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Git’er Hung! – Working the Brick & Morter on Cyber Monday…

Jamie Hanging

Ok, It’s Cyber Monday, so why is this ex-‘techie’ working on his ‘Brick & Morter’ storefront in Midtown Austin?

Well if you’d ever been to my 800 sf residence/studio prior to September, you might have a clue. After years of banging larger canvases into walls, planning a soft landing when (not if) you trip during the day, and having people step over the laundry basket or doing the side shuffle when coming to see my work, I decided ‘it is time!’

The main purpose of my new space is ‘production work’ plain & simple. Room to create the larger pieces and house the equipment to do specialty items like the ceramic tile coasters. The production side includes my private office where I can shut the door (although it hasn’t been shut since I’ve moved in ;), storage closet, production area & restroom. I have two large-format Epson 9900 printers, one 4800 printer converted to sublimation inks, heat press, large work tables and other office equipment, wireless Internet etc. I have hired a production assistant, Dan Reid and Marcela comes in to work from time to time 🙂 The production studio has been up since September and we’ve even have had other artist come in to use the equipment recently.

Marcela & Dan working in the StudioCharles Malone Printing

 

 

 

 

 

The other side is my new ‘gallery area’. It is a place where clients can come in an view my work, relax on the sofa (coming soon), chat and have a drink. The small ‘kitchen area’ is kinda hidden behind a rolling wall. We snagged 2 of them from Spruce across the street – wish we had photos of Marcella and I rolling/dragging them across Lamar! They needed ‘fixing up’ anyway 😉

Since last week we have been installing the track hanging system – fairly smooth except for the concrete walls I ran into today, luckily I had my hammer drill, concrete drill bits and mortar patch handy – yes, not your typical photographer with a BS in Computer Science I know..

 

I’ve decided to keep the name ‘Art of Texas’ from the days when it was a group of us showing together locally. The long name is ‘Jamie Rood’s Art of Texas Studio & Gallery’.

So while you get emails from other artists today that are discount-laden or full of new images, I’m just giving you a little glimpse into the raw physical work that is going on here 😉 But I am working on a new online shop that will allow you to better navigate and include all my work. I’ll hit you up to buy in December, then post some more ‘refined’ & ‘finished’ studio & gallery shots in January. But I’m here if you need to order something you remember at a show, but don’t see online 😉

It’s a big step and I appreciate you all being with me on this journey…

‘Take a deep breath, relax – and have a great day!’ 😀

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EAST 2011 – another successful tour! :D

The huge tour that is EAST (East Austin Studio Tour) took place the last couple weekends and for the 5th year I was- a guest at the stupendous supporter of local artists, Reji Thomas at her Pine Street Station studio and event complex. Also got to hang out with the scrumptious Marcie, and all the rest 😉 My production assistant Dan Reid also brought out some of his work and made some sales – way to go Dan! 😀

As always – thank you to the patrons who made their way to our little spot with all there was to choose from. One day I’d like to make it around again, but I still still enjoy the event chained to my booth 😉 A special thanks to Elaine who just took delivery of a really cool old truck & bus collection! ..and a couple I cannot mention cause of Xmas confidentiality 😉

For those who do not subscribe to the old saying ‘early bird catches the worm’ (my artists friends especially), let me tell you that my largest sales were made outside the published EAST hours – and that was substantial. So next time you’re out the night before or having your morning coffee, remember me with my huge, metal, construction-worker approved IKEA coffee mug I’m sipping from while making my first sales of the day 😉

 

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Little more Action here at the Violet Crown…

Firetrucks, police, a chopper, and everybody congregating outside..

Between another broken gas pipe just outside by back door and major wreck few hundred feet down Lamar their was a little excitement to break up the morning. Not this much distractions when working at home 😉 Couple quick snapshots, but got a lot of work to do (stretch canvases) – lets fire up the compressor and see what happens 😀

Firetrucks @ Violet Crown
Oooops...

– that’s my studio from the far left past the second metal duct…

Fixen...