A Good Little Preview

Admittedly, this is a teaser. A close friend recently acquired a new Randall Good drawing. It is not yet framed so I won't reveal the whole work yet. He has also graciously allowed this exquisite angel to live with me for a few days. The angel and I plan to get to know each other and then I will write the full review. Please don't respond with comments quite yet. I wouldn't want to be accused of being influenced in the review. But, I guarantee it will be a positive one.

Randall Good on NPR

On Monday I took one of my regular pilgrimages to Blue Moon Art Gallery in Hot Springs, Arkansas. I consulted with my favorite art gurus Pat and Dishongh Scavo. They've updated me on the latest news about my favorite artist, Randall Good. While I was there I acquired my fourth piece of work by Randall. Its a large and dramatic drawing of "The Fallen Icarus". As some of my frequent readers know I've collected a couple of drawings and a couple of small watercolor studies of Good's mythology subjects. Three of the works are in the Icarus series.

My last trip to Blue Moon was in March. Randall just happened to be at the gallery. He had just been interviewed by a local NPR station about his work and the exhibit at Blue Moon Art Gallery. Dishongh and Pat told me on Monday that the radio station had just recently given them a copy of the interview and it is now posted on the Gallery's website. I am including a link here for those of you that would like to hear Randall himself speaking about his work. I'm sure you will hear how knowledgeable he is about art history. He's a very articulate speaker but also a very accessible artist. I'm sure you will enjoy the interview.

There is more exciting news about Randall and his work. His work is currently showing in New York and getting quite a bit of positive notice. Also, several of Randall's major works in oil have recently been acquired by an admiring collector. I'm very happy for Randall and Blue Moon for their success. But, its sad for those of us that love to see his work at the gallery won't be able to see those paintings any longer. The up side is that Randall is always working on new drawings and paintings and the gallery will soon have more beautiful things of his to show us. I'm particulary interested in a new breathtaking series of angel subjects he has started.

I will have the new "Fallen Icarus" drawing framed some time this summer. Its a large piece and I want some special things done for its presentation. I'll be sure to post a whole article of it when its ready. I will also be attending the next Gallery Walk event in Hot Springs on Friday, June 6th and visiting Blue Moon Art Gallery then. I hope many of you will make plans to attend also. I hope to see you there. For more details about the event be sure and contact Pat or Dishongh at Blue Moon via the email links on their website. If you see me be sure and say hi. I will be the guy standing in the Randall Good shrine at the back of the gallery staring hypnotically at the inspiring imagery. Just shake me out of my trance and shake my hand.

Be sure and check out Randall's NPR interview. I'm sure you will enjoy it. Leave a comment here if you feel inclined to share or drop me an email.

Randall Good Exhibit - The Way of the Cross

Blue Moon Art Gallery in Hot Springs, Arkansas will be hosting an exhibit of Randall Good's much anticipated Hope Commission of the Fourteen Stations of the Cross. Wow, I can hardly wait.

The brochure came in the mail yesterday and it really made my day. I apologize for the quality of the image in this illustration. I regret the U.S. Postal Service didn't give this parcel the tender loving care it deserved. I was so excited that I took it to dinner with me and showed my friends. Once again I was teased about my love for this work yet not being Catholic. But, if I could attend the church where this work is being installed, I might just have to convert so I could be regularly surrounded by such sublime works.

The exhibit will be held in Hot Springs, Arkansas from March 1-18. I encourage everyone to make time to visit the gallery during this time. I assure you that Pat and Dishongh will make you feel just like family. I've never met an "art snob" at Blue Moon, but I've enjoyed the company of many "art lovers" there. If you come to appreciate beautiful artwork and the skill it takes to create it, you'll be welcome at Blue Moon. I'm already working out the plans for a "road trip" with my friends. I hope we can sync our calendars on a time to go.

For more information about the gallery click on the link embedded in this article or on the side bar link of the blog. You can find directions and contact information there.

Memorial Day Weekend

Gulpha Gorge

Yes, I went on vacation (a small one) again. I went to one of my favorite places in the world, Hot Springs, Arkansas. Its one of the greatest vacation spots ever. I know it like the back of my hand, and, its close to home. What more could you ask for?

You're looking at pictures of the creek that runs through Gulpha Gorge camp ground. No, I didn't camp out. For me, camping is a miserable experience. I've never been camping when I enjoyed it. My definition of "roughing it" means staying in a hotel room with no mini-bar and no room service. I stayed at a Best Western on this trip. So, I was definitely "roughing it".

I do enjoy nature and I love the scenery around the Ouachitas so I couldn't resist a little hiking excursion. I lugged the camera along but these were the only two pictures I took at Gulpha Gorge. I had a friend with me so I was all about being a tour guide. I pointed out the amphitheatre where Jim Ed Brown hosted a "Nashville On the Road" episode when I was a kid. I commented how Jerry Clower was a real jerk to little kids. And, I was disappointed that Wendy Holcomb was older than me and didn't have pigtails when I met her.

We also toured Bath House Row. I have pictures of that I'll share someday. We went to the Mountain Tower and practiced overcoming our fear of heights (I was the brave one). That was a memorable experience. We looked out on the scenic vista of verdant forests and while we were "oohing and ahhing" a nauseous toddler threw-up nearby. It was a lovely and serene moment until just then. It really killed the mood.

We stopped by the Grotto on Central Avenue across from the art galleries. We tried to be adventurous by sampling the experience of the "oxygen bar". Hmmm, how shall I describe it? Imagine sniffing cheap air freshener while hyperventilating and then being charged $16 bucks for the effort. Its not something I would recommend. The most enjoyable part of the that deal was the friendly and attentive college-age hottie that hooked up the air supply. He was real easy on the eyes, if ya know what I mean.

Of course, the high point of the trip was the visit to the galleries. The first day there we visited Gallery Central. Good work there, but a little stuffy and sterile. We visited a new gallery featuring Allison Parsons. Allison focuses mainly on watercolors and acrylics with Hot Springs landscapes and architecture as the subject. I like her work very much. Its vibrant, brilliant, and she treats the subject with a lot of love and affection. Allison is a sweet lady and took time to visit with us about her work even though we weren't buying that day.

On Monday (Memorial Day) I was finally able to make my pilgrimage to my personal artistic shrine, Blue Moon Art Gallery. I almost ran back to the Randall Good section and stared holes into every piece on the walls. Pat and Dishongh each gave me a big hug and made me feel like family. That's why I love that place. The folks at Blue Moon not only love art, they love art-lovers. There was an artist about to bring in her work yet they still took time to visit with me. I'm the proud collector of three beautiful Randall Good drawings, but I assure you I'm not one of their biggest spending clients. But still, they treated me as if I were the most important person in the room. I was touched.

I have my eye on another drawing. It complements the Icarus/Daedalus pair of watercolors I have. Its a much larger work and I want it badly. Its a drawing of the "fallen Icarus" (or is it Daedalus weeping over his fallen son?). Its the most unique composition. I won't describe it here. We'll wait until I've acquired it. Pat tells me there has been some interest in it. But, she kindly said she would give me a call if anyone gets serious about it. I've got first dibs on it, in other words. I just love that lady.

Then, I stepped over and quietly lusted after the Debilynn Fendley drawings. What is it about drawings that get to me? There are two of her pieces that I'm in love with. However, the subject is the most beautiful, titillating male nude. I'd have a lot of explaining to do to any visitors if I acquired those. But, I'm madly in love with the pieces and almost willing to take the risk.

Simply put, Memorial Day was memorable.

Garvan Gardens Series

Since I've continued to procrastinate about drawing and painting I've decided to continue with blogs about photography. Some of my favorite photographs I've taken are of the beautiful plantings at Garvan Gardens in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

These were taken last year (2006) around Easter. This dogwood flower is one of my favorites. I had just had my digital camera stolen and had bought a new (and better) one. I stopped at Garvan Gardens to try it out. I had never been there before and wasn't sure what to expect. I was overwhelmed. It's a beautiful place. I'll share the pictures over the next few days. I don't know that any of the pictures have a special message behind them, but I'll try to be inspirational. Nature always brings out the philosopher/spiritualist in me. This bloom seemed to be new, pristine, perfect in its form. I'm so glad the photo turned out well. I hope you enjoy it. I'll post more on the Flickr album.

Madame Toussaud's Wax Museum - Vegas

Yes, I wish I'd really met The Rock. But, this certainly was the next best thing. The Venetian has a Madame Toussaud's Wax Museum attached to it. When we bought our tickets for the Blue Man Group we received free tickets to the wax museum.

This wax museum is none like I've ever been to. We have a Madame Toussaud's in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Its nothing like this. At the Vegas museum you are allowed to "interact" with the figures. We were able to touch the figures, pose with them, have our pictures made with them.

I have great pictures of myself with The Rock, Patrick Stewart, Capt. Jack Sparrow and Judy Garland. I got to wipe my face with Elvis' scarf. But, I couldn't keep it. Before the visit was over I even pushed the "President" away from his press conference podium. That may have been the most cathartic experience of my entire vacation.