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

History 101 vs. Introduction 102

After reading the Introduction to the July 2009 issue of Juxtapoz to find out what the latest issue was featuring, I was deeply offended. The Editor asks the question: How does the Obama Administration change strict immigration laws to allow foreign artists to live, work and thrive in the United States of America?

Although I have nothing against legal immigration in general, I and some fellow artists find it offensive to focus on artists from other countries instead of those American artists who remain hidden despite having paved the way for this graffiti & street art movement. It seems to me that an entire group of people who have contributed tremendous amounts of creativity to American graffiti & protest art go ignored unless they are in some kind of trouble (arrested), sick on drugs, or half dead on a PBS documentary. Yet, it is the very influence and impression left behind by these unsung pioneers fueling many careers that reach stardom or the “American Dream,” as the Editor puts it.

The Editor blames the dilapidated state of education in America for this cultural over site, and suggests that the Obama Administration would best serve the community by addressing this issue. While I partially agree with that sentiment, I also believe that education goes both ways. The “Art World” – high or low – needs to take a look at itself and realize that there is an unbalanced focus in terms of value exposure & marketing when it comes to educating the public from a cultural perspective.

Aside from music & dance, American museums, galleries, publications, and media tend to overlook the reference source and instead promote its byproducts. Point blank, African American artists have too long been shut out of the American art market. Why look outside the United States for talent when there is a group of indigenous people who have been clamoring for recognition. Before creating any mechanism for importing foreign artists, the existing value at the root of American culture must be mined and utilized.

This letter is my personal opinion and not the subject of my artwork and should be read with that in mind. However I have touched on social political topics that become popular in the media.

Photo:Red Balloon Studio floor ©2001Karey Maurice Counts<br />
This is a story long overdue for publishing that I felt kind of nervous about because of its subject which you will agree when you read about this incrediable work of art that expresses a sentiment far beyond what anyone could imagine a person could create especially when it was completed before the event occured on September 11, 2001 exactly seven years ago tomorrow.

This is a picture of my studio floor here in Trenton New Jersey which was created just three weeks before the horrible destruction of the “World Trade Center Towers” which I witnessed on the television like most people did but while I was watching the horror, “I realized instantly that I had created something that would be one of the most important works of art that I could ever make and now its time to show the world that there is something pure about my version of a “so called” Memorial for the innocent lives that were lost on that tragic day.

If you look carefully you can see many references to NYC and the bullseye in the center pointing towards a one dollar bill with the millitary term “Ground Zero” leading from it.The engineering plans are from New Jersery Transits railcar update plans for trains that definatly traveled through the same tunnel as all the trains into Manhattan encluding the Path system. There are also people in this collage that appear to be floating in the air and some screaming.
What is not visable in the photo is the image of three small airplanes and somewhat of a reference directly to the buildings themselves.
For those who may be interested in how I could come up with such a design to decorate a floor all I can say is “The messages are out there you just have to collect them and put them together at the right time. I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT SO DON’T ASK QUESTIONS,JUST REMEMBER!!-RedSaid

Photo:Grounds For Sculpture Hamilton Nj ©Karey Maurice Counts 2008

“Just to recap a wonderful summer would take several entries on this blog that would probably seem almost nostalgic to a time of discovery when everything seemed new and fresh. And,enerything was new and fresh in places that I had once been before some time ago. I have had many great adventures these past three months despite some of the troubles I’ve had to endure but there’re nothing that would be problematic enough to deter me from living my life happy”.

I have one photo to share with you that somewhat sums up the feeling that I have going on right now as a direct result of me being very lucky to have so many friends that I rely on to sustain my exsistence. I’m not only talking about the artistic side of things in my life, I’m talking about the experiences that surround all of these events that make up a single day.
-RedSaid aka KaM©

I received an invitation to a celebration that I’m sorry I missed two weeks ago. I cannot mention in this entry all the thanks I could give to a person who’s belief in me was pure and honest.

I have other entries that give my respect for Keith Haring and I have some great memories of him that will always be inspirational to me for the rest of my life. I want to say happy belated birthday to a great artist and most of all, a great friend.

The ‘Party of Life’ was the event that I was invited to and I thank whoever sent it to me but, I can’t dance like I use to due to a recent accident and some hearing loss from hanging out in discos for a decade. I was aware of this annual event since its inception at the Paradise Garage back in 1986 and I was surprised to see that somebody wanted to keep the party alive after all this time, kudos to you.
-RedSaid aka KaMo

I can’t believe its true. I was just visiting some friends in Philadelphia this weekend to attend an art opening of all female artist called “The F Word Revisited” curated by my friend Dr. Debra Miller and one of the artist in this exhibition is Andy Warhol’s niece Madalen Warhola who was one of the people who confirmed that Baird Jones died on February 21 2008 of natural causes. He was found in his apartment alone and it appears that no funny business had taken place. The last time I was with Baird was at the Jonathan Le Vine gallery for Doze Green’s exhibition about two years ago and I gave him this pocket painting that I made for him along with some drawings he made me do because he gave a friend of mine a classic Studio 54 drink token and I had to pay for it with the drawings that I did.

I thought that it was a fare trade and didn’t mind doing the drawings and I would only wish that I could do more drawings for him but it is now too late for that. I met Baird Jones like most people did hanging out at “The Underground” on 17th & Broadway at Union Square. He was the guy with the NY Yankees baseball cap and sports jacket with skinny tie at the front door checking if guys were wearing jackets and came with a date or two, or three,or up to five was the maximum allowed.

I’m gonna miss calling the Partyline to find out where the party is and him instructing me on what to wear, what time to be there and helping him promote by handing out passes so everyboby I knew could go out in New York City for Free and have the time of your life. Farewell My Friend the party is on cloud 9 if your interested.
RedSaid aka KaMo

"As I sit here in the studio just trying to reflect on how life has it’s many chalenges and that ,for the most part, I’m glad to have managed to keep going on, not without help of course.I am now preparing for my first solo exhibition in Philadelphia next month and I feel confident that most people will get what I’ve been painting about since I started this career as an artist. I’ve always concerned myself with current subjects that are being forced on us through many sources some old, and some new and I wonder how much information is too much for the human soul.<br />
I wish I could take up every worth wild cause that I am aware of to make the world a better place but, I’m just like everyone else to overwhelmed to step outside of my own personal concerns to act on a good feeling or to be humane to mosquitos.<br />
The day will come when I will feel better about myself enough to take on the "Global Warming"issue that has left me awake at night sweating and wondering if I have perspired too much and that is going to cause me to consume more bottled water than I can afford to drink.<br />
I should be jumping for joy at this chance to exhibit my lifes work on such a scale at this upcoming show but I’ve become comfortably numb to the praise of folks and I just wish I could move some of my stock so that I don’t have to put it back in storage when my thirty days are up at the gallery,"We do take installment payments on items over $200.00 for your information.<br />
HAVE A GREAT SUMMER AND MAYBE I WILL SEE YOU AT MY SHOW!<br />
PLEASE REVIEW BLOG ENTRY: Sunday June 17,2007 FOR MORE INFORMATION. RedSaid

Well I’m sure glad that this one(2006) is finally past us now because I can honestly say that It has been a rough one.
I’m not even going to start this year with one bad thought, especially revisiting the past. I want to begin this first entry of 2007 on a positive note simply saying that “I’m going to reap what I sowed this time. I have done so much opportunity building that I am now waiting for some replies to some life changing situations.The seeds I planted have spent enough time in the ground and are now ready to appear, and grow to eventual fruition.
I am really excited about the events that are going to take place in a matter of weeks and then, as we get further into the year some more good things are going to happen as a result of my dedication to what I know best,”Myself.
I would fill this entry with all the things that I’m talking about but then I would have nothing to write about when the time comes so, for now,I’ll just say that “Its gonna feel like heaven in 2007.RedSaid and Mr. New Year, as well.Peace be your Blessing!