The Red Balloon Studio was founded by neo-pop artist Karey Maurice Counts in 2001. The name was inspired by the children’s book & film “The Red Balloon” written and directed by Albert Lamorisse. It is a film about a young boy in Paris who befriends a very large red balloon.

Online store www.cafepress.com/rbstudio or just simply click the link to the left.

Trenton Review Reading
Community Room
Sunday, Dec. 20, 2 p.m.

A new publication covering the arts and letters scene in the capital city, Trenton Review celebrates its debut with a reading by several of the contributors. Join Pulitzer-Prize-winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa, local poets Nancy Scott and Joan Goldstein, visual artist Karey Maurice and others as they demonstrate the range of talent the city has to offer. Among the first issue’s topics are an interview with artist Leon Rainbow, an article on Passage Theatre Company, and a piece about the rock club City Gardens, along with works by noted poets.
For more information visit the Princeton Public library’s website www.princetonlibrary.org and click on events.

Man,to visit my hometown to do an event is interesting and a big difference between actually living there and having a routeen of waking up in my studio and going to breakfast down town somewhere seeing or visiting people I know and then preparing to exhibit.

I like dropping in and getting busy with the artists and patrons who I respect and admire their collective spirit towards making something happen in Trenton,Nj and I always got to give props to Mr.Leon Rainbow who has the physical drive and fortitude to create something memorable for the masses.
He’s one of the first artist that I invited to Red Balloon Studio to work with and colaborate with on a series of paintings titled;”Flying Colours” which turned out fantastic way back in 2002 if my memory serves me well.
This “Rock Ya Body” event was creatively stimulating for everyone who entered Artworks Gallery & class rooms on “Black Friday” November 27th 2009. I don’t actually know how many people were there because I was busy painting my model most of the time. But what I did notice was the energy and excitement it all generated and thats what its all about with trying to stimulate a culturally depressed area like down town Trenton. Its not that it doesn’t exsist,its that diversity is not celebrated it is still shuned apon and exploited to benefit a few, but you can say that about most places outside New York,LA,Miami,Chicago but Trenton exsisted before those places so you would think that it would be ahead of the game.
I was glad to be apart of another sucessful event held in Trent N (if your from there) and I hope somebody realizes that the creative community is ready and willing to make the difference in the image that has stigmatized the town for decades.
They are even willing to “Rock Ya Body” with whatever it takes to make you happy in the once first capital of our nation. But only for a few days or something like that,check your history books.

Rock Ya Body 2.0

Event on Facebook

This concert is not to be missed if your a true Living Colour fan.The band sounded fantastic and you can read more about the concert in my music review online at www.outinjersey.net or www.dougwimbish.com Photos courtesy Karey Maurice all rights reserved, copyrights 2009

Lately I have been attacked by something that seems to transfer itself from person to person. I could give it a name but that would seem too redundant as I continue to fight my own battles out there in the trenches of life. This is not a complaint but a message to the wise who feel as I do when your struggling to live you life as peaceful as possible.

I have developed a rather thick skin over the years to shield my heart and protect me so I can continue to follow my path to success without derailier from such forces. I composed a poem two years ago that can help anyone who feels threatened and I think it works very well for those dark days ahead.watch?v=QQ4JfLruPcc

Last Friday night was the opening of a group show that I got included in along with some of my Trenton based artist friends as well as my Philadelphia artist friends down in Millville, New Jersey at the Riverfront Renaissance Art Center on High Street. In the past nine years this town surly sets the example of what can be accomplished with a few creative minds and a commitment to making things better. When I last exhibited my work in Millville three years ago it seemed like the town was gearing up for a change, and now that change has come by way of art galleries and swank eateries that line the main street. Although I was busy with socializing at the opening of my exhibition and watching my friend Leon Rainbow paint outside the gallery I noticed that there was a hellava lot more people enjoying the festive atmosphere that ran the whole  entire stretch of the main street.

I only wish the folks in Trenton would take a trip down to this quaint little town that has more going on for itself than the capital city could imagine to have and take some notes.

This exhibition has gotten more press than I have ever experienced in a single week and its a shame that the artist living in or around Trenton have to go somewhere else to get recognized for their talent.

To read more about the exhibition just click on these links http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/press/cumberland/article_ccd6ca56-a9e5-524d-8f11-7dcf57967956.html

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/press/cumberland/article_0b6921d8-a65b-11de-b0ef-001cc4c03286.html

and see what I’m talking about.

My next exhibition is coming up real soon…like next week. This is a two man show that was originally my annual solo exhibition held at Smile Gallery in Philadelphia, PA hence the name Popadelphia. If you want to see my latest works of art then this is your opportunity to come and check out some of my most recent.

The gallery is located at 105 South 22nd Street above the thai fusion eatery that is a part of the whole experience when you visit the gallery. Opening reception is scheduled for September 11th and starts at 6:00pm until 9:00pm. I hope to see you there.

< For those of you who don't check in regularly with the retail side of this website, I would like to Inform you of the new designs that are created from my custom toys. I have blown them up and stretched them out onto nice clothes that you can rock showing your support of the new direction I have taken my clothing line from the very simplistic Red Balloon design to my offshoots under the KaMo brand.
If you don't have a piece of mine yet then you owe yourself a treat and the clothes are a lot less expensive than trying to purchase one of my original canvases or custom designer toy sculptures which will be on display next month at Smile Gallery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is scheduled to open on September 11,2009 through to October.

I have been speaking with my artist friends and they have decided to join me in making beautiful images throughout the city with or without permission. We feel that the city is overrun by mouth all mighty folks that don’t know how to get down and dirty to create change for our town. I truly believe it should start with visual enhancement so people can have something to look at while visiting the downtown area that doesn’t even have a major retailer willing to open up for business.Wil Kasso mural with Red Balloon embellishment by KaMo