#39: Why Women Are Important To Us [Men]

Are you a man?  Have you ever been unable to find what you're looking for in the fridge?  Tonight, we found a Fisher Audio Component MC-723bk for $18 at Goodwill.  (For those that don't speak in that talk, like me, it's a record player.)  I made sure to keep the receipt just in case it was totally busted.  After wondering why the cables were yellow and brown (instead of the modern red and black) and just hooking them up randomly, the system came to life!

"It's alive!"

I immediately grabbed my newest album, MUSE's "Black Holes & Revelations."  It sounded gorgeous; Matt Bellamy's vocals sounded great through the old speakers.  Nichole was making funny faces at my giddiness, so I thought I'd show off.  I grabbed my signed, unreleased Coheed & Cambria 45rpm.  Now, let me give you some background:  my other record player I bought brand new.  I love listening to records but know nothing of the hardware involved.  I know more about how the Millenium Falcon works.

Those modifications are so illegal..

So, of course, Mr. Claudio Sanchez's voice was extremely low (for him).  The music was much slower than it should have been.  I realized that I needed to find the button to switch from 33rpm to 45rpm.  I searched high and low for a button, switch, toggle.  Then I went to the master of all things, Google.  Google wanted me to buy the original manual from God-knows-what-year for $10 and had no information on how to switch between 33rpm and 45rpm.  In frustration, I just decided that I wasn't going to be able to play 45s on my new unit.

That's when Nichole walks over.  Within three minutes and with less than five text messages to her father, she has found the switch and is playing "The Running Free (Album Version)" by Coheed & Cambria.  This is a major reason why women are important.  I open the fridge and CANNOT find the sour cream.  She walks over pulls it out.  Usually it's in the front.

#38: [Auto Pilot] & [Auto Pilot II]

So, as usual, it's been awhile since I blogged on here.  I am in the process of working on about five large pieces and have finished one since I last posted.  It's called [Auto Pilot] and it is another experiment with negative/positive space; it is inverse from my [Guitar Duel] pieces.

[Auto Pilot]

In the [Guitar Duel] series, I used black for the foreground, but I decided to take a different approach with this one.  Initially, the idea was use stars as the stencil and do a recreation of the American flag.  That idea died, however, when I realized that I was unable to paint with only three colors, one of which being white (yuck).  Can anyone guess where the title comes from?  (hint: it's always music..)

Tonight I started a second piece in this new series - I hope you enjoy it!

[Auto Pilot II]
(work in progress)

As in the first piece, I made "stripes" with blue (why did I have to buy the cheapo Big Lots brand?  *sigh*) and masking tape.  Originally, this was to simulate the stripes on the flag; now it's just neato.

I'm used Liquitex Basics for the undercoat and then added Golden paints on top for that bright, expensive look that everyone who paints with acrylic and oil crave.

*Disclaimer:  I own no rights to Big Lots (it's an outlet store, if you didn't know) or Queens of the Stone Age.

#37: "I'M BATMAN!"

So, I decided to make the move into pop culture with one of my favorites, Batman.  I'm doing it in the same style as my [Guitar Duel] series and leaving the [Birdy] series behind (for now).  Here are some pictures on my current progress on [Batman] WIP.

Day 1:  This was the first time I thought I was "done with the background."

Day 3:  Spiced it up a bit - more darkness. 
I mean, nothing gets darker than Batman, right?

This will be the third time I've made this statement about the current piece:  I think I'm finally done with the background.

Enjoy.  ..and, "I'M BATMAN!"  :]

#36: "Same Old Trip"

Working on a few new pieces - currently three, [Embalmed in Memory], [BP Doesn't Need Loose Lips], and a commission.

I posted a pic on the [Boredom.Is.Overrated] Facebook page last night of [Embalmed in Memory] (you'll never get that reference.. unless you're a fan of Akira Yamaoka).  This piece is heavily influence by survival horror videogames.  I'm a big fan of Silent Hill and F.E.A.R.

Here is last night's pic (immediately below) and what I've done to it today.  Enjoy.  :]

Day 1:  Just a drawing so far.  Canvas is 3ft x 4ft. 
Bottom half is an apocalyptic city landscape; top half is a mountain landscape.

Day 2:  Just letting blue and grey do their own thing. 
I will build upon the drips later.  Letting them create their own texture
is important to me.  I can paint over anything I don't like.

 Btw, I have postcards for sale now!  Check my Facebook page and click the tab "My Yardsale".

#35: "On A Plain"

So, it's been a while since I've posted on here.  I've been home for two weeks and completed a Christmas present for a friend, starring the ever loveable Ebichu, the house cleaning hamster (whom I own no copyright to).  I'm hoping to post pictures of that work up soon.  I couldn't post any online, for fear that my friend may see them before receiving the painting.

At the moment I'm working on a (or two?) commissioned piece, currently named [Untitled].  Here are pictures of the work in progress (both photos taken with an iPhone 4S):

There are two 2x4ft panels here.  I'm painting them together to
try and keep them in a "series," even though they will be displayed apart.

At this point, I just keep flipping the panels, letting the color drip to the center.

Keep checking the Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/boredomisoverrated/
I have been giving out free prints monthly and attending art shows regularly.  Also, the website has been fully updated and can be reached here:  www.boredomisoverrated.com

Stay inspired, creative, and most of all, dreaming!  ..and commission something.  ;]
Ciao, for now.

#34: "High Fidelity" : Part 2

So, as you can see, I was in a magazine of recent.  Brevard Live Magazine interviewed me for a short segment on upcoming artists.  An artist (Kelli Price) that also frequents the 321 shows with me was in it a couple issues before me.


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[Concept 3]
Unsure about it's completeness at this time.

Also, above is what I currently have completed of the painting version of [Concept 3].  I am unsure if I am finished or what I am going to name it.  As you might have noticed, most of my names revolve around music.  I may have to resolve to researching some Yoko Kanno songs in search of a proper name for this piece.

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Speaking of The 321 Local Rock Bar.   Below is my setup for the September 5th show.  Behind me is pallette I bought from a hardware store... they were not supposed to sell it to me, but did anyway.  :D

FAML Art Show @ The 321 Local Rock Bar
September 5th, 2011

#33: "High Fidelity" : Part 1

It has been a long time since I posted, so I'm going to have to do it in 2 parts.  I now have a Facebook that you can find here:  http://www.facebook.com/Boredom.Is.Overrated

 

Credit goes to Luis de la Maza for taking some great pictures of my work.  To make some small prints 8x10 or a little bigger, I had to have high quality pictures taken of my work.  Luis was able to make that come to fruition.

This is my newest work in progress.  I can only give you one hint as to what it will be, and that's the current title, [Concept 3].  A couple people have already figured it out.

Finally, this was August's FREE Print Winner, Sam Perry.  She chose an 8x10 print of [My City].  If you are interested in winning a FREE print, please "like" the [Boredom.Is.Overrated] page on Facebook.

Prints are around $15-$17.  If you're interested in purchasing one, contact me.

#32: [Boredom.Is.Overrated]

So, there is a now a Facebook page, a somewhat existent internet page, and this blog.  (My deviantArt doesn't count.)  On my the Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/Boredom.Is.Overrated), I am giving away a free print to a random person who comments on my status.  I hope to do this every now and then.  If you're interested, please find me on Facebook and comment on the status that talks about the giveaway (which will be decided tomorrow).

Guitar Duel II (Work In Progress)
Copyright  Casey Gardner (C)  2011

The addition of the black silhouettes really brings the painting to life; however, they take forever to paint. The creation of them is a mixture of random strokes with the pallet knife, as well as, deliberate, but painstaking painting of small back squares between lines of color.

One of my goals with these paintings is to make them as shiny as possible. I mixed in bu-ku amounts of linseed oil into the black, as well as, just poring it onto the canvas. In the end, I will varnish the whole painting to give it a final sheen.

#31: "Terminal Boredom"

In lieu of my new website having a domain and server (www.boredomisoverrated.com), I am going to post this video by The Cute Lepers:  "Terminal Boredom"   They only have the coolest name for a band ever.

Guitar Duel II

I have begun a new painting in my "drip series" style; "Guitar Duel II".  It is a sequel to an earlier piece I created called "Guitar Duel" that I sold to a friend now living in Chicago.  In this one, I am still using the same water-based Artisan oils that I used for the original, but I seem to be getting lighter and waterier (is that a word?) with the paint.  I also have been pouring in Refined Linseed Oil to give it a sheen and plan to varnish this piece.

My setup at the F.A.M.L. Art Event @ the 321 Local Rock Bar
7/4/2011

Speaking of varnish, I have begun varnishing my older pieces.  I won't upload any pictures because they haven't changed, they're just shiny now.  I also have begun framing them with frames given to me and purchased at Walmart and Goodwill.  I would definitely recommend buying frames at Walmart.  They tend have really decent prices in the Summer and Fall.  Last night I attended the 2nd F.A.M.L. Art Event at the 321 Local Rock Bar.  They are such good experiences that I hope to go to as many of them as possible.  You can find details here.

Spread the interwebz love ~ share my post.  :]

#30: "Wish You Were Here"

Sisterhood VIII - Hung Liu - 2007

 The way this blog thing works is like this:

I get into this amazing mood to tell the world what is going on in my head (like anyone really wants to know that..).  Then write like 5 posts; all in the span of like a single week.  I then run out of things to talk about and forget about my blogspot for about 1-2 months.  Rinse.  Repeat cycle.

So, I posted about an hour ago.  It's almost 3am.  I can't sleep.  I'm staring at the white ceiling; Nichole is laying next to me trying to ignore me.  My body kinda hurts from standing all day; at work for a few hours, and then at the FAML Art Event in Cocoa from like 5pm-12am.

So, here's what I'm going to do; I'm going to share my favorite artist with all 11 that potentially read my blog.  She's been my favorite artist for about 4-5 years now and every time I get the urge to look her up, and then do it, I am filled with both inspiration and awe.

Name:  Hung Liu
Age:  63
Sex:  Female
Descent:  Chinese-American
Website:  http://www.kelliu.com/
Wiki:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hung_Liu 

I'm not going to regurgitate information about her from wikipedia or her website.  But if you go to her site, you will see why she is one of my favorite artists of all time; you will also notice where I get a bit of my style/inspiration.

Adieu, friends.

#29: "Breathe Again"

Hello internetworld,

It has been a long time.  It has been extremely difficult trying to build some sort of inspiration.  It shouldn't be hard considering I've been playing rockin' metal music with 12 Steps Away (though we need a BASSIST and DRUMMER; contact me if you know anyone).  For some reason though, I have been unable to really get my mind set on anything.

Until tonight.  

Tonight I went to the 321 Local Rock Bar (333 King St./ Cocoa, FL) and put a bunch of my stuff in the FAML Art Event.

(Better pictures to be added soon, I promise.)

This event was really awesome.  It had art like mine, art from (not to quote The Who), "my generation."  I traded the red samurai piece on the left ("I heard it's going so well") for another artists beautiful piece, sold the painting of the wrecked city at the top ("Untitled"), and bought a shirt from another artist.  The 321 Local Rock Bar does these shows the first Monday of every month and I can't wait to be at the next one!

#28: 12 Steps Away at "College Players Showcase"

The Florida Tech College Players are putting together a Showcase where they allow their performers to put together a 10-minute act to present to campus and public.

Here is the information that the President of CP, Siobhan Ireland, posted on the Facebook Event page:
______________________________________________
Ever wondered exactly what hidden talents the Florida Tech College Players have?
Now's your chance to find out!
CP will be showcasing their many talents in Gleason on April 21st starting at 8pm.
The event will be free to all!!
List of acts performing:
- "Monty Jackson and the Curse of the Desert"
- "The Adventure of the Crooked Man"
- "Mel Brooks: A Musical Tribute"
- Players in Harmony (PIH)
- Between Acts
- Daniel Szabo
- Theremin / Musical Saw Duet
- Brass Quintet
- 12 Steps Away

In addition to the above acts, you will be taken on an amusing journey through the history of entertainment...it's a showcase within a showcase.

~Siobhan Ireland
______________________________________________
Contributing guitarist, Casey Gardner, is the PR Officer for the College Players, thus will be showcasing 12 Steps Away as his act. They will be performing 3 songs.

#27: Advertising Galore - Chronicles of the Worst Week #1

With the onset of Art and Music Day (http://cp.fit.edu/?q=node/177) in a few days, I am also in full advertising swing for the upcoming play "Much Ado About Nothing" (http://cp.fit.edu/?q=node/178).  Below is the logo that I created (with direction from director, Miles), along with the poster that it is being applied to.

8.5 x 11 (Layered with GIMP 2.6)

11 x 17 (Made with Microsoft Publisher)

#26: 5 Mixes of 2010

Here are the 5 mixes I created for 2010.  If you have these songs, or have access to them, you should give them a shot.  My interest is more in the interaction between songs (or the mixing) more than the songs themselves.

New Mixtape 9



New Mixtape 9.2

 

New Mixtape 9.3

New Mixtape 9.4

New Mixtape 9.5

What do you think?

Disclaimer:  I do not own the rights to any of this music or their respective album covers.

#25: Deadlines Pt. 4: "Venice Queen"

Update (2/23/11):

HD Version of "Art and Music Day Advertisement":

Finished Poster Format:

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I have a lot of work to do, both on here and in real life.  On here, I have several album reviews that need to be done as well as some PR work for friends (not that a million people are reading this).  In non-interwebz world, I need to create t-shirts, advertisements, learn songs, etc. 

However, on the top of the priority list was this, the Art and Music Day Poster Advertisement (title-ing will be done digitally when I get a decent picture, hopefully by my friend Michael).  Here is the finished work; for some reason, the ink in the picture gives it a glare when I use flash.

Copyright Casey Gardner (C) 2011.    Pencil, Ink, Acrylic, Pen.