A Spiritual Journey Chengdu, China

I knew that going to China would be a spiritual journey, but not in the form that it took. I was thinking that we would take a day trip to a Buddhist Temple, but sadly there was no time for that. Mr. Joe had everyday book up for us, we would leave the hotel at 9 a.m. and not get back until 10 at night. We at least we able to see a sample of the Buddhist tradition and at the shrine in town. Greg and I did light a candle for my brother Paul. It only seem fitting since when Paul was young people in the family would call him Buddha and when he opened his tattoo shop, he had a collection of Buddha figures. How more respect could it be than light a candle at a shrine, but he would rather it be done at a temple.

One night Mr. Joe took the Artists out for dinner, but before that  he invited us to his private studio. To me this was like going to his inner sanctum, this is where the master does his work and produces master pieces. Greg and I were talking and Mr. Joe's art has the status of what most Artists receive after death. So we walk into his basement that would be the size of a full school gym. There were crates full off his work and in the middle of the room he a few table but together covered with brushes, books and tubes of paint. I was just sitting there amazed by this sight, I was over come by all of this.  Then over in the corner I saw Mr. Joe's paint palette, I approached it as one would do as an alter, because this is where it all starts. This is the tool that lets him earn the type of living that lets him give back to his community and that brought as all together.

The True Humanity of Art

My studio at TU is next to the Ceramics Art Camp, they are about middle school ages campers. I need to remember that before I blast some old school NIN, anyway yesterday I had my work out on the floor looking at it. I was still in my chair and one of the campers froze at the door staring at my work and not at me for once.  Later that that day Brianna and I went over to the teacher and offer her to bring the students over next week to see how I produce my art.

When people see my art on the wall, or online it does not scream I am disabled so you better like my stuff! They just have a connection to the work and are more likely to approach me since we have command thread. I see art as the bridge between the disabled community and the able body world. When it comes to art everyone has their own style, art is just a vehicle to bring people together and share ideas.

Studio Days

Although I have multiple art shows around the corner, I do not feel rushed to create art. Wifey might say on studio mornings,  I am like a thoroughbred crashing around in the gate before the race. Once I do hit the studio, I go on cruise control not worrying about things around me, or how far is the finish line. Some days Brianna just puts on the music and we just break for lunch and other days we might talk about each other's work and other "stuff". It is just all part of the process of creating awesomeness!

A Studio Visit from Fredrick High School Students

I had an awesome day, yesterday with the student from Fredrick High School. When they arrived at the EBC Arts Center, there was no rush to get with the program, we hung out and talk for a while about living life with a disability.

Then I got into doing a drawing, even than it was nice and chill just like a group of guys hanging out taking about life. The only problem was that we had to keep track of the time, since they were in school.  At some point their teacher encourage them to get on the floor and draw with me. Only one student took us up on this offer.

As he was transfer to the floor, I was thinking if I did that back in my day, people would be freaking out. Where as in this setting it seemed “normal” just as sitting down at a desk. My how times have changed, once you open the box the possibilities are unless.

Studio Forplay

Friday, I went to studio and Wifey come back to pick me up a few hour later and I asked her to give me another hour.  A few hours in the studio is like forplay to my as I am used to studio marathons.

It is not only because of my disability that I like to spend whole days in the studio, but also my thought process. Yes it might take a hour, or so to get my setup to work in my studio, especially if I am starting a new piece because my assistant has to get all of my supplies ready.

When I was doing my MFA, I just took a lot of time sitting and looking out my work. Thinking about the next step of where I could take theme to develop it more.