finally! you can see my blog on my main site- at jercollins.com
I will no longer be posting here. See ya over there!
January 27, 2009
January 3, 2009
Some of you may know I am headed down south to Argentina- to climb in Patagonia in a few weeks.
I have been training fervently, and imagining the possibilities… but the truth is I really don’t know what to expect.
I don’t even really have a committed partner yet. As for what I hope to climb- at this point it is ANYTHING! Anything dry, anything beautiful, anything inspiring to me. The dream is Fitz Roy… but I don’t plan to hold too strong of a grip on this, being my first trip. Sometimes when I am open to anything happening, the more spontaneous and adventurous the results are.
This last weekend, I hit the Wichita Wildlife Refuge in southern Oklahoma for a great session of granite crack climbing with the crew from Oklahoma City. I love the beautiful, lichen-covered rock and golden plains down there. I have recently seen an influence from my visits south in my tree paintings. Oftentimes you see a lone, pale Juniper tree accenting a horizon of golden prarie grasses with nothing but blue sky all around. These lone trees are so inspiring to me- to me symbolically testifying to endurance, strength and the immense beauty and quality found in solitude.
The Bison(not “buffalo”, I asked) roam free on the refuge and may appear randomly, alone or in herds, as you are hiking in. Sadly, I did not see any in the back-country on this trip as I usually do. Here are some shots by my good friend Ben Rodda of me training on Crab Eyes Dome. The routes are “Ra”, a fantastic 5.10 handcrack, and “Moby Dick” a steep 5.12b face climb. Ben and his talented wife Kym just moved their photography business from Evergreen Colorado, to Fayetteville, Arkansas.
December 5, 2008
Well after many months of effort, my book INTUIT10N is here!
It showcases ten years of my climbing inspired work, along with a view into the THREEHOUSE studio, and my journey to Lofoten Islands in 2007. After much debate, I decided to self publish through a one off printing company, Lulu. This means if you are going to get a copy, it’s only through them, for the time being.
Many thanks to designer Nathaniel Cooper for his help making this thing beautiful and legible, and to the essay writers for their insight– Christian Beckwith, John Long, Duane Raleigh, Matt Samet, Alison Osius, Dean Potter, Marshall McKinney, Steph Davis, Tim Keel, and Jonny Copp.
Order yours today to receive by Christmas!
Or, come pick one up at my opening in KC next week… sneak peek below…
November 24, 2008
I have a fascination with trees. I know, what granola artist outdoorsy type doesn’t?
But at least I am specific. From summit spires, in deep desert, alone in the wilderness- I connect with
these blunt, indestructible specimens. The Manzanita branch is as smooth as your mothers arm and the color of a ripe plum. Have you ever stuck your head up under a tiny Manzanita tree? It’s a beautiful bizarre world in there! And dwarf Junipers just at treeline below an alpine summit? Inspiring in their perseverance!
Anyways- if you live in town, come see what I mean…
November 17, 2008
Skip Bachman
Posted by jercollins under Uncategorized | Tags: Add new tag, inspiration, Skip, true story |1 Comment
In college, I was lucky enough to meet one of the most ridiculous, hilarious, and fantastic people I have ever known, only 20 minutes after I arrived- the one and only Skipper Ray Bachman.
We had many adventures together through college- surfing in baja, Mexico, living out of my car on the road, being student-bohemians- climbing, riding, making art, music fests, playing tetris, squatting and exploring condemned buildings, and doing anything else random we came across. Obviously neither of us finished college.
Here we are 15 years later and Skip has traveled all over the world, working with various missional and international humanitarian groups, helping those in need. Skip has never stayed in one place for very long, but for the last two years, he has been in Bolivia, working with orphans who are addicted to glue, and live on the streets. His heart for these kids is amazing. I am always inspired by his commitment to show love in ways that may not be comfortable. In some ways, Skip is living a difficult life- away from family, and friends, with not many amenities or luxuries. But in many ways he is living THE LIFE- following his convictions, with passion and drive, giving fully; and daily seeing the fruit of his labor in the kids lives who are changed forever.
Skip- I am proud to call you one of my best friends, and I am so humbled and inspired by all that you do.
As long as you don’t teach those kids how to let a mouse fly in it’s own parachute.
November 13, 2008
Just in the door from San Diego. Besides being a great time away for birthday- I also sold my “Blue Rhone Seventeen” painting- a 8′x5′ behemoth! So glad I don’t have to ship it back!
It found a great home in Vista, Ca.. Here’s some great shots by Randy Braley taken while I was working on the piece.
November 5, 2008
It’s the morning after and we have a new president! I hope he can bring the unity, peace and focus for the country that he promises.
Moving on to more important things… I avoided joining Facebook for two years despite many requests to join, and since finally giving in a couple months ago- it’s been a lot of fun, but mostly a huge distraction.
However, the highlight came this last weekend when I saw someones face pop up that I hadn’t seen in 14 years- my high school friend Leah Potts. She and I were both heavily involved in the arts in school together and both left school excited to start our lives as artists.
In 1999, Leah was involved in a horrendous skiing accident which made her a quadriplegic- unable to use or feel her body beneath her neck. I , like Leah, was living a very active life at that point- climbing part time, making art part time- cruising around the west full time- doing the vagabond gypsy tour.
It really hit me hard when I heard about Leah. I tried to find her parents number; I asked mutual friends, but couldn’t get an address, or even which hospital she was at. I wanted so bad to tell her she was in my prayers. I wanted so bad to let her know I was thinking of her and hurting for her. I wanted to send a card! I never did.
Well- here we are nine years later, and Leah is breaking boundaries, inspiring many, and breaking all the rules about what a quadriplegic should or should not be able to do. She para glides, she skis, she rides a recumbent bike, she does yoga and teaches spinning classes!
Presently she is going through her second round of a very controversial stem cell
therapy in an attempt to revive portions of the right side of her body. She is in India where this type of journey is legal. This is very difficult and exhausting- a journey into the unknown.
After a few conversations with Leah, I see she is still the same girl I knew in school- strong, imaginative, connected, funny, and ready to tackle every challenge with everything she has. And with Leah, that’s a lot. Please check out her site- get inspired- consider helping the organizations out that help her- and take into consideration what you do with full use of your limbs, and how you also may empower the people you come in contact with.
Good wishes, prayers, and thoughts, Leah. Thank you for inspiring me, and so many others.
November 3, 2008
It’s Official.
My assistants Kevin and Kristin are Engaged!
Kevin dropped on a knee at their Halloween party this weekend and popped the question, Robo Style. HE came as Optimus Prime- his costume created from blood, sweat and cardboard. SHE came as a sock monkey. I of course, came as Spiderman and way too late. 
Funny story about Kevins costume- he cut his finger with an exacto knife while he was working on it and passed out on the studio floor.
October 28, 2008
Okay, so I got a request for a post by Andrew Chasteen today. I guess he needs some entertainment.
He said he wanted to “hear what kind of work I was doing”. Okay, Steenky…
This week is exciting for me- watching my drawings come to life under the watchful eyes of my assistants Kevin and Kristen. Together we are working on a number of animated shorts that will all debut at the Adventure Film Festival in Boulder, Co. in two weeks.
Many of them are appearing in the long awaited film “Aerialist”- the story of climber, high-liner, and performance artist Dean Potters journey towards human flight. Our animated transitions highlight, or at times expose the many friends of Dean who have died trying to fly as well. These pieces are a great journey for me as an artist, taking simple drawn sketchbook pieces and telling the stories of visionaries who died doing what they love. They are many times where the pieces are emotional, touching, and even hard to watch.
Other pieces are for the festival itself, following the life and history of their acclaimed mascot- The Birdman.
This one has been particularly fun, as we explore the fictional time-line of the birdman throughout the ages.
What else? I really enjoyed myself at our local Halloween climbing competition last weekend. I was the King Of Excuses- I wore all my excuses, taped to balls and chains, hanging from my legs, arms and harness. Hilarious.
Always a good time at Ibex. Thanks guys.
There you go, Steenky.
October 18, 2008
After three attempts to have a true vacation this year, it finally happened last week.
Me and The Bomb Squad piled into the van, and headed west.
We hit the first annual Craggin Classic hosted by the American Alpine Club in Golden Colorado, where I got to meet the iconic Layton Kor (a world-renowned climber from the 40’s and 50’s). I created four landscape paintings live at this event in a effort to raise funds. Prints were also sold of a map I created for them. Afterwards was great dancing and tunes by The Gourds from Austin.
From the front range, we hit the road to the canyonlands in Utah where we climbed the Moses Tower via the classic route “The Primrose Dihedrals”. From there, we had two sunny days in Indian Creek to climb splitter cracks, and watch the full moon over the desert.
A fast 16 hour drive home and I made it in time to watch my wife Tricia run the KC half marathon. Way to go babe!
Now… time to recover from PTD(Post Trip Depression) and get back to makin’ art.
Here’s a slideshow of the Bomb Squad in the desert- Me, Jesse Gross, Travis Donn, and Chris Johnson with our sweet MK visors, the Black Stallion, and a hoola-hoop.
KABOOM!
