Art and Artists

I love art, all kinds - photography, knitting, culinary, movies, literature, painting, you get the idea. 

I also LOVE music.  I played a couple different instruments growing up, as did everyone in my house, and my husband plays bass.  This is something I am happy to see my children seem to have a natural aptitude for.  But before we had kids, I went to lots gigs with BFJ and his band.  They frequently shared the stage with Love.45.  I love seeing this band play, they are fun and really tight.  (If you don't know what that means in musical terms, I don't really know how to explain it except I guess it is the opposite of sloppy.)  BFJ mentioned to me last week that they had recently gotten back together so I made a point to go see them last night.  They sounded as great as ever.  And of course, I brought my camera.

I love the intimacy of local bands, people I know, and a stage you can walk up to.  And they'd know who I was if I ran into them on the street.  Back when I met them, I could not believe some of the slop being played on the radio compared to these guys and I know, like all of us artists, they'd like to be spending more time on their craft and less time at a job that just pays the bills, but paying the bills is part of life. 

Someone recently asked why I had upgraded to a pro Flickr account so I'll answered that question.  I upgraded so that I could do things like upload 20 - 30 pictures of a band, send them a link, and share them with the world without having to spend time sending them files on email or burning a disc.  I feel like I've already got my money's worth. 

On a very slightly different note, BFJ and I have been making good use of the documentary catagory on Netflix and have seen lots of great art about art, including:

Exit Through the Gift Shop
Grudgingly, I watched this movie at BFJ's insistance but ended up agreeing it was a great film.  It was up for an Academy Award for Best Documentary last month but did not win.  The primary subject matter is street artists.  In not so many words, it asks some poignant questions about what defines art.  I believe this has some language, so not for kids. 

Picture Me: A Model's Diary
I watched this from a photographer's point of view.  I enjoyed seeing inside the fashion world but this is definitely not for kids and does show some of the grittier parts of the modeling world.  Luckily the main model seems to be pretty grounded.  I don't know what credits her boyfriend had by the time he edited this piece, but he started filming as a recent film grad and I thought it was well planned, well shot and well edited. 

Rock Prophecies
The subject of this film is legendary music photographer Robert Knight.  The film covers some of his historic images as well as his support of music and musicians, and follows his efforts to get more involved in music by connecting unknown talents with the people who can make them stars.  From an historical art point of view, I really enjoyed it.  This film is also peppered with rock icons and their music. 

It Might Get Loud
We actually watched this one last year but it belongs on this list.  It's a simple premise, three guitar giants in the same room.  If you like storytelling musicians, check this one out.  My favorite scene was watching Jack White construct a guitar with an old board, a Coke bottle and a guitar string.  (Oh come on, click the link, it's not even two minutes long.)


In keeping with our enjoyment of watching art being created, we recently discovered Face Off on the SciFi channel.  (The link is for episodes on Hulu and probably will not be good for more than a few weeks.) This eight-part series is a contest, in the vein of Project Runway, for special effects make-up artists.  I find it fascinating that each of these people are so talented in several art disciplines, including building a concept, sculpting, painting, and also textiles.  We have let our kids watch some pieces of this show, after we have watched it first.  The finale is next Wednesday so jump on that! 

I hope you're inspired today.  Go make some art!