Lonely Explosions, Art, and Hope!

I was working in Bucktown this week.  I met a few new people that talked about my art. One of them asked me why I painted.

I told them I started painting in the mid-90's as a way to reduce stress.  Work had become a never ending list of things to do.  We were good at it.  We made money.  But there was no satisfaction.  I was starting not to feel anything.  

Renee could see it.  She taught me a lot.

Painting was also a lot cheaper and a lot healthier than going to the bar!

I quit my job.

But, painting is a lonely job.  No one really likes to watch someone else paint.  The advantage of being alone, though, is it gives you time to  think, to feel and to imagine.  

How cool is that?

I love being around people though.  (Renee says I talk too much.) So, I solved that problem with gunpowder.  I blow things up. It is fun. It is dangerous. It is social.  And it is an immense challenge!  There is a constant tension of control and the uncertainty of the blast.

Painting offers me a way to dream.

What is possible!

What can be!

Hope!

It give me a way to express emotions, feelings, and thoughts.  And, a sense of satisfaction when the smoke clears. (Thanks Renee!)

I am driven to paint each day.  I hope my next explosion,  My next art.  Will be better than the last!

Boom!

Stick Vega is the American Gunpowder Artist.  He creates explosive pop art and blogs from The Blast Factory in Madison, WI and Bucktown, Chicago, IL.  Follow Stick at Facebook and/or Twitter.