Assault & Battery

A new electric company has shown up here in Florida's muggy mid-section. Charlotte based Duke Power Company replaces Progress Energy which replaced Florida Power which replaced kerosene lamps. Turns out the boys from North Carolina were ill prepared for Central Florida's liquid sunshine.

See, the rain in these here parts isn't the ordinary "Better take an umbrella honey" variety. The wind from one of our monster thunderstorms would rip that sucker right out of your hand. The rain itself is so vicious that getting caught in it will leave one with black and blue marks. And no puny power company can compete with the awesome energy generated by hundreds of our lightning strikes.

The results the last few days have been intermittent afternoon power outtages as storms rolled through on their way to the Gulf of Mexico. Even a one second power burp will cause my pc to have a hissy fit and refuse to speak to me.

Yesterday, after two reboots and profuse cursing, I decided to join the 21st Century and buy a battery backup. That decision meant I must go to the one place I had sworn never to re-enter - Best Buy. The last time I was there, I got lost in the parking lot and a Boy Scout had to escort me to the entrance. Once inside, one of the many smiling Geeks fleeced me for my entire savings account.

This time was different though. The young smiling salesman was delighted to show me the 625 volt SX625G CyberPower Battery Backup. It was, he allowed, the best model for my pc needs and assured me of its ease of installation. "These newer models don't even need software," he said grinning. "It's easy! Just plug it in and you're all set."

The easy part turned out to be the simple task of opening the glossy theft-proof box. I managed to cut myself only once and hurried to read the directions before I passed out from blood loss. As my vision blurred and head spun, I looked in vain for directions I could read. There, under Spanish, Croatian, and Hindi directions, I found English. I felt woozy as I read the first direction - "Caution, this unit must first charge for a minimum of 8 hours." "Klunk!"

Is This A Drawing Or A Painting

That's a question I've been trying to figure out for thirty years. In 1984 the question could be answered more easily 'drawer', since I worked only in pastels. Later, I saw beautiful works by artists who called themselves pastel painters. Perhaps the term 'drawing' still held bad connotations for them, but I've always believed good art begins with good drawing and if it begins and ends with drawing, that's fine too.

In the early 1990's, feeling limited by merely drawing, I started experimenting with different media and substrates. Nothing was off-limits. I used acrylic, oil, collage, and wax on canvas, paper, wood, cork, sandpaper, tar paper and once even painted on a door screen.

Other artists suggested I was really a mixed-media artist, but that term seemed a cop-out for not quite knowing what I was actually doing. Perhaps the term should have been, 'mixed-up media artist.' Finally, it didn't seem important to label myself at all or limit my materials, as long as I felt good about the work and continued pursuing some always out there vision.

The work above is painted and drawn in ink, acrylic, pastel, collage and wax on Rives paper mounted on wood. It's called Layer Cake and is included in my upcoming exhibition at Morean Arts Center in St. Petersburg. The show opens Saturday, May 11, 5-8 pm, and runs through June 30.

Art Or Fart?

Good News Coming Your Way

 

I would like to take this opportunity to announce some exciting news. As of March 25, every piece of my art will be totally gluten free and not even created in a facility where there is gluten art. That will also include paintings, drawings as well as prints.

To those who have loved my art in the past, please do not worry. The art will still be completely oven-ready, but now will be even more deliciously palatable.

So, all you hungry art lovers, be sure and pick up a fresh piece of Gaston's Gluten Free Art. And I thank you. 

Philip Guston, Trauma & Vision

Seat Of The Pants Inspiration

Here's another reason I know I'm an artist. Every day in my studio I sit on this stool, a rickety old seat with an impressive provenance. It belonged to my artist father, who wrote on the underside - R. N. Gaston, Mapmaker & Artist, Stool from Honaker, Virginia, 1945.

It has survived through the years, broken and repaired several times, and after my father's passing, became one of my prized possessions. Not much to look at, a hunk of wood really, but when I sit on this stool I'm transformed. I can paint tall buildings in a single stroke.

Refuge

Bird of Heaven, pastel on paper, 1990

I sometimes wonder that those who choose a creative life in the arts do so because it allows them to escape into their heads. While it is certainly a noble venture to embark on an art career, there is nothing noble about the constant struggle to make a living that often accompanies art making.

The fact that artists continue working against all odds speaks volumes about their integrity and resolve. Or does it? Perhaps the solitary, interior process of creation is partly a retreat from an ugly, demanding world.

I’ve often had the experience of slogging through a difficult day of dealing with people and the unpleasant task of making ends meet. At some stressful moment, stuck in traffic, I found myself thinking; If I can only make it to the art studio, I will be safe.

 

While it is true that making art requires a stepping away from the world, if only to gain better perspective, there comes a time when artists must re-engage with the hurly-burly of daily life. Hard as it is, that is where they must go to find raw material to fuel their creative visions.

Too much time spent in one’s head leads to madness.

Michele Tuegel Contemporary Opening

American Style Magazine recently voted St. Petersburg the top mid-sized city for art for the third impressive year in a row. Move over Miami, St. Pete has arrived. And with the imminent opening of MicheleTuegel Contemporary on Central Avenue, the city can add another gold star to its art crown.

The new downtown gallery of fine craft and design is the dream and hard work of long-time arts advocate, administrator and artist, Michele Tuegel. There are not many people who, over the years, have been bigger advocates for art than Michele.

In 1984, while working at the old Gulf Coast Art Center in Belleair, she staged the first Florida Craftsmen statewide exhibition. Two years later Michele opened the inaugural Florida Craftsmen Gallery on Third Street downtown. And two years later, in 1986, she began her long run as that organization’s first Executive Director.

Florida Craftsmen gained national exposure during Michele’s directorship and now has a major home and gallery on Central Avenue. Michele was not content to stay idle after leaving Florida Craftsmen, and worked for several years as an integral part of the Pinellas County Arts Council.

Running her own gallery seemed like the next logical step for such a tireless arts cheerleader. Many in the community would say; “What took you so long?” Michele’s answer could be that she was saving up for a flashy red convertible and trip to Japan. Now those bucket list items will have to wait.

There will be two openings at the Gallery, Friday, October 12, 3 pm-8 pm and Saturday, October 13, 6 pm-9 pm. Michele Tuegel Contemporary is at 320 Central Avenue in downtown St. Petersburg. (727) 823-1100.

(photos courtesy Cathy Lasky, cathyart@earthlink.net)