Mike McLain Art » Mike

best laid plans…

Mike — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 05:15:06 +0000

There I was, driving to my studio to work on my latest obsession, a change of clothes beside me for the evening’s openings, a full tank of gas, and a gut load of ambition. The Jeep was flying along at illegal speeds, passing newer, faster vehicles, unafraid with the approach of the Big Hill. As we passed a car that had just merged from the 57, a sudden jolt and loss of power signaled that the Big Hill had snagged one more unsuspecting victim in its unmerciful grip, just the latest of many who have fallen to its sun baked shoulder in defeat. Our luck had run out, and as I coaxed the slowing Cherokee out of traffic I realized we would now pay our dues. We had mocked the Big Hill frequently on our treks to Chinatown, passed arrogantly those who bowed to its great power, smug in our belief that we would never succumb to its might. Ok, Big Hill, you won on Saturday. But we will see you again tomorrow, and we will once again pass your crest with ease. We can be beaten but not defeated!

All right, so that was a bit cheesy and laid on thick. Truthfully, I was very disappointed that I missed the openings on Saturday, was really looking forward to them. I think that the distractions of Summer are giving way to the anticipation of Fall and all the good stuff that will be happening in September. In the meantime, work, work, work is the mantra for me. If I could I would spend all of my time in the studio right now. I love it when I’m in the stage of a new piece where every bit completed prods me onward to see where it goes next. My work is of a nature that while it is all planned out and predetermined by design there is a randomness in the way it plays out. I know what I want to do but in the end the pattern of the fabric determines what the piece looks like. Writing this makes me wish I was working now!

Tomorrow that hill belongs to me and my Jeep!

art tonight…In Process

Mike — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 20:22:44 +0000

Last week I had the pleasure of attempting to help Thinh Nguyen with the install of this show he curated. ( I say “attempting” because I got there later than intended and had to leave after too short of a time, so I didn’t do much.) It was fun to hang out with some artist friends I hadn’t seen in awhile, and to get my hands dirty in a gallery again. My reason for writing this today is because the opening is tonight and I want to encourage everyone to attend. I’m sure it will be a good time, but it is also an opportunity to enjoy a well put together show. Though the show was not completely installed when I left , what I saw was worth the trip out tonight. While a lot of group shows scream for attention this one understands the power of a whisper. The work is thoughtful and intelligent with splashes of wit and bravado. Go, socialize, but take the time to see the art. Congrats to Thinh and all the talented artists who participated! Ann 33 Gallery, 170 South La Brea

Also tonight, I plan to go see Karen Chu’s show Lost and Found at L2Kontemporary in Chinatown. I’m very eager to see her new work and looking forward to catching up with Karen, too. L2Kontemporary, 990 North Hill

still here

Mike — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 05:04:03 +0000

Haven’t updated in awhile, at least not publicly. I’ve written some BRILLIANT stuff in my head, too bad you missed it. Anyway, here I am, back at the keyboard on a hot SoCal night in August ready to do the deed.

First, the Gallery heading has been fixed (thanks, Sam), so I now have a literate home page. In a way I’m kind of sad to say goodbye to the old misspelling. It was a sweet little misfit of a word, lacking pretension and polish. I hope it is out there somewhere holding fort for all the other wrong words and typos that will, I’m sure, come out of this little site. Be brave, Gallary, you will have plenty of company soon!

Second, I mentioned that I was going to write my feelings about Chainletter, which is still up as a show but really just a record of the event. Well, I’m not going to do that. Enough has been said, and I’m sure after the deinstall I will have a few choice words. I am going to include a picture of my piece, Chinatown, which is among the good, the bad, and the ugly of the F1 space. It kind of makes me sad for it to be there, like I sent my child off to a rather boisterous and unruly summer camp. (In case anyone interested enough to be seeing this doesn’t know, Chinatown is the tall striped piece. I’m the tired looking man in front.)

me with Chinatown in the F1 space at Chainletter

Thats about it for now. I have more to write about but it is geting late, and as the above picture shows I need my beauty sleep!

Yes, I know Gallery is spelled wrong on my home page!

Mike — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 05:33:09 +0000

At this point I don’t know how to change it and am awaiting assistance from my web designer. What REALLY puzzles me is how nobody noticed it before the other day (thank you, Seth Pringle). In the meantime, lets just say it is an alternative spelling that comes from the teutonic word ”gallar”, which means “place to see cool stuff”. Thats my story and I’m sticking to it!

So, as you see I finally managed to get into my wordpress account and start writing. I plan to use this area of my site to talk about new things going on, stuff of interest, where and when, etc, etc, etc. I hope someone other than me reads it, and I really hope to get some responses. Let me know what you think.

Tonight I also started to ad tags to my gallary pics, which has taken the few hours that I otherwise would have spent making art. I am only part of the way there since I had to redo it several times. Eventually I plan to get them arranged chronologically, but that is beyond my technical abilities at this point.

My next post should be about the Chain Letter event which I feel privileged to have been able to participate in. It has taken some heat, but I think it is pretty extraordinary, not as a show, but as a happening. stay tuned for more on this and maybe some pics from the opening.

Right now I’ve got to go. Too much computer time makes Mikey crazy!