I Can't Be Tamed sounds like Britney Spears?

The new Miley Cyrus song I Can't Be Tamed has been released to the public, and what does the public have to say about it?It sounds like Britney Spears.People all over twitter and facebook have been talking all day about how Miley's new song sounds like Britney.It's certainly a lot different from the Miley we've heard before, but I don't know if we should take too much out of this. It's only one

Can't Be Tamed Lyrics

Miley Cyrus - Can't Be Tamed Lyrics:For those who don’t know me I can get a bit crazyHave to get my way yep 24 hours a dayCause I’m hot like thatEvery guy everywhere just gives me mad attentionLike I’m under inspection I always gets a 10Cause I’m built like thatI go through guys like money flyin out the handsThey try to change me but they realize they can’tAnd every tomorrow is a day I never

I'm Not Dead!

Hello Chickadees!*
I'm not dead! (Yet.) Just in the throes of finals and moving! Here's a peek at what sort of questionable activities have been shakin' at HerSpeak:

Dreamboard:

I know I'm late--shame on me. For this Moon cycle I'm wishing for Levity: some lightness, some whimsy, some relief and some moon-wing shoes to put some bounce in my step.
I can't wait to peruse all of your moon creations!

MoVing:

I've spent the last two weeks doing a major purge of the apartment. Time to let go of garbage and Baggage. Here's Mr. Milo helping me hold down the clutter fort while I sort.

I had a giant Give-Away last weekend--super fun! All of my friends and neighbors came by to look for treasures and cleared me out of StUfF I didn't need any longer. We had a killer turn out--they were like vultures. One big happy apartment clutter puke. :D

Making Stuff:

Here are a few in-progress pieces I've been working on in the last few weeks:

A self portrait was inspired by Mayan priestess pottery paintings...

Still a LOT of work left to go on this piece. The face needs to be finished and then one big juicy blue glaze over the top to push and flatten the whole image.

I just finished this piece--and while the paint was still wet my professor hung it in the display case before I got to document it. So, you can see my reflection while I try to catch a shotty photo through the glass like a cat burglar...

I just started laying paint down for this 'Creatrix' piece on Wednesday. I'm working larger these days and looking at a lot of Mayan ritual imagery for inspiration. The headdresses and body modification are amazing! I'm letting it spill over into my art journaling as well...

So tomorrow is the big day! We're packin' this party up and moving downtown.
Gypsy caravan...yehaw!

Until Next Time--
Merry Belated Full Moon and Many Blissings!

Everglades~!

I am putting the Italian Series on hold... and heading off to the Everglades National Park. I have the Artist-in-Residency to experience!

It's fun, scary, and an adventure. I've never done anything like this before-- so don't know what to expect.

But I am GAME!

My quarters in the Park are right down the road from the ALLIGATOR FARM! woo hoo! I see many good paintings ahead!

I am armed with my camera, watercolors, bike, snorkel and mask. I hope to walk, hike, swim, snorkel, canoe, boat, air boat, and drive my way through the Glades for the better part of the month in hopes of getting enough information to do a compelling visual exploration of the fragile oasis known as the Everglades!


Please come back here to see and read all that I discover.

There won't be any internet in the Park -- but I will find connection every few days when I go to Homestead.


Enjoy!

Italy 87

acrylic

10" h x10" w

2010

Restoration Hardware: findings

I love all of these things from Restoration Hardware. The mirrors are gorgeous. The vintage French-inspired round chairs would be perfect in my ideal dining room. The metal letters are very cool. And I'm absolutely in love with the Jameson bed. Maybe someday... A girl can dream, right?

MONETIZE

Monetize Gouache on paper 30 x 42 cm 2010

I have two core focuses in my painting practice. One is my exploration of the potency of archetypal symbols [particularly the transcultural/religious tree-of-life] looking at how they may 'speak' to us in the 21st Century. My second focus is water and the commodification of something which makes up around 60% of our bodies, falls from the sky, fills rivers, dams, seas and underground aquifers, and ultimately sustains us and our planet. Yet, whilst these two focus areas seem distinctly different, they are not. Water is itself a powerful age-old symbol. Indeed it is one of the four elements Earth, Fire, Wind and Water which have been ascribed sacred and mystical symbolism over centuries. Water is also a symbol of the subconscious through its various symbolism to interpret dreams eg: the state, whether still, turbulent, flowing etc, of a large mass of water represents our emotions.

Stripped of all symbolism, water and the tree, are and have been, universally and literally understood and experienced. Contemporary environmental concerns highlight the fact that we cannot take them for granted. Water sustains us and the planet, and trees provide a plethora a life preserving and giving elements from the oxygen we breath, to shade, to timber for shelters, to homes for a myriad of animals and other plants...and so on. Both, water and trees, are LIFE. No wonder their symbolism propels their potency beyond the literal. If you think about it, we are largely water, and our body is like a tree with our lymph and vascular systems almost mimicking the tree's essence at an internal level.

Regular readers know of my intense interest in exploring the transcultural/religious tree-of-life and its potential to bring people together. The tree-of-life resonates at a core human level, as if it agitates human race memories within our DNA... that large part of DNA we don't yet understand. It is, as if, it reminds us that we are all fundamentally the same...we all have the signs of life ie: a pulse and breath.  I am interested in searching for ways to visually interpret the power of the tree-of-life to 'say' something to us and about us in the 21st century that will inspire shared conversations looking at what is similar between us, as well as what is different, across cultures and religions.

With the issue of water I am interested in possibly being a little more of an agitator. Regular readers know that my childhood growing up on a wheat farm on the Darling Downs in Queensland and then living further west for 18 years, have provided me with insights into agricultural water use. The commodification of water into something which is bought, sold, allocated, harvested, irrigated, litigated about and so on is both fascinating and a little scarey. Once something becomes financially valuable the potential for the divide between the 'haves' and 'have nots' widens. The comodification of water has developed at the same time drought and subsequent water shortages have become more prevalent. Once something becomes scarce or seems as if it will not be replenished regularly, authorities need to put in place infrastructures, regulations and laws to ensure the commodity is not overused, wasted and so on.

Regular readers know I have been developing a series of works on paper which are about my thoughts on water. I have previously written various past posts about this water series. Here's a link to a recent post where I have listed other water links. http://kathrynbrimblecombeart.blogspot.com/2010/04/tendering.html

'MONETIZE'
The painting above 'Monetize' is an ambigous 'landscape' made up of small $ signs to signify the commodification of water, plus the value of the products and produce which ensue from water's sustenance. The $ 'value' has seeminlgy penetrated everywhere from the air, to the land and to the underground. Does $ 'value' [ie: economic drivers] ensure, for instance, the equitible supply of food, fare recompense to farmers, full disclosure to investors and so on?? Water can flow. How does the wealth from water's commodification flow?

At a deeper level, does commodification and the resultant $ 'value' of water which we are 60% made of, change how we might approach or embrace its symbolic reverence and relevance. By adding 'value' what other kind of value is in jeopardy? The GFC makes one think about the substance of $ value and the ability for this substance to be, in many cases, like vapour!

PRESENCE- Small EXHIBITION

In Maleny opening Thursday 20 May 6-8 pm. The exhibition PRESENCE will continue until Tuesday June 13. @ the hippest place in town 'The UPFRONT CLUB'. This small exhibition is a collection of my paintings from the last couple of years that 'speak' about presence. Maleny is a great place and it is where my parents retired over 20 years ago...so it is a bit like going 'home'. http://www.upfrontclub.org/

I Can't Be Tamed - Single Cover

Cover for the new Miley Cyrus single "I Can't Be Tamed". Miley is in a birdcage with high heels.Credit: DD365 Media TwitPic.

HEALTH Likes Miley Cyrus

Los Angeles band HEALTH are fans of Miley and Party In The USA. In an interview with Scottish music blog The Daily Dose, they had this to say:Finally, if you were threatened with death and the only way out of it was to duet with either the Jonas Brothers or Miley Cyrus, who would you pick?None of us are huge fans of the Jonas Brothers - their whole promise ring thing is a hunk of s**t. We all

ANZAC Day

Nana Thomas would tell me stories about her first husband Bert Sergent and how he died for his country. He was in the Special Z force in the AIF. It was called Operation Rimau. He was killed by the Japanese in July, 1945. He was 26. Nana passed away just over two weeks ago. She was 89.

Grandad was in the Army. For 5 years he served our country. He was a head mechanic. He would fix the army

The Crab Dance

In this new video, Miley Cyrus along with Iyaz and Varsity Fanclub teach the "Crab Dance".In other news, Miley now has a new YouTube channel. It can be found at http://www.youtube.com/MCFORREALZZZ. She hasn't posted any new videos yet though.

Final Versions

Here are the final versions of the last two paintings from Italy that I completed this week.

They are fine and ready to go. I like them ... although I struggled a bit too much on the umbrella.

The street scene came rather effortlessly... but that's a rarity in the studio.

Enjoy!

Italy 50, 51
acrylic
10" h x 10" w
2010

Italy

I slammed out another painting yesterday-- to get one more done before I leave for FLORIDA and the EVERGLADES later this week.

It's NOT done -- but the composition and passageway are developing nicely.


The smaller paintings below make a nice wall -- and I will leave them in the studio window for view this next month.

Italy 50
acrylic
10" h x 10" w
2010
unfinished

Miley Cyrus - Emily Osment - Twitter Picture

Miley Cyrus and Emily Osment were goofing around today on the set of Hannah Montana. Emily posted this picture on her Twitter:oh yeah, she be reppin mah hisptah glasses........were not in the middle of a scene or anything....... Source: Emily Osment TwitPic.

Episode 2: Love blooms in Asheville, North Carolina

One of many fine 1920s buildings in downtown Asheville;

note the green tile roof.

Last time on Love Blooms in Asheville we eavesdropped on the love-struck gardeners, George and Alice, who had just met and were discovering all they had in common. Let's catch up on their conversation that afternoon in a downtown Asheville bistro:

And George, I grow a lot of shade plants--

I do too, Alice!

Especially rhododendrons.

Native rhododendrons?

Oh, all kinds. You know George, there are so many pretty hybrids and I--

This won't work Alice.

What?! What do you mean?

I can't possibly have a relationship with someone who grows non-native plants.

George rises abruptly, knocking over his glass of organic red wine.

Alice gasps as the wine splashes on her white Patagonia Synchilla fleece vest.

Oh no!

Alice, what have I done?

Never mind George. Just go.

Alice, are you crying?

Well George, you didn't let me finish my sentence. I was about to tell you--the rhododendron hybrids were already in the garden when I bought the house. But that probably doesn't matter to you. You probably think I should have dug them all up. Now please, leave me alone.

George sits down.

Alice, I'm sorry. I was just so surprised. It seemed like we were on the same wavelength in every way, and then, when you said you grew hybrids--well, it made me wonder if I really knew you.

But George, we've only been talking for an hour. You said you thought I was your soul mate but you don't know me yet. You probably don't even know that you ruined my vest.

Alice, give me a little credit. I understand about red wine stains. And I even know your vest is made from recycled plastic bottles. It's one of the things that drew me to you.

Really?

Yes. I thought, "There's a woman who cares about the environment." Won't you give me another chance Alice? At least let me buy you a new vest?

Oh, you don't have to do that.

Well, could I buy you a plant then?

Oh George, you're sweet. You know, I actually do need some organic vegetable starts for the sunny spot in my garden. You could get me some of those?

Sounds good. Let me take you to my favorite nursery.

They stand and walk to the door.

This will be fun, George. I wonder if we have the same favorite nursery? I'm really looking forward to growing my own vegetables in the front yard this year.

Vegetables in the FRONT yard, Alice?

They stop and stare at each other. Alice sighs.

George, haven't you heard of edible landscaping?

Well, no.

Did your mother tell you it was tacky to grow vegetables in the front yard?

Well, yes.

Alice heads out the door.

Come on, George. Before your nursery, let's go around the corner to Malaprop's. I want to show you some books by Rosalind Creasy....

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I love the postman!

How exciting is it to get something in the mail? Especially when it is not a bill???

I found this double boiler on rubylane.com and it is so exciting to add something to our kitchen equipment that has a story to it.

I really want to show you how awesome this is!!!


Gorgeous isn't it???

Miley Cyrus with Demi Lovato - April 25, 2010

Miley Cyrus hung out with Demi Lovato on Sunday afternoon.Credit: Miss-Miley-Online.

Can't Be Tamed Release Date - June 22, 2010

Miley's new album Can't Be Tamed will be released on June 22, 2010 in the USA.The song Can't Be Tamed will be the first single and will premiere Friday, April 30th on MySpace at noon ET and will hit radio May 3rd. It will be available on iTunes May 18th. The new album will be available as a standalone CD, as well as a combo CD/DVD concert release. The DVD contains a full length,

Delivery of Artwork

Today I delivered a large watercolor -- Marriage-- to a favorite client. She had also purchased two portraits of her kids last summer which were installed.

I was thrilled to see the portraits -- and captured them here.

The painting of Marriage will hang in her stairwell.

Thank you Holly!


Marriage
watercolor
35" h x 45" w
2009

Two Portraits
watercolor
28" h x 36" w
2009

JULES HAMILTON

Jules Hamilton

Hair: light brown

Eyes: blue/green

Height: 183cm/6'0"

Chest: 95cm/37.5"

Waist: 74cm/29"

IDEA SKETCHES

                                                       

                                                    

                                                                            Becoming oil on linen 100 x 60 cm 2010

A multitude of ideas are going through my head at the moment. I am reading four books. Each one is providing inspiration. Regular readers of my BLOG know that books do spark off visual images for me. The last book I wrote about was Dr. Norman Doidge's 'The Brain That Changes Itself'. I have read it twice. Here's a link to the post I wrote about the painting above Becoming which was inspired by Norman Doidge's book. http://kathrynbrimblecombeart.blogspot.com/2010/02/becoming.html  
 

Below is an example of the type of sketches I do when I am reading, or when I am sitting on the ferry with time to contemplate everything from the books I am reading to things I hear...and so on. The sketches below are in a small art diary I keep in my handbag. These particular images are a result of my contemplations about 'The Brain That Changes Itself'. Regular readers of my BLOG will notice the tree...tree-of-life. This archetypal motif is one of my visual guides as it seems to link everything in a systemic way as well as with some kind of resonating consciousness or 'knowing'.

                                       

At the moment, one of the books I am reading is 'Our Final Century' by Martin Rees, British Astronomer Royal, Lord Rees of Ludlow and Master of Trinity College Cambridge*. I read an article about him in the Australian Financial Review [Friday 23 April] by Paul Broks and was fascinated enough to go looking for his books. I found 'Our Final Century' at Borders on Friday afternoon and have been engrossed ever since.

Regular readers of my BLOG, who know that I explore the positive potency of humankind, might be surprised that I would be attracted to a book which 'paints' a multitude of potential apocalyptic events for the future, with a suggestion that humankind and/or the planet might not survive the 21st century. Despite the apocalyptic nature of the potential scenarios there is always hope and as Rees comments, the most amazing developments are not normally predicted or predictable.

The history of science fascinates me. This fascination started as an 8-10 year old when I devoured biographies of famous scientists. It was propelled by Prof. Mac Hamilton in 1980 when I took a year long subject at the University of Queensland, called 'The History Of Science'. This subject was a history of the philosophy of science and was the most interesting and stimulating subject I studied. I also grew up surrounded by technology, because my Father is a HAM radio man and we had every gadget possible...Dad often making them eg: our first tv in the early 6os [before any of our neighbours!].

As I have written before, I am very interested in the process of consiously eliding, in my paintings, that which I believe has a neutering influence on our psyche. Images of dystopian gloom petrify me and petrification is of no use to anyone, because it means you're stuck and impotent. Plus, there are enough images of distaster and dystopian gloom in the mass media, in film etc! By consciously eliding the negative it is always present 'in absentia', thus hovering as a reminder, but not stupifying or petrifying us into neutered vessels. The conscious elision also discounts any accusations of rose tinted naivity and blind ignorance.

The agency [not role, as it is too prescriptive] of art is to remind us of potential, one way or another, and I have chosen to focus on exploring ways to connect people by collasping the distance of difference to find and embrace similarities. If people are connected the potential for brewing disaster via deranged fundamentalist/terrorist groups or a 'single aberrant personality' [Rees] are diminished. Rees suggests this in his book [chapter 6]. Art's catalytic agency to stimulate conversation within oneself or with others is manifestly important.

The next three images are more 'idea' sketches. The first two are a  result of  flashes and contemplations stimulated by Martin Rees's book. The last image has three quick sketches which were inspired by another book I am reading at the moment. This book is an interesting balance to 'Our Final Century' ...and it is 'Prayer Works' by Rosemary Ellen Guiley. These sketches will influence and inform future paintings. As readers can see, the transcultural/relgious tree-of-life will be a continuing visual guide. When reading both of these books the image of the tree seems to root itself into the propositions and scenarios posed by both authors.

* Rees, Martin Our Final Century; Will Civilisation Survivie The Twenty-First Century, Arrow Books, 2003, UK

PRESENCE

In Maleny opening Thursday 20 May 6-8 pm. The exhibition PRESENCE will continue until Tuesday June 13. @ the hippest place in town 'The UPFRONT CLUB'. This small exhibition is a collection of my paintings from the last couple of years that 'speak' about presence. Maleny is a great place and it is where my parents retired over 20 years ago...so it is a bit like going 'home'.

Cheers,

Kathryn