shameless self promotion, note to friends in art, around town

After this paragraph, copy from modestoartx blog. its a note to artists in our area, and some friends. We've been lampooning an item here on editorial difference, behind the scene email, regarding competetive nature of business, when economy down. I understand both sides of equation, as frankly, to do what I've been doing, on really limited resources, use the free sites to blog, post my paintings and drawings, poetry which has yielded interest, critical review I needed, as for a bit, didn't get out much, health issues, bipolar and type of depression, other interests, where a need appeared, as did opportunity and what I was doing for some needed cash, promotion, back to posters, do some newsletters, support my support group, support some causes I live, not just believe in.

I don't get paid to blog here. Modesto Bee was my employer, but for a far longer time, i've been my own employer, even had to fire myself, reemploy myself, as I qualify for disability, but under regs, also couldn't collect, without giving houses I get income from, in a Catch 22 world. In 1990 or so, friends of my started Graceada Park Performance Art Profect, collaboration of some of us imports from out of town, who'd made it unbeknownst to modesto powers that be, locals, with talent, seemed to be sneaky in their own success, and common complaint, we have the talent, so do our friends, should be more opportunities, more fun, and better, if we also can show, or perform at home.

Or... some gave up, hit the road. My bro don't play chess, its golf when visiting Mom in Modesto.

In 1996, to compound depression issue, some family trust argumentative friendly discussion on the business, etc, thus had to go to work for someone else, we closed the business as family more important that discussion, we like action in our family, I got a beer bottle, shattered on my skull, it hurt, bit of a crack, triple concussion, some loss of wiring function such I could feel myself rewire to right handed living if that's possible for lefty, and didn't have the stash, the cash, to go take care of it right, except some years later, find out my suspicions as was advanced placement biology student, before economics, were correct, evidently i was injured. This stopped art, as mental issue came to be something seemed important to work on, etc.

Ok, last blues festival, JB got me to dig out the portfolio as I was painting again, sold some work to everyone in my families surprise, not the old stuff, made new ones one day..... seemed better than when i left off,..... to join Keena in art display. Led to discussion with Sue Richardson at State Theatre to do art walk, seemed good gig to produce show, feature music friends, Rachel, Jon, Tara, John and Andy, Joelle, Joe B, others almost make the bill, old friend Hanley aware of bump of the head, as what I've been doing with JB, only hadn't done art for awhile, except do lots of posters, for all sorts of projects, or not. Note, JB only uses my frog logo, I don't do our posters, til the Minnie's after party ones came out. My minnie's paintings, been hanging there 20 years now.......

But, heard that same bitch come up, was talking to my hero Angry F, some felt left out, no where to hang their art, show, sell, etc. We're cartoonist oriented...... shouldn't be a problem. So,.... this is to those who were, or are still looking for place to hang art work, sell, show...... get on it.

Its really all you have to do, the door is wide open. I thank Chris, Efren, even Mojo, modbee back to publishing my letters to editor, I'm likely more coherent when I don't get overtired, and effects of the damn injury thing, I prefer to ignor, make it so when I send article into Chris, I should remember to use spell check. Some blogs of jdc104 like that too.

I told Efren I'd put a real blog up one of these days again, in support of Bonilla Wafer comments, and do one where its just me blogging, its not article, its my opinion. We have created a community of music in Modesto, one of the great poetry slam sites in the country, and the arts here, but I admit, possibly a bit stifled, not my fault, I wasn't doing it for a decade, and now while portfolio big, rather save on framing costs and frame only out of sales proceeds, and see other artists fill these display voids. There are enough of you out there, go for it.....

I did, but been able to do this since I was 14, simply took my midlife crisis off, resume normally for me is what happened, but means you can too, so, while I work on Blues Fest, and JB Presents stuff, * i have stage fright, boss sending me to TV anyway, he has job to do himself, and I have paintings to get done in less than 10 days, not small, on Will Arvin scale, been awhile since i've done any that size, so be busy, after art walk map in production, that's what I'm doing. Go take art walk maps, you can find some of my drafts at Clayton's, and contact the venues, see if they need your art work.... and get it out there.

I'd make it an order, but I'm not in charge, this is your thing.....

so... that blog I mentioned. Modestofamous.com seemed place i blog where maybe get the message i want to send to friends and community where get the most hits needed, and ain't wasting my column on this, too much opportunity to cover, by those doing it.

regarding new art walk map and format, opportunities waiting for you.

1. its in process, but I did layouts, got some help on images, work with a committee on this, and there are now a lot of venues on it.

2. there are two for one drink specials, a no sales tax day event, and a discount on meal of $3 at coffee house bistro, known for off the air shows and after parties.

3. Ads are available, in current format, can only get in 14.

4. Artists, there are now enough venues, should be able to cut a deal somewhere if you want to show, but you may want to pick one that fits your work, or consider that if they show you, learn about their restaurant, gallery, coffee, business, and build this as a contact. They are partners in your endeavor to show, sell, express your visions, in context of theirs where they work everyday.

5. I might refer you, but I also work it, negotiate my deals my way, happy to tell you terms I get in with, you may have to make your own deal, we all do different stuff. Go direct, its faster, then get your stuff there, make it happen.

I say this, as this opportunity could slip out at any time. Right now, its alive, and it needs the artists input, the portfolios, the willingness to move around a bit, try some stuff in terms of display, that is different from producing the work itself. Otherwise, paint for yourself, live off a day job. I only say this, as the spots are now open, with enough diversity, if you have the passion to show the work, take the risk of good, bad, indifferent, apathetic or no reaction at all.

Musicians do this, so do comedians. I think there is a lot of talent in our area, would love to see stuff I can't or don't do, but enjoy to view, check out, and I've been known to buy to. Helps me get ideas for new ways to do my thing. I'm just a volunteer in this, who had a layoff of nearly a decade, had no place to show, and a couple friends in same boat, who didn't have my past experience of being able to, here, and out of area.

I like writing, need more time to do the poetry I enjoy, sometimes get out there in published land, and work on that column I do for modesto view, get back to standard I once had prior to genuine affects me, bump on head, injury severity, why i have some problems playing music like I once did, even holding a brush for too long and able to work in painting. I've tried to open the door for some of you who said you needed some places to show here at home, so they're open. That took working with a lot of folks I've just come to know, who I've known a long time, and also get back to doing things I've not been able to for a long time, due to depression issue, to injury and coordination fuck up that is ok most days, but not all, including talking.

And in a year, I've won awards again, sold art, done contracts and yet to miss a deadline but to my friend Eileen in New York, as have it blocked out, but want to capture her story the illustration is for. She's still one of my subscribers here, and a poet laureate herself. I've got a regular monthly column to write, but still difficult to get contacts to really cover art scene here, I'm back, but truly a stranger in a strange land.

I'd like to thank scarlet art, jen eros, commonality, kviss, angryf, doug, JB, keena, erik, pauline, particularly Penny and Jack, Rose, et al, for helping get back into this, and state theatre crew, and old friends like Mitch and Paul, and new friends I've met doing this. The door is open, many of us have a shot, but it was always there, if you just connect the dots, go out talk a bit about what you do, can do for others, your interests, your thing you do that matters to you, and connect.

Visiting beyond facebook, myspace, or email, cell phone, is becoming it seems to me, a lost art. I like going out and seeing things. I have genuine stage fright, have a few real problems of getting back into this, of its not easy, I'm not fond of cold calls, but learned to do them well, as not a bad way to meet some new friends when you get the hang of it. And I've needed some.

So, modesto area artists, get to it....... I have some large paintings to work on, would love when i'm done to see you guys blow my socks off, blast away my preconceptions, blow my mind with your participation, stuff you guys do with these friends of ours downtown, ready to hang and show some art, support artists in our area.

jim

get some artists who might benefit from reading note above to read this one, as I don't know nearly enough in area to hook up the requests I get for artists outside the limits of what I can work on. two to thank, jodie and crissy, the posters help, also mel and carole and degenerates, who I simply find fun to see the work that comes out. and peter, etc. I have a little memory delay issue at times, but its pretty detailed and extensive, I do remember, though it may take a few minues sometimes to recall a name. Its damn difficult for me to do this far more right handed than i'm used to.