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"Her green plastic watering can

For her fake Chinese rubber plant

In the fake plastic earth"

 

These are the first lines of the song "Fake Plastic Trees" by Radiohead. The song goes on to talk about fake societal ideals, fake people, fake relationships, etc. And in the chorus is the sentiment: "It wears her (him/me) out."

 

Yes, we do live in a world where much is fake. We live in a world where much seems to be molded polystyrene - even people (to borrow another thought from the song).

 

But, it's refreshing to know that not everything is fake or plastic or from a mold. Much in this world is real and genuine and unique. Original art is one of those things.

 

I enjoy the real and the genuine. I love family. I love nature and I love art.

 

In a world where so much of what we consume is disposable and mass produced, there is a greater and greater need for things that last. There's a need for things that have real value. Objects that aren't mass produced, but rather are crafted with care. Things of beauty. Things of art.

 

Look around many people's homes. Many have mass produced disposable prints that speak nothing more than "I match the couch." Some have original and unique works of art that speak to them on deeper levels. Some hang prints that will fade and need to be replaced when they buy a new couch or paint the walls.

 

What about you? Do you have works of beauty, created by passionate hands, that has a palpable spirit which enriches your home?

 

Don't get me wrong. Not all prints are bad and not all original art is good. But, I'm speaking of the broader philosophy.

 

You are reading this because you do seek out things of beauty. You do seek out things that have deeper meaning. You enrich your life with things that speak to you.

 

It doesn't matter if you have just arrived at this point or if you have been here your entire life. It doesn't matter if you own hundreds of original works of art or if you are saving up to buy your first piece. The point is you are here because you know the value that art brings (or can bring) to your life.

 

Whether it is handmade jewelry, a hand-turned wooden vase, a quilt, handcrafted furniture, or an original painting (mine of course!) - when something speaks to you, you know it. You feel it. Those are the works you should bring into your home. They can add meaning to your life.

 

They won't replace real and genuine relationships. But, they will replace the fake plastic trees. They will enrich your life.

 

Best Wishes,

Keith Bond

 

 

Sometimes a work of art hits you over the head (not necessarily literally). The reasons could be many. But it effects you deeply. Often in surprising ways.

This happened to me a week and a half ago.

It was at an art show in Santa Clara, Utah (near St. George). I was looking around, admiring the great art at the show when I was stopped in my tracks. What I saw caught me off guard: 2 lifesized painted mugshots by McGarren Flack.

They were brilliantly painted. And the frames were even carved to show the inmates height.

 

Mug Shot 140628, by McGarren Flack, oil on linen.

 © 2011 McGarren Flack. Used by permission.

 

The paintings were fascinating on several levels.

First, his technical skill is superb. The richness of color was a feast for the eyes. His talent for painting the figure is unarguable. And the surface quality of the paint was delightful. The paintings were amazing (I wish the images did them justice).

But, on top of that, he was able to capture the essence of his models. The mugshots were not simply a likeness. They told a story - even without the placard. Yet the placards added a bit of whimsy to the works.

 

Mug Shot 094731, by McGarren Flack, oil on linen.

© 2011 McGarren Flack. Used by permission.

 

Although McGarren only had 2 paintings from the series at this show, there are a total of 24 mugshots. The concept is that everyone is "guilty" of something. For some it's visible, for others, not so much. He took that idea and created a line-up of individuals with petty or insignificant "faults". Yet, we often "convict" each other of these petty traits.

McGarren created booking sheets to accompany the paintings.

In a solo exhibit of the works, he merged traditional painting with installation art. The 24 paintings were hung around the gallery at actual height, creating a line-up of the 24 inmates. I wish I could have see that complete exhibit.

 

Mugshot 202999, by McGarren Flack, oil on linen.

© 2011 McGarren Flack. Used by permission.

 

He is working on securing other venues to exhibit the show in its entirety. This is one artist worth collecting, and this series in particular. To view all 24 mugshots, click here.