It Begins with a Trip to Chicago

It was time.

Like I said in my last post I've got a lot of work staring me in the face.  It was time to get a good start and I have.  I've spent nights digging through my photo archive (read as seriously huge arseload of pics) and searching photos online.  I've also reached out to some fellow artists who've posted images of some of the cities I'm searching for.  They have graciously given me permission to use their images should I need them.  Old pics are one thing and someone else's pics are another.  Sometimes you just need to get out and get them yourself to be satisfied.  Of the cities I need to represent Chicago is the closest to me both geographically and personally.  So... I had to go.  

I've got loads of pics of Chicago.  I try to get shots whenever I'm in town.  It's a city that likes to be photographed.  It really does.  It'll even pose for you, but you've got to keep your eyes open.  Last weekend turned out to be a grand opportunity to get out of town and go in search of iconic Chicago.  I took a lot of shots.  Many of which I was well aware would not go with my current assignment.  Sometimes an image speaks to you.  You just go with it... shut up and take the shot.  I imagine I'll have need for those pics soon enough.  I've got some ideas you see... Ideas I can't act on right at the moment because I've got a deadline.  We're filing them away for later.  

It was exactly the kind of weekend I needed to get me on track for this project. It got me on my feet and moving.  I've been working on studies for some other cities, but I hadn't really felt "Started".  That and some other news got my creative mojo workin'.  I'm too tired to go on tonight and for once I think I'll give in and go lie down.  Like a toddler who won't admit he's tired I'll fight sleep until I fall over.  I'm not sure if it's virtue or vice just yet.  Perhaps it's a bit of both.   

I won't post everything here.  Not all of these are on my list of possibilities...  Some of them I just like.  If you find me on Facebook you can see the rest.

At any rate... I think Chi Town can wrap this up well enough on it's own.  

Cheers,

R

Ps: The man playing the clarinet is Kaliq Woods.  He was brilliant.

Time Flies

I looked up today and realized that it's been a month since my last post.  I've been a little preoccupied you see.  I just took another step in reconstructing what I perceive to Me.  I've moved into a new place and shortly thereafter moved my studio as well.  It's been a busy 4 weeks since I moved in, but I'm incredibly happy about the way things have gone.  I've made a concerted effort to stay optimistic throughout the process and have been very lucky to have had a lot of support from friends and family.  Moving, as you all know, can really blow goats.

That being said I've taken it as an opportunity to restructure the way I do things.  Due to financial constraints I've moved out of my space at Northland Studios.  I will miss the atmosphere in that place, but I will miss the other Artists most of all.  What moving means however is that I can go back to being able to paint when I have my boys AND when I don't.  I'd love to have them in the studio with me, but I'm not the kind of person that can paint with a lot of distractions.  A little conversation is one thing if you're in the right frame of mind, but little boys can be demanding of your attention and I don't like to split time in that way.  They should get my full attention so long as we're together.  One day they'll have to take care of me and I don't want them thinking, "Hey, he used to lock us in our rooms while he painted. Phil Spector style.  What a dick... SlummyView Acres it is".

Once I get the studio reassembled I'll post some pics.  Looking for an alternative to the chalkboard-paint wall.  The new space doesn't lend itself to that.  If I could find one of those old slateboards like my Grandmother used to have that would kick ass.  We'll see.

I've recently become overwhelmed with new work and I'm wondering how I'll do it all.  I've been spending a lot of time simplifying and reorganizing.  Re-acquiring my discipline.  I let it go during the move, but now it's time to get back on the horse and get moving.  No time to be resting on imagined laurels.  The fun stuff's just starting and I'd better represent because this feels like a turning point and I'd better not eff it up.

Lastly... since I don't have any new pics to post I thought I would take the opportunity to pimp a friend's work.  I recently acquired a piece from this amazingly talented artist.  One of my first non-trade Art purchases.  I just brought it home and can't wait to get it framed and on the wall.  I'll let you guess which piece I got.
Without further ado I give you Larassa Kabel: One of Des Moines' most skilled Artists.  If you haven't seen her work up close and in-person make it a point to add her next show to your calendar.  Her level of prowess with pencils and oil paints will knock your proverbial socks off.
http://www.larassakabel.com/








Cheers,

R