Every time you think you know yourself you go and do something that surprises you.  I’ve done that a few times recently.  A complete change of scenery can do that to you.  A couple of the things were good.  One of them wasn’t so much.  That’s how it is though and you learn and you move on.  Hopefully you take something from it.  In this case, I’m thankful to say, I did.  More proof that at nearly 40 you’re still a work in progress.

Becoming involved in a large-scale Art project like the new Aviva building in West Des Moines was a bit step towards changing the way I look at Art.  I’d become so used to my way of doing things that getting involved in someone else’s process was an eye opener.  Especially when those people are imagining projects on a fairly massive scale.  The coordination of industrial processes can be an exercise in project management.  I was very glad for the opportunity to get to pick these artists’ brains on how it all goes together.  I’ll post some links as things develop.

I’m also working on a series of pieces for the same project so I’m seeing it from both sides.  My project has me paired up with the Artist team of Andrea Myklebust and  Stanton Sears who’ve got a resume full of sizable projects such as this.  I’d better bring my A-game.  I’m looking forward to further collaboration with them on this one.  Right now we’re working more or less independently, but there are decisions to be made regarding palette, etc.  Size and subject matter are already solid.  I’m doing developmental charcoal sketches to tweak composition.  My apologies for the awful pics.  I’ll post some better ones later.

This has led me to throw my hat in the ring for some public Art projects that have cropped up statewide.  I’ve put in for one and have got plans to get my submission materials out for one later this month.  I may be completely out of my league, but frankly I don’t care.  I’m leading with my chin a bit, but the worst that can happen is that I get rejected.  Eff it.  I’m past worrying about that.  As Agent J said, “Don’t start nothin’, don’t Be nothin’”.

So… that was a bit of a surprise.  Two years ago this would never have crossed my mind.

The Not-So-Great thing I did led to a bit of self-discovery.  That led to a bit of brainstorming and Hell, you know what that leads to.  

Cheers,

R