Today's Inspiration - in Sounds, Visuals and Combos

It's 15.54 and it's dark.  But my afternoon has been significantly warmed by listening to Emma Swift on her show In the Pines - listen here http://ondemand.fbiradio.com/index.php?show=in-the-pines

Having just drawn and experienced the intense and dreamy voice, music and presence of Bill Callahan I was looking up twitter to see what was the current lowdown and found this amazing festival in Brussels happening all this week - http://autumnfalls.toutpartout.be/ - oh boy - it looks Great!

I've also been checking out another blog which has a very nice mix of artwork, listening recommendations, interviews and more.  The artwork is big and bold and the site is easy to navigate, fun and inspiring. I hope I can tweak my own sites to be as simply enjoyable.  Three girls are behind it and they have a few different places online that you can follow and be similarly inspired by.
http://theleftoversessions.co.uk/

I really must limit my investigations online.  One inspiring article can branch out to two or more interesting links and it goes on from there.  I was looking up a video this morning on the band Isosceles and it actually had this very theme running through the whole documentary - ie random inspirations leading onto even more inspirations and even collaborations.  The art of random, and being able to follow the chase.  Anyway, check it out on Central Station http://vimeo.com/29034684 and make sure to see the other 2 parts to it.

Central Station is itself worth checking out and is currently going through a major revamp.  If you are an artist of any kind I would thoroughly recommend signing up and boosting your online presence via their suggestions and be in the running to win some promotion and/or cash prizes. See this link for more - http://community.thisiscentralstation.com/_Central-Station-v2-Latest-News/blog/5449958/126249.html

Finally, some audio visual stimulus.  If you're in Glasgow on the 9th of December I would recommend going to see the one night launch of animator, director, audio-visual chap - Konx-om-Pax.
Details here - http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=317994184893560 including a good few links to his myspace, website and Vimeo - very much worth a watch. His Hudson Mohawk video did remind me of a video from a while back and which I prefer by inimitable and rather brilliant Rachel Maclean for the awesome Phantom Band which you can see here.  It is EPIC!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH1qxYG78eQ

Meanwhile on the 9th of December in Edinburgh there is a rather special book launch of the Roughcut Nation project from 2009 which was basically the best Scottish street artists taking over and restyling a part of the esteemed National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh. It was a fantastic happening, of which the resulting beautiful artwork/installation was divided up and auctioned off after a series of live music sessions involving the great and good in the Scottish music scene.  So now there is a book. And I want one.  (Oh, I suppose I should mention I was actually involved in some live projected drawing work when the marvellous John Knox Sex Club were strutting their stuff there - Magic :).  JKSC will also be there to create music mayhem at the launch.  I would thoroughly recommend the above. It's a free public event but you need to sign up for the free tickets.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=240242586038219

Finally, a very inspiring audio-visual project by sound artist John Keston where he manipulates the sound and film merely by touching the screen.
http://www.creativeapplications.net/maxmsp/voice-lessons-maxmsp/ 

So after that dry load of information, I really should stick up a drawing to break it up. Words and Pictures and all that. Ah, I'll leave it. I've been inside all day. I'm going out for a jog before drawing at a gig tonight. Walrus (SWE) and Mongst (CAN). It's a 'Mother' gig and I'd highly recommend it if you happen to be in Stockholm this evening.
Details - http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=263291350388197

I'll stick up some pictures of that.

Exhibitions and Events - 'Loop de Loop' this Wednesday, 'Drawing Time & Attention - An Audience Member' on Monday

Yes, it is like buses. Nothing for ages and then two come at once.

Well here's my big Double-Decker. :)

Firstly, this Wednesday coming, I am one of four artists to be organising this lovely 'Open Mic' event - a 6 hour music/dance/spoken word/improv/non-improv/knitted art 'happening'.

I'm hoping to facilitate as many folk of all ages and abilities drawing as are performing. A huge bulk of any profit will be shared out amongst five chosen women's charites - Apne Ap, Care, GWL, The Fawcett Society and The Women’s Support Project. You can see more details on our facebook page too. This event is an extension of the huge and beautiful event 'Loop' that was put on for the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day back on the 8th of March. You can also read about that project here. Running alongside is an exhibition of 16 drawings that I drew throughout the events of the original 'Loop', which are available on eBay with 50% profit also going to the women's charities.

Below is the poster for our event this coming Wednesday - hope to see you there!

Mono, Kings Court, Glasgow, 4-10pm, Wednesday 18th May

Details of where/when is on the poster too.

Then there is an entirely different exhibition in the Arches, Glasgow, officially opening with a free glass of wine on Monday between 6-8pm but don't feel bad if you can't make it, as it's on for a month until the 20th June. It is more specifically about me and the live performances I draw as well as the type of technologies I use to draw them.

You can see more information on the Arches Website and also you can click 'attending' on Facebook (Incidentally, the transcendentally gorgeous Emeralds are playing in the Arches that very same night supported by the John Knox Sex Club (a local favourite of mine) and Small Scale Collisions who I am yet to encounter. I do however also need to mention that Adam Ant is playing the ABC. Childhood crush - c'mon - who didn't??!

Click on the picture below to read the blurb about the exhibition, launch and address. I would also love to see you there, grab a glass and then me for a chat :)

A Wee Tasty, John Knox Sex Club

John Knox Sex Club, courtesy of A Wee Tasty, the experimental art, music and performance night at Glasgow's Stereo Venue, with club afterwards. Brilliant night, oh yes! More superlatives to come.