Friday, April 26, 2013

The Blessings of Manos

I haven't been posting as regularly as I should but not because I've run out of things to say about Manos but because I've been so busy just living Manos.  I'm also attempting to learn how to make this blog easier to navigate.  For instance, I need to figure out how to have the blog titles displayed so you can find the story you wish to read.  I mean, sheesh, even I can't find some of the stories I'd like to review.

As you know from my last couple posts, I've been involved in a play about Manos in Portland. https://www.facebook.com/CapitalIProductions?fref=ts


. This is the third out of four weeks of the show.  7 more performances to go. All is going great. This show is tremendously funny whether or not you are a Manos fan although the Manos and MST jokes do add another dimension.  So if you are anywhere in the Portland, Oregon area before May 5th, be sure to come.  I get to play the voice of Debbie with my on stage character being played by a puppet.  Poetic justice when you realize that my voice was dubbed by a grown woman in the 1966 original Manos: The Hands of Fate.  Now I'm the grown woman dubbing myself.  I also painted my version of my dad's famously sinister Master and Dog portrait for the set of the play.  For a limited time, I'm offering 11" X 14" prints individually signed and quite suitable for framing.  If you've ever dreamed of having this on your wall or need the perfect gift for your favorite Manos fan, here it is.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230968389196#ht_500wt_1203

 Besides that, I need the help, please.  This play is community theater which is not a paid gig and I must fund my own meals, travel, etc and being a poor artist type, it's a challenge, but one I must do, for my heart and my soul.

 I'm having some of the best times of my life.  One of the cast members has very generously offered the use of an adorable small short term rental in a very cool part of Portland so that I don't have to drive 70 miles home each night.  I've taken advantage of this opportunity to find new venues for my art, to make connections and create friendships with other motivated, successful creative people.   I can honestly say that Manos has opened up my life in the last couple of years in ways that could never have been imagined or planned, and without going into it much, Manos has helped heal and create new kind of relationship between me and my dad, The Master.

It is truly incredible to think that something that happened so many years ago could come to impact a life so much now.  How can it be that the Worst Movie Ever Made could be the catalyst  to bring my life's work and purpose as a creative being to public consciousness?  As many artists can tell you, a creative nature can be a real detriment to cultural standards of worth.  Fulfilling to the spirit perhaps but not to the stomach.  I cannot help who I am, no matter how often I may wish I could be content with a soul sucking job that at least pays the bills. Not really.  I just wanted to try out that last sentence but truthfully, I never regretted my choices because in the end, being an artist is not a choice, it just is.  I only wish society could recognize the value of what I do.

To see some of what I do, please click the "Jackey's Art"  tab at the top of the page.  If you are interested in any of my work or wish to commission a custom piece please contact me directly at jackeyraye@msn.com
.