Silent James presents: the first look at Dee- the sequel to Three! Shot by Esther Westwood. I’m painting chapter 2, which is in black & white because things get very dark this chapter. The rest of the book will be full watercolor. See me have fun, you will even hear me speak! The first book Three is available here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/94037062/three-illustrated-book-by-silent-james

Enough About Me Monday #7: Torrent Engine 18, Katrina Galore and E. Stephen

Packed into our Boston trip was something I’ve been dying to visit, Torrent Engine 18. This is the most incredible project I’ve ever seen. They are so brave, this firehouse will be the most spectacular art/living space in the world when it’s all said and done. Right now what needs to happen is someone somewhere with a film crew needs to document the restoration and construction that Katrina and E. Stephen will be accomplishing here. Now is the time, they are starting work on it now and it will make EXCELLENT TV! They gave me the tour and it’s incredible. I’m so thankful for that, it meant a lot to me. Please check out the links below for more information on this project. Lend a hand or a crew if you are able, it’s a worthwhile endeavor!!!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TorrentEngine18
Tumblr: http://engine18.tumblr.com/
More info: http://www.dotnews.com/2012/late-save-old-engine-18-artist-couple-eyes-it-both-home-and-arts-space

Enough About Me Monday #6: 28 Seeds, Walter Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys

Oh what a glorious trip it’s been! BOSTON, BCA PLAZA THEATER!! 28 SEEDS!!!
Since being in the Speakeasy Dollhouse show, I’ve met some extraordinary people. Thank you so much to Dalya for showing us such a beautiful and magical time in Boston! Thank you Justin, Katrina and E. Stephen for being wonderful friends and guides. More about our visit with Katrina and E. Stephen in the next post…

Thanks to these fine people, Esther and I were introduced to the incredible music and theater of Walter Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys. We contributed to their successful kickstarter, but I’m so glad we did not stop there! We got tickets to their show: 28 Seeds.
Even these amazing photos Esther Westwood and I took do not do the show justice. IT MUST BE SEEN TO BE BELIEVED! There’s a few shows left, everyone who is reading this should see it!

We had amazing seats, front row on the stage. The actors and actresses were PERFECT in their roles. A lot of great faces and acrobatics.

The scenes that were the most powerful, that really stick out in my mind are:

The president, played by Lisa Dempsey, dancing to “Rabbits in the Deathbed”. This really moved me, the perfect music against imagery. It was so sad, this politician who is so out of touch with reality and the masses she represents, blissfully dancing among them. Like a godess who cares not for those whom worship her but on this one special occasion- descends. It reminded me of the end of Southland Tales- everything they show and tell us is all a lie- in the name of greed.

Dr. Kneudsen, played by Nicole Howard, afraid- looking to the sky while the camera is on her broadcasting her face on all of the monitors. She was expertly cast- this moment will stay with me.

Walter Sickert posing with one arm up, like an ancient statue, while the exceptional dancers climb down him. It was amazing.

The show is not all serious! It’s so funny! Especially the President and the General Steven Emanuelson. I was laughing throughout most of it, oh man! I loved Ally and Matthew’s synchronized physicality. I loved their big performance too. Hannah Montenegro played by Karin Webb was a firecracker! A laugh riot!

The music! Ah! Extraordinary!!! All of the musicians were great and dressed incredibly. You won’t find a cuter band! I love Walter’s singing, it’s unlike anything I’ve ever heard. Rachel’s viola is the best! Her outfits too! I loved JoJo’s poem, style and her keen jumping while playing. Meff had my favorite getup of all, she pulled such great silent film faces that I appreciated. T.J. Horn the drummer kicked ass- he snuck out from the back at the end of the show. I loved the upright bass Mike played. We were lucky enough to be sitting right in front of Edrie, I love all the toys she plays. It’s always a surprise!

Tickets for 28 Seeds: http://www.bostontheatrescene.com/season/production.aspx?id=11585&src=t
Band Site: http://www.armyoftoys.com
Twitter: @armyoftoys

ENOUGH ABOUT ME MONDAY: Cynthia von Buhler came up with a brilliant idea… Promote others on Mondays, more info and sign up here: http://cynthiavonbuhler.blogspot.com/2012/03/enough-about-me-lets-talk-about-you.html

Enough About Me Monday #5: Amerigo Mackeral & the Octave Doktors

I met Sarah at the Speakeasy Dollhouse shows, her sister is in the play and they are both really great. Then I met Aaron at the April Speakeasy show & he invited Esther & I to Gone Fishin’- an art show with music by his band Amerigo Mackeral & the Octave Doktors in Ridgewood.
Holy Moly Firjoles! They are so extraordinary!!! It was truly unlike anything I have ever seen. Whistling, typewriters, banjos and honestly who knows what else was going on behind Sarah’s wall. All kinds of sounds. I had no idea Sarah was a musician, a nice surprise was that Syrie was there with a kind gunslinger known only as Benny. We all had a great time. I forgot my camera so this is James memory at work in this drawing. I hope it does them justice, I love justice!
Sarah’s singing is beautiful and Aaron’s lyrics were very interesting. “Dear Hat” sticks out in my mind. His old, old pages of words are really cool, from my seat I spotted them. I got to meet Jeff, Pat, and Emma who are all very sweet and funny. Emma has a musical voice when she speaks, she was in the back during the show and all we could see were these wild hands going crazy on the bongos or whatever was back there. There’s some mystery to the show.
We also were shocked to find out it was their first live show! Amazing! Go see them, if you please!
A GOOD NIGHT OUT!!!

Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/octave-doktors

ENOUGH ABOUT ME MONDAY: Cynthia von Buhler came up with a brilliant idea… Promote others on Mondays, more info and sign up here: http://cynthiavonbuhler.blogspot.com/2012/03/enough-about-me-lets-talk-about-you.html

A Silent James Accordion double feature! Can Can and Jesse James. I am illustrating Dee now! I’m on chapter 2, it will be totally tubular! Stay tuned and enjoy the fun video!

Enough About Me Monday #4: Teva Harrison, Robot Pilot

This photo was from a Hullabaloo party in Toronto, Canada in 2003 where I (Left) was fortunate to meet Teva Harrison (Right). A keen observer will note our colors and positioning perfectly replicate 3D glasses colors.
This was my first trip to Canada, it was extraordinary. My buddy Rachel was there in high fashion, we were so happy to be in Canada. I met Teva and her husband David and they were the sweetest most creatively dressed people ever. They make the most amazing outfits! To me, this is an important part of going to a party; to make the most original and awesome outfit of your dreams. They always do something new, every time I have seen them. They are a grand team! They are Robot Pilot!!!
Right away when I met Teva we were friends, which is special and rare. I remember meeting her on the dance floor, and boogying with her crew. She creates tons: fashion design, music, photography, writing, drawing… you NAME it! The works! That party was one of the best and we’ve been to a bunch together since then. I’m glad we have stayed friends all these years, please check out her site & twitter! Robot Pilot Rules!!!

Site: http://www.robotpilot.com/
Twitter: @RobotPilot

ENOUGH ABOUT ME MONDAY: Cynthia von Buhler came up with a brilliant idea… Promote others on Mondays, more info and sign up here: http://cynthiavonbuhler.blogspot.com/2012/03/enough-about-me-lets-talk-about-you.html

Kate Micucci- Sand Castle Builder! Musician! Artist! Actress! I saw her on (the extraordinary) Conan O’Brien this week, she was so funny. She did what I always try to do, tell the people you like just how much you like them: http://youtu.be/pbo-CZd7qeI
I like her songs toot sweet, check out her site: http://www.katemicucci.com/

When I was a young James, I saw this image by Jeff Walker. I stared at it in disbelief for hours. There it was in black and white (and yellow). I remember asking a grown up what “Napalm” meant, they were shocked and said I must be very violent. I said Nah, I must be very Silent. Then I decided to be an illustrator.

Enough About Me Monday #3: Madame Beak

Madame Beak is an extraordinary band, the live show must be seen to be believed! A talented group of musicians that makes the most danceable music since Josephine Baker. I’ve been happy to see them play many times, it is pure fun.
I met Todd on May 8th, 2008, I know that because it was the day I started my journal & I wrote about it… “Saw my friend Dan Valle during lunch today, he is in a band called Hollow Jones with Todd, who was with him in the park today. We talked about Meat Loaf the singer & how awesome he is.”
The last time I saw Dan, we went to Kenka and had a great night- he told me all about the people in his band, upcoming shows & a theater production he wanted to involve me in. He told me about Todd, Elena & Dan E.- amazing musicians that put on quite a show. He described such a beautiful image of music & art. He told me about Elena’s voice, the best singer he has ever heard before. Dan Valle died a few weeks later- the band had a final show at Good Bye Blue Monday in Bushwick. Esther & I went, it was a beautiful celebration of Dan including a moment of cheer (in lieu of a moment of silence), it was also the first time I got to see the band play. They were such a sweet group of people that played very nice.
Since then, they created a new band called Madame Beak. Dan would be proud- they rock. The voice of Elena is so powerful, I agree- she is the best singer I have ever heard. Todd is the bass player, totally amazing. Dan E. is the guitarist, very talented- he plays with them sometimes these days and I was lucky to witness his marriage proposal at the show this video was taken! Congrats!
This video was taken by Esther, I recommend being by the bongo player Matt Hartman during the shows. He’s awesome & has a bag of tricks! All of the musicians are truly special…

Madame Beak’s Flying Ensemble:

Elena Carey… vocals, flute
Mitch Webb… keyboard
Brian Petronchak… guitar
Dan Engelberg… guitar
Todd Witz… bass
Matt Hartman… percussion
Rich Sireno… drums

Website: http://www.madamebeak.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/madamebeak
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/beakvision

ENOUGH ABOUT ME MONDAY: Cynthia von Buhler came up with a brilliant idea… Promote others on Mondays, more info and sign up here: http://cynthiavonbuhler.blogspot.com/2012/03/enough-about-me-lets-talk-about-you.html

GOON is a film starring some of my favorite actors: Seann WIlliam Scott, Alison Pill & Jay Baruchel. It is also written by Jay, directed by Micheal Dowse.
I saw it at an amazing theater in NYC: Village East Cinema on 2nd Ave. It was extraordinary! I recommend this theater and especially this movie!!!
Seann William Scott is a brilliant actor, I loved him in Southland Tales & Role Models. He has an innocence about him that comes out for special films like this one. I just loved his character in Goon. I hope he does more like this, when is he going to be in a Terry Gilliam film? I think he’d be perfect.
Alison Pill is one of my favorites, she was the best character in Scott Pilgrim but I especially loved her in Midnight in Paris and Goon. She is mighty & funny!!
Jay Baruchel is hilarious!!! Not sure what else to say about him in the film, has to be seen to be believed, haha!
All of the actors in it were great, I’m just so glad to see Seann as this character.