Finally Some Sun, Still No Art

Finally Some Sun, Still No Art

It's probably the first REALLY nice day this year. Of course, I live in a RAINFOREST so what do you expect?

Anyway, I got to strip and sunbathe again - for only the second time this year ..yeah, I know, it's going to kill me. EVERYTHING is going to kill me.

Then went for a bike ride in the afternoon. And I STILL haven't painted anything.

What is the matter with me? I think I have some kind of pathological problem with art on deadlines. I hate it. I want to paint, but not what somebody wants me to paint. I'm going to force myself to paint this weekend because I figure I'll be trapped anyway by all the tourists heading to the recreation area (requiring every single one of them to go slowly past my house).

I've heard of creative slumps before but this is ridiculous.
Pagani on 06.29.05 @ 07:15 PM PDT [more..] [No Comments]

Music In My Mailbox! And How Odd Things Happen To Good People

Day before yesterday an oversized but NORMAL (unpadded) envelope showed up in my mail. It turned out it had a CD in it by a group called Moe's Haven -- or Moes Haven, which according to English grammatical rules means that it's a haven for multipe moes, as opposed to a Haven belonging to Moe.

...Okay, this is interesting. The insert says they are sending out free CDs to people they think are interesting... Wow, I'm impressed. Moi? Interesting? Ah.. probably the movie thing ... or maybe it's just because you can find my mailing address online, I don't know. But okay, whatever. I AM pretty interesting, but possibly not in the way Moe would like.

I am thrilled to be chosen. Even though they misspelled my first name (guys, when it says "Chriss" it MEANS Chriss, okay? Not "Chris" ...but no matter) I thought, 'well, this is genius!' My happiness at getting free stuff will not color my review, however: My credibility is ALL I have going for me ...So I gave it a listen...
Pagani on 06.26.05 @ 11:36 AM PDT [more..] [No Comments]

Okay, Now I'm officially the Crazy Cat Lady

With cats named Jean Michel Basquiat, Frida Kahlo and Willem DeKooning, what did you expect?




Feel free to send me Crazy Cat Lady goodies if you like. :)
Pagani on 06.25.05 @ 01:52 PM PDT [more..] [No Comments]

Prints Of The Day - Oregon (Limited)

A brand new work that I'm very proud of is here, I've decided to offer it as a print for limited time because I need to hang on to the original for a show.

Oregon Gallery: Misty Sunset - Yaquina Bay & Bridge

Abstract Impressionist Gallery: Garibaldi Harbor | Old Orchard At Misty

Enjoy!
Pagani on 06.20.05 @ 10:44 AM PDT [link] [No Comments]

Prints Of The Day

New and previously unavailable limited prints from several styles including the abstract work, Unproved Theorem. Don't let these get away.

Abstract Gallery: Unproved Theorem [Abstract Fine Art Print]
Expressionist Gallery: Hanged Weatherman [Hanged Weatherman Print]
Oregon Paintings Gallery: Cannon Beach Rocks [Cannon Beach Fine Art Prints]

These prints give you the opportunity to have something truly different AND beautiful, while helping to support the arts at the same time.
Pagani on 06.18.05 @ 03:45 PM PDT [link] [No Comments]

Print Of The Day

A rare abstract print - only available because the original painting is being used as a pivotal point in an upcoming movie. Available for a short time.

Abstract Gallery: Ithaca 12 Gauge #2 [abstract print]
Expressionist Gallery: Couple [expressionist prints]
Oregon Gallery: Kiwanda Beached Dory [oregon prints]

These prints are really rare : you aren't likely to find them in a friend's home or office - so you can be really different and support the arts at the same time.
Pagani on 06.15.05 @ 12:54 PM PDT [link] [No Comments]

Latest Prints Available for a Limited Time

Original art is an investment, but not everyone has the skills needed to be an art investor. You can still support the arts, however, through the purchase of prints and posters. The latest available for a limited time:

Expressionist Gallery: Breast Of Artist [expressionist prints]
Oregon Gallery: Umqua Lighthouse [Oregon prints]
Pagani on 06.14.05 @ 07:21 PM PDT [link] [1 Comment]

New and Unique Prints Posted For a Limited Time!

Prints represent a way to support the arts and have something rare: You aren't likely to find these on your neighbor's wall.

Now I know that Cafepress is a bit more expensive than some print outlets, but it also means you're getting something that you can't find elsewhere, and you're helping me out as an artist - even though I only get a couple of dollars off of most of this stuff.

Added:
Expressionist Gallery: Against The Green Wall [expressionist paintings]
Oregon Gallery: Red Kiwanda & Three Gracess [Oregon paintings]

Be a friend ... take a look at these and for Lord's sake, at least get a poster while you can. They're inexpensive....sheesh.

The Prints That Support a REAL Artist

I'm not the biggest fan of prints, but they do give an opportunity for one to support arts while decorating your home or office and they provide some much-needed revenue, albeit a rather small amount.

Because of requests, I've added more Expressionist and Oregon prints to my Cafe Press shop.
Expressionist Gallery: Requiem For A Dead Sister & Reclining Nude [click here]
Oregon Gallery: Dog On The Beach & Couple At Oceanside [click here]

Sure they cost a little more than big print houses - and I get less of the cost FOR them, but that's the only way I can do it. It will be worth it to you.

Transgender Artist II : My Story

This is my personal story of transformation. It contains mature subject matter and images and will be left up for a VERY short time only. If you haven't read my introduction to Gender Identity Disorder then you do so before you continue, because I will mainly be talking about that subject. I will talk about the rest of my life, too, so if you aren't interested or whatever, quit reading now. As the saying goes, viewer discretion is advised. Few will understand what I have been through, I realize, but I feel compelled to share my story for those who need to know.

From The Beginning

If you've read my bio or the blog entries, you know I had a pretty turbulent upbringing: Lots of homelessness, shooting, beatings, and general domestic violence. Many people jump to the conclusion that this is what made me who I am today. When it comes to gender issues, however, this doesn't seem to be the case. And if you read the Gender Identity Disorder discussion, you probably understand why that is so.

Transgender Artist : Gender Identity Disorder Truth

The connection with art will all become more clear in the future, but in the meantime I have to get these issues off my chest. Hopefully I can help someone understand some things, too.

Preface

The first principle here is that I am speaking from my own experience and my own knowledge base. Now, I have a lot of both, but I know that many will strongly disagree. In fact, I've been virtually crucified by some in the transgender community for what I have written here and elsewhere. So be it.

Terms:

Gender Identity Disorder is a specific condition identified by medical doctors. It is formally defined in the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - so yes, it is a mental disorder. But like depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder, it is organically based and at least the predisposition to the condition has a strong genetic component. Since about 20% of the population suffers from an organic mental disorder, you shouldn't look down on someone just because they have this problem.

People who suffer from Gender Identity Disorder are overcome by the feeling that they should have been born in a different gender than their apparent one. This feeling tends to overshadow everything in their lives, making it difficult to function.

The standard and in fact only treatment recognized by mental health professionals is "gender reassignment" and those who pursue gender reassignment are called transsexuals - a word I really hate. I have a strong issue about this lack of options and I will discuss it in a bit.

"Transgender" seems to be a better term - at least for me - because it isn't really about sex at all, but apparent gender. To be accurate, I have to mention that the term "transgender" includes people who don’t go all the way to get surgery, too. That should be okay: Why would you care about someone's genitalia if you weren't sleeping with them? But there are a lot of silly sex-obsessed people who do care about this stuff, so I just thought I'd mention that 'transgender' does not necessarily mean one who has had or is going to have surgery.

The Artist's Promise To Collectors

Artists can be an odd bunch, and I'm no exception. It is fairly well known, for instance, that the rates of mental illness including depression are exceptionallly high in the arts community. No matter how messed-up we all are, however, we still need to remember who made us professional artists instead of hopeful amateurs.

I've said many times that my collectors mean a lot to me, and I'm serious about that. I've said that you are like family, and I mean that, too. But what I don't say enough is that this connection I feel translates to far more than just talk.

Talk is cheap.

Many artists are sane enough to remember to say 'thank-you' to collectors, but what do they really do for them? Paint? We ALL do that.
Pagani on 06.05.05 @ 08:07 PM PDT [more..] [No Comments]