Having posted my new work from [peripheral/interface] on DeviantArt not too long ago, I was happy to find positive feedback from many people I know on that website. In addition, a number of strangers also enjoyed the new pieces and commented on them as well. Shortly thereafter I was contacted by one DA user who enthusiastically asked permission to print out copies of my "Economics" painting and hand them out at Anime Expo.

Happy to receive the request, and having already planned to print out some "bills" for myself, I put together a template for these and send it off to him. As these things go, I didn't really think much of it at the time and only asked for some photos in return. So, as weeks went by I completely forgot about this until I received an email last week. At first I thought it was spam and almost deleted it until I saw the photos!



I trust you'll agree with me that these are great shots, and I think the idea was brilliant. "Economics" has gone on a mini tour to Anime Expo this year. Even though doing this series made it impossible for me to attend a con this year, it would seem that a little piece of me managed to go nonetheless. Big thanks to you DarkAssasin, you made my day! This was a great idea, and one that I hope we can repeat.

If anyone else would like to receive the template for printing these, I will be happy to send it to you. Simply contact me here or anywhere else online and we will exchange information. I would love for these to go to lots of other places and cons, providing of course that you can send me a photo!

While doing some gallery research I came a cross a piece which obviously looked rather familiar. Since I had done a similar painting not too long ago for [peripheral/interface], I noticed it right away. Artist Susan Crile put together an entire series called "Abu Graib: Abuse of Power."



It comes as no surprise that her piece is so similar to mine, as the photograph which both of these paintings are based on was popularized by the media and therefore became a logical choice as a recognizable icon. Interesting to note is also that there are about four years of time separating her piece and mine. She created hers back in 2005 when the events were still fresh in the public mind, while I returned to the issue somewhat late. Nevertheless, Abu Graib recently came back into the media on account of president Obama's efforts.

My desire to post this was in part fueled by being surprised there was not more artwork based on the Abu Graib tortures. Granted, there is some. Yet I would have thought there would be more. Perhaps I just haven't come across much of it.

For the month of July, downtown mainstay and popular hangout for many local artists, the Caffe Phoenix, is exhibiting the work of two women that I in particular am rather fond of. That should come as no surprise, given that I am married to one of them.

Nikki Wisniowski is showing a collection of brand new art. It consists primarily of collage work and mixed media pieces. I have to say that I think she's doing some fantastic things these days, but then I am a little biased. So instead I present you with Nikki's own words regarding her current efforts:

My work is subconsciously nostalgic of the place where I was born, which is very different from where I am now. I grew up in eastern Montana, which has a different aesthetic than any other place I've been. Mostly what is there is a rolling sea of grass, speckled with green juniper and the occasional tree. I think that the wide open spaces in my art reflect my love of Big Sky country, and how much I miss that strange place.

Wendy Kowalski has been a friend of mine for much of the time we have spent in Wilmington. She is a painter that I have had the pleasure to work with on the Coloring Stories for Conscious Stories project. Kowalski, a single mother and artist, is extremely prolific. Her work depicts figures that are often airborne and in motion.

Born in Connecticut and a former desert dweller, Kowalski is now painting a series of large scale mixed-media paintings entitled Nebulon. Her current studio is by the sea in North Carolina. In art she explores the transcendence to the spontaneous, fluid, orbiting, often magical, and spiritual free-flight of the mind and body. She's inspired by nature, music, her two year old son Blaze, and this magical waking circus life which is full of love and blessings. Her brush is piloted by caffeine, trance music, and insomnia.

The pairing of these two artists seems obvious. They are different but complimentary. While Wendy's paintings are of a more lofty disposition, Nikki's collages tend to be more grounded. As such, the exhibition explores the opposites of earth and sky while paying attention to how people fit in between the two.

An opening reception for the Earth Below Us show will be held on Wednesday, July 15, at 7:00 pm. Come join us and meet these two wonderful ladies and their artwork!

While purchasing some more anime on Amazon, I ran across a little gem that I had never heard of before. Sky Crawlers comes to us directed by Mamoru Oshii of Ghost in the Shell, Jin-Roh, and Avalon fame, and the two hour long feature includes some stunning animation. The aerial combat scenes are beautifully and very realistically rendered.

The story focuses on a group of young fighter pilots in an alternate historical setting. The meat of this film truly lies in the story of its characters however. In light of this, I think some may find themselves wanting more action scenes and not getting their fill. Again, as with so many war related anime, I find that Sky Crawlers really questions the purpose of war. This becomes evident when the secrets of the story are revealed.

Throughout the film I felt a sense of familiarity with the aesthetics. I couldn't quite put my finger on it until the latter portion of the film where the characters visit another town. The buildings immediately jumped out at me as being remarkably like those in Poland. Sure enough, signs in Polish and even characters speaking in Polish appeared shortly thereafter. I had no idea that this was the case when I order the film, and I was very pleasantly surprised!



One of the most recognizable Polish buildings is the tower like structure in the film. It is actually the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw. Shown above is a comparison between the building in the anime, and a photo I took of the actual building last year. As it turns out upon viewing the "Animation Research" featurette, Mamoru Oshii took his staff to Poland in order to experience the culture and take a slew of photos and video in order to base the film's designs on them. I am thrilled that an anime director of his caliber has taken such great interest in my home country.

I am rather excited to have found this film, by chance really. I highly recommend it as a more serious film to watch, but also for it's incredible visual quality. Of course if you are an Oshii fan, then you probably already know about it. Either way, don't pass this one up!