SAINTED View

Signs of things to come.

2008-06-27T22:31:00.000-07:00

This sign was at a huge demolition the site in Warren, Ohio just last year. Anybody got any clue whats there now?
If so let me know.... because I believe art education is endangered. This sign supports my theory unless theres more to add. Just wanted to share.

SAINT

Art by Treza: Portrait of an artist in your backyard.

2008-06-23T14:43:00.000-07:00

Let’s talk about my friend Treza. She’s a wonderful human being that I’ve only met via her art (and a few kind words by email). As you all know by now, I live for the creation of art for art sake and the creative end of the commercial spectrum. When paint hits canvas, paper, metal or concrete there are many who talents are home grown, beyond comparison and truly free flowing. This is the work of Treza. Enjoy it.

After these few photos of her amazing works, you will find contact info. She is a working breathing artist that deserves your support and praise. Let’s break the cycle of loving an artist’s work after death. If you like the work, make contact. If you can afford to, buy some.

Thank You

SAINT

My official Website:
http://www.artbytrezabettencourt.com
**ARTIST BIO**
Treza is a self-taught artist who paints mostly in Acrylics, also enjoys using Pastels, Colouring Pencils,Water Colours, Stamps and Collage materials. Treza's art expands beyond the canvas to include CD Cover Designing, Greeting Cards, decorative Journals, hand-painted Furniture, Decorative Wooden Boxes, Altered Books, etc. (She might Paint you if you stand still long enough!!!) TreZa is a native of Terceira, one of the Azorean Islands off the coast of Portugal, and one of ten children from a very artistic and musical family.

She attended Wheelock College in Boston, Massachusetts, where she acquired her teaching certificate in Early Childhood Education. In 2004 , Treza resigned from her teaching position in order to dedicate more time to her art and creative projects. Treza's desire and goal is to turn her love for creating into her main income source. She has gathered some collectors of her art in the Tampa Bay, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, New Jersey, Portugal, Greece, China, and Japan.

She is currently the Coordinator for The Start With The Arts program at The Tampa Museum of Art.

Female
52 years old
TAMPA, Florida
United State LOVE! PEACE!FAMILY! HUMAN/ANIMAL RIGHTS!ART! MUSIC! etc
Check these out and join me there:
Click on the following link. FREE to join!If you do, please include this referral number : A9642!! Thank you!

http://treza-bettencourt.fineartamerica.com

http://www.myspace.com/artbytreza

Visit Visual Artists Forum

MEMBER of:
GCAA
(Gulf Coast Artists Alliance)
to join call 727-738-8010

Click on logo to check it out!

Inspirational Artists Quotes in my BLOG space!

BRING BACK THE MIDNIGHT MOVIES.

2008-05-23T14:27:00.001-07:00

You guys know I love independent… well everything. Most times the most creative work comes out of the subcultures or the dark side of the underground. Main stream art for the most part has never found a way to lose…. If anything the direct hits have been lucky shots in the dark.

This time let’s talk about those hundreds of thousands of independent movies out there going straight to D.V.D. Sure you can find them at your Block Buster and F.Y.E about three years after it’s been made. You can find the actors and actresses and directors of such films (all stars in their own right) hanging out with the Hollywood types at Horror Conventions world wide. Some of you even know their names, the companies they work for and the magazines that write about them. But maybe that’s just not enough.

Some of the wild child directors and performers break through all the time. This is quite impressive all and all. However I think that it’s not quite enough. Once it was much easier to get that happening on a higher scale, more often. We have a whole generation of big wig director and styles of film to a little thing called Midnight movies.

The local theaters and drive in’s use to test new directors and some of the most experiment films ever. Grind House, Exploitation, Horror/ Sci-Fi, Spaghetti westerns and Black comedies grew to power with in the day of Midnight movies. It wasn’t always pretty or even good, but trust me freedom (even in art) hardly ever is. But when it was good it was great and the commercial world borrowed from them readily. Then it was no longer a universal constant. It’s now all but gone.

Part of this is due to the big chain theaters and multiplex that has cropped up all over the place. Much like malls and Walmarts are putting stress on mom and pop stores country wide the local theater isn’t really there anymore to release these films nearly as often.

It does still happen, in some corners of the country where these single and double screen theaters hang on… along with indie film-fest and such, but I’d like to see a full scale return of the drive-in and the little family own theater. Maybe if that starts happening more often and in more places we can see the movies that are put on hold waiting to for direct release sooner.

As always there are outlets for the underground art… for film and such is the World Wide Web in the form of webcast and web shows. I also believe that when cable channels like Sci-Fi, Chiller and other less main stream broadcasters gain ground we may see more of these works on the television. Well here’s to hoping anyway right?

If you ever, find yourself in the position to get this type of thing happening where you live, for art sake… do it.

SAINT

How about some comic convention photos for fun

2008-05-20T17:24:00.000-07:00

SAINT v.s Preacher
The Robin of today (Tim Drake)
Drinking with Pikachu
Choked by Dr. Satan
Cover of the Dark Knight Returns great book.
Wolverine cover... one of the most popular comic book charters of all time
Tank Girl one of the indie comics main stays
Me and fabled X-Men writer Chris Claremont
Me and Al Feldstein original artist/ writer of Tales from the cyrpt
Me and Captain America...
Me and a few slave girls from Star Wars, in front of the General Lee (The Dukes car) you figure that one out yourself lol
The Phantom

Comic Relief.... sort of.. yeah... sort of

2008-05-20T16:48:00.000-07:00

"It's been a long time...I shouldn’t have left you without a strong post to step too...

think of how many weak blogs you slept through.

Times up... sorry I kept you."

SAINT play off the incredible Rakim (Respectfully)

Sadly the tech I have at hand does me more harm than good. I've been unable to post and anyone who knows me, know, anytime I can't run my mouth is a bad day. So let’s get this restart shall we... and no matter how long I'm away… trust and believe, I'll be back more often than the Governor of Cali.

Now let's talk comic books...

When I was growing up my mother tried on several accounts to tell me that comic books where just garbage...more kid stuff than anything else and if I was to become a sensible man I had to as the fames lines go (Put childish things aside)

At a different time, she may well have been right. But when I was a teen ager, a young man, comics had started their complete and utter effect over all of media as we know it.

So much so that today every tenth movies was something first imagined in comics. Even odder is the fact that many movies and books and T.V shows lend themselves to the medium in hopes of continuing story arcs in them. Comic books in many ways are the natural evolution of the nickel novel of old, and if you read Alan Moore's League of extraordinary gentlemen, you'll see as he does. There is little difference between the most famous novels of all time and the comics of the last 60 years.

I have had the great fortune of hobnobbing with some of the great comic creators in history and the new masters of the age to come.

I did a great deal of conversing with people from the top ten comic brands and many indie labels at The New York City Comic Con a few weeks ago and The Mid West Comic con Just this last weekend. In this case I'm not asking you... I'm telling you, it is art. It also promotes reading to kids and teens.

There are also more adults reading then children these days, as once a comic book fan always a comic book fan.

Now it’s not too late to join in on the fun, comic book conventions happen all the time all around the country, even the world. Some focus on Manga (Japan’s comic books and cartoons) some on American comics or T.V show and films that are comic relevant… Star Trek, Star Wars, and Buffy the vampire slayer, the list goes on and on. The creators, artist, writers and even actors of the products come out to meet the fans and discuss the work that has been done and maybe done in the future. If you’re the type that has an old comic book wrapped in plastic gathering dust up in the attic maybe just maybe the artist who drew that book will autograph it for you.

To date I’ve meet the artist of the original EC horror comics Al Feldstein. Now if you never read a comic in your life you may still know his work… as his work as been recreated as T.V shows and Movies under the same title as his comics ‘Tales from the crypt’. As well as the creator of The Ghost Rider Gary Friedrich (Ghost Rider was played by Nicholas Cage in the recent hit film.) and the man who’s writing first made The X-Men the most well known comic book series in the world Chris Claremont.

The next one I’m going to is back in the Big Apple… name aptly the ‘Big Apple Con’ that will be on June 7-8^th Saturday 10am-7pm and Sunday 10am-6pm at the Penn Plaza Pavilion 401 Seventh Avenue at 33rd St. New York, N.Y., 10001-2062

Admission $15.00 Go out and have a ball.

SAINT

P.S. While I’m on the topic of comic books I’d like to bring up this real cool group called ‘The Hero Initiative’. Like with most things that start out small and become huge money makers the earlier artist and writers of comics really got raw deals… creating the characters that entertained the world for generations have not saved them from going broke. While the publishers who hold the copyrights for sometimes 50 years and over, have gotten rich. The Hero Initiative exists to give all but forgotten comic creators help. Such as medical aid and financial support… if you find yourself interested in hearing more about this group, check them out at www.heroinitiative.org.

Exposed in your own backyard.

2008-04-11T23:18:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm here in our own backyard again, at a little place hidden on the side of the Bohemian Caverns named LIV (live). For you who are not local or in the D.C know that's right there on 11th and U.
Here at Liv on Thursday night, while you were sleeping or whatever there was an event called exposure going on... co-hosted by the sexy and personable Horror actress Monique Dupree aka the First Black Scream Queen and the equally tasty Fetish model/ actress BeBe Doll.
Of course insider news that these two are to be doing an up coming web show for the indie powerhouse film company Dark Stone Entertainment called Knight Stalkers, it's not too surprising co star John Shey came through, as well as Danielle aka Danni D-vine also of Dark Stone fame.
A Great and talented artist (Juan Monarez) hung his art, gallery style under the blaring refrains of songs hand picked by Fetish DJ K of Orpheus from the city of Harm; Baltimore. Monique signed autographs and Fetish photographer(Larry Bradby) set out an incredible display of photos.
Monique and BeBe hit the dance floor, dancing and greeting people coming in to join the party. I walked the crowd... talking to artists, models, actors and film makers a like, with my camera and got this little exclusive for the UrbanCode mag online... because I'm SAINT dammit and I love my life. I took to my piss poor lap top and put this together for your enjoyment. Please do pass it on and discuss among yourselves.
But seriously(Tom Brown reference) great art went up, great photos too and music filled the air ... this was a party. I have plenty of photos of the work displayed. I share them with you now.
Do yourself a favor look up these artist, this photographer... these actors and actresses and models and the film company Dark Stone. Know what creative people are doing just around the corner from you.. See, I had a great time and saw plenty of people... but I didn't see you. I really would have liked too, after all... we where right in your back yard.

SAINT

© 2008, SAINT. All rights reserved.
No republication of this material, in any form or medium, is permitted without express permission of the author.

P.S Shhhh the Dark Stone film Company is throwing a party here May the 15... maybe you'll be awake for it.

www.exposure.com

www.1stgataofgore.com
www.moniquedupree.com
www.myspace.com/actualbast
www.youtube.com/moniquedupree7
www.myspace.com/negrochilde

www.thebebedoll.com
www.myspace.com/bebedoll
www.dangerdangerdanger.com

www.larrybradbyphotography.com
larrybradbyphoto.deviantart.com

www.myspace.com/darkstone_ent

www.myspace.com/danni_d_vine

Do some research.

SAINT v.s The super commercial Pop Music Culture

2008-04-01T09:10:00.001-07:00

Well, can't win them all, can you?
Happy April fools day.... from us all year 'round clowns.

Peace.

SAINT

Shameless self promotion part 1

2008-03-31T17:16:00.000-07:00

Real quick post here.... Just a reminder that my novel (written under my government... Anthony S. Thomas) is out there and you can indeed order it or go to any local book store and order it. It's a horror novel, the first of many. This book is now available.
Again... if you would like to get a copy, you can order it over the net (Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com etc. ) or go to your local book store maybe even have them stock their shelves with 666 Newark Avenue A novel by
Anthony S. Thomas aka SAINT

I'll make my next post more in the spirit of the other SAINTed views (but what's the point if having a forum if you don't promote your own works as well.) There will be more of this from time to time as I'm working on plenty of creative things.

Have a good night.

SAINT

Wrap your head(lock) around this.

2008-03-31T10:35:00.001-07:00

Okay here it is. (Professional)Wrestling over the years has become a hot button issue. It's comes down to the same old complains leveled against all sports figures and businesses. People behaving badly, making way too much money and drug use. Hell, in some cases even murder. Well, when you apply that to the world we live in there's a lot of that to spread around to all industry and life. Right? To be totally honest, I think it's a fact that entertainment and sports business generates way too much money.... and I'm in the entertainment industry(the broke part lol). In a fair and just society most of that money would be in the pay checks of teachers. Maybe, in turn, less of them would feel like they are spinning their wheels when things get rough on the education front. But this is not a fair and just society and that's another blog.
We are going to talking about the art that goes in to the act of wrestling professional. Rather, is it an art? I'd have to say it is. Wrestling is a form of fighting using holds and throws design to pin or take control from your foe. As I understand it, the Greeks are credited with the style. This is still taught in schools and such to this day. The modern profession form, has a history in the United States dating back to carnival strong men staging fights to entertain the locals. Today this has been regulated under a polished and profound promotional network that I don't think is equaled by any professional wrestling's peers.
Most won't agree but professional wrestling takes all the artistry of a play, a ballet or a circus. The performers in a wrestling match are only there to entertain, so there is really no competing going on in the ring. There is however, a well planned and executed dance of movements, holds and death defying stunts. Just to learn and perform such moves is an art. To take that away from them is like taking the high note from opera singers or the dramatic pause from soap actors. Just like walking the tight wire most of us can't do it... so some respect is indeed in order.
Now this isn't every ones cup of tea and I understand that. I can count my favorite musicals with out every leaving this one hand. But if you are to really get into what makes art, art... you must learn to at the very least recognize when something takes incredible timing, great skill and in the case... amazing strength.
Now please enjoy a few of these pictures from my weekend in(mostly) sunny Orlando, where I got to see The Hall of Fame for 2008, The brunch with the W.W.E superstars (basically a fund raiser for The Make a Wish Foundation, good cause) and Wrestlemania where I saw the end of a 35 year career of one of the business's greats, Ric Flair.
Okay, I'm out of here... I going to find out what people eat here. Always eat at least once like a local... it's good for the soul (If you can that is... somethings are just no no's)

SAINT

Pick ups....

2008-03-11T09:49:00.000-07:00

First off, I'm sorry for my poor editing job in the last post... We will indeed be working on that(bare with me) (bear) (be-air) lol. Now as far the very first post... I failed to get you guys some good footage of performances.
This I hope will help make up for that. Since everybody and their grandmother has a My space page... I collected the links to a couple of the people /businesses I spoke of in the post.

http://www.myspace.com/therealakrobatik http://www.myspace.com/fatbeatsrecords

Check them out, listen and judge for yourself. For the first time in the history of music for sale, the underground sounds are just a google search away. Any music... all music... your music without a radio personality spoon feeding you what's 'hot' for the record company with the most pull. Jazz, Blue, Rock, Rap, whatever... seek it out people, support it.

Oh yes, before I forget... clearly the above photo is of me. It was taken by D.C Artist.
This was a completely spontaneous photo at a convention... no studio, just one shot.
Imagine an all shoot under controlled circumstances .
Yeah.... sounds good don't it.

Just a little pick up.

SAINT

In your backyard.

2008-03-05T14:53:00.000-08:00

This will be short and sweet, more will follow soon I promise. Anyway, as I ask the question is it art.... I of course have no real choice but to let you know 'it's all right there in your backyard'.
Now lets face facts here, your back yard isn't the same thing anymore. Not when with the stroke of a few keys you can scan the globe twice. In this case however we find that in the classic sense right here in the D.C area you can fine what you need.
What you need is an affordable Photographer/ Graphic artist.... is it art.... now don't be silly... of course it is. When in and around D.C why not reach out to Paula Bannerman best known as D.C Artist (and a host of other names such as Inari and Oya. This is a true sign of the artist in the mix, known for many names but the birth one lol)
Any how Paula is a dream for any one seeking top level work in computer imagery including but not limited to 3-D works, basic web design, make up and of course the thing that brings her to the dance every time, Photography.
Now I have a few examples of D.C Artist's work and contact info... but the most important part of this little article and the many like it to come is that you all have talented people right next door working in the fields that can help enhance your business and very lives. Let's start getting them the work we farm out so often to huge corporate firms unnecessarily. Let's leave the big boys for the big nation-wide corporate things and get the local art back to the local artist.
just a bit of a SAINTedview.

SAINT
© 2008, SAINT. All rights reserved

Contact D.C Artist:
www.myspace.com/dcartist
email Paulab@dcartist.com
www.dcartist.com ( under construction for right now)

P.S.
D.C Artist asked that I Shout out to all her friends and family who put up with all her silly ways. You guy know who you are.

Hip Hop a universal culture part1

2008-02-27T13:48:00.000-08:00

"... Now back to this thing we call Hip- Hop and what it meant to D.J Scott La Roc" KRS-ONE

For my first Urban Code blog, I had to go home to the cultural event that help shape me. The birth of Hip-Hop and the very varied forms of art that the modern culture entails.
Of course there is so much to go in to. It means so much to me and many others that I won't be able to do it justice with a single wordy online essay. We will return to this quite a bit.
I love to ask the question 'Is it art?' Now the question is more for others than myself. Every where I go, I see the lighter and darker side to a multiverse of forms and styles of artistic expression. Most times I find that the masses (that's you folks) denies art that is darker, sexual or raw in nature. It forces people to call entire forms in to question because we are conditioned to. This is partly why I'm doing this in the first place.
Odd thing with Hip-Hop related art forms... the darker side is all but disproportionately pushed mainstream. Gangsta rap has become the norm. Losing the educational value that came from earlier groups such as N.W.A. and Ice T on the subject of gangs. Most mainstream Rapper have all but forgotten the D.J element of the music as well.
I love hard and dark art..... but the balance being off is a problem. But it's your problem... if you want more from your Hip Hop related art, seek it out. It's out there Under Ground in every city around the world. The business men who has package and mass produce it, only understand that they can sell it.
They are(for the most part) not concerned with promoting the wide, vast, wisdom and riches that can be found out there.
It's call show business not show art... If you want to see or understand the art.... go where it's done without the promise of money and a guest shot on B.E.T.late night.
These art forms are perhaps the purest most natural progression of a hybrid civilization in history. It can conform to and or conform any other existing form to it's complex simplicity.
Back when this thing started many people said this culture didn't have real music.... that what D.J's do is nothing like playing an instrument. That spray painted letters on highways underpasses isn't visual art. Rimes on beats isn't a form of singing. This hasn't changed much. I have to disagree, each and every time. Art is a reflect of reality rehashed through a talented persons chosen medium. This view may be rose colored or jaded...and the entire spectrum in between. With that in mind I must insist This Is Art on the most earthy and elemental level.
I have a few videos of a Fat Beats show taken on a trip back to where Hip-Hop was birthed , New York, N.Y . Fat Beats (an indie label almost as old as the culture itself) put on a show featuring a great collection of artist from around the country, with more than a passing interest in keeping the music alive and expanding.
Listen to Rap artist like Acro (Acrobatic) and his crew then tell me this man doesn't have something on his mind far removed from material things and bling. Look and listen to D.J. J Roc. and tell me this doesn't take the same talent and education as guitar.
I had a group of vids of these talented performances, sadly my cameras audio feature didn't work very well. I also recorded the colorful offering of the spray-paint can masters of three to four states while traveling by train.
Now if you just don't like it, you don't, there are plenty of forms I don't enjoy. But lets begin the task of erasing the mind set that states if I don't like it it must not be art.

SAINT
© 2008, SAINT. All rights reserved.
No republication of this material, in any form or medium, is permitted without express permission of the author.