Thursday, April 25, 2013

I'm posting again and still finding my way

Two years and a few months can really change your life around.  This is Mandalin, and it'll just be me on this blog now. Kelly moved up north for a better life out of the transient sands. I got a lucky break around the same time (5/2011) getting a desk job at HOWL Gallery & Tattoo.  Andy Howl took me on as his apprentice about a year ago and it seems I'll be coming on the floor as a tattooer within the next month or so... I can't tell you how much being at the gallery has influenced my painting and drawing... refining and cleaning up work and learning learning watching so much to know... I'm such a tattoo baby. haha in the infantile newbie sense. I'm a sponge for everything tattooing but my cheesecloth memory is such an impediment. Names and numbers seem to go in one ear and right out the other.. at least I've got my pictures. AAaaaaannnyways. I've been drawing and painting and writing and poeting and singing and making things I like to make... and meeting some great people.. there are so many complaints against fort myers being such a nothing happens here kind of town.. but I have met several musicians and artists of all kinds and they are all making things. True, there's not a hoppin city atmosphere where you're constantly assaulted with different concepts, opinions and visual stimulation... but its not a city you get lost in. So if you're looking to self-improve as an artist and get known for making art its actually quite nice. Ya know, little fish growing up in a little pond can be cozy... I am such a baby fish. bloop bloop bloop haha
I started this blog to give advice to struggling or starting artists.. and I've realized that route is bleh. Don't want to do it. The more I'm out learning the more I realize how little I know. Open to questions, though and I have a long wind in me. haha
The shop is so slow today. We're in the midst of moving to a new location and all the walls are bare. Seems like such a shell of the lively, colorful place I've grown used to and fond of. I've heard it's going to be another frozen yougurt place for the snowbirds to patronize. That's just what we need around here. Another expensive treat shop... why don't you paint the walls with palm trees? Definately not enough palm tree and dolphin art in florida.
...so I realized I do have encouraging words to share: be your own culture. No matter what is going on around you- be what you want to be because if you are to be an artist worth a damn you must cultivate your own identity.
Ok.. now it's time to go clean/pack/draw something. Oh ya, I post artpictures on instagram @cagebrain, songs and spoken word on www.soundcloud.com/bubblebreather  and I reblog inspirations on tumblr www.cagebrain.tumblr.com
HOWL gallery's website is www.howlgallery.com

Have a swell day, Internet Anon.