Refinding Inspiration and Magic

I went to make a Valentines Day post and got sidetracked…and inspired.

What the President Should've Said

After hearing the President's disappointing speech on Monday, I wrote and delivered one of my own. It expresses what I wish a President would say in response to the killings of George Floyd, Amaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor and the subsequent civil uprising.

Wall Sculpture Mural Installation

After 18 months of work, my 32' wall sculpture mural "I Could Sit Here All Day" was installed over two days in Brentwood, CA. The piece was commissioned by Hudson Pacific Properties through REN Gallery in Los Angeles. I made this video documenting the install process. It was quite the production!

Mural Project Update

We're plugging away on my 32' layered mural going up soon in Brentwood, CA. After almost a year, it feels good to see it coming together. Lots of logistical challenges, but we're making it through. Can't wait to see it on the wall!

Beginning work on the mural project

I am creating a small scale model of the mural project in order to work out some engineering issues. Also, I expected a few surprises when I got it off the screen and into 3D space...and I got them! A few logistics to work out, but here's a peak at the way the shapes will be working together.

New Large Scale Commission Project Approved!

I have a new large scale commission project that just got approved. So I began work on it this week. Which means...running all over LA picking up supplies. It's a glamorous life…sometimes :)

A peak at work in progress for my upcoming show

I don't always have much work in progress to share, since my process all comes together right at the last minute, but I have one today. A sneak peak at my show coming up at Fabrik Projects in Los Angeles. Opens Jan. 5.

One of My Favorite Tom Waits Songs (...and a confession)

I took a break while waiting for a coat of varnish to dry on a piece for my upcoming show at Fabrik Projects in Culver City, CA to play one of my favorite Tom Waits songs...and confess why I haven't posted an update in awhile.

Virtual Studio Visit

I get a lot of requests to see more of my studio and my process as my work moves along. Here's a quick tour of my workspace.

Art Never Disappoints

I'm working on my new solo show opening in a few weeks. Funny how I think I can have an idea, but the art has a mind of its own. It's part of what I love about being an artist.

Context is Everything

Art is as much about what is left out as much what's put in. I took a quick work trip and had some time to think about context.

Reconnecting through art journaling

Keyboards and computers have their place, but for certain things, the energy of a pen and paper can't be replaced.  I recently returned to writing in a journal by hand to connect my thoughts.  It's been yielding great results in my art. Here's a quick video about what I'm doing and why.

Art goes up. Doesn't come down.

Final install day at the Griffin Club in Los Angeles.  4 of my art pieces have a new home.  Even though it inspires me to make more and try to outdo myself, I still find it difficult to say goodbye sometimes.  I was able to shoot a quick video today.  Not quite as crazy there.

The Road to Art Basel #5

This is the last video in my Road to Basel series which documents my preparation for, and showing in Basel Switzerland during Art Basel.
We took a couple days to relax before heading home.  I had a great trip, but riding this luge down Mount Pilatus was definitely one of the high points. SO FUN!!!!

The Road to Art Basel #4

Here's a glimpse of my typical day this week showing my art in Basel, Switzerland with a preview of the new artwork I brought to show.  I also roam the city, complete with random Basel stories about the Rolling Stones, swimming with bags, and Herzl.

The Road to Art Basel #3

Everything has been packed and delivered.  I tied up some loose ends this week including delivering some new work that was purchased for a lobby in a new club in Los Angeles.  I also remembered a conversation I had with an artist on a flight to Europe years ago.  It kind of stopped me in my tracks.  I never would've guessed then, I'd be doing this today.

The Road to Art Basel #2

I'm getting closer to shipping all of my new work to Art Basel.  So many logistics to work out.   Plus, I always find it tricky to navigate my expectations in making new work.  What I had in mind and what comes out.  They are not always the same.  In fact, they rarely are.  Each work is a journey.  The reality is, if everything came out exactly how I imagined it, there would be little reason to make it at all.  That's part of the fun of being an artist.  Surprises.
I discuss all of this in the video, plus, I give you a glimpse at a brand new piece of work called "Miles Away" that I'll be showing in Basel for the first time.

The Road to Art Basel #1

I got invited to show at Art Basel.  Great.  Then the pieces sold I was planning to send, and I didn't have anything else in my studio the scale I wanted to send that would ship easily.  So I decided to make new work.
I was stressing out about getting everything finished by the deadline, and decided to use an old school time management technique.  It's working out pretty well.  This is what I discovered. 

A Day In My Personal Art Studio

Thought I'd share a peak at a somewhat typical day in my personal art studio. While every day is different depending on which part of a project or series I'm working on, I get asked a lot about my process and what goes into making my wall sculptures.  This will give you a glimpse.
If you'd like to see these completed works, they are in my With Open Eyes series here: http://www.robgrad.com/with-open-eyes.

A Whirlwind of Hmmm...

The Waitress, Florence - UV cured ink, acrylic on bi-level plexiglass

I’ve always got a thousand things to think about
Each pushing the next one out of the way
Posturing to get to the front of the line
Surging
Waving
Holding up signs
Like a mob
Me
No, ME
Now
NOW
Every one seems so important
Until I think a little more
Then I’m not so sure
Urgency is overrated
If you sound an alarm day and night
Eventually the brain will decide it’s background noise
And stop paying attention
This isn’t an excuse
It’s biology
Always so much coming at me
So little going with me
Even when everything is simple
It’s complicated
In spite of myself
I’ve always been the optimistic type
Launching myself at tomorrow
Like a circus performer
Shot from a cannon
Pointed
Determined
With purpose
And direction
Unfortunately
Determination alone
Doesn’t build nets
And yet still…
Here I am
Don’t mind the bloody face and the bruised ribs
They’re just collateral damage
From a series of ill advised landings
A few belly flops on the pavement will do that to you
I’m otherwise the same
Same body
Same life
Same spirit
I do have to say though
That something is different
Hard to put my finger on
It’s like I’m in the same game
But the rules have changed
They are now only suggestions
That aren’t always right
Maybe I’m wiser
Maybe
Hopefully
At least a little
I hear people talk
About how they wish they could be young again
I think they’re crazy
I wouldn’t trade a few pains, aches and wrinkles
For what I have now
Age matters
If you use it

I didn’t ask enough questions in school
I didn’t like the attention
I was shy and thought I’d be tipping my hand
At how little I knew
That’s why I wanted to be famous
Shooting myself at the starsI saw myself at the bottom
And I wanted a shortcut to the top
The problem was
Climbing that ladder
I could never tell
How far I had to fall
And how much higher I’d have to climb
The day I hopped off
Was one of the best of my life
I’m not so shy anymore
I ask the Universe a million questions every day
Now what?
Where to next?
How am I going to do this?
Is this it?
What if this is it?
Best I usually get back is
A giant cosmic shrug
A whirlwind of hmmm…..
But what if that’s it?
Sure, I get a lightning bolt from time to time
Where I can cry at the sight of a cloud
Or a voice climbs up from somewhere inside
And says “you’re going to be alright”
And I know it’s the truth
But the other 99.9% of the time
Is spent in between the revelations
Left to my own devices
Fending for myself
In that whirlwind of hmmm…..
The thing is, I see it now
That’s the magic
Anything is possible
At any moment
And the stakes are high
Any decision could cost me my life
But that same decision
Could MAKE me my life
I mean, C’mon
It’s horrible
And fantastic
Right?