Creating Fishboy, Part III

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Hello there!

Yes, Brian and I have finished our Fishboy sculpture. What a relief on all fronts. My body still doesn't know what to do with itself after the schedule and workload it has had to endure, in due time I hope to normalize.
Now then, Part III of the "Making of" series is here for your viewing pleasure! Enjoy the process as it shows us moving from final shaping of the foam, to the first layer of sealant, and on into fiberglass.

Cheers, and Happy 4th to you all!
cB

Creating Fishboy, Part II

Greetings, Friends!

The 11th Hour is upon us. It is time to burn all candles at both ends if our sculpture is to meet the deadline. As promised, here is the next installment of Fishboy's creation process. You will see Brian and I working at breakneck speed, as hours fly by in milliseconds, via the beauty of time-lapse. I guesstimate there will be two more videos giving a glimpse of the process, followed by a look at him fully installed on site. Thank you for following along with me on this journey through another exciting creation!

Cheers,
cB

The Rebirth of Fishboy, the Sculpture.

Greetings!

Cory here, it's been a long time coming, and we'd thought the opportunity had all but vanished, as our larger than life Fishboy sculpture was finally surrendered to be scrap for other works.
For just under two years he lay in pieces in the woods behind Brian's shop as we sought funding to give him a permanent home to be enjoyed by many. 

A temporary version of Fishboy was created by Brian Somerville and I from a small maquette sculpture I made out of clay. We worked at a maddening pace to finish him in two weeks time for my show titled Here Lies Cory Basil, which was put on by the wonderful art lovers at OZ Arts Nashville, a retrospective of sorts featuring a vast array of my creative endeavors. 

One month ago I received an unexpected phone call – in short, an opportunity to resurrect Fishboy. After much negotiation and planning I am beyond thrilled to announce that Fishboy, once completed, will have a permanent home in downtown Nashville. He will live at the all new First Tennessee Park, which houses baseball's Nashville Sounds. The Sounds are building a miniature golf course down the right field line and Fishboy will sit in view of the stadium seats at hole number eight, aptly titled, Fishboy's Perilous Putt. 

Brian and I are once again under the gun with a small window of time to complete Fishboy before the opening of the putting course. The old wooden frame had to be replaced with a steel one, causing a Frankenstein approach to piecing the styrofoam innards around his new skeleton. Once rebuilt, we must make ready for him to live outside and take a beating from the weather, small children, and adults with putters ... who've most likely consumed too much of the poison. 

I am documenting our construction of Fishboy with a GoPro, giving us a fun look at many, many hours of work in just seconds, via time-lapse. Check back with this News Feed and sign up for our mailing list to remain afloat on my creative stream.

And lastly, a question that I've been asked over and again since the release of The Perils of Fishboy: A Tale Split in Two ... WHERE IS BOOK TWO!?!?!

Yes, book two is written. It has been for some time now. Gifting you full disclosure: I made the decision to place it on hold while I sought out a larger platform for the Fishboy series to be released on. I want to give Fishboy the biggest reach possible. I have no problem with a small following of readers, I don't live my life seeking fame, however, as artists may grown on trees, money does not. And in order to continue living my life full throttle as a creative, and in order to continue writing the adventures of Fishboy, it must be financially beneficial. This journey, much like the sculpture, has had many highs, lows, and almosts – yet with perseverance I believe I will get there. And you will finally get book two, which is an incredible part of Fishboy's story. I love it so much and can't wait for you to drink it in. 

With that I bid you farewell, it's back to work for me. Thank you all for your love and support of this wild-child life of mine.

Much love,
cB

Post-script: I am happy to be working with Brian Somerville again, his brilliant creativity is matched by his professionalism and kindness. Be sure to visit Brian's website to see his amazing creations!
 www.claybeast.com

Cory Basil Opens Studio | Gallery in Historic Franklin Tennessee

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Fresh from his time living in Paris, Cory Basil celebrates his return to US soil by opening his studio and showroom to the public.

On the quiet fringe of Historic Franklin, next to the old City Cemetery, sits a cozy yellow house built in the thirties. Here’s where the artist and author Cory Basil creates as the clock spins from day to night, and back again. 

At Imaginebox Emporium you will find a plethora of original works, and most often times, Basil himself. The walls of the two main showrooms are filled with Basil’s creations, painted using multiple mediums, including watercolor, oil, and gauche.

Also on hand are various original sculpture works, high quality art prints, and Basil’s published works of literature and poetry, including The Perils of Fishboy and Everything You’ve Heard is True. Here, you can commission Basil to create a work of art that is fully unique and reflective of you or a loved one. Stop in and take home a treasure that’s all your own.

Imaginebox Emporium’s Summer hours are 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Thursday through Saturday. Basil is also happy to announce that Imaginebox Emporium has been added to the Downtown Franklin Art Scene, which takes place on the first Friday night of every month. The Emporium will also hold the occasional opening night events, both private and public, as new collections are unveiled. 

This Friday, May 6th, from 6 - 9 PM, during the Franklin Art Scene, marks the first opening of the doors to Imaginebox Emporium. You are invited to be the first to take in Historic Franklin’s newest art space. Come and visit a spell, enjoy a glass of wine, and purchase original art from Cory Basil. Imaginebox Emporium is located at 311 North Margin Street in Franklin, Tennessee. 

Whatever your social media poison may be, dive in and follow Imaginebox Emporium on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook, and stay up to date on the latest happenings.

Please join Cory Basil’s mailing list by clicking here.

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Fishboy Release Day!

Today, 1 October 2013, The Perils of Fishboy: A Tale Split in Two is finally available to you! I am told that today is the LAST day for you to be entered in the drawing to win an original illustration of mine from the book. So if you've yet to purchase, head on over to fogink's website before midnight PST and get your order in.

Follow this link to order! 

Below is the third teaser trailer for the book. When I was a child I was fascinated by the maps included in the front of books, I'd study them for what seemed like hours and would let my imagination take me inside to live for a while. That being said, it was a must that I create a map detailing this wonderful world under the ocean.

Enjoy, and thank you for your continued support of my art! cB

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzNuXKuXDHk

Outlaw Poet Revue :: Success

Our very first Outlaw Poet Revue went off with a bang -- like dynamite bursting a hole through a rocky mountain to make way for the coming steam engine. I had a wonderful time sharing my new work as well as reading from December 2012's release, Skinny Dipping in Daylight. Jimmy A provided a perfect bridge between poet and listener with his methodical melodies and ambient aliens. And Kevin Max kept to his wits birthing verse after verse like the bearded John the Baptist -- sans locust. Last night was truly a moment to be locked in the time capsule. I want to take this sentence to thank our great friends over at Frothy Monkey for granting us residency for our poetic soiree, and a special thank you to all of you who came out and made it such a great night. We are looking forward to including other weary poets as this thing takes flight. Keep a weathered eye for the second Outlaw Poet Revue headed your way before the year is up.

Grateful, cB