To The Group, First, hello. I had to share this with the group. I am a visual artist and huge fan of Joni Mitchell. Her lyrics, paintings and music have had an impact on finding my direction as an artist. What I wanted to share was this, my art work, including the Mitchell inspired pieces are making a huge impact! I have just received confirmation of a show at the Sedona Arts Center, plus I am talking to a Gallery in Scottsdale to represent the work. If that is not enough, I am still selling work from my last show in Phoenix. One of the first drawings to sell from my show was "Jericho." This drawing featured a blonde woman playing the guitar, with all original text created by me! If you are familiar with the cover of Mitchell's first recording "Joni Mitchell," you can see the lyric almost fairy tale quality of the work. I have several other Mitchell inspired drawings including one that took some inspiration from the cover of "Chalk Marks in A Raing Storm." While it is hard to see the connection, my colorful drawing features a face hidden behind a brown fedora set againts a turquise blue sky. I am so excited by the new work and the fact that it is selling well. Keep in mind, these images are not taken directly from Mitchell, nor do I use her text in my work. I just found her work as a source of inspiration. In much the same way Mitchell was inspired by Jazz, Miles Davis, Blues, Judy Collins and her folk based earlier work, I am finding inspiration to find my own voice. Natalie Merchant said it best wehn she said, and I am paraphrasing " ... Joni Mitchell painted created songs that told of an exotic exciting life and that you too could lead a life that was exotic as well." I am not attempting to become Joni Mitchell, however I can sing a version of Jericho that would make you feel something, but rather looking for ideas and finding my own exciting exotic life. Life really is a banquette. Some get the gravy, some get the gristle some get the marrow bone, but if try real hard sometimes you get what you need. Take care email me if interested in seeing the new work. I have yet to put the recent ones on the web. Kurt von Behrmann [EMAIL PROTECTED]
