Every now and again, you have to let the beast out of the cage to roam free through the wilderness. As an artist, that beast is experimentation. With this painting of The Depot, in Minneapolis, I decided to merge two collage techniques I have been working on: Photo Transfer, and New York Post Headline collage-painting.
Two years ago, Howard Krulewitz launched the Hakker Short Film Festival. During the first edition, I was a bit actor in Taunt’s Hard on Ice, the eventual festival winner. This year, I teamed up with Greg McMahon and Nick Mahoney to take home the title, with the aptly titled: New York Post. The Hakker Short Film Festival donates half its proceeds to the winning film maker, and the other half to an excellent charity — The Jack Krulewitz Ice Cream in My Mustache fund; with all proceeds going directly to cancer research.
When Josh Krulewitz and I began planning this painting, he told me it would be a surprise for his wife’s birthday. Under the circumstance, we had to be extra stealthy and diligent to create a meaningful piece on the sly. After numerous back-and-forth emails, we decided on a three-framed image featuring meaningful photographs and locations in their life. In the upper left quadrant, there is a “scrap booked” section featuring family photos.
My brother’s best friend of 20 years got married this weekend, so I decided to commemorate this special moment with a painting of The Bryant Park Grill. There, Chris and Ann exchanged vows — and I, amongst many other guests, enjoyed several adult beverages. Understatement.
Erin and I spent the weekend chillaxin in Chester Massachusetts, population: few. We stayed in this sweet country house, which has the feel of a cabin, yet handles like a full blown house. After the jump, the painting process, along with the not-so-subtle note that this house and its 5 acres are for sale. Jump!
It’s not every day you have the opportunity to pay double homage to artists of different disciplines. With this Kanye Bear painting, commissioned by the talented Melissa Duren, for the suave Sean Conner, I was able to give Murakami a high five, with a pound to Kanye West.
When good ol’ Ari Lankin offered up a ride to Long Beach, I thought to myself, “yes, I would like to paint on the beach today.” A few minor roadside issues later, we were en route to the Smithtown High School relocation district. It was a fantastically sunny day, and my immediate inclination was to go ass to the ocean and paint some bungalows. After the jump, some wonderful photos by our friend Jaquen. Beware, there is a NSFW topless shot of yours truly.
I want you! to pass this blog around to all of your friends, and for chrissake, hit me up with more Tom Collins. Ah, a trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art… where the lessons instinctively flock like the salmon of Capistrano.
At this point, I am just going to say it – I like the Guggenheim. Following my recent paintings of the Apple Store, Museum of Art and Design and First Avenue – Minneapolis, I decided to take my New York Post collage work to Frank Lloyd Wright‘s masterpiece.
