Kent Island Native
Artist g shiring
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about poverty and the painter. Perseverance and
faith and patience seem to be the biggest keys for me. To paint
and play music is what I love to do, it is my passion, so I've starved
a bit for it, suffered much criticism and humiliation, lived out
many good ideas gone bad. I keep pouring myself out into my work
with the understanding that this action in itself will sustain me.
It is my life's work, of this I am certain. I've made it this far,
I know, because I'm sitting right here. All of life is a canvas.
Alas, there's not much security for a modern artist,
no salary, no health plan, no 401K, no retirement. There's no wages
paid for the hours put in, no guaranteed sales, no guarantee that
the bills can be paid on time. To survive, the artist must create
not only the paintings, but also the interest of the public. It
requires being wide open to new experience every single day. There
is much risk and sacrifice involved, but the rewards are grand.
I express myself freely and openly, I communicate
through colors and sounds and
symbols. And when someone buys one of my creations and takes it
home, what a thrill. I am grateful. So much I've learned, so many
lessons. Foremost, the importance of family and friendship and love
and humility.
I am doing much better as a businessman since my
return to the East Coast. I'm finding freelance work. There are
galleries throughout the state that now represent me. I am finding
good venues to play my music. Some sort of solo jazz-blues I play,
hard to categorize. Most weekends I set up at the local art shows
and craft fairs and festivals. Recently, I had a display at the
American Visionary Art Museum on Saturday, and at the Baltimore
Farmer and Artist Market on Sunday, a fairly typical weekend. I
find a lot of work in Baltimore. I love what I do. I work every
day. I seek inspiration in everything. I hope my message is well-received.
My studio is way out in the country, down past
Cambridge in a tiny town called Madison. Anyone is welcome to come
visit and see my latest work. If you'd like to know my upcoming
schedule, or are interested in purchasing or commissioning my art,
murals, classes, music,
contact me:
phone: 410-490-7970
mail: p.o. box 577
grasonville, md 21638
www.gshiring.com
Peace and thanks,
Glenn Shiring
UPDATE ON GLENN SHIRING
April 2005
Hello. I have moved into a house in Grasonville, which is also my
art and music studio. I am teaching private guitar lessons five
days a week now. I am also teaching abstract art classes for youth,
at the following places:
The Queen Anne's County Arts Council
The Kent Island Federation of Art
Stevensville Middle School
Centreville Middle School
Wonder Years Daycare Center
I have just organized a student art exhibit at the Kent Island Library,
of which I am very proud, and it really is quite impressive. I am
so inspired by the kids, and I think the world of them. As for my
own paintings, my most recent solo Exhibit was at "The Hair'O the
Dog" in Easton, which also included a performance by my new band,
tentatively named "The Chesapeake Folk Messengers".
This past year, I released my second solo CD recording. "Country
Blues for a Shrinking Landscape" upon which I wrote and played everything,
including acoustic and slide guitar, vocals, harmonica, box drum
and accordion. My first solo CD was finished in 2003, "Improvisation
Station". I have a number of upcoming art/music festival exhibition's.
Last year I also found work in the movie industry, acting as an
extra in several films, including the Hollywood productions, "The
Wedding Crashers", and Syriana". You have to look really close to
see me, but I'm in there.
All in all, I've been quite busy and fulfilled. It's amazing to
me how my life and career has evolved, and I am grateful.
To see and hear more, visit my updated website, www.gshiring.com
Peace and thanks,
Glenn Shiring
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