The moral contortions so many Americans make are getting more severe. It’s far beyond typical cognitive dissonance. This affliction is worst within the Evangelical community. Back in 2018, I made a series of paintings called Mastering the Art of Contradiction about this part of our contemporary culture. Four years later, it’s even more twisted.
Here is Moral Contortionists, from that series. Every day, and in so many ways, I am reminded of this painting.
Since last May, so much has happened. I plan to stay on my upward trajectory. I’m going to keep myself in the orange as best I can.
The Color Orange: Orange indicates self-assurance, excitement, and zeal. Orange possesses orange-spiritual properties such as creativity, emotional balance, sexuality, harmony, passion, freedom, intuition, and emotional expression. Seeing orange is said to be an excellent omen. It means that there will be much happiness for you.
Highlights from the Barbara Kruger Exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago. Photos taken 12/23/21.
Highlights from the Barbara Kruger Exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago. Photos taken 12/23/21.
Highlights from the Barbara Kruger Exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago. Photos taken 12/23/21.
Highlights from the Barbara Kruger Exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago. Photos taken 12/23/21.
Last year, when I was home for the holidays, I saw the remarkable Barbara Kruger exhibition “Thinking of You, I Mean Me, I Mean You,” at the Art Institute of Chicago. Barbara Kruger is one of my favorite artists, and absolutely one of my biggest artistic influences. I was so happy to see her exhibition, I bought our tickets months in advance. My wife Kelli, stepdaughter Grace and my Mom went to the exhibition with me. They were unfamiliar with her work but loved the exhibition too. All three were blown away. I can’t even describe how much this pleased me.
Surprise, I took a lot of pictures! I’ll share my favorites here in a series of photo galleries coming up next.
The other day I was taking a scheduled break from my Drawing II class. I stepped outside and walked a few steps and looked up into the trees. I noticed these two. It looked like they were having a conversation.
I have fully processed all the changes that have come into my life. The last few years have been a rough ride overall. I have new perspectives on everything. I’m optimistic. I can honestly say that I am very happy. Considering everything, I am happier than at any point in my life.
We moved to Chattanooga with the intention of getting married. We just didn’t do things in the typical order. Well, we’re not typical people, so everything was just right.
Actually, Brett & Kelli did a few things! Told ya major life changes came often in 2021. Here’s a timeline of all the big stuff:
January 2021: Brett & Kelli are a couple, after being close friends for a few years.
May 2021: After months of discussion, they decide to move to Chattanooga. They buy a house in Chattanooga. Brett puts his loft on the market.
June 2021: Brett, Kelli, and Grace move to Chattanooga. Brett’s loft in Atlanta is sold.
September 2021: Brett & Kelli get engaged, making it official.
October 2021: Brett & Kelli get married at an intimate ceremony on the historic Walnut Street Bridge, located in downtown Chattanooga. Grace and the officiant were the only ones there. The day was ours and it was perfect.
After some anxious moments, I decided to jump in with both feet! I am moving from Atlanta to Chattanooga. This is absolutely, one of the biggest decisions I have ever made. I’m moving to Chattanooga with my girlfriend (and future wife) and her daughter. My loft in Atlanta is in a hot area of town. Time to cash in and invest in a new future with Kelli and Grace in Chattanooga. Now that I’ve decided this is what I’m doing, my anxiety has lowered and I feel excited. I feel good about this.
I’ll miss my place on Wylie Street (and it’s view of my street art) and a lot of people in Atlanta. I lived in Atlanta for 15 years, and in this location for the last seven. The next chapters of my life will be in Chattanooga.
Major life changes came often in 2021. They played a big part in my extended absence from this blog. Here are a few photos from moving day.
One of my favorite places is Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, GA. It’s a beautiful place. The last time I was there, was the first time there at golden hour, the most beautiful time of the day. Thought I’d share a few pictures of the memory.
Located a few minutes southeast of downtown, these two adjacent neighborhoods have long and storied roles in Atlanta history. Both are small in size, but large in historical significance.
Today, these are two of the quirkiest neighborhoods in Atlanta. I lived in Reynoldstown from 2014-2021, a block from the border with Cabbagetown. I enjoyed most everything about living in the area, including the collective sense of humor of its residents (see image below). My Instagram page is filled with dozens of pictures of my morning walks through these two neighborhoods.
“I’ve never seen any life transformation that didn’t begin with the person in question finally getting tired of their own bullshit.”
“When a man loves cats, I am his friend and comrade, without further introduction.”
Holy shit. What the hell happened to this year? As soon as I promised myself I’d post at least once a month I slip into oblivion and don’t post for over three months! The longest gap I’ve had in years. My apologies to myself (and anyone reading this). Geez, I could’ve at least wrote about music or posted a quote or two. I plan to do better.
It’s not that things haven’t been happening. It’s been a busy time. So what’s going on?
I just completed another semester teaching at Kennesaw State University. Had a lot of amazing student work too. Might post some highlights at a later date.
I’m also teaching classes at Mountain Laurel Academy, Fulton County Arts & Culture, and the Callanwolde Center for Fine Arts.
I’m involved in a street art war. My paste-up work vs. some graffiti artist(s). Lots of details and opinions coming on that. Stay tuned.
I’m fully vaccinated. Looking forward to a little travel this summer.
I still have a girlfriend. Happy about it too. Haha.
The Chicago Bears did exactly what I wanted them to do. I’m definitely not used to that. I’m a draft geek, they traded up to select quarterback from Ohio State (and Kennesaw, GA native), Justin Fields. Optimistic, for a change.
Later today, I’m having dinner with a woman I briefly dated about 25 years ago. You can’t say that happens every day. Looking forward to the reunion. Should actually be a fantastic conversation.
Finally, I adopted two kittens from a rescue pet adoption agency. I named them Omar and Leroy and they have instantly bonded with me and each other. I’ve probably been more preoccupied with that then anything else. They’re so much fun.
That’s a quick list of what’s good and interesting. Life continues to be interesting.
More to come… I mean it this time.
Artist as Rock & Roll Enthusiast (aka ARE) Post: 24
I’ve always loved this song. As a kid, I was sold within the first five seconds. It’s one of Led Zeppelin’s best and remains a favorite. I’d tell you where it ranks on my all-time Led Zeppelin list (yes, I did that) but unfortunately, I can’t locate my list at the moment.
This post is more about why this song came to mind, today. Today is the last day of the Trump Administration. That alone is a reason for celebration. This is the beginning of the end for him. Trump for jail. Beyond the title, the lyrics of the song came to mind. The third verse reminded me of what the future holds for Trump and the Trump brand.
This song was written in 1970, but like many lyrics of that time, they speak about our world today. Serving as another reminder that the more things change the more they stay the same. Real progress and true changes come at a glacial pace.
“Her face is cracked from smiling, all the fears that she’s been hiding,
And it seems pretty soon everybody’s gonna know.
And her voice is sore from shouting, cheering winners who are losing,
And she worries if their days are few and soon they’ll have to go.
My, my, my, I’m so happy, I’m gonna join the band,
We are gonna dance and sing in celebration, We are in the promised land.
She hears them talk of new ways to protect the home she lives in,
Then she wonders what it’s all about when they break down the door.
Her name is Brown or White or Black, you know her very well,
You hear her cries of mercy as the winners toll the bell.
My, my, my, I’m so happy, I’m gonna join the band,
We are gonna dance and sing in celebration, We are in the promised land.
There is a train that leaves the station heading for your destination,
But the price you pay to nowhere has increased a dollar more.
Yes, it has!
And if you walk you’re gonna get there though it takes a little longer,
And when you see it in the distance you will wring your hands and moan.”
The reality is this. Last week, I was sprung from the social media clink. I received a 30-day ban from Facebook for calling out a stranger’s ugly misogyny in a manner deemed too colorful by the all-knowing algorithm. Guess I got a month’s ban because I was a repeat offender.
I’m back but in the technical sense only. Getting kicked out of that joint was exactly what I needed. Couldn’t do it on my own. I’ll be the first to admit I am too compulsive and excitable as a whole. Therefore, I am far too susceptible to social media addictions and the subset of problems that arise from them. I realized long ago that Facebook was a time-sucking place that preys on my weaknesses and chews me up and spits me out in ways I don’t like. Finally gonna try to do something about it.
I’m always going to be an opinionated observer. You can count on that. Moving forward, my efforts will be focused on posting right here. I’ll continue to post promotional messages for my art and merchandise on Facebook. Since I primarily use it as an extension of my artist’s eye, I’ll continue to post on Instagram too. I am also still going to be active on Messenger.
Overall, I am happy to say, the cycle is broken and I’m not checking Facebook with any regularity anymore.
I highly recommend getting banned from Facebook for a month. It’ll do you some good.
Artist as Rock & Roll Enthusiast (aka ARE) Post: 22
Seems to me, I have a backlog of music-related posts to make. The recent passing of Eddie Van Halen moves the band that takes his name to the top of that list of posts.
I’m not going to wax poetic about how brilliant a guitarist Eddie Van Halen was. Everyone knows he was a virtuoso that reinvented the instrument in ways unlike anyone else before or since. All rock fans have anecdotal moments centered around the virtuosity of Eddie Van Halen. My personal favorite is how the song “Eruption” instantly became the ultimate test for any aspiring guitarist. If you could play that you weren’t just good you were awesome. My mind goes back to that college dorm room with that guitar guy playing his attempt at that solo for the other dudes in the hall. It happened a lot. Usually followed by “Wish You Were Here” on acoustic, you know, to chill things out after the heat coming from that semi-blistering version of “Eruption.”
Instead, I want to reflect on my life at the time Eddie Van Halen came into my world. It was 1978 and I was nine years old. I was already starting to get into music. I had a record player of my own. I owned a few full-length albums. Bought them when going to neighborhood garage sales with my Mom. I had a few singles of my own too. Ultimately, Van Halen’s first releases were some of my very first albums on cassette tape.
When Van Halen’s debut came out, I heard it everywhere and like everyone else, it caught my ear. Never before had I heard any guitar like that. It was crunchy and fast but strangely smooth and slippery too. I have vivid memories of hearing that band in those days. Didn’t matter where I was, Van Halen was there too; the local recreation center, the swimming pool, the playground, the backseat of my Mom’s car, even coming from someone else’s car at a red light. Eventually, from my Walkman.
The gestalt present in their sound is unique. It’s simultaneously a cohesive unit and a single dominant force (Eddie Van Halen). Van Halen, Van Halen II and Fair Warning are my favorites. I could have chosen any song from the debut album. The album is that good. I decided to feature the song “On Fire” in my post for a few reasons. “On Fire” is the closing track and it’s a barnburner. It comes as advertised, three minutes of fire. It has remained one of my absolute favorite Van Halen tracks over all these years. Unlike many Van Halen songs, this song means business. It has a speed metal intensity and its purpose is to kick your ass. It’s not messing around. (“Mean Street” on Fair Warning is my all-time favorite Van Halen song for a similar reason). “On Fire” is good enough to close out their debut AND be an opening track in concert (see attached video).
To be fair, I started to lose interest in their music a couple of years into the Sammy Hagar era. That said, I can still listen to all the David Lee Roth albums with a smile on my face. That’s the secret ingredient and the true magic of Eddie Van Halen and the band Van Halen. They just wanted to put a smile on your face and that’s what they did best. Eddie Van Halen’s smile while playing guitar is my indelible, unforgettable memory of him.
Artist as Rock & Roll Enthusiast (aka ARE) Post: 21
Today is my birthday. I’m 51. It’s the first day of my sixth decade. My day, year, and decade started with something that most would say is a minor serendipitous moment. However, I know otherwise. My higher power speaks through music. This was no accident.
I often wind down the day by listening to music in a lowly lit room. Last night was no exception. When I’m not in the mood for a specific artist or album, or a deep listening of something new to me, I’ll often hit shuffle on a vast playlist filled with hundreds of songs I know. That’s what I did last night.
At 11:59 (I looked at the clock) one of my absolute favorite songs came on. Ain’t Got Nothing (To Go Wrong) by Dead Meadow. Not only is this a favorite song, I consider it one of my theme songs. Only a handful of songs become theme songs to me. I’ve written about them before and will surely feature them again in my Artist as Rock & Roll Enthusiast posts. Typically for me, the music carries me through the song. That’s the case here as well. The guitar solo in this song is incredible. However, my personal relationship to the lyrics and their overall feel with the music, are for me, the elements that elevate a song to the highest level.
The moment midnight came and the calendar turned to the eleventh of September, my birthday, shuffle gave me this song. A piece of music with great personal importance to me. It wasn’t serendipity. It was meant to be. I wouldn’t have had my new sixth decade start any other way.
Lemon yellow sun up overhead today
What more is there that I could say then Lord, let it stay
I ain’t got nothing to go wrong today
No, not today
I’ve been up and down this street for quite some time
The gutters get filled, it takes all kind like fish on a line
The way that things go these days, I’m fine
Yeah, I’m doing fine
Good times come, they sure come slow
Why that may be I don’t know, just let it flow
All things in this world they come, they go
Yes, this much I know
If silence is golden then your words they’re lead
I can’t believe how that shit sticks in my head
The sun shines away, there’s nothing to say
People they talk anyway, they’re talking away
Brett Callero: Visual Artist 