August 2009

What’s is your background creatively?

I have been a creative person all my life. I enjoyed the grade school art classes but let go of art when I got into high school. When i was picking college classes I noticed that the line at the Art table was very short compared to the undeclared table which was 5 miles long. I don’t know if it was Serendipity or laziness but I went to the art table and picked out a few classes and the rest is history.

What other creative areas do you hope to explore in the future?

I would love to have the room to explore larger scale sculpture. I miss the college studios because they always had lot of room and places to store materials and completed work. Due to space problems I have taught myself to work smaller. I guess the benefit is I can complete more work in a shorter time. I always marveled at artists that spent 6 months on one work.

How did you become involved with the Hive?

Jon Conant saw my work at the Boston Bazaar Bizarre back in 2007 and later bought one of my found object robots. I think it was march of this year he emailed me and let me know that he was getting together a group of like minded artists from Cape Ann. I can remember being very nervous at the first get to know you meeting a few months ago. I found the people to be very friendly and I had no trouble fitting in. It is nice to have a place to gab with other artists.

What are your thoughts on the Hive? How can it become better? more unique?

I love the idea of The Hive. For the lack of a better metaphor it is like cheers for the art set. Having a group of people who support each other and understand what you are and what you do is great. I would love to see more Artist community involvement. I can tell you from experience that it is very hard to take your work from your studio and hang it on a wall for people to see. It can be really scary. However You can’t wait for someone to appear at your door and ask you to show your work. That would be nice but it isn’t realistic.
I had this idea. Remember when we were kids and the local supermarket had a coloring contest. You took one of the shopping bags and colored on it and brought it to the store and they hung it up. There were hundreds of those things taped to the wall. Perhaps there is a way to bring that idea into the 21st century. What if hive and local artists were given a piece of wood or bottle or other common object to decorate alter or transform in some way. Anyone who gets the object is given a place in the show. It might bring people out of their shell. It would be a community show and we could also bring in some other artists into the hive. I think if the community is given the chance to participate they would feel that the hive is theirs too.

Another idea I had is incorporating the beach clean ups that I know many of you do into an art event. What if we invited the town to a beach clean up and art competition. We could take the stuff we collect on the beach and have a sculpture contest with it. There could be prizes ( I would donate some artwork) and donations accepted  for a local charity. It would incorporate clean up making art and charitable donations all thanks to the folks from The Hive. I have no idea how to even set something like this up or if it is possible. Just throwing it out there.

What are your thoughts on Cape Ann?  How can it become better? more unique?

I am originally from the south shore Mass and I have to tell you that the North shore has it all over them. I feel more at home here by the seashore that I ever did there. The people are friendly and I can feel the history here. I think that what is lacking is  the closeness and simple niceties of life. We are racing around faster and faster. I wish we would all slow down take a breath and learn what is important to us.

What are your interests outside of Art?

I am a dad and take care of a couple of feisty yet great kids. It is a challenge to juggle an artist carrier and be a husband and a father. I give free art lessons to my kids and hope they bring this creative spark with them. I love movies and music. Pop culture has been a big influence to me all my life.

Anything you want to add?

I’m boring myself talking about me. I’m going to make some art!

This is my entry for the Munny Grubbers custom Munny show and contest at Just Blazed, opening August 8th in Phoenix, AZ. It started as a blank do it yourself vinyl toy.  I wanted to look back to when I was a kid and melted all those green army men in the dirt under my porch. I remember they were so cheaply made with extra plastic hanging out along all the seams. If you are in the area swing by Just Blazed  Hip Hop Shop & Gallery and take a look. -Tom