Big Thought. A New Piece.

Big Thought.
4x6x1”
Acrylic on wood block.

Cactus Line. A New Piece.

Cactus Line.
15x40”
Acrylic on paper.

Kids and Matisse.

Kid says "how did he do it?"
Adults says "my kid could do that."
http://hyperallergic.com/129532/kids-looking-at-matisse/

I saw a show of Picasso, Matisse, and Van Gogh (and probably many others) when I was very young as it came through Chicago…I honestly remember the old ladies reading street signs and "Dear Theo" playing on the bus ride more than the actual art…but I remember be awestruck…interested…energized. You just enjoy art as a child…when you get older, you try to figure it out. We should really work on that...

Privilege. A New Piece.

Privilege.
30x20"
acrylic on paper.

Epic Minimalism: Carl Andre Retrospective at Dia:Beacon.

A major retrospective of minimalist sculptor Carl Andre...
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/30/arts/design/carl-andres-epic-sculptures-united-at-diabeacon.html?ref=design

and here's a link to my recent post on the controversy surrounding Andre and his wife's death in 1985…
http://marionart23.blogspot.com/2014/05/foretold-in-blood-death-of-ana-mendieta.html

Shinseki Resigns Amid VA Scandal.

The President has accepted the resignation of VA secretary Shinseki…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/shinseki-apologizes-for-va-health-care-scandal/2014/05/30/e605885a-e7f0-11e3-8f90-73e071f3d637_story.html

Ancient Irish Stone Vandalized.

An investigation is underway after an iconic and ancient stone was vandalized last night…

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/garda-investigation-after-iconic-ancient-stone-at-hill-of-tara-vandalised-with-paint-30314709.html

The Dangers of Lifting Weights. A New Piece.

The Dangers of Lifting Weights.

24x24"

Acrylic on canvas.

Cooper Union Case Going to Court.

When the Cooper Union announced that, for the first time in over a century, the school would be charging tuition protests erupted and charges of mismanagement flew. Now, with a year gone by and tuition still scheduled for implementation this fall, a lawsuit has been filed and the case looks headed for court…
http://online.wsj.com/articles/lawsuit-filed-over-cooper-union-tuition-1401229539

Abramovic's "Nothing" Becomes a Bit of a Legal Something.

Nothing? Someone's already done it.
http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2014/may/29/art-star-marina-abramovic-row-nothing-serpentine

US Economy Shrinks, Harsh Winter Blamed.

For the first time in 3 years, the US economy shrank…but despite the negative news, analysts still expect a strong rebound for the next quarter. Take a look...
http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/may/29/us-economy-shrinks-unexpectedly

The Politics of Architecture in Nicaragua.

An interesting story of how politics, literally, changes the landscape…
http://hyperallergic.com/128686/the-politics-of-architecture-in-nicaragua/

Also, take the time to check out a little background on the architect…
http://www.glenhowardsmallarchitect.com

and check out the documentary on the architect…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-8y0ZHxaxE

Surreal Absurdities: The Violence of Columbia's Drug War in Paintings.

Some very intriguing work here…definitely taking some inspiration...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/28/camilo-restrepo_n_5400563.html?utm_hp_ref=arts

Responding to Hornaday Blaming Hollywood.

A response to Ann Hornaday's article which basically blamed the recent shootings on male-dominated Hollywood...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dan-sickles/responding-to-anne-hornaday_b_5399975.html

Ottawa Public Art Memorializes Wrong Man.

50k to honor a badminton champion…
http://www.vocativ.com/culture/fun/town-built-huge-memorial-wrong-guy/

But hey, it's not like they misquoted (or paraphrased if you want to give them the benefit of the doubt) the most famous activist in the country's history…
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/erroneous-quote-on-mlk-memorial-to-be-removed/

REJECTED: Unpublished Covers.

In case you didn't know, I do a bit of design…and rejection is a BIG part of it. Take a look at some unseen covers from the last few years…
https://www.behance.net/gallery/1029529/ShepEx-Alternate-Covers

Something Overhead. A New Piece.

Something Overhead.
18x36"
Acrylic on canvas.

Nobody Wants the Olympics.

When people began to open the discussion of bringing the Olympics to Milwaukee, I laughed…and then when I realized they were serious, I frowned.

Let's get this out of the way, I LOVE watching the Olympics. No sporting event intrigues me quite like the long list of random, lesser-known and obscure sports than theta of the Olympics…but watching is very different from hosting…and if Milwaukee hosted the Olympics, I'd be the first to take a month or two off from work, rent out my apt. to the highest bidder, and get the hell out of town. It's not that the Olympics are bad…it's that HOSTING the Olympics is bad…and it seems like every other city is catching on…Take a look.
http://deadspin.com/nobody-wants-to-host-the-2022-olympics-1582151092

and a new story on Philadelphia and NYC dropping their bids on the 2024 Olympics…
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/olympics-fourth-place-medal/new-york--philadelphia-decline-opportunity-to-bid-for-2024-olympics-145703470.html

Maya Angelou 1928-2014

A link to the developing story...
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/may/28/maya-angelou-poet-author-dies-86

And her website…
http://mayaangelou.com

Relentless Literalism: The 9/11 Memorial Museum and the Death of Subtlety.

The new 9/11 Memorial Museum opened to a chorus of praise and its fair share of criticism…but what many critics seem to ignore is the main question before us…is a museum necessary in the first place?
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-et-cm-911-museum-review-20140526-column.html#page=1

And apart from the 9/11 Museum, think about the question in terms of art and creativity in general. Are we still going to museums to experience something or to be told what's in front of us, what to think? Do we view art with the same giddy curiosity as we sit down to take-in a movie or do we demand an explanation, a synopsis, the second the first piece crosses our view? Do you go to a gallery for the beer or to actually look at art?

Are we looking or experiencing?

Clouds, Birds, Thunder, & Gold. A New Piece.

Clouds, Birds, Thunder, & Gold.
18x30"
Acrylic on canvas.

Division. In-progress.

Division.
Take a look at the newest piece, currently in-progress...

WWI From The Air.

A fascinating look at the First World War and the world's first large-scale use of flight in conflict…
http://www.theatlantic.com/static/infocus/wwi/wwiair/

VA, Once Hailed as Model for National Health Care, Falls Apart.

Despite being hailed as a beacon that the rest of the American health care industry should strive toward, the recent VA scandal continues to expand...
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2014/05/27/the_lefts_health_care_paradise_122749.html

Mess and Cleanup Must Be A Team Effort

Wall Totem. A New Piece.

Wall Totem.

12x96"

Acrylic on wood.