I am going to the Taxpayer March on Washington

MachinePolitick is going to Washington DC!

September 10 – 13, 2009, I will be joining thousands of other Patriotic Americans who are fed up with the growth of government, federal spending, and bureaucratic intervention in our personal lives. The Tea Party Movement and it's supporting foundations have organized a March on Washington for 9/12. Some of us will be visiting Walter Reed Hospital on the evening of the 11th to say thanks to our wounded soldiers as well.

There is an itinerary of events and speakers for the event in addition to the March that will occur on 9/12.

I was not expecting to attend the event, but a generous fan of my art has offered to take me along. I will be making posters and T-Shirts for the March to the Capitol on 9/12. The posters are handmade, signed and numbered. If you see me there and you would like to have one, be sure to ask. I will gladly give you one while they last. Thanks you to all of you who continue to support my work and efforts with your encouragement and inspiration. I appreciate the opportunity to fight for my country in the only ways that I can – through activism and artistic expression.

Local Updates for Atlanta

I will be participating in the one day show in Norcross as planned, thanks to friends and family who are handling the artwork for me while I am gone. I will be unable to attend the show because I will be in Washington, but I would still urge those of you in Atlanta who can make it to go. The paintings included in this show are: The World According to Alice, Don't Cry for Me Amerika, Silence of the Lambs, and How to Exorcise Conservative Thought in an Artist.

I now have 4 paintings at the Duluth Art Gallery, along with my handmade jewelry. The paintings are: The Sun is Setting on Liberty; The Jersey Girls...; Drill, Drill, Drill; and Spinning With the Winds of Change.

I have a hand-painted violin blank on display at Chocolate Perks, in downtown Duluth. The month of September, Duluth Art Gallery and Huthmaker Violins are sponsoring Street Strings, a community art project. Violins are hanging throughout the shops and along the streets of downtown Duluth, representing the talents of over 100 local artists and organizations.

Check back with me at MachinePolitick.com in the weeks to come, as I will have lots of information and projects to share after the March on 9/12. There is also new work to be added, and an online store should be up soon for those of you who are interested in T-Shirts and other merchandise.

Thanks, and keep up the fight,

Frances

http://www.machinepolitick.com/

Support from Afar

I'll keep this one short since it's personal. I have a fan in Thailand who owns one of my Liberty drawings. He recently got it framed and sent me the photo and a short blog post. I just wanted to say thanks, and give a link to his blog which I find interesting. Last October, we did an interview, which you can find here.

I'm glad to know there are still people out there who understand what Liberty means and are helping spread the word. Thanks Gary Dale and good luck.

I've been busy lately

Here is a hodge podge of things I have been reading, writing, or working on the last week:

The Day Racism Died, by Jay @ The Break Room This is an editorial on President Obama's recent comments, which he later retracted to a degree, regarding the actions of a police officer doinghis job. Most of you here know how I feel about Obam, so I will leave you with the article.

A series of work @ Big Hollywood by Scott Graves: Warhol, Parts 1, 2, 3, 4 Let me say this: "I can't stand Warhol's work". However, this series of articles raises some good questions about art. marketing, philosophy, and our future as Conservatives (those of us who are) in the creative industries. If you have time, read the whole series and chip in on the comments. I found it worth the time.

A Contradictory Exhibit of Art in Search of Dialogue an article about an art show I attended recently. Those of you who are artists or members of the larger art community should be fore warned: I have very strict guidelines for what I consider art, particularly good art. You may be offended by my opinions. Keep in mind that art is subjective, and opinion is opinion. I definitely have a bias, given my treatment by the art community. When people start telling you to tone it down a bit so you can sell your work, you tend to get a little offensive.
To the rest of you, enjoy. This article is particularly appropriate in conjunction with the Warhol series.

Integrity

"Integrity can neither be lost nor concealed nor faked nor quenched nor artificially come by nor outlived, nor, I believe in the long run, denied." Eudora Welty

A good friend of mine sent me this quote one day as a compliment. I'm not sure if I always live up to it, but I do the best I can. This is a difficult path I've chosen, although I wouldn't have it any other way. I work very hard, and it helps to know that someone has so much faith in my efforts and abilities.I am not just an artist, although that can be difficult enough. I am a political artist, which sometimes makes people uncomfortable or angry. I am also a Conservative, which is a very unpopular viewpoint in the art community. That is why I have teamed up with Modern Conservative to start the Declarationist Art Movement and Liberatchik. We want to create a place where artists, like myself, from all genres can come together for support and encouragement. We are creating a place where we can be recognized for our talents, but more importantly, supported in our ideals. All of this is being done with the goal of creating a larger community, awareness by the average American, and eventually patronage by those who are willing and able to help us in our endeavors. I look forward to the day when artists can express their thoughts through their talents - openly, and uncensored.
Meanwhile, I am a mom and wife. I struggle to balance my passion for my art and politics with my love for my family. My days can be long sometimes, and I often want to take a break. Sometimes, I don't feel like staying up late to write. I just want to paint, or sleep, or play with my son. A year ago, I wouldn't have thought I'd be blogging regularly. It's time consuming, requires me to be on the computer instead of painting, and I didn't consider myself to be a writer. Then Christopher approached me with this project, and within 6 months, we've launched it. Currently, I'm working on a guidebook and planning to set aside time to start approaching other artists.This project isn't just about me or Christopher. Yes, I want to make a living from my work. I can't continue to work on this project or stay home to paint without money. However, I know from experience how hard it is to get started as an artist. I hope I can help and inspire other artists out there to get involved and be active politically as well as artistically. I genuinely believe that the future of our country is being shaped by media, culture and the arts. Marketing is everywhere and influences everything we do on a subconscious level. If we are to combat the Liberal stranglehold on entertainment and our culture, we have to fight back on a creative level.
I know from speaking to people that they want to be entertained by something meaningful. They want art that they like because they agree with it, not because it's the latest trend. They want to see movies that don't stereotype them as evil, listen to music that doesn't berate them, and see to a comedian who isn't insulting and demeaning them. We can give it to them. It takes the simple qualities of strength and integrity to take the first step in that direction. Stand tall, make a statement, back it up with facts, and have the strength to stand firm. One step at a time; we can do this.
If you are an artist, who shares our views, get in touch with me. You can participate openly, or not. Just knowing you are there is encouraging. If you know someone in the arts who qualifies, send them the link. We'd love to see their work and get in touch with them. If you know people who collect art, and share our views, let them know we are here. Word of mouth is one of our biggest tools. Once we have the support, we can start organizing shows and raising awareness on a grand scale. In the meantime, I am working with my friend Alvaro to put on a show. I'll keep you updated as we get closer to achieving that goal. Thanks to all of you who are showing your support for us before we are 'cool'. We greatly appreciate it.

This article is cross posted at Liberatchik.

My friend Alvaro, has a few words for Janeane Garofalo

Acceptable hate mongering?
Yeah, I think I get it. If you’re a media personality of mediocre talent and dubious intelligence like...uh...gee, there’s so many to choose from. Oh, I know, let’s go with Janeane Garofalo now that she’s decided to be a spokes-puke for the party of “love, openness and diversity” again. Anyway, apart from proving you’re not smart enough to keep your mouth shut, what happens if you’re a media personality of mediocre talent and dubious intelligence? And, you openly preach the most vile form of inflammatory hatred towards an entire group/race of people in today's politically correct climate?
You get a pass and high fives from the MSM of course, but why? The answer is complicated, but I did cover one of the reasons in my “Formula for Hate” piece in one sentence: “Politically, it’s OK to hate the white man!”Especially if you’re an over-paid, protected, elitist and self loathing, 'guilty for the sins of others' white American actress. Who also has the backing of a more than willing, biased media with the journalistic standards of a totalitarian state at your fingertips, providing you with the largest platform in the world to spout your unbridled disgust for people of differing opinions. This, anytime your little mind and huge ego coupled with an inferiority complex desires some instant gratification, while some host comes as close to stroking it for you as possible, considering how close you are not willing to get to another human being. And, when your needs have been satisfied because you’re a selfish, self-centered, angry and hate-filled excuse for a human being with absolutely no consideration for others, you turn your back, walk away and return to your lonely little world without ever having to look back or in the mirror. Thank your higher power!
Her talent is questionable. What is not in question about her and far too many of these so-called “artists” is their ability to memorize lines. And, quite frankly, how hard is that? That is why I have no problem questioning Garofalo’s much-touted intelligence, or was that just Bill O’Reilly doing that? Why people feel the need to pander to these low-lifes is beyond me. Just get on with the interview and be done with it? I have seen no proof of her “intelligence” unless prepared hate speech rhetoric that goes unchallenged by other geniuses, like Olbermann, is proof of that. Yeah, she kinda/sorta looks and sounds smart in an MSNBC cool kids on the same block kind of way, but how would she do without the approving nods from the yes-men she seeks out? Who, would gladly get on their hands and knees to provide her a soapbox to climb onto from where, up high, she can preach to the choir? It’s easy to look and “act” smart when you recite your lines in front of like minded followers and simpletons knowing full well that no one in the room will question your bullshit! Wow, isn’t it inspiring how courageous these traitors to the truth are? What’s worse: the bold-faced lies they tell or the fact that some of these intellectuals believe this stuff? I know which one is more pathetic but, either way, they must be called out on it every single time, from now on. There is no statute of limitations on hatred. She does not get a free pass because the moment has passed.
I happen to know a few people who attended those tea parties and without reservation I can say that they are the furthest thing from ignorant redneck extremist racists that I can think of. This Ya’mean Garofalo has made this personal and you don’t get to “move on” as far as I’m concerned. If she’s considered talented, then I have a young tea party attendee and artist friend who is obviously a freaking genius when compared to the likes of her. And, she can easily wipe the floor with Garofalo in a debate about politics, culture and the arts. I think it would be very clear who the ignorant bigot would be in that encounter.Come to think of it, since you mentioned someone else by name, Janeane, why don’t you step up to the plate and have a one on one with Michelle Malkin, without a liberal moderator and a liberal audience stacking the deck and see who is more informed about the Constitution, The Boston Tea party, taxes, immigration, civil rights, politics, racism, history, congress, the law...you name it! No moderator, no time limit, no crib notes and no interrupting the other as they speak. Well, to that end, there would have to be some kind of guideline about give and take considering the provable fact that liberals love to use their weapon of choice...debatus interruptus. They can’t help themselves. They do it constantly and speak longer while, saying less, knowing full well the conservative penchant for being courteous, even when it’s to their own disadvantage. To that I say, conservative talk shows, it’s time to get a pair and stop letting Ann Coulter (thank you) do all the heavy lifting. Your need to look and sound fair is getting in the way of doing what you’re supposed to do, which is get the message out and prove these lemmings to be the uninformed “lying liars” they are, especially when they lie to your face. That’s their job and apparently they deserve a raise while you deserve to be replaced...”you’re fired!”
Change”?: LIARS!!! Try it...say it out loud! I am tired of you talking-heads going on these television debates just to sit there while these people make you look like fools because you don’t want to appear unkind. ”How’s that working for you?” There is too much to lose and the fact that most self-described liberals seem to be unaware of it because they can’t think for themselves is more the reason to state the facts and let the people decide who is telling the truth. After all, it’s easy enough for anyone listening to do some research and find out, but they won’t even know to try if you don’t give them a reason to. Don’t waste those valuable opportunities by trying to be decent to people who couldn’t care less about decency, reason, discourse, the truth, or us the “little guys” they so profess their love and care for!These people are on a mission and they’ve been winning for so long now that they are delusional and don’t even care about appearances anymore. Especially now that they are, in fact, in charge of appearances. Right or wrong, their agenda, and therefore, their message is all that matters to them and you’re on the front lines and close to being the only thing standing between them and the truth. This is not about converting those angry old never-worked-a-day-in-their-lives, upper middle class entitled career students/educators/politicos and their militant left-wing strong arm wannabes.
MOB RULE” detail: This is about giving an informed “choice” to all the young people who are starting to watch, listen and learn because their lives are being affected by the political going-ons in this country and the rest of the world. Give them the chance to learn and participate, don’t let these cowards of discourse win fourteen out of every fifteen rounds you go with them because you don’t want to come off as unreasonable or worse...”not very nice!” Rope-a-dope tactics clearly aren’t working for you, give it up while there is still more than enough of us to keep this fight alive in this sovereign nation with all the liberties we have enjoyed for over two hundred years. We cannot afford to lose this fight because our elected officials will not stand up to bullies. Do you really want to wake up some day and say, “If only I had...?”What are you gonna do then? By that time the fight will seem like it was lost a long, long time ago and my kids will be grown up and living in what will feel like some distant galaxy compared to the beautiful (yes, we have are faults) country I grew up in. And, all because somewhere along the way Americans forgot where they came from and what made this the greatest nation on earth (ever) and lost it in less time than anyone could have imagined. Whether you are religious or not, something divine happened here when those great men convened and drew up the Constitution of the United States of America and it’s time to fight to preserve it, just like they fought and died to make it possible. It is timeless and so dead-on, that only power-hungry bottom feeders would need to reinterpret it because in the real world, they would get their asses kicked every time. These people are incapable of winning on an even playing field. Can you say Air America? So, they must “CHANGE” the rules and “yes we can” stop them.
What they have learned well is that if they promise enough sheeple that they can have everything everyone else has without the struggle and hard work, they will get their votes and they (Franken) can steal the rest. Then they can change the laws and what the ignorant voters don’t understand is that when their saviors are in charge that nothing (their promises) or no one (people who voted for them) matter any longer. They never did!
INFECTIOUS” detail: Nothing else matters but power, just look at Hugo Chavez, los Castro’s, Kim Jong-il, the puppet masters who pull Mahmoud Ahmadejinad’s strings and their mentors: Hussein, Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot and numerous others, all of them recent history. Haven’t we learned yet? Instead, today’s mouth-pieces spend their time and energy focusing on pointing out the absolute evil that is/was Bush because it works. The idiots bought it. Did you “assistants to crack whores” notice what happened to the monster that was Bush?He graciously put aside his plans for world domination and then passed the baton to the opposition in a post election ceremony...hmmm? “Only in America” could that happen. That just proves that this is still the one place on earth where that kind of freedom of speech (so far) is still not only tolerated, but defended by all of us who are aware that everyone, no matter how ridiculous, vile, inflammatory or stupid they may sound, should be able to speak their mind. It’s the only safe solution to a serious problem and there are laws on the books for those who cross the line from trash talk to violence. However, since there seems to be an argument against certain types of speech, from the left, of course, let me say that the freedom to speak your mind doesn’t mean that those who disagree with you should shut up, go away and/or die. Ya wanna be stupid and hateful in public, go ahead. But the days of media whores slipping away afterwards and the double standard where they try to outlaw (Fairness Doctrine) that freedom from those who disagree with them is over. Although not related directly to the current re-emergence by the democrats to shut down talk radio (for now, who’s next?) through nefarious means, the Dixie Chicks are a good example of what I mean. Remember them? The lie that they were “victims” of censorship was laughable considering they loudly complained about their loss of free speech in every major magazine, newspaper, television show, news network, radio station, music venue, awards ceremony, mini-mall and gas station in this country and around the world. “Only in America!” All this free publicity came about because in their effort to be liked even more in front of an audience in England, one of them spoke her true feelings and water cooler wisdom on Bush. Fine, that’s her right. In turn, their (up to the moment they got wind of this) fans in the good ‘ole USA responded with their own truth and their pocketbooks and suddenly it was an issue about censorship and they (the Chicks) became victims. Cry me a pop/rock/country song! I’d also like to say that in all of the interviews they gave I never once heard a single informed remark by these chicks in defense of their views. It would become the “Bush is stupid and I should know” syndrome, which seemed to be the pandemic of the time.
What is happening is that we have the majority of all media virtually in lock-step with the Democrat Party and a Republican Party that acts like being demonized by the media for speaking their mind is a new weapon. It seems they have not noticed that this modus operandi has been going on for several decades and their pathetically slow reaction has cost them, and more significantly, their constituents a lot of ground while the democrats (hypocrites) get away with calling the republicans the control freaks. Oh, and these liberal politicians are so nice about it, aren’t they? Promising to save everyone from those mean old nasty rich (dems are richer) status quo (again, dems) white (ditto) power hungry (yeah) political devils with equal opportunity, freedom of speech, the pursuit of happiness...wait a minute, isn’t that what the Constitution is all about...who needs any of them?The liberal progressives or “make ‘em do it our way” party is actually promising a utopia in a world that they themselves have painted as full of humans who are incapable of caring for their fellow man, because it’s the nature of the beast (no evolution there) and there's nothing that can be done about that! They say that on one talk show when it’s convenient, and then go right next door to another studio and tell everyone there how, with them in, charge we can all be one big loving family (instant evolution) and live happily ever after. “Yes We Can” and all you have to do is vote for them! I’ll vote for them when one of them can tell me one place and time that anything like socialism, communism, nepotism (ok, that one works), togetherism or any other ‘ism has ever worked out? Just once?
Sadly, enough people are falling for this bread and circuses campaign while they go about their busy Dancing with the Stars, American Idol and Obama worship and text messaging days while fearing the latest MSM (traitors) distraction (pandemic) from the real dangers (loss of our sovereignty) as they fill up on change, hope and unity ramblings from politicians who have done very little in over two-hundred years to truly change the plight of the underclass. Nothing has ever worked better than allowing people (individuals) the ability to make it on their own terms, to keep their earnings for themselves and their families and to share it with their neighbors as they see fit, not as some government employee sees fit.With obvious exceptions like the civil rights movement, not a whole lot has changed for the better recently and it’s gotten worse in the last one hundred plus days now, that’s for sure! It’s time for those of us who are awake to take this fight anywhere, anytime and “by any (peaceful) means necessary” so long as those who would put their hands on us control themselves. But make no mistake, we will not be intimidated by the ramblings of celebrities or by the fear mongering of those in power. This is our country, not a select few's and we will not go quietly into the night!
LOCK ‘N LOAD”: This is not only “A Call to Artists” or conservatives, liberals, libertarians, independents, moderates or others who think they already have a dog in the fight, but want better than this constant in-fighting. It is a call to all of us who love diversity as it already exists in the world and that will surely disappear if anything that reeks of “one world” dogma takes hold and the freedoms already given to us by our founding fathers slip away. It is our duty to pass on to our children what has finally worked and is already ours, not what has failed repeatedly throughout history!

Alvaro's art can be viewed and purchased at his web site.

Painting With My Apprentice

I just posted an article about my recent painting day with Avery. For those of you who don't know me, he is my son. It was a rainy day and he enjoys painting with me. I thought it would be nice to post something nonpolitical for a change.
Here are some additional pictures of Avery's artistic creations. Bear in mind that he is four, so they may seem a little bizarre. I did not help him with any of his work. If any of you have kids, you know they don't appreciate being helped.

My Upcoming Art Show

This is a group show with the ladies I meet for a painting group every week. Everyone is invited to attend, and I will link to my featured paintings below the info. I hope to see you there!

Color, Light, and Shadow

exhibit by Buford Artists' Group Sugar Hill, GA

The public is cordially invited to view the 'Color, Light, and Shadow' exhibit by the Buford Artists' Group at the Peoples Bank & Trust; 255 Peachtree Ind. Blvd.; Sugar Hill, GA to be held from 2/26/09 - 3/31/09. The Meet the Artists' Reception to be held on Saturday, March 14th from 10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon. Please contact Julia K. Hall (jhall@PeoplesBankTrust.net) for bank hours and directions.
The sun is Setting on Liberty
My Scarlet Liberty
Spinning with the Winds of Change
Frances and Avery

An Artist's Perspective on Being a Modern Conservative

New article at Modern Conservative

My New Friends

I have been invited by Modern Conservative to start a movement promoting Conservative artists.
Hopefully the project will lead to new and exciting things for both of us. In the mean time, here is my introductory post at Modern Conservative.
I plan to write articles for them regularly, commenting on what it is like to be an artist who is neither Liberal, nor afraid to say so. I'll be posting about my art and politics in general, as well as my experiences in the worlds of art and politics. Hopefully, you will look forward to seeing links to those articles here.
The goal is to network with and help promote other artists and raise awareness for our work. I hope you will wish us luck, and pass us on to your friends. This is a very flattering and exciting opportunity for me.I look forward to helping them build a base of Conservative artists as well as reach out to the Conservative community to make them aware that they can find art from their perspective.

Artist Statement

My work is about a variety of people and subjects that affect our lives. It is meant to engage the viewer and make them think about the world in which we live. These paintings are not being completed in an order that is relative to one another. Sometimes I just get really angry about some thing or a person or event becomes a big news story and I get inspired to work on that subject. My work is mostly meant to point out the role we allow others to play in our lives. I am most interested in the role lobbyists, unions, activists, media and celebrities play in controlling or influencing our lives through our government and their views. And, of course, there are the politicians and judges who have the most direct control over our lives.
My work is also a response to the overwhelming tendency of the art community to be a bunch of raging Liberals. There seems to be very little political art dedicated to any other point of view. I hope that one day there will be a greater variety of opinion in the art community. I would also like to see our government break out of the nearly rigid two-party system we currently have. Our government has begun to stagnate, and the politicians, regardless of party, are predominantly concerned with pandering to their constituents and making a buck, rather than doing the job they are elected to do. In the future, I have plans to do some work highlighting people I think have had a positive impact on history as well as people I admire or consider to be heroes.
My work is my personal outlet for my political opinions. I have found that it is not a constructive use of my time to discuss politics with most people and only causes stress to those involved. I am not out to change anyone else's point of view. I believe in the strength and beauty of the human spirit and in an individual's ability to govern their own life. Life and freedom are not given to us by our government. We are born with them and are responsible for maintaining them. We are responsible for our own health, morality and support. We need to realize that the decisions we make affect our lives and are our own responsibility. It is not the government's place to care for us or help us when we make the wrong decisions and harm ourselves. Nor does the government have the right to punish us for doing better than those around us and redistribute our wealth or property for the "public good".
It is the government's job to perform the duties outlined in the Constitution: provide for the national defense, maintain the courts defend the rule of law, and coin money. Everything else should be left up to private enterprise. The government should not be our nanny, or allow special interests to influence the actions of our Representatives. And, God forbid, world opinion should ever be taken into consideration. There are too many people who consider themselves to be morally or intellectually superior to the "masses". Whether or not that is reality is debatable, but they don't have the right to interfere with anyone's life but their own. I hope my work will make you more aware of these issues and influence you to do what you can to change the system.
E-Mail: frances@machinepolitick.com WEB SITE: www.machinepolitick.com