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Howie Green News & Events
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Off to London, again
12/22/07: Howie and friends Tom Michaelson and fellow painter/teacher Anita Shaw trotted off to London in December for week of fun and frolic and silly hats. Howie and Tom met Anita in London on her return from a teaching gig on a North Seas Cruise. Having become very familiar with London over the last few years and many visits Howie served as tour guide with trips to the National Portrait Gallery to see the Pop Art show (Boy, do Londoners LOVE Pop Art), high tea at Harrods, roast beef dinner at Simpson's On The Strand, a boat tour to Greenwich, walking, shopping, more walking, gallery visits, and more walking. And, we can't wait to go back again. And of course no visit anywhere is complete without the purchase of silly hats.
Howie paints Bob Dylan movie poster
11/20/07: To celebrate the opening of I'm Not There, Todd Hayne's extraordinary bio-pic of Bob Dylan, Howie has done a painting of one of the movie's posters. The painting will be on display for a limited time as part of Howie's exhibit at the Kendall Square Cinema in Cambridge, MA which features paintings with images from the world of entertainment including icons, actors, TV stars, album covers and movie posters such as Audrey Hepburn, The Godfather, Marlene Deitrich, Marilyn Monroe, Bewitched, KISS, The Beatles and more. The exhibit is ongoing and is being changed on a regular basis.
Howie's artwork featured on the cover of Boston Living Center 2008 Calendar
11/19/07: The 2008 Boston Living Center desktop calendar is now available at local retailers. The standup calendar features 12 color pieces of art from Boston artists and the money raised from the sales of the calendar goes to help fund the Center's art programs. The Boston Living Center is New England's largest community and resource center for people living with HIV/AIDS, serving over 2,000 people annually. The calendar costs $10 and is also available at the Center at 29 Stanhope Street in Back Bay (617-236-1012).
Howie's hand-painted, one-of-a-kind jumbo popcorn tins now available from Dale and Thomas Popcorn
10/4/07: For the past several months Howie has been in discussions with Dale & Thomas about making plans for a new venture and he has also been doing a series of hand-painted giant gift tins. The tins are exclusively available through Dale & Thomas' web site (CLICK HERE). If you have never tasted any of D&T's amazing popcorn give yourself a treat - the stuff is amazing and their very own gourmet Chef Ed is always creating new flavors so check them out.
Lock the doors - Nellie is on the loose!
9/11/07: Our friend actress Alison Arngrim, celebrated for playing Nellie Oleson the meanest girl on the prairie, was in San Diego for a show and art/Nellie fan Tom Flekner brought one of Howie's Nellie paintings along for Alison to autograph. Pictured here with Tom is Alison mugging it up as usual. Howie's paintings of Nellie are done to help raise money for Protect.org a political action group that Alison does a lot of work for fighting to get existing child protection laws updated and new laws in place. A large portion of the proceeds from the Nellie art goes to Protect.org. - click here to see the Nellie art and add one to your collection. What better way to scare away the neighborhood children?
Fan Tom Flekner and Alison Arngrim with Howie's Nellie painting at a recent San Diego gig. Special thanks to Tom for sending along the photo!
Howie paints image art for Sony/Epic Records artist Fonzworth Bentley
9/3/07: Howie painted artwork that is being used to promote Hip Hop Rapper, Entertainer, Fashion Guru and former P. Diddy personal assistant Fonzworth Bentley. The artwork, seen below, features the silhoutte of Mr. Bentley and his ever-present umberella.
Sun Life Financial commissions paintings for new product launches.
8/6/07: Sun Life Financial of Canada will be featuring a new series of paintings by Howie for their Fall 2007 new Individual Insurance product launches. The new products will be aimed at the Baby Boomers and will feature the "cosmic" artwork on brochures and promotional materials. Howie said "I've been doing a lot of this style of painting recently and was rather surprised that this retro 60's Yellow Submarine style of art has made such a comeback in popularity. Maybe it has to do with the 40th anniversary of the Summer of Love and all with Baby Boomers turning 60 and looking back fondly on that colorful and crazy period of their lives. Plus young kids who have no frame of reference for this art style seem to be picking up on it too!" As a wise man once said, everything old is new again.
Regarding the new look and feel with Howie's artwork Carolyn Forbes, Director of Marketing for Sun Life Individual (US) said "These pop art images reflect the positive energy of one of the most prolific generations in history - both culturally & economically."
Jazz Fish tatoo pics from a fan
8/14/07: We got this photo from Shayla G. showing her new tatoo of Howie's character the Jazz Fish. She sent along this note: "Jazz Fish Zen inspired me, Thank you for writing it."
"I'm extremely flattered that someone would tatoo my artwork onto their body!"
- Howie
Howie's Barbie Doll painting is collector's covention winner!
7/26/07: One of Howie's paintings of the classic Barbie Doll was part of a raffle at the annual Barbie Collectors convention in Washington, D.C. Auction coordinator Allison Kullenberg sent along this note:
"Howie,
I will be sending a formal thank you letter as soon as I get the total dollar amount that the raffle room raised (ticket sales was over $15K). The painting was one of the most popular items in the room, the raffle box for your item was stuffed full and people kept coming up to me to inquire about it.
Regards and Thank You so much!
Allison Kullenberg"
Pictured here is the Babie action winner Leslie holding her prize!
Howie Interview published on comic book art site.
7/3/07: Comic book writer Allen Klingelhoets interviewed Howie about his art and career for Jazma Online. The interview is available online with Howie and Allen discussing everything from Howie's love of comics and classic cars to Howie's book Jazz Fish Zen and his favorite TV shows. Click here to read.
MOREBO releases second album
6/21/07: Morebo, a terrrific retro rock/fusion band named after a character in Howie's book Jazz FIsh Zen: Adventures in Mamboland has released their second album and we just wanted to help spread the work. The album is called Frealize and contains a fresh new batch of great music from Christine Polacci and crew. Check it out!
Howie makes return visit to Dutile School for their Cow Parade art event.
4/26/07: Howie was one of the guests of honor, along with a real live cow, at the Dutile School in Billerica, MA for the unveiling of over 20 cows in the school's cow parade event. The entire school was on full cow alert as the cows were displayed for the first time. Howie viewed the cows and chatted with each of the cow's curators as they discussed the projects and what went into them. After viewing the cows Howie made a presentation to Pricipal Pat Tobin of one of his Flower Cow Herd prints. At an outside assembly Howie spoke to the entire school and told them how impressed he was their creations. "I have to honestly tell you that I think you guys put as much, if not more, creativity, hard work and spirit into your cows as all those professional artists did in Boston last summer!" Hood Dairy donated ice cream treats for the event and WBZ Channel 4 News was on hand to record the event for the evening news broadcast. Congrats to everyone involved for a remarkable job well done!! Click here for more photos of the Dutile Cow Parade
Howie Cosmic Landscape miniature in gallery show for May
4/23/07: One of Howie's cosmic landscape miniature paintings entitled Mindscape 101 was featured in a show called Landscapes/Mindscapes for the month of May at Gallery 181 at 181 Canal St. in Lawrence, MA.
Howie's Biggie Smalls artwork used for tribute album
4/9/07: One of Howie's paintings of rapper Biggie Smalls is the cover of a brand new promotional tribute album from Bad Boy Entertainment, The League, Sirius Radio and Hotcards.com. The album, called Unbelievable: A Tribute to Biggie Smalls, is hosted by Sean "Diddy" Combs and produced by DJ Mick Boogie and Terry Urban.
Upon release of the album Howie received the following email: "I'm a big fan off your work. I was truly impressed with the Notorious BIG art you did for the NAS illmatic album cover. it's one of the most essential albums in hip hop history, thank you." - J. Johnson. To read more details about the album CLICK HERE.
For a free download sample CLICK HERE.
Lifelong rock and roll dream of mine comes true - I meet Grace Slick
3/17/07: Howie here -- Since I first heard her voice singing Somebody to Love in the spring of 1967 I have been fascinated by and crazy for Grace Slick. Grace has long been one of my cultural and creative heros and her outspoken, frank and hilarious public persona is one I have always emulated. Tonight my lifelong dream to meet Grace came true at a special reception when she was in Boston for for a couple of Wentworth Gallery openings.
I love the art that Grace is producing and I love the fact that she has revinvented herself as a gallery artist. As she said "Rock and roll does not age well!" When I first met her she looked at me and told me I looked familiar and wondered if we had met before. I said "Well there was that one memorable night in 1973..." and she looked shocked and said "Really?" I told her I was kidding and she said "Oh hell I *%*#@$ everyone else I might have #*#%$ you too." Then I told her my name and she was flabergasted. In Grace's song Lather there is a lyric that reads "...there was Howard C. Green just turned 33..." and the first time I heard her sing that song (in the summer of 1968?) I was immobile for minutes. Had I just heard Grace Slick sing my name? I played it again and son of a gun - Grace Slick sings my name - I was in heaven. I had to wait almost 40 years to meet the dear woman and tell her the enormous impact she had on my life and it was funny to see her look at me in disbelief. Then, unbeliveably, she started singing the song to me trying to remember the lyrics and laughed out loud. She said she had never met anyone named Howard Green before.
I showed her one of my paintings of her Greatest Hits album cover and she said "As my mother used to say your style is a bit more 'modren' than mine." But then she looked up at her multicolored painting of Jimi Hendrix and compared it to my painting and said "Well, maybe not."
Now in her 60s, and a bit more full of figure Grace is none the less still a stunning beauty - like Liz Taylor kind of beautiful. All the recent photos I have seen of Grace don't come close to doing her justice. She's gorgeous! With a thick head of snow white hair pulled back into a braided pony tail her stunning face is one you won't soon forget. Seeing Grace in person caught me offguard. I've met a lot of celebrities but rarely have I met one who was exactly the way I epected them to be. She made me laugh, I made her laugh and she sang to me. What more could a mere mortal ask for. I did bring my camera but I was so flummoxed that I completely forgot to get a photo...duh!
Anyway, check out Grace's art and dig out that copy of Surrealist Pillow and give it a spin. Spring is here and it's time to feed your head.
Mellow Mushroom in Jacksonville opens with big celebration
3/10/07: Howie was in Jacksonville for the Grand Opening Party for the Mellow Mushroom that features his murals and artwork... see additional photos below. The crowded event was a benefit for the Daniel Foundation youth charity that provides a variety of quality services for youth and families. Much beer was consumed, much food was eaten and a good time was had! Heartfelt thanks to John, David and Jason for everything ... and that Kosmic Karma pizza is out of this world!
Howie helps Dutile Elementary School kick off their Cowabunga Literacy Cow Parade
2/26/07: Howie joined in the throngs of over 500 kids to help the Dutile School in North Billerica, MA kick off their very own home-made cow parade event. Howie showed slides of the cows he painted for the 2006 Boston Cow Parade and talked about the process involved in painting the lifesized bovines. The kids at the school are going to paint 30+ wood cows that will all be tied to a literacy theme. The nice folks at the school thanked Howie by giving him a gigantic basket of home made cookies and one can never have too many cookies. Special thanks to Mary Correia for asking Howie to join in and for coordinating the day. Howie will be returning in the spring to see the finished cows.
Howie completes installation of Mellow Mushroom murals in Jacksonville, FL
2/19/07: Howie spent a week in Florida installing 3 murals and additional art pieces for the new Mellow Mushroom on Fleming Island, Jacksonville, FL. Next time you're in that part of the Sunshine State stop in for some awesome food and one of the most colorful restaurant interiors you'll ever see. Howie got commissioned in January of 2006 to do the mural installations and it took over a year of planning and painting to complete the murals and get them installed.
Owner John Valentino worked closely with Howie and his design team including his partner David Valentino and Jackie Waller of Barganier Davis Sims, Architects to design an exciting and eye popping eating establishment in a brand new shopping area just off Route 17 on Fleming Island. The restaurant, located at 1800 Town Center Blvd. (across the street from the Post Office) features 56 of Howie's original album cover paintings and two 36 feet long murals. One of the murals features celebrties gathered around a bar and the other one features a 6' x 10' original painting of the Beatles Abbey Road album cover as well as Mellow's mushroom "Fun Guys" crossing "Mellow Road".
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