hushaboo to you, too!

hushabirthday to you
hushabirthday to you
hushabirthday, dear iris
hushabirthday to you

Despite the album title, hushaboo, there will neither be hushing nor booing at my good friend, Iris Leu's CD release party. The show kicks off at 8PM with DJ Pendergrassin', then Giggle Party, and finally, Iris gives us a gift on her birthday!

This is certainly a nice and humble gesture, but I say we pitch in and give her a gift by picking up a copy of her new album.

If you can't make it out to snag one of her CDs tonight, you can check it out on the interwebs:

Find Iris on...
cdbaby
www.myspace.com/irisleu
lastfm
pandora

If you like what you hear, you'll definitely enjoy meeting the lovely Ms. Leu tonight at Live at Mokah or electronically right hurr.

See you tonight!

Meet Dylan Hollingsworth.

I had heard and read his name hundreds of times. His lenskillz struck me personally when he shot my good friend, Sally Glass and captured her playful, carefree but not careless sensibility with his camera. Until Art Conspiracy IV, Dylan was only a legendary friend of a friend whom I had yet to meet. I assumed I would, at some point shyly introduce myself and awkwardly express my respect for his work. However, thanks to namebadges and Dylan's committment to finding

truth in himself and through others, he shouted my name as we crossed paths in that art-filled West Dallas Warehouse. To my surprise, he recognized my name. We talked about our mutual friend, showed each other our respective Art-Con works, discussed the grandeur of the event, and promised to keep up with one another electronically. Since then, we've both held up our ends of the bargain, sharing whatever inspiration, motivation, and creative opportunities we have with one another. As of late, Cara and I were lucky enough to hang 4 Hollingsworth prints north of LBJ for our first Dunn Bros. Art Show. Furthermore the customers in this coffee shop are lucky to have Dylan's work as more than just a backdrop for latte sipping and wifi surfing.

By investing time, concentration, and seeking depth in his subjects, he crafts surrealism with reality for his viewers to ponder and take second, third, and fourth looks. I am proud to share wall space with such an amazing friend and photographer.

Meet Dylan Hollingsworth. You will be happy.

Name: Dylan Hollingsworth
Email: deloused2905@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.dylanhollingsworthphotography.com/
Additional Website / Blog: myspace.com/lyric_estella

Are you a practicing artist?
I am a photographer focused on but not limited to conceptual, raw, editorial and oddity photography. Some assembly required and life's readymades.

What is your primary artistic medium?
Photography

What do you dabble in (artistically)?
Life

Where do you live (generally, not creepily)?
Vickery and Greenville

Aside from your studio, what physical, local space inspires you the most?
South Dallas, West Dallas and Space Studios. Also, anywhere where the struggle (actually being fought) is in full effect.

What is your favorite part of town?
Wherever i am i look for whats right, not whats wrong... and i find it.

Norm had Cheers. The gang on Saved by the Bell had The Maxx. Where would you be considered a "regular?"
lots of people know me and lots of people love me but i nevertheless seem to be a loner.

What is your (Alcoholic) Beverage of Choice?
Allergic to alcohol.

What is your (non-alcoholic or alcoholic) beverage of choice?
Cranberry.

What would your last supper consist of?
Hunan chicken or some dirty south soul food. Greens, cabbage, cornbread etc...

What 3 famous artists (visual artists, actors, directors, writers, musicians etc.), dead or alive, inspire you the most?
Fred Rogers of Mr. Rogers.
Godspeed You Black Emperor
Michel Gondry

What 3 almost famous people, artists or non-artists, dead or alive inspire you the most?
William Eggelston
Richard Avedon
Deb With Glamour Shots by Deb

Name 3 bands/musicians that you dig immensely:
Tiny Tim
Broken Social Scene
Sam Cooke

Name 3 movies that you dig immensely:
Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind
Young Frankenstein
Koyaanisquatsi

What book(s) are you currently reading?
Alcoholics Anonymous

Do you work a "regular" 9-5 job?
Freelance baby!

How long have you lived where you live now?
I have been in this house for 1 year.

At what time of the day do you feel most creative?
NOW.

In a haiku, please describe a memory from your childhood.
I'll learn these 2 things,
They are quite contrasty things,
Then i'll learn new things.

Anything else you would like to add?
Everything i ever needed to know and possess i continue to find innately inside of me. If i am willing to look, see truth and engage in removing what is covering up my true self and my potential, i find it everytime. And i get to share it with you.

Are you a Texan?
Hell Yes.

What are 3 things that you love (or miss) about Texas?
When people say in rural ares, "Aint that some shit?"
Country girls with sassy mouths and cut off shorts.
Kaufman.

Name 3 authors that you dig immensely:
John Kennedy Toole
Shel Silverstein
Bill Wilson

When and why did you decide to become an artist? (Submitted by Iris Leu )
In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer. i thought i would share it and perspectives that realization brought to me, wih you.

What do you see yourself doing in 10 years? (Submitted by Iris Leu )
shooting photography. helping others. loving every minute of it.

What would you like written on your epitaph? (Submitted by Iris Leu )
you will be happy.

What are 3 questions that you would like answered by the next person who takes this survey?
What hurt the most?
What helped the most?
What keeps you warm at night?

For the Love of Kettle: A Video Recap.

Below is a short montage I put together this morning from the, apparently limited footage I shot last night at Kettle Art's "For the Love of Kettle" group show.

In case you're wondering what went down, here's the skinny:
50 artists were given 2 8"X10" panels to create original work to be sold at $50 to benefit Kettle Art, a well-loved art space in Dallas, Texas.

Last night, on 02.21.09, hundreds of friends, family members, and local arts advocates passed through the threshold of "the little gallery that could." Walls quickly filled with red "sold" dots, proving (to me, at least) that our community does indeed respect, need, and appreciate local efforts to cultivate visual art.

I appreciate what this gallery has done for me, personally, but in a much larger scope, Kettle Art is a cultural mecca for Dallasites, whether they know it or not. Consistently challenging local artists to push their creative envelopes and providing a venue for visual (and occasionally other forms of) expression, the little gallery that could is showing this city that it can.

I humbly thank each and every person who came out to contribute to and support the art scene in big D last night.

Now peep this:



Also, be sure to check out Crazy Picture Guy's FREE Flickr set from the show right HURR.

Inside the Artist Studio from KERA - Erica Felicella

The staff at KERA's Art and Seek is certanily taking advantage of new media lately...and it's the good "taking advantage of," not the GHB kind.

The latest in their endeavors to nourish and expose local cultural efforts is a video/interview with photographer, Eric Felicella in her Oak Cliff studio. Betsy Lewis of KERA has been dropping by various artists' studios for the past few weeks now, seeking art and artfully capturing artists seeking inspiration.

You can take a gander at the video right Hurr!

If you're intrigued enough, you can swing on by Kettle Art this Saturday to purchase an original piece from Erica and about 49 other artists hanging their work on the walls For the Love of Kettle.

Operation Unicrog - Mission #2

Mission complete!
Mission Description: Model something you wouldn't normally wear in various places.

Learn more at operationunicrog.blogspot.com

Do it for the Love of Kettle! (Opens this Saturday)

Buy a piece of wood from the little gallery that could.

Kettle Art Gallery has become an icon in Deep Ellum, standing strong as a beacon of hope and a venue for creative culture in big D. Each and every person who considers him/herself a contributor to or a patron of the arts (Visual, Musical and otherwise) in Dallas benefits from having a place like this. This Saturday, you can show your support by stopping by Kettle Art to admire and/or purchase original 8"X10" works from over 50 local artists. At 50 bones a piece with proceeds going towards funding the gallery upkeep and maintenance costs, this show is a veritable bargain-bin.

You can check out work from (but not limited to) the following local talent:
Erica Felicella, Tyson Summers, Frank Campagna, Richard Ross, Sergio Garcia, Amber Campagna, Havi Frost, Tony Bones, George Fowler, Cathey Miller, Jayme Nourallah and MORE.

Do it. For the Love of Kettle!

a video thank you.

This past Saturday night was nothing short of amazing. Cara and I were (and still are) floored by the artists, the musicians, and the support that showed up at Dunn Bros. for the "Valentine's Day Is..." Art Show and Extravaganza.

Here's a look at what went down...If you weren't able to make it out on Saturday, you can still check out the work (minus the music and the stench of baking soda, vinegar, ranch, ketchup, mustard, and squeezy juice drinks from the breakup box).

Swing on down (or up) to Dunn Bros. Coffee Shop in Addison any time during regular business hours for a cup of coffee, free wi-fi and some great art.

Dunn Bros. is located at 3725 Beltline Road, Addison, TX 75001

The music for this montage comes from the one and only Iris Leu, who just happens to have her new album, "Hushaboo" on pre-sale at www.myspace.com/irisleu!

IT'S COMING!!!!

Today is the final drop-off day for artists participating in the "Valentine's Day Is..." Art Show and Extravaganza at Dunn Bros. Coffee in Addison, TX on 2/14/2009 We've got an amazing lineup for Saturday night and I'm proud to be on the same walls and in the same room as the following folks:

Musician, Iris Leu
http://www.irisleu.com/

Photographer, Dylan Hollingsworth
http://www.dylanhollingsworthphotography.com/

Visual Artist, "Maker of things", Tyson Summers
http://www.tysonsummers.com/

Photographer, Liss LaFleur
http://www.lisslafleur.com/

Photographer, Cara Smith
http://www.cmsphotography.tumblr.com/

Musician, Nicholas Altobelli
www.myspace.com/nicholasaltobelli

Painter, Photographer, Sondra Beamon
http://www.sbfreelance.com/

Visual Artist, Corey Godfrey

Tattoo Artist, Johnny Cortez

Visual Artist, Wendy Moran

Musicians, Zac Cadwalader and Matt Amend

Come on out and meet these asskicktaculites!

Love Songs @ Art Hotel

Unfortunately, I won't be able to make it to the opening reception, as we're putting on our own V-Day show at Dunn Bros., but if you're downtown, check out some awesome new work at Art Hotel. For this show, cleverly called "Love Songs," each contributing artist was asked to create a piece of art based on a love song of his/her choosing. I knocked out a piece inspired by Iron and Wine's "Flightless Bird, American Mouth" with a cut on my arm and a dog-eared map to prove it.

Some Nueva Work.

After slaving away with a shoddy circular saw, a roto-zip, and some hole saw bits throughout the week leading up to ArtLoveMagic's Underground show, I prepared a few smaller pieces to assemble live at the show. Check 'em out:





As a way of melding art with history and growing the Out of the Woodworks concept, both pieces are stuffed with pieces from Inauguration day newspaper. The piece on the bottom became a makeshift birthday gift for my 10 year old cousin, Jocelyn.

Reunited and It Feels So Good...

As I've mentioned before, I was part of a theatre troupe at UT called The Silk Mangos. As UT's first Asian American theatre troupe, we frequently addressed issues on race and identity in a multitude of performative mediums. Although there was a socio-political principle behind our work, we grew as artists with one another. Together, we wrote and performed original sketches and one acts for the sake of comedy, drama, social awareness, drama, improvisation, and experimentation. All in all, we just wanted to play in front of a live audience.

Semester after semester, rehearsal after rehearsal, show after show, road trip after road trip, drunken debacle after drunken debacle, these people were my family in college. Since taking our final bow (and weeping like school-girls, I might add), we've all gone our separate ways...New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Austin, Dallas, Houston...

Despite the distance though, a few of us have found a way to rekindle the old flames and create a new environment of collective, creative growth through performance. Thanks to technology, I present to you, MISSION UNICROG (Half Unicorn, Half Frog).

For about a month, we've been emailing back and forth and contributing to an enormous google doc filled with "missions" for one another. For now, the participating UNICROG Agents will be assigned the same "mission" to carry out. We've created a youtube account and we will be video-documenting our respective interpretations of the mission.

This week's mission was:
"Create a character with a romantic problem and share it with the world on youtube."

Below is my way of saying "mission complete." Stay tuned to the UNICROG Youtube Channel for more reconnaissance work.

It feels good to be back together, guys.

Meet Iris Leu.

The first time I saw Iris Leu perform, I wet myself. I had a lot of coffee to drink that day and her music tugged at my heart like no other live show I've seen. Situated just a few tables away from the stage at Opening Bell (then Standard & Pours), I was struck by the intimacy and the intensity of the performance. Emotions seem to pour over her keyboard and permeate every nook and cranny of any venue she plays, and this night was no exception.

Beyond performing, whether she knows this or not, Iris has consistently been a creative advocate of mine. Appearing at shows unexpectedly, and even early from time to time, she's always willing to support her fellow artist-kinfolk in big D, regardless of the medium. After only a few myspace exchanges and maybe (seriously, maybe) one real-life interaction, Iris entered my heart in a huge way when she drove down to Deep Ellum for one of my first art shows in Dallas.

I was unloading my car in preparation for my first live art show with artlovemagic and out came Iris from her car, offering to help me with a bag of tools. It's not that I expected her not to come, I certainly didn't expect to see her there, early, carrying a cordless drill for me. But that's just the type of selfless, supportive artist she is. Thanks for doing what you do, Iris. You keep my spirits high and my underwear soiled.

Meet Iris Leu

Name: Iris Leu
Website: irisleu.com
Additional Website / Blog: myspace.com/irisleu

1. Are you a practicing artist?
I make tunes that allow people to cry, and some that make you wanna dance.

2. What is your primary artistic medium?
Music performance, paper crumpling, and pressing/unpressing buttons on my recording gear.

3. What do you dabble in (artistically)?
Haikus.

4. Where do you live (generally, not creepily)?
Dallas, TX

5. Aside from your studio, what physical, local space inspires you the most?
I write plenty in the car, with everything/everybody being 30-mins away here in Dallas.
Scenic routes and store fonts really get me going.
Murray Street Coffee has great natural lighting.

6. What is your favorite part of town?
Deep Ellum + Lakewood + Oak Cliff and
the downtowns of each suburb and
indie coffee houses + public libraries.

7. Norm had Cheers. The gang on Saved by the Bell had The Maxx. Where would you be considered a "regular?"
Various locations of Panera Bread -
I'm the cheap customer that always gets a tall iced tea and hogs the wi-fi.

8. What is your (Alcoholic) Beverage of Choice?
I can't metabolize alcohol, boo!

9. What is your (non-alcoholic or alcoholic) beverage of choice?
Harney and Sons Hot Cinnamon Sunset Tea

10. What would your last supper consist of?
I'm a vegetarian, but my honest response would be, steak, medium well-done.

11. What 3 famous artists (visual artists, actors, directors, writers, musicians etc.), dead or alive, inspire you the most?
I try not to flirt with superlatives, but off the tip of my tongue:
1. John Steinbeck
2. Isaac Mizrahi
3. Hans Zimmer

12. What 3 almost famous people, artists or non-artists, dead or alive inspire you the most?
1. Laura Owens - painter who had a piece at the DMA this past summer.
2. With whomever I'm currently in love.
3. Rogan Gregory - clothing designer who revolves his business around his ethics.

13. Name 3 bands/musicians that you dig immensely:
I've been digging:
1. Zazie
2. Kings of Leon
3. Antony and the Johnsons

14. Name 3 movies that you dig immensely:
1. The Orphanage, and anything by Guillermo del Toro, really.
2. Speed Racer, visually stunning.
3. Ghostbusters

15. What book(s) are you currently reading?
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

16. Do you work a "regular" 9-5 job?
Nope.

17. How long have you lived where you live now?
About 1 year.

18. At what time of the day do you feel most creative?
After 7pm.

19. If you went to College, what was your major?
Neurobiology.

20. If you went to College, what was your minor?
No minor, but I'll use this space to say I wish I'd taken more electives, ie glass blowing or ceramics or more cello lessons.

21. In a haiku, please describe a memory from your childhood.
If you are one of
Fifty I kicked in the groin,
I am so sorry.

22. Anything else you would like to add?
I want to be as dashing and daring as Andrew. I think he's great and hope it's his year.

23. Are you a Texan?
Hell Yes.

24. What are 3 things that you love (or miss) about Texas?
1. Lamme's Candy
2. Old friends
3. New friends through old friends.

25. Name 3 authors that you dig immensely:
Besides Steinbeck,
1. W. Somerset Maugham
2. Marjane Satrapi, I highly recommend "Chicken with Plums."
3. JD Salinger

26. What are 3 questions that you would like answered by the next person who takes this survey?
1. When and why did you decide to become an artist?
2. What do you see yourself doing in 10 years?
3. What would you like written on your epitaph?

27. Question Submitted by Sally Glass
What is one piece of artwork in existence (any type) over the entire span of time and space that you wish you had created (and why)?
Dvorak's New World Symphony. The melodic lifts take me to such heights no other work has ever shown me. It's my go-to when I can't sleep.

28.Question Submitted by Sally Glass
When in your life do you feel you create the most meaningful art?
I've just now reached a point where I feel I've mastered the formulas that go into songwriting for pop music, which is generally a symmetrical, motif repetitive, very selfless genre. I'm making more asymmetrical, more personal pieces these days, so the best is yet to come. Not sure if I answered this Q correctly. I'm trying to say that the best creative times come when the formulas are conquered and then tossed out the window.

28.Question Submitted by Sally Glass
Do you ever experience "writer's block", and if so, how do you deal with it?
"Writer's Block" usually manifests itself into eating lots of crap food, for me. So, exercise helps put me into a more creative and confident state of mind, which I need to craft tunes. Sorry there isn't a more romantic answer to it!

You can swing by the "Valentine's Day Is..." Art Show and Extravaganza at Dunn Bros. on February 14th to see Iris live and in concert. If you're interested in grabbing some of her music you can do that right HERE or you can head out to Live at Mokah in Deep Ellum on February 26th to celebrate the release of her new CD, Hushaboo.

Next up: Photographer, Dylan Hollingsworth.

Earbuds and Lyric Looking

I've given it some thought, and I'm pretty certain that the piece I'll be working on for Art Hotel's Love Song Show will be a visual tribute to Iron and Wine's "Flightless Bird, American Mouth." Each artist has been presented with the challenge of creating a representation of a cherished love song.

After playing Beatles album after Beatles album, some 80s love songs, and even some Reel Big Fish, I took a trip down to the garage with a beer, turned on my iPod and this song just felt right. The lyrics are weird as hell, but it just feels right, damnit!



Much respect to my homie, Shayne for inviting me out be a part of this exhibit. Art Hotel is a new exhibition space here in the, dare I say burgeoning Dallas art scene, and I am proud to be affiliated with such wonderful folks. Check it out at www.myspace.com/art_hotel.

Still Collecting Old Relationship Nostalgia for The Breakup Box

I'll be up at Dunn Bros. in Addison (Beltline and Marsh) from 5:30-7ish tomorrow THIS evening (02.04.09), collecting stuff for the Breakup Box. Please feel free to swing by the shop or email me at tolentinoed.artwork@gmail.com with any questions about this interactive event at "Valentine's Day Is..." See you soon!

see you there, lover.

Infinite Thanks from the Underground Beard Booth.

Last night was an amazing experience. Artlovemagic went big at the Underground Art Show at Janette Kennedy Gallery, drawing god knows how many people to this insane live art event. We filled the gallery itself and the better part of a major thoroughfare at SouthSide on Lamar with, well, art, love, and magic from all over the metroplex.

The idea of Underground as a "live art show" became especially real when a highly attractive woman, about my age came up and said something that hurled me into a state of improvisation. "I really like those skateboard beards. I kind of want to wear one around as a beard mask!" she exclaimed. I looked down at my cordless drill, a spare skateboard deck and a hole-saw bit and said to her, "Give me 10 minutes." I made an impromptu hole-sawing surface by turning a chair on its side and clamping the busted deck on two of its legs. Unfortunately, the drill battery was on its last leg and I had to borrow some electrical outlet real estate from Hal Samples, who was taking photos next to my booth. The young, attractive woman returned and asked, "how is the beard coming along." "Damnit! " I spazzed, and explained that I had to wait for my battery to charge. About 20 minutes later, the battery had enough juice to cut out a mouth and two holes for a rope that would secure the beard on her face. By this time, this was all to no avail, since she didn't come back by the table, but her comment and the fact that I had the right tools resulted in a new performative piece that I now want to include in exhibits henceforth.

I wrote on the beard, "Put me on." (Singing in my head A-ha's "Take on me"). I thought it would be a cute play on words and actions...(the idiom, "You're putting me on" + the action of actually putting my creation on). After doing this, I handed the "skatebeard" mask to my friend, Nick who asked "Can I add something?" "Sure," I replied. He wrote "Don't," thus the phrase "Don't put me on." We laughed and thought about the idea of people immediately wanting to do something when instructed not to. Then, apparently, he, being a clever wordsmith, crossed out the "Don't" that he added , and wrote "You're" and stuck a "tting" after "put," resulting in "Don't You're putting me on." I laughed my ass off, whipped out my drill, and put a screw in the wall to hang the recent creation. As I stepped back and saw the impromptu skatebeard mask and wordplay, I realized that I had just, by happenstance, created a collaborative piece of art with a friend and a complete stranger...and I'm realizing more and more that this type of playful interactivity plays a vital role in my whole process.

I want to thank each and every person who came out and supported this event, especially those who took the time to swing by the booth to check out the work and take a gander at my process. By talking with friends, family, and complete strangers about my work and the event itself, I find myself clarifying and sharpening the reason why I'm doing what I'm doing. I can't count the number of times I explained the concept behind the Out of The Woodworks series I am working on, and each time I found myself feeding off of the response from whomever I was yapping at. This process of engaging in a dialog (with fellow artists, friends, family, strangers) about one's own creation is the artist's challenge. Through this trial, both the spectator and the creator can begin to refine the art that they see and create.

You are my muse, my impetus, and my reason for creative evolution:

Nick Olsen
Skatebeard Mask lady
Jonathan Sham
Lisa Parker
Clayton Kemp
Jon Hendrix
Zac Cadwalader
Faye Scolnic
Desiree Eslami
Matt Amend
Cara Smith
Chris H.
Katie Joiner
Marina Stoynova
Adrian Ramirez
Mom
Blanca Chavez
Kris Capps
Briana
Kevin
Jessyca Gonzalez
Caroline Casey
Dylan Hollingsworth
Kiki (AKA Roxanne, Deb)
Iris Leu
Sally Glass (in my heart and my noggin')
Tyson Summers
Mike Arreaga
Shayne
C.Kirk
Oscar Angulo
Fredo Salazar
Hal Samples
Justin Nygren
David Rodriguez
Leslie
Michael Lagocki
Todd
Erin C.
Craig and LaTosha Hemphill
Sondra B.
Zoetina Veal
Carla
Michele C.
Meredith H.
Jay E.
Patti L.
Katy

If I left anybody off this list who came out last night, feel free to call me out.

Also, I'm a jackass and didn't have many printed materials with my contact info, so if you're reading this and you came with a friend, please feel free to pass it on.