Fudge's End of the Year Art Review - 2010 Was BIG

If I were to try to sum up 2010 in one word, it would be BIG. There were a lot of big firsts for me this year and many of them really made me feel like a BIG deal (or at least 'semi-famous').

To start the year off, six of my paintings were on display at the BIGGEST gallery space on South Main. The 409 Gallery is located in the old Jay Etkin's space. There was a great crowd there on that trolley art night and i felt really honored to be included.

I really didn't do a whole lot of shows this year. In many ways, I took a step back but I did have my work shown at the 409 Gallery, Downtown Presbyterian, Starbucks at Trinity, and the Germantown Community Theatre. The nice thing was that they all called me which was pretty cool. It's nice to be asked to come hang your work instead of going around like a door to door salesmans to find a place that will display your artwork.


Biggest painting:

From May to August, I was working on two 4ft x 6ft canvases for a whopping 48 square feet. Not only was it the biggest painting I've ever done, it was also my first corporate commission. It feels like a big deal and a great honor to be included in the area's first hospice house, the Baptist Trinity Hospice House & Kemmons Wilson Family Center for Good Grief.

Also falling into the biggest painting category is my biggest live painting. For The Stirring's Christmas service, I completed a 3.5ft by 5ft canvas. That night was the first time The Stirring was held in Hope's big sanctuary (seats over 5,000) and it was our biggest attendance at over 2,200. (okay, now I'm regretting theming this as BIG and having to use big and biggest all the time. Hopefully this wont be that a big post).


A great BIG roadtrip:

In 11 days, I drove over 2,000 miles through eight states. It was wonderful experience. I can't wait to do something like it again or at least return for an extended stay at one of my favorite stops. Hopefully, 2011 will be the year of the Great American Artsy Rail Trip - aka GAART 2011 - with a train ride to Chicago. Or at the very least a return to Asheville for a 4-5 day trip ( could i still call it GAART... Great Asheville Artsy Return Trip?) I only stayed one night there and had such a great time. Asheville was like the beautiful girl you spend the evening flirting with, you get her number with a promise of a date, and then lose the number never to see her again... Oh what might have been!


You make me feel like a big deal.

I don't want to sound like I've gotten a big head, but I had some moments this past year that were very touching and exciting. And i just wanted to say thanks. Falling into the "Aw, shucks." category I feel like i had art groupies. Or at least Chester did.  

You'll recall that journal project I had going. I've made a lot of connections with artists all over the country. One of those was Robyn. She loves Chester and lived in Texas at the time. I never expected to meet her in person. But one day i get a phone call, "Hey Fudge, my friend Paula and I are driving through Memphis and would like to meet you." It was very surprising and a lot of fun. She picked up the drawing she had ordered from me, got a tour of my art studio, and generally made me feel like i was a big deal. If a painter can have groupies, Robyn is the President of the Fudge fan club.


And if Robyn is fan club president than Susan Isaacs is head of marketing. She has three Chester paintings in her collection and she is Chester's most famous fan. Susan got the word out about my art like no one has before by tweeting about it and even included it in a video she made. Heck, she seemed just as excited about my work being published in Anne Jackson's book as I was. 

And to be honest, there were many people this year who were supportive and encouraging of me and my work. I can't begin to mention you all. So a BIGGGGGG THANK YOU to everyone who purchased a painting or drawing, let me crash on your couch while on my roadtrip, expressed how much they liked a painting, shared how a painting touched them, asked me to show my artwork at your space, attended my art openings, etc. I love you guys. You helped me have most exciting year for my art so far. 

Chester makes a cameo appearance in Susan's video

Thank You From Susan Isaacs from Save Blue Like Jazz on Vimeo.

That's right! Incredible, funny actress/author Susan Isaacs has 3 of my paintings and you can see them all in the background of this video she made. How cool is that!

In case you're wondering more about Save Blue Like Jazz (the movie) and would like to donate to it (there is still time!), here's a link.

Photo of Anne Jackson, Susan Issacs, and I hanging out

Okay so I'm just there in spirit.  How stinking cool is this picture!  Susan put it best in her tweet: "Richard Fudge on the wall, Anne Jackson in the room, Richard Fudge in Anne Jackson's book. Wack!"  And that's all happening IN Susan Issacs' house.  That just gives me the biggest smile. I may have squealed like teenage girl when i first saw this photo, but it was first thing this morning. I blame the lack of coffee on the high pitch.

Susan E. Isaacs likes my art. :)

So last evening, I attended Donald Miller and Susan Isaacs book tour stop at Hope church here in Memphis. amillionmiles.com It was a great evening. Susan Isaacs is the author of Angry Conversations with God. She's sorta like a cross between Anne Lamott and Amy Sedaris, another author and a comedienne that I really like. So please take that as a compliment, Susan.

Angry Conversations with God: A Snarky but Authentic Spiritual Memoir by Susan E. Isaacs (Author)

So after her performance that is based on her book, there was an intermission and she was signing books in the lobby. I waited in line and got my copy signed. I was too embarrassed to really introduce myself. Sure we had exchanged like 2 emails, but who's going to remember that. "Hey Susan, Do you remember me. I'm Richard Fudge." Yeah, right. She's a nationally published author on a 65 city book tour.

A little while later, I work up the nerve to tell her that we have an art gallery here at Hope and that there are a couple of pieces that I did that were directly inspired by her book. I'm thinking she's busy, will think its sweet, but won't really care. But no, she got all excited. She asked me for my name again and I said Richard Fudge. Then Susan said, "Oh Richard FUDGE! Oh why didn't you say so the first time. I'd love to see your paintings and can I get a picture of you in front of it."

I was floored. Susan Isaacs literally just squealed my name. I mean come on! I'm just an average artist. I've been in few galleries. I'm not a big deal. So she was all excited and ready to go see the paintings, but Donald Miller was about to begin his talk. So we planned to meet afterward to visit the gallery.

After Donald Miller spoke, I went out to find Susan. She had already visited the gallery (how she found it I dont know). She was all excited about the work and was just full of encouragement and support. As we walked to the gallery, I explained the where the inspiration had come from etc.

We got to the gallery and took turns taking photos in front of my paintings. She asked if it was okay to post on her twitter and facebook accounts. Heck, yeah. I also showed her one other painting of mine a small piece titled "WHY!?". It was also inspired by her book. She loved it and offered to buy it.



Later that evening, Susan send me this email:

Hi Richard

I was so glad to see you tonight. It was a real privilege to see your work, and I’m honored that the book inspired you. I’m so thrilled to get your painting, too! I let my husband know to look for it in the near future. I posted your pics on my facebook, and tweeted about it.

One woman really liked the “Hey God!” painting, and I let her know it was for sale.

Anyway, I really enjoyed meeting you. And I really do hope you submit to International Arts Movement. I know a few people there. Well besides Mako .. Christy Tennant and Mark Meehan. They’re great. You need to get your work out there.

Thanks again, tonight was a terrific evening.

Susan

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How stinking cool is that! I'll be smiling for days because we met.