Out & Out Reality

Fashion TV - Click Chic

2008-02-14T16:16:00.001-05:00

I grew up watching Fashion TV and now I'm on it...

A New Blog

2008-01-11T10:12:00.000-05:00

So I decided to start a new blog where I would examine visuals that stimulate and inspire me. So welcome - Pigment & Hue, a new visual diary of images. I hope it gives you a sense of what I'm looking at and loving at the moment. I've just started to work out the kinks, so bare with me as the site evolves.

Who's Who

2007-11-20T13:28:00.000-05:00

So it has been bothering me forever and I've finally put my finger on it - Zach Efron and Daniela Sea are the same person. The photographic evidence is enough that I will not tell you who is whom. Enjoy!

Oh the Horror!

2007-10-02T15:26:00.000-04:00

File this under movies that never needed remaking. It has just been announced that Michael Bay will be bringing a remake of Friday the 13th to the theaters sometime in the near future. He has hired the two writers of Freddy vs. Jason in to revamp the Crystal Lake killer in a retelling of the original horror franchise. However, instead of keeping the overprotective killer mother, Bay and company think it will be more interesting to jump right to dealing with Jason.

This to me is mistake one. The reason the original is so scary is with a crazed mother as the killer, it snaps the movie into a sort of foggy reality. The fact that a mother - could and would go on a killing spree to stop the reopening of the camp where her son died makes for a frighting twist - not to mention a real one. When she is beheaded, there is no returning from the dead 100 times.

Secondly, the reason Jason arose from the dead was to enact revenge for the death of his mother, so without her set-up as the original killer why does Jason need to surface?

Thirdly, do we really need another remake of a classic 80's horror film. I think not, there has got to be some fresh blood (pun intended) out there in the horror genre. So let's get a bit creative and produce some original voices and scares...

T-Minus 3 and Counting

2007-09-07T14:55:00.000-04:00

So in just three days, 8 months of hard work comes to a head. My show Click Chic: The Fine Art of Fashion Photography opens. The pre-press for the show has been stellar, the work looks inspiring and beautiful and I'm extremely happy and proud as any parent can be. So if your in New York city on Monday evening, come have a glass of prosecco with me and bask in the excitement. Regular blogging should commence shortly.

(above: detail from photograph by Chiun-Kai Shih)

Sleeping Dogs

2007-08-28T11:17:00.000-04:00

OK, it has been a while since I've spoken about Big Brother here on my blog, but I have to state this... I feel very sad that the producers keep trying to force the Dani & Nick relationship on America. Yes, they had chemistry in the house. Yes, Nick is beautiful. Yes, Dani was/is cheating on the man she lives with. Hence, my problem with this whole show-mance.

The BF, who producers were so eager to interview when it made for good television has basically been thrown under the bus, first by the letter from Nick to Danielle on her second HOH win and now the Power of 10 appearance. Sad, how the show has no regards for this man - he does live with her (or at least she did live there prior to walking through the door of reality TV.)

Enough with trying to make Nick & Dani a couple - let sleeping dogs lie.

Spotting the Finish Line

2007-08-13T14:44:00.000-04:00

Again, I have to apologize for my sporadic postings, however I am in the final stretches of Click Chic - meeting with each photographer for them to sign off on the final printer proofs, sending catalogs and invites, and making sure everything at the gallery is ready for installation - that it doesn't leave me a lot of time to do much else... I promise to be back to a regular schedule shortly. Stay tuned.

Artist of the Week: Grant Barnhart

2007-08-01T17:19:00.001-04:00

Continuing with my Artist of the Week segment (until I can come up with a better title - any suggestions, readers?) I would like to introduce you to the work of a talented Seattle based artist by the name of Grant Barnhart. What I love about Grant's work is his use of painting and drawing, something I personally love playing with. Also, I love that he creating screenprints of his work as well, which due to their complete nature are very reasonably priced.

So once again, I hope you take the time out today and jump on over to his site and explore.

Blindsighted or Blind Move?

2007-07-30T13:21:00.000-04:00

So, since I don't subscribe to the live feeds (I would never leave home) or get Showtime (I would never get any sleep) I rely on BB8Dish for my Big Brother 8 scoop. And while I promise to not reveal any spoilers about the show, I will say some of the houseguests are making a huge mistake by taking out a "so-called" target while leaving three more viable nominees safe for another week. So if my boy Dustin does what I think he will, I think there were be big ramifications in the house and I sense that life in the house will take a weird turn. So boys and girls, think three weeks ahead, before you plot your next move... it could mean remaining safe for the next few weeks, as oppose to the possibility of one of your own going home before they are scheduled to, by playing this risky game.

More from the Curator

2007-07-25T18:57:00.000-04:00

So with my show almost less then a month away and all the last minute details, I have not had a lot of time to blog about the important things (Lindsay's arrest, TomKat's party for Posh & Becks, or whether or not Lisa Rinna injects silicone into her lips.) But I promise you this, I have some strong opinions on all of those topics.

This show has been a real creative challenge and I love it. Selecting work by six really talented photographers was the easy part. Now comes the fun challenge of making sure the work fits properly on the wall, preparing a kick-ass guest list and looking over the printer proofs of the catalog. So again dear readers (and not to beat this to death) but if you are in New York City on September 10, please come join me and have a glass of prosecco - would love to see you there.

(above: detail from photograph by Roderick Angle)

Artist of the Week: Matt Lipps

2007-07-19T16:14:00.000-04:00

So I decided to add a new feature to my blog, a look at artists that inspire and delight me. The first person I decided to highlight is photographer and sculptor Matt Lipps. I'm not 100% sure where I first spotted his work, but I've been thinking about it a lot lately (an idea is brewing in my mind which I would like Matt to be involved with, I just cannot discuss it right now.) I love anyone who takes a medium we all know and spins it on its head and I love Matt's photographic sculptures. So dear readers, take the time out today and look over his work, you'll be happy you did. Enjoy... and stay tuned for next week's artist.

above: Matt Lips, Untitled (detail), 2006

Bring on the Crazy

2007-07-13T15:00:00.001-04:00

OK, try as I might there is no escaping the pull of Big Brother and season 8 so far has not disappointed. How friggin' brilliant is it that Jen won Head of Household this week, the girl is insane (and I love it) and mayhem and madness is going to be all over the house this week. So, everyone was so ready to boot the girl out of the house and now there will be a week of them kissing her ass, big time. She's such a wild card, I have no idea who's going on the block - but safe to say, the girl will be trying to eliminate her female competition, so most likely Danielle is going on the block.

Now I just need to stay off those spoiler blogs before Sunday, so that I can generally be surprised at who she places on the block. So thanks to a kick-ass season so far, bring on the crazy!

Fall Must-See

2007-07-10T19:06:00.000-04:00

I just wanted to share some pretty exciting news with you all (and this is just the begining). Thanks to the kick-ass PR department at SVA, the fashion photograph show I'm curating "Click Chic: The Fine Art of Fashion Photography" was just named "fall's must-see show" by Elle Magazine. Elle friggin' magazine. I honestly think I'm glowing.

So mark your calendars, the opening reception is September 10th (6-8pm) and don't forget to pick up the August issue of Elle.

Truly Visionary

2007-06-29T17:05:00.000-04:00

As of yesterday, the world lost a visionary and a gentleman. He was 91. Silas H. Rhodes, founder and chairman of the School of Visual Arts passed peacefully in his sleep.

I have had the distinct pleasure of knowing the man personally for the past 17 years and marvelled numerous times at the institution he created. There would be no SVA without Silas and for that I am truly grateful. He also was the driving force behind the decision to allow me to curate my fashion photography show at the College and I hope to make him proud. He will be missed.

In the Name of Fashion

2007-06-27T16:55:00.001-04:00

So I promised that I would finally announce some major news in my life. This September, I will be curating a show entitled Click Chic: The Fine Art of Fashion Photography at the Visual Arts Museum at the School of Visual Arts. Six great photographers (all SVA alumni) will be highlighted - Roderick Angle, Guy Aroch, Maki Kawakita, Ryan Michael Kelly, Chiun-Kai Shih and Sarah Silver.

The exhibition opens on Monday, September 10th at 6pm and runs through October 6, 2007. A catalog with my curatorial statement and a new essay by Brain Paul Clamp, director of ClampArt will be available. So I would love it if you all could attend, dear readers - mark your calendars now... a fall must.

(above: image detail by Sarah Silver)

Snap Desicion

2007-06-22T13:10:00.001-04:00

So I know I promised to reveal some big exciting news about something that will happen in September, but you are just going to have to wait a few more days. Tonight, if your in town, there is a photography show opening at the Jen Bekman Gallery entitled "New American Portrait" and the show highlights one of my favorite photographers right now Amy Elkins. (Above is an example of her work, not in the show, but I don't want to ruin the images that appear - you have to see them in the flesh - it's worth it, trust me.) Head down to the space early, as the gallery isn't large and the expected crowd is... don't say I didn't warn you if you get stuck on the street.

(detail above: Amy Elkin, Charles, Brooklyn, NY, 2006)

I'm Back... And With a New Layout

2007-06-21T15:54:00.001-04:00

After an extended disappearing act, I have finally returned (hopefully) to blogging on a more regular basis. With the show at ClampArt closing this Saturday (you still have time to see the piece in the flesh) and my return from the Affordable Art Fair where SVA has a booth I curated, I can start telling you about the next big project on my horizon. But I will save that for a next post... besides I have to keep you guys in a bit of suspense. Dum..dum...dah!

Well Hung

2007-05-16T16:46:00.000-04:00

So dear readers, I told you some exciting things were brewing and here's the first piece of news. My drawing of John Arsenault ( a very talented photographer) will be on display in the back sales room of ClampArt gallery (521-531 West 25 Street.) I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am to see the framed drawing hanging in Chelsea. The drawing is on display in conjunction with John's self portrait show, which will be amazing. The opening reception is tomorrow from 6 to 8pm, if you are in New York, please come check it out. More news to follow shortly.

Slacker

2007-05-11T17:01:00.000-04:00

Sorry dear readers, I have been way too behind on this whole blogging thing and for that I'm truly sorry. tons of good news has been keeping me busy, busy, busy. I promise in the next few entries to fill you in on all the juicy details. Stay tuned!

An Open Letter to LaKisha

2007-04-25T15:22:00.000-04:00

It must be hard coming from being the front-runner in the competition to being blasted weekly by the judges - somewhere along the way Randy, Paula and Simon turned their backs on you. Perhaps it has something to do with your song choices the past two weeks - stay away from songs sung by former contestants of the show. The judges do not approve. While I'm not familiar with Fantasia's version of the song you sung last night, which in my opinion you sang the shit out of, the judges blasted you on it. Perhaps you are being out diva-ed by Melinda and Jordis; or maybe the judges have become so focused on the two of them that you unfortunately have been pushed aside, a causality of the cruel fate of a singing competition.

If you go home tonight, it is not because you don't have talent in spades - it's because teenage girls have voted to keep a Justin Timberlake clone around cause they think he's cute. It has nothing to do with real vocal talent - you have it; he doesn't. As Randy would say, "Just keeping it real, dog!" Hopefully this note will all be for naught, and you'll be around another week. But if not, keep your head-up girl, you have made your daughter immensely proud.

Let the Fur Fly

2007-04-19T17:07:00.000-04:00

So we are down to our final three Pussycat Dolls hopefuls (Melissa R., Chelsea and Asia) and I for one am excited to watch them claw, scratch and strut for the one open slot in the PCD. This show has been my guilt pleasure for weeks and all three women bring interesting strengths and talents to the show. My favorite part of this weeks episode was watching the other Melissa, who makes a great TV villain, loose the final slot to the girl she constantly put-down; way to handle yourself like a lady Chelsea.

And while I think Melissa R. will ultimately walk away the winner, the other two are equally deserving for different reasons. So work it out ladies, I expect nothing less then a fight to the finish.

Brothers?

2007-04-16T16:29:00.000-04:00

Hugh Jackman in gay porn? A fantasy for millions of gay men everywhere. I'm not sure if others have noticed or not, but seems that porn god Joey Russo looks an awful lot like our sexy Hollywood brother. If you look above, it's almost impossible to tell the two apart. Trust me, this makes me very happy - just wondered why Raging Stallion has not capitalized on this by making a film entitled HUGE JACKMEN! Just a thought and idea. Discuss. And Chris Ward & Michael Brandon, feel free to use this title, as long as I get a copy of the film and a story idea credit.

Stroke of Genius

2007-04-02T17:29:00.000-04:00

So, I almost didn't have anything to blog about today, until I came across this little gem from Alanis Morrisette. I thought her cover of Seal's Crazy was the shit. This tops that easily.

Brilliant. Me likey.

Sweet Jesus

2007-03-30T14:26:00.000-04:00

So it appears more fine art has angered a group of Christians to demand that it not be shown at a New York art gallery starting next week. Cosimo Cavallaro's "My Sweet Lord" which depicts a crusified Jesus nude and made entirely out of chocolate was to be shown street-level at the Roger Smith Lab Gallery in midtown Manhattan.

The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights called for a boycott of the exhibiton and the accompanying Roger Smith Hotel. "This is an assault on Christians during Holy Week," said Kiera McCaffrey, director of communications for the league, which describes itself the largest U.S. Catholic civil rights group. "They would never dare do something similar with a chocolate statue of the prophet Mohammad naked with his genitals exposed during Ramadan," she said.

While I personally may not find Cavallaro's work interesting; by protesting this piece, the organization drew more attention and importance than it needed to be - landing the gallery space and the artist in the national news. It also opens the whole dialog of the power that art has to challenge, engage and in some cases enrage its viewers. While the news states that the gallery is weighting its options to whether or not the piece will be shown, something tells me with all the media coverage the artwork will be displayed as scheduled on Monday as orginally planned.

Lambs to Slaughter

2007-03-19T17:25:00.001-04:00

300 continued to slaughter the competition this weekend and remained the number one movie for the second week in a row. While I have spoken about my obsession with Gerard Butler on this site before and it continues now after seeing him run around for over 2 hours in just a pair of speedos. I would like to point out another man who spurs all kind of excitment as the movie barrelled on. The character of Daxos, played by the British actor Andrew Pleavin - got me all hot and bothered. The bald head, the huge chest, the beard and of course playing a sensative artistic countryman helps. And you have to love the fact that Andrew and Gerard stared in the TV movie version of Attila together (note to self, place film on Netflix queue.)

Cat Scratch Fever

2007-03-08T15:35:00.000-05:00

So last night I caught the encore presentation of Pussy Cat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll and I can tell I'm going to get hooked because it has all the makings of all my favorite reality programs.

2 parts America's Next Top Model = 1 dose of girls living together under one roof competing for one ultimate prize. While being schooled by the figure-heads (in this case Robin's) horde of background henchmen. Mikey Minden playing both Jay roles and looking better then both of them!
1 part Survivor = you know these girls are going to start backstabbing and forming mini alliances.
1 part Workout = the bodies on these women is flawless.
1 part American Idol = don't forget these girls are competing in a singing competition for a spot in the international success of the PCD.

Mix them all together and we have a recipe for a successful show, not to mention the fact that they had an air-born illness on the first episode that threaten to wipe out half of the final 18 is priceless. Keep the claws sharpened and the catty comments coming girls, this could be the guilty pleasure of the season. Meow!

Idol Disappointment

2007-02-28T16:35:00.000-05:00

So not that I want this to become an American Idol blog, but I have to say was this really the best 12 undiscovered men in America. If they are not picked off in the first 6 weeks after the final 12 are announced, there is really something wrong with the voting public. I know the judges were singing the praises of Chris Richardson last night, but ultimately he cannot hold a candle to the likes of Lakisha Jones, Melinda Doolittle or Jordin Sparks (so don't let me down girls.)

After last night, I have no reason to continue watching the show on Tuesday nights, until we are down to the final 12. So my predictions for the two men eliminated on Thursday are Jared Cotter and Brandon Rogers.

So Wrong

2007-02-26T16:21:00.000-05:00

Who knew Tony Orlando had such pull. How did he get invited to the Oscars? There are so many things wrong with this picture. First off, what was Eric McCormack thinking when he started sporting what can only be described as a really bad villain mustache.

Lord, I hope this is for some role and not just a poor fashion choice. However, I have a feeling either way - it will be said that he grew it for a role. Facial hair just doesn't work on everyone. So Eric, leave the 'stache in the 70s where it belongs. And I can't even comment on the shinny sharkskin tuxedo jacket his guest is wearing.

Sisters Are Doing It...

2007-02-22T15:32:00.000-05:00

OK boys, you can pack it in - the girls really showed who's the boss last night on Idol. But of course, we say goodbye to two of the lovely ladies, as well as two men this evening. By all accounts there are some front runners already this season and I would be completely shocked if the final two are not women. I have a feeling the men are going to get picked off pretty quickly this season.

But back to the last nights performances. There were only three underwhelming performances last night in my opinion and I'm guessing that Haley Scarnato (never do a song they are going to recap before you sing it and you need to not come across so old) and Alaina Alexander (can't even remember what you sang) will go home tonight. If either one of these girls is safe, I believe Antonella Barba will be packing her party bags and heading back to the Jersey shore.

Underwhelmed Idol

2007-02-21T16:43:00.000-05:00

So I never watch American Idol until they have weeded out the bad singers, the drama of the weeks in LA, etc. usually to be blown away by the caliber of talent the show is able to round-up. However, if the performances of the men last night is any indication, I might not feel the season is worth watching. Bad song choices, grumpy judges, lack luster performances from most of the contestants - overall not a pleasant night of reality watching.

My predictions of the first two eliminated are - Paul 'Shoeless' Kim and Rudy Cadenas. I felt they both were the worst of the bunch and deserve to go home, now. So boys get you act together or it will be another season of the women dominating the show. Consider this your wake-up call.

The End is Near

2007-02-20T12:21:00.000-05:00

So it was only a matter of time and it comes as no surprise, but it was announced that the Roxy will be closing its door for good on Saturday, March 10th. No DJ has been announced yet, but I'm sure John Blair is going to go out with a splash. It remains to be scene where the next big gay Saturday night party will surface - so boys don't let us down. And let the games begin!

A New Flavor

2007-02-16T17:10:00.000-05:00

So it appears that Flavor Flav finally found love, cause VH1 has got our next 80's front-man on the hunt. Hair-metal lead singer Bret Michaels of Poison fame will be the next rockin' bachelor to be looking for love from a bevy of woman fighting for his attention.

With Rock of Love with Bret Michaels, I believe VH1 has entered near brilliant territory. I expect we will be entertained by hours of spandex, heavy-eyeliner, tons of hair products and lots of skin - and that's just Michael's himself. And you know their will be tons of Poison groupies and the occasional stripper lined up for a piece of this sexy bad boy. With this show and Mo'nique's Charm School - we are going to have a great spring/summer reality viewing. Let the games begin.

The Very Friendly Skies

2007-02-15T18:10:00.000-05:00

Mark this down as my favorite bit of entertainment gossip of the moment. It seems a flight attendant was suspended over the possibility that she may or may not have slept with Ralph Fiennes during a flight from Australia to India.

How an innocent conversation could lead to Ralph following the flight attendant into the bathroom, where as she put it "Mr. Fiennes became amorous towards me and, after a short period of time, I convinced him to leave the toilet, which he did. I left the toilet a short time later." So it is a simple did she or didn't she. I have a feeling if the woman looses her job with Qantas, a lawsuit will follow.

All I can say is lucky bitch! Getting suspended over a 'mile high' encounter with the very handsome and talented actor - there are worse ways to loose a job. I cannot wait to see how this all unravels.

Drawn and Ready

2007-01-31T23:34:00.000-05:00

So today I finished a new painting and am trying to push my work to the next level. I believe I'm onto something new and exciting and look forward to the next piece in the series. The painting also marks the fact that I was finally able to capture Andy Starkweather's essence. Now, onward and upward. My website will be updated shortly, I promise.

...Like A Lady

2007-01-30T14:34:00.000-05:00

So today I was treated with some great reality television news sure to give us hours of entertainment. Starting in April, my girl Mo'Nique will be teaching 13 former contestants of Flavor of Love (both seasons) proper etiquette in a competition for cash and the title of "Charm School Queen" in a new VH1 reality show, entitled simply Charm School.

"These girls are outspoken and outrageous, but they need some focus and direction. I'm just the woman to give it to them. You will see a metamorphosis in these girls, I promise!" proclaimed Mo'Nique. I love that she's going to be whipping some class into some ass - let the games begin.

From the Horse's Mouth

2007-01-29T17:30:00.000-05:00

So fans of Harry Potter's Daniel Radcliffe were treated to a different side of the actor today with the release of promotional images for his upcoming play Equus where our young teen wizard will be performing nude and simulating an orgasm on stage. One of the images (as seen above) features the actor on set with a beautiful white mare and for the first time its hard not to think that he's developing into quite the hot young man. See this is what happens when you turn 35 you start looking at Harry in a whole new light, but then again wasn't that the point of these images?

And Eating It Too...

2007-01-28T21:51:00.000-05:00

So today at 10:28am I turned 35. Life is good... Happy Birthday, me!

Instinct Proves Right

2007-01-24T17:01:00.000-05:00

So this past season of Survivor, I had a big huge crush on J.P. Calderon, who unfortunately didn't make it very far on the show. Good news was that my favorite supermodel Janice Dickinson was smart enough to realize talent and good looks when she sees them and snatched him up for her agency and her reality television show. On tonight's episode (1 of 2 parts) of the show, J.P. has the opportunity to land the cover of a national magazine - the only problem is he needs to 'out' himself to do it. Based on the cover shot I've seen, he dives in and lands the cover of Instinct Magazine's February issue which is bound for newsstands any day now. Congratulations J.P. for being brave enough to go for it, and I'm sure that's just the start of plenty more to come.

Life Ain't Nothing Butter Dream

2007-01-22T11:14:00.000-05:00

Sorry I haven't blogged in forever, however with the new bundle of joy in my life, I haven't had much time for anything but cleaning and feeding. It always appears that life throws unexpected surprises when you least expect it. Before Sydney left this world, I had begun the search for the perfect new addition to my family - alas with the trip to Mexico and the holidays, I hadn't given much thought to seriously finding the perfect edition.

However, on Friday January 12th I received a great little gift in the 5 lbs. 2 ox bundle of excitement soon to be known forever as Butter. From the first moment I saw her, I knew she was the one for me, an instinct that has since proven over the last week or so to be correct. Granted, I haven't had a puppy in ages and forgot how much work they are (something I wouldn't trade for anything) but she truly is a great dog and I know that in the next few months, she is going to hold a lot of joy and developing. I know all proud parents feel their child is the smartest and cutest, but I can honestly say Butter takes the cake. I dare you to say otherwise!

Anyhow, I promise to be getting back to blogging more regularly and thanks for sticking around dear readers. Life is just about to get more interesting.

Beloved No More

2007-01-10T16:56:00.000-05:00

With great sadness I say welcome back to Out and Out Reality. My beloved little girl, Sydney died yesterday. She was the saddest little dog stuck at a pet store until I walked in and on an impulse purchased the little black and white bundle of joy. For almost a month, she was named Puppy, as I searched and searched for the perfect name. Who knew that due to her crazy nature she would be named after a character on Melrose Place. She was much more than some dingy redhead who plotted murder, slept around and caused all kind of trouble.

She loved to cuddle under the blankets, snuggle close by your feet as you slept, jumped to greet each new visitor and enjoyed chasing her toys in circles. About eight years ago, due to circumstances beyond my control, Sydney moved to Orlando to live with my mother where she spend countless hours chasing lizards and watching TV from her favorite perch behind my mothers neck. About two years ago, she was diagnosed with diabetes and required extra care. She lost most of her eyesight, but never her spirit - which remained sweet and warm.

I miss her dearly and the loss is immediate. I know my mother is heart-broken, but Sydney will always have a special place in my heart. I love you.

Sydney Puppy Halm (1995-2007)

Ho... Ho... Holidays

2006-12-19T16:55:00.000-05:00

With the holidays rapidly approaching, this can mean only one thing - time for my annual pilgrimage to lovely Valle de Bravo, Mexico. Blogging might become extremely sporadic or non-existent but have no fear dear readers, I will be back and re-energized in January 2007.

Golden Recognition

2006-12-15T14:23:00.000-05:00

So with the Golden Globe nominations announced yesterday, I am happy to report that one of my favorite performances of the past year is being acknowledged. Emily Blunt's performance in The Devil Wears Prada is enthralling, a brilliant foil for Anne Hathaway and the worst type of career opportunist - which of course makes for great viewing.

She's bitchy, aggressive, demanding and above all human - never an easy feet when you are sharing screen time with Meryl Streep, who devours all in her way. Emily has stiff competition with Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls) and Cate Blanchett (Notes on a Scandal), but I'm glad she was not overlooked this award season and I expect we will be seeing other great things from Ms. Blunt in the near future. Congratulations on the nomination Emily - good luck.

Stacked In Her Favor

2006-12-14T17:09:00.000-05:00

So I can freely admit I love Pamela Anderson. Why she doesn't have a huge comedy on network television boggles my mind, as I have stated before on this blog the girl has got amazing comedic timing. If you need evidence of this, please run out and purchase the complete DVD series of Stacked, the show Fox cancelled too soon. She is truly overlooked for her acting talents - because I believe too many people get wrapped up with the blonde hair and breasts - the woman is an icon and will be remembered for a long time, mark my words.

How Much is that Doggie...

2006-12-13T17:07:00.000-05:00

So here is the photo of the kick-ass lamp I promised from yesterday, if anyone knows where I can purchase this online, please let me know ASAP.

The Land of Peaches & Implants

2006-12-12T15:47:00.000-05:00

So with bad internet connections while in my hotel, I had to wait until my return to post my top five favorite things seen during the art fairs in Miami:

5- As seen above, these classy mannequins graced the window of the store simply titled Excess. You got to love a town that caters to the implant nation.
4- Julie Hefferman's painting entitled Self Portrait as Tender Mercenary at the Catharine Clark Gallery booth (Pulse Art Fair).
3- Walking on the beach in December, nothing finer than escaping the cold for a while.
2- The Chihuahua wearing a protective collar lamp... simply a classic. Photo posting coming soon, I promise. Also a great X-Mas present for me if you know where to buy one.
1- Peaches rocking the shit out of the Art Positions opening. Anyone who can wear at least 5 different pairs of underwear at once, have three costume changes on stage, not to mention starting your show with 80's hair-metal Europe's The Final Countdown - kicks some serious ass. Give that girl her props, she's truly original and closing her show by running down to the water's edge to jump in the water naked - brilliant.

Miami Bound

2006-12-05T11:50:00.000-05:00

Sorry to have been so lazy blogging, but I have a good excuse - crazy busy with work and preparing to head to sunny (hopefully) Miami for the art fairs and festivities. Looking forward to the complete madness and excitement of being down in Florida and seeing what marvels of art are on display and how quickly everything sells out. So dear readers if you have some tips of good restaurants, nightclubs and dive bars - I want to hear from you. I will down there until Sunday and with plenty of moments to enjoy myself and the local culture. See you on the beach.

Can't Keep a Good Girl Down

2006-11-28T15:36:00.000-05:00

So after weeks of speculation and questions on to whether or not the Roxy would ever re-open, I'm happy to report that it appears we are out of the red and the doors will open this Saturday, December 2 with Peter Rauhofer manning the turn-tables. So boys, get your dancing shoes out - it's time to celebrate in high style - let's keep this insitution alive and kicking. See you on the floor, dear readers.

Give Me a Beat

2006-11-27T15:28:00.000-05:00

Friday night, I treated myself to something I haven't done in ages, hear live music by a real musician, namely Daniel Cartier. Playing the shit out of Joe's Pub, Daniel's set showed off his skills as an entertainer and musician (clever pop culture references, the use of common kitchen utensils as instruments, and a great banter with his audience.)

Having never been inside Joe's Pub, the space is beautiful and elegant and the acoustics are amazing. Starting his set solo bathed in purple light and wearing his best Clockwork Orange assemble, Daniel's voice is so rich and soothing, you cannot help but be seduced. Daniel also spoke about how he hates to do self-promotion and he even blogged about it and as a fellow artist I can totally see where he is coming from.

Here is my attempt at a shameless Daniel Cartier promotion. So dear readers, if you haven't been exposed to Daniel's music, I suggest you purchase his latest album you and me are we which can be purchased directly from Daniel here. Enjoy the sweet sounds, I promise you'll be musically enlightened and you'll be supporting a talented musician.

Double Oh 7

2006-11-17T15:46:00.000-05:00

So Casino Royale opens today and I'm glad to hear that the film is getting good reviews considering all the overblown hysteria that Daniel Craig received after being cast as super spy James Bond. I'm also glad to hear that others are coming around on his animal magnetism - the man is pure sex, just about time others noticed. I haven't seen a James Bond film since A View to a Kill and that was for Grace Jones (a perfect addition to the history of James Bond villians), but I firmly plan on seeing this film sometime over the weekend.

Beyond Their Control

2006-11-16T14:04:00.000-05:00

So it appears the Roxy will once again remain dark on Saturday. No real word on whether or not John Blair has found a new location for his popular Saturday night party or if the dance institution will ever reopen. Is it me or does it appear that New York nightclubs (especially gay nights) are disappearing at an alarming rate?

Is the Dance Over?

2006-11-10T16:55:00.000-05:00

Will the Roxy survive or will it be the next mega-club to close in the every changing urban landscape of Chelsea. Rumors of the clubs demise have been floating around for a long time, and while an attempt to close the venue comes as no surprise, as an institution, I for one hope the club remains open and thrives.

The cavernous space has been my home for dancing my ass off for the past five years - not to mention those members of the Roxy family that have been great -- Derek, Louis, and Sara, my favorite bathroom attendant who unfortunately died while waiting for the Saturday night boys who adored her at arrive (miss you!).

John Blair promises to find another Saturday venue if the Roxy closes its doors for good and one can't help but think they will destroy the building too quick and replace it with fancy over-priced condos if they cannot get out of the red. Something I hope we don't actually see for a few more years. Will we be saying goodbye to this dance institution, only time will tell... more to come soon I'm sure. Keep your dance cards open, boys!

Parental Control

2006-11-09T14:22:00.000-05:00

So it comes as no surprise the Kevin Federline fires back at Britney in court for sole custody of the couple's two children, as well as spousal support - his free ride is about to come to an end. "Kevin is prepared to go the distance in order to do what he feels is necessary to protect and safeguard the children and will not be intimidated or dissuaded from pursuit of those goals," said Michael Sands, spokesman for Federline's attorney, Mark Vincent Kaplan.

Seems to me someone is desperately grasping at straws after the whimper his rap career launched off too. Funny how he would want sole custody of Britney's two sons as opposed to his less famous former girlfriend Shar Jackson's children. But then again, Shar is not a multi-millionaire. I hate men who use children as pawns and devices to hurt their former loved ones. Hopefully, he will fade into obscurity pretty quickly.

Let Them Eat Cake

2006-11-07T13:50:00.000-05:00

So I finally got around to seeing Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette last night, while I cannot say that I'm gushing over the film - the visuals are truly inspiring. This candy-coated confection succeeds on so many levels; it's hard to be too negative about it. The cinematography and editing is sublime, the costumes are rich and ooze an extreme level of taste and refinement and Kirsten Dunst is once again spellbinding on screen.

I just didn’t love the film and had a hard time following the ties many of the characters had to one another (not really sure of Molly Shannon’s character’s relationship to the royal family – maybe on a second viewing.) Maybe, the film had too many characters and should have been reduced by a handful or so. I still believe Sofia is a talented director and will continue to bring visual treats to the screen for us to enjoy. Bon appetite!

Cover Girl

2006-11-06T14:22:00.000-05:00

Look amazingly radiant on the cover of W Magazine, Cameron Diaz looks stunning with her new brunette locks. Having the pleasure of hearing Cameron speak first hand when she came to the School of Visual Arts, she's a real delight and always selects smart directors and isn't afriad to play with her own image to produce memorable characters. I look forward to seeing what she does next under Nancy Meyer's direction.

A Cheap Shot

2006-11-03T11:56:00.000-05:00

So I'm a bit disappointed in Nate on last night's Survivor. While he's a fierce competitor and holds a large amount of strength for the Raro tribe - his anger and choice of words of over Brad choice of skipping out of the swimming portion of last nights reward challenge were uncalled for. After Raro lost the chance to fill their stomachs with peanut butter and bread, Nate choose to bitch and whine and call Brad a "Nancy Boy" - a cheap shot, in my books. Yes, Brad most likely made a huge mistake by choosing to play puzzle solver over swimming, but by attacking one's sexual orientation and playing into stereotypes is just not cool, I expect more from you Nate.

From what it seems from next week, Brad will continue to alienate himself further from his tribe and in the game, which I'm assuming will lead to his demise. And I hope, he at least causes some trouble and adds much needed drama to this season, before his torch is snuffed. Play on!

Spooktacular

2006-10-31T10:32:00.000-05:00

Happy Halloween dear readers... Remember, don't trust anyone who invites you out for a bite. Happy haunting.

A Treat for October

2006-10-25T16:36:00.000-04:00

With not a lot to talk about in my life and this being October, I figured I would give you all a treat in the form of one of my favorites, Ryan Reynolds (click here for the full photo.) I've written about my obsession with Ryan before and I'm glad to hear that he is currently filming the romantic comedy Definitely, Maybe. Sounds like this film might capitalize on his killer comic timing and matinee idol looks - thank God.

It's Evolution, Baby

2006-10-24T16:28:00.000-04:00

One of the best parts of working on creating new work is the constant struggle to push one's self further artistically. I am constantly examining and trying to formulate my next series of drawings. Which is why I am happy to report, that I believe I have come up with my next series of works. While it is too early to see if my experimentation or concept will pan out, I will keep you posted to their progress and the challenges that arise while producing them. Keep your fingers crossed for me dear readers, this could get messy.

The Nature of the Beast

2006-10-20T13:19:00.000-04:00

Interesting news bit I read yesterday that's sure to cause a stir in some religious radicals. The Oslo Natural History Museum is currently mounting an exhibition entitled "Against Nature" that documents the observation of homosexual behavior in 1,500 different species of animals from giraffes to beetles. Geir Soeli, the project leader of the exhibition is quoted as saying "The sexual urge is strong in all animals... It's a part of life, it's fun to have sex," as to the reasons for homosexuality or bisexuality among animals.

This exhibition should travel, hopefully the Museum of Natural History here will see its worth and bring it to New York. Sounds like a important exhibition that holds the future of the nature vs. nurture argument. Say what you want about the exhibition, but I think this statement from the exhibition says it all, "We may have opinions on a lot of things, but one thing is clear -- homosexuality is found throughout the animal kingdom, it is not against nature."

Turn the Volume Up

2006-10-19T13:15:00.000-04:00

Finally the judges got it right, awarding Jeffrey Sebelia the win on the third season of Project Runway. He truly deserves the title - his work was innovative and showed beautifully on the runway. His biggest competition was definitely Uli (whose work was beautiful and showed amazingly as well) and she deserved to be the runner-up. The victory for either or them was a step in the right direction for the show's search for the 'next great American designer.' I look forward to see what Jeffrey does next. Congratulations, you deserve the world, man... enjoy the win.

Let the Spirits Move Me

2006-10-17T16:11:00.000-04:00

So I started to think about what I would like to be for Halloween. While I should have started planning weeks ago, life interrupted and now I'm down to two weeks to plan and execute a costume. And the problem is I'm stuck as to what creature of the night to possess for All Hallows Eve (my favorite holiday.) So, I'm looking to you dear readers for some suggestions. Be creative. The only thing I suggest staying away from is anything too obvious - vampire, doctor, pirate or Paris Hilton. You get the idea.

Green Isn't a Good Shade for Her

2006-10-12T14:51:00.000-04:00

Sadly, I have lost a huge amount of respect for Laura Bennett last night on Project Runway. Her bitching about the amount of craftsmanship Jeffrey placed in his collection is ridiculous. It smells of her own insecurities as a designer and the threat of his collection competing against her own. Shame on Michael for jumping on the bandwagon, feeding into this madness. (I know he's the fan favorite, but his collection is the weakest by far - let's see if he can charm the judges on the final runway.)

There is a huge difference in what a designer would send down the runway after two days, as opposed to two months - everyone's work looks more polished. Shame on you for feeling the need to accuse another designer of breaking the rules - especially after seeing what happened to Keith earlier in the season. I cannot imagine why any designer would risk disqualification that close to Fashion Week.

I understand it makes for good television and I'm sure the producers were salivating over this juicy tidbit but if they eliminate Jeffrey from the final competition, I will have lost all respect for the show. Don't let me down Bravo.

Come Out, Come Out

2006-10-11T18:00:00.000-04:00

Whomever you are...

Mad Skills

2006-10-10T15:51:00.000-04:00

So with just two episodes left and a sneak peak at their collections, my money is on Jeffrey Sebelia to win the third season of Project Runway. And it seems like Laura's suffering a bit of envy next episode due to his collection, which always makes for great television. I like the look and vision of his collection. I know he might not be the most popular on the show, but to quote the opening, the boy's got "mad skills." If you don't believe me, take a look at his women's and men's collections for this fall/winter season on his website.

The judges would be silly not to award him the win - but then again, everyone seems so hung up on Michael - so hopefully they can look past the person designing the clothes and just focus on the clothes themselves. It will be an interesting battle to the finish.

How the Strong Fall

2006-10-06T11:58:00.000-04:00

So sadly J.P. time on Survivor has come to an end. Our pro volleyball player got served a surprise attack for his ways around camp. Of course, Survivor always works best when the one sent packing is completely blindsided. It is too soon to tell if his departure will have any effect on the tribe, but I have a feeling the Raro women will use this shift in power to their advantage.

I'm always amazed how what appears to be the most physical of a game, really ultimately has nothing to do with brawn and athleticism, but more with relationships. Many strong powerful men and women have fallen due to this very fact - J.P. just is the latest casualty.

Nice Guys Finish Last

2006-10-05T13:23:00.000-04:00

Once again, trying to be the nice guy is coming back to bite me in the ass. Life pretty much sucks at this moment.

Attack of the Clones

2006-10-02T15:30:00.000-04:00

So I've never been one to think that I look like any celebrities out there, so when I came across this program I thought I would give it a whirl. Enjoy the results and if you happen to take the test yourself, would love to know who you look most like dear readers.

An Inspiring Tale

2006-09-27T13:08:00.000-04:00

Today I came across this fascinating and heartwarming story about Winter, a bottlenose dolphin who lost her tail in a unfortunate fishing accident. Scientists at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution are working on the possibility of creating a prosthetic tail for her, the first complete reconstruction of a tail of its kind. The Institute is consulting a diving gear manufacturer, a tire company and the Navy, which has experience attaching items to dolphins for military research. This should be an interesting story to follow along with to see if they are able to produce the tail and if it will be more effective in helping Winter lead a normal life. To read more about this amazing dolphin, click here.

Back and Forth

2006-09-26T16:25:00.000-04:00

Seems I've pulled my back out again, for the second time in two months. I'm two for two. Will be visiting my amazing physical therapist tomorrow morning and should be back to my spry self in no time. Have no fear, I'll be back to my normal self in no time. But while you're waiting enjoy the sweet vocal sounds of Daniel Cartier.

Easy to Digest

2006-09-21T18:16:00.000-04:00

So once again we are greeted with model hopefuls and thank God, loads of drama - and the girls have only been in the house less then a week. ANTM works best when the girls are at each others throats from the get go, clashing of strong egos, bickering and of course the nude photo shoot. This show has produced some amazing reality TV personalities and this year looks like it will chock full of great girls. Monique looks like she will rise to the prize of house bitch (which you know Tyra's going to love to break); not to mention the genius casting of twins (will both girls rise or will one get cut, can't wait for that drama.)

So thank you Tyra for picking explosive personalities, I cannot wait for the fireworks to really get going next week with the make-overs (I'm guessing lots of tears) and one overly dramatic confrontation about telephone use. Genius!

Time for a Shake-Up

2006-09-20T17:51:00.000-04:00

Feeling the urge to make some drastic changes in my life... need to find something more rewarding and feel more appreciated in life. Sorry to be so cryptic, but still trying to digest all of these recent events and figure out my next steps. More to come soon.

Survival of the Fittest

2006-09-18T14:31:00.000-04:00

So fall reality has begun and of course my first official crush of the season is in effect. J.P., the professional volleyball player from California - hasn't had much air time yet, shame on you Survivor producers. However with 19 other castaways it's always a toss-up to see who pulls ahead early (of course, this can mean they are saving all his air time as he gets closer to the final two - I hope!)

Besides, any survivor who wants to help charities and organizations fight against cancer should make it to the end. But then again, this is the game of Survivor we are talking about and good intentions rarely lead to results. Here's hoping for the best; or at least a few more weeks of oogling his beautiful body and killer smile.

Get Real

2006-09-14T21:22:00.000-04:00

Sadly, Supernova made the wrong choice. They had every opportunity to kick ass and not be predictable, however the thing about reality television is always expect the unexpected. I feel like with Lukas as their lead singer, they are just another 'Orgy' rip-off. The Goth look, the abuse of eye shadow, the rooster moves, the marble mouth delivery - I've seen it all before.

And of course there is the internet rumor, that Lukas was selected as the lead singer months ago and the show was just a showcase for him. Makes it hard to believe that this wasn't the case; but Dave Navarro swears it is the case. The only thing that Lukas winning the competition does for me is saves me the $15 I would have spend on their album if Dilana or Toby had won. Have a good tour guys and good luck. I hope you don't look back and regret your choice.

Time to Get Serious

2006-09-12T14:36:00.000-04:00

So with the slight weather change and the start of the fall gallery season; it's time to put away the summer mentality and get back to work on my art. Time to refocus and regroup and finish a drawing or two. Still struggling with the drawing of Andy and might need to re-shoot the photographs, to get a pose I am happy with. Thank God, he is approachable and understands what I'm going through - always a good thing to draw a friend and fellow artist. I will keep you up to date, as I progress.

Cruel Summer

2006-09-08T16:54:00.000-04:00

Once again fate let's me down for the second summer in a row, Janelle was voted out third once again. She is the best game player Big Brother has ever had and needs to be rewarded with the America's Choice Award of $2,500. The biggest target since the beginning of the game, she stuck to her guns and won competition after competition proving she is not just some silly dumb blonde (I love when people break those stereotypes.)

I do believe if she had made it to the final two, she would have been crowded the winner of AllStars. Now we are left with two unsatisfying competitors - it's last season all over again. If you haven't voted for Janelle to win the fan favorite, do so now - text #7 to 81818.

A Storm Front

2006-09-07T16:38:00.000-04:00

Sadly, Storm Large was eliminated from the hunt for Supernova's lead singer last night - which in my humble opinion was a wrong decision. Her original song Ladylike, was perhaps the best song of the previous evening and she always gave inspired performances. While I do not think she was ideal as the lead singer for the band, I do feel she should have had the opportunity to perform in the finale.

I really wanted to see Supernova fronted by a powerful female vocalist; with Dilana as the last woman standing the odds don't look very good. Of course by this time next week, I may be celebrating her victory (one can hope and pray.) Of course, both women should have a long career ahead of them, both are amazing. Good luck next week Dilana. And Storm, I'll be one of the first to buy the Ladylike single when it's pressed. Rock On!

Summer Reality Comes to a Close

2006-09-05T18:17:00.000-04:00

With the fall TV season looming, that can mean only one thing - networks push through the end of their summer programming. My predicted winners of a few of my favorite summer guilty pleasures:

Big Brother: All Stars - I would like to see Janelle take it to the bitter end, but unless she wises-up and breaks the spell of the Evil Doctor - prepare to see Will win once again.
RockStar: Supernova - No big surprise here, I think Dilana should walk away with the title (if Tommy and the boys want any hope of scoring a hit record).
Project Runway - I predict the final three are: Michael, Uli and Jeffrey. I suspect, we will have a few surprises coming along the way. This is a hard call, because there is (in my opinion) no stand out designers in this bunch. But I am enjoying the season immensely.
Inturn - The winner is Alex, the unfortunately typecasted nerd of the group. Who was extremely likeable and charming and a deserved winner of the competition. Good luck with your 13 week contract; I think we can expect interesting things from you in the future. And remember, Patrick Dempsey started out playing the nerd and look at him now.

Of course all of these shows will be wrapping up, as Survivor: Cook Islands and The Amazing Race kick-off. I for one am a very happy camper.

Adrenaline Junkie

2006-08-31T17:46:00.000-04:00

So as the summer comes to a slow descent, we are about to get treated to one more heat wave, in the form of Jason Statham. With his new film, Crank scheduled to open on Friday, Statham plays a hitman injected with a toxic poison that will kill him if he doesn't keep his adrenaline up. Of course, what I really expect will happen is it will be the audience that is all pumped up - not only by the non-stop action, but by Statham himself.

The man truly deserves his mantle of the next action hero, not to mention he oozes sex appeal and charm. Don't believe me, watch Snatch, Transporter 2 or Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Oh, and there is a much talked about scene in Crank where he rides down the highway in just a hospital gown bare-assed. Enjoy the rush!

For Those About to Rock

2006-08-30T16:40:00.000-04:00

So after last night's performance there is no doubt in my mind, that Dilana will win this competition. Or at least in a perfect world, she'll nab the whole thing. However, I am impressed with the level of all of the singers still left rocking it out - week after week - true powerhouses. And on a wild guess, my prediction for the rocker to go home tonight, Ryan.

I would also like to say how impressed I am that Janelle is still kicking ass on Big Brother. Once again, the girl deserves to win out of her sheer game play and determination. However, the most deserved usually end up going out third - hopefully Janelle's luck doesn't run out like last season. Keep up the good fight, girl.

Double Standard

2006-08-24T16:37:00.000-04:00

So one of the problems with reality television is how talent doesn't always lead to success. And how through clever editing, you can create a villain in one hour. A perfect example of this is the lashing Dilana received last night on RockStar:Supernova.

Clearly, the girl is the front-runner and the other rockers know this. So in order to level out the playing field, the editors of the show highlight her saying some truthful and honest things about her fellow competitors. She then is given a stern talk-to by Dave Navaro and of course the crowd joins in on the beating down of her for it (online, she has received a vicious lashing as well.) The thing that amazes me, is how last year J.D. was more cocky and he didn't possess half the talent she does, yet got off scott free for his actions.

It seems to me, the old double standard is in play - if a woman is strong and assertive, she's a bitch. If a man does it, he's a leader and is rewarded for his confidence. Hopefully, Dilana will deliver another breath-taking performance next Tuesday and this little bump in the road will long be over. Dilana, if you are reading this - keep rocking. I applaud you for your confidence in your talent.

Swamped Life

2006-08-21T20:31:00.000-04:00

Sorry for not posting lately, been swamped with a big presentation at work. I promise to get back to all things Out and Out Reality based after Thursday. In the mean time, enjoy some eye candy via the blog simple entitled Beautiful. However, be warned the site does contain some amazing examples of the male form. Talk soon dear readers.

Soap, Dish

2006-08-11T14:54:00.000-04:00

OK, I can admit it - I love reality TV, almost any kind of reality show. I love the competitive genre where would-be hopefuls compete for fabulous prizes and the chance to be the winner of "something or other." Which of course brings up my latest discovery, CBS.com's Inturn, where eight would-be soap studs and divas compete for a 13-week contact on As the World Turns. Brilliant!

It possesses all the drama and strife of any classic reality show, so of course I'm hooked and love how soap opera-ish their lives are as the compete. I cannot wait until they have to reenact a death or love scene. And the best part about the show is, you can watch any or all of the episodes whenever you want. I predict the winner will be either Justin or Geneva.

A Rough Start

2006-08-10T21:32:00.000-04:00

Started a new painting last night and ran into a few snags along the way; struggling to work through them. My biggest problem so far is capturing the likeness of my model and finding a pose that's both captivating and interesting to draw. Hopefully when I start to tackle the painting tonight, I will be able to move past some of these issues and really feel like I'm not wasting my time and effort. Stay tuned, dear readers - and wish me luck!

Death Becomes Her

2006-08-07T16:51:00.000-04:00

So of course I loved The Descent, which I took in Sunday night to a sold out crowd of energetic screamers. One of the best parts of seeing a good horror film (OK, any horror film) on the big screen is the crowds reaction and the jumps and bumps that happen throughout the film - which The Descent has in spades.

First off writer/director Neil Marshall has other successful horror film under his belt. If you haven't seen Dog Soldiers (his first film), I recommend running out to your video store and renting it. Ignore the bad art on the DVD cover, the film is stunning. Secondly, he presents us with strong adventurous women who are thrill seekers and are not above fighting back. Each actress cast is remarkable and deserves a long career ahead. The subterranean creatures were well designed and perfect adversaries for our band of female victims. The whole film has a warm claustrophobic feeling (if you have ever walked on climbed through a cave - you know the feeling) which only amplifies the danger and dread. Finally, the film might not be completely original, but it does hold numerous surprises to make it truly a horror masterpiece. Run out and scream it, dear readers - you have a shocking good time, I promise.

Blonde Ambition, Part 2

2006-08-04T14:06:00.000-04:00

So I hope blonde vixen Janelle survives another week in the Big Brother: All Stars house. However she might have played the game too hard, too quickly and I have a feeling this will ultimately lead to her demise. With a target on her back since day one she has been a force to reckon with, but by loosing James and Marcellas as allies by doing Will's bidding - I have a feeling by next Thursday, she will be sitting and talking with Julie. Unless some unforeseen miracle happens, Janey your days are up.

You Better Work

2006-08-02T17:24:00.000-04:00

With Workout, Bravo has another solid winner on their hands. The show works best when our fearless fitness guru and owner of Sky Sport and Spa Jackie Warner is being completely unguarded and serving as one part den mother, one part controlling boss. She's both extremely motivating and demanding - and you have to respect that. She treats her clients like gold and expects nothing less then that from her staff.

The girl is a force of nature and I expect with this television show, she will become the next big icon in the fitness industry. How far behind can it be before we have DVD workouts from her and her trainers. I'm guessing around the holiday season. In addition, she's got the trainers wearing kick-ass t-shirts. But at $48 a pop, it's a bit much for this starving artist's budget.

A Hairy Situation

2006-08-01T17:12:00.000-04:00

Note to Jeremy Piven, stop shaving or waxing your chest. You look so much better with your natural pelt (just a thought.) I will step down off of my soap box now. Enjoy the show!

Out of this World

2006-07-31T17:35:00.000-04:00

So I got to thinking about classic Saturday morning cartoons (yeah, I know - Saturday on Monday) and I remembered how much I loved The Herculoids as a kid.

I loved this sci-fi family who spent week after week defending their home from the evil forces who threatened to destroy their happy existence. I loved how the family was made up of three humans and five other-worldly creatures. I can remember trying to draw the dragon Zok and the blob-like Gloop and Gleep, as the show buzzed by. I sometimes think nailing the drawing of Zok, started my love of drawing.

With other classic cartoon television shows now on DVD, my only hope is that Hanna-Barbera will put out this classic out soon. I know I can't be the only one who remembers this series, fondly.

Game Over?

2006-07-26T18:17:00.000-04:00

So I said I wasn't going to get addicted to Big Brother: All Stars - but alas, that was not meant to be. In perhaps the most dastardly way, it appears Jase will be walking out the door on Thursday. More interesting, Will has the best chance of winning the whole show (again) but playing into everyone's egos - I really enjoy how he can insult all the other players and still remain immune by the nomination process. How anyone couldn't look at him as a HUGE target is beyond me. Only time will tell if the 'Mandana' hottie with the killer body can save himself and remain focused enough to kick some ass. I for one will be said to see him go home, being backdoor-ed.

All Washed Up

2006-07-24T14:09:00.000-04:00

So this weekend James and I caught the latest ego-driven piece of crap known as The Lady in the Water. Granted I knew it was going to be bad, based on the overwhelming critical blasting the film got on Friday, but we went anyhow.

What a waste of $22, first off never cast yourself as the 'Messiah' character in your film; when you don't have the acting weight for the role. Secondly, I know you wrote this fairytale for your daughters, but have the courage to accept criticism from studio executives when they question your vision. Thirdly, give your characters something to do other then be introduced, or cut down those numbers, so you can spend more then six minutes on each one. And finally, give us a main character we care about or at least find remotely interesting and I'm sorry changing hair color is not interesting.

I have a feeling this film which opened third this week; behind an animated evil house will sink fast. If you're feeling the need for a water-based fairytale rent Splash, you'll thank me. Both women spend plenty of time in the bathtub.

Rock Goddess

2006-07-20T13:18:00.000-04:00

That roar you hear emanating from your TV set is not the crowd, however they are loudly expressing their delight. No that might roar is coming from right up on stage, my early favorite and predicted winner for Rockstar:Supernova is Dilana. Tommy and Co. would be foolish to let this lead singer slip through their fingertips.

She has everything you can want in a rock icon - killer raspy voice, the right rock edge, beautiful, alluring, one hell of a stage presence, not to mention the tattoos and piercings. She is a force of nature and the 14 other rockers should all be very afraid - the girl is playing to win. She kicks ass right up their with other rock goddesses like Joan Jett, Shirley Manson, Tina Turner, Debbie Harry, just to name a few. I predict we will be hearing a lot from this Texas stunner - via South Africa.

To quote Tommy Lee (wow, never thought I would say that) "I wanna." Keep kicking ass girl - own that stage, it's yours for the taking.

Too Hot

2006-07-19T15:36:00.000-04:00

With the temperature so hot, Matthew's got the right idea. So stay indoors, crank the AC, and try and stay calm - this heatwave can only last so long. Hopefully, I will have something more interesting to blog about once I'm able to concentrate once more. Until then, enjoy the beauty that is Mr. McConaughey and try not to get overheated.

It Can't Come Quickly Enough

2006-07-14T12:47:00.000-04:00

With a new Scissor Sisters album not scheduled for a few months, the buzz is starting to build for their sophomore release. Tomorrow if you can stand the heat, they will be the headlining act at the Siren Music Festival in Cooney Island which of course is FREE! Not sure if I can stand fighting off the hordes of people to see them perform, but would love to experience the Sisters in concert. So if your not doing anything tomorrow, the festival starts at 1pm, but you better get there early if you plan on seeing anything - and don't forget your sunscreen. Rock On!

Vintage Beefcake

2006-07-13T18:08:00.000-04:00

So today I got to thinking about old cheesy 80's television I loved as a kid and how I wish some of it was on DVD. One of my favorite actors for purely visual reasons was Jon-Erik Hexum, star of both Voyagers! (time travelers fix mistakes in history) and Cover Up (photographer and her 'male model' apprehending crimes- classic!). Sadly, he died while bored on-set of the latter when jokingly placed a prop gun against his head and pulled the trigger.

He possessed the good looks and killer body that would become a staple of soap stars and action heroes to come. And let's not forget the classic made-for-TV-film Making of a Male Model with Jackie Collins, that camp classic should have midnight screenings throughout the country.

Summer Reality

2006-07-11T14:46:00.000-04:00

So I'm excited because the summer is just about to get hotter, with tomorrow's premiere of season three of Project Runway (Not to mention Rich's spot-on commentary of all the episodes. - I dare you not to get addicted.)

Speaking of hot reality television, words cannot express my delight in this seasons RockStar: Supernova. Once again, almost all the rockers are amazing (a few I predict will go in the next two weeks or so) and unlike last year, the lead singer has some pretty big personalities to work against - Tommy Lee, Gilby Clarke, and Jason Newsted.

All and all, I'm excited about television again and trying to fight the urge to get sucked into Big Brother: All Stars. But I have a feeling it's going to be a loosing battle. I say this every year.

Ponygirl

2006-07-10T17:20:00.000-04:00

While working at SVA, I began a friendship with photographer John Arsenault and was more then excited when he agreed to pose for one of my drawings. Above is a detail of our time spend together - and I'm thrilled with the results. You can view both the complete painting and John's work by following the links. Would love to hear some feedback on what you think.

detail from Untitled (Ponygirl), 2006, gouache and pencil on paper.

Yo Ho, Yo Ho... a Pirates Life for Me

2006-07-07T14:28:00.000-04:00

So tonight, what I'm guessing is going to be the biggest summer film opens tonight and I'm like a little kid in a candy store. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest opens nationally and of course brings us three of Hollywood's most alluring stars today. Just look above at the poster for the film, and tell me they all don't ooze sex appeal. Sea you at the theaters, dear readers. Anchors away!

Rally Cry

2006-07-06T15:05:00.000-04:00

An open letter from Alan VanCapelle, Executive Director of the Empire State Pride Agenda

Dear Friends,

Today New York's highest court decided by a vote of 4 to 2 that the State of New York can discriminate against gays and lesbians and our families by continuing to deny the protections that come with legal marriage. It is now up to our lawmakers to right this wrong and act on the will of the majority of New Yorkers and provide full marriage equality for same sex couples and our families.

Tonight, our community and our friends will gather in rallies across the state to let New York know that the marriage debate is not going away and that Albany needs to act quickly to protect our families from discrimination by passing a marriage equality law. We will send a message to politicians who say they are our friends that this is the moment we need them to demonstrate that their friendship is more than just words. We will call on them to work with us in winning our freedom to marry here in New York State.

Tonight, we also stand alongside religious leaders, union activists and other allies who have been boldly advocating for our community when few people would. Tonight, we will show New York that it's not just lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people who care about marriage, but that it is also our straight family members, friends, co-workers and neighbors.

Those who oppose our right to marriage equality want to push us back into the closet. At best we are an annoyance to them and at worst they wish we would disappear. They will view today's court ruling as a victory, but our presence tonight at these rallies will let them know in the loudest possible way how wrong they are.

I urge you to come out, bring your friends and family and stand with thousands of other New Yorkers who demand full equality for same-sex couples and our families.

So stand with us at 6pm
Sheridan Square (West 4th Street and 7th Ave., Manhattan)

For other locations throughout New York State, click here.

The Devil Made Me Do It

2006-07-05T16:39:00.000-04:00

Very rarely do I see a movie in theaters twice, never mind twice in the same week. That all changed this weekend with the tasty confection known as The Devil Wears Prada. Meryl Streep alone is worth the price of admission. If she doesn't get an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of fashion mega-bitch magazine icon Miranda Priestly, the Academy is blind.

Everything about this movie is pitch perfect. The clothes, the acting, the editing, music, the cast - just perfection. Of course, seeing the movie with an enthusiastic crowd of fashionistas always helps. I recommend, Cheslea Clearview on 8th Avenue. To quote Miranda, "That's All."

See to Sea

2006-06-23T15:17:00.000-04:00

So I'm about to finish a new painting and I'm excited that I'm finally going to be using seahorse imagery in my work. I've been waiting for the right moment to draw these usual, elegant and beautiful sea creatures in my work and now I have the right drawing to do so. I'm also excited because I'm about to head off for a weeks vacation. Where I will be able to relax, enjoy life and not be stressed with the 9 to 5 grind. Not sure how much I will be blogging over the next 11 days, but I promise when I come back, I should be ready to unveil the new drawing.

Enjoy your PRIDE and Independence Day - celebrate hard and stand tall.