Tribe Report - June 23, 2008

Martin de Vore

"Passages"

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A Week Became Two Months

Funny how time just slips away. I was planning to write a new Tribe Report two months ago. But then, everyone started sending me events to list. Right after I wrote that was NOT what I was going to do. I figured that meant that nobody actually read what I wrote, so why should I bother. So I postponed writing for awhile. Besides, at about that same time, things started to get really interesting at home.

Earlier, Sorange Castillo had gotten her daughter Angelina a cat. Tinkerbell the Cat. Well, in the world, there are those who are cat people and there are those who really are not cat people. After a discussion between Angelina, Sorange and Tinkerbell, Tinkerbell decided that she wanted to come live with me in Humble. So now, it's me and Tinkerbell the Cat (her "official" name) at Chateau de Vore. It has certainly made life interesting and busy. At some point, you all should meet Tinkerbell. Yes, she has a nickname...Tink.

Then, there is work. My new schedule has me working at night and sleeping at day. That is fine with me. But it does make connecting with folks difficult at times since people just can't come over "after they get off work." Still, I DO have Fridays and Saturdays off. That is why I have been able to see so many of you lately. I get up early on those days and head into Houston. Just like I did on Friday when I went to see Anila Quayyum Agha's art exhibit When Words Aren't Enough at Joan Wich & Co.

When Words Aren't Enough

When I went to see this, I wasn't sure what to expect. I thought it would probably be some textile work, maybe a 3-D piece or two. Boy, was I surprised when I was greeted by a dazzling symmetrical feast for the eyes. Yes, there were textiles but not like some of her previous work. Anila Agha's mixed-media constructions on view feature multiple layers of paper stitched together with thread on which she has cut out appropriated poetic verses in Arabic script. I couldn't understand the verses but The Overlord Mitch Cohen said he could. Or so I thought. Actually, Anila gave him a translation. This show continues Anila's exploration of barriers to communication, particularly cross-gender and cross-cultural communication as influenced by mass media. My personal favorites were Questioning Disillusionment and Are We Tuned In.

This exhibition runs through June 28. GO SEE IT! Joan Wich & Co. is located at 4411 Montrose Blvd and it's open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. You are running out of time so go see it this week. Like, TODAY! If you need additional information, contact the gallery at 713-526-1551.

Also, Anila's show isn't all that's leaving soon. Anila herself is headed off to Indianapolis. I think she either wants to work for BMG Music Club or maybe she wants to race Indy cars like Danica Patrick. She says she is going to take a faculty position at Herron School of Art and Design. I think she just wants to do rubbings of my dead relatives' tombstones in Crown Hill Cemetery. Whatever the reason, Anila will be missed.

So Long Marie

This past Saturday night was a sad evening in some ways. Marie Weichman is leaving. No, she is not going to the Spirit World but to the Pacific Northwest, although some would say that is the same thing. Bremerton, Washington, to be precise. It is hard to imagine our art world in The Heights, and Houston, without Marie. She helped so many artists break into the Houston art scene through The Studio Gallery and the many events she was involved with. She was always there for a good cause, lending her time and talent, and her students at HBU and Kingwood College will be impacted by their time with her for years to come. Anyway, Saturday night was special. A farewell soiree was held at Marie's. Old friends were there, sharing food, drink and memories with both her and Anila Quayyum Agha (who was also being honored). For me, it was also probably the last time I would get to see my good friend, Chloe the Wonder Dog. In those days of yore, Chloe would help me guard the food buffet at Marie's functions. Actually, I was secretly able to lay waste to the food buffet as long as I slipped Chloe a morsel every now and then and scratched her head. Anyway, Marie will be starting a new phase of her multifaceted existence. I shall miss you Marie. We all will miss you. Thanks again for all the great times Ms. Weichman!

Odds and Ends

If you have 23 odds and ends on a table, and 22 of them fall off, what do you have left...an odd or an end? I don't know but I do know this::

• The Overlord Mitch Cohen - Hmmmmm. The Overlord Mitch is like a ghost. I hear his voice on my cell phone. I get e-mails at all hours. I see evidence of his passing such as his truck parked here and there....but no definite encounter. Overlord, at least Mitchpole Evolution left a physical fossil record.
• Sorange Castillo - You knew I would find some way to mention Sorange. Well, this is it.
• Terrence Boggs and Susan Goettsche - OK. I finally figured it out.... Ralph Kramden and Alice or Fred Flintstone and Wilma.....
• Lorena B. Fernandez - Lorena just recently returned from Switzerland where she was working on her Ph.D. Now that she is back home, she can get to work on producing more art! With all of those photos you sent me Lorena, you should try some landscapes.
• Lynet McDonald - Lynet has been in exile up in Wisconsin. She will be in town for a few weeks at the end of June and early July. If you want to see her, I know she will be at the Independence Day show at Elder Street Gallery on Saturday, July 12. Be sure and ask her about her next painting of me.
• Terry Mahaffey - Marie Weichman is not the only one targeting the Pacific Northwest. At a recent event, Terry also said that he is thinking about moving to Oregon. Must be something in the water.
• Lacey Crawford - The vivacious Ms. Crawford was scarce in recent months as she was focusing on production of her art. OK Lacey. We understand. Time for you to reappear! And thanks for the tip about the new Starbucks.
• MaryAnn Lucas - After watching MaryAnn write up massive numbers of sales at the WAS-H benefit last week, I can see her as a banker or croupier.
• Lilibeth Andre - Lilibeth recently finished her portrait of me and joined the ranks of the Post-Diversionists. Now, she gets to host the next Post-Diversionist dinner party! Part of your many Post-Diversionist honors and benefits Lilibeth!
• Bridgett Vallery - I saw Bridgett last week at the WAS-H benefit and she was in typical Bridgett form -- hopping about like a locust, helping people and being in a million places at once. I think Bridgett is probably at her best when tackling a large project. Next up for BV - the American Watercolor Society Traveling Show exhibit coming to WAS-H. The exhibit opens on Friday, July 11.
• Solomon Kane - By all accounts, Mr. Kane had a great solo show at H Gallery recently.
• Ankah Hagakore - Houston's contribution to the World Music scene, Ankah recently returned from a trip to New York. It'll be interesting to see what her next project with Aaron Hermes at Free Range Studios will be.
• Sergio Santos - Did you all know that Sergio is considering changing his name to Sergei? Sergio didn't know that either until the local media informed him.
• Dune Patten - Ah Dune Patten ... you either love him or you hate him.... Not really, but Dune probably just enjoyed reading that! A tip for you, Dune...think...a vampire with a spray-paint can.... Possibilities?
• Heidi Powell-Prera - One of the things that I have always admired about Heidi is that she takes artistic risks. Many. Big ones. Sometimes she misses the target and sometimes she hits dead center. I stopped by H Gallery last week and I really really liked the art mix she had in the gallery. Good job Heidi!
• William Panzer - I saw Bill recently at the WAS-H benefit. Looks like Mr. Panzer will be doing some traveling to my homeland of New Mexico. Wish I could go with him.
• Aimi Dunn - Aimi "Queen of Portraits" is hunkered down for the summer, reveling in the role of domestic goddess. She's working on a portrait here and there but I wouldn't expect anything in volume until after Griffin and Orianna return to school in the fall.
• Jeremy Seymour - If you haven't sampled Jeremy's cooking, you need to. Absolutely. He also caters events through his Acadianne company, so if you need someone who will offer food that is different from most art show fare, let me know and I'll put you in contact with him.
• Victoria Lewelling - Chatted with Victoria recently via e-mail and she is about to return to the painting world soon, after a brief respite. Can't wait to see the new work Vic.
• Michelle Graczyk - Michelle, Michelle, Michelle....think of me as Nosferatu. I am awake at night and sleep in the day -- usually until about 1 p.m.. Now, finish your painting! See you soon. Starbucks would be nice!
• Sarah Hazel - I got to visit with Sarah recently at her home in West U and also at the WAS-H benefit. A talented artist, I think Sarah may just break out this year. She has almost as much art at her place as Jerrie Glidden and MaryAnn Lucas have at theirs. And you all should really see the back of her house!
• Sue Donaldson - Sue's show at Archway Gallery is a big success. Now she can scream all she wants to!
• Shelley Shanks - Shelley Shanks' new studio at Winter Street is really cool. Last Friday night, Shelley joined the Post-Diversionist ranks when she painted my portrait. After that, she worked on five paintings simultaneously. There is much to be learned from some of Shelley's techniques and media. Freakin' amazing!
• Richard Varela - I dropped in for a quick visit with master pastelist Richard Varela recently at his studio at Winter Street. If you like pastels, watching Richard work is a tonic for the soul.
• John and Carrie Mercado - There is absolutely no truth to the rumor that Carrie has imprisoned John in a huge Skinner Box in New York and won't release him until he abandons his pastel art for mixed-media. Of course, if John starts showing up with mixed-media pieces at art shows and galleries, then perhaps there was a grain of truth there after all....
• Norma Comstive - That list is getting bigger and bigger and bigger.
• WAS-H - The American Watercolor Traveling Show from New York exhibit kicks off Friday, July 11. The show will feature selected art from the finest watermedia artists in the country. I will be there. You should be there too.
• Yvonne Denbina - A few weeks ago, I stopped by to visit with Yvonne at her Garden of the Dragonfly in Old Town Spring. You really should make the drive (less than 20 minutes from The Heights) and go visit. it always smells good there and it's a peaceful, soothing place with some very good art adorning the walls. A very spiritual place.

Movie Time

Last Saturday, I made a pilgrimage to the holy tabernacle of electronics -- Fry's. And, I found a prize -- The Impressionists. It's a two-disc set. Fry's had four copies of it and I bought two of those copies so there are still two left - in the TV DVDs section. I really enjoyed it. It focused on Monet, Renoir, Bazille, Degas and my art idol, Manet. A British film, it was beautifully photographed on location in France. This is NOT the A&E Impressionists DVD set. Anyway, there were still two of them at the Fry's on I-45 at West Road location the last time I was there. I also finally purchased Pollock.

Coda

Keep creating art, viewing art, buying art and supporting your fellow artists of all tribes.

Martin L. de Vore is an artist and journalist once again living in Humble. Martin is a member of the Artists At Large and Post-Diversionist tribes and is looking forward to getting a new refrigerator. Soon. He hopes.

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