July Artist of the Month

Drum roll please.......... the Westchase Artists Society is proud to announce the Artist of the Month for July is Bob Richardson. And now to share some interesting tidbits about Bob is the interview.

Question: Tell us a little bit about yourself, affiliations, personal stuff.

Bob: I was born and raised in the Midwest, outside of Detroit in Dearborn Heights, MI. I have been married to Judy, my wife of 32 years and we have 2 grown children. I have been visiting Florida my entire life and actually lived in Sarasota for a few years when I was 6 years old. We decided to move to Florida in 2009 to be closer to our relatives. I have been very active my entire life, both personally and professionally. I am a strong believer that if you work hard, you play hard to keep balance. As a hobby, I collect neck ties and baseball cards. I received my first guitar when I was 9 years old and continue to play.

Question: Apart from creating art what do you do?

Bob: I graduated from college in aeronautical engineering and worked 2 years for Boeing. I discovered that I did not want to be trapped behind a desk my entire life and totally changed fields, ending up in the insurance business for the past 25 years. I am considered a turnaround expert because I help insurance companies expand their business when they can't. I have just recently completed a major expansion of a Tampa based insurance company and I am now looking to secure my next assignment. I have helped over 25 insurance companies in the past 20 years and generated over $4 billion in business.

Question: What first made you want to become an artist?

Bob: I have a very creative mind and wanted to express that in art. I began drawing when I was young and found out that I was pretty good at it. One thing led to another and I started to explore painting and photography. Painting is a great way to relieve stress.

Question: Describe your creative process.

Bob: I wish I had one, but I don't. Like anything, if I get inspried, I paint, however, my items have more of a 3D look. I use a lot of paint when I make a creation.

Question: Top 5 books, movies, songs, groups, websites

Bob: Book - How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci; Movie - Brubaker; Song - any James Taylor or Keb Mo song; Groups - The Beatles (I actually went to their concert); Broadway Play - Phanton of the Opera

Question: In ten years I'd like to be...

Bob: Enjoying time at our house in Key West with my own art gallery on Duval Stret and having a beverage at my favorite watering hole with my wife.

Bob, thanks for sharing and letting us get to know you a little better. Stay tuned for upcoming Artist interviews.

June Artist of the Month

For June our Artist of the Month that was randomly selected at the Westchase Artists Society's May meeting is none other than our fabulous President, Dean Mackey. Let's get right to Dean's interview.

Question: Dean, tell us a little bit about yourself, affiliations, personal stuff.

Dean: I started making paper airplanes professionally in 2000 at a kids event, Space Day, in Tewksbury, MA. Ever since then, I saw more and more creativity from people on the web, and decided to organize it all. Adding my own creativity to the mix, it eventually became The Online Paper Airplane Museum.

I decided to write my own paper airplane book, and after submitting it to various publishers, had to self-publish it. I did the same with my second book. Then last year I was approached by an Australian publisher, Hinkler, who asked me to write a book for them. Seems they were wanting to do a paper airplane book, but couldn't find an author. They kept running across my name on the internet, and after looking at my work that I had self-published, went with me. It came out last year and can still be found at Borders.

I have noticed lately that people will stand and watch my hands make paper airplanes. I will be making the planes, talking to folks, and then notice someone staring zombie-like at my hands. It appears that over the years of making planes, my hands can move quite independently of my brain, and the result is quite hypnotic. It is an unusual super-power, and I don't take the responsibility lightly.

Question: Apart from creating art, what do you do?

Dean: I like to garden, travel, read, taekwondo and riding roller coasters

Question: What first made you want to become an artist?

Dean: the smell of easy money, lack of hard labor, and the flexible hours.

Question: Describe your creative process.

Dean: For designing a paper airplane, I usually have in mind the end result that I want to achieve. Then I sit down with paper and bend it to my will, folding it until it submits to my superior intellect. I usually don't take no for an answer from a piece of paper, or even two pieces of paper!

Question: Top 5 books, movies, songs groups, websites.

Dean:

Books - I enjoy series, like Doc Savage, Casca, The Destroyer, or most anything by Clive Cussler or Edgar Rice Burroughs

Movies - Megaforce, Rocketeer, Nightmare Before Christmas, or anything with John Wayne or Clint Eastwood in it

Songs - I like all kinds of music, but gotta love the '80's

Groups - Only one group really matters, the Westchase Artists Society, of course.

Websites - I found this really neat paper airplane website that encompasses what a website should be - http://www.theonlinepaperairplanemuseum.com/

Question: In ten years I'd like to be...

Dean: ...Holding the Guiness Book of World Record titles for Time Aloft and Distance in paper airplanes, and working on the largest paper airplane in the world, preferably one that can carry a full-sized person.

...Thrown out of the White House at least ONCE for bad behavior.

...Conduct the first international paper airplane contest since 1986.

...Fighting off paper airplane groupies with a stick (the ones I don't like, that is).

Dean thanks for the interview. You've put a whole new spin on paper airplanes.

A Perfect Day

It's a great feeling when a group project comes together and the end result is one that your proud of. The current group show for the Westchase Artists Society is a great example of many different parts coming together for a smooth fit and a beautiful outcome. On March 2nd everything worked in our favor, the rains came early in the morning, all of the participating artists delivered their artwork on time, and the hanging crew, Teresa Trubilla, Judy Freeman, Dean Mackey, Wayne Barrett and Craig Royal, worked incredibly well together. Special thanks also go out to the staff at Ruth Eckerd Hall, especially Lisa Taylor and the wonderfully talented artists that participated in this group show.

A Busy Time

The Westchase Artists Society is buzzing with activity. Our current show that's running for the month of February at the Carrollwood Cultural Center is coming to a close at the end of the month. And, we're gearing up for our next show at Ruth Eckerd Hall. Our group has 17 artists represented in the Ruth Eckerd Show and it's going to be another fabulous showing for our group. We're all excited about the new venue and with the thousands of people that stream through the Hall for various events, shows and gatherings, it's guaranteed to be an opportunity to share our artwork with a broad spectrum of people. This show runs through the month of May so if you have tickets for a show at Ruth Eckerd Hall, be sure to wander up to the East Gallery.