billy king

2012-01-20T07:58:00.000-08:00

What can I say? All is going well here in Chapala. The cold snap has been replaced with normal weather, warm afternoons, cool nights, I'm sleeping well, painting, working on the new Pink Door print, keeping in touch with the USA, basically it's all coming together. I added to the lighting of the studio with more incandescent bulbs and now the evenings feel very inspirational. Started doing some work on the travel easel my daughter got me for my birthday; I'm going back to the beginning when I only did heads of people, cartoon heads really, each with an expression or a thought. Also I'm planning on finishing up several large Chapala Boats paintings. Time for thick paint. Enough layout. The mural projects are on again, off again, we'll see. If I don't do memo's mural in PV this year then next for sure. The restaurant mural at Maximiliens in the market is going ahead with permitting; they need to find a budget next. All in all I'm still upbeat.

The crashed computer is repaired, next we need re-install the goodies that the previous owner had installed like OS X 10.5.8 and more. The clinic tests came back excellent although cholesterol was high. Through prayer, meditation and a change of diet we are getting past some major health roadblocks. The weight is dropping too. I feel fine. Hey and new crowns for the teeth! Smile! It's nice to have walk up and say hello doctors and dentists. I made the right decision to transfer my health care to Mexico.

Artist Chris English is here and robust. Joan and John Frost have moved back to the states after 40 years due to health concerns. Russ Bayly still driving his Volkswagen Van as in gone to the coast for the weekend and he is 93! Memo reports that it is a good season this year in PV. I'll be over to see him soon enough. Deb and I meet up for a week in PV...then I'll meander to Barra de Navidad to meet up with the newly retired Jim White a good old boy from Wyoming and Alaska and Seattle. it would be nice to have him as a neighbor. This year I must make an appearance at the casa de Lalo, aka Ned Neltner who lives in the barrio of Barra and actually owns his own home there. He sings as a solo in town every week and has a good following for his songs from the early rock-n-roll playbook. Barra is a designated site for Mardi Gras celebrations so it could be off the hook. Lionel and the Lomelli Brothers are still at the east edge of Lake Chapala, now in La Barca. I've yet to get the full details of why they gave up farming..it's at least a half hour story and I refuse to ring up a giant cell phone bill to hear it. I'll see them in person and get the skinny directly.

In Seattle the snow has shut down the city for a week although warm rains are due today. Daughter Sara founds out the gender of her baby today, she's into her 4+ month and is showing hugely! We all so excited for her and Brandon. Brandon is off to the mid -west for two months of military training. They love their new house. Life is good for the newlyweds.

Xtina and Joe are snowboarding whenever possible, Xtina breaking in her new xmas gift snowboard. Joe gave her one with a custom "cat" design. Whoopee. Xtina is my business manager while I'm in Mexico and I must say I've never had a better one. She is Miss Organized! Her main thing besides driving the train and Joe is the new cat, Mr. Noodles, a side of the road rescue and adoption that has the other two cats a little stressed. Brother John continues to investigate military surplus brokerage; he's flying to the South to take a look at a surplus metals auction. Vicki continues working as does sister Cheryl while Gene looks at forced retirement from the end of a fishing pole. Nephew Michael about to finish 4 years of Christian College, now what? more school? I say time for Gene and Michael to start their own church.

Ok got to go heat up some water for my morning shower...remember you can call me toll free 206-905-9363.....
my best
Billy King

Chapala 2012 a good a start.

2012-01-10T12:03:00.000-08:00

January 10th Full Moon over Chapala....have had the snizzles lately, had to spend a day in bed. I've gone from sea level and the comfortably warm and hospitable apartment of my lovely Deborah to my unheated drafty warehouse located at 6,000 ft altitude in Chapala Mexico! Yikes...now normally when it's 80+ in the daytime and in the low 60's at night its pretty nice. But this time of year when there are cold snaps its...its...its chilly to the bone. But oh well dress warm and keep moving.

I am working on a new large Other People conte drawing, I'm using paper from the roll of printmaking papers I imported via Stanley Cooper. Cooper by the way says he's coming for a visit around Easter time.

The Chapala Malecon weekday near Sunset.

That will be good, last time he was here was two years ago. Went to the dentist today. He did a root canal and put in a couple posts in my molars in prep for new crowns. Man it is wonderful to have quality dental care at an affordable price. To my great pleasure he has seen my videos and especially remembered the Tattoo Scars one. That video has received @7000 hits! After the dentist over to the American Legion where recent runaways from New York were hanging out in their t-shirts while the Chapala old timers were in long pants and a jacket. I grabbed a few paperbacks from the library; one of the great pleasures of life in Mexico is life without a TV which allows me to read a book a week at least. I wandered over to the main market where I picked up some taquitos for 2 pesos each and then started heading for the studio. But then I ran into an old down and outer who speaks some English and he got the bag of taquitos. Further up a lady passed by selling vegetables from her pack; I bought a bag of tomatoes for 75 cents. Everything was coming back to order, the Christmas Holiday was over as of Sunday. Everyone back to work.

Me too. Several large paintings need to be finished while I also have the materials for a new oversize block print on hand. There's the possibility that I will paint a mural at Memo's Pancake House in Puerto Vallarta. And what about the memoirs?

CNN Market Mural footage

2011-12-20T09:16:00.001-08:00

Excellent new Pike Place Market footage from early last summer.....which includes early stages of the mural and it's on CNN......enjoy!

Subject: Re: Market Mural footage

Re: Market Mural footage

Billy King great meeting you.

Here's my finished work, all the best.

http://bit.ly/sVRBJJ

On 8/26/11 4:19 PM, "billy king" <billyking50@yahoo.com> wrote:

Patrick hello, I'm the artist painting the mural in the Pike place market saying hello. Hope you got some good footage, let me know if you need any follow-up.

My best
Billy King

Chapala Saturday

2011-11-05T12:30:00.001-07:00

Shoot Anything. Share Everything.™

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2011-11-01T17:28:00.000-07:00

It's All Saints day, tomorrow is Day of the Dead. I arrive in Chapala tomorrow, need to see my dentist's and doctor's, get my self checked out. And take a look at the warehouse/studio, see how she did during the rainy season. Then back for Thanksgiving along the Oregon Coast with Deborah and family. I'm headed to mexico for the winter, just don't know if it will be right away or after the holidays. With me taking a break this year from my annual storefront show all things are possible. Doing some TV work with Steve Smalley, the producer/director/cameraman who did my Kickstarter.com videos. There's that. And a new print in the works, Summer at the Pink Door...there's that too. I'm daydreaming of a visit to NYC to see my daughter Xtina, we want to do Festivus together! So who knows it could be one of those wild and crazy complicated holiday seasons here in the USA or...maybe I'll choose to kickback in Mexico and learn the art of the cold shower all over again. Did I mention I want to spend some time in Guanajuato this winter, and Mexico City over Easter? Well I do, I love the city life those colonial cities offer. maybe one of these places will offer me a room with a view and I can get the outlines started for my books. It's time.

4 pictures for you

2011-10-21T18:33:00.000-07:00

Barra de Navidad after the Hurricane

Re: Mexico

2011-10-15T01:15:00.000-07:00

Hello Edd, yes I'd love to do a mural in chapala. main hang up would be the cost of
sign painters paints and the location. my cost is open to
interpretation. maybe it could be done as a Kickstarter,com project,
like the one I did for the seattle mural. opening it up to
mexican/american relations would put a nice spin on everything.
conceivably i would be paid north of the border, buy my supplies and
permits south of the border and like my my mural for the pike market
it would be a "donation"...hmmmm...you want to be the lead man on
this, jump in! i would appreciate that very much.....
possible themes
boats on the lake
market day
men with hats
locations most likely where the approving party determines.
anti-graffiti coating is expensive as in very, i paid $460 for two
gallons here in seattle with shipping.....if you can research sign
paint enamels (GDL) and anti-graffiti coatings.
scaffolding can be rented......
ask ojo dle lago publisher first, richard tingen is very well connected......
my best
billy king

Fw: Thank you

2011-10-06T16:53:00.001-07:00

Subject: Re: Thank you

Billy, you don't know what a 'wallrat' is and I never heard of a 'lowstroller'. So we match up in units of ignorance. Sorry the New notice didn't hit the street before the events. The notes were written in mid-August.

Wallrat, n. 1. Reconstruction assistant to George Bartholik's 1970's Pike Place Market Reconstruction who clambered in behind the walls in the 'down/under' to find how the building was secured to the bluff, in amongst the resident rats.

It is an historical word an is not derogatory. Best, Paul

Paul Dunn,

85 Pike St. # 92
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 587 5767
fessdunn@aol.com

Paul the event went very well, thank you for the extensive mention in the Market News. But what the hell is a wallrat? I've been a lowstroller for quite a while, but I am blank about being a wall rat!?

my best,

Billy King Pike Place Public Market Mural Project

2011-09-21T18:52:00.000-07:00

The New Pike Place Market Mural

2011-09-21T18:51:00.000-07:00

Billy King Paints Mural

2011-09-21T18:43:00.000-07:00

Video about the Mural 1/2 way through the project.

Billy King -- The Mural Unveiling

2011-09-21T18:41:00.000-07:00

Voice Over, Camera and Editing by Steve Smalley.

Fw: Project Update #6: Billy King Paints a MURAL at Pike Place Public Market by billy king

2011-09-11T10:48:00.000-07:00

Project Update #6: Almost Finished....

Posted by billy king

Care to comment? View this update on Kickstarter →

This is a copy of the email notification that your backers receive.

KICKSTARTER

Fw: First video look at the new Billy King PIKE PLACE MARKET MURAL

2011-09-11T10:47:00.000-07:00

Hello..yes this is exciting news, my new mural has started!

To see the start of the new Pike Place Market Mural follow this link to Kickstarter.com:

http://tinyurl.com/MarketMuralProject

Click on the video link.

Thanks for continued support,

Billy King

About this project

Pike Place Public Market Mural Project:

Be a part of the Market history! The mural location is at the top of the stairs which lead up from Western Avenue and Seattle's Waterfront. It's here on a large cement wall (approximately 12' x 15') where artist/muralist, Billy King, will paint this new addition to the Market during the summer of 2011.

This will be my first outdoor mural in the Pike Place Public Market. The theme of the mural will be people and produce and I will call upon my 40+ years as a market fanatic for inspiration. My memories of the Market begin in the late 1960's -- so expect a little nostalgia, as well as, color and line choices that define the market of today. I'll leave it to the camera to capture the details, I'll capture spirit and essence. For those entering the Market from Western Avenue and Seattle's Waterfront this mural will be a warm hello at the top of the stairs as they enter the Magic Circus called the Pike Place Public Market.

This is a publicly funded project, so any size donation is greatly appreciated. $20, $50 or $1000 -- give what you can. There is no government money involved. I'm counting on you to help pay for the specialized sign-painter's paint and brushes, scaffolding, insurance, surface preparation, documentation, the poster, the unveiling party, etc. The project will take six to eight weeks; the bulk of the painting will take place August into September, weather and crowds permitting. I would like to finish by September 21, 2011.

I will produce a signed photo poster of the mural. A donation of $100 or more gets you the limited-edition version of the poster and $1000 or more gets you an original Billy King, Market 100 Year Anniversary print.

My target goal is $5,000 although my murals usually cost $10k or more. I'm donating half of the general costs and fees and I'm asking for your support through Kickstarter to raise $2,500 or more. Please help achieve this goal and become a part of Seattle history!

FW: First video look at the new Billy King PIKE PLACE MARKET MURAL

2011-08-22T10:15:00.000-07:00

Hello..exciting news, the mural has started!

To see the start of the new Pike Place Market Mural follow this link to Kickstarter.com:

http://tinyurl.com/MarketMuralProject

Click on the video link.

Thanks for continued support,

Billy King

PS: If you have already received this email, my apologies.

Billy King Pike Place Market Mural Project nears 50% goal for Phase 1

2011-08-10T12:37:00.000-07:00

WE are nearly at 50% of the first phase goal of $2500.

To learn more about the Pike Market Mural Project click on this link

http://tinyurl.com/MarketMuralProject

Thanks

A reply to Charlie Krafft

2011-08-10T12:36:00.000-07:00

Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2011 19:14:48 +0000

that said in 1975 KRAB radio threw me out of my studio for noise reasons when they were on capitol hill in the firestation at Harvard and Union......what as studio I had then, the painting room was the old handball court, and me only 1 block from the Comet Tavern!!! Across the street I simply took over a sleeping room at the top of the three story rooming house, called myself the janitor. One night the owner banged on the door to my room, says "who are you" i say "the janitor" he says he's the owner and that was that, a free room......but then KRAB threw me out, I was an artist without a studio, I'd lost my protective shield and was shot while bartending near the Victrola tavern in the Pike Place Market. soon after I skaddled, chasing after Merry to Costa Rica and then I went on solo to South America.....thank you KRAB radio.

St. Thomas tells us there are, "A great many people who talk nonsense

and try to make others believe it, particularly among those of the circumcision."

Me. On facebook? What's that?

I don't know about this dying business. My old body is increasingly out-to-lunch. They never told me it would end like this ... neither with a bang nor a whimper but toes that never get warm (and post-nasal drip in the nose).

LO

Subject: KRAB Facebook page
Date: Sunday, July 24, 2011, 1:18 PM

Are you on Facebook? There's a KRAB page now where people are posting old photos and stories about the station. I tried to grab a photo tio send you, but they've got them rigged so you can't do that.

You're lat email was rather cryptic. Did you have heart surgery, or something? I'm off to see my dad today. he's 98 and has turned into a potato chip.
I'm reading Charles Péguy. Why? I don't know. Everything I do I do just to be different.

Re:You

2011-07-15T17:00:00.000-07:00

Back as far as the 70's huh? Ws that the last time we were together?....well I moved to San Francisco for a while, then NYC..back in Seattle in 1982 and essentially still here though I now winter in mexico 6 months or so a year. In fact got sober in Puerto vallarta in 1993 and then met Deborah in 1996 who i married in 2004 or so and then divorced and then started dating again. She's still my one and only. The art goes well been making a living at it for the last 20 years or so, bought a warehouse building in Chapala Mexico I use for a studio and home, stopped smoking too, now weigh 250 pounds and am 1/2 in shorter except around the middle where i am 10 inches wider.....yikes. Less teeth too but working with the doctors in Mexico now I've seemingly got my health issues under control. Feel fit and ready for the future. Need to reduce the amount of my stuff, where can I send bonus art?

Next project, a mural in the market!!!!

lets keepon talking

facebook billyking50, same for skype

yes i loved my 50th year!

number 63 on the 24th!

social security makes me happy

ciao for now

In short, 1977 got married, 1978 had a daughter, 1981 got divorced, 1983 became equivalent of Administrative Law Judge, 1990 became single parent, 1996 became empty nester, 2002 retired and moved to Croatia, 2004 returned to Portland, 2007 became snowbird, 2008 bought home on Salton Sea, October thru June in desert/ July thru September in Oregon or other parts of world. I'm now 62, hea;lthy and relatively at peace. Daughter Morgan and husband Matt Walsh improv comedians in L.A. Two grandsons, Jude and Emmet, granddaughter due late December. That's the Cliff Notes version of my life. You?

It would seem that life has treated you kindly Billy, at least professionally. If you know, how did things turned out for Leslie? All things good and Pax Vobiscum.

Rob Vukovic'

Seattle Summer, sort of...

2011-07-11T10:50:00.000-07:00

I thought it might be summer if'n I came back from Mexico end of June but alas and alack its been more like Spring..except if you can believe it on the 4th of July..which as you know is usually a light rain day! Everything else is going great, Deb and I comfortably getting along, she's letting stay at her "exclusive" B&B, Casa Bohemia. Belltown and the Market are about the same except more fine dining restaurants are closing in Belltown. The most recent TWIST and La Ventana. Seems the Belltown bar and club scene has driven out the foodies..same thing happened to Pioneer Square 30 years ago, the restaurants left and were turned into live music clubs. Eventually it became a dead zone. In fact I was in P Square for 1st Thursday, the last big draw for the square that's not designed for sports fans. it was great, well attended, some good art. I really liked Sullivan Giles cut stencil work, Paul Young's further investigation of the abstract. I also went to SAM and enjoyed the landscape show (except for the room audio lecture), the Australian aboriginal work is still my favorite and of the shock/schlock of the new the installation sculpture by local Whiting Tennis stands out.

Took a serious look at a craigs list motorcycle or two..if finding parking in Downtown Seattle was easy and affordable i would have probably purchased by now but fughgedhaboudit. More closings around the symphony, the same constant presence of beggars and drug dealers, confusing Metro schedules and routes. The good news is the alley studio is just right, a little tight space wise what with Jose Torres and Thuy Vu sharing the space with me-good job guys keeping it together over the winter-but a comfortable old shoe where I can relax and get my work done. So see you round the neighborhood...keep in touch, 206-905-9363 is my online phone....give me a call.

Fw: I thought this was an interesting article. The link is at the end.

2011-07-11T10:31:00.000-07:00

This confirms what I see on the ground here in Chapala.

MERIDA, Mexico— At a time when the United States is confronting the possibility of a "double dip" recession, Mexico's economy is expanding at the fastest pace in a decade.

For most of the 20th century, Mexicans lamented that when the U.S. economy slowed down, Mexico, ever so dependent on its neighbor to the north, suffered a recession. "When the U.S. gets a cold, Mexico gets pneumonia," was a familiar saying among officials and executives on both sides of the border.

When the global recession hit in 2008, it seemed the same pattern would hold true again: In 2009, Mexico's economy contracted 6.1 percent. Mexican officials feared that draconian immigration laws would result in the deportation of hundreds of thousands of Mexicans back to Mexico, where they would face certain unemployment. They also feared a collapse in demand for Mexican exports by recession-hit American consumers.

But the opposite has occurred. Mexico's economy is enjoying a period of robust growth as a direct result of internal migrations away from the U.S.-Mexico border to mid-size Mexican cities, and the repatriation of investment capital from Mexicans living overseas, primarily in the U.S.

The Central Bank's Key Role

As the global recession unfolded, Mexican President Felipe Calderon relied to Agustin Carstens, director of the central bank, to steer a financial policy for the nation. The result has been stunning.

Mexico's gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 5.5 percent in 2010, and it is on track to grow 4.5 percent this year. Carstens is now being mentioned as a leading candidate to take over the International Monetary Fund after Dominique Strauss Kahn's abrupt resignation. Other equally competent Mexican officials have worked to spur internal economic development. Finance Minister Ernesto Cordero, for instance, has made a point of focusing on internal growth rather than exports.

"It's much more balanced growth with a much more dynamic domestic sector," Cordero told reporters in Mexico City recently, emphasizing the Calderon administration's emphasis on fueling domestic demand.

Middle-Class Resilience

The result has been an invigoration of Mexico's middle class. Given the sluggishness of the U.S. economy, Mexicans professionals—once lured to the U.S. by Fortune 500 companies— are seeking opportunities in mid-size Mexican cities. This, in turn, is fueling new economic activity and encouraging domestic demand.

In the decade since 9/11, when U.S. officials made it more difficult for Mexican citizens to secure tourist and work visas, Mexicans have opted for alternatives. A case in point is the rapid economic development taking place in Mexico's Yucatan peninsula. Unable to send their kids to Orlando, Mexicans have sent them to Cancun. Unable to seek medical care in Miami, they have traveled to Merida. Prevented from purchasing vacation homes in Palm Springs, they have invested in Playa de Carmen.

Where Americans can't find the money to fill in potholes, Mexico is accepting bids for a new, world-class airport along the 65-mile Cancun-Tulum corridor that is expected to serve 700,000 passengers its first year. While the U.S. had to abandon plans for fast trains that would have linked Tampa-Orlando and New York-Washington, Mexico plans a bullet train that will link Merida's one million residents to Cancun.

American homes languish unsold for years, while half-million dollar homes are going up in fancy Mexican communities such as the Yucatan Country Club, which boasts a Jack Nicklaus golf course and a Mark Spitz Swimming Academy. This economic vitality is seen in many areas of the country, far removed from the drug-related violence that plagues the border region.

The strength of Mexico's middle class can also be measured by the maturity of its democratic institutions. In 2000, for instance, Mexico was governed by an authoritarian regime, a single-party state that controlled or co-opted the nation's socioeconomic and political organizations. In less than a decade it has become a true democracy, one in which the president is from a conservative party (PAN), most of the governors are from a centrist party (PRI) and the country's largest city—Mexico City—is run by a mayor from a leftist party (PRD). Had anyone predicted in 2000 that this would be political reality in Mexico by 2010, it would have seemed like a fantasy.

Internal Population Shifts

The sluggish U.S. economy and stricter immigration controls are two of the key factors driving the boom. The number of illegal immigrants to the U.S. fell from roughly 850,000 a year in the years before the recession to 300,000 a year from 2007 to 2009, according to a report from the Pew Hispanic Center.

True, many of Mexico's poorest people still risk their lives to find menial labor in the U.S., but the semi-skilled are finding more opportunities at home. The result has been an internal migration to where the jobs are. Mexico's Census Bureau, known as INEGI, for instance, reported a 16 percent increase in Yucatan State's population—almost all of it from people moving in from other parts of Mexico, and not from higher birth rates.

Mexican sociologist M. Bianet Castellanos chronicles the vast influx of Maya migration to the resorts along the Maya Riviera—people who, a generation ago, would have made their way to the agricultural fields of California and the bodegas of New York. They are finding better jobs in Mexico than they would in the U.S.—and without risking their lives at the hands of human traffickers, U.S. law enforcement agents, drug warlords, or American racists who subject Mexicans in the U.S. to hate crimes.

At the same time, Mexico's economy is being energized and diversified by the arrival of working-age Americans. A generation ago, it was not uncommon to see entire communities of American expatriates—senior citizens living on Social Security, enjoying retirements of leisure, spending the afternoons playing golf, beach-combing and sipping margaritas. Now, younger Americans are also coming to Mexico to start families and open businesses. American officials estimate that there are more Americans living in Mexico than in any other country and who are fiercely loyal to Mexico.

Drug Violence in Perspective

This economic growth, unprecedented in its strength in more than a generation, is taking place at a time when the country is facing a wave of drug war violence.

But one reason the violence is so shocking is that it is out of the norm. "In a country of more than 100 million people, the odds of being killed in a drug-related homicide in 2010 were one in 6,667, about the same as the odds of being killed in an automobile accident in the United States (about one in 6,500). The odds of being killed in Mexico's drug violence decrease dramatically if a person is not a drug trafficker, mayor, or police officer in a disputed trafficking region," Viridiana Rios and David Shirk write in "Drug-Related Killings in Mexico, 2008-2010," published by the Trans-Border Institute at the University of San Diego.

Fear-mongering by American writers is hardly new. "This is an attempt to understand Mexico's steep descent into turmoil," wrote one alarmed reviewer of Andres Oppenheimer's 1998 book, Bordering on Chaos, which lamented that Mexico was becoming a "failed state."

Thirty years before that, Barry Goldwater was among those calling Mexico, then hosting the Summer Olympic Games, a "failed state." Decades from now, Americans will no doubt still be uttering the same clichés. Fast forward a dozen years after Oppenheimer's failed book, and Mexico, despite its "out of control" image, is flourishing.

Now when the U.S. catches a cold, Mexico can say, "Bless you," and go about its business.

http://newamericamedia.org/2011/06/letter-from-mexico-amid-the-drug-wars-a-stunning-economic-boom.php
http://tinyurl.com/3mgqbck

__._,_.___
.

__,_._,___

Market Mural Part One

2011-05-26T10:44:00.000-07:00

Good news! I've been first-step approved by the Pike Place Market Historical Commission to paint a mural of my choosing at the top of the new Hillclimb stairs leading to Western Avenue. Roughly 9x12 feet the mural will be painted directly on to the cement pillar. So now begins the fund raising, materials acquisition, sketches for final approval etc. My thanks to Deborah Parker who is the one who took the application through the review process and made sure I got approved. And thanks to Carol Binder, Paul Dunn, John Turnbull and Ben Franz-Knight for their landlord approvals and support. For more information about the mural go to http://pikemarketmural.blogspot.com
gracias!
bk

billyking50@yahoo.com

Baja to Guanajuanto and all that

2011-05-25T09:30:00.000-07:00

What a fantastic trip, inspiring and educational and trouble free..well almost. There was the sting ray attack on the beach outside of La Paz! On Friday the 13th no less...but I'll get to that. Deborah Parker met me at the airport outside of San Jose del Cabo, an artsy town where we spent our first night. Really clean and attractive, friendly. We were there in the beginning of low season so some places were closed but there was a sense of quality about San Jose del Cabo you noticed right away. We were staying just the one night so we immediately walked through the historic center of San Jose del Cabo which includes a very nice arts district, the best one I saw in Baja California del Sur. The weather was really hot, for lunch we found a small group of taqueria's where our "chef" Enrique was so happy to see a couple gringos and really cooked up a nice meal; pork chop tacos for Deb and a quesadilla por mi....they sent out for a cold beer for Deb! In checking out the menus of various nice restaurants I got my first taste of the expense of Baja; the locals have been "gringo-ized" price wise and so commonly meals start out @ $14 US. This is an astronomical sum by mainland standards where there are lots of options for dining. But that was ok because the next days plan was to drive our air conditioned rental car into La Paz, the port town a 150 kilometers north. In La Paz, Deb had us booked at the "El Moro Hotel" where we would have a suite with a kitchen! Before we left San Jose del Cabo Deb got in a late night hotel swim while I spent an hour trying to get the satellite TV to work. The next morning we headed out after a photo-op at the on-site hotel chapel, a small stone chapel that was very peaceful...and then on the road again! We took the right side road to La Paz and planned to return in a week on the road that passes through Todo Santos.

The Baja roads were in excellent shape and there really wasn't much traffic once we pulled away from San Jose del Cabo proper. Mountains to the right and left of us and scrubland in between. Very dry but scenic and colorful in the way that a desert can be. Where the road kissed the coast we discovered beach homes, kite surfers, snow bird camps. Looked pretty good really. Quick stop then back into the mountain passes. As we were nearing the last pass I began to pass through a ghost town of sorts that had been recently freshly painted, even the ruins. There was a sidewalk cafe?! We braked and backed up and pulled into El Truinfo, a mining town soon to be a tourist stop on the road between La Paz and Cabo. What was remarkable at first glance was the way all the trim on the building ruins, the poor shacks, the stately old government buildings, all had been recently painted where feasible with historical colors, even some outlandish ones....it was like walking onto a movie set. There was one side walk cafe in town selling pizza and salads, surprisingly a down home but serious foodie place. The owner spent a decade or so in the US, and thus was the source of generating revitalizing interest in the town. It was working as there a were a half dozen gringos smiling contentedly over what they said was a fantastic meal. No calzones for me, instead I retreated to the library where I found Deborah was the sole occupant except for the librarian who was quietly selling Deborah hand made bracelets and necklaces. Deb bought one and also took home a gifted broken piece of iron grill from the ruins of the older library and theatre. Charming town.

Entering La Paz was confusing at first as the outskirts reminded one not of Mexico but of urban sprawl in the central valley of California. We turned toward the ocean and with directions given here and there by the friendly townfolk we found the El Moro, our room, and our way back to El Bismarck, a popular sit down seafood eatery overlooking the 4 mile Malecon that fronts the La Paz waterfront. We were hungry! Deb had the whole Huachinango, a deep fried fish like a branzino, while I tried out a variety of seafood tacos including marlin and shrimp and breaded white fish.....hmmmmm good! We never got a bad vibe in La Paz; friendly people, casual life styles, for Deborah it was a nostalgic return to the coastal California towns of the 50's. Overall we realized that Baja was like the name says, California! The really southern half....and we liked it. So we did the tourist thing for a couple days, shopping for groceries, walking the Malecon at sunset, playing scrabble, a swim in the pool, relaxing. One night I cooked huachinago, a fresh fish I bought at the local market. It was so large that the tail and the head stuck out over the pan....served with tomatoes and onions and chili's, Estilo del Veracruz. A tasty meal served on the balcony as the sunset. Light breeze. Beautiful.

Friday the Thirteenth we decided to go to the local beaches out of town aways as the in-town playas are considered of poor quality. We drove about 30 kilometeres north, past the La Paz-Mazatlan ferry dock to a recommended beach where there were some thatch roofed restaurants, chairs and umbrellas, cold beverages, a wide beach and shallow gentle surf. Once we got settled in I remember commenting to Deb, did she think I should shuffle my feet for sting rays? I don't think she heard me and after a few feet of crystal clear saltwater I dove in and paddled and swam in some of the cleanest and sweetest shoreline and surf west of Tenacatita on the Coasta Allegre. When I got out Deborah got in and within a few seconds I thought I heard her say "I've been bit". I'm thinking like ankle biting small fish but then she's crying and pained and limping to shore and then I see the blood. "I've been hit" is what i think she was saying. Over to the chair she's starting to experience severe pain, the waiter appears saying "mal fortuna", sting ray....eventually we get hot water, vinegar and a handsome, tanned mexican sailor-for-hire reluctantly volunteered to be Deborahs doctor. He pours on her foot small amounts of the hot vinegar water while pressing on the wound area to get the poison and barbs out. Deb is really hurting now, the area is swelling, the sailor is calming her, she's exclaiming this is more painful than childbirth! YIKES!! Eventually the wound is cleaned to the sailors satisfaction (for some reason all the locals hate this kind of incident, I assume for the bad press it brings) and then we are told to spend at least 20 minutes walking up and down the beach to reduce the pain. First the beach chair doctor walks Deb, then I do...she's still a teary Deborah. When the pain subsides enough we pack up and leave thinking hospital or doctor but when we get back to the hotel Deb's feeling a lot better and so we skip it and rely on the internet info we collect. Some very bad stories along with some common sense ; we've done what they suggest except go to an emergency room. Deb's decides to be like a local and tough it out. Needless to say the endless beach idyll plan is over for now so after 2 more days of laid back La Paz we decide to go back to the mainland a little early, see Chapala, then head to San Miguel del Allende. One stop at Todo Santos before leaving, a popular "arts town" that Deb and I found to be completely-except for the local museum-uninspiring. I can't figure out what all the hub bub was about!? The drive was fine, you can see more coming, big developments. One last great meal then on to the airport. Interjet is a fine airline. Small and Mexico only but we'd fly them anytime.

A new rental car at the GDL airport and then on to which Chapala gave us a chance to unwind. To bad the beautifully restored Lake Chapala Inn didn't have hot water! But there we were right on the shore with a balcony onto the malecon. Im enchanted by the boats of Lake Chapala. A visit to my warehouse/studio to put in the long pants then we're off to San Miguel del Allende via the "free' roads connecting to La Barca to Irapuato. A route that is new to both of us. Mexico has two types of roads. Well maintaned modern but expensive toll-roads used only by the rich, 4-star bus lines and some large transport trucks, hence they have little traffic; or the local 2-4 lane highways that have all the rest of Mexico's traffic. Poor signage, uneven maintenance and side of the road distractions are common to the free roads. We took the free road over but the pay road but we got lost, argued and generally were pissed off about half the time while driving the free road. Lesson learned.....? Take the cuota road when traveling with a guest or loved one. You can really zip along those toll roads, it was half the time of the free road.

Deborah had made the decision to spend the night in Guanajanto at the large Hotel Real de Minas, which is located just a short bus ride from the city center. The hotel had many advantages including location and a place to park the rental car. The first time we took the local bus we went through the tunnels but failed to get off in time to be in the town center, so we ended at the top of a tunnel at a view spot up on top of the hill that lips around Guanajuanto. Mind you we are at 7,000 ft up. Back we go into another tunnel by taxi and get out at one of the most glorious urban settings I have ever seen short of an early color film of Europe. For example in the Plaza Oriente near the Teatro in the bandstand a large latin music ensemble was playing dance tunes for a batch of seniors...yes they were happily dancing to the tunes of the 30's and 40's. Another place we've seen this was in Puerto Vallarta. These were some old folks with young moves...all around the bandstand people were in the various outdoor cafes or sitting on the steps of the cathedral or opera house. No cars are allowed as public policy is to not allow vehicles in the center city for multiple hours per day. Fantastic. This was one of several plazas connected in a figure 8, a walking tour of various state buildings, plazas, markets, cathedrals and private homes from the 16th century forward. Constantly churned by an amazing number of upbeat students who attend the university of Guanajuanto, there is movement everywhere, real energy, city life at its best. Nightly we would walk this urban pathway enjoying the manifestations of singers and dancers and religous pilgrims, the costumed balladeers singing and playing in the style of the era of Cervantes. In September Guanajuanto has a huge Cervantes Festival which brings in a large international audience as theatre is happening outdoor and indoors all over the city for a month. So Cervantes and 16th century Spain is a theme in Guanajuato. The sophistication of Guanajuanto comes I think from these two sources, the university students and the international visitors. The sales people, waiters, the person on the street were always cordial and polite. The whole state was clean. Jalisco, my current home state began in my mind to look very tattered after a few days in Guanajuanto. Deb and I for fun often look for places to buy and what I've noticed over the years the really great places frequently don't have any real estate for sale, especially to foriegners. Guanajuanto and nearby Lagos del Moreno are places like that, nothing for sale. Oh well plenty of rooms because of the student population.

We stopped by the home of Diego Rivera, now a museum. The location is up the hill as the whole town is surrounded by hills of colorfully painted houses, no cars, just steps and steep walkways accessing houses assembled in a fashion Gaudi would love. We found excellent places to dine, couple entrees and a beer for @ 10-12$$.....strollers and students coming and going, families and kids, old people taking their airs....incredibly civilized. I made up my mind to come back asap for a month or two. i mean i was really inspired to paint, i think on this trip I realized how stimulating the city is to me. I did see two passed out drunks in 4 days, not one crack addict. Few beggars. But as the month of May was the festival of the Virgen des Guanajuanto there was plenty of music and floats and spontaneous marching bands. The weather was hot but not unbearable, just zapped you enough that the siesta was much appreciated. Deborah really enjoyed, as I did, the main market, we loved this place! So our plans were changed and we spent the whole 5 days in GTO though we did go to San Miguel del Allende for a day trip. San Miguel was very very nice, upgraded since my last visit in 1988 but still very authentic despite all it's popularity. Many of its most important architectural buildings had been renovated given the town square area a sparkle uncommon in Mexico. Just beautiful. At the outskirts of San Miguel we visited the Aurora Mill, a converted weaving complex now housing scores of artists galleries and interior designer shops. Very interesting to see some the regions best in one location. Deb ran into an old friend from when she lived in Morelia 25 years ago, the handsome and talented Ricardo owner of the boutique gallery Hilo Negro where he displays and sells his creations which are really quite exceptional. They were stunned to bump into each other, so we had lunch. As they caught up on old times, I ruminated on the ideas of opening my own studio gallery in the complex. San Miguel is a worthy destination but we preferred Guanajuato so back we went. By a different route. The next day Deb insisted on seeing the mummy museum. Exploitive and gratuitous so we both say Forget It!

Where to stay in order to get to the airport at 5 am? A question that Deborah answered with the suggestion of the Hotel los Palomas in the near-to-Guadalajara market town of Tonala. Right by the airport with a festive town square with great food, Tonala is known for hosting an incredibly large and popular Sunday and Thursday open air street market so we were jazzed. The town was jazzed too as some festival was taking place in the square that night. I think it was some kind of political give-away cause there were types of people you never see out including shut ins and the very old attending this packed festival. We grabbed tamales and tortas and churros from the local street stands and then went back to the room to play more scrabble, rest up for Sunday shopping. Clear and warm every night so far. Out onto the streets by 10:30 AM, a visit to the old cathedral for prayers and the surrounding flea markets, then dive into the long streets of quickly set up booths of clothes, pirated dvd's and movies, ceramics, glass ware, shoes, belts, novelties, taco stands, wood carvings, endless endless endless variety and many things we had not seen since our last visit in February. Four hours of non-stop walking and buying and looking..what great fun it was. Then came siesta time and later we went to dinner in nearby Tlaquapaque where we dined amongst the Mariachi bands playing for large family sunday diners. Memorable day for sure. The airport at 5am, return the car, a sweet bye bye from Deborah. The airport Starbucks is now open...tea for tea then an hour by the side of the road waiting for a bus to Chapala. it's still dark out but plenty of traffic. The 7:30 AM bus was only $2US to Chapala instead of 32$US by taxi. Worth it to me plus a large dull red sun was coming up as I boarded the bus filled with students and workers. As this was a 2nd class bus, lots of stops were made but by 8:15 AM I was in Chapala walking down my street now filling up with vendors setting up for the weekly Monday market that passes right in front of my door. Every week. I grabbed a packet of flour tortillas and some fresh eggs at the local store and then in my door I went, everything looked great, breakfast was ready in a jiffy huevos revueltos con tortillas de harina. Later I went outside to the market to load up on fruit and vegies like watermelon, bananas, chiles, juice oranges, peppers, grapefruit, tomatoes etc...all ripe, cheap and by the kilo. Hmmm good. Deb and made contact, she made it home safely and went to the doctor who put her on antibiotics and so the swelling has reduced. The longing to return continues for her, we love mexico and have a great time together here. A great road trip mainly thanks to the planning and largesse of Deborah Parker. Thanks Hon! That was marvelous, you're the best! I'm going back to Guanajuanto real soon, I'll see you there. For those who haven't been in the old silver mine towns of Central Mexico try this route; fly to Leon or Guadalajara or Mexico City then head by bus or rental car to Guanajuanto, San Miguel del Allende, Lagos del Moreno, Aquas Calientes, San Luis Potosi and Zacatecas.....via con Dios. You'll have a ball!

A typical untypical Tuesday

2011-05-03T19:24:00.000-07:00

Got a late start, was still in the studio at 12:30 when I realized that the phone would be cut off if I didn't pay today...sheeeet, put 'er in high gear as I realize I'll probably have to bus to the Telmex office in Ajijic to pay because I can't find the bill/print out and yah need that to pay at a local secondary location. An hour later, after heating up water and doing the dishes and taking a cold shower, I'm out the door...I'd like to get to Ajijic before the 2-4 siesta slow down. No bus as yet, I try hitch hiking, an old beater ford pickup with a young mexican driving says get in. He's headed to Ajijic but he needs to find a certain hardware store where he can buy a solar powered flashlight. Turns out he's from Michoacan just past Sahuayo, up top the hill where there are few people and no towns. Jose. He mentions he can light four lamps and the TV off one solar panel and with his conversion kit all the juice goes into a 12V car battery he uses to light up his place. So we pull over and he heads into the ferrateria while I watch the bus go past. Got to trust my fate even though this wasn't exactly what I had planned for my Tuesday but 5 minutes later he's back all smiles, got 2 solar headlamps and everything....then we head for Telmex. Turns out he's driving around the lake today, he's not working Lakeside, he's on a Guadalajara day trip. Adios amigo, gracias por el "ride". At Telmex the bill paying goes pretty fast, the month of phone and high speed internet is$35 including lots of free minutes. I'm happy. The guys in line are watching the soccer game on the HDTV's, a common site in Mexico when it dawns on me the the teams BAR and RM are Barcelona and Real Madrid playing live, game two, Champions League. So I grab a chair and watch the first half with the aging guard and another foreigner. Quick run to the taco stand just outside the gate for a potato taco and a quesadilla, hand made tortillas then back inside, still 0-0. At the half it's still scoreless so I wander off to find a place to pee...ah here's a vacant lot. No problem for old man kidneys in Mexico. Then I wander into a shopping Plaza where I discover a new gallery and art supply store with exactly the painting solvent I want at the right price and in full liters. Good, then the gringo grocery has soy sauce and TSP and oh my god baking soda, I buy those as theses are things hard to find in Chapala. Then the bus comes and I ride back to Chapala for 8 pesos.
Margarets gone and I'm the designated house/cat sitter which is not going to well cause the water pump is down so no water for 4 days now and the one of the cats figured out how to get out of the 2nd floor apartment and is meowing to be let back in when I arrive. Actually the cat is happy to see me as they want company but I haven't yet spent the night for lack of water. I flick on the TV where I can tell Real Madrid won the game but I still don't know the final score. I lock up and leave, head over to the American Legion to drop off US mail including Xtina's 42nd birthday card. No new books that interest me in the library so as I'm walking past one of several small optometry store's I notice he's selling top quality bootleg DVD's for 10 pesos. I buy two spanish one's, one with Javier Bardem and the other with that Mexican hearth throb Gabriel Garcia something....anyway I'm almost there but the bike shop guy, his whole store holds about 5 bikes, he has me try out a new bike with gears for 1500 pesos, about $135.00US but no, its not for me. Now I'm about 1/2 block from home, just need the corner when I spy fresh mini-baguettes in the grocery...get two of those and a pastry with pink icing, 12 pesos total. Then home, turn on the garden hose for a quick center-of-the-room shower, then throw a bunch of cooked garbanzos and chiles and a jalepeno and a tomato and oil and lemon into a blender while I lightly burn the bread and now I'm eating while watching the presidents press dinner speech on you tube....Cherie calls, says Garys coming to town tomorrow from Barra de Navidad, there's a party in her neighborhood, there'll be a band and 800 chicken wings, am I coming over? She gives me cat watcher advice, "wait one day" so I'll let Margaret off the hook for another day. And you dear reader now know it all, cept the sun has set, the Sinatra channel on my satellite radio is in full swing and the weather in La Paz, Baja del Sur is peaking about 95 in the day and 60 at night. With air conditioning, Deb and I will be fine. We;ll be there next week for a week. So there you have it, a Tuesday in Chapala.

Note from Daughter Xtina Re: My little Deputie

2011-05-03T18:49:00.000-07:00

e: Monday, May 2, 2011, 11:10 AM

Dep had surgery today and all went well. Only 1 giant stone which came out in 1 piece. She will be recovering at the vet until at least Wednesday. And I will be working extra shifts until the end of the year to pay for all this. But she's worth it.

Fw: Map of Sunday Art Walk San Juan Cosala

2011-04-26T18:51:00.000-07:00

Attached is the map of the San Juan Cosala art walk to day. I understand there is one mistake in the map, but here are the written directions which are correct. there is a lot of art work inside Viva Mexico restaurant on Porfirio Diaz and in the plaza. Xilotl Art Gallery will have a lot of art and it a mulit artist gallery featuring sculpture, painting , etc. by Mexicans and North Americans.

The art walk will extend from Ana Romo art studio at Porfirio Diaz #116 (1/2 block west of Viva Mexico restaurant) down to XiLotL Art Gallery at Porfirio Diaz Oriente #91 (1 1/2 blocks east of the church). Viva Mexico restaurant is also participating in this eventand will have many new artworks displayed. The only location not on the main street is the studio of Eduardo Xilonzochitl which is on Rio Cardinale (the street between the plaza and the church) approximately halfway between Porfirio Diaz and the Carretera. Stroll at your leisure, enjoy looking at the work of many talented local and guest artists, perhaps buy some new artwork for your home, and be sure to stop by Viva Mexico restaurant for something to eat, a cold beer, or one of Augustin's fabulous margaritas.

Carolyn Simpson

its the night before Easter

2011-04-26T18:50:00.000-07:00

It's the night before Easter and everywhere on the street are people and cars and in the skies are fireworks...I bicycled down to the Iglesia where overflow crowds were sitting in chairs in the street listening to the priest on the microphone and watching the ceremony on the loose screen via power point. Where the impressive church sits is also where the Malecon/boardwalk begins and so there is spillover of crowds and music and attitudes...the gregorian chants and religious singing was backed up by salsa music in one ear, by latin disco in another....families and lovers, beautiful teen age girls, gang of boys on the make, little kids just barely old enough to walk and seniors in wheel chairs, all converging on the same bit of turf where, in keeping with Mexico's ability to handle chaos cars are dealing with the gridlock as the road is kept open and it all seems to work. I love this place!!!

Little Things

2011-04-11T21:21:00.000-07:00

Little things add up to a lot here in Mexico. Many elements of Mexican society change during the 2-4 PM siesta. Business will often close and banking is effected by the 1 pm Mexico City cutoff. Its said if you can get one thing d one a day thats a good day. So thats the schedule I've been on and its working for me! With the sun getting everything warm by 10 AM and the main meal scheduled between 2-3 PM...the day, the get it done day can be really short. By the time I cook and clean, exercise, do the email and shower its often noon or even 1 PM....then I have to scurry of I'm going get 'er done before 3PM. But then by 3 I'm back at the studio and lunch time, then my siesta, then its the dance with sunset. Sometimes I bicycle down to the lake and ride along the boardwalk (malecon) weaving in and out fo the strolling couples of all ages, the families, the ice cream vendors, over my shoulder live music from many era's. It's always a treat to see the light play off the fishing boats, the ones converted to for hire passenger boats, usually brightly painted and bobbing of front of a wide expanse background that includes palm trees, mountains, shoreline, blue skies, sometimes back lit clouds....the lake. Sunset can take a good hour or more, everyday the popularity of the rejuvenated ChaPala Malecon brings new faces, more people, strolling musicians and we all know we are participating in something very special.

On the way home, about 8 blocks from the lake, just before I get to Bar Tomas I bicycle past the little grocery store around the corner from my shop. I peer in the roll up doorway and check the bakery shelves positioned opposite the cash register. Fresh pastries from the bakery in the back of the store, what's left of the daily 3 pm basket of fresh baked rolls beckon me in...3 for a dollar. Then I walk the bike around the corner and past the 8 girls and two boys that make up the neighborhood kids, ages 3-12......much running and screaming, tusselling. Then I'm home, bungie cord the bike to the wall, its so nice and cool in the bodega. Flick on the lights or not depending on the skylights. Another day over the hump, the rest now free time to explore, rearrange, write, eat, paint, maybe take a cold shower. Ahhh..it's all good.

Today I had a 1 1/2 hour massage, the prognosis was that I need much more stretching in my life and I need to rid the flesh of inflammation. Don'tcha know!? I set up the bigger tent to give myself more room to move around when I sleep because the masseuse was asking about my shoes, my occupation,. my bed.....she helped a lot to explain how my shoes were affecting my knee, how the bed was binding my ligaments, how inflammation was captured between the joints and crowded by too much muscle. Not uncommon to get great relevant medical advice here in Chapala. Maria is her name, maria Elena and one of her arms is slightly stunted but she uses it to good advantage, like a wood board penetrating my shoulder blades, my spine, my flesh. I was worked over baby....and at a very affordable rate. Home from there to fresh avacados and last nights potato tacos....I read when I eat and the good news is I have lots of books to read from the American Legion library. I love the fact there is plenty of time to read in each day. Course I don't have a TV or cable, no cell phone or refrigerator. These days I do have a phone and internet plus the occasional pirated DVD...have you seen RED!? Check it out!!

The painting is going good even if its not a daily affair. Damned if I Don't start painting one "live" painting a day. I remember sitting at a dinner with Guy Anderson (under the table leg squeezer that he was) when he remarked that at 62 he made a discovery that fueled his art for the next 3 decades.....he had discovered industrial wrapping paper used by the Railroads to wrap cut lumber on the flat cars. Found near the tracks and lumber yards between Everett and La conner where guy lived forever, the paper had a special absorbent quality, ribbed as it was with fiberglass strands, cut lumber brown in color. This "free" material became his ouvre for the next 30 years. When we met I was 30 something...but I pondered the day that i would be approaching my last few decades of art. Would I too have a catalytic moment that would propel me toi the future working like Gully Jimpson on my next creation? maybe so, this boat painting, lake painting , paint what I see painting, its gotten under my skin. I may have stumbled upon my Guy Anderson moment!

Lavendar in the Trees

2011-03-13T19:03:00.000-07:00

There are just a few trees that bloom in the winter here in Chapala. One is a lavendar colored bloom, almost a lilac color. Like what you see in those dried flower bouquets sold in the winter in the states. The way the trees are planted here, some along the street forming a corridor, other times along the outside wall of a property, you never know when you'll turn the corner and be stunned by some flowering tree. The other color is a bright yellow. After my siesta I head to the boardwalk to enjoy the sunset along with thousands of Mexicans mainly from Guadalajara. They love their lake and they love their Sundays. In all my years of coming here I've yet to see a fight, an argument, anything but smiling faces as entire families or young lovers or groups of teens wander along the Malecon. Many are drinking beer or liquor, some bring bar-b-que gear, others purchase food, snacks or the ever present home made ice cream from the impromptu stands. But its all good. Not a cop in sight. Tonite for some reason seemed to be the night of competing bands as besides the usual assortment of Mariachis, Norteno groups, and the romantico musicians there were a couple high school bands working the Malecon as well. And the blind guy with the mic and amp who sings along with the recorded music....ah its a wonderland.

There's also a visual feast to compliment the audio buffet; kids flying kites, young ones trying out bikes with training wheels, the novelty of kayaks for rent by the 1/2 hour, children playing in the water and on the beach, dogs of all breeds and grandmas of various sizes and dispositions sitting on one of the benches. When the sunsets begin you get colors so intense its like your looking at a Hallmark greeting card. Along the fronts of the big patio bars there are competing musicians; Salsa, Merengue, Latin Fusion, recorded Romatico music....all sweetly responding to the sunset as I drift by on my bike. The couples are braced tight, the men frequently handsome as they are not bulked out in their bodies like US men. And the women are highly competitive in fashion, wearing the most daring looks from the last 10 years of US fashion. As Mexicans are not body conscious like we are in the states you often see young women of any age wearing the worst possible choice for their body type; but here it doesn't matter, it's more about being "with it" than wearing whats right. Really it's a carnival of sights, sounds and people. I never fail to be uplifted and I'm reminded of the Creators magic touch, the fragility and impossibility of life. Viva Mexico!

Art School Postponed

2011-03-06T19:37:00.000-08:00

There has been so much negative media reporting about Mexico. Most of it based on fact. For the most part I felt fortunate to be in the Lake Chapalpa/Guadalajara area as their had little if any of the narco wars so prevalent along the US border. But thats no longer true. The killings and savagery have reached here too albeit on a much smaller scale. But it really is to much to ask someone to encourage their loved ones to go to Mexico to take an art class in the middle of this. So for now I've pulled the plug on the Chapala Art School and removed reference to it on my blog and email signatures. Who knows when all this is going to end? The consumption of drugs in the USA continues to spike upwards, the economy makes illegal activities enticing to the poor Mexican. The pipeline to ship guns to Mexico from the USA remains wide open. Not a pretty picture.

However I feel safe here, safe as I ever have. One does need to pay attention when you live in another country, another culture. But I feel safer here than I do in downtown Seattle. There the incredible number of crack addicts and crack dealers make any cross town walk hazardous. But to each their own. Currently Chapala is in the middle of Carnaval. Two towns in Jalisco state have been selected to host Carnaval, Chapala in the highlands and Barra de Navidad on the coast. Can't say for the coast but here it seems the event doubles in size every year. It's amazing to see so many people from so many different barrios get along so amiably. No fights even though there is lots of public drinking. Loud music for sure,
carnival rides, bands, street bands, impromptu food vendors, cops, the church, kids.....its a hoot.

I've been moving slower than usual lately and the cardiologist is taking a look at my heart. I'm doing so more tests but the bottom line is further changes in how I live, eat and recreate. I've been 250 pounds for so many years now that I'm not sure I would be recognized when I lose the necessary 50 pounds. For a couple decades my weight was more in the 190-200 range, but then I quit smoking and drinking and really began indulging my gluttony. Now the chickens have come home to roost. Yet it seems like good news this command to change everything once again. I'm ready. Besides I just don't feel I can compete in a technologically driven society. The idea that all art and artists must now go through a machine (the computer) to evolve just doesn't work for me. So a detour into the realm of the personal, the spiritual, the remembered, the written, the easy going strikes me as the next thing. Stay tuned.

the good life

2011-02-17T16:16:00.000-08:00

James alls good except the weather in NYC? si?...warmer than usual it seems here in Chapala although I read on-line of devastating cold snaps ruining the corn crops in Sinaloa....Calderon sending in the troops to replant etc....a shoot out in GDL has made every newspaper possible, seems the art school mexico idea was caught in the crossfire. I remember loving portugal, twice as costly but hey I could still winter in Mexico. Deborah Parker was here for a week and we had a fine time visitng Ajijic, Jocotepec, Tonala, GDL and Chapala...we still solid, in many ways better. Daughter Xtina had an up and down week in PV which is a place I care for less and less. The Lake Chapala inspiration is still intact, am taking fledgling steps on the road to outdoor painting, easel painting, ala prima painting, tourist painting, painting what i see, etc. For the rest of the year I intend to get focused on the art of the easel...in a world of competing technologies I'm attracted to the aspect of one on one art moments..as in set-up, paint, deal with whomever comes to talk to you, complete. No technology involved.

Not much news of Judy these days? Give her my regards and our mutual friends, all's well here in Rhodesia...I mean Mexico...

el Rey ... looking under old rocks are we ... hummmm ... well dawg Seattle seem a million miles away and it is ... The Z-studio is almost finished ... turning out to be a rather posh pad instead of funky space .. o-well I can live with that ... Im in NYC at this moment starting to work on Fathers Apartment .... 45 years of hard living ... so there is a large punch list ... many changes ... hope this finds you well and happy and in the flow of change ... don't stand fast least ye be swept down stream ... your pal James

Back from the pacific Coast of Mexico

2011-02-05T10:37:00.000-08:00

My solo 10 day trip to Barra de Navidad and Puerto Vallarta has come full circle and I'm now back in my casita in Chapala. A sweet trip. I started by catching a ride to Jocotepec with my Chapala friend and neighbor Bill Hawk. Loverly dinner with Russell and his next door neighbor Suzanne. At 94 the guy cooks with the best of them, makes his own ice cream and decorates the table with sprays of flowers from his garden. and he can remember events from pretty much WWI to today..a real treasure. Then on Monday the 24th of January I took a local bus to the interchange where i hucked on down to the highway and caught a nice 2nd class bus on the free road to Barra. I prefer the free road and 2nd class buses because I like the scenery and I'm able to open the windows for fresh air. The Posada Pacifico was full of people, I managed to get a room I'd never had there, #4..then began several days of musical chairs/rooms; finally I settled on 36. Gary Soriano was in his prime, saw him every day and managed to catch Ned Neltner aka Lalo in his barrio casa too. Great street food on the coast, I threw any dietary restrictions out the window as I had fantastic tamales, burritos, quesadillas, watermelon, avacadoes, tostadas, carnitas and lots of Mexican cookies!! Great sunsets, one was a triple layered sunset, another an all high cloud event that went on for an hour after the sun actually set. Spent many a minute studying the light as it was absorbed by the buildings in Barra lining the beach..wow, a real Kodak moment! Expect to see some of my sketches turned into paintings soon.

After 5 days I left for PV on another 2nd class bus and it was good once again. In PV I started out at the Hotel Bernal for $20 a nite but they have installed TV with cable in every room and everyone had the TV on at the same time; Cacophony! Found a nice hotel called hacienda Vallarta for the same price, 3 rd floor room with a view over the rooftops of the sunset and just far enough back from the constant drone of the gays bars that I could sleep well. So it was just a matter of meeting up with daughter xtina and her friends who were planning to stay all at the same Blue Seas resort. We got there by cab from the airport only to find out they had cancelled her and the guys reservations with no notice even though they had been pre-paid since August. They paid through ORBITZ which was no help in finding accomadations. Scrambling for another hotel the gang ended up at LOS ARCOS where once again a prepaid reservation made 15 minutes earlier on the phone was dropped. By then xtina wanted to take anything for a room and they gave her and Cynthia a king bed for the two of them..which they took. But between the outrageous behavior of the hotel bookings and the loss of xtina's camera on the bus back from Punta Mita (where the girls went snorkeling and whale watching), xtina had enough and left early on Friday. She managed to get a flight to Mexico City then JFK; the original booking was through Dallas but that airport was closed. Xtina swears she's not coming back....though she was really happy with the whale watching and snorkeling, the food, the beach etc...but to many incidents and so now i'll have to go to NYC to see the daughter!

Memo and the pancake house are plugging along, John over at the Loft Galleria selling art and making plans for a group show with me this summer in Seattle, location TBA; Rizzos does look like its closing, there are lots of 4 rent signs on the southside and throughout Vallarta, the negative press about mexico is having a a terrible effect on tourism. I skipped my 12 step group, they are housed below a Chippendales nightclub; I just couldn't walk into the hallway beneath a guys g-string crotch so I'll wait til they relocate. Jorge Rubio taking a break from international travel to revamp Terra Noble. All in all the PV crew looking good but after 6 days i too was ready to go back to Chapala and my new digs. The phone is in, im inspired as always by all the colors and romance of the coast and tomorrow Deborah Parker arrives for a multi-day visit. She just finished organizing a big conference in Cabo San Lucas and looking forward to relaxing here at lakeside...

So i'll let you know what happens, should be interesting.....

Busy Monday

2011-01-10T10:28:00.000-08:00

It's a busy morning here at the casita! I'm signed up to get a phone installed this morning via Telmex so I'm waiting on that. Chuck and Donna, the gracious couple that own the complex that includes my casita, are in the process of transforming their upper patio into a large kitchen so they can live upstairs and rent out the main floor.So plumbers and carpenters abound. The gardener comes on Mondays and Thursdays, usually about 8:30 he's here now and to top it all off a student brass band was either rehearsing or got hired to commemorate some local figure cause they were a marching and a playing loudly about an hour after sunrise! Ah Mexico, endless surprises. But hey! what if I do get a phone today!!! Then I will really have a home office and a clear separation between studio and living and other activities.

Sunday was really packed in Chapala. The holidays are over as of the 6th so I'm not sure what the occassion was but cars were backing up mid-day and tour buses were coming into town pall mall. Might be the warm weather, it really hasn't been chilly like last year. Or maybe its just a tradition that the first Sunday after the holidays is a big celebration day....ah Mexico, land of mystery.

Today is the BCS game, the Oregon Ducks playing for the national title. Justin Sheppard has been a Ducks fan his entire life, here's the payoff, I'll be watching and rooting for Oregon from a patio bar over in Ajijic. Bill Hawk, bass player for the band Pussy magnets, will be joining me. Should be fun!!

Checked into the cost of doing the floor in epoxy paint; $500+ US to cover my 3000 sq ft studio floor. That part is relatively easy...trying to get a pressure washer to do the floor is another matter. looks like I will hire a couple men to hand clean the floor. Then paint the floor just before I go to the coast so the paint will have plenty of time to cure. The electrical upgrade was sidelined once the electrician did a thorough review of the fuses; one was defective so all the rewiring plans can wait. I just need to get in the habit replacing fuses that look perfectly sound as they may be defective to start. Oh well, live and learn.

Stateside Deb and daughter Sara have returned from Paris where they experienced the City of light under a blanket of snow. Evidently quite chilly and now Seattle is chillin and likely to receive snow too. Deborah in particular seemed drained by the return flight and the culture clash of USA vs Paris.....quite a difference. I feel it to when I go back, it starts right in the airplane and doesn't get better at customs, then those damn taxis and...well you know the drill. Who wants to travel these days? And with all the negative press about Mexico many are choosing to stay home though Puerto Vallarta had near normal numbers over the xmas holidays. As for anyone choosing to send their college age to Mexico for art classes, I'm doubtful. I've gotr a great idea and location butthe timing is off I'm afraid. Good news is the studio upgrades have given me a fantastic place to work! Regardless of this or that my impression is that its going to be a very good year and I'm muchisimo glad that I'm in Mexico enjoying the relaxed pace, the simple lifestyle, the great weather and the affordability of it all. And even my knee is back in shape! That horse lineament cream has done the job!

Now I'm off to the street market.....2 pounds of grapefruit for $1.25!

First Crescent/January 6th 2011

2011-01-06T19:43:00.000-08:00

Today felt like a special day to begin with and sure enough it ended spectacuarly with a beautiful sunset that just kept giving and giving and giving. Then the moon came out, appearing above the pastel like backdrop thats was still capturing the warm orangish hues bounced by sunset over the Pacific Ocean. Man I feel so lucky to be here. and today was 3 Kings day, the last day of the 12 days of Christmas, a special day for kids, candy, church, special pastries and family gatherings. All the girls were looking their best, the world was flirtatious. Peak moments everywhere. As I headed up to the nearest grocery i was met with a procession headed to the cathedral mobbed by kids; one float of the 3 Kings who were throwing candies to the kids. Witht the 3 Kings you've got an African, a Caucasian and an Asian King; how multi-cultural!! And so a special holiday season that included a full moon with total eclipse on the winter solistice followed by another eclipse on the new moon the 4th of January 2011. And then the first crescent moon of the year. THROUGH IT ALL I've ben playing house at my new apartment. The result is I'm in a fabulous mood!

I've started painting in the studio, a fresh series about one of my friends. The electrical work was put on hold (good thing I saw the horoscope that said I'm in a hurry but no one else is) as the electrician did the diagnosis he should have done in the beginning. The result was a fuse needed to be replaced even though it was apparently new and fine. Defective. Oh well I'll take the $200 of materials back to the hardware store..looks like I'll have a store credit. I've taken down the window tarp, moved the floor tinaco, cleaned out all the office and library elements, the studio is looking exactly like a studio, nothing more. Yippeee! Now to practive leaving and coming back to the studio instead of just staying in all day. I'm in Mexico for Pete's sake, need to act less like I've got a job and more like I'm retired and happy and whats next. Right?!

Still I nplan nto apint the floor, like to do that before Deb comes....the time on the coast will give the enamel floor paint a real chance to cure. Met some younger theatre people the other day, they like the space, maybe just maybe i'll get a resident theatre group to break in my community stage!

The big step is to start painting outside. Really mexico is the perfect place to practice and here I must for if i ever take this on the road one has to have some chops. Besides I can still see myself in Gerona making a living painting the old town and the river. Strange to say painting what i like is different than painting what I think. The actual act of painting, to be able to spend ones time creating and all that leads up to the creative act, how wonderful is that!?! I'm blessed.

The New Year 2011

2011-01-03T09:21:00.000-08:00

The New Year is off to a great start here in Chapala, as the weather is great and there has been a flood of mexican tourists visitng the lake and the cathedral. The 12 days of xmas ends on the day of Epiphany also known as the day of the 3 Kings. it's a day of gift giving, special cakes, candies for the kids and sometimes a procession that looks a little bit like Mardi Gras. For me the big present has been living in my new apartment. I'm out of the studio and into a lovely little casita couple blocks back from the lake. The house owned by Chuck and Donna is in front and after the fountain and the patio my casita is there. How sweet it is. You know this si the first time in a very long time that I feel settled domestically. Usually I'm living illegally in some loft or storefront; or when Deb and I were married the house was 100% her domain. There's been a couple apartments here and there but this time I think I'm staying! And that my friends has caused me to cross some psycholgical divide and believe it or not I feel like I've joined the human race! Living illegaly set me up for being different 24/7/365. My whole attitude and course of action was determnined by being different, by not fitting in. But not, hey lets swap recipies and cleaning tips. Today i've already cooked off some brown rice, some pasta shells and made oatmeal and a fruit plate. Hey there's even a laundry here, clean clothes no problemo!!

And equally important I've got a location that allows me to focus on the office side of my art career. Tons of emails are being sorted out, my records, my books, my music all have been removed from the studio and placed here in the casita. I call it the writers cabin cause yes I'm even getting the journals fired up and have begun outling some writing projects. Looks like I'll have time to read how to operate the canon camera my daughter bought me for xmas several years ago, I'm purging books, cleaning out electronics...and sleeping well. This place is so quiet!

Today is Monday and thats market day on my street where the art school/studio is located. Normally they start setting up by car light in the early AM...sleeping usually not an option. During the holidays new people show up and usually there's a least one person high on something speed rapping outside my door while setting up. When you get up at 6 am in Mexico it can be cold..like in the low 50's which never sounds cold but there's no central heating! By 10AM the sun has heated everything nicely and the day peaks out somewhere around 75-80 degrees. Noramlly clear blue skies too. So now i can get up, put on the heater, write, exercise. skype my friends, cook for the day, get 'er done, then go to the studio which will now be warmed up to a working temperature. Really this is a mental breakthrough, I've been in a good mood for days!

Tommorow the electricain comes and in a few days i will have new outlets and lighting in the art school/bodega. The skylites keep the space nicely lit during the day but I need lights for night and projects. Balance the load, get rid of the older wiring which is starting to fail, up the outlets. In a 3000 sq ft space its always something. After this I think I'm painting the floor with some super tough paint. And then that will be that, for now. I can focus on getting the web page and the blogs cleaned up. I've been relyijg alittle bit to much on people's desire to go to mexico. I was thinking it was selling it swelf with the sunny warm weather and the iunexpensiuve life style but no.....all the drug war negative press has curtailed all that so its up to me to sell my art students on the advantages of studio art classes in Mexico. Will do!

Talking to all my family and friends during the holidays is great.....Deborah is in Paris and has been Joined by daughter Sara and her friend Jody. it's cold but hey its Paris!! Jose is keeping the storefront going at first and lenora, Stanley is getting ready to go back to teaching at the Paso Robles High School, Justin headed to the BCS national championships, Xtina keeping the train on the track in NYC and the boyfriend happy, my friends in Ariszona always seem happy, sister Cheryl and family checking out their new fishing cabin, Ron and Tanya visitng yakima and giving the Audi a road test, brother John enjoying being off the road and no longer repsonsible to be Grand Worthy Chaplin or Vicki Grand Worthy matron, Ann Wyman sold her properties in Spokane....and on and on. To Mike and Memo, get well soon.....and everyone else love ya and look forward to seeing and hearing from y'all in the new year. PS...make the most of the moments left before the 2nd lunar eclips on the 4th, this time on a new moon! great things can happen!!

Someone has sent you a message from Truthout

2011-01-02T16:27:00.000-08:00

Message from sender:

Published on Truthout (http://www.truth-out.org)

US at War Since 1950: A New Year's Meditation

Michael True | Saturday 01 January 2011

"The same war continues," Denise Levertov wrote in her poem, "Life at War." Her lament is even more appropriate for 2011 than it was when she wrote the poem forty-five years ago.

Columnists and academics, including international relations professor Andrew Bacevich of Boston University, are finally acknowledging facts familiar to anyone "awake" regarding failed US policies, wasted lives and wasted resources during this period.

Source URL: http://www.truth-out.org/us-war-since-1950-a-new-years-meditation66358

All republished content that appears on Truthout has been obtained by permission or license.

Fwd: Happy Holy-days and Nights Richard in Cambodia

2011-01-02T16:26:00.000-08:00

Date: Friday, December 24, 2010, 8:36 PM

Merry Christ-Mass, X-Mass, Chanukkakkkah,Quansi & Sha nah nah

Soon will be in the land of the rare Burmese Python, with it's distinctive black brown markings..

On a quest for an ancient Cambodia Apsara Harp of the Angkor Wat Kingdom.

or i may sit around drinking Black Panther Ale in Phnom Penh re-reading Freedom from the Known by J.Krishnamurti..

Wish Y'all good hearts an engaging year, passionately sojourning into a realm yet undiscovered internally or externally.

Sometimes it's the road sometimes not, yet, the "middle way , safe, calming to the spirit... may not invite/ignite

the ineffable wonder of "being fully in the experience"...good bad or indifferent..The far lands afford this for moi.

Blessings

Richard

It seemed a moment more or less so great my happiness that
I was Blessed and could Bless""

W.B.Yeats

.

Fw: mo

2011-01-02T16:25:00.000-08:00

Hola el Rey ... Im glad this Gringa have a good and safe trip ... i have just returned from Morelia and Patzcuaro
and Erongarico ... the people tell a different story .... the battle at Apatzingan lasted 72 hours ... much news and
many stories from the streets ... still all is well ...Zihuatanejo is a delite and the studio is starting to be put back
together ... I cant blieve the amount of work to build a simple temple to the art ... it is wonderful, stone floors
hand cut from the mountains, parota and bicote wood pergolas ... marble countertops again from the mountains
in Michaocan ... hand carved contara colums ... we start the finish on the cocina next week ... J

APFN - Pakistan Warned United States and NATO, Test fires Nuclear-c

2011-01-02T16:24:00.000-08:00

APFN - Pakistan Warned United States and NATO, Test fires Nuclear-c

Fwd: Holograms of UFOs, Religious Figures Tested in Arizona

2010-12-11T10:40:00.000-08:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Commander,
Two scientists with high level security clearances describe
the ground-based and satellite technologies which can beam
holographic images of religious figures and UFOs over a
region, such as a battlefield, to influence enemy surrender
-- or maybe to cause US Citizens to comply with their own
government?
Who knows? The scientists are not allowed to discuss the
details but one does admit that "American technology needs
to be tested on Americans and American Citizens have already
been damaged by the testing" of what some people refer to as
"Project Blue Beam."
This technology was being tested at the Army base at
Fort Huachuca, Arizona in the 1990s at the time of this
interview.

Video:
http://www.forbiddenknowledgetv.com/page/796.html
- Alexandra

P.S. Please share Forbidden Knowledge TV e-mails
and videos with your friends and colleagues.
That's how we grow. Thanks.
==================================================
Alexandra Bruce
Forbidden Knowledge TV
Daily Videos from the Edges of Science
http://www.ForbiddenKnowledgeTV.com
==================================================
Forbidden Knowledge TV
2380 California St.
San Francisco CA, 94115
USA

!!

2010-12-06T09:30:00.000-08:00

Today its been exactly one month I've been back in Mexico. I feel great! Mexico has always been a source of renewal for me, a place of inspiration, tastes, sounds, smells and great weather. Chapala is where myh studio is and i must say i really love the place. The lake is right there, a modifying force, an attraction, an inspiration. The Mexicans themselves, their way of doing things, the slower pace, the emphasis on civility and family, really its balm for the soul. And the foods I can get so readily; from fresh baked french bread to tortillas, avacadoes, papaya, zucchini, carrots, beets, potatoe, grapefruit.....and more and more.....honey, and TGSP, cinammon sticks...ahhh....this year I'm letting the Mexi-wok rest and instead giving my steamer a work out. And then what I steam provides hot water for doing the dishes. It's all a gas.

i got off to a good start by spending two weeks on the coast with friends and family. week one was with event planner Deborah Parker (yes the ex. we're dating!). Five days top floor of the Sheraton with lots of extras then 2 days at the 4 seasons Punta Mita...wow, i've been spa'ed! And I like it. And then celebrations for Memo and Suzy and Jorge, my dearest of PV friends made for some great memories, moments and pictures. Plus Dr. pedro says my kidneys seems fine. The new diet seems to be working. Well except i ate like crazy on the coast, there's just no comparison between the food in PV and anywhere else I've been in Mexico, maybe the world. Just delicious and affordable.

Couldn't make it to Barra de Navidad on this trip to say hello to ned neltner or gary soriano but next trip when I meet up with daughter Xtina in early February. Then Deborah comes for a visit to Chapala..or will we switch to the coast? By then i shoujld have the walls finished in the Chapala studio and new electrical thoughout. And maybe an apartment. been sleeping so well in the tent in the studio tha tI'm taking my time looking. Want to be near the lake so I can I paint outdoors in the early morning. No students signed up yet but i'm hopeful. the bad press for Mexico continues although life goes on here as if nothing along the border has any impact here. Not true, narco cash has permeated Mexican society but the state of Jalisco is one of Mexico's wealthiest what with Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta as job magnets. But the media image has impacted everything and so hotels are less full. When will it end?

Art fair Ajijic happened this weekend and its shows great promise. Big tents filled with art, maximum press, a well run event. The quality of the art will continue to improve and this event I'm sure will eventually be one of Mexico's best. The wednesday night Gallery Walks continue in Puerto vallarta and are very well attended. Lots of really good art including the likes of brewster Brockman and Eduardo Mejorado(I just purchased a small work of his). So if you are inspired by sunny weather, great food, incredible scenery and a different set of priorities about life come this way....i'll be happy to see you.

News from the states is good. Jose torres is holding down the WilliamTony showroom at 1st and Lenora in Seattle. His xmas window treatment has inspired the rest of the block to brighten up their windows! Deborah's grown kids Sara and Justin have acknowledged me as family/father on Facebook and I'm really touched. JUSTIN HAS BEEN A RABID OREGON DUCKS FAN since i've known him..15 years now....he's is in the stratosphere...GO DUCKS.
The Pink Door is celebrating 30 years in the Pike Place market...way to go Jackie, you've pleased thousands and inspired hundreds!!! Daughter Xtina is my businesss manager this year and is doing an excellent job; I'm impressed! Deborah and Sara are headed to Paris for New Years Eve! Wow, what a life!!! and dear friend of 35 years Karolyn Kiisel is opening her fashion loft in Downtown LA this month! 6000 sq ft of Kiiselwares!!! way to go KK.

There's more of course but I've got to get outside and get the morning bargains from the street fair that happens every Monday right outside my door here on Obregon street. hasta luego amigos y amigas
memo el rey

Fw: Days of Our LIves

2010-11-28T06:10:00.000-08:00

To: "Billy King" <billyking50@yahoo.com>
Date: Sunday, November 21, 2010, 1:03 PM

Home from the grocery store....thank goodness, I had four heavy bags filled with the annual makings for a scrumptious Thanksgiving feast. As the clerk was
checking me out, I glanced outside to see the snow beginning to fall and immediately grabbed the phone and ordered a cab. I had visions of the last time
I was there during the 2008 snowstorm....waiting outside in the bitter cold for over an hour and a huge cart of groceries to prepare a party feast......the cab never came and I ended up rolling my cart down first avenue. what a hoot and a lesson in humility.

Sara came for dinner on Thursday night (after my arrival home on WEdnesday). I made a lovely tortilla soup with roasted corn. I was inspired by the travels and flavors
and as I write this, I'm eating a delicious bowl of it for my Sunday Brunch. One bowl left--maybe dinner!. Fresh chiles, roasted in the oven, fresh chicken boiled on the stove, broth from the freezer, onions, garlic, cumin, chile pepper for some kick and voila! Topped with fresh avocado and tortillas strips and a dollop of sour cream and Deborah's Tortilla Soup goes head to head with the best of the top chefs! I'm in the mood to cook and so the Thursday feast sounds fun. Pumpkin souffle may be the new recipe for the year!

I ran into David at the dry cleaners yesterday and was telling him about my romantic rendevous and the 15 Year Memories Tour with The Bill. I said what a great time we had and how I just can't seem to let go of you...the big love and big connection....best friends. He commented about what a super charming and fascinating and attractive man you were and he completely understood. He was happy for me and for you. (On the other hand, when I told Gavin a few weeks ago that I was dating my ex, he said, don't come running to me when your heart is broken.) I invited them for a holiday dinner party on Saturday, December 11. I decided I should do a soiree before I leave for Paris!

So nice to be at home. Even though I loved our time together in Mexico, I haven't had much time in la casa for awhile, so it feels comforting to settle in. In the next month, the only time away will be a couple of days to see my Mom on Dec 4-5. And then off to Paris on the 19th of December. Pinch me, please.

So, mi amor. I'm here, you're there and the love is now. Happy Sunday!

New Moon

2010-11-05T18:37:00.000-07:00

Let the adventure begin. Tomorrow will be different in that I arrive to Guadalajara at 10:30 at night, about mid-nite to the studio. Will I be able to sleep in the studio? Is the tent up, the air bed still functioning. Any bugs taken over? And the next day is Sunday so limited resources.....but there's a nice party in the PM at one of the more prominent architectural buildings in town, just past the main cathedral and near the pier that juts into the lake. Edd's birthday party. MJ's welcome to Chapala party....the news on Mexico coming from the US media is disheartening. Phone conversations with my amigos on the ground there sound very chipper. Ohh..I'm so ready to be happy and healthy and carefree.....papaya and avacado and mango, here I come!

Fw: your art

2010-11-05T18:29:00.000-07:00

Hmm..fan mail!

Hi Billy. I came into your studio a couple of weeks ago and ended up purchasing your "Other People II" 2007. Despite the fact that the frame is on the cheapy side, the piece looks beautiful sitting in it's blood pomegranite metal frame, against an olive wall. The other night, I drank a glass of wine alone in a quiet house, marveling at my good fortune to have one of your pieces, this piece, in my home. Thank you. Hope the Mexican sun is feeling good.

Sincerely,

Ellen Chestnut

Thanks Ellen!

Packing for Mexico

2010-10-26T14:04:00.000-07:00

It's begun, the filling up of the luggage with the stuff....lots of art supplies etc. are already there in the Chapala studio so maybe this is just to amuse myself. I'm taking US AIR, a second tier airline from what I can tell. Alaska Airlines tickets have gone through the roof! I'll meet up with Deb in PV early on in the trip, the daughter in PV in early Feb. 2011, then Deb says she will visit chapala in February too. Mardi Gras isn't til March and Catholic Easter is way late, April 24th. Will I get any work done? Will the Chapala Art School have any students? Am I worried? Whatever happens my focus will remain on learning to paint outdoors on an easel. Or just painting what I see in general. Doesn't sound like much of a challenge but I bet it's a doozy. mexico is so relaxed though I should be able to set up anywhere without much hinderance. Did i mention I arrive at the studio at midnight?

Re: Pioneer Square/Trattoria Mitchelli

2010-10-12T12:35:00.000-07:00

Hi Erika,

Of course I'm interested in what your article will talk about....I'm opiniated but that comes with 4 decades downtown....I can tell you about Pioneer Square from the late 60's up to year 2000, I've watched go from bust to boom to bust again.....after 16 years I lost my floor/loft in the 619 Western building and so since then i haven't been living in the Square. although i did a large mural at Yesler and Post in 2002.

I've also had other longer term studios in Pioneer Square;

1st and Washington (1968-69)

105 Main..early 70's...(Polaroid Nudies)

Maritime Building early 70's

3rd and Washington mid 70's early 80's (We Sweep Daily)

1st and Yesler mid 90's 1st and Jackson...

619 western 1984 until year 2000

and a bunch of short term ones in between.....and also various studios in the market and on Post alley...sometimes more than one studio as I would rent one out for additional income.

I'm currently over by the art museum in an enter off the alley space.

Note: I have a popular linoleum block print I did of the Tratt in 1989...a limited edition (see attachment)of 35 or so...this is back when Jackie Roberts of the Pink door and Dany owned the Tratt together...thats when it really was a big innovative restaurant...$4.95 pasta!

Anyway good luck. My idea for revitalizing Pioneer Square is to allow gambling/cardrooms back into Pioneer Square.

erika schultz
photographer
the seattle times
206-396-0530

Hi Billy,

I'm working on a story about the history and future of pioneer square in Seattle for Pacific Northwest Magazine. For some reason, I thought you may have been a regular at Trattoria Mitchelli, but I may be mistaken.

First, I was looking for Dany's email in Seattle/France if you (or someone you know) has it.

Second, I was wondering if you knew of any of the longtime artists or residents who have lived in pioneer square. Any help would be huge.

Best wishes,
Erika

Mexican Independence day parade 2010

2010-09-29T18:47:00.000-07:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
hi billy and margaret:
ok, you two, what's up with dat? you missed el grito and the grand
independence day
parade. but so that you don't miss too much, i have attached photos for
your amusement.
the parade was lead, mostly by men, dressed in suits: yep, the president
and his men.
the children are so adorable, all dressed up to reflect old mexico. the el
grito celebration
was great. the place in front of the presidencia was packed - with everyone
eventurally
yelling viva mexico.
i am so moved touched and inspired by mexico and the mexicans.
when are you coming home billy king, coming home billy king?
margaret when did you want to come and visit, and for how long?
i generally have never rented my place, until my friends sandra and lon came
to visit.
3 years ago, i gifted them my casita, and they loved it, loved being close
to the street.
last year, they wanted a larger place so i rented them my home for four
months, and they
loved it - a different experience.
i have a friend who is 'price focused,' realator, and has rented my place
for short periods of time,
practically throwing the baby out with the bath water. and i finally said:
these are my prices
it is inconvenient to rent for short periods, so the price is higher, an
nothing less than a month.
the longer the time the lower the price. my prices are quite competitive
with other local rentals,
but alas none have the view or the warmth of being in my barrio. just talk
to me.
hugs forever, tu amigo edd, aka lalo en chapala
edd - edward a samuelson
- - - - - - - - - - -

billy king: New QR code

2010-09-29T18:46:00.000-07:00

billy king: New QR code

Market Mural

2010-09-09T14:58:00.000-07:00

Carol,
Yes it was fun to have you visit the showroom today. A little tea and chat was just the thing for bringing up my mood. And I'm especially pleased that as the head of PDA you will accept my offer to donate my services as a muralist by painting an outdoor mural in the market at a location of your choosing. A likely location is the large wall opposite the PDA conference room. My first thought is to paint a scene of the Market Soap Box Derby's which used to run along Post Avenue (now alley). The wall is really right at the elbow of the race course, scene of many a soapbox crash!

I'll start working on finding sponsors, drafting a letter for the Historical Commission, roughing out some sketches, etc. I'll send you a more formal letter with a description, materials list, time frame and then we can get before the MHC.

Dry weather is best for outdoor mural painting so even if we get it permitted now it will probably be next year before the mural is finished. I'm jazzed about the opportunity. Thank you very much!

Billy King

I like what I'm hearing about the changeovers at some of the Market Housing and also I think the harvest season street fair has great possibilities. Your legacy will be profound.

SummerARTshow
at the Billy King Showroom
Corner of 1st + Lenora 2101 1st Ave Seattle, WA 98121
Across from Patagonia
June 21st - September 21st 2010
Daily 11-5 (Closed Tuesdays)

http://summerArtshow.blogspot.com

40+ years of Art
5,000 Sq Ft Showroom
206-340-8881

Billy King + Studio

USA PO BOX 1903 Seattle, WA 98111
206-382-1001 = Voice Mail
Skype: billyking50
www.billyking.com

MEXICO

Tel: (011-52) 376-765-7229

Winter Studio/Art School Address:

A.Obregon # 13 Col.Plaza del Toros
Chapala, Jalisco MEXICO 45900

New QR code

2010-09-06T12:41:00.000-07:00

My new QR code!

Scan that with your iphone, go right to my web site!!!

Fw: The real news

2010-08-26T17:34:00.001-07:00

Read and weep.

The real news

Wikileaks Afghan War Logs Paint Sad Picture of Mass Casualties

Posted: 11 Aug 2010 02:23 AM PDT

On the 25th of July 2010, WikiLeaks released a document set called the Afghan War Diary, an extraordinary collection of 91,000 reports covering the war in Afghanistan from 2004 to 2010. The reports, written by soldiers and intelligence officers describe the lethal military actions the U.S. military was involved in, including intelligence information, reports of meetings with political figures, and related details.

Today is the first day the documents have been available on-line. I have been looking through the reports and seem to have found a trend, "Casualties are extremely high" and we all know there are casualties in war, but this leak draws a different assertion. In order for you to better understand what I mean, I am going to make a list.

How to read the list:

1. First I will place a reference ID, which is basically the ID number of the released communication document. you can find all of these ID numbers on Wikileaks.
2. Next I will put the date of the Transmission.
3. Finally, I will put the number of Friendlies, Enemies, and innocent people killed in the attacks.
4. As the list goes on you will see a developing trend.

Ok, lets get started.
1. ID: AFG20060909n389
Date: 2006-09-09 05:05
KIA: 181 enemy/ 1 friendly

2. ID: AFG20080707n1425
Date: 2008-07-07 03:03
KIA: 1 enemy/ 42 civilians
Injured: 147 civilians

3. ID: AFG20050621n88
Date: 2005-06-21 08:08
KIA: 103 enemy/ 5 friendly
Injured: 6 friendly/ 2 civilian

4. ID: AFG20090825n1935
Date: 2009-08-25 14:02
KIA: 47 civilians
Injured: 70 civilians

5. ID: AFG20080217n1231
Date: 2008-02-17 06:06
KIA: 1 enemy/ 55 civilians
Injured: 48 civilians

6. ID: AFG20070828n921
Date: 2007-08-28 04:04
KIA: 100 enemies
Injured: 3 friendly

7. ID: AFG20060905n351
Date: 2006-09-05 08:08
KIA: 100 enemy
Injured: 2 friendly

8. ID: AFG20071119n1054
Date: 2007-11-19 05:05
KIA: 80 enemies

9. ID: AFG20060914n428
Date: 2006-09-14 10:10
KIA: 80 enemies

10. ID: AFG20040608n32
Date: 2004-06-08 07:07
KIA: 78 enemies
Injured: 4 enemies

This is a brief list of ten examples. (I could go on all day listing each individual transmission and posting casualty numbers but I think we all get the picture)

This list shows a trend of civilian and enemy deaths. The toll is extremely high yet the U.S. military has managed to avoid casualties quite well. The Afghan war logs released by Wikileaks may prove that the casualty rate in Afghanistan is much higher than originally expected. This may lead some to believe the casualty count was purposely altered for political purposes. Either way, the number of casualties listed in the Afghan war logs is quite astounding and a cause for concern.

If you enjoyed the article, don't forget to subscribe for up to the minute news.

Source: http://wardiary.wikileaks.org/

Fw: Lynn & Annemarie's Memorial

2010-08-26T17:34:00.000-07:00

Hi folks -

I wanted to let you know that Lynn and Annemarie's memorial will be at the MV Skansonia on Lake Union on September 11, 2010 from 12:00 - 3:00 pm. An actual notice/invitation with more details and possible asks for help will be coming soon, but I wanted to let you know so you could start spreading the word and help make sure everyone gets it on their calendars. I have mostly phone numbers, not so many email addresses, but if anyone has email addresses, please forward those too so I can keep people posted.

Please help me by spreading the word!

If anyone would like to participate in any way, please ask them to email me at this address. I'm hoping it will help me keep everything organized.

Thank you and much love!

- Angeline

Fwd: PrintShip

2010-07-06T17:37:00.000-07:00

BK says check this out!

http://www.printship.net/PS/Instructions.html

-

SummerArtshow now OPEN!

2010-06-23T12:42:00.000-07:00

The end of men

2010-06-23T12:41:00.001-07:00

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2010/07/the-end-of-men/8135

Oil Disaster Will Be End of Life As We Know It

2010-06-23T12:41:00.000-07:00

http://www.infowars.com/oil-disaster-will-be-end-of-life-as-we-know-it/

Chapala described by a gringo

2010-06-05T11:48:00.000-07:00

---------------------------------------------------------
the aricle below is about the barrio if you are unfamiliar.

November 2009 - Homes & Lodging
Authentic Mexico: Barrio San Miguel & Chapala Tianguis
By Bill Mesusan

A small explosion echoes inside my ears as a soccer ball careens off the metal carport door adjacent to my guest bedroom. Laughter and voices shouting in Spanish soon follow.
This is my first night back in central Mexico. I've been away for almost a year, but it seems like I left only yesterday. Staying with friends, I've landed smack dab in the heart of Barrio San Miguel, in the town of Chapala, where I've discovered a rich cross section of authentic Mexico lies just beyond the carport, bringing me back to a feeling I call "home."
Barrio San Miguel

It's a small world, this neighborhood called Barrio San Miguel, but it's a microcosm revealing the larger life of Mexico. The parameters are roughly four blocks square: Calle Miguel Martinez (across from the Chapala Bus Station) marks the northern boundary; Francisco Madero, the eastern edge; Lopez Cotilla, the southern end; and, Segunda del Cerrito (at the top of the hill) marks the western boundary.
You can walk the entire barrio in an hour or two and increase your experience and knowledge of Mexico threefold.
My friends, Peter and Elaine St. John, purchased their home in Barrio San Miguel in July 2006 and began remodeling the following month (adding a second story master bedroom suite).
Peter and Elaine enjoy the vistas, their vecinos (neighbors) and the immersion experience that comes from living among the Mexican community. Elaine, who works as an illustrator and designer for American book publishers (from her home office in central Mexico) speaks fluent Spanish. The affable Peter, who's a real estate agent at Laguna Realty in Ajijic, has become more bi-lingual with the passage of time.

The couple arrived from Cincinnati with three dogs but the "gang" had grown to eight by the time of my visit. A few cats make their home in the upstairs master bedroom so it's a busy household. Peter and Elaine are supportive and involved in spay and neuter efforts at Lake Chapala and constantly take in strays until they find a good home for their "guests."
While staying with Peter and Elaine, I make a point of wandering around Barrio San Miguel on my own, soaking up the authentic Mexican culture like a sponge. I want to share the everyday life of an ordinary neighborhood: the sights, sounds, aromas, and rituals that tell a story of their own and reveal life is essentially good here in the heart of this barrio.
The city of Chapala, as a part of its public works improvements, recently paved the streets in Barrio San Miguel. "Real blacktop!" exclaims Peter. "The kids have gotten out their scooters, skateboards, bikes, trikes, and anything else with wheels and have been enjoying the smooth surface and the inclines ever since."
Barrio San Miguel is a family neighborhood. Like the other barrios of Chapala, and the villages and pueblos throughout most of authentic Mexico, everyone from abuelitas (little grandmothers) to niños (children) live outside on their stoops and on the streets in front of their houses. Life in the barrio is an outdoor affair and quite friendly if smiling faces are any indication.
When Peter drives home in his mini-van with his windows rolled down, groups of neighborhood children get excited and start a vociferous chant: "Peter! Peter! Peter!"
Templo San Miguel, the parish church, is still under construction even though the dome was being built back in October of 2007. When the church has money for bricks and mortar, and time to continue construction, work commences. In the meantime, the dome is finished, but the sanctuary is still without a roof. The grounds are used by the congregation. As Peter points out, "Who needs a roof? This is Mexico! The sky is our ceiling .…"
One afternoon I was taking advantage of a "photo op" of an outdoor nacimiento (nativity scene when a barrio resident walked out of the house onto the street. He spied me and the camera and came over to invite me to his house to visit another nativity scene."How far away is your house?" I asked. "Only three blocks." he answered with a broad smile.
My new friend led me to his family home and invited me inside where he introduced me to his mother and proudly revealed his family's indoor scene. The care they'd lavished on this devotional creation was evident in the remarkable assemblage they shared with me. It was a special treat and yet these are everyday occurrences when you're out and about in an authentic neighborhood, encountering the wonderful generosity of spirit of the Mexican people.
Chapala Tianguis

One of the great features of Barrio San Miguel is its proximity to the Chapala tianguis (outdoor market). They're "joined at the hip" via Priv. Madero/Obregón.
The outdoor market in Chapala on Mondays has a few notable differences from its counterpart in Ajijic: it's a bigger marketplace, displays a larger variety of goods (there are more used clothing and food stands and fewer arts and crafts, and the prices are considerably lower on many ítems.
What's universal about all of Mexico's outdoor markets is they're a feast for the senses—inviting you to touch, taste, smell, listen, and look at the wonders that abound in this friendly, public life amidst the chatter of the market stalls and the noisy camaraderie between sellers and buyers.
Peter's wife, Elaine, an experienced local, leads me through the market on a sunny Monday morning. Almost immediately we run into Robert and Linda Moore, retired professors of archeology from a University in the Carolinas. I'd been introduced to the couple, both writers like myself, the previous week while accompanying Peter as he led them on a tour of a condominium for sale in La Floresta.
Bob has come to the Chapala market in search of a new wristwatch. Somehow, we chance upon the subject of my favorite author, John Fowles, and Linda asks if I've seen the film "Daniel Martin." "I didn't know they made a movie from that novel." I tell her.
The connections you make, and the things you learn for the very first time, deep in the heart of central Mexico, are truely amazing. With a volley of pleasant good-byes, Elaine and I wander deeper into the Chapala market.
A man with a rack of bird cages on his back turns to me as I snap a photo. He gives me a disapproving look and shakes a finger at me. I quickly interpret the body language as "No, no!" Oops. Too late. I feel bad because I'd forgotten my personal ritual of always asking permission before taking photos of local citizens or their children. Quiero fotographia. Es posible? (I'd like a photo. Is it okay?).
The answer is usually "Sí" ("Yes") and I refrain from "shooting" if it isn't.
We take a right turn and amble through the crowd admiring the fruits and vegetables for sale, sampling delicious slices of fruit as we walk among the stalls. A young man stands in the middle of the street with a wheelbarrow loaded to the brim with aromatic coffee beans. Elaine stops to talk with the vendor and buys a kilo of the fresh roasted coffee from Vera Cruz.
A clown makes his way through the crowd spreading joy and mirth. A couple of women vendors find him amusing and begin laughing out loud at his appearance. He turns to them, saying, "Soy muy guapo (I'm very handsome)." This comment has the desired effect as the two women burst into hilarious giggling. The medicine man (laughter is the best medicine) gives them a haughty glance and takes his frivolity on down through the marketplace.
Elaine and I move on. I buy vegetables, quickly calculating that some prices are lower than the Ajijic market. We make a side trip across an overpass bridging the Chapala/Guadalajara highway, so Elaine can purchase ítems at the Soriana store. We walk back across the highway at street level and re-enter the market.
Now, we're on a mission! The green chorizo (sausage) sold at Chapala's tianguis is hard to find elsewhere. Sometimes, it's not even available from the chorizo vendor in Chapala. We find his booth. We luck out, and buy the coveted chorizo verde. I can't wait to taste it, and when I finally do, it doesn't disappoint.
We retrace our path through the market, take a right turn and walk down another street of booths and then veer right onto Priv. Madero which leads back to Barrio San Miguel and "home."
After returning to California, I correspond with my "barrio buddies" and reflect on the words of my friend, Peter St. John, "We share an amazing gift, living in the heart of Mexico as we do."
Find out for yourself. Take a half a day and walk through Barrio San Miguel and the Chapala tianguis. Or, just take in one of the two: the market or the barrio. You can't go wrong either way. No matter what you decide this enticing day trip will lead you deeper into authentic Mexico, the Mexico of the Mexicans, and an experience you journeyed south of the border to discover and treasure.
Author's Postscript:

I received an email from Peter St. John just as I was putting the finishing touches on this story. I decided to share a slightly condensed version, written in his own words, because it poetically reveals the dual nature of Barrio San Miguel:
"If you are still writing, we are under bombardment at this very moment. The cojetes (skyrockets) are right overhead. The castillo (fireworks wheel) just finished with its whirlygig flaming toward the heavens. It is fiesta time at Templo San Miguel.
It began this morning with cojetes at 6 a.m. An altar was set up in the unfinished church and they were celebrating mass. The church may lack a roof but it does not lack a faithful congregation.
This evening we saw them setting up the castillo, a tower of fireworks which takes about fifteen minutes from lighting to go through its multiple stages. When they lit it, we saw light and smoke rising behind the silhouette of the under construction church. As the flames climbed higher, they culminated with a spinning image of the Archangel Michael with his flaming sword and ultimately, the whirlygig (corona or crown) burning loose and sailing off toward heaven. What a sight and just one small part of why we are ever fascinated by life in our barrio.
This morning a procession of people were filing out of the templo, heading down the street. This was the same templo that was so joyous and festive just the night before... I thought at first they were leaving Mass, until I observed that many were carrying flowers and looked very somber. On the shoulders of a young father was the casket of his infant who had died the day before. They were all going to the panteón (cemetery) with this little flower of life that so sadly faded away.
Sort of a morbid contrast... but México is a land of many contrasts, as we well know."
Author's Note: Special thanks to the residents of Barrio San Miguel and to Peter and Elaine St. John for sharing their love for their neighborhood, the spiritual magic of life in central Mexico, and the Chapala tianguis.

SummerARTshow 2010

2010-05-28T09:30:00.000-07:00

I inked the rental agreement yesterday with Rebecca of Allegra properties. I'm taking possession for the summer of 5,000 sq ft of showroom space at the corner of 1st and Lenora. Location sound familar? Well yes I was just down the block last year at Western and Lenora, plus Deb's apartment is upstairs in the same building! It's a great space with lots of trak lights, display walls...and its on First Avenue which is just great during tourist season. Now I have to find a crew to do the move..always the toughest part. But it only takes a day to move then we are there. I'll have a studio area to paint and this year Jose Torres my painting studio partner will come along and be part of the action, as he'll open the shop in the morning. I'm going to show some of his strikingly realistic plein-aire paintings too.

If you have ever wanted to own one of my works please be advised that I am reducing inventory radically. Big bargains! And if you own a Billy King and want to upgrade or trade one for another I am open to all possibilities. Time payments ok! My regular hours will be 11-5 but anytime is OK for an appointment. The Qwest phone is taking its sweet time getting installed....wierd that its become quicker and easier to get a phone set-up in Mexico than it is in the USA.!

I may be receptive to special events and receptions at the showroom; with apartments above I can't really go past 10 pm for noise. But contact me and we can talk about your event. The physical address is 2101 1st Avenue seattle WA 98121. OK lets keep in touch..official opening June 21st!

It's official

2010-05-20T11:06:00.000-07:00

Yes I'm officially back in Seattle, one week now since my interlude in LA where i must say I was impressed with how LA has matured. Might be the place to go. One thing is they have plenty of of inventory for studio space and a yen to make the art scene happen. Just don't believe the hype when they say live/work loft...that's an invention; one must still ferret out the deals and the locations but downtown is broad and surrounded by service districts. Usually this means that painters and sculptors will thrive. Stay tuned. As for Seattle there is no studio space, the economy has tanked, the whole place seems spastic. However the sun is starting to shie through the clouds and on a sunny day Seattle can seem like it's the best place in the world!

I've moved into the youth hostel. I took the boondoggle called LInkrail from the airport to Chinatown. One can see the odd routing of the light rail stations....and the lack of intelligent signage. But then there you are in Chinatown and into your 150 sq ft room and all is good. My main art studio over by the Seattle Art Museum had weathered the winter just fine thanks to my studio mates Jose Torres and Thuy Van Vu. After 5 months apart Deborah and I had a nice Sunday dinner and then I got to watch the season finale of Survivor before heading back to my room at the American Hotel youth hostel. Monday may 17th Jose Torres and I looked at the entire 20k of available Elliot bay Bookstore space and were impressed with the possibilities. The bookstore had been there 35 years! The real drawback is the lack of foot traffic in Pioneer Square. As an alternative I'm also looking at 5,000 sq ft of turnkey showroom space over at 1st and Lenora. Just one block up the hill from last years show. So soon i will decide where the Summershow will be. One or the other..or maybe both! Maybe Jose and I will curate the Elliot Bay space, bringing in other shows and events while using 1st and Lenora as an actual showroom. Hope to have a decision by the full moon/daughter Xtina's (see picture above)41st birthday May 28th. Stay tuned.

chapala21 has invited you to watch "JEAN LUC GODARD JANIS JOPLIN CLIP FILM REMIX MUZIK KIRIVALSE" on Dailymotion

2010-05-07T18:38:00.000-07:00

Hello,
I want to share the video "JEAN LUC GODARD JANIS JOPLIN CLIP FILM REMIX MUZIK KIRIVALSE" with you on Dailymotion.

WOW!
Please click on the following link to watch the video:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/k4O2l6oaWBcgxW143Zj
--
The Dailymotion Team

Headed to LA, then Seattle...

2010-05-04T14:41:00.000-07:00

Yes its time..well actually a little earlier that I had wanted. June was my original departure-from-Chapala-date but I must get back to Seattle and see about that former Elliot Bay Bookstore space for a Summershow of my art. Could be a real moment in my art show history given the size and location of the space. But first a stopover in LA to catch up with my friends Karolyn Kiisel, Robin de Vick, Elliot Rosenblatt and Russell Ellisson. They are successful fashion designers, movie producers and theatre people...all doing well in the heartbeat of LA. I rarely get there so this should be fun especially as Karolyn is loft hunting in downtown LA!

The lakeside town of Chapala is so sweet..the weather has gone hot as it always does in May...the summer rians are at least a month away, so now the coolness of the warehouse is in my favor. The entire interior of my warehouse was painted last week and soon I'll have the front painted too. Mexican worker Andres is re-cementing some of the front where it has been weathered and then boom! on Thursday he and I will paint the exterior. This will please the neighbors for sure. Graffitti happens but usually only to unpainted buildings. I haven't much of a problem but I do get tagged; lets see if the new paint job/color (ochre) works as a deterrent
The fresh white interior is really an uplift. I'm even reluctant to put any nails in the wall. The build-out of 4 interior studio walls will have to wait til my return as will my business license. I just didn't get 'er done. There's a new immigration policy going into effect as we speak so I've decided to wait til at least the fall to re-apply for semi-immigrant status. Other than that plans for the art school move ahead. Thanks to former Seattlite and now Jocotepec blogmaster Scott Parks my blogs and sites are cleaned up and more modern looking. I'm proud that people will see a nice site when they click on the art school or my Chapala sites. Hats off to you Scotty!

My new neighbor, musican and motorcycle nut Bill Hawk is going to look after the space for me while I'm gone. I've paid the CFE electric bill in advance but let's wait and see if the payment makes it into the system. I'll leave the phone on but turn off the internet. I can't figure out how to retrieve the voice mail from an away phone. Mexico isn't as quick as the USA to offer more than one language for information am in the dark about what to do...but I'll get there eventually. My voice mail phone in Seattle is 206-382-1001. Easiest is always billyking50@yahoo.com

The water bill I pay once a year. So other than covering the tables with a tarp I'm getting close to being closed down for 3-6 months . Except for airline packing. I've retrieved some small paintings from The Loft Galeria in Puerto Vallarta and will bring those to Seattle. The gallery owner John Strawn and I did the artwork exchange in front of the Hotel Morales in Historic Guadalajara on Sunday. He drove up from PV with his love Karen via the new route through Mascota and Ameca. Same amount of time but no tolls to pay. He and Karen were taking a break and headed to Aquascalientes to see friends. I'm hoping that I will be able to host a show of Mexican artwork for John and the Loft galeria this summer at my Summershow.

Sunday the 2nd of May was the final day of amigo Gary Soriano's whirlwind tour of Chapala, Jocotepec and Ajijic. Gary lives in Barra de Navidad in the Posada Pacifico where has rents a hotel room by the year! I think this is his 4th year. So Gary introduced me to new friends and Ajijic residents Cherie and Janis and off we went over 4 days to many fun spots. Sunday after a swim in her pool, Cherie let me drive her car into GDL (thats always exciting) to pick up the artwork and then we turned around and hightailed it to a famous restaurant serving Birria (goat meat). The place is huge, seating 1,000 or more...entire buses unload at this place, the Restaurant Chololo. I rarely eat meat anymore but when in Rome....I loved the atmosphere especially the dueling Mariachi's. Hanging out with Gary and his girlfriends over the weekend I got to see uptown Ajijic and Chapala and some of the loveable characters that make the place so popular. I really felt like I had won a contest on Survivor and had been whisked away to food and comfort beyond my ken. Wow! But now its back to steamed vegies, air beds, cold showers and industrial fans. You can see a bit of it on youtube..

In Puerto Vallarta my long time friend restrantuer Memo Barroso is finishing up his first Raku firings at his new clay studio/warehouse on the outskirts of Puerto Vallarta. On the phone, you can hear the thrill in his voice, like a kid at Christmas as he describes the results of the high fire kiln. Andale Memo! Another of my favorite Puerto Vallarta people, designer Jorge Rubio, is in Saudi Arabia finishing up on the details for the wedding of the Saudi Princess. Hurry home Jorge, Terra Noble not Puerto vallarta aren't the same without you!

In Seattle things go well for Deborah and Sara, they both are working lots and happy for it! Sara has moved into an apartment building across the alley from her mommers. Dany and Sherry Mitchell stayed with Deborah for several weeks in April while they got there house unloaded and ready for-sale and then took the essentials with them to their new life in France. I'm glad to hear Dany's bike made it. Bon Voyage Dany and Sherry, I'm sure you will prosper in France.

People tell me that the recession has finally hit Seattle. Economically Seattle is often a couple years behind the times. Lots of storefront spaces to look at if the bookstore location doesn't work out. Or maybe I will buy a motorcycle and go to Lake Chelan, thats always been a good place to paint. I turn 62 this July. What if I took my measly Social Security check and used it to buy or lease a brand new automobile!? Wouldn't that be fun!! I'd like to get mobile because I'm ready to take my painting outdoors. After 40+ years I think I'm ready to do something else besides studio art.
Studio art is highly inventive. Outdoor/easel art is usually what you see in front of you. It would be a tremendous change in my approach to art. But this has become a time of tremendous changes, especially this last 6 months or so...Deb sent me a horoscope that said from early October through mid July one of the most stressful and reactionary times in my life. Hmm..well isn't it interesting that the meltdown between Deb and I was predicted by the stars!? I'll muddle through and then it will be my birthday...and retirement party. Stay tuned.

Fan Mail from Europe

2010-04-13T06:50:00.001-07:00

Hi Billy,

We have a painting of your bar scene hanging in our living room next to my Miro in Amsterdam. You are in good company. People actually like your painting better.

Damien does not have to sign off on this. It was our party and we can cry if we want to.

It would be a great honor indeed if you would show it in your gallery.

--
Kind regards,

Steve Green
Phone + 39 3469606186 (Venice)

Ethnic Food Solutions AB
steve@ethnicfood.se
Phone: +46 46 70 66 50
Fax: +46 46 71 22 25
Teknikvägen 3, S-246 43 Löddeköpinge , Sweden info@ethnicfood.se • www.ethnicfood.se
info@mexicangold.eu • www.mexicangold.eu

Stanley makes a vist to Chapala

2010-04-04T15:18:00.000-07:00

Stanley came to visit over the Spring Break; he's a high school teacher now and he spent 5 days, leaving on Good Friday. What a pal. The guy has been concerned for my welfare since I sent the emails about the meltdown between Deborah and I in Barcelona last October. You see Stanley was the angel who helped me through the depression after my divorce from Olga some 35 years ago...which he did by orchestrating a cross country hitch hiking tour of the West coast of USA and then into Mexico from Tiajuana to the Yucatan! The boxing match, the separate tramp steamers back to the USA, the 2nd class train from Mexicali to Oaxaca...lordy we got memories! Course we're all grown up now, sober, the tavern hopping days far behind us. Niether of our lives is boring though, especially stanley's so getting together to compare notes seemed like a good idea, a healing idea. Plus Stanley really loves Ajijic, he comes here on his own just to hang out in the place, hoping to convince the wifey asnd fellow teacher April that this where they should retire too. Damn if I didn't have a cold, picked up on the bus from PV to Guadalajara most likely. But we did our best and since Stan had rented a car so we could travel easily between his B&B in Ajijic and my studio in Chapala. A mellow and meaningful time. Stanley I look forward to seeing you Lakeside on a permanent basis and congratulations on all your successes as a teacher. You inspire cause you are the real thing baby!

Panama Hat and Raybans, big smile!

Winter is Over! Spring Is Here!

2010-04-01T10:23:00.000-07:00

Yes I Know its hard to believe that there is a winter in Mexico but really there is....for one it is the dry season. Trees and plants are waiting for the rainy summer season for revitalization...although there are beautiful Jacarandas and Primavera trees with lush colors all around.. Pale Yellows, intense lilac, pinkish orange. Another dry season phenomenon is the snow birds, all the gringos who come south for the winter to escape the icy blast of winter. By the start of Easter most are packing and leaving if not already gone. Easter is so crazy in Mexico that it is often the last enjoyed holiday for both gringos and working Mexicans, especially anyone near a colonial city or the coast. Easter is a great time to visit Mexico City however as more than half the 18 million population picks up and heads for the coast for a couple weeks. Temperatures are getting warmer. Where I am at 6,000 ft altitude it gets cool at night no matter what the season. Usually there is about 30 degrees between the high and the low and since i have only a cold water shower in the studio and no heat Yikes....even the mid 50's or low 60's can seem cool. But no, now its very tolerable...for a few days. Sunday April 4th Mexico does its day light savings time and so we will lose an hour of sun in the morning as we gain an hour of sun at twilight. I lament the loss of morning sun because sunlight is how Mexico heats itself. Generally its not til 10 am that things really get moving. Course kids go to school and certain business open earlier but till the sun has hit your roof and warmed your abode one needs to dress appropriately. As i get older I've become one of those who will wear a jacket in the mornings in the mountains. Not so the young men who go in t-shirts no matter what. The other side of the DST is that some shops close at 8 sharp making for strange window shopping. It's still light out way past 8pm spring into summer, a perfect time to stroll and shop but 8 pm is 8 pm and boom down come the metal gates. Sunsets remain incredible against the Lake Chapala sky. And of course on the coast too. I'm just getting back from the coast and getting over the cold I caught somewhere on the bus on the way back from PV to Chapala.

The highlights of visiting PV were seeing my friends at the Pancake House; visiting Memo at his new clay studio on the outskirts of PV; and dropping in Jorge Rubio. Jorge hosts an annual 1st day of Spring celebration at his Terra Noble estate and its always memorable as he taps into the pre-hispanic vibration. Jorge is an interior designer who currently in Saudi Arabia putting together a wedding for one of the Saudi princesses...he flew back to host the event and just today is headed back to finish the wedding preparations. Believe me you've never seen anything like it!
Memo is memo except now memo has this enormous clay studio built out in a factory warehouse that he purchased for his coffee business. He still does his roasting out there but now he has tricked out a 2,000 sq ft clay studio and is really going to town. I am thrilled that this man of so many talents is getting his much desired studio plus a good nights rest. Andale Memo! You see one of the clay rooms in the picture above. The Pancake House continues on with its loyal followers. Though many places have joined Memo in the last decade in offering hungry tourists American style breakfasts, the Pancake House is still the favorite. Patti B. and her son Memo keep a steady hand on day to day operations. Soon I hope Memo will focus solely on his clay creations. He's a real maestro. My gallery, The Loft Galeria continues moving forward despite the economic downturn that has spanked Puerto vallarta. Owner and Director John Strawn is preparing for a major museum show in the fall in Guadalajara, a show that will put johns curatorial talents on display. Should be an incredible event and I will talk about this more later as the publicity is released.

I started out this coastal trip in Barra de Navidad. Where Chapala is located and where the 1st class bus station is located in Guadalajara can add a couple hours to the trip to the coast. In order to save time I went from Chapala to Jocotepec at the west end of the lake and ended up tasking a 2nd class bus along Hwy 80 all the way to Melaque. A scenic nicely paced trip enhanced by the Dramine motion sickness pills I always take when I travel. Makes me goofy though, just ask Deborah. The San Patrico festival in Melaque was fabulous as usual and once again I was hit by a flying firework zipping off the wooden fireworks bull that is run through the plaza to end the nights events. Usually the most number of fireworks bulls is run on the 17th. Believe me the crowd can not get enough! See you there next St. Patricks!

I just had a day breather before my long time friend Stan Cooper came for a visit. He had heard of my divorce and since he was there to see my through my first one 35 years ago he came to my rescue once again. The treatment for my divorce back in 1973 was to hitchhike to and through Mexico. That was a life changing event.....and ever since i have had an incredible fondness for Mexico. Unlike the first trip where we hitchhiked, from Seattle to Mexicali, by train to Oaxacca and then hitchhiked and bussed e the Yucutan over a 3 month winter calendar, this time Stan and i just relaxed around Lake Chapala; he in Ajijic and me in Chapala. And we got 'er done, conversation and confession and projections taking up most of the day. It was also great to see someone who has a weight issue, bumps into things, forgets, repeats and in general shows the effects of being alive, really alive for 60 or more years. And here I thought I was the only one!

The full moon got to me last night so I broke down the painting studio in order to get ready to install the art school walls and to paint the warehouse. And then I shaved off my goatee. It's time for change. The sun is triumphant! Out with the old and in with the new.

More views of Ex-pat life in Mexico

2010-03-13T19:26:00.000-08:00

http://sparks-mexico.com/

http://steveinmexico.blogspot.com/

http://mexicantrailrunner.blogspot.com/

Fwd: San Patricio and Ry Cooder

2010-03-13T11:33:00.001-08:00

NPR ran a couple of segments regarding a group of Irishmen that fought in the Mexican American war.(I believe they fought with the Mexicans!) Ry Cooder made an album featuring Mexican musicians and vocalists and the Irish group the Chieftians. When I heard them I thought of you in Mexico . Here are a couple of links: Tom

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124086957

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124333729

Bill Wolf, The Personal Archives

2010-03-12T20:11:00.000-08:00

Bill Wolf, The Personal Archives

Hope you enjoy these memories.....I know I laughed and cried...to have lived the 60's and 70's in Pioneer Square, San Francisco and eventually briefly in NYC.....what a trip. Bill and Russ were at the center of much of my world at that time....just to look at Bill's picture makes me smile. I'm so lucky and proud to have been a member of Triple AAA productions! Bill Wolf started and led the Oaxaca AIDS awareness program for many years before died in Oaxaca unexpectedly 2 years ago.

Billy King

Fw: Post alley

2010-03-11T18:18:00.001-08:00

BTW ... saw your Post Alley video. I used to hang out with a Mexican potter that lived at the foot of the 'elbow' back in the late 60's. Had to go down another flight of stairs right at the turn and north of the theater. His whole family lived in this huge warehouse from Post to Western.

I think he hosted one of the first "Market" art festivals and I did a lite-show in his studio (learned lite-shows in the Bay Area) during the fair. Very cool times

I think that attached file will take you to a feed of the video you did on Post Alley - hosted by SCCTV at North Seattle Community College

My Mexico page
http://sparks-mexico.com/

ArtSchoolMexico.com

2010-03-08T20:20:00.001-08:00

March 7, 2010 Lake Chapala Mexico

Its been warm the last couple days, warm winds blowing in from the coast. Normally it's sunny but moderate this time of year as the lake helps to keep the temperature just about right..but last night it was 75 in the studio where it has been in the low 60's....weather has been a little weird this year, that's why I bring it up....Seattle has been having great weather so that should be an indication of how strange the weather is globally...but enough, here's the good news;

I've finally got the web page address for the Chapala Art School! I am www.artschoolmexico.com;also .net, and .org! Hooray Hooray.....I'm feeling really good about this project and getting a web presence is a big part of the answers. I'm going very low key as in I'm using google Apps to set up the pages. $10 a year per domain instead of $250 or so.....eventually someone will step in and make it sweet but for now generic is fine. It's important to me to be able to access the web pages and make improvements and changes directly. Google Apps allows that as does blogger.com so that will be my ticket for now. Through the years I've domained some other ideas too and those are all getting updated with the Art School Mexico info...as is my first google/apps page www.artiststeachingart.com

My target audience for the Chapala studio art classes are American kids who want to learn art in an art studio environment without spending a fortune..and who also want o enjoy the bright colors and great weather of adventurous Mexico. Plus there will be older students who maybe have had a family or career obligations but now want to get back into their art. For them an intensive art class in Mexico is just the ticket! Course here I am talking about classes in my Chapala studio. But sooner than later I want to be able to put students into my artists friends studios in other parts of Mexico for classes on clay, guitar,writing..all sorts of possibilities as there is a very extensive ex-pat art community spread out all over Mexico. One other target group is the professional artist who wants to write off their entire trip to Mexico by signing up for a complete class/lodging/food package with me. Soon I will have my Mexican FM-3 papers and that will make me a registered business in the USA and Mexico!! Want a tax deductible receipt? No Problem!!

Though it seems a long ways away this idea won't really start taking off til fall but I'm open for classes now, even while I'm remodeling the space. The studio element is the key as each student will their own studio within my larger 3,000 sq ft warehouse in Chapala..with skylights too! And Chapala is such a scenic and easy going place, very affordable, the Lake is magnificent! One can't help but be inspired! ok, more later...

Billy King + Studio
USA PO BOX 1903 Seattle, WA 98111
206-382-1001
Skype: billyking50

www.billyking.com
http://billykingstudio.blogspot.com
http://ArtSchoolMexico.blogspot.com

MEXICO Telephone (011-52) 376-765-7229
Studio Address: A.Obregon # 13
Col.Plaza del Toros
Chapala, Jalisco MEXICO 45900

billyking@billyking.com has invited you to watch "JEAN LUC GODARD JANIS JOPLIN CLIP FILM REMIX MUZIK KIRIVALSE" on Dailymotion

2010-03-05T19:23:00.003-08:00

Hello,
billyking@billyking.com wants to share the video "JEAN LUC GODARD JANIS JOPLIN CLIP FILM REMIX MUZIK KIRIVALSE" with you on Dailymotion.

JEAN LUC GODARD JANIS JOPLIN CLIP FILM REMIX MUZIK KIRIVALSE
Best regards,
--
The Dailymotion Team

JEAN LUC GODARD JANIS JOPLIN CLIP FILM REMIX MUZIK KIRIVALSE
Cargado por kirivalse. - Ver los videos de música recién destacados.

Re: Fw: FOM February Newsletter

2010-02-21T08:01:00.001-08:00

Thanks Paul....for the record all the sites, yahoo, hotmail and gmail are good mail sites for me

. name billyking50.......

Victor and others talked about the importance of a non tourist market..the addition of the hard rock cafe to the main entrance to the market is like the candle on the cake...blatant tourism,watch your wallet Edith, where's the t-shirts... THE STEWARDS OF THE MARKET HAVE FAILED ENTIRELY IN THIS REGARD. Victor specifically made a big deal out of the entrances to the market and the surrounding area. For the market to function as a citizens market the entrances had to be kept pedestrian and user friendly....does that the way pike street, western avenue, the hillclimb or post alley feel to you?......1st avenue is open after 20 years or so of closures and yet has become a mecca for druggies and beggars..now there's been muggings in front of SAM....only a matter of time before the death of a tourist makes headlines from a mugging..the old buffer between rich and poor, non-subsidized low income housing has disappeared and been replaced by subsidized/medicated housing....where tenants often adopt and see no evil and tell no evil attitude. much of the public housing is infested with drug dealers....in the old days the dealers would have been evicted immediately...now the process takes forever.....so ultimately the eyes and ears of the community have disappeared, the bad boys run free, locals stay away, tourists arrive by the boatload, whats the problem?

I remember the FOM as an advocacy group willing to man the barricades to prevent the loss of what the pike market news call the "sleazy" market of the 60's and 70's....today the function seems to be as reporter after the fact of things that just seem to be beyond the control of anyone except the developers...is there a solution?...not really; rot maybe. pioneer square might rebound once the rot spreads some more....but with everyone leveraged to the max with the banks its doubtful, rents just wont decrease. Seattle has lost the university district, once Seattle's hottest small business district. Broadway so in decline that developers were welcomed to tear down all the small architecture to install mammoth architecture...the ambiance is lost, who goes there anymore? pioneer square, university district, Broadway, all thriving communities at one time, within my lifetime they have all disintegrated.....i fear the markets next, downtown in general. the viaduct/seawall project combined with the mercer redo..honey why not drive to believe? well the tourists wont, their dropped off on the tourist driven waterfront....but the locals will soon just keep going...catching the east-side exits....Seattle n o longer on any ones top 10 list for anything..once we were everyone darling....but was that because of bureaucratic planning? no...individuals and communities made Seattle the city it once was...the decline of Seattle,hat the result of bureaucratic planning and failures....well i wouldn't be writing this rant if i didn't think so....so Paul as to the volunteers and other forms of non-paid bureaucracy....and the paid bureaucrats too....i hold them responsible....and you won't have to go far to find similar points of view...ask any of the merchants who have left the market if you dare as to why they left? or just ask merchants in the downtown area in general how they feel about the services and benefits and hours they put in.....only people whjo go home at night to another part of the city can feel like they've done a good job advancing the quality of life in seattle....as one who has lived in downtown seattle for 40 years+..since 1968...i've never seen it more dangerous and out of control....hence I'm starting to set up my shop in mexico outside of Guadalajara..not entirely, I've still got a studio on first avenue and their are more holiday shows ahead.....but i just can't do it anymore...downtown seattle no longer an elixir but a bitter pill.

other than that...i can't weait to go swimming in lake washington come summer.....

ciao y gracias

Billy King +Studio
USA
PO BOX 1903 Seattle, Wa 98111
206-382-1001
Skype: billyking50
www.billyking.com
http://billykingstudio.blogspot.com

MEXICO
TEL:(011-52) 376-765-7229
STUDIO: A.Obregon #13
Colonial: Plaza del Toros
Chapala,Jalisco MEXICO

--- On Sat, 2/20/10, Jenn Zanella <jlzanella@comcast.net> wrote:

From: Jenn Zanella <jlzanella@comcast.net>
Subject: Fw: FOM February Newsletter
To: "Billy King" <billyking50@yahoo.com>
Date: Saturday, February 20, 2010, 2:20 PM

Hi Billy -
Here's a response, from Paul Dunn. :)
----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Dunn
To: jlzanella@comcast.net
Sent: Friday, February 19, 2010 8:03 PM
Subject: Re: FOM February Newsletter

Jenn, you'll have to be the mailman. I cant find Billy's email address - and expect it is changed, anyways.

Billy, nice to hear your south of the border comments on rain there and exploitation here. The Hard Rock Cafe is open in the old Liberty Loan Bldg ( the proprietors in the slammer for dealing in stolen property. ) Hard Rock took the building down to the core and reworked all the electrical and plumbing and put in new floors, plus adding a rooftop fire pit lounge on the top. The city's downtown design review board held them to preserve the exterior terra cotta flashing. Hard Rock even saved the old sign with neon COINS and an arrow, which they filled in with a reader board.

Watch for the next Passages I talk about the need to know who and how many work in the Market and what are the wages and benefits. I call for a Market Census. But, I've issued that call before.

Hope the weather improves and you enjoy your sojourn. Best, Paul

Paul Dunn,
85 Pike St. # 92
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 587 5767 (206) 587 5767
fessdunn@aol.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Jenn Zanella <jlzanella@comcast.net>
To: Paul Dunn <fessdunn@aol.com>
Sent: Fri, Feb 19, 2010 2:01 pm
Subject: Fw: FOM February Newsletter

This one's for you!
----- Original Message -----
From: billy king
To: Jenn Zanella
Sent: Friday, February 19, 2010 12:19 PM
Subject: Re: FOM February Newsletter

hey paul hows the new hard rock cafe doin? what is that, 1/2 blcok fromn the market entrance?
Paul as far as hardest working etc i nominate the working poor who staff all the food and vegie stands, the restaurants, the small stores...id be willing to betch ya that few if any of the volunteers you tout qualify as working poor..i doubt many of the volunteers lack health insurance or retirement packages. how many of the day to day workers in the market have that? not many when you exclude bars and restaurants..all the people you mentioned, the pda council etc would not even be here if it weren't the underpaid labor, including farmers, high stallers, and craft line stand-ins....and so many more. all the non profits are have health plans, and generally living wages......the one group that has not benefited from the market prosperity has been the private enterprise workers; no subsidised housing, no medical, no retirement, no bus passes etc......when will they be made part of the prosperity package? the market ran withn a staff of 5 at one time....what is it now, 100? what does the starting salary for a pda worker compare to a starting wage for a fower vendor or a cafe barista? besides, volunteers volunteer, right?.......

hope you are enjoying the good weather....mexico has highly unsual winter rains...
"lets keep the market public"
bk

About Chapala - chapalatv.com

2010-02-20T20:53:00.000-08:00

About Chapala - chapalatv.com

Ajijic

2010-02-16T11:55:00.001-08:00

Message from billyking:

Click on a video below to watch it:

A walk through Ajijic, Jalisco Mexico, Weds 2 10 10
Video Length 1:40
Click here to watch

To learn more about the Flip Video Camcorder, click here.

Interview with Lionel 2/16/2010 10 am

2010-02-16T10:55:00.001-08:00

Message from billyking:

Lionel and I out at the ranch, standing around and talking after we had toured the new building under construction, the new office. Lionel reminisces about how it all began and what some of the early events were...camera and interview;Billy King

Click on a video below to watch it:

Untitled
Video Length 15:01
Click here to watch

To learn more about the Flip Video Camcorder, click here.

Re: rainy day walks

2010-02-16T08:43:00.001-08:00

loved it, quite a captured moment there mr tom.......with supporting kudos going to a cast of........pets? well good to know you have your fiefdom under control, lord of the manor as it were....my fiefdom is under duress, its good that i've begun the move to Mexico because when the building I'm in goes that will be it for first avenue as far as the funk! but the good news there are many options in Mexico..right now I'm out on a farm, el rancho...near a town called Jamay, on the eastern edge of Lake Chapala. It is an ashram really, a farm and meditation center that has attracted lots of devotees...there are lots of guest bedrooms. vegetarian meals served 3 times a day, peaceful, relaxing...the main guy Lionel was a gallery owner back when and did a show of my work in Ajijic back just before he and his partner Michael segued to the ranch....so we are connected and now with my new spirit of spiritual immersion its a perfect fit......although at the warehouse in Chapala things go well too...i've met a contractor who is gringo and works at Mexican prices!!!! so soon the internal walls necessary for the art school will be put in place and by the time i get my Mexican immigration/working papers it will be spring and maybe time to register the first students...mainly i will have immersion studio classes lasting a month at a time....I've found some affordable hotels and i know where to eat in town so for about $1k a month inclusive or $500 classes only....i will get this art class/school thing started..thank god for the Internet which i now have installed as well as a phone in the studio! the bigger plan is to develop the Internet promotion so that it can cover artists friends willing to teach classes in other locations including the pacific coast like PV and Barra and Zihuatenejo..... similar to an alternative university with my Chapala studio as the center of it all. I'm open to other artists using my space as well for fashion design, glass blowing, writing, music..etc....you see for the professional artist my space can be the basis for a big tax deduction! of course it's a hustle to stay alive in a non first world environment but i feel I'm being green lighted at all moments on this adventure..the first time in quite a while.....

my best to you, keep writing the missive, glad to hear the weather is so mild compared to last years torture.....hugs to all...

bkmex

Billy King +Studio
PO BOX 1903 Seattle, Wa 98111
206-382-1001
YES! I Skype: billyking50
www.billyking.com
http://myfriendsadventures.blogspot.com
http://billykingstudio.blogspot.com

TEL:(001-52) 376-765-7229
STUDIO: A.Obregon #13
Colonial: Plaza del Toros
Chapala,Jalisco MEXICO

PLEASE SKYPE ME Name: billyking50

--- On Sun, 2/14/10, thom laz <thomlaz@gmail.com> wrote:

From: thom laz <thomlaz@gmail.com>
Subject: rainy day walks
To: "billy king" <billyking50@yahoo.com>
Date: Sunday, February 14, 2010, 9:52 PM

so i was walking the dogs the other morning after an evening of heavy rain. Kalinu took the lead as she usually does once she and Baby race down the dock. the air was clean and sweet with a hint of spring drifting through it. Kalinu heads north as she wants and Baby follows. Baby would have chosen this direction anyway, her differences don't come yet. Kalinu takes the west side of Fairview while Baby takes the east. i often follow as close to the middle as is safe. i'm staying aware of traffic and other dogs, which Kalinu ignores and Baby checks out- usually eventless. Kalinu stays close to the water while Baby wonders when to make her move. at the apartment building parking lot she sizes it up. she cuts up through the cars while Kalinu is distracted by smelling the the bushes. Kalinu looks up and has to follow, knowing she hasn't lost yet. she prefers to go along the water but doesn't mind passing by the toilet zone on Minor. i have to run up the drive through to catch up as they are almost around the corner and if i don't get there quickly they may quickly leave an undetected lawn deposit before i show up. i used to think think they would appreciate to have me picking up after them, but noooo. they treat it more like an Easter egg hunt and prefer to hide them from me. i'm not a big fan of either running after them or walking around peoples yards with a plastic bag in my hand and a puzzled look on my face. i get around the corner and spot them both sniffing the lawn. they look up and move on. either they'll take their chances on another spot or they couldn't find a recent deposit. they like to poop in a group, so they can sniff around and see whose been there. a dog will never sniff their own leavings, but everyone else's. Baby drops behind me because she likes to take up the rear and has a better opportunity to hide something from me. 2alinu runs ahead and i have to split my attention while Kalinu races on and faces off with a cat she'd like to see run off. but he's having none of it, nor does he appreciate some dog soiling his lawn. she shrugs him off and heads for the next yard. face saving and nose saving as she plays like she doesn't care. Baby has found a collection behind a bush and i know when she's out of sight i should find out why. i back up to spot her hunched up and staring at me. i turn around to give her some privacy while keeping an eye on Kalinu who is still heading north. i collect Baby's deposit and a few other's as much because it is easy and i would prefer that no one would be resenting dogs using their yards as a loo. Kalinu is getting relief now and after i collect her's and deposit the bag in a trash can, the hard part of my walk is over. now we have reached the next possible course correction and Baby knew it was coming up and knew if we went east she was guaranteed her way, but it was not her last chance so she yielded to Kakinu. ever north we moved, sniffing the air and checking out the warming earth. across Roanoke we ran after i gave the ok. then up the hill we went until Kalinu cut back north again. this was it , Baby's last chance to go east up the hill, and head to the park. Kalinu is already 1/4 of the way down the block but Baby just sat down and looked at me to decide, so did Kalinu. some times i do and sometimes i don't. it is their walk. i say to baby "we are going to get to the park any way, just on the way back. it is only nostalgia, any way." this used to be her park. she'd chase her buddies around and felt she ruled the roost. but almost all of them have moved and Kalinu was never much in to them any way. her 6 months on the streets of Puerto Vallarta taught her that dog gatherings aren't usually social events, but competitive gatherings. Baby stands and follows. Kalinu has already turned her head and moves on. decision time was over, we were on the lake walk. down a couple of alleys and down to and along the water, heading along Lake Union to the University Bridge, and under it into Portage Bay. we walk above the houseboats there, the girls both ahead of me now. i try to keep up and keep them out of trouble. half way down the street i spot a box of wet books and try not to look. i'm in the process of thinning the ranks of my collection of books– to about 10% to 15%. but i spot 2 books that i thought i had but haven't yet stumbled across. one being Siddhartha. they were wet but dryable. i pick them up and look through them. Siddhartha had a name inside the cover-Esther Anderson. hmm a friend of mine, later i find out they were hers, but for now they belonged to the wind.
what goes in Mexico-just found a friend at Cabo,,,,,,thom

Phone and Internet Installed in my Mexico Studio!

2010-02-12T17:58:00.001-08:00

i am so jazzed..the phone was ordered on weds afternoon and installed friday morning..i now have a phone in mexico 52-376-765-7229.......dial 001 first...plus i now have internet too.
this is all because I've committed to opening an art school of sorts in Mexico..I'm being green-lighted all over the place....for example the modem and the phone were FREE!
Now to make the communications work for me and the art classes....first im dividing the 3100 sq.ft. warehouse that i own into 4 studios...as in 4 students at a time.
Got their rooms in the hotel picked out, just need to find a cook..maybe we'll just use the bar/restaurant doen the street...plenty of good food there.
then i'll paint the walls white..and get ready for the first classes....that is as soon as my working and semi-immigration papers are in place....oh boy am i excited, it's like whne i moved to pioneer square in the seattle bowery back in 1968.....I'm still urban but now i've been mexi-fried! hasta la mananna...
bk
Billy King +Studio
PO BOX 1903 Seattle, Wa 98111
206-382-1001
YES! I Skype: billyking50
www.billyking.com
http://myfriendsadventures.blogspot.com
http://billykingstudio.blogspot.com

A.Obregon 13
Colonial Plaza del Toros
Chapala,Jalisco MEXICO

PLEASE SKYPE ME billyking50

Settling In

2010-01-24T19:21:00.000-08:00

It was so cold in Chapala that I finally bit the bullet and took a hotel room in town at a very affordable monthly rate. Im so happy because now that Ím not rying to fix up the giant warehouse as a living place Í can focus on the bodega as a commercial location.Translation, soon as I get my Mexican papers renewed I´m opening my private art school in the bodega. Room for 4 serious students who want intensive training and quality studio space.I think I can throw in 1 star hotel accomodations and a major meal a day for under $1,000 a month. There are other options in Chapala too for Spanish classes, horseback riding etc...but mainly I´m hoping to reach out to students who want to get instruction in art plus learn how to make a living as an artist. Apprentices and interns accepted. Chapala so laid back that one can relax, learn, adventure and feel safe the entire time. I´ll have room on the calendar for other artists to use the space too.Three thousand square feet can creat alot of opportunities! Im really jazzed on Chapala, so much I even took my easel and went outside and tried painting in the public view along the Chapala waterfront and everything went fine. It is so beautiful at 9 am in the morning, the light just great. Who would have ever thought I would try my hand at landscape but here I am doing just that and i love it!

Chapala, Vallarta and back again

2009-12-31T11:39:00.000-08:00

The trip started on a new moon, December 16th...i took the overnite trip Seattle/LA/Guadalajara.....had my bags searched, nothing there.....the taxi and then as the sunrise was taking place over the lake...ah home to my Mexican abode! The keys worked, the dust was lots less, within a week i had the place back together, laundry done, fruits and vegetables in the pantry, the artwork aired out and the new sleeping tent tried but rejected (to small). With all that accomplished I now could head to Vallarta to check in with my gallery, managed to get the last seat on the bus from the Zapopan station....into PV, took a room what has become known as the Blockbuster hotel as there hotelsign and the Blockbuster sign are one. Started going to my AA group, they have anew location...checked in with Memo at the Pancake House, the next day we went to his studio on the outskirts of PV..wow what a delight to see a warehouse that has been tricked out into a very styklish but practical clay studio,. Congratulations Memo! Went to the PV ARTWALK gallery openings on Weds night. That was awesome, lots of great works out there, I have some small pieces up at The Loft Galeria on Corona Street. Seth and LLuvia and kids were in town so we emt up on the 2nd of January at memo´s and had another fun breakfast in Mexico together, last year was our first.While was there dining Memo came over and mentioned that someone was interestd in buying my beach scene on the wall..i went over and met them, a Canadian couple with a condo in PV....we arrranged forthemto try the piece out and sure enough, they bought it for $2,000.00 US. Not from me as it turns out that was one I had given memo as payment for the 5 months of studio rent for last year 2009. But it was a nice moment and good to know that my workcontinues to sell to perfect strangers. I usually go toparty with Jorge Rubio if I´m in PV for new years but this year he was in Texas seeing his ill mother.....soi went to the PV boardwalk, calld the Maleconand tried to get into the complete craziness....but alas i was in bed by 1 am orso.....the rest go til dawn! My bus ride back was very long due to traffic, i ended up grabbing a cab but by late night of the 2nd of January I was back in Chapala a place I´m really falling in love with.

Seattle, Vancouver, and Portland by Rail, Bus, Streetcar, and Foot: Part One « planologie

2009-12-16T11:01:00.001-08:00

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Seattle, Vancouver, and Portland by Rail, Bus, Streetcar, and Foot: Part One

15Dec09

It is a rare experience in the United States to travel between cities in a region as well as neighborhoods within cities without requiring an automobile. I recently spent ten days in the Pacific Northwest sans car, flying in and out of Seattle, riding trains between Seattle and Vancouver, Vancouver and Portland, and Portland and Seattle, and utilizing a combination of light rail, streetcars, buses, and my own two feet to explore the cities themselves. Here are some impressions (photos without designated sources are mine):

Seattle

I grew up during the grunge era, with Kurt Cobain and Eddie Vedder for role models, and the notion that a city could simultaneously spawn and embrace musical icons of social and political dissidence and the bourgeois haughtiness of, say, Frasier Crane, always fascinated me. Seattle was the only major coastal city in the U.S. I hadn't yet spent time in; I was ready to fall in love.

It was a fleeting romance that withered minutes after touching down at SEATAC. Seattle is predominantly low-density sprawl, and its urban core reeks of decay. Never have I felt less inclined to venture out after dark than in the International District or adjacent Pioneer Square. Heading out from the hostel on foot to find a bowl of noodles for dinner I was accosted twice by young men selling drugs, followed for several weaving blocks by five other young men, screamed at by a well-dressed but seemingly mentally ill young man, and propositioned by a strung-out pimp whose employees remained unseen. Roving gangs of teens and twentysomethings, faces hidden by oversized hoods, patrolled the streets. I saw no families, no police, no women, none of the eyes on the street that self-regulate their urban neighborhoods.

Public transportation in Seattle was similarly disappointing. Bus routes are labyrinthine and illogical, stops poorly marked. A streetcar running along the waterfront attracts tourists but serves little practical purpose, as does the famed monorail. The new LINK light rail system is promising but does not yet serve a large enough area to be transformative. Transit-oriented signage and wayfinding is minimal where it exists at all. All of which seems strange given Seattle's supposedly progressive politics and massive infrastructural investment in a downtown transit tunnel. Fortunately, the central city is small enough to walk, but unfortunately hills and highways discourage it.

Seattle's urban fabric is often gorgeous, rife with industrial era brick buildings and pedestrian alleys and marked by iconic (though not always beloved) architectural and cultural monuments such as the King Street Station, the Sinking Ship, the Seattle Art Museum, Pike Place Market, and the Space Needle. An independently-owned coffee shop can be found every third block, and a plethora of bookstores, art galleries, and artisanal shops suggest a different city than the one I encountered, as if existing pockets of refinement cloistered themselves against the surrounding neighborhood. An air of decay and desperation permeated the urban core, and the general lack of families, children, or the elderly was unsettling.

source

I walked the bulk of downtown Seattle, and found little that seemed to flourish in its current form. Trendy Capitol Hill struck me as shabby, Belltown as indistinct, the Puget Sound waterfront as overly touristy and dominated by an elevated freeway. There was little greenery, few parks, few places that felt genuinely inhabited. The weather was, of course, awful, but the gray pall that shrouded the sky seemed more than climatic.

source: google maps

And then I boarded a bus out of downtown and discovered why people choose to live in Seattle. The areas to the north – Queen Anne, Wallingford, Fremont, Ballard, University District – feature tree-lined streets, walkable neighborhood "downtowns," reasonably priced and reasonably attractive multifamily homes. More people were on bikes, more were simply congregating and conversing. Levels of gentrification vary, but most of these neighborhoods remain middle-class and multiethnic. The lush native geography has not been extruded. True, density is low, but here I felt comfortable. I could breathe.

source: google maps

Downtown Seattle, for all its potential, seems to be in a downward spiral. The explosion of its local music scene in the early '90s made the city a Mecca for the young artistic counterculture, but also catalyzed a rampant drug problem. The dot com boom a decade later brought with it an influx of highly educated techies, but the ensuing bust saw those same companies fold or consolidate, mostly outside the central city. Major employers of old, like Boeing, have lit out for greener pastures, while newer major employers, like Microsoft, have developed sprawling campuses out in the 'burbs.

I did a comparative analysis on Boston and Seattle last summer, and while the two cities are virtual twins in numerous statistical categories, their respective on-the-ground realities starkly contrast. Whereas urban Seattle is only a part of the city, and is surrounded by a largely suburban built environment, Boston is entirely urban, as are its surroundings. While the surrounding areas seem to drain Seattle's central city, Boston is fed by its outliers. Youth culture in Seattle is driven by a scene, whether music, art, or otherwise. Youth culture in Boston is driven by colleges and universities. Metro Boston has nearly 400,000 students and fifteen nationally ranked universities; research undertaken at the eight leading graduate schools generates in excess of $8B annually for the region. No wonder twentysomethings don't seem so desperate in Beantown.

I was ready to love Seattle, I really was. But human beings, like all animals, instinctively shy away from areas of instability, and Seattle felt unstable. Chock full of potential, but unstable. Few places in Boston have ever put me on edge while out at night; few places in Seattle didn't. True, I was only there for three days, in crappy weather, and I'm probably not giving Seattle a fair shake. Lots of friends who have lived there speak glowingly of the experience. It's also possible that my impressions are strongly colored by how they differ from my preconceptions. I hear that Seattle is a pretty safe city, highly literate, progressive, and environmentally aware, but perception can be realer than reality, as paradoxical as that sounds, and I couldn't wait to leave the home of the latte for someplace a bit more civilized.

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1 billy king on December 16, 2009 said:

Thanks for cutting through the self-congratulatory crap that permeates Seattle's sense of self. Downtown is a scary place and has been taken over by drug dealers and crack addicts from one end of town to another. The alleys are bathrooms, beggars are everywhere, only tourists make downtown Seattle seem lively. Once voted by several publications the best place to live Seattle quickly became a Mecca for everyone from someplace else whose main goal it seemed was to change everything about Seattle, make it more like where they came from. Microsoft began hiring at 66k starting wage which completely turned over the rental apartment market; long time residents and community contributors were removed for much higher rent paying newbies. Prices skyrocketed. Seattle became San Francisco; only San Francisco has less children than Seattle. Subsidised housing (medicated) and high priced condos replaced wage earner housing. The eyes and ears of a normal urban environment have been replaced by a drug dealer on every corner with a cell phone. It can only get worse.
What made Seattle work when it worked was its inexpensive housing, quality schools, and its low profile. Today its well known, expensive and
the weather still sucks. Portland and Vancouver, with the same weather, have made decisions that have empowered the city and its citizens. They are where the true pacific Northwest model resides. Seattle is over I'm sorry to say. As a 40+ years as a downtown resident I've never felt less safe and I'm big and streetwise. One saving grace is that crack addicts tend to move on when asked.

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