What is that saying about Karma?

Karma...it really can bite you in the ass. Last month in the Ukraine, at the Museum of Western and Eastern Art in Odessa, a version of Caravaggio's "Taking of Christ" was taken itself, right out of the museum.

Now initially I was stunned and saddened, I knew there were copies of the original but I didn't think the original was in Odessa, then again maybe it went on loan to this museum. (As a side note, to those of you interested in the dynamics of this piece I recommend "The Lost Caravaggio" it's a great book, and it explains the long road to this painting's true discovery.) To my relief, it was in fact a copy that was stolen. Sweet isn't it? The thieves go through such a barbaric act by cutting it right out of it's frame for what? As if the act of stealing art isn't barbaric but still, even thieves could be gentle with the pieces they are pillaging. In any event, it serves them right, although it is a beautiful copy, it is old and it does demonstrate the fabulous technique perfected by Signor Merisi, we all know, a copy, is a copy, is a copy. It's not by the Master himself, it doesn't matter how good it is, to take a risk of that caliber and target Caravaggio and not have the real thing? What are they going to do with it? A private collector will be stuck with a copy, it can't go back on the market.

I'd sure like to be the fly on the wall when and if they realized..."wait you mean it's not the original?" Now reports indicate that the security system was lax at this museum, honestly folks, if this museum had the original do you really think they wouldn't have the security system up to date? Please. All in all, it serves them right. I'm telling you guys, don't mess with Karma.

Image credit:
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (Italian, 1571-1610)The Taking of Christ, 1602
Oil on canvas
135.5 x 169.5 cm
Society of Jesus of Ireland, on loan to the National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin

Here's to a great artist

For those of you who don't know, I show some of my own art at The Waterloo 7 Gallery. The owner, Jerry Schmidt is a fantastic sculptor, as is his amazing son Tyler. I love these two. Jerry's creativity is endless, he is inspiring and energizing, he reminds me of what it means to be a true artist. Recently, the Plain Dealer Newspaper did a fantastic write up of him, his work, his gallery and his contribution to his community. He is also featured in their blog which I now encourage everyone to read. Enjoy the rest of your Saturday afternoon!

http://blog.cleveland.com/lifestyles/2008/08/welded_generations_as_his_fath.html

Coming up.... a Caravaggio was stolen! I'll talk about what happend, what it means for the prized piece and so on....the madness continues!

Art turned reality show!

I know, I know, two blogs, back to back, you're probably thinking....well nothing because yippee I actually found time to blog in a more timely manor and not wait two months before posting. I had heard this rumor and hoped it was just that, but alas it is true, Sarah Jessica Parker of Sex in the City and the new clothing line "Bitten" (which I like) has decided to dive into the art world and turn it into a reality show....okay get your laughs or cries out...now read on. Acting is art, make no mistake, I give her credit, she is an artist....but please, please, please tell me why?

Cooking yes...fun to watch...designers, okay yes fun to watch....average Americans eating disgusting things, getting dirt and muck all over themselves and looking like fools for the sake of money.....see where I am going with this......what started out as cool to see, to see a chef prepare masterpieces in the kitchen under the clock or designers whip up something fantastic for a home on a dime, that's practical, and good cooking tips. The rest...well...I don't want to have to replace anymore braincells I may loose from watching gibberish.

This is a slippery slope. It stands to turn these potential "winners" into nothing more than sell-outs, they create on a reality based theme, will they still get the respect from the art community? To rush art is dangerous, ask any artist. When they create, it is a vision from within, and sometimes what is in your head isn't so easy to convey in the medium. Forgive me for those of you that may disagree, but I don't like it, someone called this idea "groundbreaking" no it's not, go to the streets in Rome, or Paris or Torino or even New Orleans anywhere there is a thriving culture of creativity and you see art reality every day. They are right there, painting, drawing, creating. You don't need some celebrity and massive money and cable to view it. Just get out there and explore on your own, I bet you'll see much better art from the street artists than the ones who will be cherry picked for this show. That's my take on it anyway and I'm sticking to it.

Back from New Orleans

Hello everyone, hope the summer is a hot one! Here in Ohio it's been great. Some may think it's too hot but as one woman from New Orleans said to me, "honey you don't have to shovel heat!"

Speaking of the crescent city, I have just recently returned from my trip. Part business part vacation and as usual I had a great time. The city was great, the people were great and every time I go I try something new to eat....and I can not say enough about the food! I mean, it's good, really good. I went to Mr. B's in the French Quarter, I had heard from my fellow Nola junkie that their BBQ Shrimp was the best ever. So, in going with the flow of having true creole, Louisiana cooking, I ordered it, they bring you a bib people, a full staff of three servers at your beck and call, polite as if you were their own mother and they put a bib on you. Now I look at my friend as I have this thing covering my very nice black dress, and she assures me everyone wears it when they order this and the staff, witnessing my hesitation as I have flash backs of strapping these things on my kids, tells me it is well worth it.

They bring this massive plate out, some of the prettiest prawns I have ever seen. That's all that is in there, prawns, giant prawns and a lot of them swimming in this brown sauce and some bread. I taste them..............I have been to heaven. Now I'm from the Adriatic coast, I have had fish so fresh, my cousin caught them that morning, I have had some of the best prawns in some of the best sauces, but these were different. These were the sweetest, juiciest prawns I have ever tasted. Well worth the bib as I use my fingers to peel each one and dip them in this sauce that is nothing like a BBQ sauce that come from a jar, I have no idea what to call it except nectar for these heavenly creations.

Okay, I know we talk about art, but as a foodie I feel it is just as important to at times discuss the culinary arts, so if you are ever in New Orleans, so far three places I recommend that I go to every time I'm there: Nola, (Emerile's place, always great food and the best service!), Bayona (just delicious, best desserts hands down) and Mr. B's (for the obvious reasons already mentioned and their fantastic bread pudding that makes the next day work out well worth it). My list will grow as I go back, which I plan to do. I'll let you know what find.

In other news, another art theft? This time at the Aberg Museum in Stockholm, the poor items of desire were Lichtensteins and Warhols. However, their biggest mistake (as if that wasn't big enough), was the theft of a vintage poster of Donald Duck, yep, Disney. So, if caught, their punishment, rightfully so, will be severe but I sure would like to be a fly on that courtroom wall when the idiotic losers face the Disney Legal Team. Paybacks are a ....well you know.

What else? Oh back to New Orleans, the auction held for the PBS station to raise money for a new station was a real success, our gallery, not to toot our horn but what the hell, contributed many local works and they sold very well. A nice thing to see for such a deserving cause. The city itself is full of heart, determination, passion, energy and life. They rebuild every day, the preserver every day and each time I go back, more stores, more art, more life is back.

Take care to all, have a great weekend!