RM1

RM1 - 17" x 29"

Key To The Highway

The Big Bill Broonzy/Charles Segar blues classic, covered by everyone and his dog. I recorded this a long time ago, and I still like it - the solo is killin'! I put some old photos to it, in sepia, and added the film grain. And the vocal? Your's truly....believe it or not. Hope you enjoy it!

Saving Face

Thought I had deleted the Facebook account months ago, but apparently it only deactivates - until you get shamed into starting it up again. That place is an addictive time-waster, but I have found some long lost friends, and that has been a nice surprise. I probably won't be putting much art on there, leaving that for the website and blog.

Nicholas Simmons Facebook page

If you're on the Book, gimme a look!

"Innovative Watermedia" DVD On Sale!

Creative Catalyst Productions is offering a great sale price on my Innovative Watermedia DVD, celebrating the recent PWS award. See more on the CCP blog here.

If you are interested in more information about the DVD, or want to order, please use this link.

Thanks again to the great people at CCP, and thanks to all who have purchased the DVD and given us such wonderful feedback!

Why Spanish People Rule!

Down? Blue? Worried about the economy? Wondering what kind of world you brought your children into? Wishing Sarah Palin would just go away...forever and ever?

I know.

This fantastic song will cure what ails you, even if it gives you the bilirrubina! Keep your eye on the background singers - that's how I want to dance, and I'm learning how. That's all I want to do, and I'll be happy. Muy muy feliz!

PWS Gold Medal 2009

Nassau #4: Bay St. Girl - 38" x 38" (97 x 97 cm)

I learned this week from Debi Watson that this painting won the 30th annual Pennsylvania Watercolor Society exhibition, which is a major show with international entries. I got the same award last year for Tokyo Express, so I'm very surprised and of course very honored. There is some fantastic work represented: John Salminen (2nd), George James (3rd), and a number of other name painters. Carol Pickle, one of my favorite artists, judge.

The opening and awards are tomorrow at Goggleworks, a totally boss art center in Reading, PA.

PART II

The opening at Goggleworks was very well-attended, there must have been hundreds of people going through the Cohen Gallery and the rest of the complex. This show has a lot of outstanding work, I saw other paintings by Denny Bond, Dottie Burton, Jeanne Dobie, Z.L. Feng, Andrew Kish, Chris Krupinski, Jean Uhl Spicer (judge 2008), Mel Stabin, James Toogood, Patrick Varriano, and many other noted watercolorists -- too many names to list. Bay St. Girl is hanging at the entrance of Goggleworks, a nice location! Thanks again to PWS, Pat Cook (juror of selection), and Carole Pickle (juror of awards). The show hangs until September 11.

"Virtuoso Guitar Duos" Released!!!

August 1 is always a special date, being Tommy Bolin's birthday. I was invited by Johnnie Bolin to play the annual Tommy Bolin Fest in Sioux City which takes place today, but couldn't make it out there, and really wanted to be here for the release party of Manuel Barrueco's new CD, Virtuoso Guitar Duos. This spectacular recording also features young Italian superstar, Franco Platino. I'm very honored to have been asked by Manuel to do the cover of the CD, and we ended up using a painting of mine, La Vida Breve. I thought designing it around a mirror image of the painting would be appropriate for the duo concept, and I'm quite proud of the result. Even more so, as Manuel and Franco play a new arrangement of de Falla's La Vida Breve on the recording!

The party is today at Manuel's house, and among the guests will be some of the best young classical guitar virtuosos in the world - many of whom are or have been students of Manuel. As the guitar has been the major force in my creative life, and Manuel its acknowledged classical master of the modern era, you can imagine how thrilled I am.

Thank you, Manuel and Asgerdur. Abrazos!

The new CD is available here.

See the extensive (and autobiographical) post I made about Manuel a few months ago here.

Manuel.....Tommy.....what a day! I'll post some photos here tomorrow.

PART II

Well, it was everything I could have dreamed of and more. About 25 people arrived at Manuel and Asgerdur's house at 4:00, and I was the last to leave at 1 AM! Fantastic food, endless wine and champagne, heartfelt toasts, and a number of the best contemporary classical guitarists, from all corners of the globe. I would list the names, but I'd forget someone, and a few will soon be making appearances in this blog. And of course with Manuel himself, it really was Ground Zero of the classical guitar world. It was a beautiful evening, and eventually we all congregated outside on the deck overlooking the swimming pool and grounds of Casa Barrueco. There we were regaled with stories told by a humble and charming raconteur, the man who has brought unprecedented joy, inspiration, and wonder into our lives. I made a lot of friends last night, and realize the unique circumstances of our meeting created a bond that will never be broken.

Franco Platino, Manuel Barrueco, Nick