press play print

Hell yeah it is!  This ain't no rant - this is raw passion, baby!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpAuDrs5ocg

No matter where your politics lie, we all witnessed an incredible historical moment.   Although the state I live in is still a red one, it now has a stronger tinge of blue.  For once in a very long time, I now have hope for the future of this nation.  I pray that Obama can withstand the ton of criticism and scrutiny  coming his way as he tries to de-tangle the mess that has been 8 years in the making. He said it himself, the journey will be long and our climb will be steep.  But let's not focus on the work that will be upon him all too soon.  For now, Obama has inspired a nation and has given the United States some credibility with the planet!  Since his announcement to run for the presidency to his being the President Elect, no one captures the moment like an artist can.  There is a ton of Obama art out there.  Most of it in posters that have been screen printed or stenciled.

I'm lucky to be alive to witness this moment in our history's time..........

I have begun yet another folio call As You Wish and it is due soon. I am very happy to have this one be small and fast. It began with beginning to try out the Inkteraction site. I felt it would be nice to do a quick exchange to have people get to know each other. The folio has grown into ten sets with 11 artists in each set I am #12 with sets 13,14, 15 going to Special Collections here at the University of Colorado, an International Special Collection and one exhibition set. The response has been great! I will submit images when print begin to arrive! And when I can figure out how to put images on here. Tried 2 to day and not luck. Feeling a bit challenged:)  melanie.yazzie@colorado.edu  (Oct, 21, 2008)

I have just returned from a very nice evening of drinks with my friend Skyelar at one of our neighborhood restaurants. As I made my way home, weaving though out the neighborhood, I listened to my ipod (or is it a nano?) feeling the cool breeze of Fall that only the Midwest can produce. I'm a huge alternative 80's music fan. Cued up was Kraftwerk's song "Computer Love". It is still to date pure electronic heaven. When I hear music like this, I can't help but to envision gallery openings with people dressed head to toe in the most glamorous of attire. Lamet for days! I also envision that the height of art sophistication belonged to one man and one man alone. His work was glamorous, naughty and the stuff that coke-inducing collectors had to have. His work graced the album of the hottest band of the 80's and his influence is still felt in the advertisement of beauty parlors across the U.S. - especially the Midwest. Patrick Nagel was the man! I copied the following from his official web site. Ever wondered who he was or what he was about? Read on...

Patrick Nagel was born in Dayton, Ohio, but was brought up in the Los Angeles area, where he spent most of his life. He studied art at Chouinard Art Institute, and in 1969 received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from California State University at Fullertonagel first put his talents to work as a freelance artist; then in 1971, he joined ABC-TV where he produced television graphics for promotion and news broadcasts. After a year, he returned to freelance assignments, accepting commissions from major corporations and magazines, including IBM, ITT, United Artists, MGM, Universal Studios, Playboy, Architectural Digest, Rolling Stone, Oui, and Harpers.

Beginning in 1976, Nagel began contributing regularly to Playboy, which extended the exposure and popularity of "the Nagel Woman" to a huge and loyal audience. In 1978, he created his first poster image for Mirage Editions. He also painted the cover of rock group Duran Duran's Rio album, which became the number one album in the world. The feeling of Nagel's work is reminiscent of Japanese woodblock prints as well as of Art Deco styling, yet it is completely contemporary and universal in appeal. Starting from a photograph, he would create a simplified drawing, the translate the drawing to a painting -- always "simplifying, working to get more across with fewer elements," note Elena Millie. Bold, dark lines shape perspective out of flat, cool colors and stark white spaces; the result is what some have described as "fantasy realism."

Patrick Nagel died of a heart attack in 1984 at the age of 38, but his art lives on.

I've posted some images of his work. I also took a little spin around Omaha to see if I can find any places that were obvious fans of his. Check it out.