Megan Whitmarsh: Revolution is a Circle

I'm a huge fan of Megan Whitmarsh's work, especially her soft sculpture. Her approach to pop culture inspired, representational image and object making strikes a chord with me. It's also quite synchronistic with a painting series I've been working on for the past year, more word on that later. But for now, enjoy the artist's statement from Megan's upcoming Jack Hanley Gallery show in NYC.

Revolution is a Circle

Megan Whitmarsh

at Jack Hanley Gallery

June 2012

"My current work is like giant fabric collage using borrowed imagery, abstraction and gesture. This organizing of cultural and personal ephemera is a reckoning of the present with the past resulting in a rueful sort of Pop art. 

In pop culture "revolution" is seen as a change to existing conditions, yet in mechanical terms it means to rotate and end up where you started. The literal definition at first seems less provocative but upon closer examination, proves to hold more capacity for multiplicity and contrast. Things are always moving and yet staying the same. We cannot alter the substance of life we can only transform it. In this sense we are like ants shifting around the matter of the earth. 

There is a duplicity in the process of making art that seems necessary as I think art fails as soon as it succeeds. It is like the notion that faith carries the seed of it's own doubt. I want to make work that acknowledges this opening and yet also shows evidence of the compulsion to create. Making "new" things which admit their history."

Minor Me // Starlet

Are Minor Me stalking Scarlett Johansson? Maybe. Are they writing melodic, pop rock songs (with titles which rhyme with her name) just to get her attention? Yes. Did they take it one step further and  make a video in support of the song? Yes. Oh, and top of that, they also asked me to paint the cover. Enjoy!

Reminiscing: Dublab // Into Infinity

Way back in 2008, I was invited to contribute to Dublab & Creative Common's collaborative project: Into Infinity, which paired a visual artist with a musical artist. 

The visual artist was given a 12" round piece of white paper to do whatever they wished to, except disrupt the circular shape. Next, the musician was asked to create an 8 second audio loop. Finally, the two were paired together in compliment and contrast. My visuals were matched up with the sounds of Adventure Time. In 2009, the visual and audio elements were combined into a a gallery exhibition/live performance at Look Gallery in Nakano, Japan.

My piece was titled Themotherfunkydrummershipconnection. What do you think this is in tribute to?

A Love Supreme

Happy Birthday, and welcome River Naima Beld Jimenez. Born 11:10am, in the year 2012, on the 3rd day of May. Your mom will tell you stories of 36 hours of labor for the rest of your life! Your mom is a warrior. You have a good and beautiful, loving family.

Currently Listening to...

Tall Tales & the Silver Lining - Good Time, Spring Singles (Self Released, 2012). Cover art by Kyle Fields. To each one, teach one.

It's Been a While

...since I've taken part in that ole' showing art type of thing. But here it is again, in Echo Park no less. Thank you to LA Record for putting the whole thing together. Stop by Stories to see what I've done now. Here's a hint: It's an acrylic on panel painting of one of my favorite LA bands. Am I also showing a secret piece or two? Who knows, maybe I'll see you there? Don't forget, all the work is for sale. If your wallets fat...I'm just sayin'.

Speaking of Echo Park...this is technically not me showing any art, as in a painting on a wall or anything, but the Echo Park Art Walk 2012 is happening Saturday, May 19th, from 12 - 6pm. Once again, my 2010 Echo Park Art Walk flyer design will be gracing the fronts of t-shirts for sale. If you want one, get over to E.P. on the date said.

MAGNETIC LOVE

Magnetic Love - Acrylic on 24 x 24 canvas, 2012

Aside from being my most recent painting, Magnetic Love is also the name of a soon to be released LP by my great, great friend Deepakalypse, aka Deepak Krasner.

With a 2nd solo release (this time an EP) also on the way, and a side project, going by the name Pink Moment currently in the works... 2012 is going to be an epic year for all things Deepak.

Who knows, maybe I have more album covers to paint for this year? Stay tuned, in all ways.