jeremy okai davis

Digable Planets
So, the Digable Planets are playing at 2410 tonight. I saw the poster driving to work Monday and just got around to seeing when and where the show is. Good thing too. I hope I can make it out there. I've been a fan of that group for a quite a while. I mean over 15 years. It's kinda crazy to think that it's been that long since "Cool Like Dat" was all over the TV. I remember really disliking that song initially and then hearing Nickel Bag A Funk somewhere and quickly running out to buy the first album. Then when 9th Wonder came out from Blow Out Combs, that video just did me so many favors. With that said, I'm jazzed. Hope I can make it out there on short notice, being a little sick and with work in the morning. I need to revert to my 23 year old self who wouldn't think twice about it and just go...hrmmm. That's another story.

jeremy

Completed, scanned and yousendit...ed my Andrew Bird to Rachel last night and I've been getting some nice comments on Flickr about it from friends. It's always strange working on a piece for a good bit and getting so intimate with it. You get to a point where you don't want to let it go for fear of it being frowned upon. No matter how many accomplishments and compliments one gets it's still nerve racking and ultimately (if the reception is decent) pleasing to know that people find beauty in what you put your time in. Basically, I'm glad that I'm a pretty good artist and it's afforded me a little bit of supplemental income and it's brought cheer to people.

Illustration and Artwork
If you've never visited my Flickr page a good bit of my illustration work rests there with some studio, gallery and in progress shots from years past. Now since I've gone and made this post "Jeremy Heavy" I'm gonna toss some links to a few people.

I had the pleasure of sharing my residence and time with Denison Witmer this past weekend. He was in town to play a show put on by my roommate Lindsay. I was pretty unfamiliar with his music though the name rang out pretty strong when she mentioned him coming. The show was great from the opening acts (Kellie Schaefer & Day of Lions) to the venue (The Funky Church) and the Denison headlining was just icing on the cake. His performance was sort of a story tellers type of deal and it was awesome getting some insight into his history and the songs make the listening experience so much more enjoyable. His lyrics are not one for trivial turns, all the words are important and none are wasted. Give him a listen and I'll keep kicking myself for not listening earlier.

Douglas Witmer
The day he left we had a chat about art and he clued me into his brother Douglas who also paints and is having a couple major shows in NYC soon. I looked and really enjoyed the paintings on wood that are actual paintings on wood. Disjointed slats, blocks and found wood, painted with blocks of color that off sets the harsh angles of the wood. Check out all the work and judge for yourself. I tend to lean towards figurative, representational work but I'm a fan of his stuff.

jeremy

Barkley L. Hendricks
He has a website but the best place to get a look at his work is at the Nasher at Duke site. I was completely unaware of the man until I did some reading on Antoine's blog a few months back. Wonderful portraits and an interesting career. I was at Fresh Pot over the weekend and read a nice article on him. I admire a good craftsman and in his work you can see his attention to detail. I hope to be able to see some of his work in person at some point.

Chelsea Williams
I've never been one to really lie about my musical tastes and I'm not going to start now. Roomie Ash had a friend stay the night 2 of the past three named Chelsea Williams. She was in town to play for some radio station general managers to try to strengthen her chances of airplay. Kudos to her. I listened to her music, as well as The Henry Clay People who were in town as well but I'll get to them later, and was impressed with the voice but the style is fairly common singer songwriter stuff. I'm writing about her mainly because I was taken by her sweetness. She is a street performer in the LA area and recently started playing shows. I wish her luck. Give her a listen and see what you think.

The Henry Clay People
I unfortunately missed their set at Doug Fir on Sunday because upon listening to them I really liked what I heard and Ash says the live show is tight and fun. They've been playing together for 9 years and I can hear some of that 90's Indie Pavement-esque sound to them and I dig it. I'll have to look more up on them.

The weekend is almost upon me. I have lots to do. Slightly overwhelmed but it's ok. It's good to be busy.

jeremy

So, I've been watching America's Next Top Model but not really reporting how I feel about it. There are 4 left at this point and my favorite from day one McKey is still in there. Looking at the rest of the girls, who are all gorgeous in their own ways, I could see McKey winning the whole thing. I think she has grown as a model and gotten more comfortable as the show's progressed. I think her face is unique and her height and body type look like they could work for both runway and magazines. With that said, my second favorite is Samantha mainly because she seems like a normal person. She's really grown on me. Her photos have been consistently pretty though also a little misguided. Her natural shot from this past episode was stunning and her personality and comfort as a model seemed to come out in it. Annaleigh I think is attractive and has a great body and personality for modeling but there is something about her that I just can't get behind and I can't put my finger on it. Marjorie and Elina both have taken good pictures but It's not a stretch to say that they both seem to have not really improved much and their personalities as the show projects have been a little grating, Elina with the ice princess exterior and Marjorie as a spaz. I think the finals will come down to Annaleigh and McKey and I could see either winning. Annaleigh's character and personality may take it for her but McKey could swing the vote with sheer talent and potential. This seasons weak but I think the voting has been more accurate than years past and I look forward to the seeing who wins.

jeremy

Stolen from Fecal Face like a handful of my links are. Thanks guys.
Erin Morrison

jeremy

I put a new painting that I've been working on up on my website for everyone's viewing pleasure. I again wanted to play with some harsh angles played against the "impressionistic" approach to the portraits. The shapes may be a little displaced but I sort of like it. You gotta throw new things out there and see what happens. This is what happened this go round. I think the face needs a little work but I'll address that after i knock out a few commissions.

jeremy

I hope everyone had a decent Halloween. I stayed close to home as the neighbors had a special Tick Talk Radio Shop on a Friday evening and then a party that I thought was pretty awesome but I suppose got a little out of control. I must've missed that portion. Anyways. Happy Belated Halloween to all. I woke up and did a surprise clean up for the neighbors in the guise of "The Ghost of The Purple Barn". It would make sense if you were here...

I'll be getting breakfast shortly and then shipping off some paintings, building some stretchers and working on some personal pieces for the show next month. I'm basically gonna try to be as productive as possible today though I know I may have to take some "breakies" throughout. Be on the lookout for some new stuff up on the site soon.

Happy Saturday All.

jeremy

Yann Faucher
Weblog
Flickr
Incredible Flickr contact Yann Faucher has a portfolio site and it's worth a stop in. I favor portrait photography with a candid flare and that's exactly what his work is. I really love it. There are gems in all sections.

Got news yesterday from Martha that I can show some paintings at Hopworks on Powell Blvd. It's a fairly new Brewery, Bar, Restaurant in Portland. The size of the show will allow me to show some bigger pieces and most of the work I've created since I've been here. I'm excited to get some work out in the world. Especially during this season considering the amount of commissions that I've been getting of late. It's nice that people trust me with their images and have faith in my vision as an artist, so thanks.

enough about me...

Simon Henwood
I hadn't checked in on Simon Henwood in some time. Appears to have updated his site, which I'll admit confused me for like 18 hours over the weekend. He's also added tons of new work that has approved on his early formula. The figures are a lot more detailed and the subject matter from series to series it new and inspiring. I really like this guys work. He makes me want to go make something.

Kings of Leon
I was afforded my 3rd chance to see Kings of Leon last night at Arlene Schnitzer because of Rachel Briggs' generosity. The first time I saw them was after Aha Heartbreak was released. Me and Joey ventured to the Neighborhood Theater and were not disappointed. Last year I caught them during Bumbershoot on the mainstage. They were supporting Because Of The Times on this performance. Last night I saw them touring off of the newest release, Only By The Night. I'll spare tons of details but say these guys are probably one of my favorite live acts to see. They seem to go 100% everytime and my familiarity with all the material doesn't hurt. Good stuff.

jeremy