Archive | November, 2010

Inspire, Empower and Live Passionately

30 Nov

Artist Kenn Parks, Photo by Brittney Cat

1.What is your name?

Kenn Parks (my birth name is Kenneth, so I thought “why not have two “N”s in my name) it will allow me to take a very common name and make it my own.

2.What is your quest?

To inspire & empower others to live passionately in everything they say, do & believe… to think more deeply, feel more intensely and love more fully.  To live life in their own unique, creative individual manner; celebrating diversity and be a part of the global family of the human-race, living in one big home (our planet).  I do this through my Art, Activism, Performing, Philanthropies, Public Speaking & Social Networks!

3.What is your favorite color?

Fiery BURNT-ORANGE; its a color so full of life, so full of passion, energy and intense light…this is the color of my being; along with brilliant, cool hues of BLUE, PURPLE & GREEN as a close second and to balance my Dual nature and Gemini spirit!

'Autumn' By Kenn Parks

4.How long have you been painting?

I started painting, drawing and creating mixed-media pieces in December of 2006; since then, I’m psyched and grateful to share that I’ve sold over 400 works; have art in 8 countries and now 26 states; it’s almost surreal for me to contemplate this.  I have a Graphic Design and Performing Arts background and believe that this has helped me with the basics of contrast, perspective and composition…though the texture, feeling and movement have all come from experimentation and just painting in the moment.

5.Your paintings have a deeper meaning then what the eye sees on thesurface. What do you try to express in your work?

Thank you!  I’ve been told by many of my enthusiasts, buyers, peers and friends that my paintings and mixed-media works contain an amazing level of movement and strong energy that emanates from them…that people feel this; which is a far better compliment to me than hearing about my lines, perspective, composition or anything else “technical”…if someone “feels the energy” and goes deeper inside of themselves when viewing my works, than I know I’ve translated my feelings, my energy onto a 2D canvas to share with others.  My artwork primarily focuses on Social Justice, Environmental, Metaphysical & spiritual elements…along with some Local themes with my Lou-de-Lis series and a few touch on human interaction & relationships!

Art by Kenn Parks

6.Not only do you paint but you also act. Can you tell me about some ofthe latest productions you’ve been in?

Right on!  I’ve acted, danced and sang since second grade…this was my first exposure to the artistic world.  I’ve done this my whole life with a brief hiatus after my 2nd kiddo was born with my ex-wife; in 2010 I entered back into the acting, dancing, singing, acroyoga and performing world and plan on continuing, growing in this realm for the rest of my time on this current journey.  Some of my performances this year included: the Lion Tamer in the awesome burlesque/Cirque production Va Va Vegas, then a lead duet dancer at the moving Unspoken Truth event at Spalding University; then I had a lead role as Patrick Swayzee in Point Break Live at the Alley Theater… Currently I’m playing the Comedic Villain “Trixie” in Va Va Vintage burlesque show (now running), then in December, I play Hatter Madigan (Think, Mad Hatter, but more baddass) in The Looking Glass Wars…finally in January we’re bringing Point Break Live back, so I’ll be sporting the surfer wig, shorts and Reagan mask again!  I’ve also been asked to choreograph and be in an upcoming independent film, which I’m looking forward to!

7.How would you describe your creative process?

I create fully “in the moment” …There are times I go into my studio late at night and awaken at 5:00-6:00 in the morning with a brush, sponge (or who knows what else) in my hand and look down at a canvas in front of me and say “who the hell painted this, there’s no way I did”… I literally open up to the exact moment that I’m painting…releasing all per-conceived notions, releasing the past and allowing the emotion, the energy of the “NOW” to guide my brush strokes, color selection and direction of my abstract works.  The exception is when I do murals, portraits or some landscapes…then I “may” plan it out or sketch out an idea; typically however, I just (literally) let it flow…almost subconsciously…so far so good; people are getting it and I’m excited, humbled and grateful for this!

Artist Kenn Parks in his home studio creating, Photo by Brittney Cat

8.Any awesome projects that you’re currently working on or anything you’relooking forward too in the near future?

I’m getting ready to put out a call for artists & Photographers for an upcoming show I’m organizing, curate and promoting called “Artography”it will pair some of Louisville’s most talented and well-know artists and photographers together for an amazing show of mixed-media, decoupage, complimentary works and spontaneous collaboration.  I’ve been asked to be in a new show at the Bodega on Market St. with my great friend Andy Cook and will be working with Lisa Frye from Art Sanctuary and Will Seig of the Art cartel for future shows.  Beyond this, I’m cooking up some ideas for a solo show and my second international magazine cover.  I’ve also been asked to do two album covers for local artists which is totally baddass!

Art by Kenn Parks

9.Who are your 3 favorite artist?

Ironically when I first started creating art, I purposefully avoided galleries, museums and refused to look at art from any of the masters, or famous contemporary painters…I did this so my art would be genuinely unique, original and reflect what was in my heart & mind…rather than resemble anyone that has come before me…however, 2 years ago, after several people said my art resembled certain artists, I started viewing other artist’s works and fell in love with quite a few.  My top 3 probably are: Kandinsky, Klimt andMondrian…with O’Keeffe, Monet and Dali as a close second Top 3!

Art by Kenn parks

10.What’s a typical day like for you?

Awesome, insane, crazy-ass busy, reflective, fulfilling, connected, profound, insightful, giving and adventurous!  Online, in my studio, at whichever coffee shop I feel called to, with my kiddoz, with my girlfriend or with my acting, dancing or visual artists, philanthropy, peace or environmental activists peers & friends!

Check out more of Kenn’s work on his website and keep up with all his many art endeavorer through the event’s calendar! Plus you can see him and the crew at Alley Theater through out the year acting in some awesome productions. Local art and local artist are what Keeps Louisville Weird—Support it if you love it!

Work in Progress by Kenn parks

 

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Push Past Imitation, Practice and Doubt

23 Nov

Damon Thompson, Photo by Brittney Cat

I had the opportunity to spend a lovely Sunday afternoon with a very talented and likable artist who doesn’t feel like he looks like an artist….especially in a suit.

1.What is your name?

I believe that if an artist name doesn’t fit the work they do, then they have the right to find a more suitable name.  I found the horrible sounding name of Kleb fits more aesthetically, than my real name ( Damon Thompson).

2.What is your quest?

There is a moment of brilliance in creating once you push past imitation, practice, and doubt, and it fells like being a successful villain.  My quest is to perpetrate art on this level.

3.What is your favorite color?

Pale, washed out yellows that are more orange and warm.

Art by Damon Thompson, Photo by Brittney Cat

4.How long have you been painting?

Since I was a very young, It was my first year of Second grade.  It counts because it was a damn good painting.  Therefore 26 years.  I didn’t start painting in oils till 9th grade, so 16 years of oil painting.

5.You really seem to experiment with different styles and subject matterin your paintings. Where do you get the ideas/inspiration for your work?

It has always been more about how to inflict the paint on to the surface, where I mostly picked subject matter that fit into a more distressed style of painting.  These images include everything from compelling stares from Victorian era children,  blighted amusement park rides,  crippled trees, to dope addled cartoon characters.

Art by Damon Thompson, Photo by Brittney Cat

6.Not only do you create art but you are also quite the art enthuses and supporter of local art as well. Can you tell me a little about ClayBuffet–what made you start it? How long has it been going on?

A little over 4 years ago four of my friends started  a gallery/ party at 215 S. Clay St. and they called it the Clay Buffet.  Jason Bishoff, the main guy behind the project went on a beer and peanut butter binge and gave up on everything except stalking women and tearing up over a thousand magazines in the house.  He had stopped paying rent and his roommate asked if I would help get him to leave.  After that I figured way not keep a good thing going, and with the help of others such as Daver, Melody Dennison, Frank Martinez, Eddie Santiago, and many others we have continued to offer a place, once a month, for artist to show work.  A place that turns down no one, and that offers 100% of any sale to go back to the artist.  But as we enter into the cold months I am going to stop showing art until March.  There will be only one more Clay Buffet this year, the first Friday of December, and it will be more of a cook out and bon-fire party than a gallery show.

Art by Damon Thompson, Photo by Brittney Cat

7.Any new series that your working on or shows coming up?

Series 3 of vend-a-pin by Royal Buttons will feature myself and five other local artist. I am working on a few commissions right now, and after that I will be doing many more amusement park ride paintings. I am also going to San Francisco, CA in December to network and try and get a show lined up.  But nothing definite right now.

8.Who are your 3 favorite artist and/or 3 biggest artistic influences?

I am into Hong Kong cinema director Wong Kar-Wai and his film Fallen Angles.  His films flow like a reminiscent dream from a stylish disillusioned   killer.  Herman Nitsch is a Vienna actionist  who slaughtered animals and considered it his medium, his pallet was  organs and his style was mutilation.  There is a freedom that comes from seeing art in any part of this world and Herman Nitsch understood this.  But I think Beth Cavaner-Stichner uses animals and human suffering is a more tasteful manner in her sculptures of tormented goats and rabbits.

Art by Damon Thompson, Photo by Brittney Cat

9.What are the last 3 books you’ve read or bought?

Sarah Vowell’s  The Wordy Shipmates.  Les Murray’s Poems Size of Photographs. And Russian Criminal Tattoo Encyclopedia Volume 1.

10.What is a typical day like for you?

Struggle to get motivated, watch too much British TV shows on netflix, then start painting, getting only about half done of what I set out to do.  And then writing e-mails to people about why I haven’t finished there commissioned paintings.

You can see Damon’s paintings around town and at various art shows throughout the year.  Stop by Spinelli’s on Baxter to grab pizza and check out his mural or drop in Tim Faulkner Gallery to see a painting or two. You can also keep up with him and his work though his website and art blog . See you at Clay Buffet!

Damon Thompson, Photo by Brittney Cat

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Devil Made Me Do It

5 Nov

Photo by Brittney Cat

1.What is your name?

Jeral “artboy” Tidwell

2.What is your quest?

To make the world smile with my silly drawings.

3.What is your favorite color?

Olive Green

Art By Jeral Tidwell

4.If you had to describe your work to a five year old what would you  tell them?

I think most 5 yr olds would totally get my art, it is pretty much on  the same level intellectually.

5.You’ve worked in several different mediums over the years. How do  you feel they have helped you develop as an artist?

I truly believe that the more exposure to different mediums the  better. The more you know, the more you can apply to your process.

Art by Jeral Tidwell

6.What 3 designs or achievements do you feel best define your  artistic career?

1) The first time I ever got a girl to like me by drawing her a  picture… that’s when I know the path of my future.2) Becoming an airbrush artist in malls all over the country helped  develop my spot illustration skills.3) The first time I was interviewed in an internationally distributed  magazine.

7.Any awesome projects in the works that you‘re excited about?

I have 2 new books in the works, one is through PRESTO art publishing  and one is through Crackhead Press.The Presto release is a coffee table style art book, large format,  hard cover, 220 pages covering the last 20 years of my art… due out  early next year.The Crackhead release is a follow up to my sold out ” Devil Made Me Do  It ” book of ink drawings which I hope to have out before Christmas.

Art by Jeral Tidwell

8.What type of music have you been listening to while creating in  your studio recently?

There is never any telling what you might hear in my studio but you  can bet there will be some hip hop thrown in there somewhere.

9.Traveling is quite the hobby for you and tends to play a roll in  the art you create. So where are the globe are you visiting next?

I leave for Thailand in 2 weeks, I can hardly wait… I have wanted to  go there for years. Then i am supposed to be in South Africa in  January and Chile in Feb.

Art by Jeral Tidwell

10.What’s a typical day like for you?

I usually wake up around 11:30… I eat, do all of the business parts  of the art game ( emails, packing orders, post office, etc… ) then I  goof off for a couple hoursin Cherokee park running or riding a Mtn. bike, then it’s back to work  for a few hours, eat, back to work til 3 or 4 in the morning, an hour  of TV to shut mybrain off and then it’s off to sleepy land around 5am.

You can check out more of Jerals art work on his website. Pick up a print, book or t-shirt as well!

He’s been awesome enough to offer up some of his rad art for one you lucky fans! A signed art print, awesome t-shirt and stickers!! It’s simple all you have to do is visit the Slutty Muffin Facebook page and comment on the post that reads: “Devil Made Me Do It”. Your comment should tell why the devil made you steal a cupcake. You have until  Sunday, November 7th at 11:59pm to comment.

Photo by Brittney Cat

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