RSConnett

<img src="www.vomitus.com/print_auction_…"

The following is an interview I did for a French Art magazine. I hope some of you might find this interesting.

1 – Adolescence and Childhood are a basic period of the life during which everybody built its own foundation. What kind of teenager were you ?

RS: I was a sullen and angry teenager. I was overcome with hormonal activity which made me insane. Unfortunately I acted out quite a bit, making it very miserable for my parents. I thought school had nothing to offer me. So I stopped attending school and dropped out at the age of 16. I began to take drugs including marijuana, alcohol, meth-amphetamines, (speed) and eventually heroin. This was a terrible time. I was very depressed. I was a depressed child, and a very depressed teen. I contemplated suicide, but never had the courage to carry it out. I slept in my bedroom closet because it felt safe. I used to cut my skin, but never very deep.

My parents had no idea what to do with a teenage drug using high school dropout. However, throughout all this I did continue to draw and love my artwork. This was something that was not encouraged. However, I continued with my drawings, and even a few paintings here and there. I have none of it today. I dreamed of being an artist, but it seems only a dream, an unattainable fantasy.

Eventually I made the decision to leave home.  I was brought up in San Francisco, California. I fled to Reno Nevada. There I worked as a busboy and waiter at one of the gambling casinos. (Harra's club.) I lived alone in a small apartment. I had no friends. I was alone for two years.  I was able to get away from the drugs.  Eventually I became healthy again. I was young and I was able to spring back from the effects of the drugs. When I returned to home to San Francisco, I was no longer an "adolescent".



2 – You had an amazing prime life time… Please, tell us more about it…


RS: A unique life you mean? Yes. As is everyone's. I probably do not understand this question, but I will endeavor to answer it anyway.
I strive to understand what I'm doing here, (a thinking, living thing on a planet in the universe). I wonder not only how life was formed, but why.  Many people will think this a waste of time. I think it's a terrible waste of time NOT to consider these questions.
So far, the only purpose I can imagine for life is to search and increase knowledge and spread intelligence throughout the universe. Perhaps our purpose as an intelligent species is to "wake up" the universe. To make it intelligent.  However, before I can help with that, I've got to make myself intelligent by making full use of my brain. The only way I can see to do that is by merging with technology.  Anyone who has read the books of Ray Kurzweil, (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_…) knows that my outlook is influenced by him. In his predictions, (and those of like minded individuals), I believe I see a way for our race to survive and flourish. Until i was introduced to these ideas, I saw the human race as doomed, without hope of survival beyond our current problems of overpopulation and global pollution.

I have thought for many years that the biggest problem humans have is overpopulation. All the other difficulties are born from that. We did not threaten the planet when we were a few hundred million people. Now that we have hit seven billion, we are a threat to everything, including ourselves!

It's amazing to me how few people care. Apathy is our potential downfall.

It's my hope that we can turn this around through technology, because I don't think we can turn our problems around using current methods. Hell, I can't seem to separate my garbage properly. I think it's too late for that to matter. Our savior may be science.

Some of you are thinking, "What about God?"

I say; If there was a GOD to come and save us, I think he would have done so by now … Or "smote" us , or something! The concept of GOD is mostly (or possibly completely) obsolete. Perhaps in another time, long ago, religion served an important purpose in our developing civilizations. Now, I believe, it is an enemy of our survival.

The people who hide behind religion scare me. They say "GOD will save us!" and when he doesn't,  it's because he "Works in mysterious ways!" It's time that we recognize how dangerous this thinking is. This is the kind of thinking that will prevent us from saving ourselves from the catastrophes we have created. We can turn these things around, but not if religious zealots succeed in halting progress because it's against their "beliefs".  Next time someone tries to sell you on why it's "okay" to be religious, because it's "not hurting anybody" remember that it's these religious people that try and stop scientific research.

I am also influenced by the British biologist of Richard Dawkins, (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_…)  and especially his book, "THE GOD DELUSION"(link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_God_…)  He is much more eloquent than I in explaining the pitfalls of religion in our times. Of course, most religious people would burn this book before they read the first page. That's part of the problem with "blind faith".

I have learned that honesty is a survival tool. one must be a "courageous self examiner." It's very difficult to know what honesty is. We are 99% chemical reaction, and 1% semi-intelligent free-thinking entity, (or so I hope!) I have learned in 60 years that one must review your life constantly.  Look in life's mirror and think honestly about who and what you are. How do you effect others and the world around you? Use your mind! It's not easy!

Do not rely on others. You are in control of your destiny, if you will be! Do not "believe the hype" that those who are in control feed you through the computer, TV, radio and telephone! Be different! Be yourself! (yes, i'm also influenced by Steve Jobs) It's okay to be influenced. It's impossible not to be. Influenced is NOT controlled. You can control your influences.

My life has been no more or less eventful than anyone's. We all go through hardships, some more than others. I have seen many things only because I have lived long enough. There's nothing special about it, nothing unique. If you live long enough you will see many things good and bad. You will become many things. You will change your my mind many times. Don't be afraid to change your mind.

3 / We understood the fact that art "save your life". Please, tell us more about it…


RS: When I say that art saved my life, I mean that because I have art I am able to justify my existence. Making art helped me to overcome my difficulties with addictions and depression. When I decided to become a full-time painter and stop wasting my time with other occupations, my life became much brighter. I had a focus, a reason to live, a purpose. Before this I felt I had no purpose, no reason to exist. Before becoming a full time artist, I was very unhappy.
I have been a depressed person all my life, since I was a child. As I grew older this depression became more difficult to deal with.  I tried to treat it, (self-medicate) with alcohol and drugs. Finally however, when I took up art on a daily full-time basis, I no longer wanted to take drugs or alcohol because they got in the way of my creativity. I began to think in terms of having a purpose in my life as my paintings became better. I was able to express myself through them more eloquently. This was a huge discovery in my life, and changed everything for me. It took many years to get to this point. I did not start painting full-time until I was 53 years old. Better late than never.
I wasted many decades of my life chasing money and living a life without a purpose. I never wanted to get out of bed in the morning. Now I have my reason. This is why I say "Art saved my life."


4 / You took lots of chemical products (drugs could we say…). How does this past still influence your art ?

RS: Yes, you can say "DRUGS". I began taking drugs when I was a baby. Most of us do! My parents were drug takers. Drugs to cure and treat everything! Not a bad idea! I began taking illegal drugs when I was 13 years old. I was born into this "DRUG CULTURE." We all still live in this culture.

Drugs are reflected in anything I create whether it be painting, writing, the way I live my life and my personality. I am a total product of drug influence. It's obvious that since birth, I have taken drugs prescribed by doctors. I have spent many years searching for illicit drugs, waiting for drug dealers, studying and obsessing about drugs. If I had applied all this energy to something like Painting, I would be a master painter. Instead, I am a master drug addict. I have always gone to great lengths to indulge my addictions to drugs.

Drugs have often been a negative part of my life. However, I also recognize that drugs are necessary and even vital. Can you imagine a world without drugs? Even now, though I am not addicted to illegal drugs like heroin, I am addicted to new drugs. Drugs that are prescribed to me by doctors for different reasons. (I would rather not mention them) Aside from prescription drugs, I am constantly taking over the counter drugs, pain medications and so forth. Not a day goes by when I do not take many drugs.  Unfortunately, none of them get me high anymore. If I tried to stop taking the drugs that I'm taking now, it's possible that I would die. I would certainly go into very unpleasant drug withdrawals! So, I am still very much a drug addict! I take drugs for anxiety, I take drugs for depression, I take drugs for my blood and to keep me alive!  I even take drugs so that I don't take other drugs!

If you wish to know if I am influenced by drugs like L.S.D., well, … sure. When i was very young I took many LSD trips. However, that was many years ago. I feel that this influence is minimal. At the time I believed I was experiencing a great spiritual and emotional awakening. However, now I think that was due to the euphoric effect of the drugs and the time in my life that I took them. I think these psychedelic drugs had little effect on me. Whatever they tapped into, was already there. And now, it seems irrelevant.

So, Yes! …  all this drug taking has an influence on my art.


5 / - In all your work, we feel a constant interest, a fascination for the "ugliness", physical and social. Is it a truth ? Your opinion about that…


RS: You say ugliness? I'm not sure what ugliness is. Obviously, some things are ugly in our minds, without doubt. However this is subjective. I find some ugliness fascinating and sometimes I find ugliness, well, simply ugly. However I think I see the world differently than many people. I see things differently because I live differently. Many things that are considered ugly by the main population, I see as not ugly but fascinating and complex. We all see things differently and what we consider ugly or beautiful is really due to the customs of our society, there really is no ugliness or beauty.

I only know what I like and what I don't like.  The truth is I do not purposely paint anything ugly because it would not give me pleasure to do so. I paint things that fascinate me and I paint because I enjoy seeing the things I paint come to life. These are compelling visions for me. Ugliness is just a word. It exists only in our opinions. The problem is we consider our opinions to be truths, and we refuse to analyze that, or look deeper. (Like a religion!)


I think it is important for people to try to see things in a different way. Try to see the beauty in what we perceive as ugliness.  It is important for people to examine these things in themselves. Self-examination is the only way that we can learn. To try to know ourselves, to try to see beyond what society teaches us is vital to individualism.


6 - We feel a powerful energy in your work. What is driving you ? Where does that internal restlessness coming from ?

RS: It's true, I am a driven person. I am driven to do my work, and to do as much of my work as I can because I fear the end. I am afraid that anything could happen to stop me from accomplishing my purpose. At any moment I could lose my abilities through accident or physical ailment. I could die. It's very simple, it happens every day. Many of my friends have died and it's not uncommon at my age.

It's not death that scares me because I don't expect much from death. What I fear is the inability to keep painting. I fear this more because I wasted so many years not doing it! I'm trying to make up for lost time. There is no guarantee of a tomorrow.


It is difficult for a person to conceive of their own demise, their own nonexistence. Yet I think of it, I ponder it often. As I have told you I started very late in life to begin these paintings. I am looking at the end of my life, not the beginning.


I have one hope. That hope is technology. Through science, I might survive, and live a longer productive life. However,  there is no guarantee of that. Thus I am driven every day to do as much work as I can and to eliminate as much superficiality in my life that I can.


7 - What's your favorite tool to supply ?


RS: I use acrylics. I prefer board to canvas. My paint brands are 'GOLDENS', 'OLD HOLLAND' and 'HOLBEIN'. Each has is strength and weakness. Overall, I'd have to say 'GOLDENS' acrylic is the best. The others have some unique colors , (this is a luxury, and also an over-complication) however, I am obsessed with color. It's an addiction. So, I have many, many colors from many brands. Primarily, I use inexpensive 'GOLDEN TAKLON' synthetic brushes. Most of my work is done with these small brushes which do not last long. Each one costs a few dollars, and lasts only a few weeks. I also have a collection of very fine brushes. Also a luxury. I use fine water color brushes for highly detailed work, and large natural hair brushes for painting backgrounds. My favorite brands for natural high quality brushes is 'ISABEY' and "DA VINCI'. The cheap brushes that I use are made by 'LOEW-CORNELL', Series 7350 and 7000. I purchase the latter in bulk when I find sales online. Best deals for supplies are at 'BLICK ART SUPPLIES' or 'A.S.W'. buying on the internet is much cheaper than buying in stores in the real world.


8 - In your art, we feel that the past and the future are always in a clash. Right or wrong ? If yes, why ?


RS: It's not so much that the past and the future clash. It's that the future, in my opinion, will be very different than the past ever was. I believe that the exponential evolution of science  and technology, mainly robotics, genetics and nano technology, is going to change us forever. I believe that we are at the brink of the next step in human evolution. I believe that we will naturally merge with our inventions and become an entirely new species. I am hopeful for this. Especially because it means radical life extension.


I believe in the predictions of Ray Kurzweil. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_…) He has written several books which I find irresistibly fascinating.  The most important one in my estimation is his newest book, "THE SINGULARITY IS NEAR", (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sing…)  In this book it is logically illuminated how we will begin to merge with our technology. This is very exciting for me on many levels. I think every person reading this will take the time to look into this. It may be one of the most important books of our time.


Many of the problems we face as human beings, and as a planet can be solved through our technologies, if we don't destroy ourselves first. This is one of the many conflicts I see between the present and the future. The future can be a bright shining star, or a black death. We live in a time of crossroads. These are the times that will determine whether or not we will survive and evolve, or perish.  Faster and faster our technology evolves (exponential growth) and soon individuals will wield great powers. Will some unhappy individual decide the fate of the human race? It is possible! Or will we evolve from the hairy caterpillars that we are into wonderful mechanized butterflies? The next decades will tell the story.


I can conceive of a wonderful future where we evolve into an super-intelligent race of god like beings who live forever, spreading our intelligence throughout the universe. Or, I see one fool destroying everything for some dogmatic ideology.


I look forward to the future. I hope I will live to see it.


9 - Same thing about humans and animals… Are they fighting or stuck in the same strange area ? How do you explore this theme ?


RS: I think you are referring to my depiction of animals and insects and other lifeforms in my work? My relationship to them is one of the adoration. I look at nature and see something awesome and beautiful. It's a huge gift to me to live in this paradise, Earth. I savor every moment that I can enjoy it. I am absolutely fascinated by the immense infinite intricacy of nature. I love the tiny insects that are so complex. So small and still they live with a consciousness and the ability to roam freely as we do. Incredible when you contemplate it!

We humans have evolved to become the dominant species on the planet. With this comes the responsibility of stewardship for the more fragile species, (from ants to Whales) We must be responsible, but are we? No, of course not. We are garbage making monkeys (no insult intended to monkeys)  destroying the planet and her species at a rate almost unprecedented in the history of the planet. Right now the extinction rate of species is higher than any time since the extinction of the dinosaurs. We are doing that! Never before has one species caused such damage to others.  

Maybe the destruction we are creating is a necessary step in our evolution. However, it's difficult for me to conceive of this sort of damage being a "good" thing. More likely, our flagrant disregard for the effects of our acts will come back to bite us when we are at our most vulnerable. We have chosen to destroy so many things around us via the avenue of simple greed. Greed is in our nature. Ingrained like an instinct. We can't seem to help ourselves. Does a species as greedy and ruthlessly destructive as us deserve to become beautiful robotic butterflies with the universe at our command? I guess time will tell. After all, "evil" has never been an impediment to success in our history, Why should it impede our future? Maybe some day we will be wealthy enough to give a shit about trifles like the planet and it's living species.

Personally, I have a problem. That is "some" awareness of my actions. I am somewhat tortured by this awareness. I do not kill insects in my home. Not spiders or other things that I find creepy or disturbing. I will capture them and release them because I am convinced that their lives have as much value as mine. Why is your human life worth more than the life of a tiny insect?  I used to be a fisherman but I don't fish anymore because I will not hurt the fish OR the bait!

I revere life forms. They (we) might be the rarest things in the universe! As an artist, I love to paint the animals and insects. My canvasses are full of life.

10 - As an artist and a human being, which is your biggest fear and biggest hope ? And your idea of happiness and misery ?


RS:My biggest fear is death. This is the one thing that will eliminate my ability to be anything. Annihilation of my mind and elimination of my spirit, (the "thing" that is speaking to you now) Non-existence is what I fear. I am in a race with time. I have so much more to accomplish! I have so much more to learn! I have so much more to do! Yet my life is laughably finite. The lifetime our bodies allow us to live is absurdly short! What is 60 years? 70 years? Even 80 years? I am 60, and I am like a child just learning to see and talk!

Misery is to watch yourself fall to pieces physically, while you're mind is young and viable and full of wonderful ideas!

I hope for the technologies which may allow us to live longer and to keep our minds sharp. People fear that the world will become even more overpopulated because people will not naturally die. However, the same technologies which will extend our life spans will also answer the questions of population. This planet, and the planets in our solar system can easily and comfortably sustain many times the current population of Earth. With the scientific breakthroughs that are coming we can colonize other worlds in our own system and make enough sustenance on Earth to feed billions of people. We can eliminate the concept of a "third world". Yes, this is utopian thinking. I may be terribly wrong. I hope I am not. Because even with our natural population we are already doomed to a miserable depletion of resources.  

I believe that I contribute positively to humanity through the creation of my art. For the first time I feel as though I am a justified life form. I wish to live as long as I can. Of course this is also the simple instinct of selfish survival. I know that. Be it right, wrong, sense or nonsense, this is what I fear, and what I dream of.

11 - Can you communicate better through song than you can in real life ? And why ?


RS: If you are asking me whether I can communicate better through alternative versions of communication such as song and arts, music, etc. then of course my answer is yes. I think that there is a level of communication that one can employ through song and music and  art that cannot be expressed through standard vocalization of invented language.  language is very limited. Often I find myself unable to express myself with English. There are many barriers in english. (I only speak English, so I can only comment upon that language, though I suspect it's the same with most human languages.)  One can express one's emotions better and be understood in a more "pure" way through art and music. This is why all people should find some sort of alternative expression that they can enjoy. It adds a balance which will enhance your understanding of all modes of expression. The positive effect of artistic expression is the same whether you are good or bad at what you do artistically, so this is a great reason to find an alternative way to externalize yourself.

12 - Are you intersting by music and graphic novels ?


RS: Yes, of course! I would prefer not comment on what music I enjoy. However, I would like to say that my favorite comic book writer and artist is Jim Woodring


13 - What's your idea of an ideal of fine art ?
RS: My idea of fine art is art that requires a commitment of time, skill and craft. I don't think it's enough to point at an object like a filthy toilet and say "This toilet is dirty and represents the ugliness of mankind!" To me that kind of art is a farce. A few brush strokes on a canvas is not art. Anyone can say it is. And plenty of people will agree. And plenty of people will gladly sell you the Golden gate bridge too. If you gullible, you will believe it.
"FINE" art implies that it is "fine". The definition implies talent and craft, hard work and an emotional connection to the work. That's what makes it "FINE."
I think that a person must be committed to learning their art. It does not necessarily need to be school, (I am untrained) but it needs to be diligence. It's like learning a musical instrument.  You can't play it very well the first time. You must dedicate many hours of work into learning it. It is the same thing with painting. I have put 10,000 hours into my painting and finally I am beginning to feel that I am getting good. I am not as good as I could be with 20,000 hours! I continue to get better as I work every day. Being technically "adept" is important to me. My definition of fine art is not important. It's an opinion. What is important is that I believe my art must be finely crafted.

In fact I intend to put out a book of my first 10,000 hours of work. This book project is in the works now and I hope to have it completed by early 2012. I intend to use "KICKSTARTER" (www.kickstarter.com/) to help me finance the publishing. It will be a book of fine pictures of my paintings and a story about how I was able to accomplish my first 10,000 hours. How I came to give up everything else to become an artist.
  
I believe it is imperative to practice one's art form excessively if one intends to be exceptional. I put as many hours in as I can every day. I think, breathe, eat, sleep and bleed paint!  I go to bed thinking about it,  I wake up thinking about it. I study other artists. I study painting techniques.  I do everything I can to make my life "about" my art form of painting. I am highly motivated to do this! My idea of a "vacation" is to do more art! I have no formal training as an artist. This does not matter. I am training myself every day.

14 - Do you have any concluding thoughts that you would like to express ?



RS: I never expected that people would be interested in what I do. I feel that it is a great honor and validation of my work. I hope that people who see this article and see my images will enjoy them.  Also, I hope that in some way the pictures I paint will have a lasting impression. It is instinctive for us to recreate ourselves, to leave something of ourselves behind when we die. Most people make children, I make paintings. (no, I have no children) My art is my legacy.

I wasted many years not following my dreams. I hope some of your readers will take note of this. I hope that my example will help others to follow their dreams rather than settling for something less. I don't know what kind of world we would have if everyone was able to live to their fullest potential. Who would dig the holes?  Perhaps in some future world, when mankind has evolved into the next stage, a world of free thinkers might be possible. For now, it's up to each individual to take control of their destiny in spite of all the odds against it.

.........


Thank you to all of you who write to me and mark my work as favs, and who watch me.

I most humbly apologize if I can not find the time to respond to you. It's not because I do not want to. I dearly appreciate ALL your comments, notes, letters and ALL of it!

I seldom experience so many intelligent persons in one place, and you deserve answers to your notes and letters. I can't answer you because I receive too many.

If you get the chance, please take a look at my website: www.vomitus.com where you can see more of my art, writings and sign up for my personal mailing list. BRAVO to you for being on this Brilliant website, DA!

<img src="www.vomitus.com/print_auction_…"

I'm proud to be participating in this years ART BASEL MIAMI Art Fair at Aqua Wynwood.

I am showing 2 paintings with a group of fantastic artists including;Cathie Bleck, Christopher Buzelli, Robert Steven Connett, Brendan Danielsson, Leslie Ditto, Tony Fitzpatrick, Seonna Hong, Dan May, Meggs, Mia, Joel Nakamura, Jeff Soto, Mark Todd, Marco Wagner, Esther Pearl Watson, Martin Wittfooth. You can see examples of there work at this link: murphydesign1.blogspot.com/200…

There are many works for sale, including my own. It's an annual art fair that is probably the best in the US all year. I hope you can make it. If you are interested in the aqusition of any of the art please contact MARK MURPHY through his BLOG: murphydesign1.blogspot.com/ or e-mail at: murphy@murphydesign.com

Murphy Fine Arts will be sharing space with Galerie d'art Yves Laroche who will be exhibiting the following artists;

Dave Cooper, Turf One, Shawn Barber, Lola, Kathie Olivas, Brandt Peters, Martin Wittfooth, Gene Pendon, Omen, Jon Todd, Other, Jonathan Bergeron, Chris Ryniak, Daniel Martin Diaz, Jeff McMillan and Karel Appel

.........


Thank you to all of you who write to me and mark my work as favs, and who watch me.

I most humbly apologize if I can not find the time to respond to you. It's not because I do not want to. I dearly appreciate ALL your comments, notes, letters and ALL of it!

I seldom experience so many intelligent persons in one place, and you deserve answers to your notes and letters. I can't answer you because I receive too many.

If you get the chance, please take a look at my website: www.vomitus.com where you can see more of my art, writings and sign up for my personal mailing list. BRAVO to you for being on this Brilliant website, DA!

<img src="www.vomitus.com/print_auction_…"

COMBINED INTERVIEWS: VIRUS MAGAZINE, (GERMANY) & BLAH BLAH GALLERY, (Website: www.blahblahgallery.com/)

*** VIRUS MAGAZINE 2009;

V; Many of you pictures seem to be quite happy and colorful at first sight,
but after looking deeper at them they often turn out to be dark and
pessimistic visions. Is that your view of our world?! Is everything just a
lie? The world is dark and destroyed from the inside?!

RS:  Do my visions seem pessimistic? I don't always see them that way. However, yes, I see your point. It's how I feel, so I should not be surprised that you see pessimism in my paintings. When I paint, I want the painting to be colorful and beautiful, and I select my colors to get a beautiful picture if I can. However, my images come from a different part of my mind, my imagination. These characters evolve as I create them, and sometimes become nightmarish in spite of my intentions to the contrary.

I think one must admit, if you examine our world, that things are not so good.  Yes, there is much beauty and personal happiness for people in pockets of affluence. However, at the same time, we are destroying the world! We are all to blame, from littering the streets, to burning the atmosphere. I think we are headed for the demise of mankind. It may happen slowly, or fast. I don't know which would be worse. I feel it coming. I can't help thinking about it, and seeing how I am part of this problem. This is why my colors are beautiful, and my images sometimes become dark or pessimistic.



V:  Some of your pictures seem to allow a view of our future, especially those
concerning the relationship of humans with their environment and machines.
What inspires you to these ideas of the future? Where will humanity end?

RS: We are already near an end. My inspiration for these images comes from my belief that we are at the end, and also perhaps, a new beginning.

We are breeding humans at a rate of two or three per second. The population is now at approximately  six and three quarters billion, (6, 740,000,000). The world hit its first billion in 1840, only 169 years ago.  This is exponential growth! It has become evident that our growing world population is unsustainable. We are running out of room. And, in our efforts to sustain this gigantic population,  we have damaged the Earth irreparably.

Even though I am pessimistic about the current state of our human species, I do have hopes for an evolutionary alternative to human extinction. This is another inspiration that shows up in my paintings. It may be possible for us to evolve into a new life form that can transcend the problems we face. I am encouraged by the possibilities of "posthumanism", also known as "transhumanism". Simply put, technology may enable mankind to become  something different, and better than what we are, by merging man and machine. We may "evolve ourselves" into a new life form.  Humanity, as we know it, will be gone, but a new and better self invented humanity will emerge. In doing this, we may survive this first stage of our development. However, the pain of such a transition is incomprehensible to me. There is plenty of information about this on the internet.. I suggest reading the works of MIT professor, Ray Kurzweil.


V: Do believe that drugs can have an impact on the creation of art? If yes,
in what kind of way?

RS: I can only speak for myself. Drugs have not made a positive contribution to my art. Taking drugs like L.S.D. seemed to change the way I look at life. However, I think I would  come to the same alternative ideas without psychedelics.  As far as other drugs, like alcohol, stimulants and opiates, I can clearly say these things have negatively touched my life. So I must also assume, they have negatively touched my art. In any case, I absolutely do not advocate the use of any drugs whatsoever, other than those used successfully as medicine to cure and heal. And I suggest being wary of them.


V: It is a quite difficult for a lot of artists to keep balance between
freedom of art and its commercial exploitation. Can you afford living
through your art? Do you think (or have to think) of selling your pictures
when you paint them?


RS: For me, money and art mix like oil and water.  I work as an artist, it is my only source of income other than begging, stealing and borrowing. I do "make a living" with my art,  but so far, I use the term "living" loosely.  

Being an artist is a very recent development in my life. In my past, I have been the owner of an insurance brokerage firm and the general manager of a film company. I am used to having money and to have the "things" that money buys. So far, I have not achieved financial security through my artistic occupation.   However, I love making my art. I never loved those other occupations. This is a personal decision I made, and in spite of my difficulties, I do not regret it.  I try not to think about selling my paintings as I paint them. However, it does cross my mind. I don't give into it much.  

Part of what I need from my work is honesty. I paint from my heart. I fill my wallet when I can. It is my hope that eventually I can do both. I have been painting professionally for only 5 years. Of course, I've drawn and painted all my life, as a hobby. However, doing something as a hobby, and doing something with all your energy, are two very different things. Five years is not enough time. My work has not matured yet.  I have a way to go. I'm confident.



V:  As we are already talking about money; what do you think about the
economic crisis we have at the moment? Will everything turn out to be good
if we just stick billions of dollars into of human and environment
unfriendly systems or is capitalism at its end?

RS:  I think that the major western economies will bounce back a bit. They are not over yet. (I could be wrong) However, things will never be the same. It would seem that we are at the beginning of the end of this fantastic economic empire.  

World economy is based upon trade of goods. When the goods diminish, trade breaks down. The core of this monster we call "THE ECONOMY" is rotting at its roots. The problem is not economic flux, like a recession, that is merely a symptom of the problem. The thing that will destroy the system is the end of resources, and the inability to sustain the delicate infrastructure that supports the process of world trade. We don't have enough and we are running low of what we have.  We have overpopulated a finite environment. There are too many rats in the rat race.

First, the poorer third world countries will absorb the shortages. There will be more famine, more war, more disease. In time, this will effect the wealthy first world countries. As you see, this is already happening. This current financial meltdown is an example. We are having trouble sustaining the monster.  

My guess is some sort of cataclysmic event will occur. Perhaps by nature, or by mans hand. Something that will set off a chain of events which will plunge our systems into chaos. The delicate balances that we have come to depend upon will break down and fail. The delivery infrastructure will collapse. The millions of connections that allow us to keep things moving will come apart.  Food will rot while people starve because there will be no way to deliver food and supplies when the truck, trains and planes don't run  Water will go bad. Power will shut down. No gasoline, no medicine, etcetera.

I don't want to be around for this breakdown. I don't see myself as a road warrior. What would be the point? The things I love about life would be gone. Art would be meaningless in such a world. That would be a world of true "subsistence existence". I sometimes paint this world, but I want no part of it. Personally, I have a suicide plan.  



V: A question everyone gets here; should art be allowed to cover everything
what is possible or are there themes which not even art should touch. As
example we have the Mohammed cartoons, which caused an outrage.

RS: I believe that anyone should have the right to create anything they want. However, if there is a direct connection to human harm, then no. You can not be allowed to yell "FIRE" in a crowded theatre. I say, you can do anything, but cause no harm to others by it.   We do not have the right to harm others for art.



V:  Where can your pictures be purchased? Where will there be any exhibitions
and releases? Which artist, dead or alive, would you like to ask a
question? And what would that question be?

RS: The artist I would like to talk to would be Hieronymus Bosch. He was my first big artistic influence. I would love to sit and watch him paint. I would ask him his feeling about Hell and heaven and earth. I would ask him what it was like to live in the 15th Century.

I am currently in two group exhibits now, (at this writing). One in California, and the other in Florida. They will be ended by the time this is published. After these I have scheduled nothing more. I have many commissioned paintings, and I need to get them done. I am not going to try to schedule any more shows until 2010.

If some one wishes to commission me for a painting, or to buy giclee prints,  I can be contacted  through my website, www.vomitus.com.


*** BLAH-BLAH GALLERY April, 2009


BB ~ We will start with the usual: where were you born, where did you grow up and where in the world are you slappin' paint today?

RS ~ I was born and grew up in San Francisco, Calif. I'm of the forth generation living in the city starting from 1890. I Lived and worked in SF until 1998, then moved to Los Angeles where I live and work today.

BB ~ You already gave a detailed interview a few months ago for the upcoming book, BRAIN SPACKLE, UNDERGROUND ARTISTS REVEALED, so we don't want to do the already well-done again. Safe to say your personal story is very deep, and super interesting. How about giving Blah Blah Gallery fans the condensed version?

RS ~ Okay …

BB ~ Your paintings posted on Flickr often include well-written even lengthy (by today's standards) back story. Does it bother you that 95% of the comments are "cool" and "great job" after you have given such a deep nugget of narrative for the piece?

RS ~ Not at all. I'm very glad that people take the time to make any sort of comment. It's  nice to get the occasional "in depth" comment, but I understand that if people didn't have strong feelings, no matter what they say, they would not have bothered to write anything at all.

BB ~ Nightmare visions abound in your body of work. Night Trawler alone could cause a person to more horror than the average slasher flick. Is it your aim to inspire fear or more a cathartic release for your tortured soul?

RS ~ It's a little surprising to hear that people think my work is full of "Nightmare Visions". I don't see it that way. However, I suppose it's true.  My wife tells me that I live in a vacuum,  my own world. She tells me that I do not realize what effect my images have on others. The evidence bares her out. I do not deliberate intend to inspire fear. Absolutely not.

My art has always been an expression for what I feel, a catharsis. I was trained at an early age to draw as an outlet for emotions that were manifesting destructively. When I was 6 years old I saw my first Psychologist. I had violence problems as a child. I was sent to psychologists and eventually to psychiatrists. I was under psychiatric treatment for many years. I saw the same shrink from age 12 until I was 18. Then I began again with him, seeing him on and off until my late thirties, when (to my great dismay) he retired. The point is, I was shown how to express pent up rage via a ball-point pen and paper. This grew into my current relationship with art. Everything I do in art is an expression of how I feel, self-allegorical. If my images are "nightmare visions" it is because I am living in what I perceive to be a nightmare. I am flushing out my demons. I do not wish to create fear. I want people to find my work interesting and even compelling. If my work makes a statement beyond me, about our society or the human condition, it is because I am a person of this world, and my experiences are part of the human condition.

BB ~ In paintings such as Microbia III, Crustaceapods you render these amazing undersea creatures. Are these things straight out of your head or do you study nature books for reference?

RS ~ Both. I am fascinated by tiny life forms. I have this idea that the universe is not only the stars and galaxies we see in the sky, but also existing within the materials that makes us. Every atom that we are made of contains an infinitely tiny universes, and in tern, there are universes even more infinitesimal contained within the material that comprises them. This largeness and smallness goes on infinitely. We are also part of some other gigantic universe that we have not discovered. Several of my paintings are based upon imaginary life forms found in different levels of this hierarchical infinity.

I am also mesmerized by medical illustrations, especially antique. I am awed by the drawings of Ernst Haeckel (ref: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_Ha…). I love old  marine biological drawings. There are many old illustrations from oceanology and marine science expeditions from the 17th to the 19th century.  I locate these on the internet using a google image search. The articulate renderings of minuscule creatures inspire me tremendously.

I sometimes base my creatures upon these illustrations, and in a few cases, (very few) I have actually taken them verbatim from the illustration. Most of the life forms in my series of "microbia" are simply creations from my imagination. When I'm not busy placating my devils, I'm enjoying myself creating theoretical life forms. It depends upon my mood. Some of my work is dedicated strictly to whimsy, like the paintings you refer to, (Red Microbia, Blue Microbia and Crustaceapods: www.vomitus.com/museum/NewVmmP… ), while others are concerned with the need to get rid of pent up emotions. My latest painting, "The Bone-Yard walk" (www.vomitus.com/museum/NewVmmP…) is a perfect example of the latter. I've been wanting very much to create new paintings such as the C-Pods and Microbia's. However, I've been so fucking depressed that all I can come up with is paintings like the "Bone-Yard Walk".

BB ~ In Faces in a Mirror you really succeed in combining the serious weight of late Medieval painting with the cartoon fun of Mad Magazine. This is exactly the sort of thing that needs to be on the cover of Art Forum or on the wall at the Whitney Biennial. Do you think you can carve a niche in the hallowed stone of art history?

RS ~ Well, thank you for your gracious good words!

The painting you refer to is  again an example of my cathartic art. It's 'me' looking in 'my' mirror and seeing a fucking freak were once there was a young and handsome lad.  

As to the question of my art having an impact beyond my own time, possibly. Obviously I have garnered enough attention for you to take an interest in my work. That's a good start!  For now I am much more interested in being able to free myself to think and paint.

I admit there is something inside me that wants my work to outlive me. What artist does not wish this?  I don't have kids, so my art is like my children. Instinct to create progeny tugs at my heart strings just like anybody else.

The biggest reason that I want popularity for my art is because I need to make money. How's that for crass?  That is a curse. I must sell every painting and drawing I do in order to keep going. I currently live painting to painting.

What I really want is to dig as deep within myself as I can when I make art. I want to make art that will force people to use their minds. I want to make art that is compelling. Because I need money I am tempted to compromise. That's an inner war I wage. My art does not loan itself to compromise. Nor is it considered commercial for the most part.

I would love to believe that my art will live on and have influence on new minds and new artists and the world in general. I think about it, and I dream about it. I would be a happy man to think that I have added something of substance to our world.

Then again, why concern myself with posterity when the human race is doomed? There's not much of a future for us.  No one wants to see it, but the piper is coming for his payment. The abuse of our planet and its resources is about to reach a critical climax. Overpopulation and the unstoppable effects of global warming (a result of overpopulation) is going to change the world in ways unprecedented. Perhaps we shall perish altogether.

I believe that we are at the mercy of an unavoidable catastrophe that is much, much closer than any of us wants to admit. We did this. I'm as guilty as anyone. I'm like one of those subsistence farmers in the Brazilian Rain forest who must burn down a few acres of jungle so that his family might live another season. The farmer can't think about the generations to come when he sees his children starving, and by feeding them, he dooms their children.  For more of my thoughts about the current state of our world check out my words at this link: www.vomitus.com/museum/rants/s…

BB ~ In your back story on Little Bang Theory you describe your small, but intense self-created universe with great detail. You sound a lot like my favorite writer, Charles Bukowski, when you describe the world as populated by politicians, gangsters, psychopaths, crooks, cops, idiots, drunks, misfits, yuppies, beggars and thieves. Despite this cynical even nihilistic view your work is bright and teeming with life. Is it this contradiction that fuels your vision?

RS ~ My visions are fueled not only by a need to expel my demons and explore my imagination, but also by a need to be more than a parasite in my own estimation. It's not enough that I live and breath, eat and sleep. Any insect can do these things. For many years lived for the sake of being alive.

At age 27, I came to a a turning point in my life. At the time I was working as an insurance broker in San Francisco. It's was a typical 9 to 5, go to work, come home, watch TV, go to bed, get up, go to work, get drunk on the weekend, non-life style. I became obsessed with self-examination and in my own estimation, I came up sorely lacking.  I was not making art at the time.

When I was 27, I had money. I drove a jaguar. I was a yuppie. It also became unavoidably clear to me that my life was a sham. Meaningless and superficial. I had a sort of "breakdown" or "panic attack". I thought I was chocking to death. I was driven to the ER by my neighbor. When I came home and rested, I realized I must take a new direction. That was the day I began to draw again. I had stopped making art at around age 20. I began again, and never stopped. For the next 20 years it was a hobby that kept me sane. (and I also began seeing my old shrink again)

I am indeed "fueled by contradictions". What is not a contradiction? In what situation of life can we not find contradiction if we look? For instance, it is a contradiction to care about a world that I believe is about to die by its own hand.  The only thing I've ever done in my life that's worth a damn is my artwork.  It is contradictory to think that this is any more important than anything else, when you look at it closely, and yet … I do.

Imagination is the most important thing that I possess. Imagination is what created civilization. There, you see? There is another contradiction. I feel deeply that the only justification for my existence is a tool which helped bring us to our own destruction. (ha!) Of course I say that cynically  because I think our creativity could also be our only way to survive.

Life is a mystery because nothing makes sense. The more I know, the more I know I do not know. If you take science to an absolute we are nothing more than walking talking heads fueled by chemical reactions predetermined by magnetic fields, actions and reactions. We think we have free thought and the power to decide who we are and what we do,  but actually we do not. Every thought we have is an involuntary response to natural stimulations. We are automatons at the mercy of our own chemical slushy. There is no God, there is no spirit, no soul. It is all impossible. Yet, do we believe anyway. I believe.


BB ~ You skirt this issue often in your work...how do you see life after death?

RS ~ I did not realize that I was skirting the issue of life after death, but I suppose you are correct again. My first memory of this issue occurred when I was a small boy, maybe 5 or 6, my father caught my grandmother trying to teach me about Jesus. She was devout Catholic. He roared at her to leave the room as this "religious talk" was not permitted in our house, and she knew that. My dad took me on his knee and explained his version of the truth to me. He clicked the TV on, and said, "Son, this is now alive, like you and me, understand?" Next he turned it off and said, "now it is off and this is what it's like to be dead. You are simply 'no more'." On and off, he turned it ON and OFF. "This is life, "ON", and this is death, "OFF". "Click, click, click, click." That was the extent of my at home religious training. And perhaps my first lesson about metaphor. I understand him now. It's difficult not to believe in his non-faith. My mother is the same. She scoffs at life after death. She just turned 85. I asked her about it on here birthday. No way, when you die, the TV is "OFF".

Being a curious child, I would sneak into the Catholic church on the corner of our street. I was brought up in an Irish Catholic neighborhood where everyone had the name "BRIAN","PATRICK" or "COLEEN". At Saint Brendan's church I was told a very different story about God and Jesus and death. I was taught by the parochial school kids that there was a place called HELL, and I was absolutely going to see it some day! I had not been baptized, and so I WAS going to HELL.  I became fascinated with all the heaven and hell stuff, especially the HELLFIRE suffering and torture part. This is when much of my fighting started, and the subsequent referrals to counselors and psychologists, which let to my first acts of art.

So, fast forward to now.  My personal feelings are this; I have prayed to "GOD" for decades, and still do. I feel I have a special and very personal relationship with GOD. However, I also know that it is impossible that a GOD exists. Yet another contradiction. I also think these things in equal measure; We may have a soul that lives beyond this life, perhaps it is eternal. We may all be part of one cycle of living souls. Or perhaps a sort of co-mingling existence, and we are all one, truly connected. Or, we may be GOD ourselves, and must live every life that ever has, or ever will be lived on this planet, and every other planet in every solar system and every galaxy throughout the cosmos, in this dimension, and all others, infinitely large and infinitely small, until we finally reach the end of time, at which time we find some ultimate something which we are WAY too feeble minded to grasp at this stage. OR, we might be destined to reach immortality through technology as in the ideas of Raymond Kurzweil in his theories of artificial intelligence, transhumanism and futurism. We may be destined to evolve into cyborgs, and then truly "Spiritual Machines" ( ref: see "THE AGE OF SPIRITUAL MACHINES: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Age_… and "en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technolo… ) OR, we may be nothing but accidents who cease to exist like the TV does when you shut it "OFF".  I feel and believe all these things. Contradictions abound in this area.


BB ~ You lost your first body of work to a studio fire back in 1995. Now you suggest getting everything you paint sold and out into the world. (I think a lot about this, ever since I read about Norman Rockwell's studio burning down in 1943.) Do you ever trade your stuff or give it to people who really dig it but can't afford it?

RS ~   I didn't know that happened to Norman Rockwell too! Damn!  

Yes, I have given away prints and originals and I have traded work for other artists work, and other things. However, I'm not in a financial position at the moment to trade originals, (of course, it depends upon what is offered)  I can afford to give prints when people convince me that they really want them and can't afford to buy them. I'm always honored by that, and I'm glad to give to people who can not afford my work.Aside form my art being a vehicle for placating my demons, and exploring my imagination, my next most important task is to disseminate it. I want my art to be seen, and thought of.

.........


Thank you to all of you who write to me and mark my work as favs, and who watch me.

I most humbly apologize if I can not find the time to respond to you. It's not because I do not want to. I dearly appreciate ALL your comments, notes, letters and ALL of it!

I seldom experience so many intelligent persons in one place, and you deserve answers to your notes and letters. I can't answer you because I receive too many.

If you get the chance, please take a look at my website: www.vomitus.com where you can see more of my art, writings and sign up for my personal mailing list. BRAVO to you for being on this Brilliant website, DA!

<img src="www.vomitus.com/print_auction_…"

The following is an interview with PocketFul magazine due for release Jan 1, 2009


Q ~~~ Hi Robert, can you tell us a little about yourself? Where do you live? What is your background? When did painting become important in your life?


RSC ~~~ I currently live in Los Angeles, California USA. I was born in San Francisco, Ca. In the year 1951. I come from a middle class background with no artistic family influence. There are no artists, musicians or creative types of any kind in my family. One exception, My younger sister, like myself, is an artist. My father was an insurance broker. My mother, a housewife with no hobbies. In spite of being brought up in a family where there was never a single picture on the wall for decoration, I was always drawing.

I was encouraged to draw and recognized has having some ability to do so when I was very young, perhaps 5 or 6 years old. Although my family did not appreciate art, they did encourage my ability and helped me by gifting me pens and papers with which to draw.

I feel that, concerning my art, there have been 3 stages of importance in my life. First, as a child, being recognized to have some talent in drawing, I was encouraged and so became interested in making art. This made art an important thing throughout my childhood, young adult and adult life.

The Second important stage occurred with an event in 1978. At that time I was working in my fathers insurance business and was terribly unhappy. I had a depressive meltdown because I was drinking too much and felt as though my life was pointless. I decided the answer was to make art again. I had not made much art from my teenaged years to that point, when I was 27. It was then, to preserve my sanity, that I began making art as a serious hobby. From that time forward I worked on my art in all my spare time. Of course, I was young, so "spare time" came after social interactions. As time went on, and social interaction became boring to me, the time I devoted to my artistic hobby grew.

The third stage in this evolution occurred in 2004. My art grew in importance to me over the preceding years. At this time, all other occupations seemed impossible to continue. In spite of my need for money, I decided to make my art for a living, and no longer as a hobby. Since then I have devoted as much time every day to my art as I can. This averages out to 10 hours a day, every day.


Q ~~~ Can you describe your typical day and what time is it right now as you are reading this question?


RSC ~~~ Okay … Right now it is 2:28 PM in the afternoon. I am eating breakfast and answering these questions. My typical day begins at noon or 1PM, and ends at 4 AM. This is my semi-nocturnal schedule which has developed on it's own over time. When I became an artist, I decided, "no more alarm clocks!" I do not sleep unless I am tired, and do not get up until I am ready. I followed what my body wanted. I did not look at clocks. It's ended up here; I feel sleepy at 4 AM, and sleep 8 or 9 hours every night. I use earplugs and a eye mask to cut off the light and sounds of the day. I like this. It's part of a new freedom for me.

My wife sees me only a few hours every day. (and I'm sure that's more than enough for her!) I am a reclusive and introspective person. I have grown to dislike and dread the city and it's people, (Although I live in Los Angeles). On the other hand, I can do well with people because I have been a salesman most of my life. However, my interactions with 90% of my fellow creatures is a conscious and deliberate role I play. Nothing is real. Everything must be analyzed and thought through, every word and action. It's uncomfortable, and often exhausting. I want to stay home in my studio and paint. I prefer to communicate with my fellow man via computer. This is more a 'real' world for me than the stage that exists outside my front door.

My typical day consists of getting out of bed by 1PM, responding to emails, working on making sales of my art and prints. Working on spreading my art over the web, and in galleries and magazines, etc. (for instance; interviews like this one), I spend time Looking at the art of other artists. And of course, mundane mindless tasks of all kinds, (the curse of man). I usually devote the first 2 to 5 hours of my day to these things. The rest of my day and evening is spent painting, until I return to bed at about 4 - 4:30 AM.


Q ~~~ What is your favorite medium? Are there any brands or materials that you like to use?



RSC ~~~ The medium I have gravitated to is acrylic paint. For many years I used watercolor and gouache. All of my early paintings are watercolor. However, they should have been acrylic! It was my ignorance and unwillingness to experiment that kept me using watercolor for almost 20 years. I look back now and see that I was using the watercolor as one would use acrylic or oils. It was my dear wife who "forced" me experiment with acrylic. Once I started with acrylic, I never returned to watercolor.

For now, I am working very comfortably with acrylics. My favorite brands are "Old Holland", "Holbein" and "Goldens" acrylic paints and mediums, (in that order). My favorite paint brushes are made by "Isabey", France. I often use sable brushes, and I am very careful to keep them clean. For fine details I use "liners" in very small sizes. For these I use an inexpensive brand, "Loew-Cornell", so each small short handled brush is only a few dollars. I use these up in a matter of weeks. The more expensive Isabey brushes, I use for several years before they wear out, even though I use them with acrylics, which is not recommended.


Q ~~~ What inspires you?


RSC ~~~ I am inspired by my every vision, every breath. My anxiety and my elation. The pains of every day life. The ecstasies of pleasure. The feeling of dryness and wet, cold and warmth, salty and sweet, heavy and light. My night dreams. My fantasies. My horror. My fear. My exaltation. My humiliation. My pride and my shame. The magnificent and the mundane. Every aspect of life is a thought picture which can be expressed as art.


Q ~~~ You write comments and share your thoughts about your works, give links to related web pages, suggest books and films. It is really great to read about the thoughts behind every piece and look at your works again with all the clues that you provided. Your words and works really complete each other and several visual sentences reveal themselves in your works after reading your comments. I'm really curious about how your art and thoughts are shaped. Please tell us about your creative process.


RSC ~~~ Thank you for saying that. I do enjoy elaborating upon my artworks. I also like to link the things that inspire me to the painting. Many times, I will begin a painting with an incomplete vision of what I am entering into. As the painting evolves, I begin to see things in the painting, which I will then bring to life. Often these images are directly linked to subjects of interest. For instance, my last few paintings had images inspired by my interest in "transhumanism" (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democrat… ). This is a quasi-scientific term for a possible future in which mankind, through science and technology can attain immortality and oneness with the universe. That sounds far-fetched. However, if you read the works of the respected M.I.T. Professor, Raymond Kurzweil, (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Kurz… ) you might change your mind. Another recent work, "CRUSTACEAPODS" (www.vomitus.com/museum/NewVmmP…) is inspired by my research into the work of "Ernst Haeckel", (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haeckel ) As you can see, I like to set reference links so if others are interested, they can read about these subjects themselves.


Q ~~~ All of your works illustrate beautiful, surreal worlds, thought and painted with great patience down to its last detail and all these details have their own deep characters and true emotions no matter how small they are. They are all alive. How do you accomplish this?


RSC ~~~ Again, thank you. This is my goal. I try to achieve this by setting my goals higher and higher. There is no end point. If I could live hundreds of years, I would still be learning and evolving. I would still be perfecting my skills as a painter. I strive to become as proficient as I can in externalizing my thoughts and feelings through the mediums available to me in the world. Art is a mode of communication. I think the visual communication of painting is more elegant and eloquent than verbal communication or writing. Many hours of work is required. As many hours as one can take is needed to perfect a craft such as painting. However, this is not "work" in the sense of that awful business I used to drag myself to every morning for 27 years. This is Gods work! I work for God, and my job is to become God through creation. No matter how many hours as I put into this work, I am always sorry to leave it, and always anxious to return to it!


Q ~~~ Eyes, flying fish, faces, translucent spheres… What can you tell us about these recurring themes in your work?


RSC ~~~ These, and others, are objects that fascinate me. In every artist's work I see recurring objects and styles. These are a direct reflection upon the artists personality, and his soul. The way an artists works, and the images he creates are as unique to him as snowflakes or fingerprints. This is why I revere all art. The act of creation is always a personal unique act. And in this world, it can be a courageous act! Art is like no other thing that we do. To make Art is a basic, instinctive need for the human animal. It pre-dates civilization.

Art is an integral and vital element necessary for the invention of civilization.

Creating art seems to have no purpose other then to reach a deep yearning of the human spirit ... A deep need to 'create', to externalize our ideas. With art we emulate God. We want to create our own worlds, just like God. We can not command the seas to rise or the mountains to move ... but we can draw or paint them any way we wish. Through art we create our own worlds.

This need in us, so unique to us, is a prerequisite to the foundation of all the worlds cultures. All that man has accomplished, the domination of the planet, all can be traced back to our need to create art.

Most of us grow older and become set in our ways, slowly growing blind to the beauty that life offers. The magic that we believed in as children fades into foggy memory, then dies. The hardness of life makes it difficult to keep open eyes and open minds. We become fixated on simple and superficial goals. We become weak.

I struggle to maintain my simple faiths in the face of inhumanity, horror and the randomness of tragedy. It is increasingly difficult to remember and believe in the magic that I once took for granted. I try to hold on to that in spite of the kicks that life hands out ... and to inspire others in that way, through the creation of my art.


Q ~~~ How do you know when a work is finished?



RSC ~~~ It tells me so.


Q ~~~ I've read that you collect different objects in your studio. Can you tell us a little about these objects and do you have a favorite object?


RSC ~~~ Like most artists I have met, I am inspired by "things", and I end up with little collections. At one time in my life I had a huge collection or art and artifacts. All that burned up in a fire in 1995. However, that's a tangent story, (www.vomitus.com/museum/fire_st… ). Now, I have more simple things. Stones, old bottles, a petrified cat, dried fish, old bones, pine-cones, masks, animal skulls, old dolls, paper weights, stones. The list evolves. Mostly junk. I do have a few treasures. A rhinoceros skull that survived the fire which I've had for 40 years. That might be my favorite thing. Bought it for a hundred dollars from an old man back in 1968. I've managed to hold on to it all these years. I look at these things very differently than I did before the fire that took my house, and most of my art up till that time. In those days, I was obsessed with my collection. I was obsessed with acquiring for the sake of acquiring. It was a beautiful and valuable collection. However, it took many precious hours of my time. Now, I understand how important time is. You can never posses things. You can never truly possess anything. If anything at all lasts, it is what you make of yourself.


Q ~~~ What do you enjoy most about your work?


RSC ~~~ The "zone" of perfect concentration I can sometimes achieve when I have been working for many hours. It's like a state of self hypnosis where I feel completely focused on the painting. It is the time when I do my best work.


Q ~~~ What do you do when you're not working?


RSC ~~~ Wanting very badly to return to my work.


Q ~~~ Could you tell us about your future projects or shows?


RSC ~~~ I have one show group scheduled for April 4th, 2009 at the BOLDHYPE gallery in Orlando, Florida, (www.boldhype.com ). I am submitting work to several galleries. I want to get scheduled for group shows during the coming years. I have not shown my work for 15 years. My last solo show was in 1990, and I was still a hobbyist at the time. I have many commissions. Enough to keep me very busy for about a year. I love the commissioned paintings because I can do anything I want. The only predetermined part of any project is the size. My work will be published in a hard cover book about underground artists that will to be coming out next year. The book is titled "UNDERGROUND ARTIST'S REVEALED".

My most important project is to keep focused on my painting and to keep evolving.


RSC ~ 12/20/2008

.........


Thank you to all of you who write to me and mark my work as favs, and who watch me.

I most humbly apologize if I can not find the time to respond to you. It's not because I do not want to. I dearly appreciate ALL your comments, notes, letters and ALL of it!

I seldom experience so many intelligent persons in one place, and you deserve answers to your notes and letters. I can't answer you because I receive too many.

If you get the chance, please take a look at my website: www.vomitus.com where you can see more of my art, writings and sign up for my personal mailing list. BRAVO to you for being on this Brilliant website, DA!

Original Connett Paintings at this years "ART BASEL MIAMI"

Murphy Fine Art Editions is proud to present Robert Connett at this year's Gen Art Vanguard Fair during Art Basel week in Miami - December 4th through December 7th. Robert is a tireless painter who draws upon life's circumstance and generously provides intimate codex to other-worldly environments.

This year, Robert will be featured at the Murphy Fine Art Editions booth and will feature four masterful paintings created specifically for the "KNOW" exhibition including 3 10" x 10" canvases, "SUPPLICANT," "AFS 1, "(Alternative Fuel Source #1)" and "EMPATHICS." In addition, Robert created one 24" x 24" painting entitled, "Crustaceapods, (C-Pods)," which is one part of an ongoing series, "Microbia." You can see all 4 of these great works by visiting the blog and scrolling down (all names alphabetical). View Robert's work here: murphydesign1.blogspot.com/200…

+++ Interview
Robert is featured in an online interview to provide collectors and fans of art culture with insight and an intimate glimpse into his dynamic painting world. You can read it here: murphydesign1.blogspot.com/200…

+++ KNOW Specifics
Gen Art Vanguard Fair featuring Murphy Fine Art Editions
KNOW Exhibition curated by Mark Murphy
December 4 - December 7
Location : Wynwood Arts District
Charcoal Studios : 2135 NW 1st Avenue : Miami : FL : 33137

+++ Collectors
Please contact Mark Murphy at murphy@murphydesign.com or 619/743-0405 for artwork availability and pricing information.

.........


Thank you to all of you who write to me and mark my work as favs, and who watch me.

I most humbly apologize if I can not find the time to respond to you. It's not because I do not want to. I dearly appreciate ALL your comments, notes, letters and ALL of it!

I seldom experience so many intelligent persons in one place, and you deserve answers to your notes and letters. I can't answer you because I receive too many.

If you get the chance, please take a look at my website: www.vomitus.com where you can see more of my art, writings and sign up for my personal mailing list. BRAVO to you for being on this Brilliant website, DA!