M Modern Gallery - Modernism Central in Palm Springs

[Gordon Parr]

And 10 Things You Never Knew About Artist Shag

By Jorie Parr. Photos by Gordon Parr

Jay and MiShell Nailor are key figures in the Modernism movement in this desert city, with their M Modern Gallery a standout on the scene. They celebrated 2010 Modernism Week with a special multiartist show Friday night (2/12/10), and hosted a festive lunch for their primary muse, SHAG, the next day.

The midday party was staged at the trendy Trio restaurant on North Palm Canyon in the uptown arts district. Right next door is the Nailors’ new SHAG-only shop. People were invited in for a sneak peek. Starting with a soft opening, the small gallery will have an official blast-off in May.

JoSH AGle, guest of honor at the lunch launch, visited all the tables, introducing himself and bantering with attendees. Later the artist took the mic and regaled us with those 10 things we did not know about him.
#1. He has an identical twin brother “who used to look like me.”
#2. In fact he has nine brothers and sisters. He’s number 3 out of 10.
#3. They were raised strict Mormons.
#4. SHAG was a Mormon missionary in Germany for two years. He learned: A. “that you can break the rules and get away with it.” B. “That Mormonism is blank blank.”
#5. His “grandfather was a very successful commercial artist in the 30s and 40s. During the Depression he started an artist colony.”
#6. “I hate cats.” (Collective gasp.) He apparently just likes the look of them.
#7. He seldom paints in his studio. He likes to roll his operation around the house to where the television sets are.
#8. “I’m addicted to bad reality TV.” Doesn’t watch, just listens. As a solitary artist, it keeps him company.
#9. His favorite color isn’t orange or green – it’s gray!
#10. He starts to say in effect that he loves Victorian….but snaps “That’s a lie!”