Dallas Art: July Art & Coffee at It’s a Grind

Art Love Magic’s July Art & Coffee seemed bigger and livelier this time around.  Hustle and bustle from the street brought to life a pulsating buzz that reverberated throughout the corridor. Dehvon and Tori pranced playfully around each other as they painted unicorns and a kitty mask. Dean Dillinger smiled wide as we exchanged cordial greetings. Dj Night Nurse boiled over with cheerfulness as we embraced and discussed the event.

I stopped to talk with multiple parties before I made my way inside It’s a Grind. While I waited in line for a cold refreshment, Carl Young stepped up to center stage and serenaded the audience with his soft inviting voice. It still amazes me how much talent is lurking around every corner at Art Love Magic events. I’ve talked to Carl countless times and I never knew his voice sounded like nature’s breath of fresh air. I looked on with admiration as water filled my eyes. The sheer beauty of his voice overcame me and I got swept away with the moment.

Ashton Cherry walked up just as I was snapping back to reality. I’d hung out with this guy at least 10 times before and I still didn’t know his name. We talked for a while before I broke away to investigate the art collection next to the coffee line. Curtis Fesser was in the middle of crafting a fine-tuned sculpture when I walked up and perused his collection of collage tidbits. So much creativity sprang to life inside his metal contraption and picturesque medley. The price was almost too good to pass up, but atlas I held on to my cash. A feeling inside me struck a nerve, urging me to wait.

Venus art

It was hard to ignore Venus’s vintage vitality decorated with saucy feminine wiles. Venus is a self-proclaimed contemporary renaissance artist. It was obvious at first glance that her creativity wasn’t limited to the canvas. As I watched her paint, I noticed she herself embodied a true work of art. Ashley Jones‘ crazy doll collection caught my eye before I strolled out the door and I just couldn’t resist capturing a snap shot of her vivid vessels of the recycled afterlife.

I strolled back outside with a fresh tea in my hand and asked Jerod Alexander what his friend’s name was again. He smiled, “his name is Ashton.” I almost kicked myself, how could I forget a name like that? I continued down the line until I fell upon EPG Photography. Their abstract photographs of real life left me pondering my existence. I’m still a much bigger fan of Jasna Boudard’s artistic delights, but I could see the thoughtful perspective looming behind EPG’s ideas.

Old Half Moon Design Studio made my want to roll the dice with one of Becky Talor’s creations but something gnawed inside of me and screamed, ‘WAIT DAMN YOU, it’s coming!’ I quickly moved away from the booth in case my shopping addiction took control. I kept looking for an artistic love interest of the night and finally I found my home.

Brandon Douglas stoically looked out into the crowd from his solitary booth. His restless energy of chaos lingered in the air as I studied him from afar. The dichotomy of simplicity and eccentricity of his aura confused me at first. But once he opened his mouth I got a better idea where his artistic genius came from, “I really don’t care if you buy any of my art, I really don’t want to sell it!” I’m usually a quick study but my comprehension of the obvious turned to confusion, “then why are you.. selling them?” Brandon let out a big huff and continued, “Because my friends think I need to sell these items. I shouldn’t be keeping all this good stuff to myself.” I shrugged, “I definitely agree with them there!” That’s when I saw her, my blue beauty. She was vulnerable and sexy as hell, I completely identified with her at that moment. I waved at Brandon as I stared, “how much for her?!?” He looked over, “That painting costs $100.” I looked up a little sad, “Do you take credit cards.” His face hardened, “No.” I wasn’t going to give up that easy, “look I have $60 and I’m willing to give it to you and let you keep the painting. Look at it as a deposit. Then when I get the painting from you next week I’ll give you the rest.” Brandon accepted my offer and I took one last look of my beauty before I continued on to the next event.

Crown and Harp’s small assembly left plenty of room for me to spread my wings. However, I’ll be the first to admit that I can go a little over board when art, music and alcohol are involved. Blame it on the heat or my warm blooded nature but I can’t contain the Schmidty machine switched on full force. Tape Masta Steph laid down some funky beats to move my feet. I closed my eyes, kicked off my shoes and let go of my reservations. But before I knew it that creepy carpet dance floor in the Crown and Harp exposed my Achilles heel and I was out for the count.

The straw that broke the camel’s back (yes I’m the camel in this scenario) left me crippled both emotionally and physically. I left my dignity on the dance floor that night when I gave myself whip lash from dancing too hard and too long by myself. Everything started moving in slow motion as I made my way back to my chair. Bryan looked over casually (I don’t think he realized the extent of the damage), “Are you ready to go home?” I moved my entire body to look over at him while hissing in pain, “I can’t move, I’m in a lot of pain. I need you to hurry and go grab the car.” He ran up to the bar and closed our tab while I sat there motionless staring straight ahead.

A huge crowd of artists from the event flocked to the dance floor and I sat there watching them enviously. Nicolle Stanley was the only person who noticed my anguished face. She approached me with caution, “are you ok?” I looked up blankly, “I threw my back out and I can’t move.” Tears steadily streamed down my face as the embarrassment set in. While Bryan ran to get the car, Nicolle grabbed Edgar Allan Flow and asked him to escort me. He helped me to my feet and held me upright as I stumbled down the stairs.

My back was screaming in agony by the time I laid down in the passenger seat of Bryan’s car. My weekend and life flashed before my eyes as I envisioned a helpless crippled version of myself. At that moment I realized I was not indestructible and I needed to start acting my age.

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