Painted artistic posts in Taos, New Mexico

Moxie Fair Trade store in Taos, New Mexico

U.S. Route 64 is a highway that runs through Taos, New Mexico, providing access to the Taos historic center (and connecting to the High Road to Taos). On my trip to Taos, I stopped and started walking along this route – even though it’s technically a highway, once you’re in town, it has local speed … Read more

An artistic pull to the old house in Upstate New York

Old house near farm Upstate NY

I had pretty much let go of the idea of pursuing the old house in the country in Upstate New York, when on a recent Sunday morning, I was minding my own business, drinking coffee, and reading the Sunday Times … and then I was triggered. There was an article about a dance studio building … Read more

Dale Chihuly knockoff in Santa Fe

knock-off Dale Chihuly chandelier

I arrived in Santa Fe last Tuesday, and that night I walked around downtown, just taking in the sights of various establishments and store windows. As I passed the Coyote Cafe (which I mentioned the other day), I looked in and saw this glowing red glass chandelier, in the style of Dale Chihuly. My first … Read more

Travel and Creative Inspiration

A mural of a VW van in Virginia Beach

When I travel, I tend to take a lot of photographs, not just of the tourist spots or the main sights that everyone goes to see, but rather photographs of things I notice that provide artistic inspiration. Sometimes it’s pictures of patterns or colors that I know could give me ideas for paintings, or elements … Read more

Inspired by Richard Tuttle to use styrofoam

My finished painting on styrofoam, hung on the wall at McKinney Arts.

I saw the Richard Tuttle show of paintings on styrofoam at Pace Gallery yesterday, and I think most people have strong reactions to the work – they either love it or think it’s absurd. I’m somewhere in-between, as I can appreciate the simplicity and beauty of some of the works as art objects, and have … Read more

Why does everyone want to paint a Basquiat Crown?

Basquiat Crown style thrift store painting

The art of Jean-Michel Basquiat has become a cultural force, everything from the Brooklyn Nets using Basquiat as inspiration for basketball jerseys, to countless artists impersonating his style – or elements of his style, in their own art. For example, Basquiat was known for putting a crown in his art works, and I swear I … Read more

Giving Art Away for Free

public art by Mark McKinney

I was reading an old article from the NY Times about an artist who gives away his art, secretly … and it was both fascinating and thought-provoking. The artist, Fred Cray, has hidden over 32,000 works of his art throughout New York City over the past 12 years. He has a totally different approach than … Read more