. . . A Picasso or a Garfunkel?

I once took my grandparents to see the touring production of Show Boat when they came through St. Paul, Minnesota.  Grandpa had MS by that time, and he used a cane to walk. We had balcony seats, and it took him a while to amble to our front row overlooking the stage from above.  I will never forget when the actor, who played Joe, belted out "Ol' Man River, " and his amazing baritone reverberated throughout the theater. Goosebumps prickled up my entire body to the top of my head. I held my breath while he held the last, long note. And when he finished, and the audience went crazy,  my grandpa jumped to his feet, wobbled a bit, and clapped and hollered like he was at the '91 Twins World Series win (he was actually there - so he should know). My boo-boo was grabbed - big time. After that, if he was asked to name his favorite song, my Grandpa always said, "Well, I suppose 'Ol' Man River.' That's a good one. "  If you're ever browsing iTunes, check out William Warfield's original version of that classic. It's worth so much more than 99 cents.  

This blog piece is meant to be more than a plea to "support the arts." Lately I've been seeing and hearing works of magic that I never might have noticed before.  The way a DJ performs at beatmatching or scratching; turntablism is an art of its own.  The rhyme scheme, cadence, and intonation of a rapper MC. Old school break dance, poppin' and lockin', or  lyrical hip-hop.  These are expressions from the artists through their  brain and their bodies. When I see or hear of an up and coming artist who has the guts to get out there in the world, make some noise, and do their thing, I literally well up with tears, excitement, awe and a little bit of envy. I think it takes a great big set of marbles to put yourself out there, for all the world to critique (or ignore) and DO YOUR THING.  

I always give a buck or two to the musicians standing outside the Metro station. I've seen acoustic guitar guy, violin duo, harp lady (that's something to see, for sure), and awesome electric guitar guy (Rudy Rivera - check him out on YouTube!). There is also a  group of young men from a local university band that perform about once a week outside my train stop in the morning.  They are called Dupont Brass, and their Facebook page says they are " Howard University Music Students working to uplift the spirits of the people in Dupont Circle (Washington, DC)."

On my first week at my new job (mind you, I was highly emotional and feeling very alone), I emerged from the underground Metro station and was greeted with the final strains of "Pachelbel's Canon in D." Dupont Brass  then broke into a surprising rendition of "Hava Naglia."  I found myself choking back tears for the next few blocks. Why was I crying? Because in the midst of rush hour and dirty train car seats and pushy crowds, I hungrily stumbled upon this musical feast played with hope and passion by these talented guys on the street corner.  Please check them out on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/DupontBrass) or Twitter (@DuPontBrassHU). Thanks, guys, for always making me smile (or cry, depending on my mood that day).

My friend, Jerry, has had an interest in comics ever since I've known him. He currently sells collectible comics on his eBay store. I recently asked him who his favorite artists are and why; aesthetically speaking. He said,  "Picking a favorite artist is like picking a favorite movie. Too many to chose from. I like how Jim Lee draws Batman, Eric Basaldua & Adam Hughes draw women, Kenneth Rocafort uses dynamic color, Frank Miller creates atmosphere, Michael Turner drew Witchblade ... and I could go on and on."

Courtesy of Eric Basaldua

Of course when I think of comics I still remember fondly my Scrooge McDuck, Richie Rich and Archie & The Gang comics from when I was a kid. The comics Jerry is referring to are in a league of their own. A completely different world. I thought Betty and Veronica were a little risqué back in the day, with their booty shorts and cleavage drawn with one curved line in the middle of their v-neck crew. The comic ladies of today are the most colorful, bodacious, curvaceous creatures I've ever seen.  Check out this Grimm Fairy Tales comic book spin-off, a modern day Robyn Hood. Me-ow. For more info, check out Jerry's  eBay store at: www.3204auctions.com and Eric Basaldua's fan page at http://www.facebook.com/ericbasaldua.



Courtesy of Danielle Mastrion

Through my love of all things Beastie, I have discovered a New York City artist named Danielle Mastrion. She created the beautiful MCA tribute mural that can be seen at 5Pointz Aerosol Arts Center & Graffiti Museum in Queens, NY. I made the trek over from Manhattan to 5Pointz to see for myself, and was blown away at the color, detail, passion, and funk that goes into each of those special pieces. Danielle has been an artist her entire life, but only within the last four years has she started showcasing her work in world-wide live art competitions. Aside from these giant wall murals, she is also a painter, graphic designer, and photographer. A self-described "Jill -of-all -trades," she also completed a 12-foot high all brush-painted mural tribute to the Beastie Boys near the East Village of New York. Photos of this piece were featured in the NewYorkTimes.com as well as in RollingStone.com. This tribute to Notorious B.I.G. is crazy cool. I love her unexpected use of color and shading. I can't wait to see what else Danielle has in store for the world. Please check out Danielle's website at http://www.daniellemastrion.com/. 

Courtesy of Michell Lawlor/lucky17photography.com

Another local artist that inspires me is New Jersey native, Michelle Lawlor. I met her on the Beastie Boys fan tour in New York City in August. She was there to photograph and document our journey from strangers to friends, as well as our shared passion for a group of New York musicians that continue to rock our collective world. It turns out Michelle is a thriving young artist in her own right, with her own photography business, where she captures the energy and sweat of live rock concerts, creates artistic promos for the bands, and also does wedding and portraiture work. A snippet describing why she is a rock photographer appears on her website:



Courtesy of Michell Lawlor/lucky17photography.com



"I love rock and roll. It's as simple as that. . . . I believe watching someone play their instrument with all of their heart and soul is one of the most beautiful forms of human expression and is worthy of being documented. Honesty doesn't exist in many places in today's world, but I find it between fretboards, kick drums, and knotted-up cables." 

Damn. That's cool. I wish I'd written that. 

Michelle is a working artist. That means she's lucky enough to have found a passion, a niche, a hobby AND a job. Check out Michelle's portfolio at http://www.lucky17photography.com/and her blog at http://therocknrollpictureshow.com/. 

Honesty. Heart and soul. Passion. Beauty.  I think I see a trend here.

Not all of these artists have achieved the same amount of commercial success. But they are expressing themselves, creating, are involved in their communities, and are doing something to bring beauty into this world. Look around you. Take it all in. Where do you see beauty?

I recently met Venice Beach-based photographer Sunny Bak. She made a name for herself as a fashion photographer in New York in the early 80s. Aside from hanging out with super models, she also befriended a group of young punksters whom she met through a mutual friend. Sunny Bak and the Beastie Boys will be forever linked through her iconic images of the band that are still as relevant and recognizable today.   
  

Courtesy of Sunny Bak



I asked her if there is a weird feeling when you create art, and then you sell it. She told me there is nothing wrong with earning a living. We all need to eat. And if you have a talent that allows to express yourself AND you can feed yourself, then I guess you’re pretty lucky. 



Courtesy of Sunny Bak

Sunny was gracious enough to take the time and meet with me when  I purchased a few copies of her prints. Her sunny (pun intended) studio, doors and windows flung open wide to embrace the late-afternoon California rays, had a calming and centering effect on me. We talked about not dwelling on the past and not obsessing about the future. We talked about how it's often difficult to live in the moment, and we pondered how one is supposed to make plans to do or be something great. Then we agreed that sometimes you just have to do it. Don't think about it - do it. Sometimes our dreams will manifest themselves, right before our eyes, without stressing too much about it. Just do it. (I hope Nike doesn't come calling . . . ).  I told her I wanted to write a book one day. She said, "So, write it." And I said, "Well, I guess it ain't gonna write itself." Duh. Thank you, Sunny, for your time, your wisdom, the Corona, and for sharing a glimpse into your Beastie world. Please visit Sunny's website at: http://www.sunnybak.com. 

Courtesy  of My Mom

I have resigned myself to the fact I’ll never be a famous (or even working) painter, dancer, or 4th member of the Beastie Boys. But it’s possible I could earn my box o’ wine allowance by selling my photos or even writing a real book someday. My mom is an artist. Over the years she has completed beautiful oil, watercolor and charcoal paintings. She creates bone art, continually takes art classes, makes fancy bathtub Virgin Mary statues, and has had her poetry published in several anthologies. She may not make a living as an artist (she’s a retired nurse), but she is giving back to the universe in a positive and beautiful way. All of these artists are. Support them. Support these artists who have the guts and passion to put it all out there.

And if you have a desire deep within to create, to spread beauty and joy, whether through an Instagram photo or poem for a loved one, a mural, a dance, a new tattoo, a scrapbook or rap book, then just do it. 

And I'll leave you with this . . . When is the last time you were singing along with a song that you love so much - and you choke up and can't even get the words out? When you see something so beautiful your heart explodes with joy and tears spring to your eyes? Think about it. For me there are few moments that come to mind: 

• Singing "I Dreamed a Dream" - Les Misérables (Oy. Gets me everytime)
• Driving in the Jeep, feeling content, and then hearing  I Don't Know - Beastie Boys (sung by Adam Yauch)
• Hearing "Cover Me" (Reprise) - Jesse L. Martin, from the original Broadway cast of Rent. (It helps to know that his lover has died, and he's singing to his memory. Try sitting in the theater and hearing this song. It will definitely grab you in the boo-boo).
• Watching the snow scene in The Nutcracker Ballet live on stage. The snow swirling, the glittering tiaras, the choir in the background . . . and maybe the fact that my ballet days are over . . . always delivers a huge sugarplum lump in the back of my throat.
• In my hip-hop classes, when I don't care what I look like, and the beats are pounding through my chest, and my body rolls and leaps on its own - I am perfection and art in that moment.

I wish you all a lifetime of spontaneous, sugarplum lumps of joy when you experience the art that moves you. 

Until next time, with peace and gratitude. A little bit of Garfunkel.