-Valerio Spada-

I have laid eyes on his winning Blurb book "Gomorrah Girl" and let me tell you a thing or two about it.
The best way I know how to describe this is how I imagine it would be to play therapist for a day.
Let me explain, when I look through the images I am an observer into a way of living that is unfamiliar not only in location, but in culture, and experience. But there is the essence of the lives captured that also captures me.
Lucky for you, this off kilter explanation isn't all you have to go on, come see Valerio Spada speak on Monday September 26th.
1p.m.
Tyler Auditorium.
Please attend so I don't feel as though I have done this work a great injustice.

xoxo,
Charlie

Tricks and Tips to be Advised

I am passing along some wisdom to the rest of you for upcoming K.C. or L.D. scenarios-altercations-battles- or generic (almost pleasant) visits.

1. Be prepared in general (a pen, a course list, possible bribes,people skills, a gentle spirit--the works)
2. Know your stuff (this falls in the be prepared category, but still needs repeating)
3. Go early, in terms of the time of day and probably semester. If you go early they haven't had the chance to hate the student population, their paperwork, and life in general.
4. Do not for any reason let them out of your sight, there is a huge possibility they will not come back. As soon as your face popped around the corner, they began plotting ways to get rid of you... DO NOT LET THEM ESCAPE.
5. Ask them for their approval, preferably a signed copy stating that you are a genius and a master schedule planner because you WILL be graduating in under 7 years. (well done, well done)

And now I send you off into the wilderness of a new semester. Mama loves you, make good choices
xoxo,
Charlie

Pinkie Promise?

I am living in a world of pre-nups, verbal agreements, written agreements, contracts, insurance, living wills, covenants and yes, pinkie promises (which I still do on a regular basis). Why? we just want reassurance in a life that is more often then not full of twisted surprises.
These were created for a reason... a tried and true way of keeping the balance... of course if you are an avid watcher of People's Court you might doubt their value.

In a recent "assignment" (you know the word makes me cringe) I was challenged to see routine as a kind of assurance, or rather a promise that creating is timeless. That rut's or "artist block" is a farce of the greatest kind. It is limiting in the word alone.
If we are regularly and repetitively engaged in whatever our chosen expression of creativity is you will never fail. Unless your definition of success is limiting you, stay en route on a single idea, and the process can take you to greater heights. Typically I have found that it morphs into strange new territory... a stepping stone for another place to reach. Like rock-climbing... you are on the same wall,or mountain or whatever but you are constantly reaching for the next gripping point. The climb is changing rapidly even if it all looks like a muddled array of beige and grey.

I won't sugar coat it, there is a huge probability that it feels like you are going nowhere, it is all a matter of how you think about it, and if you are willing to muck through regularity.
Gasp! regular? middle? routine? mediocre? boring?
LAME ART
say it ain't so. I never said show it to everyone, routine is personal until it is ready to go public. Keep that in mind, it might never be ready, but there is a good chance it will. It might really never ever be ready, but I bet it will push you into something else that will be ready, just singing a different tune.
It is important to establish habitual creating moments otherwise you leave yourself open to attack... or floods, or an impromptu divorce, or a shady landlord (thanks people's court!). Artist block is only a block if you believe in it.
Be regular it is underrated (like hoarders)
xoxo
-Charlie
p.s. see you soon, ready or not.

Charlie's 10 commands of the Art-Heads

1. Stop spitting out exactly what the requirements tell you.
Just stop...unless of course you are just learning your way around yourself, are a freshman, or are brainless. If you don't carry a single shred of self awareness then always follow the requirements, you need them desperately.
2. Stop being so friggin' anal. Sometimes we can't give 100% to everything we do, and it is okay. You will never give 100% if you are being anal anyways. Think of all the energy you are wasting!?
3. Don't waste time doing things. Waste time doing nothing, you need space in yourself.
4. Spend time talking to your peers, ask them questions about anything you can think of. Art touches us deeply in unexpected ways.
5. Do not rush yourself. Enjoy the process of figuring out what you want to spend time on. The process influences the product. Being "stuck" is only that when you are trying to get somewhere. Stop focusing on that.
6. Try to stop hunting for a higher calling with your work. It will wind up being forced and awkward. (i.e. I always wanted my work to be political, when I had no real ambition to deal with those issues)
7. Remember that you are not so "different", "special", or "unique". Your Mom lied when she told you that. We are all more similar then we think. Do not isolate yourself with these ideas of your exceptional artsy fartsy personality.
8. Always collect things. Hoarders are just misunderstood.
9. Force strangers and friends and professors to look at you and what you think and what you make. People can be shy with their own opinions, especially if they feel like no one wants to hear them (a frequent occurance amongst the jaded artists).
10. Love talking, Love listening. Learn to look into other people. It will serve you well.

xoxo,
Charlie

For anyone interested...

Summertime: A Much Needed Break

So we're about a month and a half into our summer vacation and I hope everyone is enjoying it. For some, it's a great time to kick back, drink a beer, listen to some CCR, meet up with friends and family, go to shows, go somewhere far far away from the photo basement. For others, like myself, it's somewhat of a halt. Considering that most of the seniors from last year are graduating in January, there is undoubtedly a sense of a want to finish up and move on. This is how I've felt of recent weeks (living in my dad's basement, one can understand), however, realizing that only one semester (two for others) stands between you and graduation, it is essential to ease into a much needed break from academia.

I'm not saying shutting off your brain completely is the conclusive element, but rather taking comfort in knowing you got 2 more months before things start heating up again. We're so wound on school and finances that sometimes we forget about the recreational moments that we most wholeheartedly enjoy. So yeah, take a day to sit on your ass, go to the zoo, visit a friend abroad, take a walk with a family member, get to know others. Do something now because honestly it may be a long time before vacation time awaits us in the "real world".

xo George

I know it has been awhile

How does the summer get more crazy then school year? Whew, well it is good to be back on the blog, I hope all of your summers are going well, all the internships, the job hunts, the endless search for meaning!
I would love to give you a word for word description on all the fabulous art I've been making, but let's be honest... it has sadly gotten pushed to the side. It is painful for me to say it, but for those of you in the same boat-- feel no shame! That can happen in school. The rush of the deadlines and crits inevitably ends with a burned out artist. However, what I like to focus on is that creating and thinking are intertwined in every aspect of life.
Maybe my art is taking the form of a conversation, an outfit, sidewalk chalk drawings, or painting my butt wiped-haggard-transportation-device I like to call a car. It is everywhere my friends, it is in our blood. No matter what form you are taking at this point in your life-year-summer-day-hour you are carrying your perspective with you. Your life-lense does not just disappear. But that being said,
do something with it.
Take notes.
Write.
Tag a Do Not Enter Sign (but don't vandalize, it is against the law you know)
Read a book.
Watch people.
Watch yourself.
And then you take it all in, you carry it around and let it grow on you, this changing that we will always be going through. Look and see how you change.
Then show someone, not "reality", everyone knows that is a lie. Show us your own version of truth, because that is what I want to see, be genuine, the world will know. Or at least someone will.
Yours Always,
xoxo
Charlie