As 2012 closes, I find myself in a transitional phase in my life and in my drawings and paintings. If it seems that I have been neglectful of the blog, the site, and creating new art, it's because I have been, I'm sad to admit. So much of my time has been devoted to working full time and travel that there has been little time left over to create. The fact that I use the term "left over" is telling, hm? For instance, I've done a few sketches and studies here and there,

maybe some interesting hand-made gifts,

but no finished pieces to speak of, let alone add to my portfolio. This realization is frustrating for me, and I will candidly say that I have allowed it to discourage me.

My work has been shifting, too, to compositions that seem to be more rooted in physical forms and physical objects. Shapes are turning out to be based on some thing, references to some thing, inspired by things. "Thing-ness" is creeping in, which makes my explanations both harder and easier in some ways.

Suffice it to say that I will be returning to some serious art-makin' in 2013. Time to get serious.

But for the remainder of 2012, I reach out to any of you who might be reading. If you are an artist with a day-job, how do you balance your schedule to ensure there is ample time in your studio? Or if you are an artist living off your work, how do you maintain your creativity? Have you ever neglected it?

As Christmas nears, red and green are seen around communities in Staten Island, but instead of charming seasonal decorations, red and green inspection tags are posted to every door left standing. Red tags bearing the words “unsafe” or “condemned” seem to outnumber the green tags that give the approval to return home on the doors of many who live in the community. Some houses have been ripped from their foundations completely, while others rest at odd, sinking angles. Broken windows lead to sights of water damage, with trails of silt and mud smearing walls at waist height, if not higher. Piles of insulation and splintered wood are gathered on sidewalks along with endless bags of mucked sand. There is a musty smell to the air, even over a month after Hurricane Sandy landed on Staten Island's shores, and in addition to scattered personal belongings, a muddy film covers the streets as families continue to work to restore their ravaged homes and organize the chaos. 

Since the aptly named super-storm landed in October, various disaster relief efforts began their arduous tasks in the affected communities. There is still much to be done, however, as new challenges present themselves even a month later. One of the most pressing: quickly dropping temperatures are arriving as the season changes and many are left without homes. And despite the efforts of utility companies, many of the homes that are considered safe are still without heat. Groups like Occupy Sandy and other organizations led by local churches are working on the island to address such challenges and distribute necessary items while recruiting volunteers to assist with physical labor: mucking out homes, repairing roofs, even pulling nails. Victims of the storm have lost almost everything. They are tired, frustrated, and the road to recovery is long before them.

During this season of giving and goodwill towards men, there are many ways to help this community. Monetary donations are a great place to start, particularly if you live far from the area, but specific items are needed, too: blankets, winter coats, hats, and gloves are on the lists of those staying in shelters, in addition to non-perishable, non-expired food. Bicycles, generators, N95 masks and tools for clean-up are also needed. Feeding America, World Vision, and AmeriCares are large organizations that are now collecting donations of food, water, and personal hygiene items.

If you are close enough to volunteer (only 6 hours from Richmond to Staten Island, ideal for a weekend roadtrip), check out the Staten Island chapter of Occupy Sandy. Volunteer information can be found at http://www.occupysandystatenisland.tumblr.com . Their hub at St. Margaret Mary Church at 1128 Olympia Road offers all kinds of services for the affected families, including legal and medical aid, as well as information about where to donate and to volunteer around Staten Island, the Rockaways, Red Hook, Coney Island, Howard Beach, and the Lower East Side.

Your voice can also help. Sandy Storyline is a participatory and collaborative documentary aimed to raise awareness about the affects of Hurricane Sandy and recovery efforts. If you or someone you know was affected by the storm, you can share photographs, audio recordings, and written word online at http://www.sandystoryline.com

December 3rd, 2012. Staten Island and Coney Island, New York. All photos by Will Solis.

Today at the gallery, we deinstalled Sören Hüttel's show Space time colour eclectic and began making preparations for the popular and fun annual event coming next weekend. Walls came down, neon lights unplugged, holes were spackled, and the Monster Drawing Rally flags were hung by the chimney with care. And by chimney, I mean the gallery windows. (Trying to summon Christmas weather, you see.)

Come by 1708 Gallery on Saturday, December 15th to eat, drink, and be merry with Richmond artists as their drawings come to life! Admission is 5 dollars at the door, all proceeds support 1708 and the mission to bring new art to Richmond and offer opportunities to the area's emerging and established artists.