114 Notes
Wed. Jan.29
Every now and then as I meander about this town I reflect on my first few days and nights.
The city is so much smaller now than when I'd venture away from the populous in search private places to sleep.
The giant glowing signs I've seen a hundred times since were at the time only indicators of how lost I was (where ever I might be) and what a strange world it was under these circumstances.
There was a cold solitude which defies my ability to explain that I would defend myself against by talking in my mind to friends and family as if they were all with me.
It was if I really hadn't accepted that I was so detached.
Now that I know a lot of new people and do my fair share of interacting with the familiar, that cold flavor is harder to taste on my tongue.
Just thought I'd share that feeling here before it is more thoroughly misplaced.
I've decided I've become a bit too dependent on this one small community I hang about.
These folks are more my pals than anything else and will let me eat and sleep among them much more for my charm ;-) than for my work.
I feel a need to once again invite strangers and the strange into this process.
I think I'll do some more scary wandering and see what comes about.
I do have some strong leads on objectives completion but calls must be had and meetings successfully adjourned.
I have been doing a lot of works lately but running out of supplies. Be fun to see just how I handle it.
There, I was able to write a sentence between every picture I wanted to post for this entry.
DAY
133 Notes
Tues. Feb. 17
I know, I know, been over two weeks since my last update. Been sad sometimes, sometimes lazy, sometimes otherwise distracted.
Hung out last week with some lads in the east part of town. These guys were pretty cool and most definitely fanatical about video games. Bradford (in green) was also nuts about comic books.
While exploring Brad's vast selection I realized in a flash, the influence a particular writer and illustrator had upon my art.
You see, while a young child my brothers and I had for a time, no television, games or other normal flights of fancy. We did have about four or five comic books which were part of a little known series called "Machine Man" and we read them several times over. The creator- who is not little known was a chap named Jack Kirby. At the time I found his drawings comically crude. However I'd subconsciously come to appreciate the style particularly the ones having to do with technology. I later adopted the organic tech treatment as a metaphor for the non-difference between nature and the creations of humankind. For a time my art was all circuit board aether's in flowers, trees brains etc.Now I know why.
A few examples
While considering Kirby's style I made this painting for Brad.
Now, going further with the human upon nature examination. The eye I've frequently defended around it's over use is considered by the following: It is generally a sinister (left) eye being shone on by a universal light from the right.
This has to do with the timeless ability of men/women to impose their wills upon the dangerous forces of the universe be it the extroverted threats of nature or subjective demons. This is the same as why I've done so many serpents in sherbet and peach. It's just that simple.
Now on to lighter fare. There is a place in Austin between Goodwill and the dumpster where every item is $1.25. I spent a fin and it was a friggin shopping spree. I got two pair of very near perfect Levis and this shirt (I'll let you judge it's proximity to perfection).
And this is Torchy's Tacos. It is among an assemblage of food bearing RVs off of 1st street and it is the best eats I think I've had in my life. I do tend to exaggerate when I'm a fan of something but it really is great. It's also a large reason I've gained 13 pounds while quasi-homeless.
And finally, this is a very poor photograph of a painting I did of my pals daughter. Very cute.
I was gonna say something about these pics but didn't
DAY
140Notes
Tues. Feb. 24
Anna here had a real nice pad with lots a reds and blacks. Gave her a sort of 3 fer one deal because..well I just got into it I reckon. She sprung for some supplies too so I'm pretty good now as far as that goes. Saw her as an avian type soul, so check it out.
Like I said I really got into the reds and blacks. My brother used em a lot when we were kids. Always thought it was a cool combo too.
I found a bunch of things to paint on in a construction pile. Was ok to paint on but I think it might be asbestos. I'll best keep it outdoors until I'm sure.
Yeah I post more than half of my sketches however monotonous that might be. I guess I just want em recorded somewhere. Hope it aint a bother to you reading this.
Another weird asbestos board. Trying out yellow monochrome.
And back to the red n black. The colors of anarchy.
And on we go.
Yesterday I came upon my friends having some kind of art cabal. I started something there but didn't get too far with it. I'll put it up later. It was cool that they all had a good time.
Still spend a lot of nights in various cars. It's really alright. Don't hurt my back or nothing. I don't think I would have to do it if I really didn't want to for I have a good cue of potential hosts. It's just a matter of staying too late somewhere and not being able to get to the next spot at a reasonable hour. Last night kinda sucked being 30 f and all.
This next sketch reminds me I am constantly just filled with the need to organize the organic and organisize the technical (see last entry). The next age should be called the Paratechno to solidify that vein. Somebody godaddy that and hold it for me, thanks.
Awe, just cant get enough. Can you see what I mean in this generic mecha beast?!
Oh,I forgot to mention in a past entry how that Japanese dude who made that flick "Spirited Away" and a bunch of other stuff that's a total trip (you know the one) is allowing folks to download 3d models via his website, your printer and your patience in deciphering Japanese instructions in folding paper into shapes. This one took Bradford a great many hours to complete. Thought that whole idea was interesting and the product looked cool enough.
A bunch of us found an old toy dump truck, and took turns down the hill on it. It was dark when all the fun was happening so the next day I took this video to commemorate the episode.
DAY
149 Notes
Thurs. March 5 2009
The following painting is the one I started at the art party spoken of in the last blog. My host had suggested something specific and very personal. I put it off for later because I want to treat his idea with adequate deliberation. Hope this does the trick for now.
Had a great time staying with Hanley and Link (middle and far right)-some guys who were a refreshing combo of funloving intellegent and disciplined. They and all their friends were distance runners and heavy enthusiasts of the sport. This is a photo of them shortly before going off to College Station to see a third roommate represent the Texas Longhorns in a big 12 meet. At a point I went for a little 4 mile jog with em and did not die, though I might have had they set their usuaul pace. Nice fellows indeed.
On one occasion Hanley sent over his personable and delightfully chatty friend Courtney to check in and meet me. We went for a nice little walk about the neighborhood at one point coming upon an interesting patch of urban ruin adorned in quality communitiy outspokeness.
Then occluded by reeds and bushes, we found this odd skate park place with a picnic table and everything. Very cool vibe.
Here a few more sketches for my records. Thanks again for letting me indulge myself.
I am digging on a cartoony feel.
A couple of neat sights around the city:
first, giant chess in the park. How cool is that?
and why yes, that is a massive Serpico decal on the side of a Ford Ranger. I bet this guy has to beat the girls off with a stick.
A new friend, who is involved in late night adult entertainment, handed me a kite one morning upon happening by her and her dog. In Austin you see, there is a large and exciting kite festival taken part in by all quaters of the city. We had quite a time as the winds were robust enough for me to get to the end of my string.
For some, time and string was shorter than for others.
Oh, I'll have to remember to give my pal a drawing or something for the kite.
DAY
158 Notes
Sat. March 14 2009
I realized that for some reason I was putting my notes above the pics. Think I'll change it up.
I've seen a lot of owls at night and there's a real owl vibe here altogether.
very well exemplified in the Frost Tower which is a prominent feature of the Austin skyline.
Speaking of towers, I did this child art rendition of Eiffel for little Abigail- infant daughter of my friends Mel and Jen.
This is just a consequence of erratic doodling on a match book cover upon a face on a book cover. I might like to paint the whole thing 40 feet high.
The caption on these stairs over the river say "100 year flood plain, June 2001". I think it's neat the city sprung to throw that into the concrete.
And this is the photo I took from that step. Really makes you think.
Still painting away, attempting to formalize the graffitti-esque.
And fighting darkness by shining righteous lights upon sinister eyes...... If only conceptually.
I've been asked again and again by the locals if I've run into Leslie yet. Well as you can see I finally have.
For you non locals, Leslie is a cross dressing dynamo and sort of de facto mascot for the city. I've seen many a refrigerator magnet of him/er as I've gone from home to home. I've also been told Leslie has a law degree and has done surprisingly well in many of Austin's Mayoral races.
I was called upon by my friend Carol who as a gift to a friend wanted me to paint a blue equestrian themed work. Hope they like it.
DAY
170 Notes
Thurs. March 26 2009
I've started many paintings this week and will show em when they are done and I will continue with notes and pics over the next few days as I have time.
Last week was dominated by South by Southwest music festival which is just a massive deal that doubles the size of the city. I think with musicians alone;-).
Bands are everywhere old and new. Primal Scream's "Moving on Up Now" can be heard from a small outdoor stage while walking down 6th street. Cold war kids are playing in the park. Erica Badu is also playing in the park but folks are annoyed that she is late and plays only one song.
To complement the scene I'd earlier in the day tried to pay a friend who is a massage therapist to bring his table out to the streets so we might offer free massage and iced coffee. In the end he decided against it as he was afraid of the liability, not to mention being very much altered by a certain strain of mushrooms. Maybe I'll nail em down next week.
I wound up going to this really cool apartment complex and checked out a great band out at the pool. The property was managed by my friend Steve's girl's mom and we had free run of the model unit. Aside from a few dramas here and there, a good time was had by all.
Thought it funny that my friend Jeremy's new girl was working a small venue and didn't recognize Metallica. Think she made em wait in some line. Ha, ha, How cool is that?
While already name dropping I should mention that yesterday Maynard Keenan was signing wine bottles from his very own vineyard, at the Whole Foods where I take part of samples, do my oatmeal thing and make wifi calls. Didn't want to spend the $30 for a bottle just to meet the dude. Lotta people did though.
Oh yeah, on Thursday I got a great haircut for a sketch. Thanks Kimra, you are awesome!!!
My camera is so beat up at this point the buttons don't work so I couldn't nix the flash.
Midway through the week I'd overseen an art workshop at Wizard Academy (Business School for the 21 Century). It's founder, Roy Williams was very welcoming and had kind words to say about me and the project. The class were all intelligent and high esteemed business owners who seemed to thoroughly embrace the experience of doing a painting.The excellent wine and food were a nice touch as well.
This was the painting I did during the exercise. Didn't quite finish but one of my "students" Jean was happy to take it off my hands.
Monotonics (from Tel Aviv) were a great band to behold. These guys spent more time riding above the crowd than on stage. The music was pretty cool too. At one point all members including the drummer+kit+stool were being surfed about by fans whilst doing their thing. I just realized that's probably why so many people are taking pictures. It was amazing to watch. The following video has him monologueing a bit having asked the crowd to sit down. Notice how far the stage is behind. The event managers were noticably annoyed and cut them off early.
Warning: there may be an F word or two.
DAY
175 Notes
Wed. April 1
First a few updates:
Austin Chronicle Article, by Andrew Long
On Saturday April 11th from 7pm-10pm, Russell "Rocduv" Freeland will be showing as well as creating works at Pump Project Art Complex's Biennial Closing Gala.
Pump Project Art Complex
702 Shady Lane
Austin, Texas 78702
512.351.8571
And................................
On Saturday April 25th, from 7pm-10pm at Bay6 Gallery, Russell Freeland will have works displayed as part of an absolutezeroproject reception.The following day the Gallery will be open 1pm-4pm for art viewing.
Bay6 Gallery
5305 Bolm Rd #6
Austin Tx
512.386.5700
Did this painting a while back and forgot to put it up. I am always painting Gabriel. It is a mild revisitation of an earlier thing I used to do.
There is definitely an ever present undercurrent suggesting Austin locals are afraid the late influx of new comers will eventually sterilize the town's character. Why wouldn't they, it's a really quite a jewel. Lotta people who'd been here had told that it was an oasis in a great desert. I promise I'll try to do better than just more sand.
I've thoroughly enjoyed my flights of fancy while here. I think having not known if the rigors of mere survival would keep me from any fun at all, I truly relish the down time.
There is a lot of non-typical graffitti around Austin. As the bridge between street forms and formal post, post modern becomes more profound the "non sanctioned" works I've seen present a real sense that this city is contemporary and then some.
Then there is the completely whimsical, with sensibilities relevant to any and every era.
I've returned a few times to work on this canvas. I am finally proud enough to let the rest of you see it.
DAY
183 Notes
sat. April11
Ok so here I am at Ball State in Muncie Indiana. You see, I'd told my friend and fellow artist (Sidewalksam) that I would help him if he really needed me somewhere. He is in a wheel chair and likes me around when he travels. I would have at first preferred to stick around where I was to take care of my own bussiness, but in the end it turned out to be a rewarding and inspiring experience.
Here Larry, Sidewalk and I are presiding over an art session in a center for developmentally challenged kids.
While up there I was interviewed about my project by a school media group that can be seen here:
http://www.ballbearingsonline.com/feature.php?id=29
Then I was back in Austin and back to the grind. I think I must have been flexing but I didn't notice until I saw this picture. I love the look of this downtown power plant.
What do you know, another owl. Did this one for pal Julz because I'd traded the last one I did for her before seeing her again.
Got some noodle soup out of the deal at Madam Mam's.
SWEET!
Then there was the owl in this commissioned green work (as well as a few other creatures).
I did a bunch of paintings on various pieces of wood to get going on my impending Art Shows.
Including this revisitation of an earlier expression.
Like this one from back in the 90's.
And here I am wanting to finesse the iconic quality. It is sort of a bridge style.
Then some more sketches.
Thought this book store mural is really cool and effective despite it's simplicity.