5 Things I Wanna Share

1.
I like those F. Santos' sketches! Something struck me about the last image...what's the little toy in the picture? so cute!


2.
I get updates from Gregory Euclide. He has new stuff up but I don't like it as much as his older stuff. I think I've shared his work with you before...I love this.


3.
I've seen some good movies lately. Two I recommend that are really imaginative, weird and kind of trippy... Across the Universe...musical set to Beatles Songs, and then last night I saw Fur, an imaginary portrait of Diane Arbus. I'm not sure I liked Nicole Kidman playing Arbus, but I really enjoyed the story nonetheless. Interesting premise to completely make up a story of a portrait of an artist as she is discovering her art. Very psychological. I never understood what made Arbus' photos great. I think knowing where she came from and the context in which she did her work gives me a much greater appreciation for it. Click on the photo for more of Arbus' photography.

The twins remind me of the scene in the Shining, which I'm sure is a reference to Arbus.

4.
I ordered this catalog of Simon Evans' mix media work from Family, a cool bookstore/gallery in LA that sells artist books, and it came today! Actually, I discovered his work when I visited you in Brazil. He was at the Sao Paulo Biennial and I found him so humorous and clever. He uses office supplies - pencil shavings, scotch tape, pen, highlighter...and his tape is dirty...I remember thinking it was nice to see art that wasn't a perfect clean drawing on a pristine piece of paper. His work actually got me thinking about the things that limit an artist, the things that limit me...There is something to say about working within the confines of your environment and accepting where you are...you might have to give up the idea that you will create magnificent work if only you had a bigger, better, cleaner studio space. I thought about fingerprints on tape, dog hair in paint, dust...how much does good craft figure into the visual value of art?


5.
I finally started drawing...I was trying to practice drawing faces and had Brad and my neighbor, Harumi, sit for me...work in progress...


I'm tired now. I hope this finds you well rested. I start yoga training Thursday!
Jax

Spike Lee

A couple of days ago on a snowy Tuesday night, Spike Lee spoke at the Wexner Center. He was awarded the Wexner Prize and accepted his place among other renowned artists such as John Cage, Bruce Nauman, and Gerard Richter to name a few. James McBride (nice site) who is the author of the book, The Color of Water (which looks to be an incredible portrait of his mother, a jewish rabbi's daugher who marries a black man and has 12 children who she puts all through college), acted as interviewer and asked Spike questions on stage. It was pretty informal and I got to get a glimpse into a creative genius who creates from his heart without compromise. It was inspiring to say the least. I came away believing he is a pivotal filmmaker of this time and his work challenges society to be a more open minded place. With that said, I need to go rent some more Spike Lee Joints!

Happy Valentine's Day Miss Juls!