Painting of Sam
Art Workshop to Come
I’ve decided to open my studio to the public — and offer my services as an oil painter/instructor. I plan to have auctions and give demonstrations throughout the year. I am excited by this prospect and have started clearing my space for the coming months.
Painter or Illustrator
I am both. I cannot see the delineation. A love for humor and film has always captivated me – and I have traced this back to my youth, when I would draw comic books in my closet. I came up with a super hero named ‘Diamond Head’ about that time ( no idea there was a band called this), which later became a zine, which I forgot the name of.
What I am trying to do is justify all the time spent not rendering from life, but creating logos, cartoons and ideas. I LOVE painting, and get lost in it – but recently I have been turned off by painters. Last year – I had falling out with two close friends, both of which I developed relationships with based on my art. Both individuals turned out to be judgmental assholes, with little to give other than sordid attention laden with self adulation and fear. It turned me off to creating anything ‘fine art’ and I reverted to ‘Kiche’. The dormant flow of energy that propels my desire to create in OIL will be relived once my studio is moved. I am between galleries, and have as much talent as an ant, in my mind. I have chosen to become a non artist, a non entity for this short amount of time. I will work on craft and develop ideas, but the market is something I am not interested in at this moment. Money and adulation has come and gone, and what I am left with is a desire to create for the essence of life is fabricating the new. I see the old in my past cronies, I see the doubt, fear and pain of losing parents, losing money, traveling alone.
We are all alone. As an avid meditator I see this clearly. Listen to the heart and follow the song sung by its tonal vibration. This led me to be a musician, painter and a fool. Spielman in it’s literal terms.
Moving AGAIN!
Seems I cannot stay in one place too long these days, and for this my work has suffered. Having been evicted from my old digs, I am now forced to take part in a new construction of a larger space in Bushwick, Brooklyn – but this is going to take a few months of labor and money spent. Not going to do much painting or recording within this time. Although I am working on a new comic book, as well as recording a record with Steve Albini this summer – I feel the need to paint more than ever before.
On the state of Fine Art…
Society’s reverence for Fine Art has all but diminished – in its place flashy, easy to digest totems and bright colored ill produced kitsch, opposite of the Ashcan School. Regardless, the old spirit moves me and I will produce creatively – hopeful the outcome will be unfettered by contemporary daftness.
On Creating…
The essence of creativity is inspiration. To be inspired by something means you give your entire being over to the sentient processes there before you, and a calling to a higher ideal transforms through thought into action – if action is taken. Inspiration drives the creative to do many things, most of which will never see the light of day — but all combine to create a unified existence of purpose within an artist. The projects or ideas that do surface gracefully, with no struggle – into the field of activity, and reveal themselves to be charged with life and inspired – are the works we see in museums, portfolios and galleries. It is within the days of creating things out of habit and a foresight to future positive outcome will push better work forward. It is not in thinking that this occurs, rather in the doing and observation of craft.
I create art to feel the process of evolution. It expands my thought processes to include aspects of the ethereal and brings forth a joining of inner clarity and social outward awareness. I am too aware of this, and so I find myself addicted to finding this state of Nirvana through creating either paintings, drawings or music. In this field of activity I am more at home and enjoy life much deeper, than if I did not correlate the two worlds.
‘Darwin’ by Gavin Spielman
Nice letter from a student….
Hey!
Thanks for a great semester! I can´t believe it´s already over… I´m really sad about how my final turned out. You know I care a lot about this class and it feels awful to turn in something I´m not proud of. I will continue working on that one and send you pictures when I´m done. I also want to let you know how much I appreciated having you as a teacher! I have had so many bad teachers during high school, so this was an extra ordinary experience for me. You have lifted my self-confidence in drawing and really inspires me to keep working and pushing limits! I´m sure you get a lot of good evaluations but sometimes it can be nice to hear it in person. Parsons is so lucky to have you as a teacher!
See you around!
Best/
Alex
Parsons Spring Semester Done!
I finished teaching my class today – I am going to miss those kids (adults). I feel I was able to connect with each one individually as well as a group – and for this I am grateful. Age and experience have their benefits, especially when teaching something like fine art.
I love painting and drawing more than most things in life. More than just about anything, actually. It is only when I am either painting, drawing or composing a song ( or performing, meditation too) when I experience an out of body, time loss feeling. I love this feeling. It connects me to everything and everyone, and I see how important information is – to be able to be one pointed about things, to live with passion and understand everybody is on their own trip – is the key to social living.
Drawing Class # 10
Highline Drawing
We will meet IN CLASS and critique the final thumbnail sketches and go over proposals in the first hour. We will then go outside and walk to the Highline on 14th St. and 10th Ave. We will be drawing for the afternoon so bring water, food and supplies.
Here is the handout. I will have it printed for you tomorrow.
Gustave Caillebotte
