Reflective: The Backstory

May 26, 2019

THE IDEA

This was definitely NOT my idea. I think, plan, title, sketch, pick colors, re-think it all, before ever putting paint to canvas.

Mr. Joel Paul Geist is a music & film buff, lover of the arts, and hand model for my painting “Rage Against the Machine”. He also adores to push people outside their artistic comfort zones. So on a recent visit, he gave me a challenge: Abstract Live Painting. The result would end up being a window covering for a diamond-shaped window in his 1963 home. Needless to say, I PANICKED!

THE RULES

PLAYLIST ARTISTS

Joel supplied the canvas, paints, and brushes.
Joel supplied the “playlist” that would drive my inspiration.
I had a maximum of 2 hours to paint. I was not allowed to see the playlist in advance or to even think about it ahead of time.

THE EXPERIENCE

After the initial panic wore off, I had a blast!

It was a wild musical ride: All instrumental, from The Beatles to a Clockwork Orange, Star Wars, The Nutcracker Suite, just to name a few.

While I was happy with what I painted in the first 20 minutes, I was having too much fun to stop.

What would I change? Open all the paints BEFORE starting. #logisticsfail on my part.

THANK YOU Joe for arranging and capturing the experience!

CLAUDIA BERMAN paints "REFLECTIVE" in 90 minutes, view in 90 seconds.

THE TITLE: REFLECTIVE

The ideas for my paintings and their titles are created simultaneously. Since there was no concept before painting, I struggled with the title for several days afterward.

In reflecting on my experience, thinking about the reflective nature in the mirrored sunglasses, and when different colored light reflects against it (Joel’s also a lighting buff) changing the mood, “Reflective” became the title.

Multicolored light changing the mood

Hide N Seek Fail: The Backstory

December 21, 2018

THE IDEA

Years back I bought an oddly shaped canvas that was very narrow. I had no idea what I wanted to paint at the time, so I ended up storing it in my garage.

Fast forward to last week, I was in the mood to paint something simple, light, and (although it’s not really ME) whimsical. I had been doing some 5 minute sketches on my iPad for fun, and I did some dandelions last year. I thought that painting a dandelion would be perfect fit for this canvas. Why a dandelions? I just LOVE them! I grew up in the dessert, and they were everywhere.

I usually paint edgier topics. I have to admit that it did take all my self-control to NOT add some eagle talons about to swoop in on the happy, tiny little creature hiding behind the dandelion.

THE PROCESS

HipstamaticPhoto-537033587.888515.JPG — This is my 5 minute iPad inspiration sketch using SketchBook that I later filtered with Hipstamatic. Since the painting was so simple, there was no need to do a composition sketch first, like I usually do.

SKETCHBOOK

SketchBook is a great “now FREE” sketching app. I use it on my Mac to do line sketches for painting composition, and I sometimes use it on my iPad to do simple, doodle sketches, like the dandelions.

HIPSTAMATIC

Hipstamatic is a fun little iOS app with lots of filters. I admit it’s old school from WAY back in 2010. But I still think it’s a ton of fun.

Rock 'n' Roll Unicorn: The Backstory

August 8, 2018

The Idea

Unicorns typically live in a world of bright colored rainbows and puffy clouds and glitter and all things magical. My first thought was to paint a unicorn opposite of all those things: a rebel unicorn. I sketched out a rainbow with a unicorn that would be either an "emo" or "punk rock" unicorn. The plan was for all grayscale painting, but I didn't quite love that idea enough to start. Then while watching "The Mitch Perry & Friends" jam @ The Standing Room for the 3rd or 4th Sunday in a row (I love this gig!), I was inspired to go "classic rock" with the fan-blown, blonde hair courtesy of Mitch Perry, the sunglasses ala Keith St John, and Kara Turner's mic stand scarf. Then I topped it off a bit of Steven Tyler (sadly, not at the gig, but how cool would that be?): hat, neck scarf, necklace. Instead of a rebel, he became a unicorn who just loves to rock and traded the rainbows for stage lights.

Just in case you were wondering, the unicorn's name is James.

Mitch Perry & Friends Sunday Jam @ The Standing Room, Hermosa Beach

Mitch Perry & Friends 03.18.2018 Sweet Emotion (Aerosmith) The Standing Room, Hermosa Beach South Bay Jam Mitch Perry Lenny Roberto Brad Lang Keith St John Tommy Pittam Ed Roth

The Standing Room in Hermosa Beach, CA is an American-Korean fusion gastropub with great food, staff, and rocking bands on the weekend. Back in the spring, Mitch Perry & Friends started an afternoon (4ish to 8ish) Sunday residency. There is a core group of musicians, and surprise guests join them. You never know who will drop in. These musicians come from acclaimed bands, such as Sweet, Edgar Winter, Montrose, Jack Russell's Great White, and BulletBoys. But it's not all rock. They also do blues, funk, and one day a young girl showed up and sang some Dolly Parton. Stop on by. It's a fun time!

ShockBoxx

Jame's the Rock 'n' Roll Unicorn will make his public debut @ ShockBoxx Art Gallery this Saturday, 08/11/18 @ THE USUAL SUSPECTS show. ShockBoxx is an creative space tucked into the light industrial section of Hermosa Beach called "The Cypress District". I definitely recommend following ShockBoxx and checking out their shows @ 636 CYPRESS AVE, HERMOSA BEACH, CA 90254

Broken Pieces: The Backstory

January 5, 2018

The Idea

One night I was lucky enough to hang out at Steakhouse Studio while my friend Jeremy Buck recorded a new song called "All My Broken Pieces". While listening to his vocals over and over again, the imagery for a painting formed. The painting, as the song, represents the sadness, emptiness, and isolation felt when a loved one is lost.

Jeremy Buck & "All My Broken Pieces"

Jeremy Buck Naked Album.jpg — Jeremy Buck

is a successful songwriter and performer.
"All My Broken Pieces" is on his most recent album: "JEREMY BUCK NAKED" @ jeremybuck.com
You'll find other great music and videos on his website too.

Steakhouse Studio

Steakhouse Studio is an iconic recording studio in North Hollywood, CA. Their client & artist list includes many notables, such as, Eddie Van Halen, Everlast, George Clinton, Pink, Jeff Beck, Lionel Richie, and Weezer.

Say What?!?: The Backstory

October 30, 2016

The Idea

I was hanging at band practice (sadly, just as a listener, as I have no musical talent), when my friend Jen used the term "Mouth Bay". I asked "Mouth Bay? What do you mean?" She said that whenever you say or do something in the South Bay everyone finds out. Then she immediately added "YOU SHOULD PAINT THAT!". So I did. Literally. The first thing that came to mind was two gossipers coming out of a mouth. While the working title was "Mouth Bay", the finished painting became "Say What?!?".

South Bay/Mouth Bay

The South Bay in the Los Angeles area is actually quite large. Within the South Bay is an area, known as "The Bubble", primarily made up of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach. It's this small area where the term "Mouth Bay" originated. While this expression is not well known, it seems to date back about 30 years. And yes, there's a lot of gossiping in South Bay Bubble. But, where isn't there a lot of gossiping?

The Upside of Gossip

Back a few hundred plus years ago in Britain, iron masks were used to punish gossipers, usually women. In more recent times, there have been many studies about the positive aspects of gossip, such social bonding. Check out "Have You Heard? Gossip Is Actually Good and Useful". While gossip can create chaos, it can also be a way for people to cope with chaos. Ok, maybe not chaos, but it can definitely help people cope with stress.

Band Practice

Farmers video for the song Tootie shot at the pltcherhouse and club 705 in Hermosa Beach.

To make a really long story short, I met a local band called "The Farmers" AKA "Farmers" by way of Darren (reference subject for "Big D's Dirty Little Secret") and Joel (hand model for "Rage Against the Machine", muse for "Randy Dreams", and director for this Farmers' video).

Occasionally, I hang out at their band/jam practice. THANK YOU FARMERS and FRIENDS! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have painted "Say What?!?".

A lot has changed since the making of this video: the Pitcher House has moved to Redondo Beach, the original Pitcher House location was revamped and is now Saint Rocke, 705 is now a medical center, the band's website is no more, new songs have been created, and the line up has changed.

But what hasn't changed is our love of rock music, art, and friendship.

Half-cocked: The Backstory

September 10, 2016

The Idea

While growing up in Arizona, the phrase "don't go off half-cocked" (in reference to old-timey firearms) was fairly common. It means: don't do something without thinking it through. Usually it's reference to a person about to do something stupid.

I was in rooster-painting mood, and decided to make "Half-cocked" literal. Cock is another name for a male rooster, but it has fallen out of favor particularly in the U.S. due to, well, it's more famous "other" meaning. So from this point on, I'll stick with rooster.

I deliberately kept the rooster's "insides" flat, plastic-like. I didn't want the focus to be blood and guts. I went with a daytime, pastoral setting with bright, happy colors as a juxtaposition to the freaked-out (understandably so), neutral-colored rooster.

My original idea just had the rooster with some clouds in the background. BORING. That wouldn't do. I then added an ax over the rooster, but I really didn't want to focus on the act of hacking a rooster. So, I gave it a bit of a break, and re-thought through the whole approach. A fews days later, butterflies took form to show that good can come from adversity (sorry rooster).

Flintlocks, Matchlocks, and a bit of a history lesson.

Go Off Half-Cocked: Say What?

This expression dates back to the 1800's. It refers to a flintlock or matchlock firearm going off prematurely when it was still in the half-cocked position.

Why White Butterflies?

Butterflies are often a symbol of transition, and the color white often symbolizes goodness. I added just a touch of pale pink and orange to the white to give a slightly more etherial look.

A Vegan Walks into a Bar

I recently showed "Half-cocked" at Saint Rocke for a "Women in the Arts" showcase in art and music. A young man was looking at this painting for quite some time. Finally he asked if the painting was about veganism, as he was working towards becoming a vegan and could relate. While "Half-cocked" is not specifically about veganism, I did love his interpretation.

At Saint Rocke Women in the Arts Showcase in Art and Music

Big D's Dirty Little Secret: The Backstory

July 10, 2016

The Idea

Who doesn't love bubble baths? Kids love them. I love them. Why wouldn't a devil love them too?

But, if you're a devil, known as "Big D", and want to maintain your street cred, it's probably a good idea to keep your love of bubble baths and 19th century literature a secret.

Like Big D, I'm an avid reader. I read fiction: Mysteries, Satire, Character Studies, Sci Fi, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, etc.

I think my love of fiction influenced my painting in two ways:

I struggled a bit with the painting's title. I had about four different working titles, but none felt right. Saying "The Devil" seemed a bit formal, so why not a nickname? "Big D" worked quite nicely. After naming the devil Big D, I realized that the novel I just finished reading, Laurence Shames' "Welcome to Paradise", had two lead characters who were named Big Al. That must have planted the idea of "Big D" in my head.
While my painting is not directly inspired by Mark Cain's "Circles in Hell" series, I do love his comedic take on hell. Perhaps Mark would like to write in a cameo appearance for Big D in a future book? Fingers crossed!

Mr. Bubble

Mr. Bubble is over 50 years old and has even appeared in The Big Lebowski and Gran Torino. I loved him as a kid, and still love him now. Given that I live in California and we are in a drought, I do minimize the frequency of my Mr. Bubble moments and use a minimum of water. Unlike the Devil, who is very generous with his water use.

Pride and Prejudice

My guilty pleasure (and the Devil's too). Yes, I have binge watched all the movie adaptations. If you're not familiar, Pride and Prejudice was written by Jane Austen in 1813 and is a novel of manners. If you are devil, it's also a good idea to not mention that you are reading about five unmarried daughters set in 18th century England.

Who's Darren and what is he holding?

Not only is Darren absolutely excellent as a reference photo model, he is a absolutely excellent friend. I met Darren over 12 years ago when I wandered into Hermosa Beach's world, famous The Lighthouse Cafe. He was managing the band that was playing: "Jeremy Buck and the Bang". We've been friends ever since.

As for the book he's holding, that's Christopher Moore's Sacre Bleu. I have read EVERY Christopher Moore novel. Love his work.

Rage Against the Machine: The Backstory

April 24, 2016

The Idea

The initial idea for my painting started quite some time ago, when I was thinking about one of my favorite bands: Rage Against the Machine. Although Rage Against the Machine is a very political band, my original idea for the painting was not a all political. The painting was going to be about how irritating it is when vending machine snacks get stuck. While the idea of "Stuck Snacks" is amusing, it just didn't seem to have enough "Rage". I wanted more RAGE!

Then one day it hit me: Money in Politics. Yes, that's the topic.

Ever since the 2010 Citizens United Supreme Court decision opened the door to Super PACs, I've been pretty pissed off about unlimited money in politics. Even Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump, who disagree on mostly everything, agree that there's too much money in politics. I then decided to use the vending machine concept for the buying of politicians.

Why nacho cheese chips? Well, nacho cheese chips are simply delicious.

Who is Rage Against the Machine?

Rage Against the Machine is a Los Angeles rap-rock band that launched in the early 90's. When deciding what RATM video to post, I re-watched "Testify". I have not watched that video in YEARS. I noticed all the "money in politics" references they had, and thought it was the one to post. Check it out.

Meet the Man Behind the Hand

I paint from reference photos, and I wanted a photo of a man's hand hitting a vending machine. My good friend Joel Geist had moved to Las Vegas. During a visit, we went to the Double Down Saloon where I took the photo of Joel "pretend" hitting their vending machine. (I highly recommend going if you want something different and off the strip).

Joel is a very talented musician, producer, videographer, and director. He was also the bass player and "Bachelor #3" in a very funny video called "Just for One Night" back when he had long hair and mustache. I'm an extra in the video back when I was a bit thinner and younger. If you blink, you may miss me.

Joel and I at the Double Door Saloon where the reference photo was taken. I'm sure the bartender wondered what we were doing taking pics with their vending machine.

Just For One Night - Jeremy Buck & The Bang - (Rock of Love vs The Dating Game) This Music Video by Jeremy Buck & The Bang provides a surreal adventure combining a parody of VH1's "Rock of Love" with Bret Michaels vs the old school show, "The Dating Game", from the late 1960's & Early 70's.

Fish Schtick: The Backstory

April 9, 2016

The Idea

I hit the parent lottery. Seriously. I have THE BEST parents.

When I was a kid, I LOVED fish sticks.

A few years back, I was having dinner with my parents in Las Vegas at a fabulous fish restaurant. My dad told one of his hit or miss jokes. My dad LOVES jokes.

And Bazinga! "Fish Schtick" was hatched.

Take My Wife Please -- A Bit of History

Performed on "The Ed Sullivan Show" on May 8, 1966. Available on "The Very Best of The Ed Sullivan Show Volume 2" DVD.

Unless you are on the older side of the baby boomer generation, you may not be familiar with Henny Youngman. Henny Youngman was a comic known as the "King of the One-Liners". His most famous one-liner is "Take My Wife...Please". Youngman was an influence on Rodney Dangerfield, who in turn, influenced comedians such as Chris Rock and Conan O'Brien.