Drummer Boyz

We've been talking about these guys since our second meeting, so we thought we should get a shot of them on the Blog -- doing their Thang! Rob, Phil and Chris have also met up outside of our Creative Arts Group to play at a drum circle that meets in Southfield and also at the 2nd Wednesday's musicians night at Caribou Coffee in Royal Oak.

All three guys have their own drum kits, but have been keeping us musically entertained at each meeting with their African & Middle Eastern hand-held drums -- along with a big-ole variety of other percussion instruments (tambourine, shakers, blocks, cow-bells).

If you're looking for a percussionist for an event, gig, etc................. drop us a line to get in touch with one of these talented drummers. To hear them play, show up at our next Creative Arts Group meeting on June 16!!

"unfiltered" preview in photos

"Summer Time" (Greenish face)
Dan Casado lives with his wife Sisi (who will also be in the show) in the Canary Islands off the coast of Spain. Self declared folk artists, both have very unique colorful styles, Sisi tending towards the more traditional, while Dan has somewhat more modern feel to his paintings. DAN and SISI Folk Art - http://perso.wanadoo.es/sisi2/

"Gunning Girl"
Chani is a 22 year old self-taught artist from Sweeden. A self declared "messed up narcissist", her paintings are both profoundly disturbing and beautiful.

"Take Me Home" (3 piece mixed media)
Matt Bevan is a 22 year old self taught artist and musician from the outback of Australia. http://www.flickr.com/people/atlasmaneyes/

Preview of Upcoming Exhibit

Mike will be hosting an exhibit (titled UNFILTERED) in Ferndale at Octane (www.octanephotographic.com) beginning next Saturday, June 3. As a preview to the showing, he brought several pieces -- mostly paintings -- from artists all across the country (and beyond) that will be displaying their work at the show. UNFILTERED will run from June 3rd thru July 15. The opening reception is from 6:00 - Midnight on June 3.

Our drummers were back in full force! Phil used his electronic drum kit while Chris and Rob played D'jembe and Dumbek. We're looking for more musicians to join in -- Got Guitar?????

Our newlyweds -- Donnie and Stacey -- were at the meeting also. We'll be scanning more of Donnie's comic-book drawings soon. They recently got their wedding album and some of the ideas this photographer had for the pix were phenomenal! We hope to put a plug in for her photography business and feature a few of the especially cool shots on our Artist Spotlight.

Our next Creative Arts Group meeting will be in THREE weeks (instead of 2) because of an event scheduled at the school. Next meeting is FRIDAY, JUNE 16. Put it on your calendar........... NOW!

Friday Night - May 26

Now that our group has grown to an actual "Group" -- we can start to filter each other to our own contacts and -- in turn -- get filtered.

We're kicking around the idea of some kind of "directory" to list all the individual websites and email contacts for all the artists. We're looking for feedback -- How would YOU like to see this group progress?

We're going to start some "Open-Mic Discussions" this week. You're invited to talk about your art and your visions for the future. No pressure -- if you're not a talker, that's fine too.

ANY ideas are welcome! Bring 'em on ....................

METAL ART

Check out the stunning work that David specializes in --Metal Art!

If you're looking for one-of-a-kind, custom-designed, hand-crafted, BEAUTIFUL furniture, sculptures & garden art -- then you've found your source. David is located in Berkley, but his art resides in homes and businesses all across the metro area.

Although most all of his pieces feature steel of some sort, many of his works incorporate stone, wood, glass, sand or other unique materials that result in AMAZING art. For more info on David and his talent, take a look at his website: www.dasadesigns.com

Mike brought several of his drawings, paintings and creations to our meeting Friday night. He's only recently (within the past year or so) explored his passion for creating his own art -- but now that he's diving into it -- he's HOOKED! Mike's work is very diverse -- using different types of materials -- both AS the paint and as the "canvas". The "Bad Girl" painting is a compilation of materials (not only paint) on Tile. Wild Stuff

Mike will be hosting a gallery show in Ferndale in June.
www.flickr.com/photos/twistedpoodleart/137633944/
Mike's art:
www.fromtheoutside.org/Gal34_From_the_Inside_Out.asp

Where do I Start?!?!?!?

What a terrific meeting -- our largest turnout yet!

Of course we couldn't start our evening without a fiasco -- we showed up to get our room set and discovered that the entire facility was wall-to-wall art exhibits for the Senior High art show this weekend.

The custodians came up with the idea of letting us use the upstairs balcony that overlooks the swimming pool -- so up we headed. No easy feat with speakers, art exhibits, food, coffee pot, etc. But we were happy to have a place to meet and since we had over a dozen people show up -- it worked out great.

Where do I begin? the music? the paintings? the metal sculptures? the Mt. Dew?

Let's start the re-cap with a couple of the 1st timers to the C.A.G. Since there were 7 new people who've never been to a previous meeting -- it's going to take me several Blog entries to cover them all. I'll go into more detail with each when we post their Artist Spotlight.

David is a metal artist -- but also implements stone, wood, sand and other elements to contrast with his steel to make fantastic pieces of art. He's worked with several of his clients to create specific designs to their desires. Many of the pieces that he's done are from his own creative thinking. Someone will give him a general idea of what they're interested in, then David comes up with the actual piece. Check out his website @ www.dasadesigns.com He does a huge variety of furniture, sculpture, wall art, garden art -- the possibilities are unlimited! If your imagination can think it -- I really believe that David can CREATE it.

Mike is our first Painter to the Creative Arts Group. He's only been painting for the past year or so, but has some very elaborate, intensely detailed works. His art is very abstract and what he may have been thinking when he was painting isn't necessarily what a viewer sees when they're looking at the picture. It was very cool to hear people's interpretations of what the paintings looked like or how it invoked thoughts that Mike really hadn't intended when he originally painted the piece. Here's Mike's site: http://www.fromtheoutside.org/Gal34_From_the_Inside_Out.asp

I'm looking forward to getting these guys into our Artist Spotlight! Check back soon for the next installment.

TONIGHT -- Friday, May 12 -- 7:00 - 9:00pm

Creative Arts Group. Bring your friends! Pick up some fliers at tonight's meeting and help spread the word. It's all about helping each other -- supporting each other -- networking -- and making friends. The more people we get to show up and share, the more we'll get our own work out there for exposure and possible Paid Work -- and who doesn't like THAT?!

If we all keep our ears and eyes open to each others talents -- we can ALL move ahead. In our business. In our relationships. In making our community OURS.

JOIN US!

Coffee Time

Penny and Chris joined Xavier tonight at Caribou Coffee for a great set of Xavier's original songs. Penny started out playing D'Jembe, but moved on to several percussion instruments while Chris accompanied on D'Jembe.

Phil (who's also a drummer) chose to sit out this session as not to overpower the guitar with too much percussion. Hopefully we'll be hearing Phil again soon (like this FRIDAY!) at our Creative Arts Group.

We'd like to give a THANK YOU to Caribou Coffee for allowing these "2nd Wednesday of the Month" music nights to take place. It's great entertainment for the patrons as they enjoy their coffee and it's a prefect venue for musicians to get to know each other.

THANX CARIBOU!

Xavier: www.xaviermooremusic.com

Upcoming Stuff!

Next week is full of local events -- get out your calendar.

Caribou Coffee on Main & 4th in Royal Oak will be hosting their "Second Wednesday of the Month" musicians showcase on Wednesday, May 10. Music starts at 7:30. Look for Xavier, Rob, Chris and Phil to be playing.

Friday, May 12 is our next Creative Arts Group. 7-9:00 at Dondero. We're hoping to add some poetry readings mixed in with the music this week. Any and all "art" is welcomed -- or just stop in to enjoy the evening. (We get a bigger plug -- cuz we're US!)

Saturday, May 13 is the opening of an exhibit of "self-taught" artists @ Izzy's Raw Art Gallery (info at www.izzysrawart.com) on Michigan Avenue in Detroit. Two of our Creative Arts artists (Terence and Jerry) have been invited to display their work. The opening/artists reception is from 7:00pm until 12:00 midnight. The show will run for about two months -- but the artists will be there for the premier on May 13. Head down and support our artists and check out the other local talent.