"Say it don't spray it" (revisited) and PAC-MAN?

"The Breakers" Oil 10"x 8"

A couple of entries ago, I made the stunning announcement that I had joined the Elm City Artists Gallery on 284 York Street, New Haven, CT. Let's revisit that subject; shall we? Before I talk about that, let me just mention that the painting above is a recent one. A scene from the Breakers Mansions in Newport, RI. And now, back to the gallery news. Elm City Artists is a cooperative gallery. Part of the way a cooperative gallery works is that the member artists spend a number of hours a week working at gallery and caring for the needs of the customers and potential art buyers. The artists working at the gallery are allowed to bring their painting equipment and work on their art while at the gallery. This way you can witness the artists creative process along with viewing the finished works that are on display. This is something you don't get to see in most galleries you may visit. My gallery sitting schedule will usually be on Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. and Friday from 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. If you stop in at those times you'll get to see me hard at work on one of my latest paintings on my $2.50 portable french easel. Now, if because of having a weak stomach you'd rather not see me, I could easily accommodate you by crouching underneath the desk while you tour the gallery. Stop by anytime to meet the other fantastic member artists. Now on a more serious note, this year marks the 30th anniversary of PAC-MAN. Here are 3 things that I hope will happen before the year is out: (1.) They'll reissue the PAC-MAN breakfast cereal. (B.) They'll release the short lived PAC-MAN cartoon series on DVD ( little 7 year old Chris was so excited that he nearly fell out of his chair when he saw a commercial for the program showing that it would be part of the new Saturday morning cartoon line up in the fall of 1982.) And third, I really, really hope the song "PAC-MAN Fever" gets played on popular radio stations. "What does this have to with my painting?" you might be asking yourselves. Very little, but I'm sure you'll read my next entry to find out what random and obscure thought I'll incorporate in my blog.

It's the SOOOOOUUUUUUUUULL Mass Transit System!!

"Cedar Street" Oil 10"x 8"

Yes, I am aware that the title should read "IT'S THE SOUL TRAIN" but due to an e-mail I received from attorneys Philip Bailey and Verdine White at the law offices of Earth, Wind and Fire, LLC. I was reminded that I could say "It's the Soul Train" in my blog entry but I could not use it in the entry title. (Kidding) This is one of my latest paintings available at the Elm City Artist's Gallery. This is a scene that I'm very familiar with because it's along my bus route. I drive a shuttle bus in the mornings and then I do my painting in the afternoons. (not a full time artist just yet) In this painting I enjoyed capturing the contrast between warm light and cool shadow. Also I've been working smaller lately in order to increase my output of paintings as well as making it easier for buyers to invest in the originals. "What does the program Soul Train have to do with this painting?" your probably wondering. Well, just because I've been thinking about the program lately. When I was a little I used to watch it. Now; I know what many of you are probably thinking, "What! You used to watch Soul Train?!...You who got upset when you lost your Ultimate Manilow CD? You who resents the fact that people are always saying that The Carpenters were from Downey, CA. when they should actually be saying that they were from New Haven, CT.? Yes, I watched it, although I was very young. I wasn't even old enough to really appreciate the music and the dancing at the time, but I remember looking forward to seeing the animated title sequence at the beginning of each episode and hearing that voice say "It's the Sooouuuul Train!!" I also remember wishing that they would show more of the animated train in each episode. Or, better yet, the producers of the show developing a spin-off show all about the cartoon train; but, alas, this dream never came to fruition. Until my next entry, this is Chris Ferguson wishing you all love, peace and soouull!