$25 w/o frame $35 w/custom frame (as seen)
Multi-media on artboard. Aprox 8″ x 17″

This is my new friend D. Trodden. From time to time he will be here to give us commentary on DIVERSITY in our community. Here is his first entry:

I recently moved here from Sioux City. For the longest time I couldn’t figure out what I was feeling. Sure I had a great new job. The air here smells about ten times better. And everyday when I walk to work downtown I get to observe the beautiful ‘nostalgic’ sculptures. (What’s with all the freaking slingshots though? Next year, less slingshots please).

Well it finally hit me, I’m uncomfortable here. I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s the awful humidity? Nope, I’m used to that. Maybe it’s the ignorant city government? Nope, anytime you get that many old white men together, there’s bound to be problems.

Then I realized it. We don’t have a local newspaper. Sure there’s magazines about interior design, pets and pregnant business women. But no local news.

Once we get a local newspaper, maybe I’ll feel more comfortable, until then, I’ll keep reading the Tribune and listening to public radio.

Peace Out,

D. Trodden

 

 

Ed ‘Big Daddy’ Roth created Rat Fink as the anti-Mickey. In other words, Ed wasn’t a ‘Dizzney’ fan.

 

 

 

Stoopid Sayings (hat tip Crazzyass):

 

What works better at uniting and strengthening a society?

Trust me, this isn’t a question I have an answer to I just wanted to open up a debate on it.

It seems when civilizations have embraced art and music (with science and exploration), they lasted longer and seem to be more progressive in their ideas and politics. They also seem to be more socially minded (but not Marxist).

In America we have closed our eyes to culture and use religion (particularly Christianity) to unite America.

The results: mass division.

Americans are more divided today then ever, on such topics as the war in Iraq, abortion and gay marriage. Censorship seems to be running amuck.

Our failure lies in out gradual decline of art in our lives. There are many contributors:

• Infatuation with professional sports

• NEA (National Endowment for the Arts) gives money to Art organizations INSTEAD of individual artists. The orgs usually squander it on administrative costs.

• Art and culture is viewed as an elitist activity.

• Decline of arts education in our public school system and decline of qualified teachers.

• Universities and Colleges encouraging artists to become teachers or professors instead of professional artists. This has produced a recycling program of the same traditions in art instead of new ideas.

• Conservatism has become popular. Conservatives view art as a ‘liberal’ activity.

• Capitalism and art. People only consider artists ‘good’ if they have attained wealth through selling their art. (Ex: Terry Redlin, Thomas Kincade)

Can America have both? Can we be people of different faiths and still understand and enjoy art, even if the themes are challenging?

Give me you views:  fb.art@sio.midco.net or COMMENT above.

Over the past few weeks columnists for our local daily newspaper have gone NUTS over diversity. For a while there, I thought they were going to move their offices into the Mult-Cultural center.

It started with the political columnist talking about city government being TOO white and TOO male. Then it continued with the entertainment columnist who went on and on about it in various columns and blogs.

So I did a quit search of THEIR columnists on the web. What I found didn’t surprise me. Over 90% of there columnists are White Males. Talk about calling the kettle black (or should I say white).

Send me your daily dose of Hypocrisy: fb.art@sio.midco.net.

 

The more I listen to Charles Mingus’s masterpiece ‘The Black Saint & The Sinner Lady’ the more I like it. Sorry Miles, this one almost beats out ‘Kind of Blue’

Mingus’ many influences shine on this album. It goes from Ellington, to classical, to flamenco to fusion. This album should be thoroughly enjoyed uninterrupted. It is not ‘Background Music’

 

Uh, as you can see this is a horrible picture.

It is Urban Blues w/a supposed ‘Guest’

L-R: Derek on Harp, Fred on Drums and introducing Bongo Man. (He thought it was a Phish concert I guess)

Tips for using your phone camera:

– Do not be intoxicated

– Use a flash (especially when it is dark)

– Hold phone still (this helps with focusing I guess)

– Do not be dancing with hippy chicks while taking the picture

Follow these tips and your phone pictures won’t look like shit.

Thank You

‘Turd-Bot’
SOLD – Private Collection of Doktor Barkey

‘Royal Jazz Juke Joint’
$25 w/o frame $35 w/custom frame (as seen)
Multi-media on wood. Aprox 8″ x 12″

‘King David’
$25 w/o frame $35 w/custom frame under glass (as seen)
Multi-media on wood. Aprox 8″ x 5″

‘King Catfish’
$25 w/o frame $35 w/custom frame under glass (as seen)
Multi-media on wood. Aprox 6″ x 6″

‘Bondage Queen’
$25 w/o frame $35 w/custom frame (as seen)
Multi-media on wood. Aprox 10″ x 5″