Into The New Year...

I hope that 2012 has started off right for all you Spillmanvillians. It has been a mighty change around here. Since the end of the previous year, we have left the teaching profession, returned to the culinary world, given up my financial stability, begun pulling late night hours in the studio, started drawing with a fever, started new oil paintings in the hopes of doing a show or to this year, and we have slowly begun to produce some Spillmanville merchandise with more to come.

On the subject of leaving the crazy world of elementary education. The job was rewarding and I was successful at it. My students one countless awards, were featured in several publications, and were exposed to the world of drawing from the age of 5 up by a real artist. My personal achievements were numerous. I started an award winning art program from scratch with nothing more than broken pencils and copy paper. I was interviewed by several publications on the role and importance of art in children. I even got to do lectures as a real authority on this subject. So why leave? The job was too stressful and I could no longer deal with the anxiety of not being able to change the community around me and save these kids. The socio-economic drama that is inner city Memphis was too big for my weak little heart. I had to remove myself from this climate and slowly begin to distance myself from these children. I was too close, and their problems and cries began to keep me awake at night. I had only intended to do this as an opportunity to learn more about art through the eyes of a child. I got it and I understand it, but at the end of the day, it was taking it's toll in my studio. I'd rather be broke on the streets than frustrated at the production in my studio. Decision made.

The return to the kitchen has been great. A kitchen is nothing more than a studio with produce and edible items instead of turpentine and oil paint. I love the ability to produce a product and feel the reaction instantaneously. Plus, the vibes in the kitchen are honestly more creative than in my classroom where I had to dictate everything word for word. Truly a blessing to have such great friends in the culinary world to let me step back in and get my kitchen legs again. Awesome.

Now back to the work. Below is a painting I finished up last night. The title of the painting is "My Place Or Yours". It's a simple little ditty about sharing the good times with those important to you. Fitting, as it was made over the holidays. This painting was a trip. So many weird decision were made as I painted at night. It has been years, and I mean years since I painted past midnight, but it has been interesting to say the least. The painting is on coffee stained canvas, and it was originally just going to be a black painting. Well, then these weird green colors and this hazy pinkness began creeping in. Then, I'm not sure what I was thinking, but I started putting in the whites. I don't really know why yet, but I really love the stark contrast. In the past, I would have never outlined objects in my painting with thick black paint and or used this much white for highlights, but hey I like it. I think that the fact that the black is hand mixed from primary colors is what does it. The black tends to break down into its dominant tones when next to the white. Truly a fun painting to make.

"My Place Or Yours?"

coffee, gouache, oil paint on canvas

30"x24"

Well, that is the view from down here. By the way, thanks to all of you who ordered your official Team Spillmanville t-shirt. We love you, and you are going to love looking slick while you rep the 'Ville. Happy hump day. Now, go out and make something. Then show it to people. Wow! Now you're an artist.

Enjoy,

Spillmanville doesn't pack his lunch in the morning anymore.