January 25, 2009

My daily blog is sometimes truly a challenge for me. For instance today what's to write of?-nothing creative was done. Had lunch at an Indian restaurant with a friend, read about Nuclear Energy in addition to Herland, a short story of a society of only women, did the two-day-old pile of dishes, laundry, drug in some firewood, spoke on the phone to my mother and made several cups of tea. So what's to write? Then I thought of a source of inspiration that I've mentioned before. Since I am still inspired I'll mention it again: Keith and the Girl.

KATG is a podcast created 5 days a week by a couple in Queens, New York. It is funny, touching, annoying, shocking and totally entertaining. This couple pull their resources together and make a quality show. Their guests are entertaining, many whom are comics and musicians. I've been inspired by their drive, imagination, consistency, intelligence and creativity.

Peace Always

Sharon

October 12, 2008

Logo from KeithandtheGirl.com

Sorry no art talk today just wanted to pass on an audio observation.

As I have stated before one of my favorite Podcast is Keith and the Girl. A short while ago Keith and the Girl had a 74 hour continuous running podcast to raise money for themselves, Asperges and be listed in the Guinness Book of Records.

Last week Keith and Chemda (the voices, producers & writers of Keith and the Girl) went on a trip to London and Israel and have been releasing parts of the 74 hour podcast while they travel.

Today I listened to episode 825 which contained a listener call who is in the military stationed in Bagdad. He is 21 years old and it was emotionally tough to listen to the "Gunner" talk what little he was able to say about life in Bagdad. He also mentioned that the troops were cut off from information and were not able to know what presidential candidates stood for or had plans to do if they were elected. In additional absentee ballots rarely arrive in time to be counted for the vote. This was a a surprise to me as I had assumed the military had some say in sending a message to their bosses.

Guess not.

Peace Always
Sharon

August 1, 2008

H.B. Meagan
2006
acrylic on canvas
36" x 16 "

Today I spent mush of the afternoon riveted to a book by Kien Nguyen called "The Unwanted". It is a memoir of a man who grew up during the Communist takeover of Vietnam. As I was reading this book I realized that I tend to choose non fiction literature more often than not. I do read other types of literature but true stories are what appeal to me most.

This desire for "real stuff" follows suit in my music, art and podcasts interests as well. In music I am drawn to the authenticity of Laura Nyro,Todd Rundgren and John Lennon, art it's Frida Kahlo and my favorite podcast is Keith and the Girl. There's a similarity in presenting these artists' truths-not always the easiest to ingest but compelling nonetheless.

When I create I try to emulate those who put themselves out there by expressing themselves truthfully whether easy on the ears, beautiful to the eye or inspiring to the head.

May 23, 2008

Life as an artist is not always filled with excitement. Yesterday although my intentions were good I did not get a chance to paint because life needs got in the way. I would love to report that the reasons were of utmost creative importance but in reality it was a hair managing appointment (I have semi-long thick curly hair which periodically has to be tamed by a specialist), a trip to the post office, stop at the gas station ($3.99 a gallon!), long hike in the woods to tame my very energetic border collie mix, and the unexpected salad and a beer invitation from a new friend I'm just getting to know.

Today was a bit better with a medium number of distractions. I worked about four hours on two of my non-art related jobs:cleaning houses and selling yoga props, visited with friends, talked to my daughter a bit, went to the woods, watched two beavers swimming, did some yoga, and happily painted for the length of a Keith and the Girl podcast..

I worked on the leaf colors-made more progress getting the color fairly close to what I want and have moved on to work on the red dog. He may get a little bigger and possibly will change his red coat for one with more orange in it. I painted more of the yellow background-sky, but may change color completely when I work next.