quirky characters - Articles - Zimbio

ANNOYING BARFLIES

Wed, 8 May 2008 18:54:17 GMT

posted by georgeweber

Sal is about 30 or so, a Guido from my predominately Italian neighborhood of Carroll Gardens. I've known him for years. I wouldn't consider us friends, but there's something I like about the guy.

He used to hang at at a place called the Red Room at 4Th and Court street. That's where all the goomba kids used to hang out. Most were wanna-be mobsters. Some were the real deal. The older ones were. I won't name names, because I cherish my life.

Anyhow. He walks into Angry Wades the other night. Drunk. But, it wasn't the drunk part about Nick that I didn't like, it was the cracked up, cocaine Sal I didn't like. I think he was high, AGAIN. I couldn't understand a God damn thing he said. He was slurring his words. Then, he says, maybe its my teeth. He proceeds to remove his faux teeth, basically, the entire front of his mouth. He's holding his teeth in his hands and saying, "can you understand me now." Amazingly, I could. Sal goes on to explain how he was in a bar fight and that's when he lost his teeth. I asked, "so what's the other guy look like." He goes, "I won the fight." I'm thinking, if he won the fight (and I doubt it) the other guy must be in the hospital or dead. He didn't elaborate.

Sal won't stop talking. He's talking about nothing. You know the type. Vapid conversation. It goes nowhere. He's like that character on Saturday Live, the irritating guy who just won't leave you alone, who's always in your face.....talking about, nothing!

I finally convince him, he should leave. He's too drunk, too high and he's bothering too many people. Some preppy guy wanted to punch his lights out. I rescued him.

Minutes later, this dapper looking guy, with a suit coat and receding hairline walks in. He takes the seat where Sal was. I'm thinking, thank God, a normal person. He wasn't. Another barfly. This guy had a speech impediment and he was DRUNK.

First thing out of his mouth...and I'm not making this up was...." Do you like blue."
I said, "blue, like the color blue." He says "yes." I say, "yeah, I guess." Next question. "T.V is nice." Where to go with that. I'm thinking, OK, T.V is nice....buttttttt. I don't answer. He goes, "nice floor.' "Nice, fucking , floor."
What the fuck. Ok, he's either some secret spy playing a role or he is a bonafide idiot. I conclude he's a bonafide idiot. He's talking like Forest Gump, but looks like some corporate executive. The scary part is, maybe he is!

I've come to the conclusion that unless I'm as drunk as the guy sitting next to me, I have no idea what they're saying and I want to get as far away as possible. Oh, I've been drunk before and I'm sure I've been annoying, but what ever you do, don't go into a bar and hang out with drunks, unless your drunk. I'm sure some drunk guy had a very interesting conversation with either of these drunk guys. They were probably slapping each other on the back, giving each other nookie's and play fighting.

It's nice to be sober and see that side of people, because I'm sure I've been like that and now I know what it's like to be a complete idiot, seeing it through the eyes of the barfly.

Creative People

Tue, 12 Mar 2008 17:10:18 GMT

posted by tagscharacters

For the creative person

This article serves only to illustrate my participation in this mad but wonderful profession over many years of dedicated practice I have learned to share the many aspects of art in general and character art in particular, being true to ourselves and not slaves to trends gives us the ability to still be contemporary, but like the impressionists go against the “norm” as it were. Abstract landscapes seem to be in vogue at the moment and before that abstract shapes and pop art but I doggedly kept painting quirky characters to my detriment financially; still recently they now seem to be gaining some popularity so as I said being true to what you do ultimately shines through your work and is then a recognizable trait that people identify with honesty is a powerful tool and injected into our everyday practices and work will ultimately bring something to us as artists and people, I’ll end these ramblings with an illustration, you start with a blank canvas subconsciously putting bits of yourself into an image, by that I mean it feels right to you, and over time an image appears, you then show/display that image and someone is moved by it, happy ,sad, maybe just pleased, either way a genuine emotion which intern feeds your creative process, and stimulates the viewer, everyone needs encouragement, I get mine through my paintings.
I hope this small insight that I share may benefit the viewer to better understand the methods and motives behind my character paintings.

Welcome to our wikizine called "quirky characters"

Sat, 3 Feb 2008 16:54:34 GMT

posted by tagscharacters
Wikizines are interactive magazines that anyone can create or edit - and this one is called "quirky characters". Here you can find fresh voices and respond in real time. Some members write articles about recent news and trends related to the wikizine's topic, others recount relevant personal stories or share their favorite pictures and video clips. Got an interesting idea or story to share with other members of this wikizine? Well, then put on your journalist's cap and add your own article!

What's it mean to communicate

Sun, 11 Feb 2008 10:59:54 GMT

posted by tagscharacters

You know these are just personal images and text that i have put together to share,with people but it's often the case that it's better to give than to receive, and when you get something back well it makes your efforts seem worth while. If only one person "you" maybe is informed or pleased you have made a connection,you click me and i click you it's how communication is done. This way i share my paintings and thoughts,the internet can then be a virtual Gallery where you stroll around and if you like a particular painting it's as though the artist is there, you can ask certain questions, give praise or criticism wich benefits both the veiwer and the artist so this collection of images are just for you (who ever you may be) hope to talk with you soon cheers steve

here's one for you

A painting now and then

Sun, 4 Feb 2008 16:58:56 GMT

posted by tagscharacters

Like anything of note..eg ROME it wasn't made in a bloody day! Looking through these one day masterpeices, it becomes apparent why most decent thing's take a little longer..it's a bit like you think you sound like Pavaroti when your singing along in the car but sadly to everyone else you don't..probably because he's spent years working and training his voice,but you instantly strike sound,and think how hard can it be, huh. Everybodies an artist RIGHT! Maybe genuine struggling artists out there might want to try one med painting a week,..whether or not it matters not a jot, i for my part will give it a go..artists can add thier thoughts and pic's here