Tribe Report

'Martin de Vore'

Tribes of Passion

Print 02/02/06

Well, it HAS been a week. So now, should I tell the tale of things that are, things that were or things not yet come to pass? Since those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it, I shall look into history back, beginning last Thursday.

Thursday Travels

Last Thursday, a week ago, I traveled north to New Caney to visit Tim and Charity Snider. The Sniders' new house is totally awesome. It resembles a treehouse with multiple levels, large rooms, small rooms, elevated wooden walkways over streams, indoor studios, possible outdoor studios and a forest right next to it -- and yet it has that 'homey' feel about it. After consuming an absolutely yummy meal of porkchops, mashed potatoes, corn, and pecan pie, prepared by that culinary wizard Chef Charity, I got to look at a lot of Tim's artwork that I have never seen before. I saw new stuff, old stuff and stuff under assemblage. I even got to see Tim's art from his school days. Let me tell you folks -- Tim has always been talented! Thanks again for a great evening Tim and Charity! If any of you reading this receive an invitation to the Snider home -- accept it. You won't regret it!

Thank God It's Friday

Friday night, I remained up in my own tribal outpost on the northern frontier. Sorange Castillo and her daughter, Angy, came to visit, and she was given the tour of Atelier de Vore. While Angy visited with Gozer, King of Beasts, Sorange and I talked about art, the ironies of life, those unexpected things that jump up and bite you in the ass, tribal futures and various other sundry items. Then, we all piled into Sorange's car and headed over to Michael-Ann Belin's house. There, Capt. Gordy Tillman taught Angy the proper techniques for popcorn-making, while Sorange, Michael-Ann and I talked art and toured Michael-Ann's studio. Then, we continued our discussions of art and other wordly matters while Gordy and Angy watched Labyrinth, featuring Jennifer Connelly and, in a great performance, David Bowie as the Goblin King. All in all, a rather nice evening indeed.

Slip Slidin' Away Saturday Afternoon

Saturday arrived with the kind of weather favored by amphibians and poets -- rainy, grey and slightly windy. It was NOT a good day to be on the road -- especially anywhere near me or Maranda Pleasant. As I was heading to Humble from Kingwood, I hit a slick spot on North Houston Avenue and had about a 50-yard automotive Nantucket Sleigh Ride in my Nissan which left me in some lady's yard, about 20 feet from her front window. Both I and my Nissan were unharmed. However, the same could not be said for Maranda who -- a few minutes after my mishap but miles away -- first experienced a minor crash on the Southwest Freeway, followed (soon after she had moved her vehicle to the shoulder lane) by a horrendous crash that almost severely injured her daughter Ocean. Maranda and Ocean got ambulanced off but both are fine and doing well. That is why Maranda was not at the "Passion" show later that evening. To get the facts direct from the source, or to offer your commiseration, e-mail Maranda at: bastillemedia@hotmail.com. She won't mind. She's been recovering by spending time refining her light sabre skills.

Saturday Night Passion

Speaking of "Passion".... Wow. I'll say it again...WOW! That's my reaction to the "Passion" show. Yes, I was in the show but that's not while I am in awe. I was in awe because my fellow artists' art was great, it was perfectly displayed and the turnout was unbelievable! SD-TV.net filmed us at the show and it should be online by the 15th of this month. Mike from SD-TV said they will have a voice-over describing the show, art and artists based on what Mitch told him and information from the "Passion" show press release that appeared in the papers. The show was supposed to officially open at 7 p.m. but the building was packed by 6:05 and was never empty. For three hours solid, the place was packed. Not full. Packed!

There were a lot of tribe members on hand from all tribes. Among those I saw or spoke to during the evening were (besides the other Passion artists): Amy Meyers; Heidi Powell-Prera; Mr and Mrs. Ramirez; Max Boyd Harrison; Richard Varela, Dan Allison; Jill Griffith; Sorange Castillo; Xsemaj; David Weaver; Kara Frank; Van McFarland; Solomon Kane and his family; Lara Cormack; Sunjay Arya; Duke Jones; and Nathaniel Donnett and his family. And, of course, there were the "Passion" artists and their supporters -- Mitch and Carolyn Cohen, Tim and Charity Snider and the kids, John and Carrie Mercado, Michelle Macy and her entourage of Masoud, Elaine, her mom and her sister; Kurt Beswick and his wife; Michael-Ann Belin and Capt. Gordy Tillman; Alexis Andrei and Russell; Marie Weichman and her clone; and me. I saw myself. I looked in a mirror so it counts.

The food and drink were consumed at a record-setting pace and Michael-Ann Belin and Tim Snider had to make an extra beer run. There was a dazzling variety of food treats and everyone seemed to savor both the art and the ambiance. Marie, your events are always great.

The Studio Gallery is located at 613 1/2 W. 19th Street, (behind Heights Glass). For more information, or to make an appointment to see the "Passion" show, call (713) 869-2551 or visit the Web site at www.mwstudiogallery.com

Mixed Nuts

On Saturday, Feb. 11, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., get kinky and attend "Mixed Nuts" at M2 Gallery. Yeah, I know. A lot of you will be going to the Kinky Friedman fundraiser. But, you CAN still stop by for a generous sample of "Mixed Nuts" -- nearly 100 pieces of art on display in fact -- from your fellow artists of all tribes on the way and still have plenty of time to do both. The art is unusual, dangerous, diverse and just the thing to put you in the right frame of mind before heading off to get kinky. That doesn't work for you? OK, how about this....stop by M2 AFTER you have been to the Kinky fundraiser. Those who arrive later in the evening at M2 get to sample both "Mixed Nuts" AND a fashion show that will also be held beginning at 10:30 p.m. Hmmmm..."Mixed Nuts," Kinky and a fashion show. Sounds like one interesting Saturday night to me. As always, a great assortment of food and drink will be on hand and I have heard that Capt. Gordy Tillman will be tending the bar dressed up like a Renaissance seafarer. The famous M2 punch will also be on hand I hear -- both versions. "Mixed Nuts" will run from now through Feb. 26. For more information, call (713) 861-6070 or visit the M2 Web site at www.m2-houston.com M2 is located at 325 W. 19th in The Heights.

Love

Ah yes, it's time to take a trip to Sippora.... What could Amy Meyers possibly be doing for her next event....? Well, let's see.... what could it be....OUCH! I just got shot in the butt by a little arrow fired by a little flying dude with white wings and curly hair. Aha! I get the point. "Love"...that must be Amy's next show....

Yep, it is indeed. "Love" will definitely be in the air on Friday, Feb. 10, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. "Love" will fearture the art of Van McFarland, Simone Woodage, Candice Goodwin, and Lonnie Duff so it should be pretty damned good. Come dressed for the occasion. Wear red -- red shirts, dresses, hats. Wear red shoes, socks, lingerie. Paint your face red -- as red as a fox's ass in a gooseberry bush if you like. All is forgiven when love rules the night.

Sippora Gallery is located at 234 West Gray, between Montrose and Downtown Houston. For more information, call Amy at (713) 520-1085 or visit the Web site at www.sippora.com

What's Love Gotta Do With It?

Also on Feb. 10, Dune-Micheli Patten, Nathaniel Donnett, Sharon McAtching, Amos Garcia, Ludmilla Boklonova-Boyce, and Veronica Redd will have a Valentine's kick-off artshow titled, "What's Love Gotta Do With It?" at Dominion Post Oak. Dune says, "It will be new works by all artists and never seen before small-scale works by yours truly, Dune-Micheli. So, all you art lovers, or simply lovers, come out to this evening of art and romance at Dominion Post Oak!!! Valet parking is provided." If you get the chance, check out this show. It will make Dune happy if you do. And, the art will be good -- I guarantee it.

Lost Rivers

Beginning on Saturday, Feb. 18, from 17:00 to 19:00 hrs, Sharon Kopriva's "Lost Rivers" exhibition will be on display at Zeitkunst Gallerie in Halle, Germany. Gus says, "You are invited to attend an art exhibition by Sharon Kopriva aus Houston, Texas & Hope, Idaho. "Lost Rivers" runs through March 24, 2006. Zeitkunst Gallerie is located at Kleine Marktstrasse 4 in Halle.

Benches in Bellaire...

On a recent Friday evening, Gus Kopriva sent me this from Don Goodell of the Bellaire Arts Commission to pass on, so here it is as received: "The City of Bellaire recognizes that public art is one element that will enhance the sense of community. A plan was proposed by the Bellaire Arts Commission that would solicit designs from professional artists for artistic and fanciful benches that would be placed in several areas around town. We encourage you to pass on this creative challenge for public art for the City of Bellaire to any artists you think may be interested. It is with great anticipation that the Bellaire Arts Commission looks forward to hearing from the creative and talented artists in the community." For more information, call Cindy Cozewith at (713) 661-1807. I couldn't find a City of Bellaire Web site that had the Adobe Acrobat pdf file of the artists' information available, so if you are interested, e-mail me at mldevore@houston.rr.com and I will send you the pdf file.

Winter Street

Keep an eye out for more information about the Texas Children's Hospital Fundraiser in The Gallery at Winter Street on Feb. 25. Winter Street is home to a lot of artists from our tribes that we all know including (but definitely not limited to) John Mercado, Jerrie Glidden, Richard Varela, Solomon Kane, Amy Ferrari, Alex Wilhite, Nicola Parente, Van McFarland, Dan Fischer, Alix Dunn and many many more. Winter Street Studios is located at 2101 Winter Street in Houston. For more information, call (713) 862-0082 or visit their Web site at www.winterstreetstudios.com

Empty Bowls

Empty Bowls is off and running. The event will be held March 4, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at both the Lawndale Art Center and Houston Center for Contemporary Craft. A call to craftsmen/artists for cereal-sized bowls is now being made. The drop-off of bowls will begin during the last week of January. See Marie Weichman's Web site at www.mwstudiogallery.com. for more details -- use the Empty Bowls link there for even more info. Here's an advisory from Marie: "By the way ... the site does mention an art auction of non-bowls items, but we are keeping it small, about 20 selected artists in the community. I really really hope no artist takes offense to this. I'd love to see what some of you create in a bowl. They don't need to be functional either ... think painted paper folded origami style into a bowl!! We've had quilted bowls, fuzzy bowls, perforated bowls, wood, clay, glass -- everything. The donated bowls are sold with soup in exchange for a $20 donation and the entire event benefits the Houston Food Bank. Remember, they have been desperately drained after providing for the Katrina and Rita victims."

Coda

Remember, I am not the Oracle at Delphi so if you have a show or event coming up that you want me to mention you have to send it to me. So, e-mail me at: mldevore@houston.rr.com

That's it for now.

Until then, keep creating art, viewing art, buying art and supporting your fellow artists of all tribes.

Martin L. de Vore is an artist and journalist living in Humble, TX. Mr. de Vore is a member of the Artists At Large and Post-Diversionist tribes and enjoys having his eyes poked out by feathers and having his hands slapped out of the popcorn bowl.

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