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!