Hiatus.

I found this video pretty brilliant and creative...enjoy!

Hiatus - We Can Be Ghosts Now (feat. Shura) from Tom Jobbins on Vimeo.

Peace,
Ross

Monetizing Creativity.

I had a conversation yesterday with an artist I just finished producing in the studio.  We were talking about the pursuit of creativity and art, and the difficulty of remaining pure to that art in a culture that demands the monetizing of everything.

Being an artist, I suppose, throws you into two basic categories.  Artists that make money, and artists that don't.  Notice that I don't call the later hobbyists.  Understand of course, that most people would, and do, make that distinction.  However, lots of so called "artists" I know do the same "art" over and over, with predictability, because it turns a profit, pays the bills, etc.  This (in my opinion) is a money-making craft.

Art is different.

Art is something that's inside you that needs to come out.  Art changes and pushes boundaries.  Art is loved.  Art is hated.  Art is understood.  And art is misunderstood.

Our culture has placed an unhealthy barometer on art and creativity, that basically says, "if you can't eventually attain the American dream, move to the burbs with your family, own the boat, take the vacation, etc, then it's time to hang up your college fantasy, and get a real (paying) job."

I couldn't disagree more. 

Sometimes I think the problem isn't the art, but perhaps the scope which the artists dreams, and sees his or her art flourishing.  We live in a culture that demands diversity and excellence.  How can you (as an artist) see things this way, make necessary steps to diversify your art/talent/skill/creativity in such a way that you don't succumb to the lie that "it's time for the paying gig?"

Perhaps you're defining things improperly. 

Perhaps your scope is that artistry is only attained once you've been given the national or international spotlight.  Let me tell you that without a massive machine behind what you're doing, this may never happen.  However, when you localize your tribe (or tribes) and create a genuine community with them (through and with your art), you will be a success.

This success may not equal Justin Timberlake status, but your influence may be just as powerful within your particular tribe.

Rethink.
Reorganize.
Do.
Create.

Peace,
Ross

In Your Wake

Saturday morning I woke up with some lyrics rolling around in my head.  I poured myself a cup of coffee and got to work.  Here's what I came up with:

In Your Wake

(c) 2013 Ross Christopher

You walk in a room

And steal its breath

You steal its every thought

'Cause death is your wake

Don't slur your speech

'Cause what you say

Will change every thing

There's a history with you

A marked past of poison and broken cries

'Cause you couldn't care less

Hell bent on you

Don't slur your speech

'Cause what you say

Will change every thing

You - take what's not yours

And nobody says a thing

You - devour what you want

And no one does a thing

You - break and bruise

And no one is left

'Cause we've grown tired, sore, and worn down

Don't slur your speech

'Cause what you say

Will change every thing

Peace,

Ross

Upstream Color.

In 2004, Shane Carruth made an incredible indie debut, Primer.  In a couple months, his next film, Upstream Color drops.  I'm very excited, curious, and hopeful.  Check it out!



Peace,
Ross

The Light of a Single Candle.

“All the darkness in the world 

cannot extinguish the light 

of a single candle.” 

-- St. Francis of Assisi

I love this quote.
I love it because too often we pit light as the opposite of darkness.
But just like the quote shows us, darkness cannot coexist with light.
Darkness is the absence of light, and the world is glowing with light!

Sometimes it can be difficult to see. 
Suffering does occur. 
Death happens.
Sickness and tragedy cripples.
But light still exists, and squashes darkness in its tracks.

As an artist, sometimes I feel like its my job to point people towards light.
As an artist I can use creativity (images, words, sounds, etc.) to expose what's (already) around us, and can send darkness running to the shadows.

How are you exposing light?

Peace,
Ross