sheridanzig

Hey, is this thing on?

So lately I've been thinking a bunch about what I want to do when I grow up. I like to solve puzzles and be creative. I really need to have open-ended work where no one tells me how to get it done.
(I don't question authority - authority just doesn't really occur to me.)
Oh yeah, and I'd like some time around people, but the majority of time by myself (that's how I recharge).
There are a lot of professions I've thought about over the years, and I'd probably enjoy some of them, too. Being a researcher or a medical examiner, for example.
But there's one thing I've wanted to be or do since I can remember: artist.
Not a designer. Designers create things for other people, based on outside specifications. Artists create things they themselves like, based on their own specifications.
There aren't a ton of successful artists out there - designer is definitely a safer career path - but they do exist, they are out there, and why not me?
(Though I won't be quitting my day job any time soon!)
The first step I'm taking is going back to school. I don't have a college degree, and while you don't need one to create, art classes have always taught me a lot and are inspiring - and I need to get back into the artist (instead of designer) way of thinking.
So I will be applying to Cornish College of the Arts. I was very impressed when I took a tour of it in high school and have wanted to go there ever since.
And now it's time. Because, hey, I gotta try.

Changing Status, Changing my Mind

I just changed my Facebook status to "...is an artist."

This came about through I conversation I just had with my manager. I said that I really wanted to be an artist, and he replied that he thought I already was.  We chatted for awhile and it became apparent that I am the person I need to convince.  Hence the first step - a public declaration.

And it was freakin' HARD.

I feel really weird about it.  Like that someone may challenge my assertion and validate my fear that I'm not an artist.  Or artistic.

I also feel weird that I feel weird.  And that I'm admitting I feel weird.  Too weird.

Life, Discipline, and the Pursuit of Stompywalker

A quick update.

I'm still running and plan to complete a half-marathon at the end of March.  This past Saturday I ran for 9 miles, which is much farther than I had ever thought possible.  And what do you know, it felt great - after I was done I wanted to go out for another run.  Of course, I was really tired and wouldn't have lasted 5 minutes, but the enthusiasm was there.

My plan for "Stompywalker" is going more slowly than I had hoped.  If only I was as diligent about art as I have been about running!  I can see that I'm going to have to schedule it in - otherwise work, running, games, TV, breathing...or something else, ANYTHING ELSE, seems to fill up my time.

I may need to forgo TV (not a big deal) and reading (a much bigger deal) in order to focus on art for a while.  I was looking at random photos on Flickr today and felt like if I don't start creating, well, that would be a real waste.  One reason I may not throw myself into art completely - controversy.  I like images that make me uncomfortable or make me think but am not sure if I want the comments that would bring.  Another blog post on that sometime.  Anyhow -

So tonight.  I will create something tonight, and post it.

Self-Portrait of the Day

Just me messing around in Photoshop.

 

Stompywalker

Something I've always wanted to do is to have an art show.  In a coffee shop, gallery, lobby, kindergarden - it doesn't matter.  It's just something I've always wanted to do, and yet have never done.  Sigh.

Why haven't I done this? Well, to have an art show you kinda need art of a single theme.  The pieces should somehow go together.  I tend to create a single item and then move on.  Once I figure out a technique or solve a problem I get bored and want to try something else that's new and different.

But now I think I've hit upon a way to create a bunch of pieces without feeling trapped or bored: Stompywalker.

I've made a list of a bunch of different mediums - I will create a piece using each of these.  All of the pieces will have the same title ("Stompywalker").  They could (and will) be completely different interpretations of that title, but they'll all have the title in common.

(And if you're wondering where "Stompywalker" came from - I was in a meeting last week and someone kept walking by the conference room with very heavy footfalls.  The projector kept shaking.  I thought to myself - "Wow, they're a very stompy walker".  Once I said it out loud, I liked the way it sounded.  Very fun to say.)