Koi Dance by Tommy Allen

Today I want to talk about my art since I am more than just a guy who likes to write.

At the Tanglefoot Open Studio 2005, I debuted a new body of work inspired by the discovery of a beautiful Koi pond in Santa Monica. I find it really amazing this pond resides in the town that inspired one of my earlier water series, That Which Is Left Behind.

If one should have an interest in receiving further information including the current price guide for Koi Dance and other art works currently being offered, please email me at tommyallen@comcast.net

When emailing please include "Koi PDF Request" in the subject line. The studio/gallery image below illustrates the nine individual pieces currently offered in the series.

Text from Koi Dance X Tommy Allen PDF:

This fresh new series is very special on so many levels.

For starters, it keeps me working with the theme of water, which as we advance in this new century is becoming the “new oil” of our generation.

Secondly, the Koi have a long history of reflecting the Daoist legend about the unity of all mankind with nature. It speaks directly to our friendship and our source of happiness. The idea of adding the word dance is a celebration of this union.

Lastly, this series is about new directions in my work. While the distortion often found in my Polaroid work is still there, the continued exploration of landscape of the meditative spirit is still very evident in this new work.

In an attempt to keep this work very special, the Koi Dance series is limited to an edition size of 5. The prices will increase as we advance through the edition.





Link: Tanglefoot Studio

Good Eats Gone Missing Today!

Have you heard the one about the Italian, the Commissioner and Artist who all walked into a kitchen on a January night?

Hint: You would have today if the Italian had not become sick for the past five days.

Friday was to be the day I wanted to post the wonderful collective efforts of all who contributed to this impromptu dinner party. But with Vince being so sick I just did not feel right bugging him for his recipe of the best damn red sauce.

So today one will just get a taste of what is to come. Look for the recipe of what we cooked up on a cold winter's night in Michigan later this weekend.

(And get well soon, Vince. The world is starving for that sauce.)

Cheers All!

For those needed a boost this weekend, try renting or buying this cooking DVD: Oliver's Twist - Jamie Oliver

Oscar Is Sure To Overlook - But I Didn't!

Best Naked Dance Wearing Only A Santa Hat

Jake Gyllenhaal - Jarhead

He has my one big vote!


Link: Watch Jake's Mad Moves Here

Spotted: New Art

One thing that is a given in any town is that every coffee house will have some student art. And almost always it is like opening a bottle of Bartles and James Wine Cooler. It sounded good at the time but now it is just too damn sweet and often leaves one with a raging tummy ache.

Bad art can has this effect as well.

While at my favorite eatery in Grand Rapids, Marie Catrib's, I stumbled upon one artist's work who may have been overlooked by some in the artworld, but I found her paint brush's touch amusing and fun.

Karen Godfrey has taken a page from my childhood memory and slapped it right on the canvas for all the world to see. Taking a 45 rpm record's song title she has spun off the vinyl a slathering of paint inspired by what happens between the grooves.

For those too young to remember, it was the 45 record that built the careers of Elton John, The Bee Gees, and Peaches and Herb. It was a novel little seven inches that fit just nicely until we could handle a full 12 inches of pressed vinyl. Ah, good times.

So if you are out and about in Grand Rapids and wish to see a fun collection of paintings, make Marie Catrib's your destination. You can have a turkish coffee, some eggs with toast, and even view first hand what Karen has done to Simon and Garfunkle's Bridge Over Troubled Water. It will lay you down.

Marie Catrib's
1001 Lake Drive SE
Grand Rapids
616.454.4020

Located in East Hills Center of the Universe, Catrib's serves up fresh homemade sandwiches, daily soups and entrees including Middle Eastern selections. Bakery and large dessert menu also featured.

Comic Relief: Happy Roe v. Wade!

It is not my intention to offend anyone...aw...hell, you all know me. I am an equal opportunity offender.

And in the spirit of celebrating the one issue that dominates all of American politics in every race, today is the 33rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade. (If you are clueless on this matter, you are just not paying attention.)

Whether one wishes to run for President of the United States, Senator or even city sanitation worker, the wonderful folks at Right To Life will make sure you have a questionnaire in your hands that is all about one question, "Are you Pro-Life?"

Box 1, Yes.
Box 2, No.

There is no middle ground with these folks as they blindly follow a take no prisoners strategy and if captured one can bet they will torture the “heck” out of you in the media or Guantanamo.

In reality, all sides can get caught up in this battle settled years ago as we take our eyes off real issues affecting our country.

If I ran the issue I would pull it to a much easier solution: the need for real sex education within our country.

It is surprising that a country fed a steady diet of violence views this as a more acceptable topic to promote with our youth than one that glorifies how a penis and vagina work. (They can work together....really...or so I have been told.)

You don’t think so?

I dare one to time how much violence is presented in a Quentin Tarantino film against the sex portrayed in, say, Brokeback Mountain. ( I personally felt ripped off with the less than 39 seconds of sex but upon further “research” this is the average sex most experience.) We need education fast on going slow. And we need to put our kids on a low-violence diet.

But rather than wander down a 33 year old pot hole filled road that will only kill what political career I have left, let's get back to what is funny about today.

While surfing the web, I discovered in the 1970's someone actually thought it would be clever to create a comic book to help explain Roe v. Wade.

So today I offer up some light reading for those looking to turn off the protests and just curl up with your monitor for a lovely night of reading.

Please visit Abortion Eve – the comic.

If you need a web fireplace for your reading, visit here to set the mood.

On The Town: Shelly Klein

Each month I have the privilege to sit in the company of artists and those connected to the arts. And each time my experience is never the same as the previous.

On The Town, a monthly free magazine, is distributed througout the western side of Michigan to coffee shops, galleries, and other boutique type shops.

Sadly, for those outside the region who have been hoping to read my column, one has had to know someone who could send a copy. Past columns have included Stephen Duren, Mark di Suvero, Governor Jennifer Granholm and emerging artists centers like the Division Avenue Arts Co-operative & Swim. (All can be Googled...but at your own risk.)

So this month I will attempt something new for those abroad and post my January On The Town column for your reading enjoyment. Who knows, if my editor hear's from enough folks outside this region, maybe we will begin to see an electronic version spring up soon.

This month I present my January subject from Artistic Expression, Shelly Klein of K Studio.
(click on article to see full size)





Links: K Studio

Baby Baby Baby!

Yesterday was a first. Our friend's Sean and Sara had a baby shower in a bar. That is right, a bar. It was an afternoon affair where the Stella Artois flowed and one of my favorite bands, The Icicles jammed away while wearing only sleepwear. (I made a small mini movie for power pop fan Jean Hanks...I hope she enjoyed my special touch on this recording.)

Also, I had Joleen take a fun pic of me in the bathroom to illustrate to all those girls who think guys have it so great behind the MEN placard. Really now, who would sit when the door on the other side opens to the dance floor? I elect to stand up in these kind of spaces.

One last thing, the bar, Jukes on Leonard, really is nice and classy. Just look at the signage for the wine. LOL


Cheers!
Link: The Icicles