Ghost Train RadioOrganized Chaos
Posted on March 11, 2021
I’m learning that there is a fine line between noisy gibberish and Organized Chaos. I’ve been trying to extend past the “normal” 3 minute pop tune song structure or soundscape – but I tell ya – its a real challenge.
Every now and then I seem to stumble on something that works. This tune is “OK” – but it was an eye opener – in that I can point out what worked and what doesn’t. Since each of my songs is a test, only a test, my sound experiments – like my art experiments are enjoyable more from what I learn than what the end product is.
That’s what keeps my interest.
Schadenfreude
Posted on March 9, 2021
Just for laughs, I purchased the mobile app called Stop Motion Studio – mainly because I can start experimenting with stop motion nd practice with my silly phone – before I try it “seriously”. Also – the phone is easy to try a thumbnail sketch and then when I have something that looks interesting – I can set up the serious camera and lighting gear and then spend the hours I will need to to get it right.
This song is called Schadenfreude – its not something I usually am into – but I have been enjoying the aftermath of January 6th – and I sure hope Karmaic Justice is served on an ice cold dish.
OK – I now can start thinking about stop motion and do some research – its obvious I put zero effort into this puppet guy – I just used a bunch of photos and strung them together – but it does serve a purpose – to get my mind thinking and asking “So what exactly is this Stop Motion, and what are the best starter hints and tips?”.
Basement Puppet Theatre
Posted on March 8, 2021
No music today – it’s been a huge weekend wrapping up getting my basement art studio / puppet theatre set up. Its been weeks in progress, actually, but I’ve completed the really “heavy lifting” work – like laying down subflooring and flooring, building work benches and sanding and staining the puppet theatre – which now just needs a little last paint and stain touch up here and there.
I have my first art work that will be reviewed by the puppets – in that frame. Its the finished “Combine” that I started a few weeks ago – now committed to the 8 x 10 wooden panel.
These photos are not that great – just quick shots with my camera while I was cleaning up – I’ll do everything better justice soon. I’ve got a lot going on right now – and its all fun. I’m maybe a week away from starting to do stop motion videos of creepy puppets and scoring music to go along with the images.
OK – I hope to be able to start filming maybe even starting next weekend. Fingers crossed . . .
Workbench
Posted on March 6, 2021
I’ve had many work benches in my life – from electronic ham radio and maker to photographic dark rooms to art / painting, music and wood working work benches. I’ve even had virtual software work benches.
The key to all this is that I’ve lived my life making and building, not tearing down or whining. When the going gets tough, the tough starts making.
I wrote lyrics, but these days I’m not even into the spoken word – let alone singing. I just love trying to improve as a musician and song writer.
Thank you friend
You’ve been with me all my days
You’ll be there in the end
We’ve sailed the 7 seas
Inventing and making things
Our journey’s revealed
Life is for the making
Trying this and that
Nothing is forsaken
Chorus
Life is for the making
Not just for the taking
Nothing is forsaken
No time for wasting
If The Shoe Fits
Posted on March 4, 2021
I wanted to try writing a song in G Minor. I’m finding that writing with the piano / keyboards is the fastest way to best understand music theory – because the keys are laid out so linearly / logically.
I’m also starting to enjoy playing piano more than any other instrument – it’s fun to add other instruments as accompaniment – like the Lap Steel, Violin and Bass that I added – after I wrote the first synth line – that plays throughout the song.
How to Catch a Prehistoric Sea Creature
Posted on March 1, 2021
No music today – just that interesting “creature”, plus a “Combine”:
Just a few ideas on a Sunday – I spent the day getting my art studio under the house back in order. I used to use it to build Assemblages – mostly between 2007 – 2013 or so – all of them featured here:
I guess I’m doing a modified version of that work – this time I’m constraining myself to 8 x 10 panels with the emphasis on Creepy Puppets who will review my “Combines” – which are a lot like Max Ernst and Kurt Schwitters work where they were half Assemblage and half “painting”. Robert Rauschenberg coined the phrase “Combines” – which I really like – that name seems to nail it.
OK – have a great week. Soon we will get the vaccine – and we can get some “normal” back in our lives. Honestly – I’ve really loved things NOT being “normal” (except that idiotic political nonsense foisted on us by whacko GOP and other nut cases).
About the only thing I have missed is weight lifting at the gym.
erste Kunst für Kabarett 391
Posted on February 27, 2021
I hope to soon try my hand at stop animation – with the puppets – and then scoring music to their jittery and quirky dances. Once I get good at it – I’ve made these panels that fit into the frame at the top of the puppet theatre – and I will have the puppets rate and review the artwork.
Stay tuned!
Frucht Einer Langen Erfahren
Posted on February 24, 2021
I’ve long been a fan of the Dada and Surrealist art movements – but especially Dada – where it was simple and “fresh”. While there was a manifesto – most artists were trying new things and were influenced by the Post WWI political world and rapid changes in technology. The Dada movement seemed to have a more viceral reaction – and was quite raw in a way. The Surrealists took that simple form and expanded on it – and pretty much all modern art stemmed from Dada in some way.
I’d even argue that the Beat literary scene and its denizens were affected by Dada and Surrealism.
This work by Max Ernst is my favorite construction – where its somewhere between a painting and an assemblage. Kurt Schwitters is also a big favorite. I’ve studied Ready Mades and Assemblage by Man Ray and Joseph Cornell and works by Duchamp and Picbia – but these days I’m enjoying this style.
The color schema on this piece is just fantastic. I love it.
Puppettheatre des Absurden Test Shoot
Posted on February 22, 2021
And here is a bonus character – “Buckaroo”:
Puppettheatre des Absurden
Posted on February 21, 2021
Kabarette 391 Presents Puppentheatre des Absurden . . . its 1918 Zurich all over again . . .
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