The Art Show

the art show opening night was a big success and great fun. the grand rapids art community is mostly nestled into the trendy first 3 or 4 blocks of south division--just south of the traditional downtown area. hundreds of artists live in this area of rehabilitated older buildings and store fronts. studio 71 south, where our opening night show was located, is smack dab in the middle of this intellectual and artistic caldron. and not surprisingly most of the attendees were artists from the neighborhood--although friends and family and art lovers came from all over -including my out of town guests lori and her daughter jessica from philadelphia and katie from the east village in new york city. unlike most art show opening nights ours had a blistering musical performance by the band 'tentacle' which our art show headliner sue stanek also fronts as singer in this hip electronic band with her down to earth punk and blues voice etching the brick walls with new scars and sending the danceable guests into a frenzy. the food and drinks were fast and furious. the art of sue stanek and jenny wood and myself was well received; and for my part almost too well received as i had to endure interminable praise and congratulations which ultimately made me rather uncomfortable. we had priced some of the works i didn't really want to part with yet at very high prices and still got interest. other pieces i had already sold or promised were also very popular. and my most favorite pieces were not on display at all. the most popular of mine on display were "steel and magnolias' and 'scream' (see my pix). we partied well into the night, and factions re-ignited at other artists' lofts. my thanks to all the myspace friends who supported the show, sent congratulations and comments, and especially to misha from wisconsin who sent flowers that rivaled any of the other art on display. and finally, i'd like to thank anthony for his positive and constructive inspiration and financial support that enables me to paint. the show runs thru april 7 at Studio 71 South, 71 S. Division, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 www.studio71south.com black

Above: The only photo of the show that we have right now. Susan Stanek sings in her band Tentacle at the art show.

Left of her is Seth Beute on guitar, and SS ink washes of torsos adorn the front window. The ink wash torso series

is featured in the film Broken. www.broken-movie.com

The painting is looking at you. The viewer becomes part of the painting. The word "you" represents that.

The barbed wire represents the separation between the viewer and the painting. The girls looking back at the viewer are tearing the canvas down,

Above: The Untold Story. Oil Paint, Marker, Sculpted paper, red pepper seeds, Pencil, Turpentine, Glue and a written story in lower left corner.

Above: Dark Seer. Black Gesso, Acrylic, Pencil, Marker, coffee, glue and a stained paper towel