Post-It...That's The Tick-it.

Today I got serious. I have a show coming up. How on earth do you choose to mount a show from the 365 Days of Drawings you did in 2010?

I tried to cancel the show, very seriously. Didn't want to go there. The challenge was DONE, my public art soul out there for a whole darn year, day by day. Not so easy.

Why put it out there anymore?, I said to myself. My family agreed. Don't do it, my husband said. However, Ms. Mary Perez, owner, curator, of The Vita Art Center in Ventura, CA, mounting the show, (committing to it quite early on in the drawing challenge last year, b.t.w., which kinda kept me going at some points) , calmly talked me out of it. She said she had never seen me so jittery. Ms. Perez also said I would really regret it if I didn't do the show. This is exactly the type of curator an artist needs. Gets it!

I thought of the super successful "American Idol" TV show in the USA. You have to reach, right? Consolidate the hours of performance/learning/training into a three song set sometimes? You gotta be in it to win it, whatever 'win' is, right? And I really did frickin' draw every day no matter what for 365 days. One needs a conclusion to a year like that. A finale of sorts.

So self edt. Get the blue 'Post-Its' out. Tonight I laid out the selection of drawings I liked the best and became an 'American Idol' kind of TV judge, although not so Paula Abdul, if you know what I mean.

Consistency overall. Pick the 'art spirit' that propelled you forward in 2010 for 365 days. Amazingly enough, it seems to me there was a current, a theme of sorts. SO I PUT BLUE STICKIES ON THOSE, just like an A. I. judge. However, I do have to put my art ego aside to show that 'current' in the show. Not always the best drawings showed the current. No-one can help me with that it seems.

I now share with you my journey of putting on this show. Do you wish you could vote me off my version of American Idol perhaps?

365 Days of Drawing By Johanna Spinks

Opening Reception Friday April 1st 2011, 6 to 9 pm

Vita Art Center

Ventura, CA.

More details will surely follow

CLASS ACT - ADAM LAMBERT

This is old news now but it still hurts my heart. Adam Lambert was robbed of the finalist crown on American Idol this week. I have casually watched this program over the years HOWEVER this season this man's incredible talent inspired me and my art. He kept me transfixed. And I found myself thinking about him when I was painting.

Oh.. to have that much talent, confidence and charisma. To make it look so effortless and hit the right note every time. Easy to overlook that this guy has been perfecting his art for a very long time for one still so young.

I have never rewound a portion of AI to see a performer do his TV song again, I have never called in to 'multiple vote',  phone at the ready, I have never purchased a performer's AI songs from Itunes. I have never danced around the living room wildly.

I DID all four with Mr. Glambert. Giddy fool of a fan that I am for him.

I admit I have developed a big crush for the retro Elvis 'black-ink hair' looks, obvious intelligence and sparkly eye-linered charm, a crush which has not diminished despite his obvious preference NOT  for middle-aged women, or maybe women at all. Who cares? 

Shock-rock Lambert's rediculous loss to puppy-dog clean-cut crooner Kris Allen (also talented but not in such an obvious megawatt "IT" factor way) relates I feel to the art world in general.

I share with you, my blog art friends, the things I have learned from Adam Lambert through our long distance relationship, judged albeit from my couch potato stance while he swishayed superbly across my TV screen.  And I do thank you Glambert for the inspiration. Rock on and get that DVD out fast for me to paint to.

.Just because you SHOULD win, doesn't mean you will. 

.Being the best or the most talented doesn't always guarantee you first place. Politics, discrimination and pettiness against others often do.

.Practice your craft, your scales, to be the absolute best you can be. Years spent painting, years spent singing, years spent snorkling, will make you proficient no matter what. Maybe not a star, but proficient. And who wants to be a star at snorkling anyway?

. Learn to talk intelligently about you craft. Be informed. Be prepared. Be rehearsed. Be giving.

. Learn to be non-defensive and down-right clever and witty about your position especially when asked tough questions (about your sexuality?) you would rather not answer. 

.Learn to flash a beautiful smile.

.Learn a side skill to add to your main one. Lambert could sing AND dance!

. Give credit to - and love your family.

. Learn to put eyeliner on really well.  Save the sparkles for special nights.

.When you find a good hairstylist, keep them for years and give them credit on TV.

.Develop your style and flaunt it. Be bold. Be original. Who cares what people think? (hmm..unless you are trying to win AI. We know those  red and blue states do care. Arkansas called in 30 percent of the votes!)

.Always be a gracious looser no matter what. Don't talk behind people's backs. Word always gets back.

.Always remember pictures (and most certainly paintings)  can come back to haunt you.

. Always remember your reputation proceeds you when those old pictures appear. I was told by a mutual friend who had worked with Adam pre-fame that he really is as genuine and nice as he appeared on TV.

.Class acts always win no matter what. No need for a title or trophy.

Lastly, I am constantly surprised by who reads this blog. If you are out there Mr. Lambert, or one of his pals reads this, give me a call. There is much we have to discuss including my need to paint you ASAP. And I may need a few tips on eyeliner.