Interview by Tara Sasiadek:

The Buffalo Expat Network, the Emerging Leaders in the Arts and HandsOn Greater Buffalo are pleased to present the echo: Art Fair which connects experienced collectors and first-time buyers with emerging local, regional and international artists in a centralized and creative environment; the Buffalo Central Terminal. echo: Art Fair will showcase a broad scope of fine art disciplines, including painting, photography, sculpture, print, works on paper, video and combined-media. echo will commence with a VIP Reception on July 8th, 2011. On July 9th, the echo: Art Fair will run from 9:30am until 5:30pm. The After-echo party, also to be held in the Terminal, will take place shortly after the ending of the fair featuring live music from The Albrights, Alex Kelly, and will wrap up with a dance party featuring DJ Cutler and AVDJ PROJEX. Here is the next in a series of Buffalo Rising interviews with one of our featured artists, Sean Madden:

Who are you, and what do you do?

My name's Sean Madden and I'm a painter and pen and ink artist. For years, I illustrated covers and interiors for horror and sci-fi publishers. These days, I work mostly with galleries on the east and west coast. I don't really do much illustrating any more, as I prefer to work with my own ideas. Galleries are nicer to work with than publishers, generally.

What are the most essential elements of your work?

There has to be a cathartic, symbolic, socially conscious quality to what I do. There's so much to say about society, and sex, and the archetypes of the unconscious--- and it's all swirling around in my head like a boiling Dionysian stew-- I have to get it out on a canvas or it will kill me. It also has to be unapologetically honest. I have no time to waste on niceties-- there's too much to say. So, naturally my work turns some people off, but it turns the right people on. I don't paint for everyone-- and don't want to.

If you had to choose only 5 materials or tools to work with, what would they be?

Ink, paper, paint, canvas, coffee----

Would you describe your artistic education as a guided or self guided journey?

I was lucky to have some really good teachers early on. They were very aggressive with me. So, I'd have to say, "guided" in terms of skill development. However, it was completely self-guided as far as my surrealistic, controversial subject matter goes. I think it's a personally active process where we're excited by a type of art or an artist and we become motivated to learn more about it. We actively seek it out. Naturally, the things we create take on this style. For me, it was the early surrealists and the underground comic artists of the psychedelic era--- and this all gets channeled naturally through me and shows in my work.

Do you have a connection to Buffalo?

A very significant one, yes. In the 60's, as a young child, I attended PS #21 on Hertel Ave. It's no longer there. That's where I first learned that my drawing skills were different from the other kids. I drew constantly in class, and the teacher never stopped me because it kept me quiet. All the other kids would stand around and watch me draw. I guess it made for an orderly classroom. Later, I was a juvenile delinquent on the north side in the 70's. My friends and I were evil fiends who were constantly in trouble with the police. I was lucky I survived. At seventeen, I got placed in a fine arts apprenticeship with a local art teacher on the west side. It changed my life. I learned how to use light as a tool of expression, and I learned about composition and color. My head exploded with ideas and I was never the same again. I left Buffalo to finish college in Brockport (talk about culture shock-sheesh!) and I haven't lived in Buffalo for over 25 years, but it remains my favorite place to show art and to connect with people. All of my artistic sensibilities developed in Buffalo.

Is there a Buffalo landmark or meal you plan to visit or have while here?

Sadly--- the places I really loved when I was younger are no longer there. My old neighborhood is not what it once was. The old grocery stores that were run by immigrants, the ones with the nasty hunks of cheese and ham hanging from the ceiling--- all gone. My neighborhood library--- closed. The railroad tracks where I smoked and drank cheap wine with wild girls-- all gone. I do still visit the Zoo whenever I can, though-- and I took my own kids there when they were smaller. Life is amazing.

How do you define success as an artist?

It certainly isn't financial, nor is it whether or not you're prolific. I think it's more a matter of trusting your vision and your skills to a degree that allows you to promulgate it publicly without fear (so it's a metaphor for your life in general). For a guy who does flowers and puppies, that's no big deal. For a guy like me-- who does blasphemous, sexually explicit, psycho-representational work-- it's a much bigger deal. I'm not worried about the general public liking my work. After all, they haven't voted for a female president yet, so who cares what they think? The general public is stupid. However the folks who understand my work-- weirdo intelligentsia-- them I care about. Actually-- I think I just came up with a good name for a rock group-- "The Weirdo Intelligentsia!"

Can you share with a us a harrowing tale of an artistic disaster?

I've had tons of shows, and I really have to say that there have been very few problems. Most folks are great, and very supportive, and I'm not so personally connected to the process anymore that I would worry about anything terrible happening. I'd just float through it, really. I've had people get snotty with me because they don't understand my work, but I don't care. People are trained like robots to only appreciate art that makes them feel good. They have a very limited range of artistic appreciation. I'm not interested in that. I just don't care about it. I have a bigger agenda.

Do you have a set schedule for studio time?  How do you structure your creative life?

I work during the day as an elementary school counselor, and I do a LOT of drawing with kids--- probably my best drawings. As soon as I get home from work, I do all of my dad and husband stuff, then I spend the rest of the night in my studio. I'm sketching all the time. I usually have 2-3 paintings or drawings going at once. I LOVE late night FM radio, because that's when the good stuff comes on. I like to paint as late into the night as I can while I listen to trippy music, then I go to bed.

Can you tell us about where you find resources or inspiration for your work?

I think my inspiration stems directly from my identity. I am a walking piece of art-- we ALL are. I have rooms filled with red light and jazz with cigarette smoke in my head. I have broken glass glistening in the streetlights, and rusty swingsets, and moldy garbage, and broken TV sets-- ALL in my head and in my soul. This is who I am, and some of it is from places that don't exist anymore and people who aren't around anymore-- and some of it is from weird dimensions and other planets-- but it's in me, and it comes out on my canvas. Some of this identity is archetypal and innate-- and some of it developed via my experiences here, like a poem.

What quote or mantra or words of wisdom do you have for other creative types?

Drop whatever you're doing and read "Letters to a Young Poet'" by Rilke. Then, read it again.

Where can we find more of your work?

I'm all over the place these days. I'm writing for Churn Art Magazine regularly, and have work featured in the magazine also.

I have t-shirts with my art sold through Die Constant urban fashions up in Vancouver. I'm doing work with the Kymara gallery in Maine/NYC.

I have a show in Rochester on July 1st at Art to Zen-- which I'm very excited about. A lot of my original works were purchased by the Artisan Works Gallery in Rochester, and they're on permanent display there.

I also sell work in Buffalo at Arboreal Ink on Hertel Ave., 464 Gallery on Amherst Street and at the Guerilla Gallery on Elmwood.

For full details on echo: Art Fair, visit the site at www.echoArtFair.com, or find us on Facebook.

Once known as an industrial hot spot, manufacturing in the City of Niagara Falls has been the decline for several decades. As YNN’s Meg Rossman reports, a multi-million dollar expansion at Norampac will mean more jobs for the local economy.

Regier talking with their agents, says team plans on being active during start of free agency Friday.

Thick smoke could be seen as far away as Niagara Falls.

Listen to Nick Mendola live on weekdays from noon-3 p.m.

Hour One: Nick tries to figure out if the world would be a better place if we watched less sports, reviews some Beatles revisionist history, wonders if Mark Grisanti betrayed his constituents and debates the potential Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2011. Nicholas Carr, author of “The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains” also joins the show to discuss the arguments presented in his book.
Download audio file (062811nick01.mp3)
6/28/11 Nick Mendola Hour One

Nick with Nicholas Carr
Download audio file (Nicholas-Carr-062811.mp3)
Nicholas Carr 6/28/11

Hour Two: Estimating lightning strikes, updates on UB football recruits, a look at what the Sabres might do with Tim Connolly and guessing the names of popes.Download audio file (062811nick02.mp3)
6/28/11 Nick Mendola Hour Two

Jordan Johnson the latest to verbally commit to the Bulls.

Gay couples await moment when being wed within law expands the horizons of life

After four sons and a tubal ligation, a mother decides to reverse the process and welcomes daughter No. 1

It was just about a year ago today when I posted on what I felt was an opportunity to take a dead space on Court Street and turn it into a vibrant urban plaza. Since then I have run into various staff members at Visit Buffalo Niagara - VBN (formerly the Convention and Visitors Bureau), and each time I have made it a point to mention the opportunity. Surprisingly, the powers that be expressed a serious interest in the concept and even began to research what it would take to pull it off.

This past Wednesday Dottie Gallagher-Cohen (President and CEO) called me up and broke the news that VBN was moving forward with the plaza concept, and that it was going to be called the Court Street Plaza. At first I didn't believe her... I then thought that I had misunderstood her. After a long silence I asked, "Are you serious?" She told me that she was and that plans were underway to turn the rear end (or side end) of the Convention Center into a people plaza, with tables, patio umbrellas and food.

After the conversation ended, I went back to the post and realized that there had been two issues broached when I wrote the post. The first was, of course, turning the dead space into a place for people. The second was a request for bike racks. When I spoke to Peter Burakowski (Director of Communications) later in the week, I mentioned that the plaza was still in need of bike racks. He told me that he would look into it. I also mentioned that it would be nice to have food options for vegetarians. He said that they were looking into bringing food trucks to the site, and that non-meat eaters would be taken into consideration. He also mentioned that flower planters were on the way, as were new garbage cans.



Today marked the official opening of the Court Street Plaza, and by the looks and sounds of it people are really happy to see the transformation. The patio umbrellas were donated by Coke, and the picnic tables were assembled by the Boy Scouts of America. The steps leading up to the Convention Center have been repaired and bike racks will soon be on the way. I spoke with Ed Healy (VP, Marketing) after the ceremony and we felt that there should be artwork on the wall... or a fountain. We agreed that more greenery would be nice too... and musicians. This was a relatively easy lift for VBN - a big bang for a few bucks. Executive Director Paul Murphy is already planning on hosting VBN cookout events out in the plaza. Hopefully the food trucks will be enough to have food at the site on a daily basis. Eventually there may even be permanent plaza seating and tables. Court Street looked great today with all of the people sitting at the picnic tables and enjoying ice cream served up Bryce's Drive-In cart.

The message is this: there are some easy fixes out there and there are organizations like VBN that are willing to listen. Let's continue to look at these types of opportunities that can add to the quality of life for Buffalonians and visitors to the city.

Saying “the trust bank is empty,” New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman was in town today to introduce Rose McMorrow as the area’s Public Integrity Officer. “As Buffalo’s public integrity officer, Rose McMorrow will give everyday citizens a place to take complaints where they know they can and will be examined without fear [...]

The Buffalo School Board decides not to pursue "no fault" termination clause in contract of superintendent.

State Sen. Mark J. Grisanti angered Republican and Conservative leaders with his vote to legalize same-sex marriage .

The 4th of July falls on a Monday this year, and many communities have already planned their celebrations for Independence Day 2011.

All fireworks displays start at dusk unless otherwise indicated:

Friday, July 1

• Ft. Erie, Friendship Festival at Mather Arch Park
• Niagara Falls, Ontario, Queen Victoria Park, Canada Day (Can be seen on US side)
• Salamanca, Seneca Allegany Casino

Saturday, July 2

• Albion, State Street, 9:45pm
• Buffalo, Riverside Park
• Clarence, Town Park
• Ellicottville, Holiday Valley, following the BPO
• Little Valley, Little Valley Speedway
• Niagara Falls, Seneca Niagara Casino (Rain Date July 3rd)
• Varysburg, Buffalo Hill Village, After Jam in the Valley concert

Sunday, July 3

• Allegany State Park, Quaker Beach Lake
• Buffalo, Coca-Cola Field, following the Bisons game
• East Aurora, Hamlin Park, 10pm
• Evans / Angola, Lake Erie Beach Park
• Newfane, Krull Park
• Silver Creek, George Borello Park (Rain date July 5)

Monday, July 4

• Akron / Newstead, Newstead Town Park
• Amherst, UB North, concert begins at 7pm, fireworks to follow
• Batavia, Dwyer Stadium, after the Muckdogs game
• Buffalo, Erie Canal Harbor
• Buffalo, Riverside Park
• Cheektowaga, Town Park
• Darien Lake
• Dunkirk, City Pier
• Elma, Boys and Girls Club
• Grand Island, Martin’s Fantasy Island
• Lakewood, Hartley Park, 10pm
• Lancaster, Firemen’s Park
• Lewiston, Academy Park
• Lockport, Outwater Park
• Lyndonville, behind the high school, 10pm
• Mayville, Lakeside Park, 10pm
• Niagara Falls, Hyde Park (Rain date July 5)
• Niagara Falls, Ontario. Queen Victoria Park (Can be seen on US side)
• Olean, Bradner Stadium
• Orchard Park, OP Middle School
• Pendleton, Town Park
• Royalton, Royalton Ravine, 10pm
• Springville, Community Town Park
• Tonawanda, Niawanda Park

The mural at McKinley high school is underway. After weeks of preparation (see background), artist Augustina Droze has begun to paint the massive work of art that will eventually portray the parks within the Olmsted Parks System. I was fortunate enough to run into Augustina yesterday morning as she was preparing to go over the process of painting a mural with a Buffalo State College class called Public Art and Murals. Professor Philip Ogle, Chair of the Fine Arts Department, was going over the guidelines before allowing his students to help work on the wall. I was surprised to learn that commissioned muralists often let students help with projects in order to give the students the experience they need to work on their own large-scale pieces. After all, it's not every day that one has the chance to help paint a 265' wall.

The design of this public work of art incorporates a number of facets, including collaboration with local schools and non-profits. Once the work is complete, Olmsted Parks Conservancy has agreed to perform the necessary landscaping that will tie in with the artwork. By systematically planting along the base of the wall, the flora will eventually become a part of the mural. In order to combat vandals, four coats of graffiti-proof epoxy will be added, giving the wall a surface that will be fairly easy to 'wipe down'. Augustina is hoping to have the mural wrapped up by the end of July.

Listen to Let’s Talk Native with John Kane live on Tuesdays at noon.
This week, John is joined by New York State Senator George Maziarz.

Download audio file (062811Native.mp3)
6/28/11 Let’s Talk Native