Drunk Monkeys (the pencils)

The studio has been a buzz with activity lately. After finishing the last oil painting, I realized that painting late at night leads to some wacky decision making. After pouring on all the white at the end of a black painting, I realized that I went one step too far. The painting worked for it's purpose, but honestly I wasn't very impressed in the end. I should have probably stopped a couple of sessions before I called it quits. The late hours led to some meddling I suppose. None the less, the painting did what I needed it to. It brought the painting bug down to bite me in the ass.

In case I haven't mentioned it, I am back working in the restaurant world. It feels nice to be back in the kitchen. There are a lot of differences in how my day begins and ends as compared to the previous days of teaching. One, I don't leave stressed out at the end of my shift. That has been a beautiful feeling, and I have really appreciated the ability to sleep through the night without having anxiety attacks about the day ahead. Wonderful. Two, I work with a staff of highly diversified and creative people. Conversations have gone from bitching about school politics and the rotten student that drives everyone nuts to basketball, soccer, music, business, art, cooking, and story telling. It's nice to feel comfortable and a part of my crew, without worrying about people running their mouths behind my back or being walked in on every other day by overpaid inexperienced evaluators. Now, number 3. To all my former art teaching colleagues, who keep telling me that they are jealous of my resignation from teaching, hear this. The hours are long. You don't stop until it's through. Your legs, back, shoulders, and basically your whole body hurts at the end of the day, but the satisfaction is immediate. Oh, and just like teaching, you still have to make the time to create the work in the studio. I know I've put in work at the end of the day or night depending. I find labor rewarding, and It is honestly an excellent feeling to be working with my hands again.

So, Sunday after cooking brunch at 3 Angels Diner, I was uncertain of my abilities to even get up the stairs to the studio. Imagine running through about 12 dozen eggs in a couple of hours while the line waiting for tables is trickling out into the front of the diner. You prep for 3 hours and then sell it out in 4. Non-stop. However, I managed to motivate my ass up to Spillmanville. I couldn't sit down for the fear of not getting back up and my attention span was shot, so I made the most of it and prepped up a nice 6 foot canvas. I've got a nice sketch drawn up for the surface, and it is all stained and ready to go. Yes, another black painting is on the way.

Also on the drawing table is large drawing in the pencil stage. The brushes and pens are ready to go. Yes, the drawing is of a couple of monkeys getting their drink on. There will be a bit more to it as I get into the details and the environment, but I can already tell it's gonna be a blast. The drawing is tentatively titled "Enjoy With A Friend". More to come.

Now, for all of you that have inquired about the comic book project, it is still in the studio, but slowing down for the moment. When I left teaching, it was not with the intention of staying in the kitchen, but more to motivate my studio work. Currently, I am working on a whole new body of paintings and drawings with the intentions of getting some show time this year and possibly new gallery representation. In order for me to accomplish this, other projects are kind of on the slow down until this work is finished or at least in a nice progressive state.

With all that said. 2012 is off with a bang. Work is being made. Ideas for shows are coming forward. We are working hard for you tried and true Spillmanvillians.

Oh, side note. To all of you who ordered your official Team Spillmanville shirt, we graciously thank you. The shirts are in the printing process and should be headed your way this week. New design coming soon. Thanks for the support. Now go make something with your hands and show it off to the world.

Enjoy,

Spillmanville likes the extended robe and house shoe time in the morning.