Before I write about the very talented deaf artist, Rob F. Walker, I wanted to let you know that I am itching to do something different with my blog – specifically the style of writing/blogging.
I know my style is very casual – nothing too fancy. Since I know I have diversified readers – many different educational backgrounds, I do not want to bore my readers with many decorated or inert vocabulary and rigid structure – let’s say flaccid. I want to keep posts simple and clear.
Here is a quote, “The finest language is mostly made up of simple unimposing words.” -George Eliot
Another quote from one of my favorite British writers: “Don’t use words too big for the subject. Don’t say ‘infinitely’ when you mean ‘very’; otherwise you’ll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite." - C.S. Lewis
Okay. Let’s know more about this fellow, Robert!
Robert F. Walker, A Deaf Artist
Here’s an informal online dialogue between Robert and me (IM language – not using capitalizations and punctuations except for “I”:
Teri: congrats for becoming a blogger! (http://challymack.wordpress.com)
Rob: oh hey
Rob: heh . . . thanks . . . you saw my blog?
Teri: not yet
Rob: what you think of my post?
Teri: let me go there
Rob: ok
Teri: so much like mine showing a close up picture of a pair of eyes!!!
Rob: good
Teri: I like it! I always love close up photographs
Rob: yeah . . . I thought only eyes add a bit of mystery
Teri: right
Teri: funny . . . I was going to use that photo of you for my blog featuring you as a deaf artist
Rob: lol . . . go ahead
Teri: since you wrote a long bio and I don’t want to cut and paste so, I did think up some questions for an interview
Rob: too long? you can edit if you like
Teri: maybe we do an interview now?
Rob: sure . . . am free now
Teri: great . . . first, I want to say . . . I absolutely love the artwork you did for me . . . beautiful job!
Rob: good . . . glad you like it . . . it was fun doing it
Teri: I think you should go into business
Rob: doing digital portraits? not bad idea!
Teri: yes! I am sure everyone would love to own a masterpiece
Teri: go for it . . . I think you should if you have time
Teri: use my portrait as an example
Rob: can make time . . . if people want to send me photos (and checks)
Teri: pay you half in advance
Rob: would have to figure out what to charge . . . would depend on the picture and what they want I suppose
Rob: yes . . . that’s the way I usually do with commissioned art work (studio) half in advance and rest on delivery
Interview Questions (Serious stuff!!)
Teri: okay . . . let's ask you several questions . . . first question . . . where did you learn your art skill?
Rob: well . . . it was my first mode of communication with my family. they are hearing
Teri: right . . . I now remember . . . you had to doodle as a mean of communication
Rob: right I drew pictures of what I wanted or need to say and that got the message across
Teri: interesting
Rob: later I took art courses at the art center and in private lessons
Teri: what did they think of that mode of communication?
Rob: and in high school (hearing) . . . oh they thought it was a good tool to learn english with . . . draw a pic and they would write word above it . . . and teach me how to say it
Teri: interesting
Rob: I ended up being bilingual
Teri: like flash cards . . . showing images with words above or below?
Rob: heh . . . you could say that
Teri: interesting . . . what is your favorite style? favorite medium? I notice you use many different kinds of media such as clay, pencil, digital, painting, and etc.
Rob: I consider myself a contemporary artist and use watercolors, acrylics and clay sculptures and pencil
Teri: do you have a studio?? I am curious
Rob: yes I do . . . I run a studio in my loft where I live and use another studio at the art center where I do my clay sculptures
Teri: cool! is it expensive to be an artist? purchasing tools, materials, renting a studio, and etc??
Rob: as for expense . . . yes . . . it can be expensive
Teri: go for digital art
Rob: always needing new paint . . .run out all the time
Rob: heh . . . I like digital art too . . .but I HAVE to do traditional studio work too. it’s in my blood
Teri: I see . . . so you are a true artist!
Rob: yup . . .was doing that long before computers came along
Teri: if you have to make a choice what medium would you like to work with — only one medium!
Rob: hummmm . . . not easy
Teri: shall it be watercolors, acrylics, or sculptures?
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