Life Preservers

Greg Stones’ Art

January 22, 2010 at 11:26 am 3 comments

Every once in a while a total stranger can be a life preserver. Discovering, out there in the world, someone who is living life in a fun and creative way, making (I hope) a good living using a talent and a sense of humor that can only be one-of-a-kind, that delights and inspires me. 

Some people, you don’t have to know them well to just be damn glad they are on the planet.

If you have never seen any of the wicked little masterpieces painted by Greg Stones, do yourself a favor and take a peek.

First saw this guy’s stuff at a local arts festival. Stood there and, the massive flow of glancing, mooing bumpers and nudgers be damned, I stayed and looked at just about every print in the booth. And kept snickering. And (agonizingly) selected a few prints out of the many I wanted to remember forever to take home. Looked for him the next year and bought a few more. All but one of the prints have been given as gifts. “The Sheep Don’t Care” (pictured here) is displayed on my dresser so I can see it every day. It’s been there for four or five years now, and it still inspires me, still makes me giggle.

The artist has also put together 3 books. The first was “Goodbye, Penguins,” which I purchased with blind anticipation, read (and re-read) with glee, and gifted with joy (while keeping a copy for myself, of course). 

I changed jobs and have missed the arts festival for a couple of years, but, while adding some fun links to the blog here the other day, I discovered (and immediately ordered) two new Greg Stones books: “Zombies Hate Stuff” and “The Fort.” (“Goodbye, Penguins” and “Zombies Hate Stuff” are available from the website, linked above. “The Fort” I found on amazon.com.)

“The Fort” arrived today. I opened the box, removed the book from the cellophane wrapping, and, with the intention of heading to the couch, ended up just standing, transfixed, in the middle of the room to have my first look through it. (And, I’m real lazy. And the couch was only about four feet away.)

Love it! Recommend it! Want everyone I know to read it! (But, uh, no; there is no way you’re borrowing my copy so don’t even ask.)

“Zombies Hate Stuff” has also arrived. But I have not read it yet. Like the last homemade chocolate chip cookie or the bottle of wine I carried home from Italy, I’m saving it for later. (But also as with those other things, I doubt I will be able to wait too long ’cause I know it’s going to be so good.)

If you’ve got a wicked sense of humor (and/or if you like the idea of supporting someone truly original, funny, and creative in this crazy, conformist, copycat, chew-it-up-spit-it-out, grind-them-down, toe-the-line world we oddballs and secret champions masquerade in), well, then, check him out for yourself. As in, go ahead, you do it, I’ve done as much as I can here and also as in do it for yourself, as a treat.

Happy Friday folks.

Know a great artist or otherwise original being who inspires you? Post them in the comments box.

Entry filed under: Life Preservers. Tags: art, funny, Greg Stones, humor, quirky.