IF A TREE FALLS........DOES THE #OOAKX15 HEAR IT?

HAPPY HUMP DAY!
Well......now it's 22 days until the One of a Kind Show!!!!
( #OOAKX15 )

As I keep mentioning.......basically I am in "ART LOCK DOWN"......

It's been very very fruitful........I have completed a LOT of new work! 

In fact, I am so committed to having my best show ever at #OOAKX15 that I had to keep working the last few days.....both without water and power in my studio!!

I KID YOU NOT!

You see, a very very old tree......on my neighbours yard...........decided to just give up.

this bad boy -- that is twice the size of the houses.......

Not due to wind....not because of an ice storm....the mighty oak just was #OverIt !!!!

It fell.....now let me tell you how it happened.....

PICTURE IT. 

7pm. 

Toronto.

My husband and I were sitting in our front room, talking about how our days went. 

You know.....I complained about my horrible boss, and my irritating co-workers......and he shook his head.....secretly worried that I ACTUALLY BELIEVED that I had these people in my life....

ANYWAYS.......Suddenly there was this rumbling.......I thought at first it was the GO train.....

But it got louder and louder and then the house SHOOK.....not unlike this......

( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7oWUAZzQPg )

We both jolted off the sofa and looked out our front door to see this:

Yes.....on garbage night we put our green bin with
3 bungee cords on our porch to keep out the raccoons!
What of it!??

YIKES!

IT WAS A SHOCK! 

We couldn't get out of our house. Because there was a tree in our front yard.

It took out the hydro lines! (Obvi)

So we called 311.

The city was FAST!!!

REALLY REALLY FAST.....within 20 minutes they were out with hydro to access the damage.

I was pleasantly surprised!!!!

After a couple hours, all the downed electrical wire was off, and I was able to get a better view of the damage.....

The poor tree split in half....... half over the road.....

The other half on the front lawn.

I was thrilled that it missed out house!!!! 

.....or so I thought...........

It took a team of 10 guys, and many hydro people to get us back to "normal".....

The chainsawing was AMAZING......

I decided that a little lack of light was NOT gonna stop me from working!!!

I can't afford ago take time off from my show preparations!

(at which point my husband thought I had actually LOST IT!)

YES. 

Painting by candlelight. 

THAT is my level of commitment to The One of a Kind Show!!!!

Honestly, I felt like, I need to keep my eye on the prize.....

THAT.....and my boss is a B**CH.....have I mentioned that?

As you can imagine, the chainsawing until 1am made it impossible to sleep.

That, and the adrenaline....oh......AND the bag of left-over Halloween chocolate I stress-ate!

In the light of day......it told a rather disheartening story.....

I guess it DID hit our roof......

....then our porch.......

....before finally coming to rest on our lawn.

In it's trip from sky to ground it took out the hydro, and slammed so hard on the ground it ruptured a water line........

It meant we were without water AND power for a lot of the next day...

Now I know what you are thinking......

.....surely Rob, THIS this is an excuse to stop working.....

NOPE.....I moved OUTSIDE to work.....thankfully it was a beautiful warm day.......

12 of my brand new pieces are ready to go!!!

By 6pm, everything was back to "normal" and I was able to get back down to my studio.

WHAT A 24hrs!!!

SO......I want to say this......

1.) I am grateful (and shocked) that nobody was killed and that our house and our neighbour's houses 

     were not destroyed by that tree?  Really really grateful. Would I have liked it to have NOT 

     happened? YES!!!

2.) I am grateful that the 311 and Hydro people worked so hard and so late. It was most appreciated!

3.) I am feeling gratitude that I do what I love, and live in a nice house, in a nice tree lined    

     neighbourhood. (Despite this freak incident!) Let's face it......doing what you love can be a great 

     distraction from destruction around you!

SO.......YOU need to come out and see what I am working this hard on! 

The fruits of my 'single focussed' labour!!

THE reason I have been working from 8am-9pm each day....is fast approaching......

Come see what all the fuss is about!

The end.

;-)

A SHORT NOTE.......

Hello faithful readers!!!!
I bet you are wondering where I have been, right???
I have never missed a Wonderful Wednesday post, and NEVER missed WHOLE WEEK of posts before......
Now.........it's not that I don't care for you......really....you are my favourite peeps!
But here is the truth......sometimes in life....things kinda fall apart.
I am not the kind to solicit pity and sympathy.........I like to consider this blog a place for humour and fun and not a place for sad stories.....so I will keep this short and sweet.
The sh*t has hit the fan!!!!
In a big way. I AM FINE......but my parents are quite ill. Yes BOTH. At the same time.
(It is a great test of my limited mental fortitude!m ;-)
So, I have essentially moved back to my family home in London for a while.
It may be only a couple months, or it may be into the new year.
I don't really know.
Just until things are settled.
Right now I need to be the best son I can be.
It is important for me to take care of the people that gave me this life -- they provided me with so much of the life that I am so grateful for!
And that is where we are at!
Sad? YOU BET! Part of life, yup!
DO NOT WORRY.
I have a lot still to paint, a lot of stories to share, a LOT of art and life to enjoy.
BUT......I need to take the next few months to take care of my family and grieve.

I hope that when I return to my blogging and painting and showing, that I will be a smarter, stronger, more determined-to-find-the-silver-lining kinda guy!
LORD KNOWS when things get bad, you really gotta FIND the things to be grateful for == so I  hope I learn some profound and powerful life lessons!
(or I at least hope to survive the stress and suck-y-ness without killing someone in the healthcare system ;-)!
So.......I will blog if at all possible. I will show with the commitments I have made,
I will paint when I am able...
and ohhhhhhh...I....I will survive......as long as I know how to live....
SORRY - was getting a little Gloria Gaynor-y
:-)
Take care of yourselves, take care of the people you love, and I will be back soon!
Better (and maybe drunker) than ever!
xxx

MY DAD'S ROSEBUSH…….a parable…...

Good Monday y'all.
Today……a tale……….I will try to make it interesting!
This weekend I was at my parents home in London Ontario.
Those who know me, know I am there every two weeks trying to help around the house.
My parents are both getting up there in age so I do what I can!
I am telling you this NOT to sound like a saint (Lord knows I am NOT saintly in any way!)
Truthfully, there is probably a part of me that helps so much in the hopes of banking a little good Karma…so that when I am 80 years old -- SOMEONE will care enough to take care of husband and me (as we have NO KIDS)……
...hint hint hint - Nicole - Jeff - Rachel - Rebecca - Jake - Stella - Dahlia……
Ok ok…..on with the story……...I…….

My Dad is a master gardener.
Ok…maybe not a master - but he takes loving care of his plants and has a real green thumb!
I give you this photo as proof:

This is my Dad's rosebush in 2012. As you can see, it is rather splendiferous!!!

For years, this rosebush was in the front of the house. It was small and rather unimpressive then. I would even go as far as to say that the roses - for the better part of two decades - were kinda….meh.

(I know - BIG WORDS - but true!!!!)

It was a little bit of a failure.

When my Dad retired, he replanted the 'meh-bush' in the backyard against the garage. He was determined to have a better roses! Each day, he would go out and tend to it, fertilize it….you know….just generally put effort into helping it grow.

And grow it did.

And grow.

AND GROW.

Within 5 years, it was huge!

It would bloom all summer long and cover the garage in an explosion of red flowers. When they were done blooming, there was an incredible trail of red petals on the ground!

Honestly - it looked as though he had just hosted an Indian wedding! ;-)

It was spectacular to me! 

He would then 'dead-head' the stems….and within a few weeks……MORE roses would appear.

And he would go through the whole thing again! All summer long!

It was like magic to me! (Granted I was NOT the one who had to water and feed the plant, nor was I the the one - who had to nor clean up after it…..so I guess that is why it was such an amazement to me!)

At the end of the year, he would never prune it back, and so year after year that rosebush got bigger and bigger and bigger!!! It got SO huge that I named it "Audrey 3".

(If you don't know why I named her that - I seriously question your commitment to this blog! ;-)

Honestly, I thought Audrey would just keep growing and growing and growing until it completely obscured the garage! A sea of red flowers! 

Like a giant float in the Orange Bowl Parade. 

Then this year, something changed. 

It is hard to pinpoint what changed, but overnight - or rather over a long cold bitter winter, poor Audrey kinda gave up. As the spring came, we waited to see the first buds on that big beastly vine…..we waited patiently……I mean, nothing had changed…..so surely Audrey would be as beautiful as ever and perhaps grow 3 times LARGER! 

Alas, it was not to be. After a month of waiting, there were no signs of life on the branches closest to the top of the garage. It appeared that there was no green ANYWHERE……my Dad tried new fertilizers and spent some dough almost desperately trying to get her green again…..but it was no use.

The result was this………

This is the lion's share of what was left of my Dad's prized rosebush.

Yup. Two pails full of prickly sticks.

The process of us cutting Audrey down was painful.

Literally!!!!!!!

She fought back….but we hacked and hacked at the thicket until it was all off the garage.

I bled. He bled…..honestly, it looked like I had been mauled by Roy's white tiger!

It was a lot of blood-letting work, and was actually quite sad. 

My poor Dad (who is rather stoic) even remarked about how sad it was that his rosebush wouldn't be there - covering the the garage with her spectacular blooms this year.

It only took one terrible winter to destroy something that he had worked on for a decade!!!!!!

Sad story or interesting parable????

It is sad….but do not lose hope…..this story does NOT have a tragic terrible ending. 

You see, my Dad, never one to give up, kept watering and caring for Audrey! So even when it looked the most bleak…..he kept trying to bring her back to life!

Then something amazing happened!

After we cut away all the dead, un-useful growth, there was new growth beginning!

Yes! Audrey had some fresh new vines, and some healthy leaves!!

Now, would she be the elaborate display that in pervious years people had marvelled at??

No.

But there is now a glimmer of hope! 

This year, she will be a bit smaller, with a few less roses, but as God is her witness she WILL have roses again! (Sorry…..I was channeling Julia Sugarbaker there :-)

Ok…here is the interesting part for me……..It was only as we talked about it more that I thought it was a parallel story for how I have been feeling the last 2 years……you see…….

I have worked for 10 years to grow something rather magnificent from a 'failed' start. 

It began by making a change that would create new growth. I began to reap the benefits of hard work -- watching things grow bigger and better year after year! From my passion and hard work I created something kinda amazing (a full time career doing what I loved the most -- creating beautiful things)! But then, out of the blue, something unplanned happened (a.k.a. the economy "tanked") and what was left, was a huge unmanageable prickly beast! Last year, I did EXACTLY what my Dad did at the beginning of the season…...I tried to make that old vine come back to life…..spending money and time on projects that would pump life into my career again….to no avail. Eventually I realized that it was time to cut things down to size….it hurt. It was like a million thorns bleeding me dry…..

(Oh Rob, you really are a drama queen!)

But then this year, I finally see new growth again!!!!!

Are things as great as they were 3-4 years ago? 

Not really…..but now I have a smarter plan for my growth, and a keen awareness that when the tough times come around again, I will be able to cut things down to grow them back stronger than ever!

It is your classic 'phoenix-from-the-ashes' story or maybe a 'roses from the dead vines' story! 

Am I right???

But I think the best moral of my story is…….

Don't let a bunch of pricks keep you from growing your beautiful roses!!

FOR AN OLD FRIEND…...

Hey guys……..I wanted to share something kinda personal this week…..
Excuse the somewhat sombre feeling of this post.
I found out this week that someone who meant a lot to me years ago, had past away.
I met Sylvie Boulanger (Lovett) when we worked together in Grand Bend painting for the Huron Country Playhouse. She was the head of the paint department, and I weaselled my way into her shop for 2 years!!!
Now here's the thing…..we hadn't actually spoken in well over a decade -- although we had the occasional Facebook update….we were no longer close friends. STILL….the news of her death really saddened me, and got me thinking.
First I thought about her poor family and loved ones - she was taken FAR to early, 51 is way too young…..so my heart goes out to them!
And then I got to thinking about me! (yup THAT SELFISH! ;-)
It is amazing how a person can affect the course of someone else's life in such a huge way.
I am sure I never told Sylvie that without her support at the beginning of my career, I would not have turned out to be the painter - or the person - that I am today.
So I want to dedicate this post to her. I want to believe that she is looking down today…..or that maybe she is surfing and enjoying the "Heaven internet" (it seems possible!)….…..so this is for her...
I want her to know that her friendship and the lessons she taught me had a long lasting impression.
The following photos are some photos from those good ole days…..

PICTURE IT…..it is 1996, a young apple cheeked boy from London starts working at the Huron Country Playhouse in Grand Bend. The money is terrible, but thankfully it includes lodging…..

This is the cabin I lived in for 2 summers (right beside Sylvie).
They really should have been condemned!!!
It was so drafty that on cold nights a candle would flicker INSIDE!
SEE…who says I can't 'rough it'??

Let it be known…...the showers…..that were inside the theatre…..were used exclusively by the "tech's" were DISGUSTING too…..they actually had mushrooms growing in them. MMMMM good times!

Here we are in the Men's bathroom…the shower stalls!
I had made a BIG sign telling others to not be dicks…….
…..and use as little of the limited amount of hot water as they could!

At HCP we put on 5-7 shows during the summer…including 2 BIG musicals, a farce and a straight play….it was a tall order, given the fact that we also RAN the backstage during the shows…...
The great thing about this place for me…..was although we worked 9am-9pm days….6 days a week…..for WAY LESS than minimum wage, I had the opportunity to create a LOT of scenery…..and learn a lot on the job…..Here are some of my faves….

"Me and My Girl"
This was a HUGE revolving set piece with a TONNE of stone like faux painting!
There was a lot of stone work…and a little stoned work too….….there….I said it.
;-) 

"Me and My Girl"
Kitchen tile drop cloth (40' x 20')
These puppies are HUGE and we painted them on the floor with brushes on broom handles!
Thanks HCP from my chiropractor!

It was trial by fire……I had never painted SO MUCH scenery SO FAST….we were one of the ONLY small time theatres at the time still doing drop cloths! (A drop cloth is that HUGE cloth scenery that flys in and helps set the scene.)

"Me and My Girl"
Bar drop cloth (2 of the 40' x 20' cut drops) 

"Me and My Girl"
The marbled inside of the GIANT turning set piece!!

Not sure WHAT this show was…..but I remember Sylvie and I worked until 5am doing the painted wood plank floor…..and then were back in at 9am….VERY GRUMPY!!

I became an EXPECT woodgrainer in those years.
So good…..that for the opening of a show booth Sylvie and I made vests that we had wood grained!
They were very fetching…..and stiff like wood…which made them hard for dancing in….but we managed!
Sometimes I still wake up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night thinking about woodgraining!

This was "The Hound of the Baskervilles" LONG before Cumberbatch!!!
Look at all the wood….and fake stucco, and brick…..

The biggest show I painted there was probably "The Wizard of Oz". We had 6 weeks and 18 drop cloths! PLUS all the truck units! (the truck units are the big set pieces that roll on and off stage)

"Wizard of Oz"….Wicked Witches castle set and a painted drop!!

"Wizard of Oz"….Munchkinland had 2 drops and a truck unit!

"Wizard of Oz"
Stacked drops…..4 of them….
foreground trees, mid ground trees, background mountains and then the painted sky curtain!

"Wizard of Oz" The Haunted forest - made of 2 drops…..

"Wizard of Oz"….Kansas forest

That is all the photos I could find easily……it really was quite a time in my life!
Yes……it was a million years ago….but it taught me so much:

1.) The meaning of working HARD

2.) How to be collaborative with other people

3.) How to drink beer….cheap beer.

4.) To be okay being a nerd!! Although it would take many years before I would understand this!

5.) How to paint! I had never taken fine art, so it was a learning curve!
Oh I am sure there are a million other things I learned in those years…..but you get the idea.

I really cannot thank Sylvie enough for letting me in her shop! 

Her open heart, and her willingness to teach me was an incredible blessing! 

She was a good friend….and we spent MANY hours painting together, singing together and dancing together in the paint shop. She was almost as silly as me, and I was glad to have her friendship!

Oh…..we also spent a lot of time drinking together, rollerblading together, and even watching the stars and the sunsets together!!
I will always have a place in my heart for her. She helped shape the course my life would take, and that is a BIG thing in retrospect.
Geez…...I guess she has taught me one more thing……
If there is someone out there that YOU know changed your life for the better…..someone that made you a better person in some way…..go NOW and send them an email or give them a call. Everyone wants to know that they will leave the world having touched someone.
Thanks for that last lesson my old friend!

 We miss you Sylvie.
 XX

COMPARING IS DESPAIRING: A cautionary tale.

HAPPY MONDAY!!!!
Wow…..that is an oxymoron…..am I right?
And speaking of morons…….(seamless segue Rob!!)…….
I wanted to talk to you about insecurity!
Normally - I keep this blog upbeat, but stay with me for the 'happy ending' on this….
It is not a secret that last year was kind of a career low for me.

Not in the number of shows - or the amount of press - or even in the production of the work….
I am talking just about the actual dollars and cents.
I know, you are thinking…
"Rob….you are lucky to do what you LOVE everyday.....you can't expect it to be easy/lucrative!"
While I am grateful for being aware of my passion - and having the inherent craziness to do it full time…….let's be clear….it is a job!
It's not so much luck….as it is work. HARD work.
I am my accountant, my web-builder, my marketing manager, my salesperson, my administrative assistant…and I am the talent at Rob Croxford Artistic Endeavours Inc.
(and my boss can be a real B*ITCH)
Now…having said all of that, I would love to say that LUCK has nothing to do with it.
Unfortunately there is an element of 'right-time - right-place' to the art world!
Last year, the stars did not align for me in sales. Which is kinda important when you are a
FULL TIME ARTIST.
Without income, my children cannot eat……(and by children, I mean ME!)
Yes, I am fortunate that I have a VERY kind husband that believes blindly in me…but still…it really made me feel sad, and horribly insecure about my work…….
In addition to losing my confidence, I lost my studio space, and a bunch of gallery representation.
IT WAS NOT GREAT….and the result was an overwhelming feeling of FAILURE.
Truthfully - I have NEVER been insecure about my paintings.
NEVER.
But having limited success made me feel like people did not like my artwork!!
Artists are NOTORIOUS for feeling insecure about our art - and then comparing our success to our peers! The "why not me" complex is EASY to get!!!
It made me question how to go forward making art…..which is a bit debilitating to the creative process.
I thought the time had come…..that I should finally take the advice of all the galleries that told me that I needed to just paint landscapes, and cut out the wording and the politics. Essentially cutting the 'me' out of my work. The idea was that if I completely 'dumbed down' the work, that I could start selling again.

When I realized that I cared more about other people's opinions, I realized that I needed to step back and take stock of things!!!
I am now realizing with the help of my team of professional care-givers and electro-shock therapist, that insecurity is not productive…in fact it is COMPLETELY self-defeating!
And I think I have realized, that what makes my work 'good' is the fact that it is cheeky, and playful and as such I NEED to stay the course! I will try some new things - in art and business…..
But Willy Shakespeare said it best…….
"To thine own self be true, yo!"
Now let's fast forward to the good news…….this week one of the galleries that I thought had "dumped me" sold 2 MAJOR pieces! And I have sold a bunch of prints from my show at the JCC!
For the first time in a YEAR I feel like I am gaining a little momentum again!!
I am THRILLED that these older - but FANTASTIC pieces just sold…..

YAY ME!
Ok…so what am I sharing so MUCH today?
Not to brag. NOT AT ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here is what I want you to take away from this:

1) Artists - stay the course. Believe in your passion -- even when the odds are against you! You will be
    tested!!!! Weather the storm and keep moving forward

2) Artists - take stock - be able to look objectively at your work/habits and see what is working/not
    working! - do what you can...so that you can do what you love!
    MAYBE THAT IS GOOD ADVICE FOR EVERYONE!!!??

3) Everyone else -the biggest moral of my tale is that you MUST run your own race
    - do NOT waste your time in comparing. Comparing is despairing!

So there you go!
I hope you can take something away from my story.
The thing is, the ending of my story is still unwritten. Yup….that is SCARY, but I feel excited again about the future! I guess that means my old confidence is returning!
HUZZAH!

CURRICULUM-IZED.......AT NORTH BROWARD PREPARATORY SCHOOL!!!

Happy Friday everyone!!
This......is an enjoyable story - that I simple HAD to share with you.
Sorry for all the reading on this...but the payoff in the end is some very nice imagery produced by what may be tomorrow's next great fine artists!

Sue Greeley is a client that has bought some of my work in the past. I remember how she was clearly happy with the piece she bought......and that is always a good feeling. Even now, after so many years doing this, I am always thrilled to be a part of someone's art collection!

I know it sounds kinda silly.......but as an artist, it is a great honour when someone really 'gets' what you are doing artistically and decides to include your art in their world! 

I suppose it is a kind of validation of your work.....and hey, who doesn't like a little validation every now and again?

Anyways, on with the story.....and here is where this story gets GOOD....

Currently, Sue lives and teaches art at North Broward Preparatory School, in Coconut Creek, Florida. When she arrived back in the Sunshine State, she showed my work to her colleague Shelley Weiss (Team Leader of Visual Arts). They both really enjoyed my paintings!

Ok....now let me interject this:

This is the campus at North Broward! WOWSA!

.....and........to really get a sense of the school and what it is about...you MUST also watch this clip:

(Here is a LINK to their site if that didn't work!)

And here is a snippet from their website too.....if you don't wanna watch the video:

"North Broward Preparatory School delivers a distinctive, challenging and enriched college preparatory educational experience to domestic and international students on a fantastic South Florida campus. The broad Upper School curriculum that includes 20 Advanced Placement (AP) courses and the International Baccalaureate diploma program with 18 course options.

Academic offerings are immeasurably enriched by an award-winning Fine Arts program, complemented by a full range of Interscholastic Athletic teams for both boys and girls, and augmented by an Elite Boarding Program.

In addition to outstanding academics, NBPS offers students a wide range of opportunities in the arts, athletics, community service and extracurricular activities. As they participate, students uncover hidden talents and discover new passions. They gain the joy of giving to others, the satisfaction of working as a team and the challenge of learning in a new environment.

International students make American friends and visit American homes. They study with American students in many subjects. Elite Boarding Program students often leave campus for social activities. Twice a year, they take trips to places such as New York City and Europe."

The point of all that info? CONTEXT.
I was impressed by breadth and depth of learning that NBP seems to provide for students.

I was especially flattered when my work was used as 'inspiration' on one of the honours art class projects! As an arts educator, Shelley does her share of research - looking for artists to inspire her students. She looks to find artists that can inspire her students in terms of technique as well as idea generation and even their artist statements. (Note to self - revisit and proof-read my artist statement.)

Ok....so this part is gonna seem like me patting myself on the back.....but...onward we go.... 

**Lesson to any student who may reading this......be prepared to be a self-promoter, despite the AWKWARD nature of it! 

Shelly went on to explain that she was "impressed by my body of work", and liked that I had a number of painting series'. She also mentioned that she thought that "each (series) is unique and slightly quirky" and she enjoyed how I explored my themes "using both textual references and puns both literary and visual".  In her class, she feels it is important to "show students how real artists can answer questions like 'Where do artists find their ideas?', 'How does Art communicate cultural values, beliefs and roles?' and 'How is Art related to all aspects of the human experience?'" 

So keeping those questions in mind, they started to analyze my paintings! In doing so, they broke down my 'formula' into a few parts that they then employed to create their own pieces.

First they were asked to research advertising in a culture. Then they had to select a cityscape.

Finally they were to add a quote (presumably pertaining to the imagery).

Part of this project was also to paint on top of aluminum foil (some of my work is also on metal)!

Ok....so as a refresher, here are some examples of my work:

(although regular readers - you SHOULD recognize this work - which - by the way - is all sold ;-)

 

Ok....so with this as inspiration, and the 'guidelines' in place, the project went ahead!

Evidently it worked out pretty well for the class and they completed their own works in record time. 

Admittedly, I am a little shy about being "an inspiration" to anyone - including art students.......but you can't argue with these results! Here are a few of the pieces:

I think this is great! I like the quote at the bottom.
I also enjoy the use of numerous fonts....and the giant lady is nicely rendered too! 

This one is still pleasant to look at while remaining topical!
That is something that is important to me in my own works.

I like the composition and the colour balance of this one.
I think the landscape is especially nicely handled!

This one is slightly different from the rest!
 I like that it is BOLD and expressive. I also like that font in the quote. Very nice!!

Dark....and fantastic!!
I like the use of the drips and the overlap from the lower imagery to upper.

Again....very nicely done....and I like that the quote is simple and direct.
The point of this painting hits you immediately! Great job.

IS THAT COOL OR WHAT??????
GREAT JOB GUYS!!!

Each one uses my visual 'formula' as their cue, but then each one has it's own personality.
I couldn't help but comment on each one...they are just super!!
I feel a real sense of pride that my work is out there in the world, 'inspiring' people!
As an artist, I think there is often that little devil on your shoulder whispering doubts into your ear, so it always so flattering to get positive feedback!!
I wanted to take this opportunity to tell the class at North Broward Prep. a couple of things that have served me well in my art career:
1.) Be true to yourself in your art - that honesty will define both you and your art!
2.) It is great (some say vital) for your work to tell a story. Let you work be ABOUT something!! I like to think of my work as a barometer of what is going on in society.
3.) Never fear that things you say won't be well received - fear that they won't be said at all!
4.) Love your work. Love it and be grateful that you get to do what you love.
and finally....my best piece of totally unsolicited advice?
5.) WORK HARD. In the past 8 year alone, I have completed over 500 paintings - each piece has helped me shape my artistic vision, and hone my talents. It is VITAL to your growth to work and keep working!

So there you go!
I really want to thank Sue and Shelley! I really love this story. It has honestly made my week!!!!
Ok... now....it's time to get back to the easel!
Have a great weekend y'all!!

NO BAD NEWS.

Ok. Here's the thing....

I have gone on a NEWS DIET!!!
Yes, I know, you can't even notice all the weight I have put on...but it's obvious to me.
I'm talking about "emotional weight"! Honestly, there is nothing like having a 'heavy attitude' poison the rest your life, am I right folks??!
I have, in the past, been an emotional "news binger".
But clearly one cannot sustain themselves in a healthy way by continuing in life with a 'News Consuming Disorder'. So I am making a change!
I am - stating publicly - that I have wrestled with my emotional weight for years!
To keep me from slipping into bad habits, I am sharing with you, about my diet - or lifestyle change - as I like to call it.
YES YES YES.......I understand there is no end of terrible stories out there....and it can seem somewhat inescapable! The last few weeks have been especially violent and terrible.
With bombings and shootings and natural disasters - it is a whole world of sadness and discouragement and AWEFULNESS!
Yes...you heard me......"awefulness".
BUT WHY MUST WE GET SO WRAPPED UP IN IT??
How do we keep from living in a perpetual state of fear? The news is lousy with sad, scary emotionally debilitating stories!
In the words of Dame Anne Murray......can't we use a little good news today?
The media is intent on spreading panic by catastrophizing every story that they can.
It's called ratings - or readership.
DUH!
It's a business - a business that depends on US to keep it going!
"It could be the most deadly thing in the world, and you may be having it for dinner - tune in tonight at 11pm for all the details" Seriously news people??? WHAT IS IT?
Is corn on the cob secretly killing me? IS IT??
Now I know what you are thinking......
Dear sweet emotionally obese Rob, I cannot just put my head in the sand - I cannot live my life NOT KNOWING what COULD effect me or my kids or my dog.
I understand. I really do! I understand your struggle. I have made a living making slightly political artwork....and in doing so, have let news penetrate my life.
Does it make me a hypocrite??? Maybe.
BUT......I try to keep my art (as well and this blog) a POSITIVE thing.
Yes, there is some 'sharpness' to some of the content, but it is meant to provoke change! I am not interested in regurgitate horrible news stories - and feeding them to you baby-bird-style!
I am interested in change. Change for the good!
And your bad news does not help that. It just doesn't.
So, loyal friends, if you MUST watch one cycle of news - or read the headlines on the Yahoo homepage....(yes, I am talking directly to you Christina and Erika) then you must.
BUT....and here's my big butt.....
DO NOT  feel it is your responsibility to welcome all that negative news into your life and into your head.....you cannot afford to do it!
Personally, I have such limited capacity in my tiny brain - that it is standing room only! One extra piece of bad news just will not fit...without pushing out something good!!!
If you MUST allow in the news.....try adding this in...
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Good_News/
or try this news feed:
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/good-news/
YES!!
That's what I am talking about folks!!!
Let's all TRY to find the good news each day!!!!
And in the meantime I like to think of this song as my motto......

YES. I will probably still find the bad news....and will probably always make art about making a difference.....but I will no longer SEEK OUT bad news items and let them penetrate my head!
I WILL sustain a healthy emotional weight - and will stick to my new diet lifestyle change, if only to save myself the heartache caused by the glut of bad news!
How about you? Can you join me in my cause?
At least think about it!
;-)

****I was gonna leave you with that.....but while You Tubing that number from the Wiz, I came across this clip......and I SIMPLY MUST SHARE IT......

(...and yes.....I know you are picturing me in that onesey right now! ADMIT IT!)

LIFE LESSONS #1: SHAME SHAME SHAME......

SHAME OF FOOLS........go on....sing it with me......
Hello readers!
This dark fall.....as many of you know.....I hit 40.
Or rather, 40 hits me......it the face.......with a shovel...........repeatedly....... ;-)
When "Black September" hits.....I want to embrace it!
The thing is, I have realized that at best, my life is probably half over (depending on when of the upcoming Zombie Apocalypse happens)
It is kind of a scary thing to realize......and in the words of Liz Lemon "realizations are the worst"!!!
So, it seems to me I can either become sad and step in front of a streetcar.....thus increasing the value of my artwork..........or try to become a teensy bit introspective!
So........in the spirit of introspectionalism.....(yes, I am SURE that is a word) I give you a new kind of post.
I am calling it "Life Lessons".
Now don't get me wrong, I am in no position to give advice to you. I am no Dr. Drew!
I am just reflecting on the hard-won lessons that I have learned in my almost 40 years on this earth, and sharing said observations with you  - through story!
So...let's give 'er!

Lesson #1: Shame is lame. (Yes....it is akin to 'Crack is Whack')

This past weekend I celebrated the 40th year anniversary for the Ryerson Theatre School.
For those who know nothing about me, in 1994, I moved to Toronto to go to University at Ryerson - in the Theatre Technical Production program. I graduated 4 years later, BFA in my hot hands.....ready to set the world on fire......with the knowledge that I would work in the "thee-AH-tah" for the rest of my life!!
Oh. Wait....
ANYWAYS.
It was nice to run into my former classmates and hear how their lives have changed in the decade since leaving the hallowed halls of RTS. We spent a few hours reminiscing (and drinking vodka)  - and I was reminded of a story.....a story that illustrates the point of my first 'life lesson'!
Picture it! It was a misty Friday evening in 1997, I had assembled a small get-together at my apartment
(I was gonna say soiree - but that makes it sound like a different class of party!).
Like any University party.......there was copious amounts of drinking and carrying on.
It was 2 years B.V. (Before Vodka) and there I was, pounding back my rum & diet coke's.......and my many Corona's........(YES...BEER - SHOCKING I KNOW!!!)......it was an often lethal combination of booze.......that caused my inhibitions (of which there are few to start with) to disappear. To be honest, I cannot remember most of this night.....in fact....most of the 90's is shrouded in an alcoholic haze.........but I do remember feeling like this the next morning:

yes.....those are my pjs.....and my natural hair.

So.....to make a long story short.........that night a few people crashed on my floor.
The next Monday I returned to school. People buzzing about about a party on the weekend.
It was being dubbed "The Bread and Underwear Party".
As one of the only gays in my class/school, I was immediately disappointed that I had somehow missed what seemed like a colourful and flamboyant party............how could I have missed such an event??
What I didn't realize, was that I WAS the colourful and flamboyant event!!!!
The story was re-told to me like this:
After everyone had passed out on the floor, I got back up.......in my alcohol induced stupor......carefully navigated OVER-TOP the floor dwellers, to the kitchen, where I got a single piece of bread. (I was a bit of an expert drinker - maybe even a professional - and I knew the importance of eating something to sop up the booze in my tummy!!)
With bread in mouth, I returned to bed carefully stepping over heads.....and passed out on top of the bed........here is the kicker.....I did this......in my underwear! (Sorry for the visual, folks!!)
So you can image, lying on the floor watching as a drunken homo stepped over your head....crumbs falling atop you........all the while getting an eyeful of his man-business!!!!!!
YIKES! To make things worse......when my classmates left the next morning, I was still passed out......splayed across my bed.........in my gitch, with bread still hanging out of my mouth.
GLAMOUROUS!!!!

CLASSY! (Sadly, this wasn't even the night/morning in question!!!!!)

So, imagine me, 15 years later, laughing my head off as the story was re-told at the RTS 40th Anniversary.
So......why am I sharing said story with you??
Because I don't really have shame. I didn't feel bad then.....and I don't feel it today.
I hope that I did not cause too much extra therapy for some of the straight guys who were up-close-and -personal with my undercarriage....and I truly hope that no one wakes in the middle of the night - in a cold sweat - with this flash-back...screaming BREAAAAD!!!
But the thing is, feeling ashamed of something gives it a power that it need not have.
Own it.
Whatever your story is.....OWN IT.
This little story is probably only a 3 on the embarrassment scale for me, and there are plenty of other more horrifically embarrassing stories that I feature in! But I think if you can laugh at how ridiculous you are, and people will laugh WITH you.

So that is my lesson.
What say you?
I love your comments!!!!