Me blabbing a lot about being successful....

It's a cold and rainy day here in World Famous SamG Land.  The past few weeks have been really busy.  It is a perfect time to take some time off and rest.  I have a few things to work on, but I don't have to be in any real hurry.  I won't be in any hurry anyways. 

I see a lot of my other artist friends working hard right up until the last day filling Christmas orders.  Many are already talking about plans for the coming New Year.  January and February are typically tough on artists with sales being low during those months.  I'm hoping the best for all those as they work to build a reserve for the next couple of months. 

I see a lot of posts on social media about "What it Takes to be a Successful Artist!" or similar inspirational topics.  I used to read all of those stories, trying to learn what it takes to make it.  I stopped a long time ago.  I have my own opinion as to what it takes to be a "successful" artist, but for the sake of this post, I'll keep those to myself. 

Most people view success differently than I do.  I doubt few would think I was successful by looking at my bank account.  I quit caring a long time ago about which galleries carried my work.  I prefer not being in them honestly, unless they purchase my work and I don't have to keep up with what art is where.  I have also cut back on doing shows, which in my opinion has helped more than hurt.  When people do see me out somewhere, they know it's pretty rare so they seem more likely to buy my work.  I also choose not to promote myself or do art shows in the region in which I live.  I have seen that it isn't worth the effort anymore.  There aren't many true "Art Events" here anyway.  Most seem to be an event that is centered around something else... Wine, Music, or just a Big Party for example... and they need artists booth fees to help pay for it. 

Why would I feel that I am "successful" at being an artist?  I have fun.  Since I took all the pressures off of myself of doing what everyone else thinks I need to do.  I have fun.  I said when I started making art, "If it ever becomes work, I'll quit."  I've been close to quitting several times.  I also feel like I'm successful as an artist because I have done it MY WAY.  Just ask show promoters, I have told many over the years that "No that's not the way I'm going to do it."  If they object, then i don't go.  I also refuse to pay a jury fee.  Demand that they pre-approve you.  It works a lot more than you may think!!!   I typically don't deal with people in the "Art Business."  I've just learned better.  I tell people NO... and often go into long ramblings and opinions of why I have said NO.  NO is the most empowering word in the English Language.  Use it more.  I make whatever I want to make. Some like it, some don't.  I don't care either way.  The biggest reason I consider myself successful at being an artist???  I make people happy, or at least I do my best to.  Money is always good to get.. but smiles are often the best payment ever!!! 

So before anybody gets all judgemental and thinks I'm putting down the way you do things, I'm not.  Work hard.  Continue to set goals.  Just don't use them as a measure of success.  Success is perceived anyway.  Change the way you look at it.  In life, happiness is the greatest success.  Don't be afraid to do it your way. 

Or just tell everybody you are World Famous and fake it like i did... even convince yourself of it...

It's up to you.....

Merry Christmas from SamG Land!!!!!!

Birthday thoughts, Big Dreams, and other misc. ramblings

Well I made another trip around the sun.  I'm up to 48 of them now.  I am thankful for every one of them and hope for many more. 

What's been up with SamG, you ask?  I've been busy doing a few shows.  Felt good to be out in public again for a bit.  Now I'm totally happy being a recluse again for a while.  I'm working and getting ready for the Art Fandango here in December.  I'm hoping to have a lot of additions and changes to SamG Land by then.  It's going to be a big time Dec. 8-9.  Me and Lorri will be here along with our guest artists Eric Legge, Michelle Humphreys, Fawne Derosia, Claire Vohman, and Kristin Davis. 

Speaking of SamG Land.  I've been doing a lot of dreaming lately.  I was approached about buying the 5 acres next to us.  I've come up with an idea with several phases.  The first phase would be a weekly artist market.  I also want to host 2 big art shows per year there.  The next phases involve building a pavilion and adding cabins for artists who want to come stay.  It would also be an ongoing art installation beginning Day 1.  I moved up here 5 1/2 years ago because a group of people had a vision of turning this area into an "Arts Mecca."  Things happened, opinions differed, things were said etc... and the vision sort of dissipated and people went their separate ways.  Any hard feelings that I may have had are long gone.

 I still have that vision though.  It's a vision that I've had for a long time.  I want to build something.  I want to be a tourist attraction.  I want to show the world my vision and what I can do.  I've been tucked up in the woods right here long enough.  I watched the promotional video for the "Outsiders" show that was pitched a couple of years ago and I don't recognize that guy anymore.  Back then I was cocky and arrogant, over confident, loud and proud, and the Ultimate Ladies Man.  I was in ways larger than life, or at least I told everyone I was.  I kinda miss that guy. 

A lot of people get their inspiration and draw energy from different things.  Many artist friends of mine turn to nature, music, religion, or childhood memories for example.  I draw all of my energy from people.  I need people in my life.  I live off of attention.  I don't get much tucked up here in my own little world.  It is time to open that world up to more people. 

So, at this point, I'm looking for either an entrepreneur or a dumbass, whichever comes first.  Talk about your dreams... see if they come true.... 

Love to everyone of you

SamG

Dang It.... I accidentally grew up

I've been trying to figure out what's been different about me lately.  I think I've finally figured it out.  Somehow, I accidentally let myself grow up a little.  

I used to be an adult.  I spent almost 10 years working for the Department of Juvenile Justice.  I worked as a Correctional Officer and a Juvenile Probation Officer.  I also worked at Delta Air Lines for a while and had a couple of self owned businesses.  I also spent 5 years travelling around the country opening and remodeling stores for Advance Auto Parts.  When I was 40, I had to have a kneecap replacement.  Advance was fixing to screw me over, and I figured out what I wanted to be when I grew up.  I wanted to be a kid.  I wanted to see things through the eyes of a child again.  I wanted to be amazed by everything.  I wanted to live without much concern for consequences.  I wanted to make every crazy idea and dream come true.  Seven years later, it caught up with me. 

I've written about my heart surgery before, so I won't get into that this time.  I will say though, that going through an experience like that changes you.  I have talked to several other friends that at some point in life "should've been dead."  They all say one thing, it changes you.  It certainly does.

Somewhere in the time since then I've become somewhat of a hermit, seldom drifting outside of SamG Land... I cut my show schedule back to several "Rare Public Appearances" and started looking at art as more of a hobby. 

I recently watched the promo reel for the reality show they were trying to do about several of us Northeast Ga artists a couple of years ago.  I hardly recognize the "way too overly confident, arrogant, fun loving, self centered SamG" from about 4 years ago.  I missed him.  Back then SamG was both extremes.  I was extremely shy but very outgoing.  I was cocky and arrogant but still humble.  I was a real life living breathing paradox.  Recently I came to the realization that I was now a "sick of the world and mankind in general hermit, with a bum heart and a lot of stagnant dreams."  

What had changed?  I thought about it for a long time.  I had accidentally grown up some.  My outlook on everything had changed.  The past year had changed me enough that I wasn't the same kid anymore.  People draw their strength and inspiration from different places.  I know several who depend on nature.  I get mine from people and from having an audience.  I loved being an auctioneer and putting on a show.  I felt like the P.T. Barnum of the Junk World.  I never worried much if I made a lot of money, but did I put on a good show.  It's why I wanted to do SamG Land... so people will come and I can put on a show.  I miss my audience.

I've been working on getting rid of some of this adulthood that crept in.  I still know what I want to be when I grow up... that is one thing that hasn't changed.

SamG Loves Every Dang One of You!!!!  

  

Thinking about Mama...

Tomorrow is Mother's Day.  I'd like to wish all the ones out there a happy one.  I'm sitting here tonight though, thinking about mine.  July will be 20 years since she passed away.  It doesn't seem that long ago.  Time has a way of doing that.  Passing by before you know it.  I'm gonna spend a few moments reminiscing and sharing.  

My mother's name was Ruby.  I think she may have been one of the most loved people I've ever known.  She knew everybody.  She did her share of pouring out love too.  I could write for days about the things she did to help people.  

I was a "Mama's Boy."  I'll never deny that.  She spoiled me and every other woman I've known has had to live with that.  I've been pretty fortunate to have women who spoil me throughout life, now that I think about it.  

My mama loved fried chicken.  That's kind of an understatement.  She really loved fried chicken.  I ate so much fried chicken growing up that when I got out on my own, I'd refuse to each chicken fried on the bone.  Now since I've had the heart worked on, I can't eat it anymore anyway.  

Nobody made better sweet tea than my mama.  Don't try to argue with me on this.  Tetley tea with two big scoops of sugar and whatever magic she put in it.  I think we would go through 3 gallons a day.  It's got caffeine in it.  I couldn't drink it anymore either now.  

Mama had her spot where she usually sat most of the time.  It was the seat at the end of the kitchen table.  Most times, that's where you would find her.  If I tried to sneak in late, she'd be there waiting on me.  If I ever needed someone to sit and talk to, that's where she would be too.

My mama had her own brand of wisdom.  I never could get much by her.  When I'd come home late, she could tell me who I'd been with, and where I'd been.  I was a pretty good kid and never got into much trouble.  One night, about a month or so before she passed, we were sitting there at the kitchen table and I started telling her everything I'd ever done that I did slip by her though.  I think I told her about ever time I came home drunk and didn't get caught.  I told her about the girl that I thought I had gotten pregnant.  I told her everything. 

Most every time I think back to my mama, I picture her sitting at that kitchen table.  My mind always starts wishing I could sit there and have another one of those talks. I want that feeling of  just knowing that someone loves you and is willing to listen.  I want to hear some of that advice that only she could give.  Over all these years there have been many times that I needed to sit there, but I can't. 

Twenty years later... i still miss sitting with you at that kitchen table. 

Happy Mother's Day Maw...

I'm gonna build it..... and i don't give a damn if they come or not

Five days from now, on Tuesday March 13th, I'll be celebrating the one year anniversary of my heart surgery.  A lot of things have changed since then.  I was forced to give up smoking, drinking, fried chicken, coffee with caffeine in it, collard greens, broccoli, salt, and if I hadn't given up bad women a couple of years ago I'd probably had to have given them up too.  Writing this list I thought about an old friend of mine, Wayne Storey.  Wayne always talked about his favorite hobbies were drinking beer, shooting pool, and chasing women.  The doctor told Wayne he was going to have to slow down.  He decided he was gonna give up shooting pool.  He was one of the best friends I ever had.  I miss him. 

I've changed a lot in the past year.  Going through something like that seems to change most people that I've talked to.  For several years, I have been concerned about leaving a legacy.  Now I could really care less.  Sure I hope I leave something behind that maybe inspires someone and that maybe some of my good deeds will continue to help others in some way.  I just don't really think of it much anymore.  I just want to do whatever is fun.  I try to spend a couple hours a day doing something in SamG Land.  I have cut way back on making art that is for sale.  It isn't much fun anymore.  Making stuff for SamG Land, that I will get to enjoy is what is fun for me right now. 

I still have a love/hate relationship with these mountains.  If I had it all to do over again, I'd probably never done it.  Other than meeting a handful of people that will be life long friends, not much good has come of it.  That's why I spend so much time making my own world to enjoy.  My attitude has become, "I'm going to build it, and I don't give a damn whether they come or not." Lorri has been very good to me.  She's done more for me than I honestly deserve.  I'm thankful for that.   Maybe I should move to Ohio.  Most of the visitors I get here are from Ohio.  I used to ship a lot of art to Ohio too.  I don't want to go to Ohio, it's too cold. 

The past is the past though, and the present is where your ass is.  The incident last year with my heart surgery makes me think about "What If I didn't make it?"  I've pretty much decided that I want to be cremated and flushed down the toilet at South of the Border.  I decided on the whole "flushing" thing a while back... so people can have the opportunity to keep shitting on me, if they choose.  The location recently changed though.  The original location was to be Flying J Truck Stop in Jackson, Ga.  At least South of the Border is the most magical place on Earth that is basically a truck stop.  Lorri has said she won't flush me, so somebody else has to do that part. 

I also decided that I want SamG Land torn down.  I am still in the beginning stages of it, considering I've only been working on it a little over a year.  Most of that year, I was recovering from open heart surgery.  But whatever it becomes, I want it gone.  I enjoy traveling to art environments.  Pasaquan is my favorite place ever.  It seems like most art environments go into a state of disrepair after the artist is gone.  The person that everyone considered crazy who spent his life building his vision becomes the town hero.  I really don't want to leave a burden for anyone to keep up.  The biggest thing though, I really don't want to leave anything here for the local people to claim.  I always said that I am the art, the paintings and stuff I made were just souvenirs.  Love me while I'm here!!!

I've always done things the hard way.  I have a hard time trusting people.  I see deeper into people than most, and feel like I know someone's intent.  I can be hard to get along with too from a business standpoint.  I've been approached several times over the years by agents wanting to sign me up and promote me.  I always tell them to figure out how to make some money and come back and we'll figure out how to split it.  I hadn't heard back from one of them yet.  I had one lady once wanting to promote me, she said that she could have me where I was so famous that I would be showing my art in London and Italy.  I told her that I was looking for somebody that would make me famous enough that them sumbitches would come over here.  I also refuse to deal with galleries or dealers, unless they buy my art outright. I had several galleries early on screw me over.  I also have a hard time with people trying to tell me what I can't do. 

At this point in life, I am not going to do very many shows.  I have no real desire to do much of anything local, other than the Fandangos at SamG Land.  Healthwise, I don't trust myself to try to do anything by myself.  I have good days and bad days and still need a lot of help some of the time.  I've been narrowing down my show schedule the couple of years and calling them "Rare Public Appearances."  Those are going to become even more rare. 

As I think back to the events of March 13, 2017 I'm still humbled, and thankful for all the love and prayers and kind thoughts that so many poured out upon me.  I cry when I think about it.  I am now as I write about it.  Looking toward the coming anniversary, my mind has been a whirlwind of  random thoughts.  Still searching for my purpose in this world.....  I figure God let me live.... He will show me why......

Love to each and every one of you.....  SamG