2007-05-21

I'm getting amongst it now... That is, I've landed a show at Faust (many thanks to my lovely and talented Polish language teacher) on December the 11th, 2007. I must have 23 pieces for the show but am hoping to have 50 done by that time so that I can pick and choose the best...as well as prepare myself for any other opportunities that may come my way. I've found a fantastic printer for my photo collages at Finisz Studio at ul. Lobzowska 15 here in Krakow. I've purchased a Bosch cordless compound mitre saw so I can do all my framing and box work. And I'm steadily chipping away at a commission from a delightful patron in Paris. I've set up a couple of peripheral sites: a MySpace site for a more genarl feel of what I'm into as well as for networking and a Picassa site for all my back catalogue of stuff going back to the eighties. In the Picassa site is a new side hobby that I've picked up: Photographing stencil graffitti - amazing stuff. Spring is in full force, the family is happy, more family will be arriving soon - life is good. Yes, I'm amongst it and we'll talk again the next time I eddy out of this raging river to catch my breath. All the best to you all.

1-29-07

Well, here I am in Krakow. The Family has a routine, we are all learning Polish - the language, the flavors and colors and finer nuances. I have been taking thousands of photographs and notes for future paintings, collages and mirror boxes. These are my first impressions of my first five months aclimating to this city: Visually speaking, I feel that a lot of the layering, cutting, pasting and juxtaposing has been done for me by the history of Krakow. Time has layered kings and queens next to gestapos, underneath ripped and torn functionality of communism, broad , bold brush strokes of Solidarity hand in hand with Catholisism's sactuary and sacrifice and then finally a patina of 80s Euro-pop trash - sounds of freedom and the daunting task that is the new millenium and what it takes to join the EU. 500 years can be seen in layers at almost every turn in this town and the Poles, highly trained in adaptation and survival, get as comfortable as possible with the riddles, the koans, the paradoxes that have been created as a result of it all. Let's see how I too change and evolve from these first impressions of this marvelous city and its people.

7-14-06

Last night I saw "An Inconvenient Truth"... Roger Ebert's review of the movie sums up so much of how I felt about it: "You owe it to yourself to see this film. If you do not, and you have grandchildren, you should explain to them why you decided not to." I thought it was a riveting film that could possibly be the most important public service announcement in humanity's history.

6-19-06

The American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) is truly mindblowing! I arrived to a Rumi Festival and dived in to the whole scene - Coleman Barks, Zuleikha, Whirling Dirvishes and all the fine folks who came for the celebration. AVAM's collection will haunt me in the best way - a truly inspirational experience.

6-14-06

Here I am...julianparkerburns.com. Amazing! Thank you all for your patronage, friendship, wisdom and for all of your feedback on the last site (look, no pop-ups). I look forward to expanding this site as time and space permit. This weekend I'm off to explore The American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore (a Father's Day gift from my lovely family).