I started this pseudo self-promo a couple of years ago, but became frustrated by the aging processor in my old Powerbook that failed to consistently sync the soundtrack with the visuals. I finally threw up my hands and walked away from it — until a few months ago when I was invited to Tulsa to give a public presentation at the Philbrook Museum of Art. Equipped with a new MacBook Pro and the latest version of Apple’s Keynote, I trashed the original and started over with all new elements. Possessed by a perfectionist mindset, I was obsessed with getting every detail correct – from typeface to transition. Since my ADHD brain craves and feeds on the rush of an impending deadline, I finished ripping the final version in my hotel room, minutes before my ride arrived to take me to the museum! I was an even better rush occurred when PAPER CUTS blasted onto a screen that was bigger than my house in jaw-dropping color, amazing clarity and backed a thumping soundtrack—a Verve remix of Sarah Vaughan’s FEVER by Max Sedgely—that shook the entire auditorium.

Even though it’s much smaller here, I hope (fingers crossed) you enjoy it:

PAPER CUTS

(NOTE: It’s best when viewed full-screen)

Several weeks ago, I received an email from a student in south Texas. Alex stated that he was writing about me for a class project and wondered if I could help him out by answering some questions. How could any artist refuse such a kind and flattering request? I wrote a short bio, sent him a slew of lo-res jpegs and a video clip. Yesterday, my inbox reaped the rewards of my effort. This is the best part about being an artist.

I know – it’s been a very long time and I’ll be playing catch-up for a while. In the meantime, here’s a little something I did for Dance Gazette – the official magazine of the Royal Academy of Dance in London. At first, they wanted to use a few existing images for free. When asked what the press deadline was and offered to make something expressly for them (sometimes you do things for the sake of it being interesting). The art director was beside himself with joy and said he could hold off for a while and that they would pay me a ‘little something’. I had it finished in under a week. The word ‘gushing’ doesn’t come close to the response I received when the file was opened on the other end!!!

After being detained by customs agents at the UPS sort facility in Louisville, KY for over 3 months, my copy of FUTURE IMAGES (©2009 24 ORE Motta Cultura srl, Milan) finally arrived. Edited by Mario Cresci the book is intended to explore at an international level the works of some of the emerging artists who use the photographic medium without adopting the generic schemata of traditional photography.  Its release nearly coincided with the opening of my exhibition at 1000 eventi gallery in Milan last month (more on this later). Artists are presented alphabetically, making it one of those times in life when having a last name that begins with the letter ‘A’ a good thing!

I’m finally making good on a promise I made back in October. That was when I received my first, genuine piece of fan mail—outside in the mailbox standing at the end of my driveway.! It came from pop-up artist and author Kyle Olman (New York) and is a mini, pop-up version of FLOORED, 2010. I told Kyle that I would showcase his gift here, but that’s as far as I got—until today. Now that this outstanding piece of paper engineering has been documented, it’s found a new home atop my Drobo—where I can see it every day. Be sure to visit his site to see his latest release, BABY SIGNS (illustrated by Jacqueline Rogers).

I completed the last of 3 new commissions this week. All are for magazines. I won’t say which ones (yet), but I will tell you that the approved, final versions are not these.

I first appeared between the pages of Harper’s in March of 2004—4 images printed 2-0ver-2 in the Reader’s section. This one-time honor (or so I thought) has grown into one of the best working relationships of my career. There isn’t a pedestal tall (or worthy) enough to hold the magazine’s Art Director and the Assistant Art Director.

(Did I mention that Stacey and Alyssa came to hear me speak at School of Visual Arts in NY last September?)

Harper’s is an artist’s dream-come-true. Plenty of lead time is given to read the copy, ponder the problem and come up with a solution (with one legitimate exception). I feel valued, am rewarded handsomely and, best of all, I’m entrusted with full creative control (to date, everything has been accepted ‘as-is’ with no revisions).

How did I get to be so lucky?

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(The January 2010 issue marks my 5th time in the magazine and features a portfolio of my work. Full scans of the actual layout will appear here in February.)

Boy. I’m glad THAT’S over!