Not too long ago I created this pen & ink titled, "Mastectomy" and posted it to my "art page" on Facebook. While the overall response was well received, I also got several less than flattering comments and downright nasty private messages condemning me for using Cancer as a reason to paint a naked woman to further my career as an artist.
*sigh*
Nothing could be further from the truth and here's the story of why I created this piece...
She's 38 years old, divorced and a single mother of two children. The cancer came quickly! The overall time span from diagnosis to mastectomy was less than three months.
When I heard the news, I went to visit. I offered my sympathy and told her how sorry I was that she was going through all this. Her reply?
"Don't be sorry. So I lost a tit, big deal. I still have my life and my kids have their Mom. Bras can be padded and yeah I'm so bald we could be twins but I can wear a wig and I suppose you could to but you'd just look stupid, so don't be sorry, be happy I'm still alive."
And I am happy she's alive! Her attitude, determination (and smart ass comment about my own lack of hair) made me realize that I fret too much about the little things and she inspired me to create a work of art that shows her strength, her power, her absolute refusal to allow anything (even Cancer) to take away her happiness.
So...For those who still think I created this to further my career, you should know that yes, I do have the original for sale and I am offering limited edition prints reproduced on fine linen rag paper. It's what I do, I'm an artist trying to earn a living and I make no apologies for that.
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The temperature outside was in the three digits and an overflow crowd was expected. I was nervous about the heat factor and whether the gallery would hold so many people...and with so many people would the air conditioning survive?
But the rain rolled in bringing a new fear...would anyone brave the storm to attend? But it was a fast moving storm and it lasted just long enough to cool the air and it was a beautiful evening.
Just Ink (Chapter 3) turned out to be a rousing success...more than 50 artists, over 500 works of pen & ink art (of all sized and price ranges), and nearly as many guests attended over the course of the evening as there was art. We had a steady flow of people coming and going right up to the end and a lot of art sold last night. I always worry about the wisdom of a "one night event" but my fears are always unfounded. I LOVE producing/curating exhibits and I owe a heap of gratitude to Lizbeth Ortiz of East End Studio Gallery for allowing me to take control of her space for the evening.
A dear friend and fellow artist, Julie Zarate recently curated an art exhibit based on iconic scenes from movies whose directors are famous for their hauntingly beautiful cinematic imagery (think Kubrick, Kurosawa, etc)
Once I completed my entry for above show, I managed to get mesmerized by the wealth of images I discovered of some of Hollywood's best and most beautiful actors from yesteryear.
James Cagney was an actor of many talents but will always be known as one of the greatest "gangsters" ever to hit the silver screen...and I knew I had to create his portrait. "Cagney" is now part of my "Hollywoodland" pen & ink series.
8x10" pen & ink on archival paper, matted and framed...overall size 11x14"
Original available.
Limited Edition Prints coming soon.
A select list of shows I've either curated or exhibited my art...
2011
3rd Annual Art in the Park, Baldwin Park, Houston TX, April 9
Perfect 10's, War'Haus Gallery, Houston TX, July 16,
The Erotic Show, East End Studio Gallery, Houston TX, August 26-27
Black & White are Colors Too, A Solo Exhibition, G-Spot, Houston TX, December 3-30, curated by Robin Baker
2012
The Inaugural Group Show, Heights Art Gallery, Houston TX, January 7-21
Explicitly Chingona The Art of Sexual Taboos, East End Studio Gallery, Houston TX, January 27
ARTOPIA, Winter Street Studio VIP Lounge, Houston Texas, January 28, presented by The Houston Press
Perfect 10s III, War'Hous Visual Studios, Houston TX, March 24
Tagoci Present...Guilded, Heights Gallery, Houston TX, May 12 - 26
Beastie, East End Studio Gallery, Houston TX, June 8
Summer Select, East End Studio Gallery, Houston TX, June 15 - 29, Curated by Robin Baker
1st Annual Houston Artists Collective Invitational Group Exhibition, East End Studio Gallery, Houston TX, July 27
Just Ink (Chapter I), East End Studio Gallery, Houston TX, August Curated by Robin Baker
Pura Lucha, East End Studio Gallery, Houston TX, September 14-28
4th Annual 12X12 Show, Summer Street Studio, Houston TX, November 17
2013
Explicitly Chingona The Art of Sexual Taboos, East End Studio Gallery, Houston TX, January 18
Just Ink (Chapter II), East End Studio Gallery, Houston TX, Feburary 1, curated by Robin Baker
Judged & Juried, with guest juror Alyssa Monks, East End Gallery, Houston TX, February 8-22 curated by Robin Baker & Lee E. Wright
Urban Ink!, The Imperial Gallery, Rosenberg TX, April 12-26, curated by Robin Miller
Art As Sacrifice, Hardy-Nance Studios, Houston TX, July 19, Curated by Stephanie Darling
Director's Cut, East End Studio Gallery, Houston TX, April 25
White & Black Show, Hardy-Nance Studios, Houston TX, June 14
Director's Cut "Reel Hot Summer, 423 West Gallery, Los Angeles CA, June 22
Just Ink (Chapter III) East End Studio Gallery, Houston TX, August 16, Curated by Robin Baker
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