Category: John Otter news

My new place is great. Already hung three sheets of drywall in the studio, acquired a couch, computer desk, chairs, etc.. Everything’s in working order. I’ve already returned to painting (albeit on cardboard). I have some panels to paint on next, and the drywall covers more space than my past few studio situations, so I’m thinking I may work larger again, on unstretched canvas. I’ve been working a lot in sketchbooks recently, it’ll be nice to return to canvas. Saw the Ecstacy show at MOCA with friends this weekend & renewed my Moca membership. I think I’m going back next weekend as well. Its a large show with a lot of details. I skipped over several works by Fred Tomaselli, whose work I love – I need to go back and gaze at those. I also like Pipilotti Rist, who has a rather nice video installation there.

 

I just signed the paperwork and paid the deposit & first month’s rent on my new place. Its quite a relief knowing everything went through and well. Tomorrow I’ll start moving things with the help of a friend, and probably continue moving things for the weekend. I was also told that its o.k. for me to hang drywall in the garage – which will make it more of a studio than it is currently.

Moving at the end of this month or sooner. I need a haircut. My thoughts are fragmented. Put things in boxes. Throw away old stuff I don’t need anymore. Moving is good for re-evaluation. I’ve put most of my 35mm negatives into 3 hole punched plastic sleeves & got rid of a bunch of useless photos – a mountain, blurry lights, indistinguishable shapes, etc. Going through photos brings back waves of memories: people and places, states of mind. I do miss quite a few people, lost contact years ago.

Making plans to go down to San Diego this weekend to visit with and do yardwork for my dad. Metrolink in the morning, I’ll have to get on the first train at about 6:30am. That will get me to Oceanside by 10:00am, just in time to pull weeds, fix fences, move rocks, etc. Chop wood, carry water. My dad wants me to go down to Rosarito with him, that might happen Friday when I arrive. There’s labor to do down there as well, he’s got a little trailer by the beach, kind of cool. This week raced by with not enough sleep. Painting a portrait for an exhibition…

TO NEVER FORGET: FACES OF THE FALLEN

This exhibit, to date, has 1,483 portraits of American servicemen and women of American servicemen and women who have lost their lives while serving in Iraq.
Help us with this remembrance of those who have lost their lives. This traveling exhibit will be on display in the Nichols Gallery, Pitzer College from October 7 – November 11, 2005.

College of Marin: To Never Forget – Faces of the Fallen Exhibit