Warhol... A Savior

            I must say that being an artist in San Antonio, visiting art shows and local bars with “art” strewn across the walls I have grown this dis-respect of pop art. Countless times where I expected to see actual artwork I would see a monotone panel with a stencil of a celebrity on it. I would shake my head in disrespect because I didn’t understand why an “artists” would consider it a fine enough piece of work to hand out in public. It literally took to me to the point of not even respecting Andy Warhol as an artist. Until this week when I visited the McNay Art Museum and viewed the Andy Warhol exhibit.

            I have found a new great respect for Andy Warhol as an artist and I became enlightened to what pop art really is, what it meant then, as well as what it means now.  Andy Warhol was a smart man, somewhat of a genius in the art world and a savior to the underclass or underestimated artist. With artists before him like Jackson Pollock or Willem De Kooning making art fort the elite art Andy Warhol made recognizable images for the average person, which in turn brought more people of the era into the art world. Pollock and De Kooning made paintings and drawings for the intellectual, very humanistic qualities in their work, yet very expressionistic. Warhol turned the art world upside down, making very humanistic work with sublet notes for the more intellectual art viewer. He managed to take this images that the public can see and recognize and relate with and put feelings into the work for the more intuitive viewer. The one I saw that I enjoyed the most would be the work Warhol did of Mao Zedong, taking a Chinese communist leader and colorfully making him playful, even making a whimsical wallpaper of Mao’s face. Warhol’s touch changed this image of a powerful Chinese leader to a softer friendlier figure.

            I learned this week that pop art is artistic expression for the general public with notes for the intellectual. I see now that Andy Warhol did society a favor, showing the public and the art world that art work doesn’t have to be so expressionistic that the imagery is almost gone. Warhol showed the world art work that would appeal to more than just the elite. I’m still struggling to say I enjoy the pop art that local “artist’s” display around town, but I can say that I respect it… I think.

"This isn't Pop Music" 6'x6' Acrylic and House Paint on Canvas

Thank you for watching. As always the art work is available for sale, or for a spot in a gallery. Please fell free to contact me if you'd like to see the piece in person.

-C. Pressley

First OverHead event!

Today is the first event at Alamo Drafthouse! It'll be a fun time with Hot Rods, the Psychomantics, and watching the movie Cry Baby! Come dressed to to watch the Johnny Depp classic. Two showings (4:30 & 7:30) with the band playing at 7. See you at Drafthouse Park North today!

Musical Talent...

As some of my closer friends may know i've always been certain that my career in life would be around music. Although I've never gotten into an instrument enough to actually be pursue it, I was certain that was my path until I got into visual arts. Not knowing how to play any instruments, and my inability to rap, lead me to the fact that I do posses a great ear for good music. Countless times I've been able to hear a band, rapper, or group and just known that the music they make, will make the charts. Hence the whole reason for starting this blog in the first place. I had the idea I would write about musical groups or acts in the San Antonio area but quickly learned I was interested in a lot more forms of art than just music. So now I write about all the arts I come across, or that comes across me. Today however, I'm sticking to the roots. Today, it's about the music. Specifically about a local band called Heather Go Psycho. Recently they released their new music video for the song "Favorite Record". It's an awesomely shot video for an awesome song. definitely a band you would want to see live they always have shows around San Antonio and they are always packed so arrive early. Plus if you go you might see me there, so you could buy me a beer. Here's a link to the new video, watch closely, you just might know somebody in there.






After you check out that local talent I suggest you take a listen to Childish Gambino, his new album "Camp" is worth the purchase, but (unless you just trust me) fell free to take a listen on Spotify or a preview on iTunes before you fork over the cash at HogWild's. Once you do I'm sure you'll be running to the record shop on Main street. I heard him a few weeks ago on Letterman and immediately knew his record would gain popularity. He has a unique sound and it captivates a wide audience. Here's the video of where I first saw him and his group.



Thanks for keeping up with the blog, I know it's been a while since I've posted but with the holidays, working, getting new job, painting, and living life I've been somewhat neglectful of my OverHeard supporters. I'll try to get better and more frequent with my posting. Thanks for the support.

Happy holidays!

OverHeard would like to wish you and your family a merry Christmas and very happy New Year.

Daily Dose of Dopamine

Every artist out there knows how much they need that creative time alone to just let go. Doing commissioned work can be fun, especially when its well paid for. But anybody who is really creating art probably has stacks upon stacks of paper, canvas, or whatever, that may never see the lights of a studio. Work that was created purely out of a whim. With no real message to convey, no guidelines to stick to for an assignment or a job, and no competition rules to abide by, one can really just pour their self into whatever picture plane they choose. Late at night is when I often find the time to do this. The family is asleep the day is over and there's nearly nothing to worry about. It's almost a meditative process that then takes place. I grab whatever medium I have at hand and begin to get my daily dose of dopamine. When I'm creating this work I'm not thinking about what a client would want, or what the masses might find appealing once hung in a gallery. I'm simply letting the ink flow however I feel. Their are some design elements that naturally come into play, but for the most part it's all just feelings on paper. I do have much more work that will probably never be seen by the public, but these two that are pictured, I created the other night and decided to share. I really like the way they came out so I'll probably get them framed. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed making them.
(top left:18"x24" charcoal and pastel on paper; bottom right:18"x24" charcoal and pastel on paper)

Thanks for reading

-CalvinPressley
calvinjpressley@gmail.com
overheardtv.blogspot.com

Best Hotdog in America???

Yes it's been four weeks since my last post.. Yes im terribly sorry for making you guys wait so long... yes it'll probably happen again, but hopefully not in the near future. Now that finals week is over for me I can finally get back to writing, get back to creating, and get back to breathing, sleeping, eating, and all the other stuff I put aside due to studying.

So its late at night, your hungry for something good. Something satisfying. Something worth the money you'll spend. Something quick. If your here in San Antonio your probably thinking street vendor tacos. Probably... unless you had the opportunity to find and enjoy a gourmet hot dog from Rocker Dogz. If you've been to The Korova on a Thursday night, chances are you've seen the little hot dog stand right outside the front door. I can tell you right now, whether there's a line or not, your gonna need to get one of those dogs before you leave this city. This isn't some New York style hot dog stand. This is a one of a kind gourmet hot dog stand serving up the best hot dog I've ever tasted. Chef Kris Martinez is the owner and operator of this San Antonio jewel, skillfully crafting his hot dogs to a level you would have never though a wiener could go. Follow him on facebook to find out where his mobile truck with be serving up the dogz.
You will be glad when you do. (www.rockerdogz.com)

Just a quick little side note before you run out the door for a hotdog. Check out this awesome video of the Blue Moon competition I was in. I might not have won anything but I did get interviewed which is pretty awesome (even though my name was spelled wrong.. its Pressley like "PRESS play".. two S's)



Thanks for reading the blog!

UPDATE: The video that was posted and linked from youtube is no longer there. Sorry for the inconvenience. Hopefully I'll get more interviews in the future.