Confessions of an Uncouth Beast

[greygirlbeast]

It's already 78F in the House. Outside, it's 82F. The high for today is forecast at 88F, so we can expect the House to warm to the high eighties. There's work that needs doing, but we may flee to some place cool today.

Yesterday, I had an appointment with my doctor. It went well. I was released on my own recognizance. Or something like that. No long-term effects from Bonkus on the Konkus. But it did sort of eat up the day, the doctor's appointment.

Afterwards, we went to Gallery Night at the RISD Museum, to see a documentary about Alice Neel. I've always admired Neel for pursuing portraiture in an age when representative art was deemed irrelevant, when everyone was chasing after Abstract Expressionism, when it was claimed the camera had "freed" the painter from the "tyranny of realism." Last night was also the opening of the the Art League of Rhode Island's 10th Anniversary Show at RISD, and there were some excellent pieces on display by local artists. I was also taken with the two pieces that comprise Tristin Lowe's "Under the Influence" exhibition, Lunacy and Visither 1.

We left the Museum to discover it had rained. Fortunately, we'd remembered to close all the windows in the House before leaving. Benefit Street was dark and cool, the brick sidewalks damp, the night smelling damply of summer. We followed yellow pools of streetlight past the Athenaeum.

I was suffering from my second night of insomnia, and the whole day is a bit blurry about the edges. But last night I slept, and I'm much better today. Late last night, Spooky began reading me Angela Carter's Wise Children (1991).

There are photos from last night:





Lunacy by Tristin Lowe (felt sewn over PVC vinyl inflatable armature, 12.5' in diameter; 2010), lit by Lowe's Visither 1 (neon sculpture).









Replacement Part by Ian Silvia (2010)







All photographs Copyright © 2010 by Caitlín R. Kiernan and Kathryn A. Pollnac



---

On June 15th, Jim Quon ("Scarbuck"), the leader of our WoW guild ("Knights of Good"), suffered a massive and unexpected stroke. He is currently in a coma, in critical condition, at Los Alamitos Medical Center. Like so many of us, Jim has no health insurance, and members of the guild have begun taking donations to help out with the thousands of dollars per day that Jim's treatment is costing his family. Towards that end, I'll be listing a copy of the third edition of Tales of Pain and Wonder (Subterranean Press, 2008) on eBay. Spooky is also doing a painting, also to be auctioned. All proceeds from both auctions will go to help with Jim's hospital bill. I'll post an announcement when the auctions start, and we ask that you please bid, if you are able. Thanks. Also, a Facebook page has been set up, with information on how to donate directly via PayPal.

Comments

[jdack.livejournal.com]

Bonkus on the Konkus

I do believe I'm going to have to remember that phrase.

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

I do believe I'm going to have to remember that phrase.

I must admit I stole it from an old Popeye comic strip (ca 1933).

[gargirl.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear about your guild leader, that is just awful. I'll look for your announcement about the auction. His poor family, they must be beside themselves, my heart goes out to them.

[mizliz13.livejournal.com]

I'm also saddened by this news. I hope he and his family receive heaps of support.

[fusijui.livejournal.com]

Those photos! One of them makes me want to break out the miniatures figures and do some 3-D science fiction wargaming. The other makes me dread the inevitable Terminator/JarJar Binks crossover franchise.

[mizliz13.livejournal.com]

I want Replacement Part. If only I could afford a private gallery...

[awdrey-gore.livejournal.com]

I saw a documentary not long ago about Alice Neel, made by one of her grandsons, asking the question as to whether or not an artist can be a good parent. Part of me was annoyed because it seems like a stupid question, unless of course, you are the child of an artist. But she painted some of the most important and absorbing portraits of the 20th century and I suspect on many levels, the question of her life as a mother will always for some trump her talent. "She was a great painter, but what a crappy mom." Sigh...

Jesus Allah Fuck, my world will never be a place worth living until the phrase, "Like so many of us, (insert name here) has no health insurance," is no longer common.

Ouch

[spank-an-elf.livejournal.com]

This will emerge all wrong since this topic infuriates me.

It's always amazed me that artists do not have a union to look after them. My Father was in the Marines then he was a postal worker so although he has passed away, my mother has double health benefits yet she hates what Obama tried to do for everyone.

Yet another lovely argument.

Wait, of course, artists need to sufffffffer. How silly of me.

OK, I just fell off my soapbox. Time for more wine.

[thimbleofrain.livejournal.com]

http://visioluxus.deviantart.com/art/Of-the-Deep-38150989

So you, I thought.