COPYRIGHT NOTICE © TEXT & IMAGES
James Michael McCracken
BACKGROUND
James Michael McCracken LINKS http://stpeteartisan.ebsqart.com/ http://blog.hollywoodportraitartist.com NOW under contract and represented by StudioMares. http://www.studiomares.com |
"The Messenger" 2008 11"x14" Acrylic on hardboard
| WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID ABOUT J. MICHAEL McCRACKEN MR. ALAN BENNETT ILAGAN is a freelance writer and critic, whose work has been published in Instinct, xy, Q Northeast, Windy City Times, Boston Phoenix, Metroland, and numerous web sites including Out in America, EdgeBoston.com and EdgeNewYork.com. Mr. Ilagan had this to say about my work in an unsolicited email..”I just found some of your work online, and had to comment on how impressed I was by everything you’ve created. You have a wonderful eye, and your execution is amazing. It manages to be both abstract and true to life in the best of both possible ways. Thanks for the inspiration” Alan. He has modelled for famous artists and photographers, including Steven Underhill, Dennis Dean, Michael Breyette and Dave Haskins. MR.TIMOTHY WRIGHT (Coordinator of Faculty) Art Institute of Chicago “Just saw your art. Amazing!”
MR. ROBERT SQUIRES (Hollywood Art Dealer/Collector/Critic) “Impressive Expressionism” Donato Style Events CEO Donato Crowley “Event planner for the Stars” had this to say about my work. “I love your artwork/ it’s amazing as are you”. MR. DEL SHORES of “Sordid Lives” Had this to say “I just saw your art… amazing work. I can’t wait to buy your book… and I want my portrait done too MR. RANDY JONES of “Village People” “Thanks for the addition. Lovin’ your work!” RJ. MR. JEFF PALMER (photographer) “James..your art is wonderful — individualistic, sensual and provoking — keep going!” |
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| SHOWS AND PUBLICATIONS Published in July’09 edition of “G” Magazine. ALL Spain. Cover, 6 pages and full bio. Mucho Gracia! Published Biography Insert/Interview in “Never Blend In” (Words to the GLBT youth.) by Mr. David Watters London,England.Published author and feature writer harvey.milk.com. Cheers Mate! A link to the interview with music at http://blog.hollywoodportraitartist.com ”First One Man Art Show “, will consist of 7 large 18″x24″ Oil on canvas’ and will be at The American Stage Theater GRAND Opening Black Tie Event, May 26, 2009. The SOLO show will run the entire summer. Update: ALL pieces were sold, and two additional paintings were commissioned. Six pieces in all are currently on Permanent Exhibit at the Raymond James Theatre, Hough Lobby honoring American Stage Theatre Company’s “Commitment to Excellence” The past thirty years in St. Petersburg, Fl. Please contact me via email for any reference contact information. |
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I think that many of today’s GLBT youth are focused on fun, sex and a put on “Image”. What they think would be HOT this minute. A HUGE need for validation. Primarily from themselves, and if unable to give that to themselves, will go to great lengths to “feel” it from someone, and sometimes, anyone else. Mentorship in a focused environment can help redirect natural talents and “self” objectives. Unfortunately, there is a huge divide in age from those that have made it to the other side of themselves, and back to their “authentic” starting points. Sexual innuendo often pursues and the real objective is thwarted. Writers and directors could make a huge difference…sometimes “fear of loss of profit” thwarts that. I think the best role models may not be in the GLBT community, but actually pertain to the career, or talent the youth expresses. Many polls I have read suggest that the gay youth would be more open to having “older” friends if they could just be platonic. I think we all hope to see someone like ourselves. There is such a fear that you are the only one. We are not often equipped to appreciate it though. That requires you to appreciate yourself, and as we continue to turn out young GLBT’s that don’t, it can be quite a long path back home. Bring plenty of bread crumbs with you. I hope to see more solid parts rather than the spoof of it all. Often, the straights are playing the gays, and the gays are playing the straights. Not sure that this helps. The more facets to the characters, the better the modeling. We all model behaviors.
All through my life I often heard that “You have great potential” (If you hear that, it is NOT a good sign.) Many people tried to mentor me, but none with longevity. Not ever believing in myself, or understanding, that I was the cause preventing my own dreams from happening. Often by trying to please others, and pleasing no one in the end. Chase your dream young, the partying will always be there. You may not even desire that later, but if you do, you will be eating better cuts of meat, and drinking from the TOP shelf. I only have a couple of memories with my father, but he told me once when we where outside painting the house “If you ever get in trouble with life, remember it is only a matter of self control”. Twenty years later, I was able to start picking up the pieces of my life, and that has been a very important key. You can only change yourself through diligence…invest in yourself, embrace who you really are, not who you think people might want. Don’t waste your time fighting others. Once you love yourself, you will want to surround yourself with people that naturally feel the same way as you. I have developed some very beautiful relationships in the past few years. These inspire me each and every day.
I have chosen to walk in that spirit. That is one of the few choices in life that we really have inherently. To make every moment as pleasurable for all involved as possible. (Note: include self here) To remember, rather than have boundaries with ourselves, we should try to have unconditional love for who we have become, or change it, as we maintain healthy boundaries with others. That is true self love.
It is often so well disguised as something else, except for the military before “don’t ask don’t tell”, that was overt, and completely unnecessary behavior. I went through two “witch trials” in four years. I am not considered effeminate, so I do feel pain for those that are. They often made GLBT’s that crumbled to them, my roommates trying to out me. Many abusers feel that gay’s are “whipping posts” and that they are probably used to it. I have heard this before. I do always assert in these instances if present. We really should all observe the “Golden Rule” even if nothing else fits. Always “own” your image…it will be either your friend or your foe. Stand in your grace.
In America (Fundamentalist religious institutions are guilty of preaching hate towards gays). Self defeating behaviors for all parties involved is the end result. Too much time is spent holding perceived ground, rather than forging ahead, and mentoring the obvious maladaptive along the way. People clearly need to spend more time studying themselves and helping others, than the opposite. As long as you allow lobbyists, there will be problems in the sanctions blurring. We in America have so many primary beliefs to re-evaluate. Things are quite the opposite of the way they were intended often, just to make a buck here and there.
I think we will need more than three states in America to accept same sex marriages before we will see it. Many of us are just waiting for the old guard to die off and they are. It does surprise me how accepting my travels were in Europe and how accepted I was every where. Many of the famous LGBT we know and love here are mostly European, and from centuries ago. I guess it’s that universal “Not here” thing. We must help young people to accept and love themselves, otherwise many horrors are born along the way and needless time is wasted, if not lives. I feel that there needs to be strict enforcement of “Hate” demonstrations of all kinds. People whom hate others, generally hate themselves, or they would not project such an image. We must learn tolerance and enforce self control. I really feel like we are lacking in these disciplines. We are such a new country these traits are not engrained over the centuries like Europe. The military would be an excellent opportunity to learn these things, if ” Mom and Dad” neglected them. Europe is ahead of us with this the mandatory military experience. I think it is also a great chance to get free education to pursue your dreams, even to see Europe. There is a lot to be learned in even a four year commitment. College is very important to broaden the mind. If you can stand in the middle (grey area) it is much easier to reach to both sides. “Work smarter not harder.” TO PARENTS: Understand that to be different is not alone bad. Rather than focus on what is different, how about be different, and help research their talents and natural abilities, then the obvious, how to make money with that. A successful happy child will grow up naturally to return the favor. Possibly, to even set you free of all the things you have figured out about yourself finally. ..You know you wanted to take those pottery lessons…The safest thing to invest in, other than yourself, is your children…period. We must learn to embrace others beliefs for themselves, and be respectful once again. America is perceived as being an arrogant country abroad. I am often shamed by this arrogance myself. Arrogance and ignorance are very closely related. I hope this perception is soon changed globally with our new leadership. I think that in this year 2009 much progress is being made in the GLBT community to reach across our own divisions. Social networks like Facebook and Twitter are encouraging mentorship. We must learn to self validate and be of healthier mind. If you feel alone, you are not loving yourself. You must accept yourself first. There is nothing wrong with omission, although it can make a bit of a mess at a later point. Often a parent will someday say “I knew that all along” “it’s really such a bigger deal for you than anyone else.” If you family does not accept you …love yourself, and make the best environment you can, until you are able to go out on your own. There are GLBT crisis centers in every country now to help assist and talk with you if you are in danger. The point is, don’t get there…keep who you are to yourself until you really know who you are. That’s the safest thing. Love yourself first…Then you will soon be surrounded by the right people. If not, look for them along the way to reaching your goals. That’s where the important ones are busy themselves. If you are with someone and it is not baring fruit for both it is not a healthy relationship.
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