Art, Inside Dirt- How It's Really Done by an Occular DegenerateTM + AB3 Poster!

I've been working on some art for an artist whom I really admire. It's been quite fun as I've had time to work in the way I enjoy. The Darwinian Method. Yes, evolution. I am rather an intuitive artist and I make art in the way in which I explore caves. I seek to go where I've never been. When I get there, there is nothing to compare it to. In cave exploring (if not in art) I have been places where no other human has. It's one of the most amazing things and one of my most treasured experiences. It's like being on a the first human on a strange planet.

But I digress. I found myself making art (for this artist) without photographs, but using graphic design. Now my Muse is a pro graphic designer and while I don't possess her chops, visuals are visuals and I have learned that the eye is faster than the brain. So it's important to draw in the viewer first. Their brain will follow along like a faithful dog and once they are inside the work or art, it's too late to disengage.

As our pal and Mother to the Stars, Robin Slick has leaked the news that my image of the Adrian Belew Power Trio will be on the official tour poster, I suppose I can confirm it here. It is so true! The design was done by the Muse. Not sure if it will only be for sale at the venue's or via mail order but hey- you need one. It's so cool! It is a Kram original!
They were great to work with and sing with! Maybe I can weasel my way onto Side Five...

HNY

yes, pappy too near, phalize navigators, gesundheit and welcome Krammentologists!

for many months a small insect, a sort of pumpkin bug or stink bug, lived on a leaf of the basil plant which sits to the left of my monitor. i named him herbie. i adopted him. some thought he was dead but i knew he was hibernating. he did not move for months. i checked on him daily to make sure that his shell was still shiny, his antenae lithe and that his plant was well watered. and so it went for months. my constant companion, like his father, herbie dreamed of spring.

last week he started looking perky. then he moved off of his leaf and went MIA for a while. Yesterday, he was flying at breakneck speed through the house, so I let him out. in the spring, young bucks thoughts turn to young bugs. whazzat you say?! "it tarn't narry spring yet, O Mighty Kram, if I may be so bold". well grasshopper, trees are blooming, roses are blooming, bulbs are coming up and it's still raining like hell. those plants, those insects, they know what they're doing! so my son, herbie is all grown up now. he'll be missed.

some of you may remember the tragic fate of my first son, the multi talented Opie. i had to leave Opie in KY as transporting opossums and concert pianos is difficult and dangerous work. his concert piano career was tragically cut short. perhaps he's found a way to continue practicing. i sure hope so. look at those hands! he could have been a star.

New Art

TU Opens for Tool!

A certain secret someone pulled some strings and got me and the Muse in to see our first Tool show here in Portland. Thank you-thank you-thank you!!!

I'll keep the review short as the pix are long.

Monster.
Massive.

10th row center thanks to my pal.
Sold out 13,000+ seater.
90% fans on feet the entire show.
TU KILLED.
Tool KILLED.
TU played on stage with Tool on Lateralis!
Maynard gave major props to King Crimson.
There was a wall of subwoofers twenty feet long and five feet high.
I wore plugs and my head still rings.
I have it on good authority that they are louder than King Crimson (even in 2001).

Afterward, on the TriMet trip home we talked to some young Toolheads. I asked them if they liked any of the opening bands (there were two). "Well yeah, we liked TU!" They didn't know anything about King Crimson but fueled, no doubt, by Maynard's recommendation, they asked me what CD they should start with. As I was about to get off the train I said, "The Power to Believe. It's heavy. Play it loud. Real loud."

Here's Pat Mastelotto and Trey Gunn, TU, live at Memorial Coliseum Portland, OR, December 5, 2007.

Click on the images for larger versions.

Art

It's nearly Kwaristmasukkah and we are think of giving, yes? Well I am.

As a full time artist, I make all my income from art (albeit sometimes commercial art). For a limited time I will be making my work available at affordable prices for the holidays.

My main body of work (WARNING: nudity!): http://www.markcolman.com/

Abstractions inspired by King Crimson's The ConstruKction of Light (WARNING: intense color!): http://www.markcolman.com/abstractions/

Black and white cemetery work (WARNING: Warm Death!): http://www.hiddenwithin.com/

Finally, naked flowers: http://www.intimatefloral.com/

An Insiders Look at Kram's Tofurkey Paradise

What you see above is an actual shopping list from the Krammentolgy Kitchen AKA the Utility Tofurkey Research and Development Facility. The drawing is an original by Kram Himself! This rare and valuable personal glimpse into the daily life and eating habits of His Kramminess will go on aution sometime in the distant future.

Still On the Topside

Something to be thankful for, yes? These are some new images from my ongoing cemetery series.Where are all the Things these days?


All images were shot with a 1953 Rolleiflex camera and shot on traditional black and white film developed with love and nasty chemicals by Yours Truly.