MASON WILLIAMS…a CLASSICAL GAS!

…there just aren’t enough adjectives for me to begin to describe Mason Williams, composer and performer of the mega hit ‘CLASSICAL GAS’, winner of 3 Grammy Awards, the most played, most loved instrumental hit of all time.

Add to that so many other accomplishments in art, comedy, poetry, books and script writing.  Did you know Mason is a brilliant conceptual artist with many collaborations with long time friend artist Ed Ruscha?  His irrepressible sense of humor has inspired countless works of art with possibly the most famous  ‘BUS’ the huge installation in the permanent collection of New York’s Museum of Modern Art.…..perhaps you saw it when it was on loan to the Los Angeles Museum of Modern Art in 2007.  There’s a great picture of it on my blog ‘DID you KNOW’ posted August 17, 2009 along with a few of Mason’s limited edition word plays. I could go on but suffice it to say you won’t meet a more talented or greater guy.  I’m honored to call him friend, collector and supreme booster.

Mason and Karen, his lovely and talented wife live most of the year in Oregon so when I was sent an invitation to attend the opening of ‘THE EAGLE ROCK ROCK and EAGLE SHOP’  I was delighted beyond description.  Let me explain….

In ‘64 long time friend Ed Ruscha had a studio in Eagle Rock and Mason,with his usual sense of humor, joked about the play between the words ‘Eagle’ and ‘Rock’ conceiving of a store that would literally sell eagles and rocks.

Another friend of both artists, designer/artist Bettina Hubby became enamored by the concept and conceived the store as an interactive community-enlivening project.

Mason wrote the following poem for Hubby:

Back in 1964, in the days before either Ed or I got famous

Our plays on words, when they occurred, served to entertain us.

For example, as a sample:the town of Eagle Rock

Brought to mind, the two combined, a shop

with both in stock

Pieces of eye-ther and both to-guy-ther-

whatever shrieks to you

‘Palindromically’ clever, words of a feather….

doozies of art derring do!

Thanks to Hubby, who's uber exuberant

artworks of collab co-op

For the eagle collector and rockhound prospector,

After 48 years...there’s a shop!

~ Mason Williams

3rd week of January 2012

I’m just about besides myself with joy!

With lovely wife Karen, a talented artist in her own right and brilliant besides.  She was a prosecutor in Canada.

Here we are with Pat Rude…the greatest raconteur I’ve ever known.

 

Wait Pat, do you believe this?

The necklace is made of rocks and we couldn’t figure who would be strong enough to wear it.

Meet Arlyn…how cute is she?  Everything was working from the bag to the shoes…so fun!

It was sooooo crowded….the vibe was ‘60’s all the way….

Thank you for the CD Mason…I cherish each and every one.  Brings back fond memories of listening to you play in your home/studio.  What a privilege.

Fun projections outside….

I guess sheer glee is the only word for this one!

Time to say goodnight….

For more information:

www.masonwilliams-online.com

www.classicalgas.com

www.edrusche.com

www.hubbyco.com

RON PEKAR, RENAISSANCE MAN…

……whose work is represented in more than 600 corporate, public, civic, museum, university & private collections WORLDWIDE!

This amazing sculptor, painter, designer & teacher has even done major projects listed under ‘Concept Design & Studio Production Experience’ on his website.  You will be astonished at the scope of this gifted artist’s work.

Have you ever wondered how major art installations in public places are conceived and developed?  Wonder no more.

I was privileged to receive a phone call from Ron Pekar to see his latest commission before it was to be delivered to the installation site the following day.

Just imagine how overcome I was to see two magnificent 16’ stainless steel olive trees, stately yet somehow warm and human.

O.K., back to the beginning.  Ron was commissioned to do a major installation for the 2nd floor garden terrace of the new Roy & Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, CA.

In this video, Ron discusses how the concept of the trees came into being. Also, it’s fascinating to understand how the leaves were individually cut by a laser and then welded onto the trees.

Here we have more on the project and the presentation that was made to Barry Wolfman, CEO of the hospital along with the Art Committee to get final approval.

In the middle picture to the right you can see Ron on a ladder working on the branches.

Ideas…..ideas….and more ideas…..Isn’t it fascinating to see the research and development of this wonderful project?

 

Working on another commission.

Traveler, supervises everything.  This is the original clay model for the bronze installed at USC last year. (Remember I blogged about that.) You can watch the fascinating video ‘The Bronzing of Traveler’ on Ron’s website listed below.

Here’s the other tree with Traveler in the distance.  Sort of like a sentinel guard don’t you think?

For more information:

www.ronpekar.com

www2.providence.org

GAYLE GARNER ROSKI…..

…..is the most prolific artist I know….. fulfilling Malcolm Gladwell’s premise in ‘Outliers’ that you have to put in at least 10,000 hours at your craft to be good/great.  Gayle has done that and more with a body of work that spans a lifetime of travel to every corner of the globe.  Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro?  Been there, done that along with such a myriad of adventures you’ll just have to go to her website to see them all.

Holding one of the many books she’s illustrated, Gayle is standing in front of 50 (correct) of the exquisite, hand made antique brushes she found in a Beijing flea market.  These unique brushes, some jade, bamboo, ivory, cloisonné, or porcelain are made of deer, rabbit, wolf, sheep or goat hair and were highlighted in a watercolor series.  As I often love to say, no animals were hurt in the making of these brushes.  Feel better?

I would say Gayle’s oeuvre consists of series of paintings such as ‘Travel Treasures’ from around the world, ‘Highlights of Los Angeles’, ‘Tuscan Pottery’ and so on.  These vivid watercolor paintings express Gayle’s sheer delight and joie de vivre in each and every experience she has had. 

I wish I had taken a close-up of these watercolor tins Gayle had custom made….a smaller version rides along on planes, trains, ships or perhaps even camels and elephants (I wouldn’t be surprised!) Remember I said Gayle is the most prolific artist meaning she is ALWAYS PAINTING or sketching!

Working on a current series depicting the rice fields in the Philippines.

I have to comment on the striking necklace and earrings,……did I mention Gayle is also an accomplished jewelry designer who makes pieces as stunning and dramatic as she is?

I’m not being prejudice but do think Gayle’s selection in the ‘Master’s of the American West’ exhibit at the Autry was the most captivating.  And, may I add that other artists have agreed with my selection.  I know one isn’t supposed to comment on the frame surrounding any artwork but Gayle has devised a unique signature Lucite frame that instead of dominating her artwork as most do, always enhances it.

It was great fun seeing the show.

Gayle’s goal is to “see, feel and paint the world” and I do believe she’ll accomplish just that!!!

For More Information:

www.gaylegarnerroski.com

www.tirageart.com

HERMES HEARTS & CRAFTS…..

…..Ever wonder why the contents of these orange boxes are such objects of desire?

Click the link below and wonder no more. 

http://www.lesmainsdhermes.com/en/film

ROLLS ROYCE EXPERIENCE at HOTEL BEL-AIR …..

…..What can I say……………When I got the invitation to attend the Rolls-Royce ‘Ride and Drive’ Event at Hotel Bel-Air  I suspected it might be tons of fun but I had nooooo idea!!!

Coincidentally, it was Tomiko’s birthday so what better way to celebrate than lunch at Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant there.  No matter the dessert, you have to have a candle!

Marcus, our delightfully charming server…..

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm this one is rather nice.

Or maybe this one…………………Yes, I like white!

Behind the wheel and adjusting my side mirrors.

Come on in………

I think I’ll put a down payment on this ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’.  We’ll discuss the car later.

I may not leave this ‘mini condo’. Could I possibly look more content?

The lovely Alyssa, Product Advocate for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.  Ever since she was a little girl she loved cars and wanted to sell them.  Imagine that!

 

Tomiko had her turn at the wheel.

O.K., Tomiko come on, you have to get out now!

After our test drive of the ‘Ghost Extended Wheelbase’ we returned to the hotel lobby and plunked down on a sofa with treats in front of us.  The sandwiches to the left were so yummy (I had about 5 …O.K. 6….come on, they’re small!) and to the right was a tray with delicious cheeses.

Champagne anyone?  I don’t think we had more than three glasses, maybe four, and then there was the wine…but I lost count.  Coffee came for the ride home.  I shouldn’t even tell you this….it’s the main reason why I would never take a cruise……Every five minutes, a server came by with some delectable tidbit including about 7 slices of Wolfgang’s amazing pizza!  I’m certain that I waddled out of there because each time food was presented to us….I said YES!

Even the ladies room was a treat!

For more information:

www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com

www.hotelbelair.com