Tag Archives: University of Missouri

Neil Gavett, Model Extraordinare

Posted on by under Art, Life

The Columbia Daily Tribune is running a feature on Neil Gavett, one of the primary models I’ve used in my work over the last couple of years. He’s a pretty cool guy, has an interesting back story, and a staggering plethora of tales to tell. Neil is also a professional art model; he’s posed for nearly 10,000 hours and has been working consistently for over a decade in the Mid-Missouri area. Below is the first painting I ever did of Neil (Fall 2007).

neil I’ve been honored to get to know the man. In working with him, I have tried to create images worthy of the symbiotic relationship we’ve developed, a relationship that could never happen without his deep intention and purposeful action as a man and a model.

Here’s to many more pictures, Neil!

UPDATE: Here’s a related item from the New York Times today: “In the Altogether.”

Ballou and Spear at Perlow-Stevens Gallery

Posted on by under Art, Life, Updates

David Spear and I will be having a joint exhibition entitled “Concerning Composing” from September 1 through September 28th at Perlow-Stevens Gallery here in Columbia, MO. I hope to see a ton of people there. You can search this blog for more examples from the works I am submitting. Here’s one of them.

We’ve put out a catalog for the show. You can take a look here. It features statements by both of us and a selection of the work. Check it out.

Of Pots and Beards

Posted on by under Art, Life

Two people I greatly respect were in the local paper recently.

First, Ian Shelly, a grad student in ceramics here at the University of Missouri who has been a student of mine in the past (and whose studio I often stop into  to see new work and chat with [or head out to Klik’s for a beer or two of an occasional evening]), was featured in the Niche column of the Columbia Tribune. Check it out here.

The author of the piece, Aarik Danielsen, is also a friend of mine. Aarik is a great writer (and music aficionado) and has crafted pieces for PopMatters, Ethics Daily, among others, and is a zealous advocate for beards. Good stuff.

I’m enjoying this synergy of people I like doing things that I like. Best line by Ian from Aarik’s piece:

“The pots I like are brown,” Shelly said. “Nobody likes brown pots.”

ian

Ian enjoying a famous ceramic work, Spring 2009

Neoteric Art Writings

Posted on by under Life, Writing

I’m a contributor to Neoteric Art, a brainchild of William Dolan and Norbert Marszalek. Good guys, both of ’em. Check out my latest short text about Richard Diebenkorn and my older piece on Cecily Brown and Linda Nochlin at the Des Moines Art Center.

Short Thoughts on Loving Diebenkorn’s Work

Visions of Violence and Pleasure: Cecily Brown and Linda Nochlin at the Des Moines Art Center

I’m looking forward to future writings appearing at Neoteric Art.