Spencer Tunick has encouraged 5000 Australians to get naked and pose on the steps of the Sydney Opera House.
That’s not my white bum on the bottom left of the image as I chose not to scare the locals. I’m not much of a morning person either.
From the Sydney Morning Herald.. “The official name of Tunick’s installation was The Base. Yet after waiting two hours for the sun to come up, it became apparent that Blue Poles might be an appropriate title as a brisk wind hit the Opera House steps.”
I like discovering interesting artists that I have never heard of before. French artist Bernard Lorjou (1908-1986) is one of them. I still don’t know much about him but I like his work.
Bernard Lorjou – Bull and Bullfighter (The Friends)
Bernard Lorjou – The Jazz Pianist
Bernard Lorjou – Circus Horse on Hind Legs
Bernard Lorjou – King David
More of his work can be seen at Lorjou.com (it’s a little challenging to navigate but worth the effort) or at the official Bernard Lorjou website.
“Procrastination refers to the deferment of actions or tasks to a later time. Psychologists often cite such behavior as a mechanism for coping with the anxiety associated with starting and/or completing any task or decision. There are three criteria for a behavior to be classified as procrastination: it must be counterproductive, needless, and delaying.
Procrastination may result in stress, a sense of guilt and crisis, severe loss of personal productivity, as well as disapproval by others for not meeting responsibilities or commitments. These feelings combined may promote further procrastination. While it is regarded as normal for people to procrastinate to some degree, it becomes a problem when it impedes normal functioning. Chronic procrastination may be a sign of an underlying psychological disorder.”
So, I have a label I can hide behind now. It’s not me to blame for the lack of posts, it’s the “psychological disorder” of “chronic procrastination” which I suffer from to blame. I knew all along that it wasn’t my fault and wikipedia has proven me right. 
Sorry if I haven’t replied to your emails or comments lately, I really have been pretty vacant. I’m back on the horse now and holding tightly to the feisty little filly.
I wonder what has been happening in the world of art…
The good thing about those pathetic art scammers has been that their story never changes. They’re moving from place A to place B, they need some of your wonderful art to hang in their new home, and for some strange reason the stupid woman is always pregnant (God help the world if these people do actually breed).
Well, the idiots are evolving now and are starting to change their stories up a bit. Now they’re “art dealers” and “art exhibitors” looking to buy your work. Here’s an example by the scammer Hanks Thomas..
Hi Andrea,My name is hanks.I’m an art dealer/exhibitor based in bradford in the united kingdom.I deal in original artworks and also showcase them in exhibitions all over the world.I got to see your works via the search engine while looking for artworks of great impression and i’m willing to buy from you the artwork stated as the subject of this email.Kindly let me know if it’s available for sale.If yes,quote the price and let me know the method(s) of payment that is acceptable to you.I’m looking forward to reading from you.Have a wonderful day… Regards,Hanks
Lesson for today: Don’t accept checks/cheques online when selling artwork. Use Paypal.com or Escrow.com.
Thanks Andrea for sharing. There’s more of the email exchange with Hanks Thomas posted on a previous Art Scam post.
The good thing about those pathetic art scammers has been that their story never changes. They’re moving from place A to place B, they need some of your wonderful art to hang in their new home, and for some strange reason the stupid woman is always pregnant (God help the world if these people do actually breed).
Well, the idiots are evolving now and are starting to change their stories up a bit. Now they’re “art dealers” and “art exhibitors” looking to buy your work. Here’s an example by the scammer Hanks Thomas..
Hi Andrea,My name is hanks.I’m an art dealer/exhibitor based in bradford in the united kingdom.I deal in original artworks and also showcase them in exhibitions all over the world.I got to see your works via the search engine while looking for artworks of great impression and i’m willing to buy from you the artwork stated as the subject of this email.Kindly let me know if it’s available for sale.If yes,quote the price and let me know the method(s) of payment that is acceptable to you.I’m looking forward to reading from you.Have a wonderful day… Regards,Hanks
Lesson for today: Don’t accept checks/cheques online when selling artwork. Use Paypal.com or Escrow.com.
Thanks Andrea for sharing. There’s more of the email exchange with Hanks Thomas posted on a previous Art Scam post.
Probably the best exhibition I have seen in Australia (coming from a fan of Vincent van Gogh and Paul Cezanne). Masterpieces from Paris has 9 Paul Gauguins, 7 Van Goghs and 8 Cezannes. So it’s more than one or two good paintings thrown in with a bunch of weaker paintings like the usual “blockbuster” exhibition. The Van Goghs alone are worth making the effort to see the exhibition.
It has been called the “most valuable collection of art ever to be exhibited in Australia.”
The works come from the Musee d’Orsay in Paris and will be on display at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra until April.
Vincent van Gogh – Starry Night Over the Rhone
I was surprised by how fresh this painting looks. For some reason I expected it to be smaller and duller than it really is. This painting was worth the 5 hour drive.
Vincent van Gogh – Bedroom at Arles
I thought this painting would be bigger. The Musée d’Orsay version of Vincent’s bedroom is a little smaller than the first two versions that he did. Still a great painting.
Vincent van Gogh – Portrait of the Artist
The man himself.
Paul Gauguin – Tahitian Women
I probably should like Gauguin more than I do. He did some really good paintings but I don’t think he comes close to Van Gogh or Cezanne. Having said that, I really liked seeing his paintings in the flesh.
I would show some more works but the NGA website was down. In short, Masterpieces from Paris is a must see if you’re an Australian. They’re easily the best paintings in the country at the moment.
Since discovering the iPod I now rarely listen to whole albums while I paint as I just create play lists to suit my mood. But some albums just play well all the way through so I still use them in the studio.
Here’s Ten albums that have kept me company during the completion of a painting or two..
I really do like a lot of different types of music though. What are your TOP albums that you couldn’t live without in the studio? I need some new tunes on my itunes.
Here’s some quotes by fellow Australian artist Leith O’Malley, from an interview here at Art and Art Ed.
“Remember there are not better artists, just better publicists!”
Leith O’Malley
“When I am creating art… I have a real sense of excitement and even enlightenment. Just me and the work. It’s still there when a painting is completed but never as strong as the point where you are still trying to fit all the pieces together be it compositional, aesthetically or the colour and tone decisions along the way.”
Leith O’Malley
“Dismiss nothing unless you are informed enough about it to have an opinion. It is a lot like music.. in that there are so many different genres, ways to enjoy, interpretations and possibilities to create yourself. Don’t have your blinkers on and be open to understanding and enjoying all forms of art as in music.”
Leith O’Malley
