Conferences, Ponderings, and an Upcoming Show
February 18, 2009
(48"x36", acrylic on panel, painted in 70 minutes @ Portland youth conference)
I’ve been traveling a lot these past two months doing a number of different things… from painting at a marathon in Carlsbad, CA to riding in a van with the Robbie Seay Band during an ice storm in north Texas. Although at times my job can be frustrating for the uncertainty of constant paychecks, it certainly keeps me on my toes for providing an adventurous journey. And for that I am thankful.
I was recently in Portland, Oregon for a youth conference where I was working with my friend Logan Martin and the good people in his band. This whole group is a delight to work with… and when you have down time in a different town, it’s nice to have good friends to spend your free time with. One night we were at BJ’s restaurant, I was talking to my friend Brian who plays the rhodes in the band. We were talking about a range of things… usually our favorite thing is new bands we are listening to… but Brian brought up the paintings I was making at the event (shown above and below). He dabbles in paint and he was going on about how much he loved watching me work. Now painting is just old hat to me because I do it all the time. I see a talented guy like Brian who plays the keys amazingly and I think “sheesh, wish I could do that.” What I’m trying to say is that we have a mutual admiration for one anothers talents. He then was saying what he likes the most is that not only did he think my images were great and meaningful, but he loved that I was making them in front of 800 high schoolers.
“Your art actually changes peoples lives.”
(48"x36", acrylic on panel, painted in 65 minutes)
Now please understand that I think that what I do is good for the context in which I do it. But every artist has this voice in their head that tells them to “stop wasting your time and get a real job” and says “everyone is better than you”. So I want to assure you that in no way do I think I’m some superior artist. But Brian’s words rang in my ears all night and throughout the weekend.
As I talked with students and encouraged those who are artists to make good art in their lifetimes, I heard from them that they appreciated what I was doing and they appreciated me being there and giving value to their giftings. Even the leader of the event told me that I had a part in the impact that the whole event was having on the students. As I’ve been home (sick in bed) the last few days thinking about it, I have a huge sense of gratefulness in me. I’m grateful that all this hard work over that last 5 years is paying off. I’m grateful that my prayers have been answered in the way of wanting to be an artist but wanting to also to make work that in meaningful in the lives of others. I’m grateful that allowing others to see the process of making art isn’t just some “neat” performance, but in some way it is connecting with people in a deep way.
(48"x36", acrylic on panel, painted in 70 minutes)
Maybe you could care less about this and sorry for possibly being too self reflective in this post. But I think all of us have a deep desire to know that we are not wasting our lives with the hard work we are doing. In a field that has little to no monetary appreciation put on it, it’s a very hard journey to keep carving out time and sacrificing parts of my life to make sure that I keep making a space to create. I’ve become convinced that this is what I will ultimately spend my life doing… no matter what. And that’s a bit scary now at 31 seeing that my ladder to climb is something that I will have to create. There are no outside structures providing a road map to success… or assisting me in that journey. But Brian’s words were an unbelievable booster for me to know that all this “un-knownness” is worth it. It’s doing something. It’s fulfilling something. It’s fulfilling.
So thanks Brian.
(interactive response mural at conference)
UPCOMING EVENT
February 20 | Art Show | Seattle
I will be showing at the Phinney Ridge Neighborhood Center through the Art on the Ridge program. The theme is: “Think, Grow, Be…” and I will be showing with other local artists. I will have all new work up and it should be a cool event (no promises). Maybe see you there.
6532 Phinney Ave N. Seattle
Phinney Neighborhood Association Rm #3
5-9pm
SIDE NOTE
Most of you know this and have probably already seen this but I was on the Price Is Right game show ten years ago and I finally put it up on line. You can click here to watch it.
Until the next time… make space for art.
scott
New Paintings
January 21, 2009
("For The Raped In Congo", 48"x36", Acrylic on Panel)
I don’t know if you have been listening to the world news very much lately, but there are horrible horrible things happening in Congo. There has been a war going on for years, and more people have died in that war than the number of people who have died in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq put together. Crazy, huh? But we don’t hear much about it. Recently I was looking for something interesting to watch online and I came across a 60 Minute article on rape in Congo. Rape is an awful tragedy in war. But in the Congo, it has escalated to a level that is horrify. It is being used as a weapon, and no one is spared. As old as 80… as young as 2. Horrible horrible things. Anyway… I encourage you to watch the episode so you can see for yourself what is going on there.
What’s hard about watching this stuff is that I can’t do anything about it. It’s tempting not to want to know about these kinds of things because you feel helpless not being able to solve it. But in my own faith, I know that God knows these things, and I think He wants us to know what He knows. But what can I do?
I was listening to my ipod the other day… my Mello mix… and a Rosie Thomas song came on from her latest album (”These Friends of Mine”). In one of her songs, she was talking about feeling such pain over some news… and she didn’t know what to do or how to help. But she’s a musician…. so she wrote a song about it. That’s what she can do.
I sometimes wish I was a politician, a millionaire, a lawyer, or a superhero. Then I feel like I could do something to change the world. But I’m not any of those things. But what I am is a creator. So this is what I have. This is what I do…. I create out of the news of the raped women in Congo. I lament over the issue and work on a whole painting all week cause I don’t know how else to help.
This painting above is my lament over the hardship the women of Congo are going through. I pray for relief soon.
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This painting and a few others that I have created lately are hanging at the Cafe Verite/Cupcake Royale in West Seattle. The show will be up til the end of February.
"Wisdom" 30"x24" acrylic on wood
"Alki View" 30"x24" acrylic on wood
UPCOMING EVENTS
January-February | Regent College, Vancouver B.C.
January 23 | Party With a Purpose | Carlsbad, CA
An event highlighting all the sponsors and charities during the Carlsbad marathon. I will be painting at the event and the part of the proceeds will go to Heart For Africa.
Sheraton Carlsbad Resort, Sunset Ballroom, 6:30-9pm
January 25 | Carlsbad Marathon
I will be painting at the marathon as a fund-raiser for Heart For Africa.
February 5 | Art Opening | Seattle
I will be showing work with my friends Matt Whitney and Jeremy Mangan on the 3rd floor of the 619 Western building in downtown Seattle. Drinks. Music. Peeps. Art. Good times. 6-930pm
February 20 | Art Show | Seattle
I will be showing at the Phinney Ridge Neighborhood Center through the Art on the Ridge program. Theme: “Think, Grow, Be…”
6532 Phinney Ave N. Seattle
Phinney Neighborhood Association Rm #3
5-9pm
April 25-29 | Washington D.C.
I will be participating with Acting On Aids’ Summit On The Hill and Sojourner’s Mobilization To End Poverty. More info to come…..
June 1-31 | Art Show | Ballard Cafe Verite
Make space for art.
Scott
Auction Item and Upcoming Events
January 6, 2009
Last month, I got the great privilege to paint at the New Horizons Benefit Dessert to help raise money for this great cause. Above is the piece that I created depicting the great work this homeless teen ministry does in Seattle. The painting symbolizes something beautiful and strong that can grow out of community, hope, and love. That’s what New Horizons does for these kids who find themselves lost on the streets of Seattle.
Instead of selling this piece at the event, New Horizons has decided to have an online auction to sell this piece. The online auction will began on Sunday the 4th, and is ending on Sunday, January 11th at 8pm. In order to bid on the painting, you must have an eBay account. It is a simple process to register for an account if you do not already have one. To find the painting on eBay, please follow the link below and search:
Item number 270323622451
30″ x 20″, acrylic on canvas
100% of the proceeds will be donated to the work of New Horizons Ministries
Please contact Carina Schubert at carinas@nhmin.org or 206-374-0866 if you have any questions.
New Video
If you haven’t already seen this, I compiled footage from my involvement with Youth Specialties’ National Youth Workers Conference and put it in this little video. Enjoy…
Upcoming Concert
I will be painting throughout the sets of Hoquiam, Husbands Love Your Wives, and Grand Hallway at the Q Cafe on Friday, January 16th. All the work I make is for sale… so if you’ve been wanting some work from me… this is the best time to get it!
Happy 2009 everyone! My resolution is to do the things that I know I’m supposed to do.
Cheers….. Scott
Art Show Cancelled… but Merry Christmas!So
December 17, 2008
(painting at SPU's World Aids Day Coffee House Concert)
So my last email told you all to come to my art show that was happening on December 19th, this Friday. Well… I just wanted to let you know that it’s not happening. The curator for the show apparently got into and accident and is not able to host the show this month. Good news is she’ll be okay. Bad news… no art party.
Just wanted to let you know since I know some of you were planning on coming.
(painting from the Holiday Round)
With that said…. I hope you have a Merry Christmas…. and a very happy new year!
Scott
www.thetranspireproject.com
