First Review of 2023: In Which the Reviewer Does Not Spoil White Noise. This review does not rely on any content of the film, so don't worry about spoilers. I think Noah Baumbach's adaptation of Don DeLillo's 1985 novel, White Noise, is pretty decent. Many things are done in a creative, interesting, smart way. Most if not all of DeLillo's themes are present, or at least glossed over: fear of death, obsession with violence, the cycle of dysfunctional parents being raised by exceptional children who will then become dysfunctional parents, obsession with celebrity, the inundation of photons and data, science and medicine as savior, attachment, belief, everything has happened (deja vu)--it's a long list. DeLillo's book is a critique of society which is just as relevant today as it was in 85. If while watching White Noise (and this perhaps ACTUALLY IS A SPOILER) you do in fact feel a sense of deja vu, I am fairly certain that you are supposed to (Baumbach uses National Lampoon's Vacation as the template for White Noise, giving all of us a sense of having seen everything we are viewing before.). Adam Driver channels Chevy Chase masterfully. Jack and Babette's family IS the Griswold's in a parallel universe. The screenplay is to be praised. Breaking the film into parts is literary and helpful. The credits at the end of the film are a well-earned spectacle. And still, while I have read White Noise the novel three or four times, the last return in 2020, I am fairly positive that I will never watch Baumbach's film ever again. For all of its cleverness, and for all of the ways in which it remained true to the novel, and despite great performances by all of the actors--loved Don Cheadle (always do)--something didn't add up for me. I think for me the film satirized themes which I believe DeLillo presented with a better balance of gravitas. Granted, that is perhaps hard to do in two hours. 4 out of 5 stars.
Deals & Steals /
The paintings in this post have been discounted. As always shipping is free. The prices have already been applied in the sales shop. The walrus was Paul. Goo goo ga choo. xoxo
Staging (Stag), 2018, 20"x20"
Sale Price:
$65.00
Original Price:
$125.00
acrylic, house & colored pencil & ink on canvas, 20”x20”
Abstract on a Patriotic Theme (The Rising Action), 2020, 10"x10"
$15.00
acrylic, house, spray & crayon on brown packing paper, 10”x10”
*complete set of three is discounted (return to shop for bundle)
Abstract on a Patriotic Theme (The Climax), 2020, 10"x10"
$15.00
acrylic, house, spray & crayon on brown packing paper, 10”x10”
*complete set of three is discounted (return to shop for bundle)
Abstract on a Patriotic Theme (The Denouement), 2020, 10"x10"
$15.00
acrylic, house, spray & crayon on brown packing paper, 10”x10”
*complete set of three is discounted (return to shop for bundle)
Abstracts on a Patriotic Theme: Set of Three (Discounted)
$40.00
Abstract on a Patriotic Theme (The Rising Action), 10”x10”
Abstract on a Patriotic Theme (The Climax), 10”x10”
Abstract on a Patriotic Theme (The Denouement), 10”x10”
all three acrylic, house, spray & crayon on brown packing paper, 10”x10”
2022 Paintings in Review /
Here is my best work of 2022. Mostly works on paper. Many of them are still available in the shop.
Rose Way, 2022: Possibly the Last /
The year is coming to an end. I generally find some time and energy to make a painting or two in December. Usually I lean toward a warm, pink pallet—not this year! This might be the last painting of 2022. The year has been filled with making art and exploring new avenues. If nothing else, I have added watercolor to my practice. I have a lot to learn or not learn; I will say that I have really enjoyed watercolor.
Rose Way, 2022
Paintings Make a Wall: Treat Yo' Self /
Unique presents for yourself or someone you love! Visit the shop. Visit the galleries. Check out a few products below.
Through a Rose, 2022, 24"x24"
Sale Price:
$200.00
Original Price:
$250.00
acrylic, spray paint, white graphite & colored pencil on canvas, 24”x24”
outdoor light/indoor light
The Shape of Things to Come, 2021, 30"x22"
Sale Price:
$225.00
Original Price:
$325.00
acrylic, house, spray, colored pencil & crayon on paper (Stonehenge aqua 300lb), 30”x22”
FTL, 2021, 30"x22.5"
$225.00
acrylic, house, spray, graphite, colored pencil & crayon on watercolor paper
30”x22.5”
Finding Away, 2020, 30"x22.5"
$325.00
Another painting for The Sublime series!
acrylic, spray, gouache & colored pencil on Stonehenge paper, 30”x22”
Rose Travel: A New Painting /
Through a rose. Rose as portal. Rose travel. Rose. Astronaut.
Nobody Had Told Me There'd Be Days Like These /
I think the sadness of the early departure of an amazing artist partially stems from the notion that they had so much more to tell us—and somehow, we needed to hear it. This is no doubt part of the sadness experienced with anyone’s passing. For me, John Lennon’s death was visceral. My mother woke me up for school early to tell me the news. I was in the 8th grade. Throughout the day some of classmates made fun of my sadness, imitating the sounds of gunshots when they passed me in the halls.
Here is my Top Ten John Lennon playlist.
#JohnLennon
In Which the Artist Reveals the Difficulties of Cobalt Blue Hue & the Risks of Finishing Sprays /
First, let me say that it is hard to shoot cobalt blue hue. It looks different in every light. This can be said for any color, but I have found that cobalt blue hue is especially tough. It is hard to capture a satisfying, representational photo. What I have begun doing is capturing photos with both indoor and outdoor lighting. When it comes to most of my paintings, the photos taken in overcast outdoor light are almost always more true to color than anything else. But with cobalt blue hue, the reverse is true. However, both of the photos below are very representational of the environments in which they were taken. I worked hard for that.
Second, I will let you in on a secret. When I completed Through a Rose, I was happy and satisfied with the results. I was also concerned because I had used a lot of colored pencil. After some nervous thought, I decided to finish the piece off with a matte medium spray. I had reservations about this—you just cannot be sure if the finish is going to really deepen the color of the painting in a vibrant way, or just flat out darken the painting. As it turned out, this time the technique really darkened the rose and astronaut. I was upset. I began to research whether I could work on top of the particular finish I was using. Then I let the painting set for days and tried to convince myself that it was fine. I was worried that I would make it worse if I went back in. Last night, I decided to chance it. The result has been wonderful. The vibrant colors of the rose and astronaut have been restored. The image pops the way I intended. I am relieved and overjoyed about this.
Through a Rose, 2022, outdoor light
Through a Rose, 2022, indoor light
Through a Rose, 2022, 24"x24"
Sale Price:
$200.00
Original Price:
$250.00
acrylic, spray paint, white graphite & colored pencil on canvas, 24”x24”
outdoor light/indoor light