My friend brought me this old compass enclosure, and I made him a diorama of the four horsemen. When I was a kid, my dad told me that the horsemen would ride out in the four directions, NEWS and that’s where the term news originated. While it’s a clever bit of wordplay, the idea that “news” is an acronym for North, East, West, and South is actually a popular folk etymology. It’s just a myth.
I had the honor to attend a workshop by Lynda Barry today. I’ve been a fan since reading her strip in the Baltimore City Paper, and I love her books on making comics, and creativity.
I volunteered at the workshop, and had some time to talk and ask questions. Lynda has a fabulous sense of humor, and is generous with her teaching. She shared many anecdotes, and demonstrated just how effective her approach is as she ran us through exercise after exercise.
I’m not going to recount the entire day here, but I will say that talking with her sharpened one of my ideas about imagination, and I have a new insight into the practical value of art (even my modest art).
Below are some pics to took throughout the day.
Everyone that I interacted with seemed to leave feeling inspired and a little lighter in their spirit.
Acrylic on paper. 9 x 12″
I have some cool stories about meeting cool people.
When I was a boy, my dad took me to see Buddy Rich perform with his big band in a small theater in Annapolis. We went to the matinee. After the set, Mr Rich invited the audience to attend the second show, as it wasn’t sold out. So, we did and it was amazing.
I met Buddy Rich in the lobby between shows. He signed this record jacket for me. Dad and I went back into the theater, and it was empty. We wandered up onto the stage, and I sat at Buddy Rich’s drum set. I picked up his sticks and as I started to play, a roadie appeared and implored us to get the fuck off the stage before Buddy saw us.
We complied.
In my mid-twenties, I was obsessed with Hong Kong cimema: Jackie Chan, John Woo, and Jet Lee in particular. When Rumble in the Bronx was being set to release in the US. Jackie Chan visited the Hard Rock Cafe in San Francisco. I had a friend working there, and Jackie signed two posters just for me! I was over the moon!
I worked as a music buyer for years, and was able to get invited to an industry party after the Smashing Pumkins played with the Red Hot Chili Peppers in DC for the Blood Sugar Sex Magik tour. Flea wasn’t there, but I met Anthony. He called me Jim Skala Jim. He was extremely gracious.
Likewise, Bootsy Collins visited the warehouse where I worked, supporting his new record label (I think). He signed my Parliament CD cover.
Also, I can’t find the photo, but I met Joan Jett there. We had a photo with her, two other buyers and the manager, and myself. She was directly in front of me, and leaned back into me. I’ll never forget that.
Early in my buying career, I was invited to a Megadeth listening party lunch at 98 Rock. I was just out of college, and pretty awkward, socially. Dave Mustaine actually wandered over to struck up a conversation with me, about my job, etc. He was really nice.
When I was in high school, I worked as a dish washer. The cook in the kitchen where I was employed took me to see Heart and Cheap Trick. I’ve written elsewhere that Cheap Trick’s One on One was the first record I ever bought with my own money.
We heard that both bands were staying at a particular hotel, so we went there after the show. Sure enough, some guys from heart were there. I didn’t really care about Heart, but I found Rick Nielsen and Robin Zander on a couch near the bar. Rick Nielsen gave me a guitar pick. I told Robin that I was in a band, and we played some of their songs. He said “What’s the name of your band?” I said “Ace’s High.”
He said “Man, that’s a cool name.”
I was so happy.
I have a few other signatories that aren’t in this post – a couple of postcards from Ian Mackaye, Billy Martin’s book, and a letter that Steve Vai sent me when I was in college. But, I don’t mean to brag (Yes, I’m actually bragging, I know), but these are pretty special moments.
I’m participating with colleagues in Towson University’s Faculty Biennial exhibition this year.
I submitted Abecedarian 1 to the show, which is the first time I’ve had these in public. I think the installation looks fabulous.
I also had a couple of videos in the faculty showcase: S. ex. no. 28, About to fall apart and Terms of Service.
Before today, I had never visited MOMA NYC. Guppy met me there, and it was wonderful to see so many favorites in person!
