“Human creativity is the expression of the same explosion of energy into matter (the Big Bang) that made our existence possible in the first place. To create is to celebrate one’s connection to the cosmos.” – Yow!

I hang out with a great bunch of trashy folks. For almost twenty years we’ve been known as the Philadelphia Dumpster Divers – www.dumpsterdivers.org. We get together to inspire and encourage one another. We talk trash, trade trash and organize exhibits of the art we make from trash and found objects and recycled materials. Most of my last sixty years I’ve considered myself a non-joiner. However, the years spent with my Diver friends have been wonderful and very rewarding.

Every year in January we turn our monthly meeting into a Diver Awards Dinner. Many of the Divers come “dressed up” and present “awards” to one another for any reason whatsoever. And, yes, the awards are made from trash and found objects, which may eventually become part of an assemblage or collage or even be re-awarded the following year. The other thing we do at DAD (Diver Awards Dinner) is go shoulder to shoulder for the annual group photograph. Our resident photographer is I. George Bilyk, and he never fails to somehow squeeze us into the shot. Thanks, George. (Click image to view larger.)

“Change” is a word we hear a lot from polititions on both sides of the aisle – especially around election time. But the only thing that seems to change is the color of the suits. If WE don’t change, change will not come. If change does not come, our children will have no future. It’s simple: change or die.

Click below to watch my latest video (48 sec). I guess you could call it a PSA (Public Service Announcement). Please leave a comment either here or on YouTube, if you watch it there. You can go to the YouTube page by clicking the YouTube logo bottom right of the video viewing window. And by all means, feel free to share the link.

Exhibition:
January 6-February 19, 2012 | Cohen Gallery

Opening Reception:
First Friday, January 6, 5:30-7:30 pm

“As we celebrate the forthcoming Winter Solstice of the Year 2012, beginning of the 14th baktun (cycle) in the Maya long count calendar, and the fifth rebirth of our Sun, scores of surrealist artists and writers from many countries have sent their works for a long-awaited exhibition honoring this theme, in keeping with that movement’s principle of poetry made by all and solidarity with the indigenous world. The show is curated by Joe Jablonski and features over 75 Surrealist artists. Surrealism In 2012  is an exhibition of the international surrealist movement from the 1960′s through today.” (From the website – http://surrealismin2012.org/)

I am deeply honored to have had eight pieces selected for this amazing group exhibition. I’d love to see you there. Click thumbnail to view full image.

The short video below features the eight works of mine in the show. The music was composed and performed by my wife, Betsy Alexander.

For more info: http://surrealismin2012.org/

GoggleWorks
201 Washington Street
Reading, PA 19601
610.374.4600

After viewing a video of my cat, Nora, on YouTube, Michele Sato visited my website, liked what she saw, and invited me to contribute an essay on my art for a book she was working on at the time.

I write songs, too. Mostly topical, political protest songs. Or at least I used to. Another lifetime ago, back in the late sixties, seventies and early eighties, I wrote a lot of songs and played guitar. I even sold almost everything I owned in 1973, packed a duffle bag, grabbed my guitar and boarded a plane to San Francisco to realize a dream: to become the next John Denver. After three years, I flew back east and turned my full attention to the pursuit of another dream: to be a visual artist. Why the switch from music to visual arts? Performance anxiety, plain and simple. My dad summed it up quite well when he said as he dropped me off at the airport in September of 1973: “Son, I hope you make it but I don’t think you will. You don’t like playing in front of people.” Well, he was right. So the world got one more mixed media artist and one less singer/songwriter.

I’ve been extremely happy being an artist. I work alone in my studio, and I only have to pull my public persona together for the occasional opening reception. But music, or more precisely, song-writing, has continued to interest me. And then along came YouTube. For sometime now I have entertained the idea of recording some of my songs onto video and uploading them to YouTube. A few months ago, I did just that with a song I wrote for my wife, Betsy. It’s called “Dancing with the Stars.” I have today uploaded a second song titled “Freedom from Religion.” The latter you can watch below. On the video I play my new Mainland tenor ukulele <www.mainlandukuleles.com>.

My YouTube channel is at: http://www.youtube.com/user/burnellmusic

Just had to share this video.

“Surrealism In 2012: Toward the World of the Fifth Sun” is materializing at Goggle Works Center for the Arts in Reading, Pennsylvania from January 6th through February 18th, 2012. I am represented in the show along with 80 other artists from 20 different countries (a total of 175 works). Should be a fantastic show – one you won’t want to miss.

More info on the web at www.surrealismin2012.org and www.goggleworks.org

SURREALISM IN 2012 POSTER

I’m in three group shows in November. Two right here in Philly. One in Annapolis, Maryland.

The first is at the Pardigm Gallery, 2020 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146.

The show is titled “H x W x D.” 

Opening Reception: October 28th • 6-10pm
Closing/Artist Reception: November 18th • 6-10pm

One of three works in show is pictured above. Titled “The Brothers Poe.”

The other Philadelphia show is titled “PHOTOgraphy 2011.” It is at the Philadelphia Sketch Club. Reception and Awards on Nov. 6th from 2-4 pm. I have two pieces in this show, one of which was awarded an Honorable Mention. Betsy also has two pieces in the show. Click thumbnails to view full image.

The third show is “Eye of the Beholder: The Fine Art of the Found Object.” It is being hosted by the Maryland Federation of Art‘s Circle Gallery at Circle Gallery, 18 State Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401

Opening reception on Sunday, Nov. 6, from 3 to 6 pm.

Work in show is pictured above. Titled “Smoke.”

The Philadelphia Open Studio Tours for 2011 is now but a memory. We had 130 visitors over the two days, many of whom I was meeting for the very first time. Much fun was had by all.

Upcoming shows include a show in Maryland and one just down the street at the Paradigm Gallery – both opening the end of October. More info on those shows in the next day or two.

That’s what happens when one of your jobs is personal assistant to the world famous Nora The Piano Cat. She keeps me plenty busy taking dictation, updating her website, store and her Facebook account – both a Profile and a Page – not to mention being her chief photographer. Oh, and did I mention I’m also her food prep person and am in charge of all litter box operations? Is there nothing I would not do for this feline diva? Obviously not. And I do it all quite willingly. After all, how often does a cat come along who touches the world in a such a joyful way.

So, when she says “purr,” I say “how loud?”

(Photo by Betsy Alexander –  Nora as a kitten)