Jimmy Houston Art Showing Pt. 2

It's always good seeing Jimmy. He's a great artist with a unique story like others I've wrote about. I have kept up with Jimmy's shows since early summer- learning more about his work, watching him rise among Houston's finest artists and mature in his craft. At this particular show (Monkey Men In Tin Town) I learned that each of his paintings has a story. He told me that the mood of his work spans the last five years of his life. Starting from his earlier work and making the obvious transition from darker and more serious toned pieces to the fun, daring, and exciting works. His current work reflects a lightness of being that his earlier worked lacked in sense of color, hope, and the portrayal of happiness. The direction of his work has taken a bold and more fun turn. The most apparent changes in his work from earlier years are the scale in which the work is produced and the focus that has been placed on the character's personality and detail of appearance. These changes helped to give life to his characters and has given us an imaginative story without the use of words. Besides... How could you hate a Monkey in an Evel Knievel suit?

Monkey Man (left) & Jimmy Houston (right) outside of ZEN Art Gallery.

Check out some of Jimmy's work and get updates on upcoming shows at http://www.jimmyhouston.blogspot.com/

Good seeing you Jimmy and best of luck in your shows to come!

-Brain

Jimmy Houston Art Showing

Come out and support one of Houston's most creative artist.

-Brain

Sprayed

As I parked a man with a suitcase passed me. I paused, thought for a second and decided that it was normal for the Little Five Points environment. Little did I know, I would cross paths with this same gentelman again.

Eight cans of paint, old magazines, poster board, and a suitcase, I never thought I would be so intrigued by the sight. Creating works of art with layers of spray paint mixed and smeared to create a vivid multi plane landscape. The finished piece was amazing, but the performance by Bud topped it all. The fast strokes of the can, the spinning of the suitcase, and the finale; a lit flame from the spray can to set the paint. In the end, I was not fortunate enough to purchase the creation, but the entertainment was well worth the tip. 

Title: A Peek Into Another Dimension
By: Bud Jones

Separated

Leaving the mall, I ran into Willy waiting at the bus stop. The first thing I noticed is that he did not have his beloved guitar, so naturally I asked where it was.  Willy told me someone stole his guitar on his bus ride home after he had dozed off.

 “They stole the tool of my trade,” said Willy. He seemed empty, like he no longer had direction in life.

Willy’s emptiness inspired me to action, I wanted and needed to help this man anyway I could—my solution: buy him a new guitar and bring the joy back to his life.

In conversation I had expressed that I could not play any instruments, let alone the guitar, that I am not musically inclined despite my love for the art form.  I now stand corrected.

“You do not know how to play an instrument! You are no different than the next man,” said Willy. “You can choose to pick up an instrument and learn the same as anyone else.”

The ride between destinations was rewarding as Willy explained how he came about hearing various artists and music. One artist in particular that he enjoyed was the guitarist Andres Segovia.  As I drove I went through my collection of rap, pop, and R&B with artists ranging from Jay Z to Marvin Gaye. Meanwhile the only acknowledgement that Willy gave that he was listening was a slight bob of the head.

This day brought much more depth to this man as compared to our first encounter.  As we sat down to eat, I found out that he was born in New Orleans and had been removed from his home like so many other unfortunate families and individuals by the devastation that hurricane Katrina brought in 2005. He traveled here to Houston with his family, but he was separated from his friends who he performed with.

We searched all over the Southwest side of Houston looking for the guitar that would give Willy the sound that he was looking for. After countless hours we found it. It was truly a rewarding experience seeing him reunited with his Nylon String Classical Acoustic, as he plucked away at the strings that he had been separated from.

The Big Show

LAWNDALE ART CENTER

4912 Main Street Houston, TX 77002

Opening Reception Friday July 1, 2011 6:30 - 8:30pm

Awards announced at 7pm

The Big Show is Lawndale Art Center's annual open call, juried exhibition. It has been an important venue through which emerging and under represented Houston area artists have gained exposure since the show's conception in 1984.

A total of 121 works by 73 artists were selected for the exhibition from 972 works submitted by 404 artists.

Come and see what Houston has to offer! 

Little Five Points

My favorite area of Atlanta— Little Five Points, it’s always full of energy, music, fashion, and great food. Its name, I assume, coming from New York’s historic Five Points in Manhattan made infamous by the movie Gangs of New York.

Cohesion In The Heights

This past Friday I was invited by one of my close friends to attend a few exhibit openings. The idea of seeing galleries, art, and free drinks was an easy one to consider, so off we went.

The M Squared Gallery in the Heights was our first stop. We were welcomed by dim lights, a large antique recorder, and an over-sized popcorn kernel... weird? More like nostalgic, I felt like I was walking into a movie theater from the 70's. This exhibit was called Cohesion, the perfect introduction to the four feature artists and their work.

Josh Davis

Jennifer Densing: http://www.jennydensing.com/

Jamie Woody: http://www.jamiewoody.artistwebsites.com/

Matt Manalo: http://www.mattmanalo.com/

Cohesion: The sticking together of particles of the same substance or in this case the bond shared between four graduates from the University of Houston's School of Arts.

Make sure to check out Cohesion from June 3rd - June 26th to see the featured artists work. Gallery M Squared: 339 West 19th Street, Houston, TX 77008

TheInterview

Each interview—each story I hear is an inspiration. Each story motivates me to give my best. Each story is a bridge to the next. I seek to tell the untold story of the forgotten. These people, the people I will and have interviewed have a deep passion, a real love for what they do. Tell “your story” it’s beautiful in more eyes than your own…

Rain The Poet Interview

Rain The Poet Pt. II

Rain was kind enough to give me the privilege of posting one of her poems, titled

AN AGAPE CONNECT

Even when the wine runs out and the roses wither

We’ll still have each other

I look back over my life and try to imagine a time when you weren’t here

And I can’t

You were here before I knew you

Before I felt your embrace

Before the sound of your voice carved curiosity in my spirit

You were right here

I’m so enchanted because I remember you

Do you remember me?

I met you in your past to be present  in your future

I lay beside you in your mother’s womb preparing you for this day

The intimacy we shared was more than just a mere encounter
It was an opportunity for us to conjoin, bridge, and grow

We connected, then departed in skin only to expand in spirit

We had nothing to lose but time

And to assure that time did not delete us

I stored remnants of myself inside of you

Left my fingerprints across your chest as the birthmark of my existence

I know the story of your scars

I was that healing memory that always lingered in the basement of your mind

I sat quietly crouched amid your thoughts

Rolodexing your dreams

Reference me in the index of your reflections

I was there, I was always there

Your mind is full of unanswered questions

Your tongue of muted expressions

Ladle me beneath the riddled arch of your palate

Yearn to define our purpose

I felt you beckoning,

So I summoned you back in spirit and dared you to map my physical
You were so euphoric at the thought of convergence, you sought me

You traveled many lands in search of me

Only to return to the place from which you departed

To find me standing here before you

A beautiful extraction of your deepest dreams

Materialized in flesh

Silently our shadows approach

You touched me and the roots of our souls connected

Billow up softly around me

I’m on tiptoes trying to reach myself

If I fall, then cool, chuckle if you must

But allow me to pause and overlook your flaws while you make me comfortable with mine

Secure our vision of inerrancy within each other

Long after the anticipation of your first touch, the desire still lingers

Touch me again. Touch me safe

Touch me back to the womb

Hold me protected

Your strength is your beauty

Your beauty is my weakness

Your essence is like fresh air to me

I inhale your calm to exhale the journey of my dreams

The flight upon which I soar is your soul

Carry me beneath your wings,

Stretch me wide across the open fields

Plant memories inside of me

Crop our thoughts in unison

Harvest our future

Through many obstacles, we stand…An infinite bond, we maintain

An Agape connect, spiritual and unselfish

Our love is like a poetic story that rewrites itself…

A prodigiously endless tale

Trademark what’s in our hearts right now

Patent this moment 

Make us last by always keeping Him first

And we’ll continue to grow as one

Through the grace of God

We’re blessed to have met again

You can check out Rain’s upcoming shows or just stop by to show her some love and support by following her on facebook at www.facebook.com/atasteofrain

Thanks again Rain for making this such a powerful post.

-TheBrain

Rain The Poet Pt. I

It’s a wonder how life’s situations, true in nature the good, the bad, and the ugly can be articulated with such fine words. December 7, 2007 it was my first time and “I was scared as sh**!” I was at a small coffee shop in Missouri City, called Javioca. I spit one piece, "HOW THICK IS THE BLOOD." This piece was about the killing of a child when born, about a child being molested by a brother, and about a brother killing out of jealousy of the other all wrapped into one powerful piece. “The crowd’s response is what motivated me. They loved it!”

Where does your inspiration come from Rain?

 “I write about the experiences I have encountered throughout my life. When I write, I am more-so writing for others. People that have not gone through the same challenges I have faced.”

When asked what is her favorite piece, the response somewhat surprised me. She answered “THE PRODUCT,” a piece about paternity, about a mother hiding the truth of her father.

What type of poetry do you read/enjoy?

“Today’s poets—Maya Angelou does not do it for me, she does not give me that sense of realness— raw in content that I seek.

This expression was reflected by the poets and singers that surrounded her that night. Each subsequent poet coming to the mic performed a different style of poetry, speaking from a unique point of view.

This had been the second time I would hear Rain perform.  I waited— watching anxiously as the nervousness in Rain subsided as she grasped the microphone. "PRODUCT OF A TEENAGE MOM," you could feel through her words the sorrow, the pain, and the strength that emerged from it all.

Check out Rain The Poet at various poetry spots in the Houston Metro area. Follow Rain at www.facebook.com/atasteofrain to keep up with the most up to date info on Poetry Shows and Open Mic nights.

Bum vs Hobo

My mission—interview those who have a deep passion for what they do and in turn want to share their untold story.

Two interviews—offended egos and closed ears to the message I want to deliver.

The word “hobo” has a negative connotation, especially when used in association with one’s own self. The word instantly prompts defensiveness. But— no two people share the same definition of any word and one is always entitled to their own opinion.

The title of this blog is HoboKnowledge. The previous post explained the purpose and inspiration, but to clarify any negative implications that the "title" may hold I give you two commonly misconceived terms along with their definitions.

BUM: A person who avoids work and sponges on others; loafer; idler.

HOBO: A migratory worker.

According to Dictionary.com and various other sources "Hobo" means the exact opposite of what a "Bum" represents. In the course of a Hobo's journey he/she learns different skills or discovers their niche; this skill or niche being knowledge; this knowledge being the story I wish to tell.

THIS MAN IS NOT A BUM

"We are imperfect knowers that is why we listen to story..."

Skating N' Religion

Art, music, religion, and skating. How often do you hear these "words" mentioned within the same sentence? Evan Wright is a skateboarder. He’s been doing it for 10 years. Here is his story.

Evan got his skateboarding start in third grade with a board with plastic trucks. With time he developed his skills and started performing tricks like “ollies.” Sadly, his tricks broke his board. But in fourth grade he found skateboarding hope when he met a classmate that shared his skateboarding magazines with him in class.

By fifth grade skateboarding took on a whole new meaning in Evan’s life when he got his first real board from Academy for Christmas. Not only could he really develop his skills, but he found friends at church who could help him.

“We would spend hours riding together before church and at our houses,” said Evan.

Overtime the church crew split, growing up and doing their own thing, but none of this phased Evan.

“[We] split ways, getting into different things. So, I met new people, the same people that I still link up and ride with now.”

For Evan skating is a way of life, there’s no rushing, no coaching. It’s just self-paced development and style.

“The love of music and art are what led me to skateboarding. It’s all a culture." –Evan Wright

BrotherlyLove

The love of music is a love shared by many—from the CEO to the bohemian. This love was passed down to Willy, the man in the picture.  Growing up Willy’s brothers played the guitar and being exposed to this powerful form of expression made it natural for Willy to play the instrument as well.

“I’ve been playing off and on for many years­¸” said Willy. “Aiming to please my audience—wherever or whoever that may be and I play [for them] whatever is on my heart that day.

"......... And music will be there when money is gone." -Duke Ellington