Volume II - The Art Lounge

The Art Lounge is dedicated to Sharing Original Paintings, Sketches and Collages by Site founders, Kevin Johnson, Ray Johnson and Katherine Reilly. However, once we get the momentum going, the Forum will be open to Subscribers who want to Share their work.

Featured Artist of the Week

The above piece entitled "Line Control",is by co-founder of doARTorDIE, Kevin Johnson. Kevin is primarily as Abstract artist, working in various mediums, including Ink, water colors and pencil sketches. Line Control is bold and vibrant piece, where the artist used Acrylic on canvas. Line Control illustrates Kevin's use of Free flowing form contained by contrasting lines of color and texture. The work is a moderate 24”X36, which was completed in 2013.

Click here for a Mini-Exhibit of this Artist's work.

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Artist Pick of the Month

Upon entering an office building on New York's posh 5th Avenue, I was instantly taken. Compelled to stop and stare, I was determined to find out who the artists was. Once I was able to catch my breath, I charmed the concierge into giving me the artist's name AND phone number.

Liam Roberts’ is a modern abstract artists who's brushwork evokes energy and wonderment. In an blog published interview* Roberts is quoted as saying the viewer completes his work. Liam Roberts' mediums include acrylic, gouache, collage and ink. I would dare to describe Roberts' paintings as moving, massive, and massively moving. Showing in a wide range of galleries in London, New York, Paris, and Geneva , his works may also be seen on the walls of high-end corporate office buildings around the world. If you happen across his work dominating wall space in the lobby of an office building, be prepared to gasp.

* Conducted and posted by Laurence Micoulaud Neron-Bancel, (posted on Elleaimeny.blogspot,com)

To See More Click Here

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Music Production: The Game Changer.

I recently ran into an old band mate-club partner of mine. Tom and I met back in the early eighties in a funk rock band. We became fast friends and began to hang out during band down time, although most down time was spent chasing the members of the female persuasion. Tom had a home recording Set-up, and was doing some import-export of music instruments from Japan. Bought my first synth from Tom, a Roland Juno 60. His roughly 8X10 bed room was packed with recording and video Equipment. Stuff like the DX7, Linn drum, the now classic Roland 808, we recorded on the ¼” Fostex Reel to reel. This was right before the explosion of the 4 track cassette decks.
I remember those early Sequencers linked via a scuzzy connection, before midi and multi timbral revolutionized music production, which was in my view the game changer. You could for the first time in pop music history, write and produce a track from that faint bass line or vocal part that loops over and over in the back of your mind, to finished polished representation of that idea in minutes. Tom will always be linked to this time for me, as he seemed poised and ready for this transition.

I recall walking into a music store back then and asking if they had a sequencer that could play multiple parts, early sequencers could not record separate tracks. The store clerk replied “no we’re Not there yet”.

Rewind back to the late 60’s and early 70’s, and even earlier, a writer would have to hire a band, unless you were fortunate enough to have some jam buddies or already be in a band, before you could hear a true representation of your song idea - and believe me, being a writer with specific parts and riffs worked out in your head, it was not easy trying to get a singer or instrumentalist to play just that "specific" part- as you heard it. That is, unless you’re working with Charts, and that don’t happen in pop or R&B music very often. In fact, I think we had one bass player we auditioned who asked if we had charts, needless to say, he didn’t last long.
In my view, pop/dance music is more of a feel thing. Multi timbral and midi implementation for producers and writers of all genres of music (particularly pop music) was truly the game changer, making a vast difference in house music is produced. That’s not to say that it was all good, 'cause I’m sure many a musician was put out of work during this transition in the industry. Also if you listened to music of the 60’s and 70’s, which in my view was one of the most refreshingly eclectic, exciting period in the history of American music. Studio production of music was centered on the concept of the song being actually performed by an ensemble. Records were mixed as if an actual band was performing. Even in the early stages of the midi era, mixes were constructed to simulate the concept of a band’s performance.
Today’s music, particularly that of the dance genre, is mixed with the sitting inside the speaker surround sound experience. Drums are mixed way up, and anything goes with instrument placement. Wow, how times have changed. I just picked up a 24 track digital portable studio and paid 500 bucks brand new. Boy we’ve come a long way. Just imagine what twenty five to fifty years from now will look like.

- Kevin Johnson

doARTorDIE

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Oil on Canvas: Abstract Art

The above oil painting is entitled "Illuminati".

Illuminati immediately commands attention, having a feel of sweeping movement that draws the viewers in. The Artist, Kevin Johnson, describes the 18”X24”piece as depicting Abstract, political symbolism. Adding that his Black and white, layered composition illustrates "behind-the-scenes" of the Government machine. Kevin used acrylic and permanent Marker on canvas and board. Illuminati was completed in 2006.

Don't Forget to Stop by Kevin's Art Room to Check Out His Mini-Exhibit

doARTorDIE