Paddle 8 has a nice selection of works on paper inspired by America and politics. I have a new book, Yes: Transform Your Life with Color By Number that comes out on Election Day, so I thought I’d put the two together. Never have we seen such a contentious election as this that has divided our country in two. I created a HOPE painting for President Obama‘s first run in 2008 (based on a vintage paint by number of the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor) and I just revised it for the book and a commission, VOTE. (You can download the blank with palette here and enter to win a free print and a signed copy of my book.)

Let’s just HOPE that people do exercise their right and let’s also ask that God, PLEASE –bless America in three days.

September in New York is of course, back to school, Fashion Week, the fall season of Broadway, Chelsea gallery openings and art auctions, among other things. Philips‘ Under the Influence is a catch all name to sell some art. Not as blue chip as Christie’s and Sotheby’s but nonetheless a player, it’s always fun to see Phillips catalogue and estimates (and then check back to see what sold for what and what failed to sell at all.) I’ve cherry-picked my favorite figurative works from the latest hodgepodge collection of well-known (and lesser-known) names to make my own little curated exhibit that only exists here (…and The Wow Report) Although you won't see the uncensored Wolfgang Tillman's "Spitting on Dick" there.) You can see lots of other non-figurative (and non-pornographic) work, all 257 lots, here. What else do you have to do on a Sunday? OK, well then, get going.

ALEX PRAGER, Untitled (Face in the Crowd) Box Set, 2013

MATTHEW BARNEY, Cremaster 2: The Ballad of Max Jensen, 1999

DEBORAH KASS, 2 Silver Barbras (Jewish Jackie series), 1992

ANDY WARHOL, Self-Portrait (in Fright Wig), 1986

KEITH HARING, Two works: (i) Untitled (Zena at 17 Years), 1985; (i…, 1986

MIKE KELLEY, Untitled, from the Sublime (Study for Headache Napki…, 1983

WOLFGANG TILLMANS, spitting on dick, 1997

30 ARTIST'S TAKES ON OUR DIVIDED STATES OF AMERICA

UNDER THE (FIGURE) INFLUENCE @ PHILLIPS NEW YORK