An Artist By Chance

When I was laid off as the recession set in I never dreamed I’d still be looking for work over a year and a half later. I’ve applied for hundreds of jobs and have gotten considerably less picky as time goes on. And while I’ve had a couple of temporary opportunities come my way there is still no sign of anything resembling permanence. But there is a bright side to my story.

The worst winter of my lifetime began in early December of 2009 and I could have easily gone over the edge had I not remembered the stacks of old magazines in the basement. I pulled them out of storage and began leafing through them one by one. The images of the Vietnam War, the counter-culture, the assassinations of two leaders, the political climate, the fashion and entertainment of the times spilled out of the pages of these old Life magazines and I was overwhelmed with memories and inspired to make something of these old treasures.

I’ve created over 30 works of art since then and am now looking forward to my first showing later this month. Who knows if I would ever have become an artist if I hadn’t been laid off? It’s hard to say, but looking back if someone had told me I was going to have work in an art gallery I’d have thought they were short a few bricks.

It’s a strange position for me to find myself in. What I do for a living is no longer as important as it once seemed and I would be happy to find anything that will pay the bills and fund my art business. Unwelcome change can open new doors. Look carefully for the signs and when life hands you lemons, just make lemonade. Then market it.

I’d like to thank a few people who have been along for the ride. To Cat Rocketship and Monika Agic, thank you for taking me under your wings and giving me a little push. Your Art Sucks rocked, Cat. And Market Day has become a huge success, thanks to you. Monika, managing Art By Magic Studio Gallery in its infancy was been an honor. And you have no idea how awesome it was for you to set up a work table for me to work on my own art while at the gallery. That’s some support there. To Jon Watson, my Facebook friend from Texas, thanks for being my first customer. To Joe Domeier, thank you for hanging in there at the Art Store. The tough economy has been hell for the business and my thoughts are with you. To Erin Bollman, thanks for being the first to invite me into your space and for the wonderful acts of charity that come out of Finder’s Creepers. To Rex Ray, thanks for liking my Facebook page.

And thank you – my friends and family, just because.

Des Moines Delivers

Twenty years ago, I’d have never believed it possible. The Des Moines I knew then was hopelessly entertainment and culturally challenged. Sure, people went downtown to go to work, but on Friday afternoons downtown shut down. A few Court Avenue establishments existed; Johnny’s Hall Of Fame was there, as was Spaghetti Works. Judge Roy Bean’s was still around then. But what did people do after Happy Hour? They returned to their suburban homes until the following Monday and the start of a new work week.

I left my job at Principal in 1991 to raise my daughter and didn’t return to work downtown until 2008. For the first few weeks I had to get re-acquainted with Des Moines. What a difference a few years make. Des Moines today, is thriving, and if you still think there’s nothing to do, you’re wrong. Saturday I made the rounds to three different events, all free. One even included free beer; it’s hard to argue with that.

I started off the evening with a visit to Finder’s Creepers, a store that specializes in everything creepy. Voted Best New Store in Cityview’s 2010 Best Of Des Moines Poll, Finder’s Creeper’s satisfies the dark side of us all, with plenty of horror movie T-shirts, skulls, bones, and (!) dead animal art. Don’t miss the art gallery downstairs. There’s some fabulous stuff there by local artists like Shawn Palek. Though I missed the There Be Monsters artist reception for D. Ryan Allen (I got the time mixed up), I enjoyed my first visit and plan on attending future events.

Next, I enjoyed dinner at Open Sesame. Located in the East Village, this Lebanese cafe opened just recently. The small space was packed when I arrived (a good sign), so my companion and I sat at the bar. The bartender whips up a mean Open Sesame Martini that is so fruity and delicious (and dangerously potent) you won’t regret spending the $8.50. For dinner I had the Grilled Kafka (ground sirloin mixed with parsley, onion, tomato, and spices served on a bed of Basatmi rice with Lebanese potatoes). Lebanese comfort food, with a hint of cinnamon in each bite. Yum!

After dinner, I stopped in at Brent Houzenga’s Northland Studios for an Open House. The local arts scene in Des Moines is pretty much underground. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s kind of like knowing a secret no one else knows, or being a member of a secret club.

I finished the evening at Impromptu Studio, with John Pemble’s 101 Days Of 12-Second Videos. John’s day job is with Iowa Public Radio, but he might just have a future elsewhere. If you think it’s impossible for someone to be outrageously funny in just 12-seconds, you’re mistaken. Around 60 people showed up for John’s 30-minute screening, and I’m willing to bet no one left disappointed (and that’s not just because of the free Olde Main beer).

All of this on a Saturday night in late March would have been merely a dream twenty years ago. As the weather improves, the event opportunities can only get better. God, I love Des Moines.

http://www.finderscreepers.com/ENTER.html

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Des-Moines-IA/Northland-Studios/248370625291#!/shawn.palek?ref=ts

http://www.myspace.com/infernalengines

http://www.dmcityview.com/2010/02/18/features/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Des-Moines-IA/Open-Sesame/213922877838

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/brent.houzenga?ref=ts

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Des-Moines-IA/Northland-Studios/248370625291

http://12seconds.tv/channel/johnpemble

http://www.oldemainbrewing.com/

http://impromptustudio.com/