UPDATE 5/15/13
Hey Glenn,
Attached are the finished pieces, along with a few photos taken during the
exhibition which was held last Monday, May 1, 2013 (see
"finished" pieces above). My pieces are on display
until the 24th of May in the Martin Art Gallery at Muhlenberg College. This
was my senior thesis exhibition. The clay had to be fired in a kiln, which
was a long process. We had to fluctuate the temperatures according to the
size and dimensions of my pieces on a day to day basis.
Each piece weighs around 200 pounds, however, the gorilla head weighed
around 400.
After each piece was fired and cleaned, I primed them with black spray
paint, then painted over with a special copper paint, which had actual
copper in it. I used a Patina Spray after the second coat of copper.
Since the paint has real copper in it, the spray oxidizes, literally
before your eyes, and you begin to see a slight color change to green in
certain areas. This gave it that old aged, weathered copper look. I
was aiming for an archaic type feel, as if these sculptures had been
rediscovered from ancient times.
I had to hire movers to come take measurements of the sculptures and are
in the process of making custom crates to safely bring them all back home
to Connecticut. So far, my plan is to display them in one of the rooms in
my house, or display them in a local gallery, (still not sure what exactly
i want to do with them)
I plan on studying for the LSAT'S this summer then taking them early in
the fall and apply to law school accordingly. My future plans are to
become a lawyer, however, art will always be a BIG part of my life. I
envision having a studio where I can continue my work for a long time to
come.
Thank you so much again Glenn, you did not have to go out of your way to
help me and encourage me with your kind words, I really appreciated that.
Jesse
Jesse -
Like I have said in the past, I have
supported many of you as well as old folks that I met that had a talent,
but no direction. What has always amazed me is that those that can
teach, can't do much else, as the business world is too foreign to them,
and therefore they have no insight to direct you other than say "someday,
somebody will cross your path that will lead you in the right direction
to what it is that you would like to do. Until then, remember this is
art, and you really need to be in the top 2 1/2% that make it in the
arts. This is fact and the reality of the talent world."
Bullshit, I don't and have never bought
that line for a minute.
I am glad to see that your dad made the
suggestion that he did, and to now see the end result of that decision.
Now, parents always want the best for their children and will tell you
as I am sure your dad has already, that "this is art and you are
talented, but let's be practical, you can't make a living at it. So,
stay in school and get a real job and play with your clay on the week
ends."
I couldn't disagree more on this subject,
as I have seen people that later in life they returned to their art when
they were retired and were very successful, and regretted the loss of
time from what they really wanted to do. Such a waste of almost a
lifetime.
Live your life without regrets, and do
what will make you happy NOW. You will see that things will work out for
you in the long run. You and you alone need to take control of your
destiny, and not anyone else.
The main reason I am spending the energy
on you at this point is that time here is at a critical junction in your
life. You have already spent the summer studying for a test to see
if you would be able to attend law school, when you have to acknowledge
that this is not your first choice. So, whose dream are your trying to
fulfill ? Think about that for awhile. Too many young people have
made decisions based on what their parents want for them, instead of
what they want to do.
If your family is your financial support
for school, then why not suggest that they spend those same dollars for
the 4-6 years it would take for you to pass the bar exam and get a job,
on you to establishing a studio and possible teaching others your art.
Make the investment in you rather than a school program that is not
going to make you happy. This is just food for thought. Seriously,
take the time to talk this over with your folks, if this is where the
money for schooling is coming from.
Don't let foolish pride get in the way of
your future. If nothing else, then treat this as a loan from your family
with an interest payback. There are a lot of options here for you to
think about.
I do not consider this time I have taken
to be a waste of my time, nor do I have anything else at the moment that
is more important to me than to give you this world of experience that I
have gained over the past 49 years since I graduated from high school.
While speaking with Nnamdi yesterday, we
both agreed, that you will only be happy in life if you follow you God-given
talents rather than some else's dreams.
I am sorry that your professors let you
down, but many of them really wish that they had made other decisions in
their life, but just didn't have what it took to work in the real world.
I have all the respect in the world for
teachers. My first wife was a German teacher for 18 years before she
died from MS. My second wife graduated from high school First in her
class, but because of her family religion, was never able to attend
college. Such a terrible loss of talent, as she could have been
whatever she wanted, as she had the skills required for true success. It
just took her 26 years to really find a place where her talents made all
the difference in the world. WHERE ON EARTH was her creation, and I give
her full credit for the success that she has made with our business. All
I gave her was the funds, a computer, several programs and freedom to
move us forward. She is my best success story that I can share with you.
The web site is her total creation, now numbering some 230 pages and
growing.
Her success story is an example of what
can happen to a person that has talent and the necessary support from
her family standing behind her all the way.
Some 24 years later we met, she helped
take care of my wife, and we got married a year after my wife
passed. At that time my little business was worth about $600,000.
Now 12 years later, we have grown to a net worth of between $7-10
million under her direction. I turned complete control of the company to
her about 6 years ago, and have never looked back with any regrets,
other than I should have done it 6 years before that.
Don't be at a loss for words, become a man
of action. If a total stranger has taken this much time to
encourage you to follow your dreams ask yourself WHY? Then follow your
dreams, not some one else's !
Good luck with the show this week end, and
remember to get plenty of pictures of the show and you with you display.
Glenn
P.S. I contacted Nnamdi
Okonkwo about an hour ago as to how he did on his project of fund
raising money on Kickstarter. He told me he was only looking for
some $17,000 and instead got $29,000.
He thinks that in about another year or
two he will bring another project to them for funds. People
really liked his art work and they supported him with the advancement
of his art.
I spoke to him about your talent and he
invited you to call him directly on his cell number. Please take
him up on his offer.
Please don't let this opportunity slip
away from you. Having contacts in the real art world will be the
best following that you can have. This guy is a real mover and shaker
in the art world. He has done a lot of terrific work, and has sold
stuff to the MONEY people that count. He could be a real door opener
for you.
Glenn
==============
Glenn
and Heidi,
I cannot thank you two
enough for everything you have done for me. My heart jumped when I
viewed your cool customer page, I haven't been
this excited in a long time! Heidi did a really great job, she put the
biggest smile on my face! You both have been so kind and encouraging.
Words cannot express how grateful I am that you took time out of your
busy schedules just to help me. I will send some more pictures after
my exhibition this Sunday!
Glenn, your advice and
encouragement I keep very close to heart, and I agree with you 100%
about my career choice. I have been studying all summer and trust me
its been an uphill battle. I am so back and forth with my future, when
all I really want to do is play with my clay!! I have never been a
quitter so I decided I will take the test this fall, and make a more
practical decision from there. Art is my passion, law is not. Its a
big decision, but hopefully I obtain good enough feedback from my art
exhibitions and your awesome website to make my career path choice a
little easier. I really hope we can meet in the future so I can thank
you in person. I would love to sit down and exchange stories and hang
out! I think that would be great! I can't thank you and Heidi enough.
All the best!!
Your friend,
Jesse