! Discipline the Painter !

2012-02-12T14:31:00.000-08:00

Portrait are a funny things often I need to do 3 in a slightly different variety.

Bede Murphy continues his art residency of Prospect Park

2011-07-24T12:34:00.000-07:00

Bede Murphy is addicted to the LANDSCAPE

2011-07-24T09:03:00.000-07:00

Bede Murphy says LANDSCAPES make art fun again

2011-07-24T08:59:00.000-07:00

Bede Murphy says LANDSCAPES are the new studio

2011-07-24T08:54:00.000-07:00

2011-07-24T08:51:00.000-07:00

LAND at MAKE at i-20 gallery.Huge thanks to Scott Ogden!
http://www.makeskateboards.com/

Bede Murphy at AG Gallery 2011

2011-05-14T13:34:00.000-07:00

Bede Murphy "Bashback"

2011-02-27T20:29:00.000-08:00

Matthew Bede Murphy 2011 spacerace silkscreen editions

2011-02-27T13:15:00.000-08:00

Bede Murphy "WE ARE STAR SHIP" 2010

2010-11-08T18:40:00.000-08:00

Tea Party needs a new cheerleader

2010-11-08T18:15:00.000-08:00

The oven is on

2010-07-05T10:03:00.000-07:00

me my mo

2010-06-28T16:45:00.000-07:00

Me You us UNARIUS

2010-06-19T07:21:00.000-07:00

The Unarius Remix

2010-06-17T20:37:00.000-07:00

With the amazing editor, Jason Siadek I was able to showcase the dynamic narrative of the Unarius vhs classic into a gallery ready package, encapsulating salient facts about the scientifically seditious group.

Bede Murphy -Night at lazer mt

2010-06-16T19:34:00.000-07:00

I cant wait to get out into the landscape this summer: easel, drawing pad, IPAD..no not that. Im going old school minus the turpinoid...but full of sharp observation skills and intentions to bond with the intoxicating view. Good things happen when paintings start in one place and end somewhere else...these new paintings are an example of that. The goal was something very different than the final...have to let it go and keep the creative ave open for traffic.

2010-06-15T13:06:00.000-07:00

Hand silkscreened T shirts for all my friends...starting at $30 including Unarius pamphlets.
Half the proceeds go to Unarius!

Bede Murphy and Unarius

2010-06-14T15:12:00.000-07:00

Its been so long..cant remember when Iost my blogger know how. Anyway...new show

LA excerpts 2009 LA 2019: CULTS, COLLECTIVES & COCOONING

2009-05-14T20:04:00.000-07:00

Me You Us UNARIUS

2009-05-12T16:37:00.000-07:00

The show at 18th Street Art Center in Santa Monica was a hit. Working with the friendly, creative people from Unarius was a creative high point for me.10 days in LA ended up being a perfect amount of time to set up and fine-tune the show. From Venice, Santa Monica to the valley and El Segundo, I surfed on a variety sofas, pull outs and relied on the kindness of locals. I think this was my fav visit to the west coast due to the work/vacation/family scenario. My birthday being peppered in the middle of the trip gave it core significance. I will miss conspiring with Ciara Ennis every Friday, (the brave curator and the fulcrum of the project ). I loved getting to know the Unarius of Science on a personnel and conceptual level to whom I owe a debt of creative momentum and financial support for the exhibition. 18th Street Art Complex exuded an ease and support that made the project come off without a hitch. Lastly I loved being apart of the larger creative project…as the only NY artist I was just thrilled to be included in Cults, Collectives and Cocooning west coast optimism.1500 photos later and a successful show in LA under my belt now I can start to push this show on the east coast.

2009-04-05T18:10:00.000-07:00

The show in LA is gearing up so I thought I would get to spreading the word.
I am curating and collaborated with The Unarius Academy of Science to create a site specific installation.It will include a book library and promotional materials ,large scale banners used in Conclave of light, a 3 foot long UFO used in 1980's video and the 2 hr Arrival video from 1980.I will have work inspired by the Unarius on a opposite wall including large mixed media prints,a video remix loop from the Unarius Arrival Video, 4 self portraits called "I see a light" as well as 12T-shirt’s specially made for exhibition. The opening is in conjuction with 18th street Arts Center Art Night
http://www.18thstreet.org/artnight.html
It will be a busy fun filled event...I cant get over how many shows are happening at the same time.More on that later.

LA 2019: CULTS, COLLECTIVES & COCOONING:
Curated by Ciara Ennis
location:18th street Arts Center
1639 18th St., Santa Monica, CA 90404

Despite worldwide financial panic, ecological disasters and general global malaise, the exhibition LA 2019: CULTS, COLLECTIVES & COCOONING conjures a surprisingly positive image of what Los Angeles could be in the near future. Presenting an alternative to predictable doom-laden and futuristic scenarios—Blade Runner, Fahrenheit 451, Solvent Green—the exhibition instead suggests a future of collaborative and community based ventures that focus on the group rather than the individual experience. LA 2019: CULTS, COLLECTIVES & COCOONING pictures a future Los Angeles that rejects its anonymous sprawling suburbs in favor of a return to village life with all the allegiances and intimacy that entails. Neighborhoods become self-sustaining and self-governing entities that rely on home production and bartering—rotation of back-yard crops and fertilizing their vegetable gardens with the guano of yard raised chickens. Business is conducted between hamlets traveled to and from by bio-fueled vehicles, delivery tricycles, horses and donkeys.

Featuring objects, installations, photography and video works by emerging and established artists—Cathy Akers, Heather Cantrell, Fallen Fruit, Olga Koumoundouros, Nuttaphol Ma, Jason Middlebrook, Bede Murphy and Unarius, Machine Projects w/ Jim Fetterley, William Ransom, Stephanie Smith/WSAC Finishing School, and Joel Tauber —the exhibition explores real and fictional intentional communities; sustainable solutions for future living; and the power of the collective versus the individual.

Unarius approaches

2009-03-22T09:44:00.000-07:00

The show in LA at 18th Street is hurtling closer every day. My collaboration with The Unarius is shaping up to be a one of kind event. Cults, Cocooning and Community will showcases 12 different arts groups and collaborations stressing a optimistic reimagining of the future…think “artful utopian extremism”

The Unarius are just the type of group I like: stubbornly original, creative and existing on the margins of society. This forum in LA will allow a new type of conversation relating to faith and the projections of ideas thru the platform of art. The Unarius created videos in the 1980's that bring deeply felt ideas and message that border on hallucination and ecstatic art making. This work and Unarius deserves a place in the greater art discourse.That is one of my goals with this collaboration.

My work in this show is based on the reflections gleamed from the Unarius archive and its golden period in the 1980’s. Art for this project emraces "factum" (fact and fiction) etempting to access my own ecstatic creation related to faith, UFO as devotional object and the transcendence of the self within group dynamic.I also think Ruth Norman is a very worthy subject on all accounts.

So far I have secured a 3 foot long UFO (used in the original 1980’s video) . My request for the 7 foot tall Tesla Tower and 1980’s felt and fabric marching Planet flags (33 flags in all) was sadly unattainable (the flags are in Ottawa , Canada and the Tesla Tower is to fragile and complicated to move). Being shown within the kiosk/book reading area will be the 2 hour Arrival video, 50 books and pamphlets and my Silkscreen T-shirts. Reproduction of devotee leaders and students of Unarius paintings will be on display. In a most exciting development the UFO Cadillac is being driven to the opening on May2nd. My 7 foot wall across form the kiosk will have Posters and Slogans ,Coptic imagery and books / pamphlets , self portraits as devotee and a Video re-mix of the arrival video.
The show will run for 2 months.

Its going to be good.

LAND rocks!

2009-03-18T16:35:00.000-07:00

We have so many amazing collaboration happening at LAND.From animated movies with M. Wartella to weaving projects with Weaving Hand to Postcard project with Marshall Harmon and a interesting development with a store on Bond street.Spring has sprung at LAND.

Outsider Fair 2009

2009-01-14T18:19:00.000-08:00

The Outsider Fair at 7 W 34th street was great fun and LAND made new contacts, new sales and introduced our newest artist Dean Millein to the collector circle. His foil sculpture Origami stopped people in there tracks while visiting the fair. Working with Fountain Gallery was a success. Jason and his crew are on there game and provide a wonderful service to the community and we have a good collaboration going on. I hope we can continue the booth coupling in the years to come. Celebrities seen : Lou Reed, Lucy Lui, and Eddie Falco. I suggested to Lucy Lui that Dean should do kids parties with his Foil creature skills. She smiled and agreed. Ive included some photos of the LAND booth and some others sights from Outsider 09.

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LAND at the Outsider Fair 2009

2008-12-19T17:23:00.000-08:00

LAND will be joining forces with Fountain House this year at the annual Outsider Fair. What ever your thoughts on the term Outsider , insider, cognitive diversity ,emersion arts or what have you, the work at this fair is often surprising and can teach the contemporary art world a thing or two (for those that have pilfered it without giving credit…Jonathan Meese, Dana Schutz , Justin Lieberman, Tal R and many many more!) Come see the real deal!

Bede is bizy in the studio

2008-12-15T17:42:00.000-08:00

Im working on my show in LA (collaborating with Unarius), Painting my mind field "all over" sudo- abstract therapy paintings and keeping the silk screen /conflation in the works as well. Time is a strange thing…cramming just a little creativity into a small amount of time creates some interesting problem solving opportunities. Im so excited to push sculpture into the mess…sva multiples class in Feb.

LAND open on SUNDAY!

2008-12-13T10:30:00.000-08:00

LAND is participating in the Brooklyn Artwalk this Sunday.Come by if you happen to be in the DUMBO area. LAND 67 Front Street,Brooklyn NY.

Bede says good by to paintings ,drawings and works on paper.

2008-11-26T19:21:00.000-08:00

Thank god! Jim Prell came to the studio and selected a variety of work from 2002, 2006 and 2008. Jim was the 1st person to really invest in my art(I think it was in 1993 in Boston).His gallery palet in Chelsea provided me sales and 2 solo shows. He shared art connections and job opportunities and a inclusive net work without pause. His connections to now defunct Gasser and Grunert gallery (a blessing and a curse) provided me a job and art world connections (and provided me some interesting stories about how a blue chip gallery really work). He relocated to Texas in 2005 and is starting up various art related ventures so we will be working together in 2009.I was a bit nervous of his visit due to his far reaching knowledge of my work but he ended up seeing more connections and reoccurring patterns from my older work to the new work. It was an important visit, just what I needed.

dont elect the zombies

2008-11-04T15:45:00.000-08:00

Hope for the best!

A most excellent wedding

2008-10-18T14:54:00.000-07:00

Including the movie "Rachel’s Getting Married " I’ve been to 3 weddings in the last month and a half. Last Sunday I traveled 3 hrs south to a Delaware hoarse farm to photograph a young couples nuptials. It was a festive conflation to be sure. The wedding hurtles are always big with these events but I sailed thru unscathed. Meeting Irene and Tumelo was great fun and documenting their consecutive family traditions was an honor. The singing was hearty, the guests were dramatic and styled and the setting was ideal.
The DJ played music from all reaches of the globe, dancing was off the hook and the moving speeches left tears and laughing as an aftermath. Thanks to all who filled me up on tequila and cupcakes; this kept the flash bulb bursting long into the crisp autumn morning. Total photos taken; 1440! Unfortunately none were of the streakers and the skinny dippers…I went to bed at 1:30 missing the opportunity for some great nudist portraits. More pictures tommorow.

silk screen purist I am not

2008-10-11T20:00:00.000-07:00

In between work at the gallery (which I love) and branching into wedding photography and my new gym intensive Im getting to SVA and continuing my creative streak of silkscreen highbred. Im not a purist in any process related to silkscreen but I pretend to be. It’s the non conformist in me rebelling against registration. I welcome mistakes and use every inch of paper like it was the depression(wait it is the depression)The community of support is strong at SVA and Im hanging on every word of advice and editing panache from Gunars Prande and Dominick Rapone . Just last week Tamar Cohen prodded me to put up and do the NYFSA Print making grant. She is so hilarious due to her "why not" esthetic. This is as close to graduate school as Im getting . Im having a great time. Im posting some work related to Unarius Rising Project called “Space Brother Star Cluster”

Bede as wedding photographer

2008-10-06T17:28:00.000-07:00

Ive been lucky enough to do a fantastic couples wedding 2 weeks ago in the Heights. It was 13 hrs of shooting and 1400 photos and aside from rushing a bit much on some key shots it went well. During the informal shots in DUMBO I had a funny interaction with Photographer named Agaotn Strom. He was shooting with this big set up and I joked that after he was done I could snap a few. Well didn’t he just agree and lend me his Umbrella kit and flash unit. Aside from being completely cool those photos ended up being very strong. Big props go to him…check his stunning work at www.agatonstrom.com.Ive also been introduced to the super helpful people at FOTOCARE. They are a class act and Brian deserves a shout out for a steady stream of quality advice and his professional eye .Ive got another wedding next (thanks M Sharkey)Sunday. Im renting the Canon 24-105 and a Quantum Q Flash...hell why not.

Republican Zombie T

2008-10-05T21:05:00.000-07:00

Silkscreening at SVA again and having a ball.T shirt was a quick intro that took a nasty turn...spilled ink on shirt but used it to make zombie shirt more authentic.

fashion week photos

2008-09-14T16:26:00.001-07:00

David and Kelley from Zoozoom sent me over to cover Zero Maria Cornejo on Bleeker st last week. I love the vibe of these events; the photo pit, the prep back stage, the pomp of the front row (celebritants) and of course the show. A pre-Interview with Maria conducted by Kelley revealed a concerned, productive artist balancing life, work and family all the while creating a walk able art. I covet these shows for the parade of passion, products, message and visual editing….Oh and the art celebrities...seeing CINDY SHERMAN was a real thrill...or was it her or was it a persona?

Bede Paintings going to a new home

2008-09-06T19:46:00.000-07:00

Im happy that all 4 paintings are going to the same home ,I will miss them but I'll make more. Huge thanks to Robert for the wonderful visit and bountiful support. Also Joe Wolin came by for a very spirited crit last week. He was brutal but fair ,I avoided a spanking but just barely

Provincetown fades into the sunset

2008-09-03T20:02:00.000-07:00

A beach at the end of the world

2008-08-30T21:58:00.000-07:00

After the rain the beach was a empty expanse, a rare occasion and a lovely one as well.

P Town breeze blew up my skirt: Part 1

2008-08-28T15:37:00.000-07:00

From the main drag to quiet stretches of ocean calm, P Town is a wonderful stew of pedestrian over load and the constant pull and allure of pristine beaches. We got a nice helping of each and had some time to reengage with old friends and make new ones. The commute from NYC was offset by stops in Boston and we allowed for down time between the next outings. More photos tomorrow.

last gasp summer vacation

2008-08-27T21:24:00.000-07:00

12 days 9 beds and a ton o fun.
These pictures comprise the beginning and end of trip...Boston and Maine…P Town was in the middle. Much, much more(1000 photos worth) on the way...edited for your pleasure.

What I painted over the weekend

2008-08-10T20:19:00.001-07:00

Not bad..but not great!
At least I pulled completion out of the hands of failure. For a while all of these paintings drifted towords the dumpster.Its like kiki Smith said " some times its not what you work on its that your working" I have to say that my moon is in bitch if I dont throw some paint around...at least I know that.

LAND at Printed Matter

2008-08-04T19:05:00.000-07:00

On Friday, I had an appointment with Catherine at Printed Matter. I went there to introduce one of LANDS artists to her and hopefully gain entry into the prestigious arena of limited editions and coveted one offs. Michael Pellew's "Celebrity Birthday Cards" and Dean Millien's "Miniature Tin Things" now have a spot among the Printed Matter elite. Head on down to Chelsea to have a look. As the “Under the Bridge Festival” draws closer and LAND prepares for the big arts festival in September, I will report on the developments.

Printed Matter, Inc.
195 Tenth Avenue New York, NY 10011
T: 212 925 0325

Bede Murphy as a space brother

2008-07-30T19:49:00.000-07:00

ME ME ME...in a variety of poses. These paintings are so much fun to do and I take as many liberties as needed."Me-ology" or "Space Brother" is a small part of a larger series(soon to be leaked)

LA redux

2008-07-23T17:07:00.000-07:00

A action packed LA trip included ; wine tasting in Santa Maria with Rich, Tanya and Finn, meeting Ciara Ennis and speaking to her graduate students about my latest project (She is an independent Curator and Director Pitzer Campus Galleries) celebrating the 4th of July with the Mandl family (a family that lights fire works together is a family that stays together) plus a visit to Unarius Center (thank you Eric!) and much much more. More pictures soon.

Bede and Jarvis Cocker ...just for one night

2008-07-22T18:57:00.000-07:00

Jarvis showed his range at last nights sold out show in Williamsburg.I was lucky enough to be the guest of the soundman Matt(who also mixes the Gorillas and a host of other British heavy weights). My camera came in handy and I was able to get some tight shots of the showman (and yarn spinner) going a little insane. His catalog was soft, hard and techno. One of the most resounding qualities of this guy was his personal connection to the crowd with humor and ironic candor. Splendid show!

Bede as I am

2008-06-28T08:49:00.001-07:00

Now Channeling Lucas Samaras in Theater 1.
This still counts as studio time...right?

Bede is melting and so is the city

2008-06-26T20:24:00.000-07:00

Someone left the oven on...NYC, Vegas, USSR, Ptown...My camera is melting, shutter is busted.Picking up new Canon 40D tommorow. Viva B&H (all photos Bede Murphy)

ADAA Collectors' Forum

2008-06-17T21:10:00.000-07:00

Went to the ADAA Collectors' Forum
Young at Art: Emerging Art and How to Collect It
Monday, June 16, 2008, 6pm–8pm

The panel was lively and the moderator did a great job excising a spirited dialogue about current art queries regarding the market, collector do’s and don’ts (don’t be rude) and other adroit questions.
Hilarious and frank Michael Hort stole the show.
He admitted that he and his wife get 1st pick from top galleries of coveted work. He added that 50% of his enormous collection losses it punch after a year and he feels uninspired by the work and wishes there was a museum to take it off his hands. The bloated prices that student are getting while in and coming out of college make him uncomfortable and thinks it’s a dangerous game of vanity and over estimation of an artists ability to walk away “from a mortgage “ to do more inventive work.
Will Cotton advised collectors Not to buy from the artists studio…superseding the dealer adding “artists are creating bodies of work and the dealer needs do his or her job” hmmm?
I left the affair asking my self…’What happens when you finally emerge…do you fall out...and into what?
No one answered that question.

Bede Murphy covers Vivienne Koorland for Zoozoom

2008-06-12T03:44:00.000-07:00

I visited Vivienne Koorland in her Mercer St studio just before her show at Haunch of Venison gallery in London. Besides having the most engaging 2hrs with Vivienne I had the chance be in the presence of paintings brimming with a social and historical relevance. I felt honored to be included in her world. The paintings have the patina of age, like old documents pulled from an archeological dig. Koorland encompasses low art influences, age old painting prep and process and a vast reservoir of personal and worldly issues to tangle with. Her painting are diaristic grounded but often thru the voice of a child narrator or paying witness to the weight of history and the propaganda that is dragged along with it.

More after the jump on Monday.

disco birthday party in the park

2008-05-24T18:32:00.000-07:00

The disco picnics have begun!.
Jenny had the 1st party of the season today. Instead of balloons, I brought the mirror ball.Dogs, babies, flowers and disco balls make people smile. I want to just walk around with this thing...on the F train, thru mid town...and record the many smiles and comments that ensue. Today was lovely and birthday Jenny and child held court with group of good party people. (disco ball included)

Venerable Bede has a Banjo Birthday

2008-05-04T16:47:00.000-07:00

Its amazing how having a party is the push needed to clean and organise. After an overly ambitious "Party in the Park" we just had the party in house. The amazing Andrew Vladick of the Honey Brothers came with Banjo in hand and did a Appalachian inspired set. Jesse brought a gigantic disco ball (thank you Reed) Sara clocked in as the furthest traveler from Boston. I thank all who came and gave props to the elder. It started at 2pm and ended at 9pm with Karolin and Nathan doing yoga on the studio floor. Fantastic...let this be the beginning of a season of entertaining in the slope.

how do I feel?

2008-04-10T20:33:00.000-07:00

Mutually exclusive?
Will post Seattle pictures as soon as I finish my new "Positive Moves” book by guru of all time…Ms Lansbury (if your nasty)

Fade to Black..waiting at the armory

2008-03-17T19:11:00.000-07:00

My friends and I found the wait for The Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black at The Armory on Friday night to be undoable...just couldn’t wait for a predicable show Ive seen before...I get the joke. Before I bolted and went to a party in the Slope I got some snaps of bored guards waiting for something to happen. A year ago I got a great shot of her back stage with a young protégé .

Miami beach get away

2008-03-10T16:45:00.000-07:00

Alex and I managed to take a quick trip to South Beach this past week thanks to a dear friend’s invite. We stayed in there penthouse off Collins Ave with a view of old and newly forming Miami. Aside from a monsoon like rainstorm on Sat morning and a constant vicious wind, the weather was perfect. Miami sometimes reminds me of Time Square with palm trees. It is a gregarious blend of high and low culture stewed together with luxury, humid sexuality and a tanned flip-flop Couture. Highlights included moitos at the relaxing Setai courtyard, The Wolfsonian Museum and spending time with Marla and Keith (while participating in some serious stroller derby with the kids)In the end the beach became the great equalizer allowing wind and waves to rip tide stress out to sea.

Yeah for Cheyney at The Whitney !

2008-03-05T21:33:00.000-08:00

Im just tickled that Cheyney is in the Whitney this year.I remember talking to him years ago and saying "You know its gonna happen..your going to be in the Whitney...you know that?" He just made a dismissive aside probable thinking of all the work he would have to make to get there. His ambitious and slightly baffling work deserves the accolades he is getting. The good thing is he is just getting started. . Now when is his wife getting in?
here is a link to the ZOOZOOM artcle I did on him last year.

http://www.zoozoom.com/#type=story&id=408

Bede gives to Auction in April

2008-03-04T17:54:00.000-08:00

Kathleen Cullen asked me to give to this upcoming auction so Ive done 2 paintings and must pick 1. "CRY BOY " or "PopCorn Sky 2" The Auction will benefet The Center Against Domestic Violence in Brooklyn NY. More info as The event draws near.

seen in LA last week

2008-03-02T13:37:00.000-08:00

ELVIS spins a yarn on David Letterman

2008-02-16T20:21:00.000-08:00

Happy V day

2008-02-13T20:21:00.000-08:00

Upstate style!

return to paris

2008-02-13T14:27:00.000-08:00

Seen on the streets of paris last fall.

Thaw some creative ice and paint some mess around

2008-02-06T18:15:00.000-08:00

January has been akin to a creative ice flow…drifting from one series to the next and not caring which ice cube I jump to. Its often a battle of the “busy” or the “simple”. Cant seem to paint a straight line but that sure doesn’t stop me!. Sometimes Older paintings stick around to long and end up on the cutting room floor sustaining brush or paint aggression. Some make it thru the creative rethinking some do not. Above are some that have been “refreshed” ‘Chicken with Friend” got a simple back ground. The 2 of the 4 painting series got new “optical eruptions" (drips and mistakes peppering surface) while an experiment got some more busy body action. Jeez I need a new hobby. How bout collecting art!?

Bede Murphy; Crazy f'ing collector!

2008-02-03T19:56:00.000-08:00

In my life I create and then I collect. I often collect when something good happens to me. For instance when I got my LAND artist into Printed Matter I promptly went to my friends galley Taxter & Spengemann to tell them the news. Just by chance I happened on Max Schhumann new show (Dec 07) and promptly bought 2 paintings. Shuman strangely is one of the original people who opened Printed Matter.(see his work here)
http://www.taxterandspengemann.com/This past Friday I went to Jeff Bailey to pick up work by WILL YACKULIC(can you say payment plan?)So what is this all about ..this buying of art? I can track it back to 1997, I purchased a Tom Burckhardt and Wes Mills gave me a cool drawing. I suppose seeing Ken Freeds collection had a big effect on me. So Ive listed a few of my favorites below. Murry Guzik was my last great obsession (I got 500 drawings and paintings) so I just included a few... plus I have an Ann Craven...but I hide it on my self..uh oh)
The madness continues Iwent to White Box @ The Annex /601 West 26th Street, 14th Flr, NYC and picked up 2 more works one by Brooklyn's own Kristin Cammermeyer www.brainswarming.com.
Like Jenny Laden said" all Im going to have soon is art and shoes" I wont mind that at all.

M. Pellew and the element of surprise

2007-12-03T16:34:00.000-08:00

Michael Pellew is a pop cartoon pundit, scavenging the celebrity landscape and carefully arranging “what if” moments with unending variety.
His "Celebrity Sightings" are collisions of pop culture stars and starlets, musical divas and 15 min of failure tv stars. His giddy appreciation for all strata of the entertainment industry is a perfect send up of obsession with celebutantes.

Say its Michael Bloomberg and Cher with a side of Grace Jones on the F line in 1982...done. How about a "earliest ever portrait " of Steven Segal and Jewl at concert with Princess Di in 1990...you got it. Always funny, touching and vital, Michael achieves honesty within a historic fantasy and a greater connection to the world at large .

Michaels carves out likenesses with essential features ; tell tale hair do’s, pivotal outfits, and time sensitive song titles. Dates and times are important to Michaels celebrity moments, but they are liquid…timelines melt and celebrity selections take over. His picks are spot on and his ability to make obscure and deadpan choices creates a lively exchange between the viewer and the camera

LAND @ Printed Matter

2007-12-02T18:38:00.000-08:00

Land is showing a slew of art cards at the Printed Matter in Chelsea.
Please stop by and pick up silk screen cards and Micheal Pellews "Santas Celebrity Sightings" (seen above)

Some days

2007-11-27T20:43:00.000-08:00

Some days I look like this..minus the frog and the freakish teeth

Some days I feel like this..If Im lucky

Then I use ZSA ZSA and Im in a Goulash of luxury....

At least my paintings will get some sun in Miami

2007-11-21T18:30:00.000-08:00

A recent series of paintings are accompaning Kathleen Cullen (my hero)to Miami this Dec.I waited to long to book and will have to hear about the event thru the tails of M Sharkey . His boyfriend will be tied to the Sara Metzer booth while Sharkey navigates his way thru the carnival atmosphere.Not one to say no to parties, book signings and star studded openings he will more than cover the grounds of this over exstended fair.(he is the official photographer for Deitch Projects)Last year we had a blast but covering the intire event wore me out.

In other news Cheyney Thompson one of my friends from the early days of Boston will be in the Whitney Biennial.I did a feature on him for Zoozoom last year (when I had energy to do such things)

I remember the day he showed me his new work on Organza (circa 1998?)...I was shocked at the brilliant utility of the work...so simple and such a perfect vehicle for his sprawling talent. Its good to remember the days when he actually gave me props for my paintings, calling a show I did at the time "like Braque on pharmaceuticals" very astute indeed. I also turned Ken Freed on to his work and Wes Mills.(Ken ended up buying 3 of his paintings) Im so selfless...all I wish is that I got a f'ing piece of work when I had a chance. Oh well...what do they go for now...12,000 to 24,000??

trip to Winchester

2007-11-05T20:24:00.000-08:00

As I leak photos from my trip to the many regions of England Im excited that parts of The Golden Age were filmed in Winchester. This day trip was a gem for the ridiculously picturesque scenic charm.

PIL

2007-10-30T19:15:00.000-07:00

Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Sandra Day Oconnor

2007-10-27T13:49:00.000-07:00

Perhaps we will resurrect the lady judges but we always get mistaken for the Church lady.

More pictures from Groundswell Auction

2007-10-25T13:15:00.000-07:00

Bede gives to Annual Benefit and Silent Auction for Groundswell

2007-10-24T19:57:00.000-07:00

Groundswell had there big night at 511 Gallery last night.
I really love bidding wars and when they involve my work its even better. The fever was high and I was able to raise a good amount for Groundswell, met wonderful people and got a lil sloppy. Fun!

Bede does Paris

2007-10-22T20:15:00.001-07:00

It was only a month ago but my trip to Paris and London seems like it never happened.
Here are selections from Paris o7

Eric Bday party

2007-10-22T19:28:00.000-07:00

The present collided with the past last week at Eric’s Birthday party. I had not seen the majority of the partygoers in some time and we remised about the early 90's when NYC was still dirty around the edges; Body and Soul, Cake and the days of excess. "you may be done with the past but its not done with you" and thank god for that.

Village Voice and the subverstion of M. Wartella

2007-09-24T20:28:00.000-07:00

LAND receives a nice piece of press thru the loving and talented hand of M. Wartella.
A friend of the gallery and in particular to one of our artist. Wartella snuck in a nice tribute to this artist in his latest Village Voice Neighborhood lambasting. The uncanny likeness and comment on how LAND and this said artist ride above the din, anchoring a neighborhood that is reeling with over investment and in the grips of real state fever left us all grinning. Your a hero M. Wartella, now lets get that LAND/Sundance project happening.
check his work out here.
http://www.ackxhpaez.com/

LAND participates in Under the Bridge Festival 2007

2007-09-24T20:03:00.000-07:00

Another Year and another opportunity to present LANDS unique vision at the DUMBO Under The Bridge Festival. The more I’m in the art world the more I realize the absolute originality of our tremendous artists. They are a visual force to be reckoned with.
Paging Matthew Higgs?

Bede sneaks into a group show...hurray!

2007-08-08T20:23:00.001-07:00

The end of the summer is near and I end it with a spash...come see dirty gay art at this wonderfull gallery in Chelsea...hurray!Im showing 4 new(ish)hilarious paintings.

Cocktail Reception

Presented by Kathleen Cullen Fine Arts

508 West 26th St., Suite 5A, New York, NY 10001

(212)-463-8500 (t)

info@artekcontemporaries.com

www.kathleencullenfinearts.com

Gallery Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 11am - 6pm

Gallery open by appointment only: August 17-

September 3

Save the date:

August 14, 2007 6-8 p.m.

Change at Babylon

Kathleen Cullen Fine Arts invites you to attend a cocktail reception in honor of our summer show Change at Babylon--an artistic celebration of the excess, splendor and passion of summer viewed through Fire Island.

Where else but in NYC can you step on a mass-transit train and be whisked away from the chaos of the city to an island of Dionysian pleasures? A simple change at the Babylon stop and you are your our way to Fire Island—the fabled isle of hedonism, decadence, luxury and homosexuality. Cityscape turns to seascape; taxis to boats; the din of city traffic to the crash of waves; tension to release…the transformation is then complete.

Participating artists include:

Carl Ferrero

Victor Gadino

Frank Holliday

Charles Hovland

Bede Murphy

Eric Payson

Susannah Ray

Walter Robinson

Andy Rosen

David Shapiro

DouglasTurnbaugh

Sandra Valenzuela

Martabel Wasserman

Daniel Wheeler

Project Room: Featuring Alex Haas

Kathleen Cullen Fine Arts

508 West 26th Street

New York, NY 10001

(tel) 212-463-8500

(fax) 212-463-8501

Spring time in Park Slope

2007-04-30T20:40:00.000-07:00

Lovely and fleeting,tread lightly there are turtles about.

NEST FOUNDATION art auction part 2

2007-03-31T09:51:00.000-07:00

NEST FOUNDATION art auction

2007-03-28T20:30:00.000-07:00

I was invited to this event by Vanina Holasek from the Vanina Holasek gallery www.vaninaholasekgallery.com . Susan Sarandon was the honorary host and her approachable demeanor brought a certain ease to the heavy subject matter of commercial sexual exploitation (CSEC) in the United States. Scary shit and worth the attention of a bloated art market to actually use the flush wealth of the moment for a real cause. The art was good and minimum bids where filled in at a quick rate. Ivanka Trump was poised, gracious and gone in 30 min.
The crowd was be- jeweled and stuck around to do there best to spread the wealth. Fun Wed night...a bit to much to drink but fun. Zoozoom might do a a brief bit on it..we will see tomorrow.

Miami Basel feature goes live (finally) on Zoozoom

2007-03-24T19:10:00.000-07:00

December was so long ago I hardly feel like the same person. Miami Basel was alot of work and the 600 photos I took where a way for me to stay involved in the fair on some level(only 6 made it in the series) I’m excited that the feature is up and it looks amazing (The editor is a wizard and the flash programming is some of the best on the web)so I cant do anything but take a reasonable solid photo and give details of the trip. I’ve posted some good personal shots that never would have made it into the feature but I love.
www.zoozoom.com click to see

Painting for other people is fun

2007-03-18T20:54:00.000-07:00

Ive been painting some work for commission lately which gets my lazy ass in the studio more than I would other wise. The theme is from the "hoarse and rider" series and in particular a blurry-esk version of the series.Ive been having a great time just doing variations on the theme (She will have plenty to choose from) After this I will start on the next commission....a very different request more like the "Bleed series meets the Name Droppers" He wants big and grim...oyy...hope I can get it out of the apt.

Bede is back in Outer / Inner Space

2007-03-07T18:06:00.000-08:00

New Paintings show that for better or for worse, my Compass is set for "popcorn" skies and political under currents...so much for the 'simple Chicken paintings'. All I know is I’m painting as much as I can, when I can.

LAND will be open March 10th for UTI show

2007-03-04T20:17:00.000-08:00

More shots from the great opening....visits from Sean Horton this week and Kathleen Cullen this Wed plus two pieces of press on the way.

Under The Influence @ LAND

2007-03-01T20:33:00.000-08:00

A 13 hr day is never easy but having a show to put up, the options are never "relax".
We did a full day of programming and painted, hung and cleaned the gallery. I laid the Murray Guziks out on the main table and blended the 1950's sketch books with the work done by our artists while on the main wall a clever color/mixed media connection blended its way thru work.
This was the 8th show at LAND so we are kind of use to the drill but tonight’s crowds were at capacity and the support from the neighborhood was superb. This show acts as a contemporary outreach for the gallery, pulling from the wonderfully diverse art community that we are exploring. Next, Michael Pellew at Kathleen Cullen this spring.

Under the Influence at LAND

2007-02-26T18:02:00.000-08:00

Under the Influence
Drawing Inspiration from the Periphery

A Gallery Exhibition Presented by LAND (League Artists Natural Design)

When: 3/1/2007- 4/16/2007
Hours: Studio- M-F 9-2 pm / Gallery- By Appointment
Opening Reception: Thursday, 3/1/2007, 6-8 pm
Where: 67 Front Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
General Info: 917-670-9322

Under the Influence creates a dialogue between the work of the neurologically diverse and artists that draw inspiration from their unique sensibilities. For the first time at LAND, lines are being blurred between these two groups. The show highlights the commonalities and introduces a new collaboration.

This exhibition brings together the gallery artists from LAND with emerging talents using a variety of media. Displayed in a salon style the work included will provide an equality of vision linked by the underlying necessity for expression.

About LAND

LAND (League Artists Natural Design) is a unique studio and gallery that provides a nurturing, creative environment to exceptional artists with disabilities.

LAND is a highly specialized art program where individuals have a five-day-a-week studio practice that provides artists with the opportunity to exchange information with artists, curators, writers, collectors, and arts organizations interested in social change and the expansion of the art world. LAND is the latest innovation of The League Treatment Center.

Land Continues a Progressive Practice
Both Creative Growth in Oakland California and Gateway Craft in Boston paved the way for newer studio programs like LAND Studio & Gallery in Brooklyn, New York to explore innovative arts programming for the Boroughs under served population.

Bede's new paintings reveal a chiken fetish

2007-02-12T19:04:00.000-08:00

I’m interested in painting the figure lately and have crossed a pensive looking bird with a "alert" adult male. These mutations speak of the "what if" possible in future genetic splicing with a Avatar / costume / fetish blend. Its true, I act out in my work, trying on a "how dare you" esthetic. With the repeating male protuberance the "package” becomes a character trait that a big nose is on some people. Future paintings will tug on the all over esthetic but at the moment I’m loving all the space and quiet, close colors...sculptures are on the way. Studio visits planned for Feb and March with some nice galleries.

You, Me and Vena Cava

2007-02-06T19:53:00.000-08:00

After last Sundays futile attempt to infiltrate the 'RUNWAY' due to a "capacity crowd" (bullshit) and Zoozoom not following the "RSVP protocol"(more bullshit, we did RSVP)I succeeded tonight with some good shots and a stress less entrance. Walking into the staging area, I was offered a brimming snifter of Bourbon and a creamy truffle treat. I accepted and tipped my head back letting the ice hit my nose then placed the empty glass down with out a second glance. This immediately caused a stir in the prostrated butlers and the headset wearing fashion monitors. Never the less I found my place on the floor and observed the ever-filling room from a priceless perspective...intermittently talking with an Italian photographer about his big lens and having a lovely bourbon chocolate reflux...f'ing luxury!

Fashion week begins@ the MAO MAG party

2007-02-03T18:43:00.000-08:00

Fashion week opened with a party for MAO MAG at Broad Street on Wed night. The place was brimming with drag infused costumery , gravity deifying hair styles and swishy standard issue fashion frocks. I snuck in back stage with the Ones and got some nice informal shots of the band hanging out and the notorious Karen Black applying the last bit of hyper gore to her disturbing persona. Back on the floor, I spotted Deborah Harry moving thru the throngs. It was a quick night out...the best for me on a school night. Do a show tomorrow morning then on Tuesday night.

see http://www.zoozoom.com/#type=story&id=426 for more of my pictures from the party

LAND in TIMEOUT NY !!!!

2007-01-17T19:03:00.000-08:00

Im thrilled that the heavies over at TIMEOUT have given a nod to LAND.
Pick up the new issue out now.We cant ask for better press before the OUTSIDER FAIR.

Savant garde

A Dumbo gallery becomes an incubator for visionary art, Brooklyn-style.

January 26–28 marks the annual Outsider Art Fair, and among the established dealers involved in the soaring market for outsider artists will be a relative newcomer: the LAND Gallery. Located at 67 Front Street in Dumbo, LAND (for League Artist Natural Design) opened a little more than a year ago as an outgrowth of the League Treatment Center, a 50-year-old organization dedicated to helping the mentally and developmentally disabled. “Neurologically diverse, that’s the more upbeat term,” says League spokesperson Margaret Bodell in describing autistic artists like Garrol Gayden and Michael Pellew—both of whom use LAND as a studio and exhibition space. “Art is their bridge to society. It’s their vision—the only real power that they have.”Judging from the jump in prices for their work, that power is definitely growing. Gayden now commands upwards of $1,500 for his renderings of Coney Island scenes. “We’ll sell everything of his at the fair,” says Bodell. “People call me all year, asking, ‘Do you have any Garrols?’” The work of Pellew, whose subjects are punk rockers and subway trains (“He’s the kind of autistic adult who knows the name of every band, the number of every car,” Bodell adds), is a relative bargain at $200 for a drawing. “His prices will go up,” she says, while quickly pointing out that money is not the object for either of these artists. “They would be doing it regardless,” she says. “It builds their self-confidence. You should see how proud they are to talk about their imagery.”—Howard Halle

Artist series goes live plus James Bidgood@CLAMP

2007-01-05T04:23:00.000-08:00

The 1st in a series called "From Process to Payoff" went live yesterday.
Plus I did a short interview at Clamp Art with James Bidgood. He is one of the most underrated photographers but his time is now .Go see this show and pick up the imperfect "Pink Narcissus"

A trip to West Cornwall

2006-12-19T15:05:00.000-08:00

Made a trip to Marg Bodells newest project this past weekend...an artist residence/haunted mansion within spitting distance of a covered bridge and a raging river. I was a bit freaked out by the ghost(s) and leaving the light on did nothing to quell its mysterious theatrics. The portion of the house I stayed in was built in 1840 and the other portion (that stands like a dusty museum) was built in 1760. Margaret’s has had a number of artists stay there this past year and at the moment an amazing painter is taking up the challenge....I will hopefully will be able to take a month for my mini residence in the near future (yeah right!)but for now I will plan my next "Process to Payoff" piece on the amazing Greta Whaller.

the art of storage @ Pierogi

2006-12-13T19:42:00.000-08:00

Coming from NADA and on the way to see Miami photo we stumbled onto the Pierogi and Ronald Feldman Fine arts exhibit. The 1960's industrial building was the perfect counter point for the hyper weird art and projects that dotted its 1800sf area. Through out sterile office spaces and glass lined cubicles we were surprised by the cavernous cinder block atriums that held treats and treasures….like the ones above. Amazing show…one of my favorites of the week.

Helium on the beach

2006-12-12T20:27:00.000-08:00

This float is 1 of 12 that were led by a 6 to 8 person team on a flawless Miami day.
Underwritten by Scion and called " SKYWALKERS" this was like the Macy's day Parade crossed with Salvador Dali/Japanese anime.

Peaches @ Miami Basil

2006-12-11T17:20:00.000-08:00

Peaches started the fair with a shocking show full of off kilter, angular beats; radical lesbian cock rock and an urgency to make you wish music were this true all the time. Part T-Rex part Kiss part ACDC...she embraced and mocked every rock and roll cliché and abandoned the stage at the end of the show and jumped in the ocean. I was riveted and peeled off a good 250 photos from the performance. Her band was a star-studded crew...including one member from the kick ass Le Tigre. I hope the same-heralded fame that accompanied The Scissor Sisters (they played last years show) will filter down to this lovely freak fest...more photos to come from the gangbang art fest in Miami.

Ken Freed sells 800 works at auction

2006-11-29T14:13:00.000-08:00

NURTURE/TORTURE

Ken with some of his collection

and 1 of them is mine.(above)
He is planning to keep some work, but alas, mine went up for sale this past weekend in NJ. I heard it sold and I will follow up at some point.
I made several trips to his 3 story jam-packed mansion in Beacon Hill to engage in lengthy tours and some very intense conversations ...often regarding Thailand’s inner conflicts and the property he owned there. His place in Pauket was spared the havoc of the Tsunami...but only barley. His building was thankfully on high ground.
He was there through out those days of escalating body counts and empty beaches.
Maybe that has something to do with this purge...get rid of those earthly possessions...no matter how lovely. I have some pictures from my visits to his place in Boston ..I'll post if I can find them. He bought a painting in 2002 and came to both of my shows. Great guy. great eye.

I miss painting like this

2006-11-26T19:20:00.000-08:00

The year 1998
The title, Jet Map
The medium, oil
Status ...sold
The subject matter...who knows.
All I remember was that it happened all at once (an hour or two) and I started in the middle of the canvas and painted my way out. The other details ...it was snowing out and seagulls floated by the studio/apt. I believe the day was Monday. Its amazing that some paintings have a story and a vivid memory imprint. I’m longing to get lost in painting again...just to create work that is a timeline of my current now...but all I’m doing is distracting from that goal and taking on other projects. Take for instance today. I wrote all day. While this is good for me and is what I wanted to do more of...I want some "get lost time" maybe this week...maybe not. Planning for Miami is coming up and the "from process to payoff” is almost done- maybe when it starts snowing again.

cheyney at Kreps, Zach at the office

2006-11-19T18:57:00.000-08:00

Cheyney's show

Tal R paintings and Zach's office

"From Process to Payoff" Its an interesting project but its alot to manage. Cheyneys opening was a mob scene. My fly on the wall scenario is harder to do when you are the guy with the huge camera...snap...snap.(some disapproving glances but mostly benign crowd )The new work is very cerebral and clean and that I find very brave. He is taking chances and not staying fixed to what sells. Not to say this work won’t…. there were collectors who flew in from Belgium just for his show. He’s all about the art chase…”Can you keep up?” He seems to say. Unfortunately I cant make heads or tales out of his art statement. Thankfully, he broke it down for me when I visited him in the studio and I have it recorded! I had a party to go to so I jetted after meeting Andrew and seeing Eileen (so sweet so prego) the connection to Cheyney and Eileen goes way back to Boston...subsequently everyone for the new series is from Boston. I visited Zach on Sat for a short visit and some informal portraits. He is the dream gallery owner...such an advocate for his artists and there goals. The Tal R show is ruff and ready…full of mad dash painting application reminiscent of art brut and the unschooled. The scale is lovely and they are all sold…..before the show opened….wham!

Ann Craven "from process to payoff"

2006-11-14T20:38:00.000-08:00

posters!

My fav wall

The smell of oil paint and linseed hung in the air like perfume. On lookers stopped in there tracks...was it the moon ?

Studio visits cont

2006-11-12T17:55:00.000-08:00

Ann Craven with some of her 400 moon paintings

Cheyney and Eileen in Cheyney's studio

Visiting an artist right before a huge show is always touchy.
Not only did Ann have to finish 30!paintings to add to her 400 that will be showing at Gasser and Grunert,she also has a show in the mid west that requires 400 paintings as well..
Dial PANIC, Good God! I’m glad I can give her good press...I'll take pictures tomorrow then this one is in the can. It will go live before Miami. or will it?
visited Cheyney and Eileen today. It went well and I got to use my new digital recorder that looks like an imposable small cell phone. They are the new Pollack Krasner due ( minus the booze and ab-fab drama)
Cheyney will have an opening this Friday so I'll be there for that and Eileen appears in the most recent Modern Painters. I will start to glue this story together this week.

Ann Craven
Monday, November 13th - Thursday, December 21st, 2006
Klemens Gasser and Tanja Grunert, Inc.
524 West 19th Street
New York, NY 10011
Tel: 212. 807 9494
Fax: 212. 807 6594

Cheyney Thompson
November 17 - January 6
Andrew Kreps
525 W 22nd Street
New York, NY 10011
phone: 212-741-8849

Ann Craven revealed

2006-11-07T19:34:00.000-08:00

Not so fast…this feature is going live in a few weeks for zoozoom but here is a sneak peak into the chaos show prep for her new show. Her studio was mammoth but still she needs more room..2 shows concurrently running , 1 in NYC and in the mid west (400 paintings for one show, 400 for the other) Will follow her at opening to give a rounded look at the process and the pay off.

How many ART FAIRS do you really need?

2006-11-01T19:31:00.000-08:00

Eileen Quinlan

Cheyney Thompson

Ann Craven

Im concerned due to the fact that I'll be covering the South Beach cluster *%@*& this December for www.zoozoom.com. Before this 4 day trim spa adventure I will be doing 4 studio visits to various rising stars in the art world. This Friday is an Ann Craven sneak peak before her show on Nov 13th at Gasser and Grunert.I just love Ann she is promising a studio full of wet oil paint and Art Forum is visiting the same day...."hey no cutting"! Then (hopefully Cheyney Thompson and Eileen Quinlan next week) Stopped by to see Zack....he agreed to a curators 10 question interview and John Conley said he would carve out time when not in the gallery scrum. Im going a bit crazy lately…trading in the old Canon 10D for a new 20D and a bitchen new 11 to 18 mm...wow WIDE indeed!See me money go POOF!