A Talk With Bruce At The River's Edge Gallery

Gallery Director Jeremy Hansen, Owner Patt Slack and Gallery Dog Duchess.

Tomorrow from 3-5pm I will be at the River's Edge Gallery in Wyandotte, MI to have an informal talk/Q&A type thing about my show of watercolor paintings. It's open to the public and you can check out the details on the Facebook event page. I do believe that this is the closing of the show, as well, so there will be pizza and beverages. 

Facets Of Inspiration Gallery Show and Talk

My show of watercolor portraits has been extended until June 8th at the River's Edge Gallery in Wyandotte, MI, on which day I will also be doing a live chat with Gallery Director Jeremy Hansen. Should be interesting and the public is invited. 

Facets Of Inspiration Gallery Show

So, I have this show coming up consisting of portraits of people who have inspired me in some way at some time. Most times I can't quite put my finger on it, but I do know that creativity can come from many sources. And these people inspire creativity in me in some ways, be they writers, poets, actors, musicians, athletes, painters, sculptors, artists all.

The show starts on April 18th and will be up through May 23 at the River's Edge Gallery. Come on out for the opening reception, if you may.

Owner Past Slack and gallery director Jeremy Hansen are very generous in giving me a slice of space and time at their cool gallery. Much thanks, as always!

Click on the image above for the details.

Star Wars At The Edge

Tomorrow, starting at noon and going until five, join me along with Bill Pulkovski, Tony Miello and John Marroquin at the River's Edge Gallery in Wyandotte, MI for the Star Wars at the Edge event to celebrate the release of the new film. We have all worked on official Star Wars properties, so the gallery has brought us in to sell our works with Star Wars in mind. We will have originals, prints, sketch cards and will be doing commissions of your favorite Star Wars characters.

Then, after that join us for the Motor City Sketch official Holiday Party. Bring your sketch books or bring yourselves and have some fun rewinding after a day of shopping and visiting.

Lou Reed

Lou Reed
6x9
watercolor

So, yesterday my friend and gallery director, Jeremy Hansen broke the news to me about the passing of rock legend Lou Reed. For some reason, I was glad that it was Jeremy that told me this, as he had a somewhat understanding of why I liked the music of Reed.

Anyways, as a youngster I was always fond of Perfect Day, Take A Walk On The Wild Side, and Sweet Jane. Still am. But, it was really when 1989's New York came around to my senses that I fully emersed myself in all things Lou. I got it. This guy had a voice (not so much the gravelly sound, but the inner voice) and a story to tell. A lot of stories, to be truthful. He was a man of experience, thoughts and  an adventurous spirit. And he put all of that into song and verse. He spoke as much through his skin as he did through a guitar.

He once said that his goal in making music wasn't just to do that, but to create literature. That speaks to me, man.

"My goal has been to make an album that would speak to people the way Shakespeare speaks to me, the way Joyce speaks to me. Something with that kind of power, something with bite to it." - Lou Reed.

If only I could have an ounce of that in the way that I paint or draw, to convey what is on the inside to the outside in that manner, with that power, that would be something.

I read that he was still practicing his Tai Chi exercise an hour before his passing, trying to fight for his life. I couldn't even begin to imagine what his state of mind was at that point and maybe I don't even want to know, but that is a good example of a fighter, I believe. Someone with spirit, someone with a bite to him.

Lou Reed's passing  hit me in the same way as when Freddie Mercury died. It's hard to imagine that there will be no more new music to hear, but that is the way that it goes. I think that I will go and listen to Modern Dance (from Ecstasy) and let that sink in some more.

In A Gallery Far Far Away

                                        
                                     General Ursus
                       acrylic and gold leaf on canvas

No Canaries Here

acrylic on canvas

Although, the show actually started last week, tomorrow is the opening for the gallery show entitle In A Gallery Far Far Away. The show is sci-fi/fantasy/pop culture based and features some of Detroit's best illustrators and fine artists, including Alex Buechel, Matt Busch, Anne Garavaggio, Jeremy Hansen, Bill Morrison, Kelly Nemzek, Bill Pulkovski, Jay Shimko and myself. The speed painter Dave Santia will be doing his thing at about seven in front of the gallery. All proceeds from his auctioned paintings will go towards Benefits For Backpacks (I think). 

Here are the details:

A Gallery Far Far Away

The River's Edge Gallery

3024 Biddle Ave.

Wyandotte, MI 48192

www.artattheedge.com

The Star Wars costuming group, the 501st will also be on hand to make the evening even more festive. So, come on down river tomorrow evening, view some cool artwork, socialize with the animals, I mean the artists, and maybe hit one of the local eateries for dinner or a late snack. See ya there!

Bruce Vader

So, I was down in Wyandotte today to drop off some artwork at the River's Edge Gallery and my gallery director gives me this print by John Long (I'm not sure, but he may be the one that does or did the syndicated cartoon strip, Lumpy Gravy).

Nice to know that Jeremy's thinking of me.