Flying Lessons

I would like to objectively offer some support for the claim that I can be impulsive: I've been taking flying lessons. It's not completely non-sequitur. For the past year or so I've been toying with the idea of taking some aerial shots for a series of new images I hope to complete. To realize these shots, I recently began joining a friend for some amazing flights in a Beechcraft Debonair. While I was up there, I decided I may as well learn to fly. After a few rides/lessons I began operating the controls as co-pilot. I flew to a nearby lake and had to help jump start the plane with a truck due to a faulty battery. Another time I had a semi-emergency landing to fix (with duct tape) a gas leak due to improper placement of the gas cap by a plane attendant. After this string of technical difficulties, I flew to Louisiana and had pretty good luck at a casino riverboat on the Mississippi River. Next I hope to fly to Alaska to learn to shoot moose from the plane and subsequently run for vice president. Anyone can do it --no really-- ANYONE.

R

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CoolAddict Interview

The kind people of a cool site (www.CoolAddict.com) invited me to take part in an interview a few months ago. Read it HERE (transcription follows)


Cheers,
R




Cool Addict had the privilege to talk with multi-talented Ryan Obermeyer, whose work has been featured on Cool Addict before. He opens up about working with artists such as Imogen Heap, his proudest moment, frustrations on the job, living in Austin and being naked in public! Thanks Ryan for taking the time to talk to us! (photos by Teresa Tsai and Julian Humphries)


INSPIRATION

Ernst Haeckel, 1st Avenue Machine, Jean Cocteau, Werner Herzog, and Gottfried Helnwein are some. I get inspiration from other weird places though. Music mostly.


COMING FULL CIRCLE

My grandmother on my father's side used to subscribe to National Geographic World Magazine for me when I was a kid. A few years back they contacted me to do a feature on me as a "photoshop expert." They asked me to give some advice to their readers who might be interested in photo retouching. It was right after my grandmother had passed away so it was a cool thing; cyclical.


FRUSTRATIONS ARE PART OF THE JOB

Once, my hard drive with my life's work on it died. I was considering throwing more than a computer out the window. After a string of events the data was recovered. I think I have 4 backups in various locations
now.
It can also be frustrating when some vapid old lady on a board of geriatrics tries to tell you that you need to move that one tree a little bit to the left simply because she's been in a publishing company since before Carrot Top wore mascara. But that's completely hypothetical of course…


WORKING WITH IMOGEN HEAP

She's great– certainly an artist in the truest sense. Sonically, she uses a lot of digital tools but employs a very organic procedure to give her electronic music a heart. I think I work in a similar way visually. She has a real interest in all aspects of her record but she gives me a lot of freedom and trust which nurtures the imagery. I would also consider her one of my closest friends which creates a nice environment for our collaborations.


CURRENT PROJECTS

I just finished creating album graphics for Milosh (Canadian electronic musician). He's a good friend I met through Imogen. One of the new pieces I did for his record includes dentures in a botanical setting with a Freudian subtext. I listened to the album on repeat for days and allowed myself to use a stream-of-consciousness method of
working. I pieced together all of these random items I photographed separately to form a really strange composite. I didn't let myself over think or second guess the work. I wanted it to really evoke the feeling of the record which is mostly about love. I think love is beautiful and scary but compelling.

I also just created a piece for an Austin magazine called Tribeza that comes out on Monday. They invited me to be one of five photographers to submit my visual interpretation of "the little black dress." I think my submission might be the strangest. I hope it is. It's inspired by bees which were a reoccurring theme in my life when I
moved to Austin in September.


GUILTY PLEASURES

Showering, pasta and cheese (any configuration), gravy, chocolate covered gummi bears (or raisins), rum/vodka, music, cats, Rockstar energy drink, KY liquid. I wish I were in a band so I could put these items on a contract rider and throw a fit if they forgot the cats.


LIVING IN AUSTIN

It's this weird amazing anomaly in the middle of this backwards state. It's full of many progressive, democratic, creative, warm, diverse, active, relaxed, mature, unassuming, ambitious, friendly, real, people.


IF I COULD PUNCH….

I punched your mom last night (unless your mom is dead in which case I retract that answer and apologize profusely).


NAKED IN PUBLIC

Countless, but it's more goofy and inebriated than lecherous. I don't usually entertain pride, but when I do– it's in all the right places.


SECRET

I'm a bit of a klepto (major chains only).

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New Milosh iii Album Art Premier

Grüß dich!


I would like to share with you a new digital piece I conceived this past winter for the upcoming Milosh record, iii.
Here's what I wrote about it back on February 5th while it was still in concept stage:

"...his new record is very mercurial and subconscious so I've decided to create an homage to Dalí with a very fluid amalgam of biology, botany, and sensuality. Presented as a surreal composite- impulsive and impractical; strange and familiar at once..."

Milosh is an extraordinary electronic musician and good friend that Imogen Heap introduced to me a few years back at her Goodnight and Go video shoot in Toronto (Milosh stomping ground). If you aren't familiar with his music you certainly need to check out his two previous masterpieces:

You Make Me Feel

MeMe

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Exhibition in London opening tonight + Dazed Confused Interview

Dear Londoners:

"The London arm of The Strychnin Gallery are tonight unveiling Whaleless, an international exhibition dedicated to artists who, alongside Greenpeace, are promoting efforts to protect the ocean's largest mammals. Involving over 50 artists from as far afield as Russia and Venezuela, the show opens tonight and features the likes of Stuart Semple, Luke Insect, Lee Baker and Ryan Obermeyer."


A limited edition print of my piece SONAR (created in 2005 for the cause) is for sale as part of the show. Unfortunately, I won't be in attendance.


You can read a slightly abridged version of an interview I participated in for Dazed and Confused Magazine online to promote the show. Here's the full interview:

1.Why did you become involved in the project?

I was invited by the organizer to consider contributing a piece to
support the cause. I felt like my work would lend itself well to the
cause. I collected information regarding the Save the Whales and
decided I'd like to be a part of it.

2. Do you think direct action like that taken by The Sea Sheperd group is
justified? Sinking Japanese whaling boats with limpet mines for example?

I don't think their actions really resolve the issue on any scale and
they have the potential to damage the efforts of peaceful
organizations like Greenpeace who are trying to diplomatically protect
the whales.

3.Do you think artists have a responsibility to champion issues like these?

Artists do function as communicators but I don't think it's my place
to assign responsibility to other artists. We happen to be poised to
reach people effectively through our work if we choose- I see that as
an opportunity, but not a responsibility. I can't pretend that my role
in the art world is usually a political or ecological proponent; I'd
be really hypocritical to say other artists are obligated. I'm happy
that my work lent itself to this particular cause but you can exact
change in the world without having to use your work or your
visibility. I don't think a professional ice skater is accountable for
not skating in a whale-shaped formation.

4.Whose work amongst the other artists exhibiting do you most admire?

Grégory Ledoux, Aurelien Police, Chiaki Mochida, Matt Seymour, Joe Vaux

5. Do you think exhibitions like these can help to enlighten people to
the issue of species extinction?

Certainly. It's a show with a theme and a purpose of raising
awareness. You don't have to have a particular predilection for whales
to be concerned about the potential loss of a species or an imbalance
in our ecology- you just have to be aware of it.

6. If you were swallowed by a whale (Pinocchio style) what would you
like to find inside?

A webcam. :)

12:17 PM - 4 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

The Latest: Spin Mag, New Piece, Interview...

Hey there. Here's a few things going on with me:



I was recently invited by the Austin (TX) magazine, Tribeza, to submit my visual interpretation of "the little black dress" for their special April art issue. My interpretation is inspired by Colony Collapse Disorder of Western honey bees I kept hearing about when I moved here. The magazine is free and hits newsstands today. You can contact them HERE to inquire about obtaining a copy.


The latest SPIN Magazine (May 2008) features a special article about fashion in music and features Jonathon TeBeest from Rasputina wearing a jacket I made for him. Here's a pic of me wearing the jacket (yeah my head is on backwards) :)

11:58 AM - 2 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

DJ Gig + Move to Austin

Hello patriots, compatriates, and expatriates,

I've been laying low-- here's the lowdown:

I took a long trip to London and Cornwall this summer for some work that never transpired. However, I did get to see some cool sites and good friends.

The change of scenery inspired a relocation to Austin, TX. (not too far from home, but so amazingly different).

I've been doing some preliminary work with a cool Austin writer on a pitch for a graphic novel project (for which I would be creating imagery).

To kick off the move, I'm hosting and DJing a farewell party this Saturday at Haileys. It's open to the public so if you're around and wanna dance, come on!

1:29 PM - 8 Comments - 10 Kudos - Add Comment

Pushmi-Pullyu + Cali Trip + Film Debut

PUSHMI-PULLYU

Here it is: the first llama picture starring Brandon and-- Brandon. I only had a week to scout locations (snapped this cool lake 10 miles from my place), find a llama, get it into the studio, and turn it into this abomination! Soon to be on ads at a US post office near you. Enjoy.






November 14, 2006-


Howdy,

I've been working on an image to be used in an ad for the US Postal Service (not the cool band- the cool mail system). I found a llama wrangler nearby who brought Brandon the llama up to Dallas for his first close-up. I have attached a studio snapshot (taken by my good friend/studio assistant, Teresa Tsai).







CALI ROAD TRIP


--WEDS JAN 10-My friend Chelsea and I are taking a long road trip through the wild west. We're stopped for dinner at "The Big Texan" in Amarillo, TX as we approach the New Mexican border. We can't recall ever having been to Amarillo before. This restaurant is crazy! There are free limo rides to and from here. There is a free 72 oz. steak if you eat it all (plus a baked potato and bread) within an hour. There is a poor guy on the stage who only has 17 minutes and 44 seconds to finish all the food! He looks disgusted with himself for attempting this gluttonous venture. He is drinking out of a cowboy boot. There is a huge tank with a live rattlesnake in the front of the restaurant. Is this place real?
We will continue to Albuquerque, New Mexico tonight. We will wake up and drive to Bandera Volcano and Ice Cave (The Land of Fire and Ice)! Not sure where else we will travel.
I'm taking tons of landscape photos for some future projects. Hopefully we will avoid the crazy weather that is supposed to come through on Saturday.

Here's us waiting for our food with our bag puppet of our friend Melanie who is in Toronto and can't join us for a giant steak.


THURS JAN 11-Tonight we're staying on a corner in Winslow, Arizona and not sure what all the talk is about. We're having a little whisky and thinking about what we saw today (and wondering what that weird metallic clicking is above us--Chelsea thinks it's a man with a tiny hook masturbating. I think he would just use the other hand, no? And why would their be a clinkety clink unless he also has a porceline penis?) After our dinner last night we crossed the New Mexico border and later I swear I saw a pair of Native American ghosts crossing the road in our headlights. One in front, one behind dragging something heavy. She didn't see it -and I don't smoke doobage and we weren't drinking. Today we woke up and ate at the Owl Cafe in Albequerque and headed to Grants, NM to the Bandera Volcano and the accompanying Ice Cave. We hiked up the volcano to the rim and then down to the ice cave (never reaches over 30 degrees). We saw some Native American ruins and drove through several Native American reserves. We also stopped to feed some ostriches.

A dancing ostrich.


We weren't able to resist takin a pic on the corner in Winslow, AZ before we left.

FRI JAN 12. We did get outta there pretty quick. We drove to the Barringer Crater (Meteorite Crater). It's 50,000 years old--4,000 ft in diameter and 570 feet deep.
Panoramic pic of our crater view.

Then we continued through a snow storm up to the Hoover Dam and on to Vegas where we had the best dinner ever and then crapped out at the crap table. We stayed at the Sahara which ended up being our favorite Casino. We are very disappointed that there aren't any pirates at Treasure Island!

Damn that's a big Dam! Chelsea, me, and--Dame Doodie Dench?! Who is that lady!

Viva Las Vegas

SAT JAN 13. We woke up and drove through Death Valley and saw some huge sand dunes! Then up through Cali and over to San Francisco and Merin where we arrived at a cool organic farm called Slide Ranch. I milked a goat, played with sheep, saw some bee colonies, climbed a huge rock on the beach, hiked through a redwood forest, collected fresh eggs, and chased a bobcat out of the hen house. Then I flew back to Texas to go through tons of photos of landscapes. Got some ace shots! We'll see what happens--

Happy New Year

x,
R


My Film Debut

---OCT 06---
My friend Steve Balderson has made a film. I'm sure it's
great (like his others)! He asked some of his friends to call
and leave a message describing what we find "sexy." I'm
not sure what he's done with our spoken answers
but you can find out here: Dikenga Films

7:29 PM - 19 Comments - 29 Kudos - Add Comment

Imogen Heap Mini Site - Behind the Art of Headlock

Hello chicken strips,
I am pleased to show you a new mini site I have created for Imogen Heap about my photography for her new single, Headlock. If you buy the cd single and the limited edition clear vinyl 7" of the Headlock single, you will receive a special print signed by my very own left hand.
Preorder the Headlock Single HERE





Headlock Mini Site

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On the Road Again (Imogen Heap Tour Details)

I've was graciously invited to join the wonderous caravan of Imogen Heap's bandwagon (plush tourbus) to sell prints of my recent promotional images of the singer. Thanks to all who came by the merchandise table so we could meet in person!


TOUR DATES:

May 12th - Houston, TX (Warehouse Live)
May 13th - New Orleans (One Eyed Jack's)
May 15th - Miami, FL (Studio A)
May 16th - Orlando, FL (Park Avenue CDs [in-store] and The Social)
May 18th - Knoxville, TN (Sundown in the City)
May 19th - Atlanta, GA (Variety Playhouse)
May 20th - Nashville, TN (Cannery)
May 22nd - Lawrence, KS (Bottleneck)
May 23rd - Minneapolis, MN (Varsity Theatre)
May 24th - Milwaukee, WI (The Eagles Club)
May 25th - Chicago, IL (Park West [Apple in-store]
May 27th - Toronto, ONT (The Guvernment)
May 28th - Montreal, QUE (Le Tulipe)

So far we've:

-Taken a ride on a steam-powered paddleboat down the Mississippi
-Had an impromptu instore signing at Cracker Barrell
-Walked down Miami Beach during a lesbian convention under full moonlight
-Had magician supporting act
-Breakdancer afterparty in Orlando
-Late-night haircut for lighting designer per Ryan *hiccup*
-Near-arrest for stealing Hampton Inn complimentary cookie case (apparently Immi and I made MTV news with this one?!)
-Photography bonanza in Nashville studio
-Day of shooting role in film short for Dexxx's "Nashville Vs. Hollywood" music video
-Drunken cardgame of "crossdress shithead" courtesy of Matthew (lighting) and Zoe
-Immi's Apple/Itunes instore performance in Chicago
-Sky bar dancing in Toronto with music genius Milosh
-Learned how to declare my ignorance in French (Montreal)
-Dinner in Central Park followed by horse-drawn carriage rides

Back home in one piece.

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Special Imogen Heap Minisite - Behind the Artwork of Goodnight & Go

Howdy,

I have created a special minisite for www.imogenheap.com to explain my creative process behind the art for the new Goodnight and Go cd single:


Goodnight and Go - Behind the Art Minisite

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