Rake song by the Decemberists

These are five separate illustrations I did to illustrate the Rake Song by the Decemberist.

The song tells the story of a man that gets married only to have his wife start "spilling out babies". When his wife dies with the fourth child during birth, he is stuck with the three other "little pests". To free himself from this burden he murders all the remaining children. He kills the littlest girl by feeding her foxglove, the next he drowns in the bath, and the eldest son is beaten to death and his body burned.

In a later song on the album (Hazards of Love) the children starting hauntingly singing to their father.

Here are the lyrics:

I had entered into a marriage

In the summer of my twenty-first year

And the bells rang for our wedding

Only now do I remember it clear

Alright, alright, alright

No more a rake and no more a bachelor

I was wedded and it whetted my thirst

Until her womb start spilling out babies

Only then did I reckon my curse

Alright, alright, alright

Alright, alright, alright

First came Isaiah with his crinkled little fingers

Then came Charlotte and that wretched girl Dawn

Ugly Methanley died on delivery

Mercifully taking her mother along

Alright, alright, alright

What can one do when one is widower

Shamefully saddled with three little pests

All that I wanted was the freedom of a new life

So my burden I began to divest

Alright, alright, alright

Alright, alright, alright

Charlotte I buried after feeding her foxglove

Dawn was easy, she was drowned in the bath

Isaiah fought but was easily bested

Burned his body for incurring my wrath

Alright, alright, alright

And that's how I came your awful narrator

To be living so easy and free

Expect you think that I should be haunted

But it never really bothers me

Alright, alright, alright

Alright, alright, alright

Here is the actual song:

20/20, A benefit for the Burien Arts Commission

I recently participated in a benefit for the Burien Arts Commission called 20/20. The idea is that 20 artists create 20 8"x8" pieces. Here are a few of mine.
You can see all twenty here:

"http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremygregory/sets/72157625332434009/"

"I know" 8"x8" mixed media



"As Long as it Lasts" 8"x8" mixed media



"A Sufficient Amount of Liquid" 8"x8" mixed media

True Grit-Tacoma OK's Digital Billboards

Here's the story .
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/07/29/1281434/city-signs-off-on-digital-billboards.html
(click on any images to view it at a larger size)

When Clear Channel did their visual attack on the city back in 2007 by having every billboard say simply "Constitutions Matter" is when I noticed how many billboards there are in Tacoma. Some vigilantes took it upon themselves to deface the billboards.
Time has passed and the City has decided to compromise, and take down 53 of the billboards, but in return Clear Channel will be allowed to install 10 digital billboards.

Here's a behind the scenes look at the True Grit comic "Psychic Attack"
I had a few different ideas in the beginning:
Poltergeist, "They're Here"

"Grandpa Grumpy vs the Late Night Skaters"


I decided on "Psychic Attack"

Featured Artist: Geoff Weeg

featured artist

GEOFF WEEG

musician/artist

How does the mellow drummer from Humble Cub, basist for Tallest Tree, and solo member of Atrophy Wife contribute to Tacoma's visual art community?

The self proclaimed "staple-gun master" posts his cardboard creations like missing cat flyers on wood surfaces all around your fair city.



Reminders of love, and quarky thoughts or ideas for others to find and take home, free of charge.

Geoff went through a faze of meticulously creating these color grids that he would staple to old buildings.

These things had the longest runs I have ever seen in Tacoma street art. It was like the property owner couldn't even see them. No need to buff invisible graffiti.

While describing these pieces during his Pecha Kucha presentation at the Tacoma Art Museum (9-16-2010), he said,

"I thought it would be funny if I gave them color chip options."

If you hear about Geoff having an art show, check it out. It's the only chance you'll have to buy his artwork. Otherwise you'll have to find some.

Story about the mural program from the News Tribune

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/09/05/1328964/painted-revival.html#user_comments#ixzz0ygpAOrWb

Bike Jump -Gaytron the Imploder August 21 2010 a success

Galen McCarty Turner is a local artist turned daredevil. He performed his spectacular "Bike Jump" this last Saturday August 21 2010 despite the arrival of the Tacoma Police Department.
There were boooos heard coming from the 200 plus crowd as the police cars plugged the top end of the alley/runway. Patricia Lecy Davis lobbied with the police and came back yelling "Galen you got ten minutes!!!"
The neon wall was illuminated, and a roar of satisfaction and defiance bellowed from the normally silent alley of 6th and I street. Time was running out.
Once he quickly made his transformation into "Gaytron the Imploder" by climbing into his costume (a Carhart onsie with reflective lightning bolts on the crotch and safety helmet with camera, fireworks, and signage by the one and only Chris Sharp) he was ready for take off. The illegal fireworks that were attached to his bike and helmet were lit directly in front of the cops. He turned and gave the them the thumbs up, and started to pedal hard towards the 90,000 volt wall of rare stimulated gases.
As he exploded off of the 4 inch ramp, through 200 ft of neon, and at least 1ft high into the Tacoma evening sky, you could sense the feeling of hope for Tacomans everywhere flying along side our hero in the wave of broken glass and celebratory screams.
Soon after the bike tires touched down, and Gaytron was done performing his victory dance, almost everyone dispersed. The remnants of the wall were quickly taken away. The alley was meticulously swept by multiple volunteers. The police left (after one of them asked how he could find this on youtube).
The alley was deserted, except for a single candy wrapper slowly scratching it's way threw. It was like nothing had even happened, but something definitely had.

Bike Jump -Gaytron the Imploder August 21 2010

Today August 21 2010 at 8pm "Gaytron the Imploder" will be Performing Bike Jump 2. Last Years went off without a hitch, and this year is promised to be bigger and better.

Here's a little more info on this artist, and his things. With some illustrations I did for City Arts Magazine.

http://www.cityartsmagazine.com/issues/tacoma/2009/01/house-galen-mccarty-turner-built

Warren with the homeless robot

Warren with the homeless robot, originally uploaded by Jeremy Gregory.

Warren from Tacoma Art Supply received his homeless root sketch.

Finished illustration for 4x4 club

Ryans 4x4 club, originally uploaded by Jeremy Gregory.

This was one of those jobs that was all fun from beginning to end.

"Secrets of the Beach" tour Drawing A Million Years Ago @ new Crompton Seattle

Drawing A Million Years Ago @ new Crompton Seattle, originally uploaded by Jeremy Gregory.

At the New Crompton house in Seattle I was caught by Stephane sketching the band A million Years Ago.




I really liked their music, and I think the sketch turned out well.
Check them out at :
http://www.myspace.com/amillionyearsago

"Secrets of the Beach" tour How not to use a rope swing.France vs. America

How not to use a rope swing, originally uploaded by Jeremy Gregory.

When I first saw this rope swing all I thought was
ROPE SWING, ROPE SWING!!!!!!
As I ran up the hillside gripping the rope with one hand Gautier, Fat Beavers Drummer, said "You should sit on it."
Like I'm gonna do it the French way.

I grab on with just my hands. "Like a man" I think to myself as I propell myself down the hill and out into the air.

In a hurry to show Gautier that I had, had my share of successful rope-swing rides in the past,and I don't need a tutor, I failed to take into consideration my trajectory. On the return trip I had to use my feet to avoid bouncing my face off of the tree. Now spinning uncontrollably I have just enough momentum to touch down on the hill. Barely hanging on my feet only touch home-base for three or four awkward tip toe steps before I take off again, but only hanging on with fingers this time. I reach the peak thinking of how stupid I'm going to look falling 15 feet onto my backpack. My backpack with my good camera in it.

Somehow I made it all the way back, and I'm still amazed that human fingers can do that.



As I rejoiced on my return home like a soldier that hates war, Gautier grabs the rope. Hops onto the knot while he takes off as if was his old rope swing from the ravine behind his house, and I can't even watch as he swings to and fro like a content parrot.

France-1
America-0
Sorry America

"Secrets of the Beach" tour Guitar Maniacs

This is the guy that was working at Guitar Maniacs when we visited.I think his name is John. He was one of the people on the trip that astounded me when he started fluent conversation in French with Fat Beavers. At one point he yelled out "...LICK MY ASS..." in the middle of a story, in a different voice, in English, and then went back to telling the rest of the story in French. I asked them what he said and all I remember from the story is:

Bride - Convertible - "LICK MY ASS" ...
I think I successfully blocked out the rest. Feel free to fill in the blanks. That's why I added the mostly true to the title.



Eric got his guitar fixed despite the bad language, and Ryan was immortalized as the MUSICLORD.

Secrets of the Beach 1

Recently I had the honor to tag along on a small music tour featuring Humble Cub and Fat Beavers for a four page spread in City Arts Magazine. I have so much content from this trip that it will take me awhile to cover it all. I'm just going to post stories as the spirit moves me, and also when time permits.
If you want a sneak peak you can go to my flickr account: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremygregory/sets/72157624465019581/
or the City Arts Blog:http://www.cityartsmagazine.com/issues/tacoma/2010/08/behind-scenes-secrets-beach



Here's the finished article.
For a readable version of the article: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremygregory/4844871450/sizes/o/in/photostream/

Mad Money

The Boogie Man in this blog post on the City Arts Blog

Mad Money

Pencil extender (I've wasted thousands of stubbies)

Pencil extender (I've wasted thousands of stubbies), originally uploaded by Jeremy Gregory.

Best invention!

Lady with Flag

Lady with Flag, originally uploaded by Jeremy Gregory.

A lady with a flag.

Rattle Cover June 2010

Rattle Cover June 2010, originally uploaded by Jeremy Gregory.

I just received the box of "Rattle" books with my art on the cover. It came out great. "Rattle" is a poetry book. The focus of this issue is a tribute to humor. Thanks Timothy Green. It was a pleasure working with you.

True Grit "Unemployment Line-Dancing"

Double Click for a larger image