A recent This American Life was all about Plan B.
Ira Glass asked a group of people if they were still on Plan "A" Only the youngest one was Plan "A" ,all the others had gone through a bunch of Plans.
I was working in my studio, listening to one my my favorite shows," This American Life", and I was realized I was still on Plan "A". Capitol A for art! I am one lucky guy. I wanted to be an artist ever since my 7TH Grade art teacher Mr. Dodd, said do not forget the snot catcher when drawing face. The snot catcher is between your nose and your mouth. Right there and then I realized I wanted to be an art teacher. Thank you Mr. Dodd! Through high school that was my plan until in college I realized the artists were having more fun than the art teachers, even if they talked about snot catchers.
So I decided I was going to be an artist.
And that is what I have been ever since, the jobs I had were just to pay to set up my studio.
It was easy in 1974 in Michigan selling Clay Art at street art shows. Michigan had some of the best art shows in the country then. Michigan was making cars and people were buying ART!
That Saturday in the worst of times in a very depressed economic state of Michigan. I realized how lucky I am I am still on Plan "A". Thank you to all the people who have collected my artwork over these many years. You have made my goofy life possible. Thank you Thank you. You stop by and tell me how you have got so much enjoyment out of my artwork. I thank you for helping me live my life as an artist and helping me raise a family. Madeline my wonderful wife and my 2 great kids Amy & Zach, the "A 2 Z kids" hat is a whole other story.
On Talk of the Nation there were some guys talking about Credit Default Swaps and other products like them. These are not products these are not something you buy put in a bag plastic or paper, but always a reused bag in our booth, Credit Swaps are some kind of scam that have got all in this mess. These Credit Swaps are not cars that you drive to your favorite roadside attractions. I make a product, it is art and thankfully many people like to take my art home.
Like my friend Russ Bolt who turned 80, Febuary 28th. He was designer at GM in the Fifties. I had a 1960 Cadillac for a while and Russ sat in it and pointed out all the things he designed on the interior. In 1975 he became an artist full time with is lovely wife Sue Bolt.
Russ and Sue have made products all there life, real products that make people happy.
Happy Birthday Russ and many more.
Jerry
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