all were about coin collecting. Then I thought maybe they were left there on purpose. From time to time people purposely leave magazines on the train. You can tell this because they black out or cut out the address labels. The name and address were still on the magazines.

The train pulled off. No one came on the train to claim the items. I decided that I would return them to the person who’s name were on the labels. I came to this decision after I leafed through the small notebook. It looked as though the person was doing genealogy research on his family. My occasional hobby happens to be genealogy research. I have a soft spot for it. It’s an occasional hobby because it’s something I delve in from time to time. The name on the magazines was Paul Murphy. It was a common enough name that I felt that the odds were against me finding the right Paul Murpy. Well, odds against odds my first phone call was to the correct Paul Murphy! He was suprised when I told him that I found his books on the light rail train in Baltimore. You see he is from Pennsylvania. He told me that his was car broken into while on a visit to Baltimore. I thought he just left his books on the light rail train by accident. I had no idea there was so much drama involved.

After I called he called me back twice. He called a second time at 9 at night. He told me that the police were going to fingerprint his car on Sunday. I thought this was odd it being a Sunday and everything. He wanted to meet so that I could just give him the books instead of mailing them. I opted to mail them. For all I know he could be some psycho or think that I was the one who stole the stuff out of his car and was going to beat me up. Maybe, I shouldn’t have called...

Also on Friday I got something in the mail from Time/Life. I have to return it because I already own it. It appears that they changed the name of the product but it’s the same old thing. Same song line ups and everything. The only thing that’s changed was the name and the cover art. I ended up ordering something else on the internet from Time Life to replace it. I believe I ordered there Modern Rock collection instead of there Sounds of the Seventies Collection, of which I already own. It has a lot of songs on it that I like. There’s Hanging on a Moment, which I’ve always liked never wanted the cd because the group had only one hit on it, also there’s songs by Creed, Eve 6, Nickelback, and on it. There were two songs on it that I already own and was surprised to see on the collection, Moby and Fat Boy Slim. It was surprising because they’re from a whole different musical genre than the majority of the cd lineup. There music is more electronic dance than rock oriented.

Friday, July 9, 2004

Yesterday, the oddest thing happened someone asked me to do a portrait. A woman wanted me to do a portrait of herself and her two sons. She asked me how much I would charge for it. I was dumbfounded. I have no idea if I should do it or not. I’m afraid that if I do it she might end up hating it and me as well for not making a good enough likeness. Then again maybe I should just go ahead and do it and see what happens. Who knows maybe it would turn out pretty good.

Did I mention that she works for the same company I do? I see her everyday on the light rail train. She gets on at the North Avenue stop. Well, yesterday she saw me sketching one of the ads that are inside the light rail train. She thought I was an actual legitimate artist. You know goes to art school and all that. I’m still shocked that she thought my work looked good enough to do a portrait of herself and her sons. Am I really an artist or one big fake?

Tonight is the opening reception for Artscape. On the Artmobile mail list I learned that one of the posters is also having her work exhibited there. It’s also her 37th birthday.

This year’s Artscape should be good. I'm not just saying that because my work is on exhibit. They have a lot of good musical groups this year. The ones I'm looking forward to the most are Violent Femmes and Van Hunt.

I still can’t believe that Violent Femmes will be there!! They were big back in the day. Well, they were big in my tiny universe. My all time favorite song of there’s is, Add it Up. I also like Blister in The Sun, Gone Daddy Gone, and American Music. I wonder if Gordon Gano is still hot?

Also a new artist that I love named Van Hunt will be there. I love his new cd. I’ve been playing it a lot at home.

Thursday, July 8, 2004

I am pleased as punch that Kenneth Lay was indicted yesterday. He was that crook and Bush cronie that used to run Enron. Bush used to call him Kenny Boy. Well, it looks like old Kenny Boy is heading to jail. I hope that all Bush’s cronies head off to jail where they belong.

I’m not too sure how I feel about John Edwards joining the Kerry ticket. During the primaries I had no opinion of him. However, I like the look of the ticket. They both seem young and upbeat in contrast to the Republican ticket.

Also yesterday Keisha returned back to work after being off for about a month because of a car crash injury.

As far as my art is concerned, I’m currently working on a painting that I was so frustrated about that I banished it to the other side of the apartment and turned the canvas away from me, as though it were a punished child. My main problem with the painting is how to make the keys come alive. The part that’s giving me a problem is a curvy wavy keyboard and it’s keys. I have no problem doing a regular keyboard. When you bend a keyboard the perspectives changes to arcs and curves. It’s still giving me a headache. Eventually, it will all be figured out. Or I could always paint over the curved keyboard and put up a more conventional shaped one without curves and arcs. Also, yesterday, I got some paint in my hair. To the best of my knowledge this is the first time this has ever happened.

Tomorrow is the reception for Artscape. I think I’ll go just to see if my work goes up this year.

I still haven’t seen Spider-man yet. I fully intend on seeing King Arthur tonight or sometime over the weekend. I hope that Ioan does a good job as Lancelot. He has been very entertaining on the talk show circuit. He’s very lively and animated.

Wednesday, July 7, 2004

Happy Birthday Arlesia! Today is my niece’s 24th birthday.

Yesterday, I got my money from Marc and finally met him. I had no preconceived notions about what a Marc Braun might look like. From talking with him on the phone I could not gather if he was around my age or older. Heck, for all I know he could have been a six foot tall talking white rabbit.

After meeting him I can not think of a celebrity he most resembles. However, he did turned out to be a human. He was a curly haired man with slightly graying hair. He shook my hand twice. The first hand shake was firm the second wasn’t so strong. He told me that the guy who bought my painting still hadn’t shown up yet. He asked if I wanted the buyers name and phone number. I was ambivalent. I don’t know what good that would do me. Maybe he forgot about the painting. Maybe it was bought on the spur of the moment and now he regrets the purchase.

Over the phone before I came over he gave me the option of payment in the form of cash or a check. I told him it didn’t matter to me either way. When I got there he wrote out a check right there on the spot. On his check was the notation that said he was a sculptor. I didn’t know you could have checks made out like that. I wonder if I can get ones that say, GJ Willis Neer Do Well Artist? While writing out the check he misspelled my last name. I can’t believe he thought that Willis is spelled Willus. That’s the first time ever that anyone has misspelled my last name. People misspell Gail from time to time but never my last name.

As I was leaving I spotted these guys who were carrying chairs into the Carriage House. It kind of made me wonder, what goes on at the Carriage House? Do they work for him ? Are they independent artists who rent out space from him?

Also today, I started on my principle sketches for my new series of paintings. I did some work on my gingerbread men in oil. Instead of traditional oil paint I’m going to do these in oil sticks. These are different from oil pastels in the sense that it is actual oil paint in stick form. Both mediums (oil paint sticks and oil pastels) are 100% blendable by hand.

I’ve always liked regular pastel sticks. However, SURPRISE, I have allergies. The dust that comes off of the traditional chalky pastel is guaranteed to make me break out my asthma inhaler.

Today, my first Harry Connick Jr. cd arrived. I kind of snapped over the holiday weekend and started bidding on all these Harry Connick Jr. cd’s. I barely can recall the names of the cd’s I won on eBay. I think the ones I won are She, We Are In Love, and Red Light Blue Light or something or other like that. I tried to win the one called I think....Songs I Know. That cd has Harry doing swing versions of children’s songs like Oomp a Loompah, Ding Dong the Witch is Dead, etc. I think that one will be loads of fun to listen to.

Tuesday, July 6, 2004

I did absolutely nothing at all this weekend. The only thing I did was watch movies. I watched Bend it Like Beckham and 24 Hour Party People.

I’m almost finished watching 24 Hour Party People. The reason for this that I like to go through all the features on dvd’s before I send them back. I have one more commentary to go and that’s the one with Steve Coogan and the producer of the movie.

I really liked watching 24 Hour Party People because that was the type of music I listened in the 80’s. I was very into the music that Factory Records put out. It’s a shame they never signed The Smiths. Even Tony Wilson’s character said that in that movie as well as the real Tony Wilson in the commentary.

Sometime today it is alleged that John Kerry will select a running mate.

I’m trying to come up with a 4-6 piece series to put up in windows for the Art Exposure shows that Anne Wilker runs. Right now I’m at the sketching stage. I want this to be as planned out as the picture I did for Artscape.

I still haven’t gotten back in touch with Marc. Frankly, I’d be happier if he just put the money in the mail. They did that for my other works that sold at Maryland Art Place and the City Paper. I hate meeting people. So what if I live directly up the street from him why can’t he just put the money in the mail slot in my door. I doubt that my neighbors would run off with it. It’s not like it would be marked PLEASE STEAL CASH INSIDE. All he has to do is put my name and address on it. Why do things have to be so hard.

My mouth sores are almost healed up. I know it was the stress that I unnecessarily put myself through. When other people are stressed they drink, eat, yell, vent, I get canker sores....

Friday, July 2, 2004

Today, hopefully I will be able to pick up my money for the artwork. I’ve been stressing out over it so much that I now have canker sores in my mouth. When I’m stressed that’s what happens. So I’ve been taking over the counter medicine to get rid of it.

Yesterday, I’ve noticed that they have started setting up for Artscape. Looks like they will be setting up another little house in the same location as they had last year.

They will be having an opening night reception sometime either next week or the week after. I didn’t go to last year’s reception. Since I’ve done a lot more things this year then last I think I’ll go over and give it a look see.

Next year I think I should attend the opening night reception for the Creative Alliance’s member’s only show. The only reason I didn’t go this year was that it was also the day I had to go to MAP to hang my work for the Out of Order Show. As I recall it was raining heavily that day. I had to go to MAP not once but twice. I went back a second time that day after hanging my work because I had picked up their hammer by accident and took it home with me. I had an umbrella and a lot of bags with me that day. I got a little confused. I left the umbrella at the gallery and took the hammer home.

If I had went to the Creative Alliance reception that meant I had to venture out into the rain not twice but three times. I figured if I went out a second time after being soaked to the bone I’d end up very sick. So thus, I did not attend The Creative Alliance’s 2004 members show opening night reception.

Thursday, July 1, 2004

Today, I forgot to bring my regular headphones to work. I almost headed back to my door to get them then was afraid that if I did there would be a possibility I’d be late. Then I remembered that I keep a cheap set at my desk in case I forgot to bring in my regular set. This set isn’t very good it has a tinny sound quality. It’s just enough to get by with. I hope I still have the cheap set at my desk drawer. I bought the set one day at a convenience store downtown that’s next to McDonald’s on Fayette Street. I bought it one day because my regular set was constantly breaking down. I had to jiggle the wires around or either twist them in odd configurations to get sound. I got fed up with this. I was running late that morning so I said what the hell and went up the street and bought the headset. I knew the sound quality would be awful. In my mind awful sound quality was better than no sound at all.

Also, I’m still surprised by the number of flags I see still at half mast. Reagan has been dead for almost nearly a month. Will the flags be at half mast for the entire year. Geez Louise! He wasn’t all that great a president. I feel one week at half mast is sufficient enough.

Yesterday, I actually got around to calling Marc during my lunch break. He sounded rather sad. He said he was going through relationship problems. I’m autistic and don’t quiet know or feel as though I’m in any way equipped to deal with anyone who’s going through, “relationship problems”. Anyway, he said all I had to do was call to let him know when I was ready to either pick up the check or either have him drop by.

I wish he hadn’t told me about the “relationship problem” thing. Maybe, I’m making a big deal out of nothing at all. However, he did sound rather sad on the phone. Maybe, I could ask one of my nieces to come over and pick the check up for me. I feel uncomfortable dealing with people who have situations going on in their lives, especially if they feel the need to inform me, of all people. Heck, I guess you could say I’m not used to people at all. Jimminy Crickets! Why did he have to go and tell me all that! Oy Vey!

Wednesday, June, 30, 2004

Unfortunately, I didn’t get in touch with Marc over my lunch break. I had to really try and hustle at work because there was a power outage and all the computers went down. My computer did not immediately go back on line when everyone else’s one did. I had to wait until the computer department started there shift before I could use my computer again. So for about an hour or an hour and a half I opened mail.

Also yesterday Li Jie did not show up for work. I believe I heard Arvada mention yesterday that Li Jie would not be in today. Neither Brian nor Mellissa told me to do her work. I only do her work if asked because I don’t want to get yelled at for doing something I wasn’t told to do. Maybe, they didn’t ask this time because I screwed something up. You never know. They never really say anything around here. I always feel like I’m on the verge of being laid off and just one more incident might push them over the edge. No one’s yelled at me, but who knows maybe they’re just itching for a reason. I guess I should accept the fact that no news is good news....

Basically, I don’t like to feel too secure. I don’t want to be caught off guard. You know think everything is a OK and then discover at the last minute that it’s not. I’m always looking around for the next rain cloud. So I assume that everyone either hates my guts or doesn’t know of my existence on earth. As a result of this I’m very apprehensive and cautious about almost everything I do. Then I remember that no one could care less what I do. So, thus, I happily chug along with my writing and art.

Oh, my goodness! I just noticed while listening to NPR’s Morning Edition that it has a segment on sponsored by Halliburton! Yikes! I have noticed that recently the station has taken on a slightly conservative slant. Right now, they’re doing a segment that sounds as though it is against religious diversity. Yikes!

Tuesday, June 29, 2004

The bus and light rail train were both on time today. However, I felt a little frightened getting on the train this morning. There was this foreign looking man who was wearing a green flap jacket. Instead of taking a seat he stood up and grasped both hand bars and sort of glared menacingly at everyone on the train. I was afraid that he was going to go postal at any minute. I hate when people stand up on the bus or train when there are plenty of seats available.

Yesterday, I dropped of my painting for Artscape. I got there at around 2:30pm. It took me a while to find the Bunting Center where the Pinkard Gallery is located. I first asked this group of girls standing near the school store if they knew where it was. They vaguely knew. I assume that they were high school students taking classes there over the summer. So obviously they had not completely acclimated to where everything was. I took the advice of one of them. She said it was straight up the street and that there was a courtyard near it.

Well, I walked straight up that street and saw nothing with a courtyard in front of it. The only thing that vaguely matched that description was the Fox building and the new building, The Brown Center. I felt that my best bet would be to walk over to the Fox building and ask for directions maybe the student was confused. It was possible that the building could have been down the street. Just as I crossed the street. I saw a building almost hidden from street view labeled The Bunting Center! I found it! The Bunting Building lies catty corner to the Fox Building. I’ve been in the Fox building many of times. I’m kind of familiar with it’s layout. I had never really noticed the Bunting Building before.

When I got within it’s doors I felt as though I had entered a long abandoned section of the library. When I walked through the doors to the behind a glass wall to the left of me where these shelves that contained magazines in plastic covers. There weren’t many of them. The shelves where half full. Then I looked straight ahead and saw paintings stacked against the wall. I wasn’t quiet sure if I should just put my painting down among them. So I walked further on. I came upon a desk where a security guard sat. I asked her where I would take my art for Artscape. She pointed up ahead where I had just come from said I had to take it into the room.

So I walked back to where I was and noticed that there was in fact a small room off the side. I walked in there and saw that there were even more paintings inside there. Then a man came in the room and asked if I had come to drop off work for Artscape. I told him yes then he handed me this small form to fill out. I filled it out. He signed it and handed it back to me. Then he checked off my painting in this large book he had. This was very odd. I’m not a very experienced at exhibiting at gallery’s. However, the majority of the ones I’ve done you fill out two copies. One copy stays with the painting for identity purposes then they hand you the other. I wonder if my work will be properly identified. If at all...

While in the small room with the man I heard someone talking to a woman who was looking at all the paintings gathered on the floor. She asked if they were picking out the ones that they were going to use. I heard the man say, yes. So now I’m worried if Dana doll will even be shown at Artscape. If not that’s OK at least I tried.

There were a lot of paintings that were simply breathe taking. I was taken in particular with this very inventive painting. It was part painting and part sculpture. It was of a blonde haired woman. The part of it that was sculpture-esq was the nose on the woman. The nose was three dimensional and stuck out from the painting. I wonder if the artist used clay to achieve that effect, Anyway, I’m sure they will be using that painting. It was different.

I feel my work is OK. I’m not a professional portrait artist. I just like to create things to see if I can. I have no big artistic agenda. If you like it that’s good if not at least you looked.

It wasn’t until I left that I noticed that Gary Kachadourian was there looking at all the art work. He must have been the person the woman was talking to. Thankfully, Gary doesn’t know me from a hole in the ground.

Also yesterday I checked my phone messages. This is usually a fruitless endeavor. I rarely get phone calls. But this time I had a genuine phone message. It turns out that Marc Braun had called on Sunday. He said he got the e-mail I sent him. He said I could just get back in contact with him as to when I wanted to pick up the money. He also told me that the person who bought the painting would be out of town until mid-July. Wow, I can’t imagine being out of town for so long. Also Marc when he left his message didn’t sound angry or anything like that. I think I’ll call him up on my lunch break or after work.

Monday, June 28, 2004

Yesterday, was another unusually busy Sunday for me. I went to Michaels craft store and to the movies. The light rail train on the way over to the Lutherville stop where Michaels is located kept breaking down. So I got there later than expected. I picked up a red mat board exited the store and didn’t look back. Usually, when I go to stores I linger like my mother used to do. She would linger in stores and look over almost every item in them. I find myself doing this as well when I got to stores. However, today was different I wanted to get to the Charles to see Fahrenheit 9/11.

When I headed back to the light rail station it was packed with people waiting for the downtown train to the Orioles game. There were so may people standing around that it made me scared. So, I decided to take the bus downtown instead of the train. I knew it would take longer, but I couldn’t stand the potential claustrophobia of a crowded train. The bus made it down to North Avenue at 1:00pm. The connecting 13 bus which runs up and down North Avenue arrived at 1:15pm. I made it to the Charles at around 1:20pm. As I walked down the street towards the theater I thought I saw a crowd of people in a line. As I got closer it turned out to be a lot of people sitting down in chairs. It seems that they have opened up yet another cafe next to the theater.

I was surprised to find it was fairly easy to get a ticket to see the movie. I guess the reason for this was that it wasn’t an evening show. While in the theater I debated with myself as to whether or not I should buy snacks. This was a documentary and not the usual summer flick. Would buying popcorn ruin the dignity of watching a documentary? In the end I compromised. I bought a medium Coke but no popcorn.

When I got in the theater it was absolutely packed. The only seats that were available were in the first two rows. I sat in the second row for a little bit. Then I got quiet annoyed when people from the row behind me kept brushing against my head to pass by. I quickly sat up front next to this senior citizen. No head brushing occured.

I have to say the movie was excellent. At the end everyone applauded. Michael Moore showed succinctly why the war against Iraq is an unjust war. Michael Moore is a true patriot. God bless Michael Moore!

When I got out the movie theater there was this man wearing a Bush mask handing out fliers. I don’t know what they were about. I was afraid and avoided him. As you can probably see this was a very political weekend for me. Yesterday, I gave money to John Kerry’s campaign, the DNC, and now I’ve just seen Fahrenheit 9/11. There’s little doubt as to who I will be voting for in the upcoming Presidential election.

Interesting Coincidence: When I got to the bus stop there was this older woman and her husband there. I had previously saw them in the theater. She was wearing a very distinct yellow African dress and he was wearing the usual brown senior citizen almost 70’s looking outfit. Also at the bus stop was this woman who was wearing dread locks that were pink tipped. She had a lot of piercings. The woman in the yellow African dress suddenly took out a granny square and was working on it. Then the pink dread locked woman exclaimed, “Oh My god, I thought I was the only one who still crocheted!” This was bizarre because I crochet myself. So gathered on this bus stop on a sunny Sunday afternoon were three black women with dread locks who crocheted. The black punk rock girl, the granny and me, all crocheters! I noticed that the woman’s husband remained silent as the two women compared crocheting notes, best places to buy yarn, patterns, etc.. The yellow dress woman said that she liked to get her supplies from Michaels. Michaels! Why, I just back from there! I also buy supplies from there too. I’m currently working on another afghan. I’m averaging about one afghan a year. I usually finish them up around August.

Well, that’s all I got.... I hope to let you know how it went when I drop off my work for Artscape today after work.