A Year Later
So much happens in a year, and yet, it’s such a short amount of time. I am realizing this as I get older, even now as a young man coming up to my 24th year of existence, I realize how quick the days roll by and even more important, how much I’ve grown in that little time. Even looking back one year ago to when I put this site up, I was but a child compared to my present self, and I imagine I’ll continue to feel this way for the rest of my life. With all the growing I did, I found a lot of value in reflection and meditation. So I’m going to use this blog not only as a way to update my friends and family, but also as an ongoing reflection and evaluation of my progress as an artist and as a man. I’m not the best at keeping up, especially online, but we are gonna try our best, let's look back on the year.
My senior capstone show was an overwhelming success, and frankly better than I ever expected, both on my part, and on the part of my extremely talented colleagues. At this group exhibition titled “DYSFNCTN” I presented “The Greywater Collection.” This was a collection of narrative driven objects focused on the relationship between a human and their child (I did a father and daughter but it could be interchangeable). I used these objects to tell stories and use the stories to promote thought and conversation about themes that I feel are very present in life, but rarely discussed. While creating this body of work I meditated on self sacrifice and protection; and especially how far we will go to protect the people we love. Most of my inspiration came from my amazing parents and I couldn’t have done it without them. I also wouldn’t have been able to put together this body of work without the teachings and amazing support of my professors. Frankie Flood, Lisa Stinson, and Travis Donovan (along with a plethora of others) poured everything they had into me and I truly believe that I wouldn’t be the man I am today without them. I am forever grateful to these wonderful humans.
After graduating from Appalachian State University , which is not something I thought I would be able to accomplish in the past, I was contacted by their art department and offered a job as a Woodshop Safety Technician. I happily accepted, I saw it as an amazing opportunity to get teaching experience with the faculty that I was already familiar and comfortable with, as well as getting access to all their facilities so I could continue my practice.
The job at the University required me to wear many hats, but I loved it, it kept me sharp and I was learning even more than I did in undergrad. I also found a new love in teaching; everyone has told me that I would make a good teacher, but younger me wasn’t interested at all. However, I must say that now having done it, teaching is one of the most challenging, yet rewarding things I’ve ever done in my life. I have always had a passion for learning things, and it seems I have the same passion for sharing that knowledge as well. Not sure where it will take me, but I’m doing my best and making the most of this great opportunity.
In addition to the University work, I have been very active in volunteering at the Western North Carolina Sculpture Center run by Joe Bigley and Zack Smith-Johnson. Both are wonderful artists and they have been truly amazing to me. Here at WNC is where I found my love for Iron Pours. I had never done one before Fall of 2019, but I was invited to participate in one and I’ve been to every pour hosted at the Sculpture park since they officially opened. I absolutely fell in love with the whole process and the community around it. Each pour had me meeting new people and participating in different roles. The photo above is actually me cleaning out the cupola and honestly, even the tedious jobs like this simply fill my heart with passion and hot molten iron. I plan on attending every iron pour I can make until the day I die. I love it.
As many people know, in March of 2020 we were introduced to a new threat. Because of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, I as well as millions of other Americans, lost my job due to the mass closing of universities and other non-essential businesses. As I write now, the situation is still changing everyday. No one knows when the country will re-open and with that, I don’t know where I will be going and what I will be doing in the near future. For now all we can do is stay home and hope that a vaccine is found as soon as possible. I am a patient man, and I am trying to make the best use of my new found quarantine time.
I think those are the highlights. As of today I am slowly making a home studio to continue my practice as best I can with my situation. Living in an apartment complex makes most processes I’m fond of extra dangerous, so for the time being I’ll be mainly experimenting with fibers, leather, and hopefully a small repousse setup. I’ve also been using my time to dive into my book collection and break out the guitar again. So for the most part, we are doing pretty good. I’m curious to see where we go from here. Hopefully the next update will be less than a year from now. If you’ve gotten this far in the reading, I thank you for taking time out of your day to listen to me ramble.
Much Love,
Adrian