another chapter of best friends

I spent some well deserved healthy time with a few of my closest friends this weekend. We have a long history and I can always count on them for guidance, grounding, and soul healing. There once was a time when I'd get lost in the music while also getting lost in the drink. Over time I've changed a few things and although my glass has been empty for nearly two years, my relationship with the music is as impressionable today as it was the day I first opened each album and carefully pulled it from the sleeve. With years of memoirs behind us both, I'd go as far to say that much of what I found in those packages of paper and vinyl so many years ago attributed to much of the man I've become.

The ones pictured are just a sampling of the records that my turntable greeted during the past few days. Each one is like a diary excerpt to me and the reunion is always an inviting welcome.

My weekend diary included the following pages:

• ELO, Eldorado
• Bob Segar and the Silver Bullet Band, Night Moves
• Steeley Day, Katy Lied
• Bruce Springsteen, The River
• The Pretenders, II
• Steve Miller Band, The Joker
• Elton John, Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy
• Paul McCarney and Wings, Red Rose Speedway
• Illinois Speed Press, Duet
• Rod Stewart, Never a Dull Moment
• Bachman Turner Overdrive, Four Wheel Drive
• Bad Company, Bad Company
• Greg Allman Band, Playin' Up a Storm
• …and several others.

I'm a lucky man with a mess of best friends. Play on.

a sequence finds closure on a graduate program

At the age of 50, I finally feel like I'm getting a grip on this life plan thing. Exactly two years to the week of my very first graduate class, my thesis exhibition opened at the Rawls Museum Arts in Courtland, VA. The exhibition titled insequential sequence, is a mixed media fusion of captured normalcy delivered through mixed media drawings and paintings, large format photographic sequences, and short films, all of which I created during the past year.

I know its because of my age that people ask, "Are you planning to march in the graduation ceremony?" Each time I hear it, I laugh and my reply is always similar to the comment I share when asked about my wearing silver and orange braces. "At my age, I'm really excited to be able to wear braces ...and I wanna make sure everyone sees 'em."

So, will I be marching during the December 11th playing of pomp and circumstance at VCU? Hell yeah!... and I'll be doing so sober, with straight teeth, wearing an honors cord, ...and sporting a stylish 4.0 GPA smile.

This life plan thing is just starting to get interesting. Life is good.

NINE gets 8 1/2

I've been following the press and awaiting the Christmas release of NINE. In preparation for seeing the film, I wondered if the film comparatively would stand up to or equal Chicago or Moulin Rouge? Midway through viewing the film, I realized the answer to my question would be No... however, by the end of the film, I too realized I had became too quick in judging or comparing it with either of those earlier films. NINE certainly stands on it's own merit, looking and feeling like a gritty foreign film and not just another flashy song and dance musical. NINE also tips the hat to it's long running stage version... and it does both extremely well.

The film's best song goes to Kate Hudson's performance of "Cinema Italiano". Hudson is delightful in the wonderful and playful role as Stephanie, an opinionated film critic for Vogue Magazine. Her center stage song number is truly fab and extremely well presented with lavish colorful sets paired with gorgeous black and white Italian film references. "Be Italian", Fergie's Saraghina number runs a very close second. As good as the songs are, my biggest criticism for this musical would be that the songs are less memorable those of the prior blockbusters mentioned. However, the combination of the songs and choreography, storyline, and the beautiful creative cinematography hold the film together nicely.

Daniel Day Lewis was a phenomenal choice for Guido Contini and Lewis pours himself into the character. Judy Dench was a perfect pick for Lilli, as was Penelope Cruise for the sexy and sensual Carla. Sophia Loren as Mamma, the mother and influence on the young Guido, really worked for me. Casting her in the film is certainly a tribute to her era of stardom as well as to the heyday of 50s and 60s European cinema. Well done, Mr. Marshall.

The art direction and visuals were perfect for the big screen... truly sensual, inspiring, and greatly artistic. As an artist, I was drawn to the creative direction of the film and I also saw a bit of myself as I watched Guido attempt to balance his creative genius with his day-to-day life. While Chicago and Moulin Rouge may have been better entertainment films, NINE clearly holds it's own. As an artist, I found a great message in NINE and especially in it's artistry. Past inspirations are always grounded in the artist' soul... even when reinventing himself. NINE works for me.

dear santa letter or uhhh.. font?

Dear Santa,

I know with my being a finicky artist and designer, I'm sometimes REALLY difficult to please... so finding that perfect gift is always a task. Please, pleeeease do not fill my stocking with horrible fonts. I'd much rather have coal instead. At least I can draw with that.

I think this pretty much says it... all. Size XL.
Thanks Santa ...I hope you enjoy the freshly baked nachos and cold cervezas I left for you... limes are in the frig.

love, me...

painting with words

For as long as I can recall, music has always been one of the most inspiring forces in my life. The lyrics to my favorite songs paint an inevitable image of hope, remembrance, and inspiring emotion on my soul. Many of those lyrics have layered their spirit into my paintings. If ever there were a film capturing my private time in my art studio, the footage would certainly capture the emotion that three and a half minutes of words supported by a few guitar chords and rhythm uniquely have on my work.

I tip my hat to the songwriters who are poets and the poets who sing the songs.

Shown above: "Three Sisters", mixed media on paper, © 2009 Gary Garbett.

finding focus on a thesis

Reflecting Betty © 2009 Gary Garbett

Finalizing yet another semester in my graduate program, I'm finding myself turning a corner as I prepare for my final push in the fine art Master's degree program at VCU. My creative direction and focus continues to become more refined in preparation for setting the stage for my thesis exhibit in 2010.

 


A visual meld and marriage of painting, video, and photography will become the canvas in my mixed media pop infused collection of the figure.

classic film and poetic genius

the crazy ones ....reality delivered in 60 seconds.

fine art books displayed in richmond

bookart@artspace 
Richmond artist Michael Pierce and VCU instructor and artist Ginna Cullen curated this exhibit that presents a broad array of bookart works, both one-of-a-kind and editioned.  The work will be exhibited on pedestals in the gallery and selected images of the work will be displayed on-line and in a printed catalog.  In addition, the public can spend some time in a "Reading Room" at the gallery created by Douglas D'Urso; there you can sit and handle some of these bookart works (when artists have granted such permission) and experience them in time and space.

Invitational Bookart Exhibition

September 25 - November 1, 2009  
Fourth Friday Reception: 7:00 - 10:00 PM, Friday, September 25, 2009
Opening Artists' Reception: 7:00 - 10:00 PM, Friday, October 2, 2009
Fourth Friday Reception: 7:00 - 10:00 PM, Friday, October 23, 2009
Closing Curator / Artist Talk: 4:00 PM, Sunday, November 1, 2009

fine art, fine life at 50

©2011 gary garbett.com

There's always such negativity related to the idea of turning... the big 5-0. Some of my greatest heroes, icons, and mentors have done it and they're still creating art, reinventing themselves, and touching lives. How about this list of AARP members? Madonna, Prince, Bruce Springsteen, Batman, David Bowie, Sting, Tina Turner, Kim Basinger, Denzel Washington, Michelle Pfeiffer, Barbie, and my lovely wife to name a few.

Last month Mini Cooper even celebrated it's 50th and next month it's my turn. I think I just may celebrate it with a few of my friends from the list above. Life just keeps getting better and better. ...live it!

fine art of stick figures

..stick figures meet chuck close.

pop art, pop life, pop culture ...pop this!

 

Pop Culture has always been a driving force throughout my creative process. This short film was completed about 2 weeks following the United States Presidential Election in November of 2008.

he said. she said. no!, ....she really did say it.

It's quite amazing how perceptions can sometimes become shifted.

"Woman" is a short film that I produced for a graduate fine art class. My basic concept behind the film was to combine a pop fused collection of visuals, music, and words to celebrate women... including public quotes about women from one of the most iconic females of the past century.... Marilyn Monroe.

After premiering the 3:19 film during my critique, silence filled the room followed by outrage and missed perceptions. It was quickly stated that, as a man, it was not my place to produce a film celebrating women. Seems that in my attempt to create a pop vision, I'd unleashed a rage of emotion complete with literal face to face confrontations.

I still stand behind my initial concept and for me... it still represents a celebration. Thank God I listed Ms. Monroe as the originator of the film's text in the final credits. Without them, I may have been reduced to ashes following the witch burning.