The day before the opening of a show of new drawings at the Riviera Gallery in Brooklyn, NY,
Christopher Silas Neal and Ted McGrath sat down to discuss their work over coffee, and Ted's recently purchased platter, Invisible Touch, by Genesis.

Ted McGrath: So yeah, we're having an art show...how's that working out for you?

Christopher Silas Neal: Yeah...it's working out well. I actually feel really good about this group of drawings...first time in a while I've done a set of drawings that feel cohesive and not...completely random...

TM: Were they based on anything in particular?

CSN: I did take a trip down to the islands recently...I was inspired down there... And, I think right now I'm taking a stab at masculinity...(laughs)

TM: A stab at masculinity...

CSN: Kind of the same way Will Ferrell takes a stab at masculinity...(laughs) ...that's what it boils down to...in a more subtle way, maybe, but not as funny...

TM: Gotcha, gotcha...

(Invisible Touch title track synth breakdown comes on)

TM: This was always my favorite part of the song...

CSN: Which record had That's All on it?

TM: I think that might've been solo Collins...

CSN: That'd be too much, That's All included on the Invisible Touch album...the record would explode...Anyway, so tell me, which stuff do you plan to put in the show?

TM: A uh, series of drawings about psychedelic happenings...(laughs)...natural vs. supernatural stuff...

CSN: Paranormal activity? (laughs)

TM: Yeah, yeah...Also, I'm uh, trying to exorcise myself of icebergs? Kill off the icebergs, like they did Robin in the 80s...

CSN: Well, icebergs are pretty supernatural...they kill ships, and they're on the wane, and they're not something you interact with every day...

TM: Yeah those and the tigers, too...

CSN: So mythical icons you don't interact with every day: Icebergs, tigers, and..bricks...

TM: (laughs) Oh yeah. but like you said, it's definitely a cohesive body of work... and I'm definitely super happy with it.

New Works on Paper, May 10 - June 3
Opening reception: May 10, 7:00 - 10:00 pm
Riviera Gallery
103 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn, N.Y.