ART SKOOL DAMAGE : Christian Montone

23 July 2010

We Go Way Back: Petula & Me

Though it's not pictured here, one of my favorite childhood records was a hand me down from my Mom. It was a heavy rotation-worn 7 inch single of Petula Clark's classic "Downtown". That girlish chirp, that spritely delivery... and those horns! They always sounded to me like so many cars passing by on a busy, rain-slick New York City street. Every note of her voice sounded like another one of the electric colors of billboards and theatre marquees reflected in the puddles on the blacktop. In my mind's eye (though my record had no picture sleeve) I saw her as a mod gal in a shiny yellow raincoat, dancing down the sidewalk with arms spread as if embracing the whole city in her song... the swinging 1960s blonde I'd seen on The ABC 4:30 Movie... a good time lady who'd BEEN there, but was none the worse for it.

The record sleeves pictured here are ones I've acquired at numerous thrift shops since my first 45 RPM impression of Ms. Clark. In hearing these, I am glad to say that she not only lived up to, but exceeded my expectations in every way with her unique, ageless gift. Though some would say she was a "one hit wonder", I'm sure that if a person takes a listen to her back catalog, they'll find a stash of forgotten gems, ripe for rediscovery. Thanks, Petula.

22 July 2010

I have a very clear memory of my first glimpse of The Thin White Duke. It was the late 1970s and I was about six years old. As I've said many times (and will say many times more) THANK GOD my family had the good sense to leave me to my own devices with stacks of records from time to time.

The androgynous, cold, almost sexless stare that was illustrated on the "Young Americans" LP was the first impression I had of Mr. Bowie and it confused me.... or should I say it scared me as much as it left me curious. Who WAS this guy? I kept searching the liner notes and sounds on the record inside the sleeve. I knew my way around a turntable at a young age, but I had only a vague idea of the forbidden world represented in lines like "What you like is in the limo." Having seen quite a few episodes of Starsky & Hutch, I assumed he meant guns and hookers. Never mind the fact that I had NO idea what a hooker really WAS. I just knew I wasn't allowed to say it.

This particular copy (now a gem of my collection) was one piece in an excellent stack of vinyl shared by my Aunt Karen and Aunt Susan. It was a MUST LISTEN on my many frequent stays at my grandparents house and entered my possession when both Aunts moved out (and on to cassettes and CDs)... Lucky me.

Though I've been a life-long Bowie fan through his many creative phases (some good, some grim), the above image is the one that alights in my mind's eye whenever his name is called. Even a farily up-close look at his arresting stare on the Roseland Ballroom stage and a couple of passings by on the streets of New York City couldn't erase what my child's eyes took in over thirty years ago. You know what they say about first impressions.

21 July 2010

At My Table

This is the table at which I have done much of my artwork for the last 25 years. It was bought for me by my parents at Pearl Paint and has been in my life ever since: middle school, high school, college and beyond. It's usually covered with a large, stark white piece of unprimed cotton duck canvas (yes, it's for aesthetic reasons) but whenever I remove the canvas drape, this is what I see. I'm often taken aback by the amount of scratches, slashes, splatters and smudges (click for a closer look) when I expose the surface to work on something particularly messy. At times, I've wanted to put it in storage in favor of a more attractive table or desk, but something always keeps me from doing so. That "something" has been the voice of a friend and at other times, it's been my own conscience. That said, it was time to feature this surface here. It's quite special and has been witness (and host) to many great things.

20 July 2010

Draw-Paint-Cut-Paste: My New Header

Armed with pencils, scissors, sketchbook, tracing paper, splattered watercolor pages, glue and tape. Dissatisfied with my first design, I made it the backdrop for the contour-cut version two. The first pages of my newest sketchbook are (fittingly) dedicated to the header design for my new blog. New start on all fronts: 20 July 2010.

We Go Way Back: Siouxsie & Me

Few artists have held my attention in the way that Siouxsie Sioux has. Whether with The Banshees, The Creatures or as a solo act, her performance dynamics, musical stylings and visual impact always entranced me. My first vision of her was at age 12, when she appeared as a somewhat grainy, yet colorful figure with rhinestone-encrusted eyelids on a UHF music channel. It was the Summer of 1985. Shortly thereafter, I started actively seeking her presence on any and all records, cassettes and Star Hits magazine clippings.

Having seen her live many times over the years, I can safely say that ANY audience with Ms. Sioux is unforgettable. None were as memorable, though, as the evening in 1999 when my friend Bruce and I spoke to her outside the stage door of New York City's Irving Plaza. Suffice it to say that THAT conversation (complete with jokes, hugs and someone flipping someone the middle finger) only further cemented her status with me as A Forever Fave. Ageless, sharp, commanding and alluring: On record and in person. I could go on and on, but I will leave it at THIS: Thanks for being the real deal, Siouxsie. They don't make them like you anymore. (IMAGES: Vinyl & autographed tour programme from my collection.)