BATALON BASH

The L.A. ART RAT, Davidd Batalon, had a successful opening Saturday night at FLAZH! ALLEY STUDIO. Not only on exhibit at the gallery were some of Davidd's classic paintings, but new stuff, as well. Some of the new stuff consisted of intricately executed erotic sketches. Don't miss out. See it!

Prof. Ron Steen, Art Historian, Art Educator and Curator of Contemporary Art Exhibitions

sitting and paging through new Batalon works with others

At midnight, we toasted to a successful launch!

BENT ON BATALON

You are cordially invited . . .

Flazh!Alley Studio Presents

"LUSTER -- Deliberate Sensuality"

Reception: Saturday, Saturday 27, 2008 - 7-11PM

Flazh!Alley Studio

1113 S. Pacific Ave., Suite B

San Pedro, CA

Located at Pacific Ave. & 11th Street.

Park in the Ramona Bakery parking lot

310.833.3633

flazhalley@aol.com

You are cordially invited to attend a private champagne reception, on Saturday, September 27, 2008 from 7-11 PM, to meet artist, Davidd Batalon, and preview his series of narrative figure paintings, "LUSTER," Deliberate Sensuality" before its formal public receptions on October 2 & November 6, 2008.

Please RSVP By September 25, 2008

http://www.flazhalleystudio.com/


Los Angeles artist, Davidd Batalon has a love for narratives. His spellbinding paintings reflect a strong desire to create worlds saturated with intrigue and mystery. With a style influenced by such artists as Paul Cadmus, George Tooker and Thomas Hart Benton, combined with an aesthetic akin to writer Ray Bradbury, Batalon forges his own genre of storytelling replete with elements taken from contemporary life and the mass media. Batalon's painting has evolved from a style reflecting tension and implied eroticism born of self censorship to a provocative, expansive style animated by the freedoms self awareness and self acceptance bring. As he states, "I've become more comfortable in my own skin."

http://laartrat.tripod.com/

Photographs by Lori Di Costanzo
http://www.photographybylorid.com/

TALENTED CHAMELON

One of the most talented, funniest actors around today – and highly underrated – is Beth Grant. You’ve seen in her tons of films, but you may not have recognized her! She is such a seasoned character actress that it’s difficult to spot her from film to film. Some of her creations can be seen in: No Country For Old Men, Little Miss Sunshine, Matchstick Men, Factory Girl, Flags Of Our Fathers, Our Very Own, Pearl Harbor, Speed, Rain Man, and Donnie Darko.

In reel life, most characters Beth portrays are usually homely or geeky looking, like Sissy Hickey in SORDID LIVES, but in real life Beth is pure eye candy.

Several years ago I interviewed the gal. Take a peek:

http://aumag.org/features/RubyAugust03.html

NAM LE . . . AND ME

In the process of interviewing the author, Nam Le. His book, THE BOAT, released in May of this year, has garnered some impressive reviews. Look for the interview in an upcoming issue of A&U magazine, probably the December issue.

A warm person and a talented fellow.


http://www.namleonline.com/

CELEBRATE BIRTH

......As it says in my astrological calendar.....

"Those born on the 4th of September love connecting with people. They are happy and often inspired people who constantly seek and need the stimuli of similar people."

Well, on Saturday night I got my fix when friends showed up at Marmalade Cafe at The Grove to help celebrate my birthday. It was nice to be surrounded by stimulating conversation and people who inspire me. I'm fortunate to have these exciting people in my life.

Linda Wang missed the group shot, took this once she returned!

[Below] The day before, my two best girlfriends, Kelly and Bettina, took me to lunch at Grand Lux Cafe.

MY NEXT TREAT

Last week, I spent some time with a real neat chick, Erin Hamilton. I interviewed her for an upcoming cover story for A&U magazine.

Several days earlier on Monday, 25th August, I attended a performance Erin gave at the Disney Concert Hall to help celebrate 30 years of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles. She sang John Lennon’s, Imagine. When I read in the program she was singing this, I got tense. I mean who else can truly sing this song but John Lennon?!

Well, Erin proved me wrong. She made the song her own. After she sang her last note, the audience leapt to their feet including her mother, Carol Burnett, who was sitting not far from us. Then Erin sang one of her hits, One World, written by her and Scott Anderson. What pipes this child has!

[photo by Bill Dow]


My friend, Terry, joined in and even shot Erin with his newly launched Gaydar Gun.
Check it out! http://www.gaydargun.com/

Renee Jacobs, Right, shot the photography. The pic above was taken at the wrap.

What a treat to put together this interview and turn it into my next story.

Thanks, Erin!