MURALS BEFORE URINALS.

The day you need to sell your work in a bathroom...is the day you need to go home and rethink your faith in yourself...as a person...not an artist, but your self worth...because that is not how your gift was intended...in a "Sir Harrington." Don't give up your passions, your spotlight will shine again soon. 

Picture this; the crowds going nuts...band is backstage about to grace the stage for an unbelievable performance...but wait...there's a little woman with long black hair and overalls who walks out with a bucket of water & brushes,...she climbs up on an electric lift and a rolled canvas drops down...music starts, crowd goes wild once again, as band walks out...and I, the featured "starving" artist...unknown to the community...I paint my ass off...or sculpt my ass off...but my point is...I get the moment I've always wanted...to be part of the ultimate connection...art and music...lifes salt and peppa hehe. 

 



Guess I tend to think big...I like to paint big...so why not? Opening the show for someone or something famous would be awesome too...Shucks, you would think people in the spot light would help more unknown artists...but they don't want art...they want production and are hooked into the branding...so ok, let an artist draw your logo...and get people interested in their artworks so they can stop working for free. If anyone can help an artist in a big way it's people that have access to huge forums. A muralist in the background painting your message, in my opinion, adds more flavor...sheesh, I think I'm hungry all these food terms. (Pause for morning tea)

Ok, belly is warm....anyway, always interested in the underdog...the person behind the scenes...I think its more exciting to watch all the preparations and how the finale was created too. Artists are all about exposure...we want to wake up in the morning to a world we create. "Narvaez coffee anyone?" get into our 4-door "Narvaez convertible" and dine at "Cafe De Narvaez" We are narcissistic by nature, we can't be in love with anyone elses art, ours must come first. 

Want to know something weird about "starving" artists? We will work for free...not food...just for hanging our artwork or even a "wow, I want that" will get you a free deal too...yep, that's pretty much it. Sure the term is associated with not being able to afford the finer things...but it also means starving for exposure. The exposure is worth so much, we will work long hours, go without eating, maybe showering (but lets not get crazy), and will put ourselves through blood, sweat, and tears for absolutely and positively no charge. How nuts is that? Think about it for a second, what other occupation works for free? Would you tell your doctor, "I really want to hang that waived bill in my office" with a straight face? Probably not, but to a passionate starving artist, without a blink. 

And once our work is complete, we are explosive with the prospects of another venue...or go into a seclusion like no other...a world filled with the high of artistic expression...welcome to the other side kids! lol! I am not a hermit, but I gave up a HUGE social scene this past year...was "kapakahi" all mixed up. I thought I'd be in a place of peace working in the healing industry...but all it did was help me realize I need to heal myself. So I stepped away and dusted off my line chalk...and here I am...the "typical starving artist" but (thankfully), just hungry. 

Being a spa owner for over 12 years had depleted my energy...yes, a place where energy is nurtured and supposed to rejuvenate...nah, it was gut wrenching. I have to give some big ups to spa directors out there working for the man. Its hard enough dealing with staff, admin, and like 20-30 people a day...I was always thankful not having to answer to anyone for wearing slippahs to work. I figured out I am great at starting and building business...but not a person who wants to open the doors 9-5 every day...year after year...with no time to be in my zone...and let's face it, nobody likes their boss. Not to mention, I would be cheating myself out of some great gifts I've been blessed with! For some reason, my creator wanted me to work with my hands. These incredible hands, magic hands hehe...they can crochet, knit, paint, sculpt, build, lay tile, replace an altenator, climb a mountain, play guitar, landscape, and best of all...make love...yep, my hands bring happiness through so many outlets and mediums. And I have to create to be happy too.

Through art, you can do anything, be anything, create anything. In this piece I am working on for the Art Maui exbihition, I am using; pallet wood, driftwood, bamboo, clay, tree branches/twigs, cardboard, papermache, foam, yarn, twine, moss, acrylics, and adding lighting (all recycled materials)...it's exciting to show what I can do with one piece. My plan is to have a huge wave pouring out from the wall with a surfer on a (T&C) board tucked inside the pit!!!! And a ton of details of course...I'll probably be detailing up until the deadline! I am so siked about this project. Its definitely going to be a big challenge...I've been planning to create a huge driftwood sculpture but hadn't had any idea what...until now. My goal is to use just what I have too...and what nature has to offer...no heavy costs maybe extra glue or nails, but that's it. I am going to show how versatile and innovative an unknown artist needs to be while maintaining creativity and delivering a solid product. This art show piece, if its accepted, will be my business card. Or maybe someone will want a garden sculpture / indoor lighting piece or mural for their home/business. 

My piece is a descriptive of an unknown artist flowing strong with earth and waters...while surfing through streams of commercialism in the ever changing art industry. The name of my piece is "Go big or go home" because every starving artist knows the power of "WOW!" when we hear that repeatedly, we know it's a slam dunk, we did it, we touched their souls. We gave light where there was dark. We freed someones weight of negativeness in their consciousness. Much like healers, when you contribute to someones life in a positive way, it's blissful, and satisfies the soul. 

To be in a place of peace is worth far more than any amount of money...and I think that's why some people are called and some are not. Maybe in time, I will be a physical soother again, but an unfortunate accident has prevented me from being a healer temporarily, so for now, I'd rather just soothe the mind through my visions of artistic expressions. It's more comforting at the moment, and I don't feel completely drained by the end of the day. Those imaginery bubbles everyone told me about never worked...I would always have that negative persons energy I massaged no matter how hard I tried to rid myself of it when they left the table...and years of that can dim someones light after awhile. Regrets? Not at all. It's exciting to finally put all my efforts into promoting just me...that parts not so tough since I handled marketing and advertising promoting a business...and everyone in it. But I am unfamiliar with this industry so I am moving with eyes and ears open. 

So far, what I am finding is; versatility is super important, can your art have a place in this ever changing world? Will it sustain? Is it worth it? And who are you as an artist? Would you purchase art from a drug dealer on the corner? Uhh...well, if you're from LA don't answer that...but most likely, you would feel more comfortable knowing your art is from someone decent and that you can expect to view again. Andy Warhol was far from decent...but projected a fun & playful take on commercialism...he used the obvious to bring people into his work...he knew what you wanted and delivered it with a lasting style. And a Warhol can make any room still...that's what blows my mind...still. A famous artwork like a Picasso or Warhol are pieces of art history that people have stolen just to view privately at their leisure...now that's what Cheech would call "some good shit" and why I am thankful for museums.

See you on the other side,

~M.

p.s. Finally used the button to add videos! Lookout YouTube, I'm on my way! Also, check back for updates on my art project for Art Maui..."Go Big Or Go Home" will post vids of the process on YouTube page; The Other Side and my Facebook wall...ya know, I think I'm going to add a headband to the surfer..and maybe a beard & mustache (;