It’s that time of year again! Can I do it? You’ll never know. But it’s worth the fun.
“I do solemnly swear
that I will faithfully execute
the PiBoIdMo 30-ideas-in-30-days challenge,
and will, to the best of my ability,
parlay my ideas into
picture book manuscripts
throughout the year.”
Starting this week, I have four pieces in the DC Arts center’s annual 1460 Wallmountables show. Every year DCAC divides the gallery into 24″x24″ squares. I have two, and a new DCAC membership.
I’m showing two pieces from my Artomatic TCIAWOA bluegrass set, Pretty Saro and Big Sciota, as well as two smaller pieces. Eli, Eli, which was shown a couple of years ago at the now defunct Climate Gallery in NY, and one of the four For Just A Moment variation squares complete my installation.
This is just the installation photo before the tags were put up and the strings removed. I was in a bit of a rush and forgot to bring a real camera. Sorry about the poor Android picture.
July 20 – August 25
DCAC is open Wednesday through Sunday from 2-7pm, and later when there is a theater performance.
Opening Reception: Friday, July 20, 7 – 9 PM
Installation: Wed & Thurs, July 18- 19 from 3-8 pm, and Friday, July 20 from 3-6 pm.
Deinstallation: August 25 and 26 2 – 7 PM
DC Art Center
2438 18th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
I’m recycling my art!
No seriously, the Hotel California (Kenter Canyon) piece I did for the Zip Code Show in 2009 is part of the display at Arlington Central Library.
Bluegrass music mostly originated from the old time music of Appalachia, which itself was partly imported from the British Isles. Country, Gospel, Blues and the amorphously named “American Folk” styles were also thrown into the mix. More or less codified by the middle of the 20th century, the name and instrumentation derived from Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys band whose members also included Earl Scruggs and Lester Flatt.
Each piece shown here represents both a bluegrass song as well as one of the instruments that comprise the bluegrass band. The pieces are strung with the strings of that instrument. I did some of the arrangements myself (though that is hardly saying much considering I could only fit a couple of bars on each piece). Yes, in some cases I committed the blasphemy of altering the key to make the notes fit and look better on the staff. The banjo piece was also influenced ever so slightly by the work of George Crumb.
Though Bluegrass music has evolved over the past 75 years, the basic flavor of the music remains the same. The musicians I’ve chosen, who play the music on which my pieces are based, represent different generations of performers and styles but none of the songs themselves are particularly new.
Oh, someone has taken you from me,
And left me here all alone,
Just to listen to the rain beat on my window pane,
In our little cabin home on the hill.
The blackest crow that ever flew would surely turn to white,
If ever I prove false to you bright day will turn to night,
Bright day will turn to day my love, the elements will mourn,
If ever I prove false to you the seas will rage and burn.
My love she won’t have me so I understand,
She wants a freeholder and I have no land,
I can not maintain her with silver and gold,
Nor buy all the fine things that a big house can hold.
Wayfaring Stranger: Johnny Cash
Although this piece was created with Johnny’s version in mind, licensing issues are keeping me from being able to use Johnny’s version for your reference. This cover is by the High Point Bluegrass Band. I cannot find any information on this band.
I’m just a poor wayfarin’ stranger,
While travelin’ through this world below.
Yet there’s no sickness, no toil, nor danger,
In that bright land to which I go.
I’m goin’ there to see my Father.
And all my loved ones who’ve gone on.
I’m just goin’ over Jordan.
I’m just goin’ over home.
Anyway here is the latest card I made for GCU. It’s an idea I had last year. I guess that’s telling. The card will be available on GCU as soon as it gets through the approval process (I’ll update the link here when it’s ready).
Edit: They finally approved the card. Just in time for next year. Oh well, here’s the link.