Makin' Bacon (or, How Bacon is Made)

Save Chicago Public Libraries from ZOMBIES!!!

Ok, maybe not Zombies, but from the budget cutting life-suckers (ok, they're Zombies).
They're in trouble due to a new budget proposal calling for an elimination of 32% of staff (money the Zombies will use to fund the eating of more human brains, made feeble by lack of reading), which would DECIMATE all library services. Even if you're not a library user, you can be a library supporter and help people young and old who depend on the library for basic services. What can you do to help? Well you can sign the petition (you don't have to be from Chicago) at savechicagolibraries.com. They need 10,000 signatures and only have just over 4000. After that you can call or email your Alderman and let them know you support FULLY FUNDING THE LIBRARY.

Petition:
Savechicagolibraries.com

Find your Alderman:
http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/other/provdrs/clerk/svcs/find_your_ward_andalderman.html

Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/savechipublib

 Thanks!

A Brief History of Eden

I like it Everyday!

A safe way to turn a bad day into a friggin' awesome day!

Tillandsia

Amazing Air Plants.
I am obsessed with these little guys.  I have at least ten now.
They are like Pokemon!
From Komoda, on Chicago & Washtenaw
Great store, great owner, great plants.
Go buy stuff NOW (but not on Monday's, they're closed)!!!

GIF It Up

One of many excerpts yet to come from our mother's 50th birthday gift.

Hustle up some Bruschotti and a Pumpkin Brew

Longmont Potion Castle.

You Got A No-No Goin'

Thanks to Tony Balko for showing me this one.

More String

Chuck Shotwell, Very Well.

-Catalogs, 2011


Chuck's work exists in realms both macro, and micro.  One look at the breadth of work on his website alone attests to as much.  Much of his commercial work exists in the very macro world of product photography.  His commercial work is sharp and creative, not lacking soul.  His personal work alludes to one with far more depth and meticulosity though.  He pursues his personal work in a much more conceptual and consuming way than most that I have seen.  Chuck offers much more than vacuous gestures and shows a genuine acumen in idea as well as vision.

Check out his work at shotwellphotography.com

ACRE

I was accepted to participate in Acre's Summer 2011 Residency!
I'm pretty excited to get to leave the city for "artcation" as I'm referring to it.
Go to their kickstarter.com page and donate some money so all of us starving artists can eat while we are there.
Donate 5 bones and get a free cookbook!  Apparently this cookbook was made because residents kept bugging them for the awesome recipes.
Verify that you've donated (at any level) and send me an email, and I'll put you on my mailing list and send you a signed print of my own!  Probably not going to be worth as much as an original Velvet Underground Acetate, but you never know...


bcpegram@gmail.com

Thomas Roma IS the Honey Badger

At least that's what he offered up last Friday as the video version of his life's story.
After 10 minutes in his presence, I couldn't agree more.
He has more than 10 books under his belt and hopes to bang out another 5 or 6 before his dirt nap.
Tom had my unblinking attention for the entire part of a near three-hour talk.  I doubt I have laughed as hard and learned as much in any three hours of my entire life.
Here are some quotes (out of context unfortunately for you) that I jotted down in between laughter-induced asthma attacks:

"You have to sensitize yourself to issues...so they can be photographed."
"Grief & Spite; Romeo and Juliet."
"Nobody wants irony with love, do they?"
"I was completely consumed with not being dead."
"Make work that can be criticized.  If you don't experience anxiety then you're not doing it right."
"Everything I say is the truth or better."
"Fear is neurosis, and terror psychosis to me...and that's boring."
"Do something self-destructive.  Destroy the self that's holding you back."
"All knowledge is attained by letting go."


There's much more to the guy than that though, certainly.  But don't take my word for it, watch his video and help him out because even honey badgers need people to raise their youtube numbers.

Thanks Tom!

Milky Ways - Intergalactic Musings

Famous Crimes of the Early 20th Century

See more here: 
Photos from Justice & Police Museum collection

Rahm Emanuel & The Arts - Arts Alliance Illinois

Mayor-elect Emanuel has been a supporter of the arts and arts education in his personal and professional life. He has signed onto the Principles for a 21st Century Creative Chicago. In Time Out Chicago and the Chicago Tribune, he has reinforced the role of our museums, theatres, music venues, and dance companies in making Chicago a world-class city. And his campaign has met with the Arts Power Chicago coalition to discuss arts and arts education policies.

Urge Rahm Emanuel to include arts leaders on his transition team and establish a meaningful arts policy agenda before taking office on May 16.

To take action, go to www.capwiz.com/artsusa/il/go/rahm-arts. We've already drafted a sample message for you, so all you need to do is enter your name and contact information and hit send. It only takes a minute.


Thanks for all that you do,

Ra Joy
Executive Director
Arts Alliance Illinois
joy@artsalliance.org
Twitter: @ra_joy

Biggest Fan - Work in Progress

Fight For Your Right to Arty!

We are on our way to getting 10,000 advocates to speak out before the next mayor takes office, but we need your continued support.

Help us spread the word! Please post to Facebook and Twitter:

Chicago will elect a new mayor for the first time in 22 years. Tell the candidates the arts matter - www.artspowerchicago.com/sign-petition.

Since we launched this campaign, thousands have told the candidates for mayor that our museums, theatres, orchestras, and dance companies power Chicago. All candidates have signed onto a set of principles recognizing the role of the arts industry in making Chicago a world-class city. And we have met with the Gery Chico, Miguel del Valle, Rahm Emanuel, and Carol Moseley Braun campaigns to talk about arts and arts education policies.

If the polls are accurate, Chicago may choose its next mayor on February 22 without the need for a run-off on April 5. We need your help to take full advantage of this week -- especially if there is not a run-off.

Help us make sure the voice of the arts and arts education is heard loud and clear before February 22. Post www.artspowerchicago.com/sign-petition to Facebook and Twitter.

For more ways to support the campaign, contact Scarlett Swerdlow at Arts Alliance Illinois at swerdlow@artsalliance.org or 312.855.3105 x13.

Thank you,

Ra Joy
Executive Director
Arts Alliance Illinois
joy@artsalliance.org
Twitter: @ra_joy

ART/WORK by Heather Darcy Bhandari & Jonathan Melber - The title says it all.

"The most comprehensive guide of its kind, Art/Work gives artists of every level the tools they need to make it in an art world so competitive one dealer likens it to "The Sopranos, except nobody gets killed." Whether you're an art school grad looking for a gallery, a mid-career artist managing a busy studio, or someone just thinking about becoming a professional artist, this indispensable resource will help you build your career and protect yourself along the way."
 

Heather Darcy Bhandari is a curator and artist advisor.
Jonathan Melber is, (or at least was) a practicing arts/ent. lawyer, and contributes periodically to The Huffington Post.
Both work in New York.

Take a "virtual tour" of this book (I refer to this as "reading" no matter where it takes place).

More on the book at Simon and Schuster's author page.
Retail - $16.95
Amazon - $10-11 new or used

enjoy.