"Bedtime Story"

Here's one of my tunes over on MelodyFusion. This was written and recording in Chicago at Hinge Studio, when I was in my Ashley Standing phase.

http://www.melodyfusion.com/users/1903-brian-hutzell/tracks/364

"Bedtime Story" © Brian Hutzell

Flickr

I've been putting a few new pictures up on my Flickr page. A few older shots as well. You can get in on all the fun and excitement here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/voosk/

I've been struggling lately with the role music and creativity should play in my life. For most of my life, I've considered myself a Musician, albeit occasionally one who had to resort to other forms of work to earn money. For the past couple of months though, I've hardly been practicing at all. Furthermore, I've been regarding my few gigs as unpleasant intrusions on my day. What sort of attitude is that? It's a frustrated and disillusioned one. Doubts and fears are urging me to give up the arts altogether, go back to school, and "get a real job."

AAAUUUUGGGGGHHHHHH!

“Write Your Worries In The Sand”

“Write Your Worries In The Sand”

© 2002 Brian Hutzell

16 x 7-1/8 x 3/4 inches

milk paint on wood

My worries these days are centered around two things: money and age. I can’t do much about the second one, but I can and should do something about the first one. Unfortunately, the age thing does impact the money thing. I am 50, and there are times when it feels like just too late for anything. I must fight to keep my attitude positive. As much as I scoff at books like The Secret, The Power of Positive Thinking, and anything by Joel Osteen, those people who have faith in them do indeed seem happier than me. Maybe they’re onto something. I should possibly start scoffing and start believing.

“The Band Played On”

“The Band Played On”

© 2002 Brian Hutzell

11 x 8-1/2 inches

milk paint on cardboard

In 1984, I joined a Boston band named JEREMIAH, named after its lead singer, Jeremiah Sullivan. I was 19. The band did fairly well for awhile, and its manager, Bob Rein, had big plans for it. He seemed to like me, and I felt like I’d been hand-picked for stardom. Unfortunately, the band fell apart for a number of reasons. In retrospect, it’s easy to see a few things the band as a whole, and I as a part of the whole, should have done differently. Stardom eluded me then, as it has ever since. Still I keep hoping there may be a brilliant bright star waiting for me somewhere. These days, I am much less sure of my career path. I was hell-bent on becoming a rock ’n’ roll success story for so long, that finding a different path is difficult and frustrating. I feel lost at sea, not only without a rudder, but without a boat!

“Word Study #2”

“Word Study #2”

© 2002 Brian Hutzell

5-5/16 x 35-1/2 x ¾ inches

milk paint on wood

I always hated art titled “Untitled.” To me it just seemed lazy. So I decided to make fun of it with a piece of art consisting solely of the word “untitled,” but then giving the piece a real title. Later, I named a whole series of digital art “Untitled.” I suppose because I’m no good at classical art, I gravitate toward art that is conceptual, simple, humorous, or just plain silly.

“All I Really Wanted Was a Job, Not a LifestyleAll I Really Wanted Was a Job, Not a Lifestyle”

“All I Really Wanted Was a Job, Not a LifestyleAll I Really Wanted Was a Job, Not a Lifestyle”
© 2002 Brian Hutzell
3-3/8 x 9 x 3/4 inches
milk paint on wood

A big title for a very small painting. Another super simple work, but this is one I rather like. Most of my art isn’t too impressive, but it was never meant to be. The whole thing began as therapy. After working in the IT field for a big pharmaceutical company near Chicago, I needed to do something completely different. I’ve always been a doodler, but never considered myself an artist. It was a lot of fun making my various things in Cambridge, though. For the past several years, all my visual art has been computer-based, which is also enjoyable, but I miss the tactile experience of mixing up the milk paint, making footprints, handling the brushes, prepping the wood, etc.

“From The Bus”

“From The Bus”
© 2002 Brian Hutzell
3-3/8 x 10-3/8 x 3/4 inches
milk paint on wood

In a way, this is the sequel to a song I wrote back in the 1980s called “On The Bus.” That was one from my Medford years, probably my most productive period. I cranked out a lot of songs and recordings in those days. Since then, my life has taken many turns, some good and some not so good. And now I’m 50, and about to make some more major changes. It’s up to me to make them good.