When I saw the above photo from this week’s Boston Phoenix (5.25.07 – 5.31.07) depicting America’s favorite silk pajama wearer and his infamous “Girls Next Door,” I became convinced that my art career was over. The stylized representations of the models— in high contrast black and white— had me doubting any left of creativity I might have left. To consider that you might be unconsciously stealing from de Kooning is one thing, to be imitating the artistic tastes of Hef is quite another. Maybe I should go into the magazine business.
In other news, last night was the world famous South Boston Poetry Slam and Open Mic— held upstairs at the Seapoint Restaurant in Southie. I tried out some new poems/some works in progress, including “The New Deal for Dealers,” and “The New Parishes,” the second, being something of a freestyle. I had never tried this before, but went up with a blank sheet of paper and just riffed. The page was blank because I knew if I caught a word I would be screwed and get it stuck in my head. One other newbie I tried out was a draft of my “Farewell to Poetry,” which I had quoted some pieces from in an earlier post.
I was lucky enough to win the $25 prize last night. In honor of this good fortune I am including an image of my piece “Currency,” above.
The major news of the night was the decision of the South Boston Arts Association to institute a $100 prize for the winning slam poet at the September South Boston poetry slam. Set your calendars for Wednesday, September 26th at 7:30 PM— with that type of cash prize the competition should be a great one. The Southie Slam and open mic will continue throughout the summer and beyond on the last Wednesday of every month, upstairs at the Seapoint— if you want to come and check it out beforehand. It is a great event.
So, yesterday I worked on poems to prep for the slam, and am trying to get my manuscript in order and get some submissions ready. My friends Heather Cahoon and M.L. Smoker each have works in the current issue of Hanging Loose, which has me thinking I need to get a little motivated and do some submitting. They are both great.
Today I am working on a few visual art submissions and proposals— while touching up “Photo ID Required,” prior to taking photographs for consideration into an upcoming show. Putting together my Artist’s Statement, bio, slide labels, and whatnot is nowhere near as fun as painting, poetry, or fiction— that’s for sure.
I also met with an insurance agent regarding self-employed health insurance today and talked to a property manager about a larger loft in Midway Studios. I am interested in having more space— but love 617 Midway so much, so I will have to see how that one progresses.
And now I’m off to finish my Artist’s Statement.
In other news, last night was the world famous South Boston Poetry Slam and Open Mic— held upstairs at the Seapoint Restaurant in Southie. I tried out some new poems/some works in progress, including “The New Deal for Dealers,” and “The New Parishes,” the second, being something of a freestyle. I had never tried this before, but went up with a blank sheet of paper and just riffed. The page was blank because I knew if I caught a word I would be screwed and get it stuck in my head. One other newbie I tried out was a draft of my “Farewell to Poetry,” which I had quoted some pieces from in an earlier post.
I was lucky enough to win the $25 prize last night. In honor of this good fortune I am including an image of my piece “Currency,” above.
The major news of the night was the decision of the South Boston Arts Association to institute a $100 prize for the winning slam poet at the September South Boston poetry slam. Set your calendars for Wednesday, September 26th at 7:30 PM— with that type of cash prize the competition should be a great one. The Southie Slam and open mic will continue throughout the summer and beyond on the last Wednesday of every month, upstairs at the Seapoint— if you want to come and check it out beforehand. It is a great event.
So, yesterday I worked on poems to prep for the slam, and am trying to get my manuscript in order and get some submissions ready. My friends Heather Cahoon and M.L. Smoker each have works in the current issue of Hanging Loose, which has me thinking I need to get a little motivated and do some submitting. They are both great.
Today I am working on a few visual art submissions and proposals— while touching up “Photo ID Required,” prior to taking photographs for consideration into an upcoming show. Putting together my Artist’s Statement, bio, slide labels, and whatnot is nowhere near as fun as painting, poetry, or fiction— that’s for sure.
I also met with an insurance agent regarding self-employed health insurance today and talked to a property manager about a larger loft in Midway Studios. I am interested in having more space— but love 617 Midway so much, so I will have to see how that one progresses.
And now I’m off to finish my Artist’s Statement.
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