The Journey Begins

I am so very happy to report that we reached and, with the help of many wonderful supporters, surpassed our fundraising goal for Homer and Penelope. I can't even begin to say "thank you" enough to everyone who pledged and otherwise showed love to this project. We've come so far because of all your generous help. THANK YOU SINCERELY.

Now what? Well, even before we had the money to make this film we were working hard to get this ship sailing far and now it's time to take it even farther (and at a faster pace). So things might get a little quiet around here, but just know that it's because we are off trying to create this little film the best we can.

Thanks again!

Homer and Penelope

I just launched a Kickstarter campaign for my next film, Homer and Penelope. Head on over to the project's Kickstarter page to learn all about it.

I've written a handful of feature-length films, but Homer and Penelope will be the first one I direct. So, needless to say, this film means everything to me. I would greatly appreciate any support you have to offer, whether it's a financial pledge or simply passing it on to a friend and spreading the word in some way.

I have self-financed Keeping the Lights On since the beginning, but Homer and Penelope needs your help to be fully realized. Thanks for your continued support.

Watson and the Future of the Human Race

So Watson won Jeopardy! So what? Computers will never be able to make great art. They will never be able to write great literature, direct a great film, or paint a great painting. Computers will never be able to create.

Humanity wins.

The Old Man and the Sea and Mixed Greens

Just a reminder that TUESDAY opens at Mixed Greens tomorrow night, a group show featuring the work of Joy Drury Cox. This is an exciting and not-to-be-missed event, as Joy's Old Man and Sea will be shown publicly for the first time. As you might recall, Joy was kind enough to give us an in-progress look at this fascinating, beautiful, and epic work when we filmed her for Keeping the Lights On. If you didn't catch it (or want to see it again), her complete installment is available here.

For more info about the show, simply scroll down a bit or check out the Mixed Greens site here.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year art lovers! Here's to a productive, creative, and art-filled 2011.

Joy and Yashua

This just in from Joy Drury Cox, current and upcoming shows...

Nowhere: Selections from the Files of the Hand Drawn Map Association
Arcadia University, Glenside, PA
Sept. 23 - Dec. 19

NADA Art Fair, Miami, FL
Humble Arts Foundation Booth #317
Dec. 2 - 5

re:Context
numberthirtyfive, New York, NY
Dec. 9 - Jan. 30
Opening: Thursday, Dec. 9

Tuesday
Mixed Greens, New York, NY
Jan. 13 - Feb. 12
Opening: Thursday, Jan. 13, 6-8pm


I'd also like to tell you more about my friend, Yashua Klos, a talented visual artist who has been showing all over New York lately. I hope to have him on KTLO someday, but for now check out his website and this show that opens tonight:

Hatching: Crossing the Line
One Gallery, Newark, NJ
Dec. 4 - Jan. 16
Opening: Saturday, Dec. 4, 7-10pm

Here's more about the show, straight from the man himself:

"Hey Art People!

I have my 'Banners' series in the huge window front of One Gallery in Newark.
The other print works in this show are amazing as well!
New Yorkers listen for clarity: It is very accessible for you. 40 min from Brooklyn to Newark's PATH train stop. Even quicker from Manhattan. Don't fear crossing the border.
No body scanning required."

If that's not enough to motivate you to go, here are a couple images of this amazing work:





Enjoy.

An Imposter Among Us

I've bitten my tongue on this particular matter for a few months now, but at the end of the day no one else is going to stand up for my work except me.

They say imitation is the highest form of flattery. Well, I say imitation stinks. And I am certainly not flattered.

Others have come out with an online documentary series about artists and the challenges they face trying to balance art and life. Sound familiar? They're releasing 3 episodes a month, and 3 of them have focused solely on day jobs. Sound familiar?

Some claim that originality no longer exists. I disagree. Let's be original, people.

And, you know, it's funny how the world works sometimes. They've received a great deal of support from the local art world as well as some heavy-hitting press in a very short amount of time, all for an issue that's already being explored in a very similar way, for an idea that isn't theirs.

Victor Hugo said, "There is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come." I guess it took 3 years for them to catch on and catch up.

Maybe I should have waited until the economic crisis hit to release Keeping the Lights On.

So timing is everything, it seems. But I guess it also helps to have some names and clout to boot. Who cares if it's not your idea or how the thing looks? You've got the right people in your corner and it's "Come right on in!" I guess power and politics trump originality and quality. How naive I was to think otherwise.

Some key players involved have known about Keeping the Lights On from day one but chose to back them anyway, all while remaining quite silent about another series doing the same thing. And some of the media outlets that have shined light on this other series knew about Keeping the Lights On, too. I don't say this out of jealousy or envy or even bitterness; I'm just saying. Yup, it's very funny how the world works sometimes.

So what does this all mean? Well, I've let some of the people involved know that I'm aware of what's going on and I've expressed my feelings on the matter. Will they stop doing what they're doing? It's highly unlikely. The ball is rolling and, besides, the Rockefeller Foundation (their biggest supporter) wouldn't be too happy about that. They would surely want their money back.

If there's no way to stop the train, I guess our only recourse for now is to keep on doing what we do—bringing you the original documentary series about artists and their day jobs. In the least, it gives me the opportunity to live up to my production company's name.

Thank you for listening (well, reading). And thank you for all your support—past, present, and future.