Degas, Woody Allen and my Humble Studio in Austin.

"My art, what do you want me to say about it?  Do you think you can explain the merits of a picture to those who do not see them?...I can find the best and clearest words to explain my meaning, and I have spoken them to the most intelligent people about art, and they have not understood; but among people who understand, words are not necessary, you say humph, he, ha and everything has been said."  Edgar Degas

I recently watched Woody Allens "Midnight in Paris" for the first time (and after a long wait).  It was everything I hoped it would be and more.  I have been in a massive state of creation lately with a new body of work and it was a perfect film to offer me a bit of reflection on a few of my artistic hero's.  I am always looking for films that can coincide with a "creative binge", films like ones that Julian Schnabel,  Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Wes Anderson, Michel Gondry, or Charlie Kaufman/Spike Jonze would create.  Woody did not disappoint me.  So often I become like Gil and completely disappear when I enter my Paris (my studio).  I often find myself in moments where I am discussing art with my dead peers, sitting for a moment in my pink studio chair and talking to Andy, Jean-Michel, Franz, Rothko, Cy , Degas or many others whose books line my bookshelves'.  I get what Edgar is saying in the quote at the beginning of this post.  The greatest moments for me while painting are when am talking with my artist peers and moments where words don't need to be spoken.  A look, a nod or a snear, a laugh or a grunt speak volumes and encourage the moment where the brush meets the canvas.

So as I continue to master my craft as a painter, I look forward to the silent moments I spend with my hero's and search the quiet for answers and guidance as I move with the rhythm and dreams of one day becoming like them.

Bon Iver, David Ramirez, Penny & Sparrow, Nico Stai and Seryn.

I wanted to share some music and video of a few artists who are inspiring my work in the last few months.  A few are friends, all are peers and some I hope to interview or meet down the road for my Hypervocal column "Engaging Culture".  I have watched each of these videos multiple times in the last few weeks throughout my day of creating all sorts of random things.  So, I hope that you enjoy them in your visual modus operandi.  If you are in Austin for SXSW on March 9th, I would like to invite you out to our show.  The poster is below and Seryn, the last video on this short list is headlining.  Hope you will visit our little town and have a pint on me!      Bon Iver at AIR Studios.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9Tp5fl18Ho]

     David Ramirez: Stick Around

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oV0Vi658byo]

     Penny and Sparrow: Creature

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-xT9ekWgk4]

     Nico Stai: The Skies Over Your Head

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpRRJ9pfJxU]

     Seryn [vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/29339458 w=620&h=348]

Impatient raging.

So, there are specific days that jump out at me every now and then where emotions seem uncontrolable. Days where the only refuge is found in a blank canvas, paint and brushes.  Well, today is one of those days and escaping to my place of solice is just out of reach.  I have returned to Austin, TX (home) after being on the road for an extended time and I won't have a space for 3 more weeks.  I could feel everything building from the moment my eyes opened and my head lifted from my pillow, I tried to fight it and distance myself from the impatient rage building inside.  After 36 years I should realize that I can't hide from who I am or how I was created.  So I went to find a quiet place to write, listen and be.  At least until I can calm down, relax and exit a few tears and thoughts.

Here is the music that is filling or drowning out every other sound around me into oblivion:

Active Child: You Are All I See, Curtis Lane

James Vincent McMorrow: Early In The Morning

Nathaniel Ratliff: In Memory of Loss

Wise Children: Absince & Reunion

Ugly Casanova: 180 South Soundtrack

Timber Timbre: Creep on Creepin' On

City and Colour: Little Hell

Sbtrkt: SBTRKT

The Jezabels: Dark Storm, She's So Hard, The Man Is Dead

Video- painting- video- painting

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/24630559]This is a short video of me working on one of my last pieces.

The spoken word piece I wrote, recorded, edited and produced in 2007.

To visit Michael Halsbands work click here: michaelhalsband.com/​ To visit my personal website click here: samo4prez.com