text • chris rusak

07-27-10

A testament to Sam Storicks.

I was a friend of Sam Storicks.

Sam was a good man. Born of New Jersey stock, and snaking his way west as so many Northeasteners had before, he set up shop in San Francisco a few years before I arrived in town. We met as most mid-twenty homosexuals did by way of internet, eventually connecting in person for a beer. He was a handsome guy and will be remembered dearly for his many shapes and sizes, haircuts and groomings. He had a big heart and a big imagination, a real kid like the rest of us struggling to grow up.

Sam had his troubles and he succumbed to them many times throughout our friendship. Several years ago while we were vacationing our bond quickly soured as he wrestled with drug addiction. We, too, grew apart as he continued away from many people. Still, he triumphed. I believe he was the most astonished person on his 365th day clean and sober, something everyone around him and the whole gay internet celebrated. We believed in him. He overcame a lot of doubt that he was able to stay clean and it showed. I was fortunate to see our friendship overcome their trials when he offered a genuine apology to me one day, something I am grateful for having had the opportunity to thank him for.

Sam grew up a lot in the last few years. He had a creative edge that was really clawing its way out. He sought solace in music and aspired to DJ heights, finding his craft and place amongst the trade. He was working and affiliated with the local scenes of Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles and was slated to spin in Orlando and Vancouver this autumn. It could be said, though, that Sam was a part of every scene, and sometimes he was the scene.

Sam leaves behind a partner who truly meant the world to him. When I asked about the genesis of their relationship, Sam said “it took two emails and I knew,” and the rest is history. Their love was palpable to outsiders. Sam frequently extolled the relationship to all of us, and those of us who knew him over the years can confidently say that we saw and knew a changed man as a result of Greg’s love.

I was a friend of Sam Storicks and on July 23, 2010, he passed on.

Sam Storicks was a good man, an artist. He is loved and he will be missed.

Photo credit: Calvin Fleming

Playlist for Us
Tod und Verklärung by Richard Strauss; Pierre Monteux conducting the Boston Symphony Orchestra
Symphony No. 3 in A minor by Sergei Rachmaninov; Vladimir Ashkenazy conducting the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Bluff Limbo by µ-Ziq

07-23-10

Without.

What do we have when we find ourselves without?

Do we convince ourselves we have more than we see?
Do we fill in the space?
Is there even structure?

07-13-10

Live the dream.

A week ago I wrote about late nights of work behind the computer and in the studio: redoing the website and self-promoting… working on work, because what happens in the studio is where the fire is. My new mantra is “live the dream,” as new-agey as mantras can often sound. Several strangers have made mention of this phrase when we’ve newly met at various events… made in reference to my employment situation and artistic endeavors. It’s true, I seem to be living it, but it is an active process and not one that has been gifted to me.

Recently, I’ve had to reflect back on the past fifteen years of my life, to when I was first exposed to significant contemporary works and the sequence of events that led me to where I now work today. Continued perseverance, another buzzword of late, and perpetuating dreams and ideas have truly been the steam for hard-work and confidence. Doubt, as recently as four months ago, has peppered the process but triumph is the product of choice, not chance.

The websites are done.

I can’t believe I can say that.

All told, the amount of time spent on the project is massive and long. 3am is the new 5pm. But, I think it looks great compared to its past rendition, navigation is simple and effective (though for users of smaller resolution screens there are some nails to be screwed in,) and the work is the focus. Eight collage works and four print editions from the past three years form the beginnings for the site. From here on, and this has really been exciting me, I now have a reliable and clean instantaneous presentation of anything at my disposal. One could pontificate the ability to loop around the gallery system, but I personally think an artist’s online website/gallery is a good adjunct to bringing your work out to traditional centers, your reach becomes broad and local, and the latter is important since our efforts are always influenced by our environs.

With this project checked off for now, studio work moves into prime focus. I need this. I have seven panels in process that I’m anxious to move towards completion. Relaxation and contemplation with these pieces during the site overhaul has been insightful, and the placation they have provided me will fuel their final synthesis.

Below, two works posted on www.chrisrusak.com. Click to proceed to larger images.

Also, thanks to everyone who showed up at Variant Beauty to support Pickles Labrador and Kate Kellams. The work was fantastic and the company divine. A good time was had by all. Be sure to stop by Mission Comics and Art if you haven’t already to check out the goods.

07-09-10

Privacy.

A reminder:

Variant Beauty
Artwork by Pickles Labrador & Kate Kellams
July 10th til August 8th, 2010
Opening Reception: July 10th at 8pm

Mission Comics and Art
3520 20th St. (at Mission)
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 648-1545

I helped Kate hang her portion of the show yesterday and it looks great. Eight intimate works that fascinate your eye. It will be an oasis on this long weekend of work ahead, for me. I do hope to see you at the show, though.

My camera has been a kind friend the past few weeks, but aside from some of the sunset shots, I haven’t been finding much inspiring content. Really focused in a different place currently, however photography is placating and good relief from the challenges of working with things up close.

07-06-10

Display.

It has been a rather productive time, holidays and all, and I have spent many hours over the past three weeks getting stuff done. You’re already aware (I would hope… if you’re an RSS reader, come to the site to check it out,) that this domain recently had a theme renovation. Last week I worked hard on modifying a theme for WordPress to suit my needs to display my photographic and art work. Those are both now complete, so take a look around with the caveat that, after all those hard coding hours to get the sites skinned and operating, I’m taking a few days off in my studio to work on non-digital projects. Ergo, these two sites are lacking much of the content I’d like there… but you can peek now. (There’s also the need to configure the sites for low-res displays, but you know, I had to fire the office assistant to buy groceries.)

art • chrisrusak.com
photo • chrisrusak.com

In the next few days I’ll be editing through my collection of photos as well as photographing two sets of screenprints yet unseen, and those will be up for sale on the new site. More collage works from the past three years will make their way to the interwebs soon, too, in addition to the newer stuff currently in process.

I’ve been running on full steam and I think this is the “hard work and dedication” I’ve read about in books and heard about from wiser adults throughout my life… long nights till 3am working to live the dream. I sure hope it is.