The art of Ken Price

Untitled by Ken Price
Ken Price, Steidl Publishers, Matthew Marks Gallery

W. L.A. with Billboards by Ken Price

Ken Price, Steidl Publishers, Matthew Marks Gallery

Ken Price is well known for his ceramics. Just as strong is his work on paper. Price uses strong contrasting colors often employing the use of outlines to further give the work pop. Someday I will get to California, I hope it looks like Price's work.

Steve McQueen

Parisian street art

My wife and I recently got back from a trip to Paris. Among the many things we saw was good street art.

Mmmm... gold solder

Pendant by Estela Saez

Bond Turns 50

Growing up with British parents James Bond was a fixture in our house. We had all the films, and I watched them over and over with Goldfinger as my favorite. 50 years ago Sean Connery played James Bond in the first bond film Dr. No. Here are a few pieces from my 007 collection.

40 under 40

I am glad to see so many jewelers and metalsmiths represented in the exhibition 40 under 40: Craft Futures at the Renwick Gallery, Washington D.C. Two artists work I find particularly interesting are Jeffrey Clancy and Melanie Bilenker.

Born Into This

Charles Bukowski, poet of skid row. I was first introduced to Bukowski through the film Barfly. I was fascinated by the central character, Henry Chinaski. The way he spoke and carried himself was unlike anything I had seen. Later I learned the script was based on the real life events of Charles Bukowski. The first novel I read of Bukowski's was Post Office and I became hooked. Bukowski wrote with a realness and simplicity. He got straight to the point. His writing was raw, reaching the bone, the bone marrow.  He was frank about his thoughts and ideas and never shied from the taboo. His writing centered around drinking, violence, sex and other dark topics. It was exciting. Bukowski wrote about things I have never seen let alone experienced. He stayed in flop houses, slept on park benches, gambled, drank, got in fights. But whatever subject Bukowski seemed to be writing about he did so with a sense humor. He never seemed to lose his humor in even in the darkest of times.

Herringbone tweed in time for Fall

Ring by Yutaca Minegishi
The Fat Booty Of Madness, Arnoldsche Art Publishers, Photography by Dirk Eisel

Ten Essentials

For some time now GQ.com has asked writers, actors, artists and others to create lists of ten essential items. Ten items one cannot do without. The idea of creating a list of just ten items, of simplifying our complicated lives to such a small number has intrigued me. What would I choose? Here is my list in no particular order.

1. Ray-Ban wayfarer sunglasses. They are a classic piece and can be worn with almost anything.

2. Thelonious Monk's Underground. A fantastic record, even the cover is outlandish.

3.  Dr. Bronner's almond soap. The best smelling soap I have ever used.

4. Miller High Life 16oz can. A pint of cold refreshing beer without frills.

5. From Russia With Love by Ian Fleming. I have read all the bond books and this is my favorite. 

6. The Art of Shaving Pure Badger Hair Brush. My wife got me this for my birthday and I love it. The brush actually makes shaving fun.

7. White undershirts. I actually feel more comfortable wearing them, they also help protect my outer shirt.

8.  J.crew Slub Polo. A very soft comfortable shirt.

9. Cole Haan shoes. Really well designed shoes, I have a few pairs

10. Altoids. They taste great.

The Chapman Brothers

Did you know the Chapman brothers worked for Gilbert and George?