Thank You Henri Matisse

"When you have achieved what you want in a certain area, when you have exploited the possibilities that lie in one direction, you must, when the time comes, change course, search for something new."

Henri Matisse

I have just started my new job, departed the other and am very happy. I can now concentrate and delve more into the business of art. Coming up with new ideas, experimenting with new mediums, becoming less critical of my work- past, present and future, and marketing are my areas of focus and attention right now.

I am fortunate that I live in a culturally rich city when it comes to the arts. I am guilty of taking it for granted at times. I don't partake of everything I would like to but the venues I do to attend, I leave feel nourished and enriched on many levels. When I need inspiration and/or counsel, I can find it locally. And I did recently. The writing was on the wall.

The Art Institute of Chicago is currently showing an exhibit of Henri Matisse's work from 1913 to 1917 entitled Radical Invention. I went to see it and after viewing, a creative weight was lifted. Not only was I inspired by his work but liberated by his process! Matisse was quite progressive. He recycled. Several paintings that appear in the YouTube video were included in this exhibit. I would like to share a few paraphrased writings on the wall with you:

• Matisse would reuse compositions in an effort to pare down forms to their most pure and meaningful state. He found great creative potential in reusing subjects.
  
• Reworking an already familiar subject could free him to focus on other issues pursuing the essence of form, a still simpler means of making or moving a piece in a whole new direction.
  
• The challenge in reworking a familiar subject was the preservation of the original feeling or expression as Matisse called it. It took on a greater improvisational and inspirational role.
  

"One should be able to rework a masterpiece at least once to be very sure that one has not fallen victim to one's nerves or to fate." Henri Matisse

Thanks to Henri Matisse, I can and will revisit and reinvent my earlier designs and work, explore new possibilities with them rather than totally discard, abandon or classify as old. Very liberating.

Observing It All Come Together

One of the best decisions I have made was to leave the world of media production and become a functional artist. I don't say that lightly. Or live it lightly. I live it mentally full time and physically part-time.

I recently started a new job at the soon to be open Terzo Piano restaurant located on the third floor of The Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago. The Modern Wing is the new home to the Art Institute's 20th and 21th Century art collection. It opens to the public May 16th. The building is energy efficient, constructed from recycled and environmentally safe materials and water is recycled. 264,000 square feet of space for me to get lost. Very, very exciting.

"Naturally 'Mazing " Box
13"x4"x4"
Wood, Acrylic, texture paint, polyurethane varnish

I have observed the exterior progress of the construction since 2005. Now that I am actually inside the building, learning security procedures, navigating and dodging all the internal construction still going on, I am progressively seeing it ALL come together. The less than glamorous side to the soon to be chaotic and rewarding side.

Especially at Terzo Piano. With 4 days under my belt, I have seen a white canvas, literally as the restaurant is very white, very open, begin to transform itself into a contemporary masterpiece. I have seen the Director and President of the Art Institute, the restaurant designer, the building architect, building maintenance, electricians, engineers, art installers, the Executive Chef and his staff, restaurant staff, and media, all come together dedicated to creating and making something fantastic. With a deadline.

"Fame" Buddha Box
Wood, Acrylic, texture paint, Chinese coin, non-toxic polyurethane varnish

As I observe all of this coming together, I also see how by changing my direction, living my values, and persevering, I have created exactly what I wanted. And I will be surrounded by people and an environment that will nurture my decision. So I guess I can say I'm sitting, or standing as the true case will be (I'm a host),
pretty happy.

P.S. Thank You Paul!!!