Darrell Fusaro
Stay connected.
  • Home
  • Podcast
  • Art
  • Workshops
  • Workshop Photos
  • Other Books
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • What's New
  • One Word Prayer
  • The Problem Devourer
  • Free For Kids

It's Time To Grow Up and Be a Big Baby

1/24/2011

0 Comments

 
Picture
Recently a friend of mine was feeling disappointed about all the mistakes he made and opportunities he squandered over the years.  It's funny how he began to feel this way after enjoying the fact that now, at fifty eight years old, he's thrilled to have the life he has today.  Then he went on to explain that after giving himself a thorough mental beating about how foolish he had been all those years previous, a random thought changed his attitude.  He thought of a newborn child and how content they are. 

He went on, "They have no idea of the past.  When they are born they just find themselves here.  Once they are here, the baby just 'is,' they appreciate everything in their life and all the people that love them.  Then I thought of the newborn born with a handicap.  They have no idea that they are handicapped.  They just find themselves here too and enjoy all the people in their life that love and care for them.  Then I thought of me and that's when I realized that I was just born an old man.  I don't need to concern myself with my past, I can appreciate where I am right now and everyone in my life who loves me today."

What a great way to start each day.  Thinking this way instantly eliminates all my regrets and 99% of what I beat myself up over.  Imagining what it would be like to have just woken up today, born a new with no reference to the past seems to put everything in perspective.  I become extremely grateful for everything in my life that I tend to take for granted.  I am going to remember this one so that the next time I feel bad about a missed opportunity or an old regret I can remind myself that - it's time for me to grow up and appreciate life like a baby.  This gives an entirely new meaning to "acting like a big baby," doesn't it?

Yesterday is history.
Tomorrow is a mystery.
Today is a gift.
That's why it's called the present.
- Unknown

0 Comments

Actions Speak Louder Than Business Cards

1/19/2011

1 Comment

 
Picture
Although it’s been a long bumpy road to get here, I finally have a card that I'm having a lot of fun handing out.

When I was a kid I looked forward to the day I would have my own card.  For some strange reason I had the idea that once I obtained a business card I’d have credibility.  I’d be respected and admired.  They seemed prestigious. 

I was too naïve at the time to realize that anybody could have a business card printed on their own declaring themselves to be what ever they desired.  I believed all business cards were legitimate.  You could look like a bum but if you handed me a business card stating you were the CEO of General Electric, I’d believe it and be impressed too. 

By the time I was issued a business card of my own it wasn't what I expected.  Nothing changed.  My card didn’t have any of the oomph I imagined.  No one went, “Ooooooh” with admiration as they looked over my card.  Nor did they look back up at me with new found respect.  Nope.  All they did was take my card, give it the obligatory glance, and say, “Thanks,” before smushing it into their front pant’s pocket.
Picture
My first. Even a 'Five-O' card turned out to be more for my convenience than clout.
Funny, rarely was anyone impressed with my card.  It has taking some time to realize that you don’t need an impressive title or card to make a lasting impression because your actions always will.  The card just turned out to be a convenient way for me to give others my number.

Just one week ago I got the idea to make my own card.  I decided to keep it simple: no title, no business affiliation, just 100% me.  Nothing to explain, live up to, justify, or pretend to be.  Do I expect to hear, “Wow, this is great card!” when I hand it out?  No, but if that happens I'm ready with the perfect response, "Thanks!"

1 Comment

Don't Let Self-Will Slip You a Roofie

1/17/2011

1 Comment

 
Picture
I just finished a delicious egg white, spinach & feta wrap at Starbucks when the idea for a new cartoon flashed in my mind.  I had my pen but I didn't have my drawing paper.  What should I do?  I didn't want to let this one get away. I could sketch it out on the paper bag my wrap came in!  Perfect.  

That’s when my self-will tried to slip me a roofie with the thought, "Wait until you get home, you can't draw on that bag it'll look like crap!"  

Then another, "Yeah, and what if by chance the drawing turns out so well on the bag that you can't replicate it on good paper later?  That'll really be a bummer."  

And another, "So wait.  Relax and enjoy your coffee.  You can draw it later at home, on the 'right' paper."  

As soon as I shrugged one of these reasonable excuses off another immediately followed. "Are you sure this idea for a cartoon is even a good one?"  

That one quickly morphed into, "That idea is stupid!"

And the final blow on these occasions always seems to hit below the belt.  "Why bother?  What the hell are you so excited about drawing this cartoon for anyway?  Just to show your friends on Facebook?  Boy is that lame."

Miraculously I ignored the advice. I smoothed out my wrinkled wrap bag and got started.  And like every other time I act on inspiration rather than doing what I think is best, I love the results.  The cartoon seemed to magically draw it self.  There was no need redraw it on "good" paper when I got home like I imagined.  It was exactly the way it was supposed to be; started and  finished on a used paper sandwich bag while sitting at Starbucks.

That was another close call avoided.  Once again I came within inches of missing out on an incredible experience.  It takes great courage to follow intuition.

“To live intuitively is to live fourth-dimensionally.” – Claude Bragdon
Picture
I always have everything I need, in spite of what I may think.
Picture
The best surprise I get is when I find I can do what I was afraid I couldn't do.
1 Comment

Los Angeles Landmark had the Best View of New Jersey (and Life).

1/16/2011

6 Comments

 
Picture
Our now historic living room.
The Double Dutch Dinette in Culver City, CA was a place that always made me feel good.  Although I never ate at the Double Dutch Dinette I loved it.  I know I loved it because every once in awhile I would get the sinking feeling of how sad I would be if it were gone.  That’s when a twinge of guilt would hit me, "I got to get in there and eat one of these days - to show my appreciation.”  

The reason I loved the Double Dutch was because of the huge mural that was the main feature of the restaurant's facade.  It was a gigantic photograph of jubilant kids with their smiling moms standing curbside around the ice cream man on a sunny afternoon. 
Picture
The Double Dutch Dinette
Every time I saw it, I would be instantly transported back to my childhood.  I could feel the warmth of a summer day back in New Jersey and hear the excited chattering voices of my friends outside.  The photo could have been taken from our living room window.  Before I turned six years old we lived on the second floor above the Stefancci’s in their two family house on Lincoln Street, Passaic, New Jersey.  Everything about the giant photo seemed incredibly familiar.  The style of the clothing, the hairstyles and automobile fit the time period perfectly.  It felt so close to my childhood memory that I just decided to believe it was.  I even became convinced that the license plate on the car was a New Jersey plate.  Since I didn't want to be disappointed if it wasn't, I avoided studying the plate too closely.  But one day I couldn't help myself and took a closer look.  It was hard to believe I wasn't just seeing things, because it looked like one of the old New Jersey plates.  It was! 
Picture
A closer look was revealing
Picture
It really was an old New Jersey plate
For 10 years I have enjoyed driving by the Double Dutch Dinette, like a huge window with the best view of my past.  So when I saw an "AVAILABLE" sign hanging over the mural, I felt a little sad.  What would it be like to never see this wonderful view ever again?  When the demolition began and the façade was covered with scaffolding I just sighed, “Oh well, it was nice while it lasted.” 
Picture
A sad sign
Since I am a regular at the Starbuck's was just two doors down from the Double Dutch, I’d see my favorite local landmark slowly disappearing.  During one of my Starbuck's visits I saw the construction crew busy at work and I forced myself to ask what was going to happen to the old facade and Double Dutch Dinette sign?

When the foreman made it clear the Double Dutch Dinette sign was up for grabs I quickly volunteered to take it off his hands.  Nothing was said about the huge mural and I didn't bother asking.  I just assumed it would be destroyed, besides it was too big for me to even consider.  Where the hell would I put it?  But at least the sign would be nice small piece of history I could remember the place by.  It was agreed that I would come back in a week for the sign.
Picture
Going, going, gone
When I returned a week later to the now gutted interior of the Double Dutch, I noticed the sign carefully placed to the side in perfect condition.  The foreman generously asked where I lived and offered to have his crew deliver it to my home during their break that day. 

"How much do I owe you?"  I asked.

He said, "Nothing, don't worry about it."  

"Let me run to the ATM.  I got to at least give you something for delivering it.  I'll be right back." 

As I turned to leave I saw a four by ten foot panel of the old mural leaning against the wall, the other three panels neatly stacked behind it.  It looked magnificent!  

Without hesitating I asked, "What are you going to do with the old mural?"

"No plans, why?"

"If you are just going to get rid of it, I'll take that too!  If that's OK?"

"Really, you want that?  Sure."

He agreed to deliver it to my house with the sign and I ran to the ATM.  I had no idea what the hell I would do with the huge mural but I figured I'd jump off that bridge when I got to it.  Then I called wifey to share the great news.

Today the mural covers a wall in our living room with the letters from the Double Dutch Dinette sign hanging randomly on the walls.  Every morning when I sit quietly with my coffee I enjoy every inch our new space.  It's perfect. 
Picture
The wonderful view from our living room
Picture
Now there is something to brighten every corner
When guests arrive their response is awesome.  "Oh my God!  This is from that place on Washington Boulevard.  Right?  I loved that mural!  I can't believe you got this.  Wow!" 

Apparently you didn't need to be from New Jersey to appreciate the magical affect this mural seemed to have.  It was just one of those places we all hate to see disappear. 
Picture
The Double Dutch Dinette left a lasting impression

If you are interested in the other half of our living room,
then click here!

6 Comments

How To Enjoy Art Like a Pro

1/15/2011

1 Comment

 
Picture
Have you ever been tempted to walk into an art gallery or museum but that was as far as you got?  If you were afraid to step inside because you didn’t want to feel stupid if you didn’t understand the artwork, you are not alone.  Most people are intimidated by art, including me.  Thanks to fellow artist and teacher, George A. Rada, I can walk into any art gallery or museum and enjoy whatever art is on display, and so can you.

George and I met at an artists’ get-together held by art dealer Molly Barnes at the Roger Smith Hotel in New York City sixteen years ago.  George and I became quick friends.  Over the next few years we visited each other’s studios and enjoyed encouraging one another.  At that time, George was a much more established artist than I, and a teacher at the prestigious Art Students League, so I would listen closely to what he had to say.

One evening he shared how his new student’s were often intimidated by art.  He explained that the reasons most people are intimidated is because they think they must understand art intellectually before they can appreciate it.  Or they think they need to learn a lot more about art before ever setting foot in a gallery or museum.  And trying to learn more about art can be intimidating in itself.   Even art reviews tend to be more pretentious then inviting.  So what’s the solution?  George put it simply, "The idea that you must be sophisticated or knowledgeable to appreciate fine art is erroneous."

The way to enjoy art like a pro is simple: you don’t have to be a pro to enjoy art.  Matter of fact, the less you know the better your experience.  This all may seem like B.S. since it’s contrary to what you may believe, but it should come as a relief.  The only thing necessary for you to do to enjoy art is to bring yourself to an art exhibit, and let the artwork do the rest.  Forget what you’ve read, forget all your preconceived ideas, and just allow yourself to respond to the art on display.  Trust me, it works.

What will happen?  You'll enjoy your own interpretation.  Maybe the artwork will  awaken a long forgotten memory.  Or  a strong emotional feeling will wash over you.  A movie may begin to play in your head starring the characters portrayed in a scene painted by an artist.  There could be a strong attraction to shapes and colors that you can’t quite explain and find fascinating.  You might even become inspired to try something new when you leave, or have the overwhelming compulsion to call up a friend to share what an incredible time you had.  The great fact is, when we allow ourselves to experience art without the burden of anyone else’s opinion, including our own, we feel like we've been a good friend to ourselves.

Hopefully this gives you the confidence to step boldly into an art exhibit any time you have the desire to do so.  You can think of it like going to the theatre, only instead of having actors on stage working to entertain you, you can allow the art to awaken a surprising response. 

What about George?  Sadly George passed away unexpectedly in 2002, but every time I enjoy myself at an exhibit I think of George with a smile and say to myself, “Thanks, George.”
Picture
At the Ed Emberley exhibit, Culver City, CA. 2010
1 Comment
    Picture

    Darrell Fusaro

    All the fun without the struggle.

    Archives

    March 2021
    January 2021
    May 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    March 2019
    December 2018
    September 2018
    June 2018
    November 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    March 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly