THE PIT

Spooky Art Fest

This posting is inspired by the above picture...which reminds me...be on the lookout for an upcoming show by him (STAY TUNED!) Here are some other halloween-inspired art works for your viewing pleasure:  David Coyle, Amy Stein, Bellwether group show, + this blog claims to have "original zombie art DAILY"!

Last minute art world costume idea

Well, in case you weren't able to snag a turtleneck sweater and white wig for your Warhol costume, let me suggest another idea for ya'. Teri Horton: trucker hat and a fake Pollock drip painting under one arm. I noticed this blurb today on Art Law blog, and had to check it out for myself. The most frightening (oooh, scary for halloween) quote that I found on the Canadian Press site was from the dealer now offering to sell the painting through her gallery, Gallery Delisle. According to Canadian Press, Delisle is quoted as saying, ""A painting's value is the last price paid, so if this person was to then turn around five years later and bring it to Christie's or Sotheby's (they could do well)." Um,someone try to tell that to anyone who ever bought a "Dali" on a cruise ship.

Happy Halloween

We're really into dressing up at Mixed Greens. This year Heather and Courtney have both donned excellent examples of timely costumes. Heather, as the vampire series Twilight's Bella Swan, and Courtney as a Rogue Maverick. 

I've used the pink arrows to point out the factors that make each of their "costumes" effective. Heather shows off her vampire's "gummies" lunch, wears her "i heart Edward" t-shirt, and keeps her rain jacket for all of that stormy Washington state weather nearby.

Courtney is turned away "avoiding the media", and has conveniently forgotten the -ing from her verb, making her more appealing to Americans everywhere.

Reading List

It's nearing that time of year when most folks find themselves enduring long lines at the airport, so I thought I'd post the Mixed Greens "what we're currently reading" list, for any who are adventurous enough to try out our recommendations.

HEATHER (is not ashamed to admit she's reading):
Twilight
New Moon (not her favorite, however)
Eclipse
Breaking Dawn

MICHAEL (is confidently recommending):
White Tiger
and next up on his list? "maybe a collection of short stories by Edgar Allen Poe." oh, how appropriate--just in time for Halloween.

ADAM (is feeling some serious 1960s angst):
Hell's Angels by Hunter Thompson
Maggie Cassidy by Jack Kerouac
oh, and COLORS magazine #74 Victims: Dedicated to the earthquake disaster in the Sichuan province of China

COURTNEY (is reading Heather's old books, AND really likes food references):
Twilight
In Defense of Food
The Invention of Curried Sausage
and this great blog posting today

It's never dull.

The friendly fireman just stopped by to tell us that there's a gas leak outside. 

Art Review SHOCKER!

Above: screenshot taken from Thomas Kinkade Wikipedia entry

Although Damien Hirst was named #1 on annual Art Review Top 100 list, Thomas Kinkade is still the real winner here. Somehow the "Painter of Light" managed to be named #100 on the list due to the fact that he claims to be the "most collected living artist in America". 

It seems Kinkade is laughing all the way to the bank with this one (funny, because I thought Hirst was the one laughing all the way to the bank with his Sotheby's sale this fall.)  The Art Review entry prompted me to lookup the Thomas Kinkade Company website, as well as the Wikipedia entry (which I suggest you check out if you're looking for some funny reading...scroll down to the section on "Personal Conduct".)

Whaaa?? A Monday post? Shocking!

I know, I know. A Monday posting on The Pit is rare, mainly because Monday is my day off. However, I am at work today, and this is what I've been reading (great way to start the week):

I was a bit behind on this story, but a SHOUT OUT to Paddy Johnson--this one is certainly in the spirit of the upcoming elections.

Also pre-weekend news, but something you shouldn't miss. Censorship--yikes. I'm glad his pet shop isn't getting shut down anytime soon.

Ed Winkleman's post today made me gasp--he was daring enough to mention the unthinkable:  lowering prices (ahhh!!!!) A very thoughtful posting worth reading.

We've already mentioned this problem on the Pit, but it looks like the Art Newspaper has finally caught onto it.

Spotted!

This posting is obviously about politics street art in NYC. SHOUT OUT to Erin Sircy who spotted this URBAN SHOUT OUT to Obama mural on 2nd Ave @ Houston. And, since Friday is Fun Day, here's my favorite video clip of the week.

That time of year again

For all you early-bird Holiday shoppers, I thought I'd throw some suggestions your way.

For the philanthropist.

For the animal lover.

For the contemplative type.

For the investment banker (with a sense of humor).

For the L.E.S. artist.

For the Republican.

For the reader.

For the lover of Shark Week.

For the person who's into labels.

For the Morissey fan.

Diamond Skull Conflict?

So, ArtInfo.com posted the news that Damien Hirst's diamond skull, "For the Love of God", might go to auction. This raises the question I've often wondered about when it comes to resale rights for (European) artists. Since Damien Hirst is part-owner of the piece in question, if it sells at auction, does he then receive his artist resale royalties in addition to the money from the sale?? Well, this website answered my questions for me, and it seems that no, he would not.  Under the section "Exempted Resales", it states that there is exemption:

"...where the seller previously acquired the work directly from the artist less than three years before the sale, and the sale price does not exceed €10,000; in other words, the regulations apply only to sales made three or more years after the artist's first studio sale or transfer of ownership, and to all sales exceeding €10,000 even if they are made within the first three years after the artist's first studio sale or transfer of ownership.

Therefore this would not apply to Hirst's skull because he only bought if off himself a year ago, right? Am I wrong? Anyone out there want to sort this out for me??