5. November 2010 by Chad.

IMG_9623.jpg, originally uploaded by studio.idee.

I had the opportunity this fall to visit the home of one of my architectural heroes. Taliesin West was the winter home of Frank Lloyd Wright and his architectural fellowship, just outside Scotsdale, AZ. My parents own a vacation home in Mesa and have been waiting a few years for me to come out so my father and I could see this landmark together (he is also a big fan).

I have often said that if I were to go back to school it would be to study architecture. Defining space in a way that intuitively informs the user of its purpose has interested me for a long time. I used to want to be a furniture designer and would have specialized in office furniture and layouts had I pursued that field. To improve one’s time in the environment most of it is spent in is a noble calling.

But getting back to the point of this post. FLW has been a hero of mine for a long time and it was only recently that I watched a PBS documentary on his life. He was a tragic character but I cannot help thinking, much of the tragedy of his life could have been avoided if he were just a little nicer. He was a hard man; notoriously arrogant and demanding. When you commissioned work from him you got exactly what he wanted you to. From the form of the structure down to the pattern on the bedsheets; he was in control. He lived by the philosophy ‘take care of the luxuries and the necessities will take care of themselves.’ This lead him to the brink of financial ruin more than once and is not anything I aspire to pursue.

A few years ago I had the chance to visit a great work by another of my architectural heroes; Charles Rennie Mackintosh. He worked in roughly the same period as FLW, around the turn of the last century (Arts and Crafts/Art Nouveau). Touring the Glasgow School of Art and taking lunch at The Willow Tearooms was a humbling experience for me at the time. I felt I was in the presence of greatness. But CRM was also a tragic figure. He died almost penniless of throat and tongue cancer, never receiving the acknowledgment he deserved for his work. Having studied both lives I would rather have Mackintosh’s for the simple reason that he worked closely with his wife.

Both of these men had hardship that would crush most but they succeeded by the conviction that what they were doing was world changing and necessary. They both loved their work and were wholly devoted to it. They could not be moved once they had made up their minds.

The point of this post is for me to explore whether or not it is good to be so single-minded. If the lives of these two men are the price to be paid for immortality and success, I am not sure I am willing to pay. FLW suffered financial, marital, and personal hardship because of his stubbornness and lack of ability to compromise. But he left the world with designs and ideas that continue to grow and influence architecture and design to this day. CRM suffered financial hardship and was never really recognized in his time for the genius he was. He struggled to find commissions and spent two years in France painting because no one wanted to hire him. I would rather have a great relationship with my wife, live modestly, and keep friendships than to grasp immortality and fame by pouring every waking moment and every bit of energy and thought into my work. I cannot be so single-minded and hard headed. It will ruin my life.

Now I understand that this may sound a bit arrogant; supposing that this is a choice I am making not to conquer the world. But who knows what any one of us is able to accomplish if we are willing to sacrifice every relationship, our financial well being and perhaps our very souls on the alter of ideas.

As always, I welcome your responses.

Chad

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25. October 2010 by Chad.

From my balcony, originally uploaded by studio.idee.

If a person takes a photograph of something shot a thousand times by a thousand other people, is it enough for that photographer to say ‘this is the way I see this subject?’ Does art need to say something new or is it valid to just share my perspective; the way I see and perceive? Is looking through my eyes enough to make this tree art?

* Please respond. These are not rhetorical questions. *

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27. September 2010 by Chad.

HydrangiaTwo-Edit.jpg, originally uploaded by studio.idee.

I have been trading work with my friend Kim who owns the best little flower shop in Edmonton. I reworked some promotional materials for her and she fills my home with flowers. This beautiful hydrangea inspired me to pick up my camera and try a new technique. It is made up of 28 separate images painstakingly stitched together to create the illusion that I have a better lens than I do.

If you live in Edmonton I would encourage you to visit Best Buds. 11722 - 104 Avenue (Oliver Square beside London Drugs) or call Kim at 780.488.1302

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24. May 2010 by Chad.

Ken & Heather’s Place, originally uploaded by studio.idee.

A couple weekends ago I spent the day at my cousin’s farm south east of Edmonton, AB. Despite having lived in Edmonton for five years now, I have not taken the time to visit with my long-lost Alberta family as much as I should. This particular visit was inspired by an idea I had driving across the prairies to surprise my Mother at Easter. The idea is to offer my services to farmers and rural land owners (acreages, hobby farms, etc.) to document their hard work and passion and the natural beauty of the land they love.

As a city kid (raised anyway; I was born is a small Alberta cowboy town) I of course find pleasure and inspiration in the creation of man and the way we have used ingenuity and creativity to mold our environment into what we need or want. But to truly experience creativity at its height one needs to get into the places untouched by man to see the ideas the true creator had in mind. Now I understand that farms have been developed and are not the pristine wilderness of say the Rocky Mountains but they are much closer to true nature than the city.

Another part of this creative journey is inspired by an intention to live more of my life outside. I am feeling a need to get into the fresh air and enjoy the sun on my face. Life indoors is making me lazy and pale and I won’t settle for it anymore.

So if you enjoy my photographs or the philosophy behind them, please let me know. If you would like pictures taken of your own slice of nature, I would be more than willing to chat with you about prices and availability. And if you live in the city but know someone who you would like to recommend me to, please do so.

Please visit my Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/studio_idee/

Have a great summer,
Chad

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20. July 2009 by Chad.

HDR, originally uploaded by studio.idee.

There was a rather violent storm in Edmonton this past weekend. Trees were uprooted, cars crushed by said trees and even downtown office towers damaged. In all of this carnage I managed to take this photograph showing the awesome beauty of the storm. Inspiration is found in the strangest places, but more often than not I find it in the wonders God has created.

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12. May 2009 by Chad.

The current economic downturn has claimed another victim. The funding for the contract I was working on was being provided by the owner of a large trucking company, which has seen a considerable drop in its margins this past year. Because of this sad turn, they are unable to provide the money needed to keep me employed. This has led me to consider once again the eternal question of graphic designers: studio or freelance?

I considered the same question a year ago after graduation. I was presented with the option of working at the studio where I interned or going on my own with an amazing contract opportunity. I chose the contract. I had started freelancing in January of 2008, always assuming I would continue growing a company that would eventually stump others with these kinds of decisions. I grew up in Manitoba, the entrepreneurial capital of Canada, my dad owns several companies and my grandfather owned a market garden and a chicken farm. Obviously working for myself is in my blood, or is it? There is something incredibly appealing about having someone else search out clients, negotiate pricing, deal with billing, taxes and the sleepless nights. Read the rest of this entry »

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12. May 2009 by Chad.

A number of years ago I started a blog, which I have since forgotten all the passwords to. This may be an indication of how conscientious I have been about writing. I hope to improve on that track-record with my latest kick at the blog can.

I will be writing here about my life as a graphic designer; all of the lessons I learn, mistakes I make, current projects and inspirations. I hope you check back often to see what I am up to. Now if only I can remember the password.

Chad

P.S. Please check out my website and portfolio @ www.studioidee.com

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