Hey, I know that guy.

• September 21st, 2007 • • cleaning, meandering, printmaking •

I read Makezine’s blog every morning with my breakfast. Imagine my surprise to see my former printmaking prof Justin Quinn’s work featured! His work is looking great since the last time I saw it (when it was also looking great.).

I admit though, seeing that article stare back at me made me feel immensely guilty. I haven’t touched an etching press since I was in Glasgow in 2004. Don’t get me wrong, the itch has hit me many, many times. I’ve tried to fill it with other activities; it’s kind of similar to when you want some really good ice cream, but only pre-mixed soft-serve is available. Yeah, the substitution is ok but dammit, you really wanted that ice cream.

Justin was a big inspiration for me, and putting my favorite body of work on the backburner almost seems like I’m letting him down. He was so encouraging and genuinely seemed to enjoy what I produced. It’s bad enough I’m full of frustration at not being able to print; feeling like the eyes of a mentor are upon you is worse.

That relates to the ol’ “Man, I miss college,” statement. I do miss college, not because of the memories of youth, freedom, and so forth, rather for the community. Genuine critiques of colleagues helped to mold and strengthen my body of work. Producing alone lacks that influx of encouragement. My college town also had a good art community which my current hometown lacks, a topic I’ve whined about before.

I’m not ready for grad school. Not yet. Some of the more interesting grad students I met in printmaking were in their 40s and up. They had an entire well of life experiences from which to make things. Some started out as art students in their 20s, lived an entirely different life, and came back to art afterwards.

Meandering in thought and feelings of guilt aside, today’s the day I clean my office and papers out. Once that is done, production on this, that and the other can begin without the “Aw damn, where is my ________ packed?!”

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