Jeremy Verwys in Our Studio

ArtPrize really did give us so much, as well as being a time that we could create a really solid body of work that we are very proud of, it was a time that we were able to meet some really wonderful people. Though are project was designed primarily around painting with recorded music that vistiors would bring us on their iPods, we had the extreme fortune to work with some incredible musicians. Guitarist, Jeremy Verwys was one of these very pleasant surprises.

We were very comfortable in our Grand Rapids studio supplied to us by Steepletown Neighborhood Services. That made painting 10 to 12 hours a day as much of a joy as you might think it would be. So when Jeremy showed up with his guitar case was like slipping on a very comfortable pair of shoes. His classical guitar style put every one in the room into a very sweet spot. As painters we were able to get completely lost in that moment.


When Jeremy finished his hour long set, and started to pack up, we asked if that was all, and he responded, "Hey, I would love to play more if you would like. I will play all night if you will let me."


Jeremy is a Grand Rapids native and is presently playing his guitar as much as possible. Check out his Facebook page to see what he is up to.

Angela Josephine & Our ArtPrize Jukebox

September 25th was a special day for us as singer/songwriter Angela Josephine joined us from Traverse City. Our Jukebox project was designed so that we would paint to the music that visitors brought to us on their iPods. This worked quite well most of the time, but we did have some really incredible moments as we were accompanied many times by musicians and singers that offered to play live with us. Whenever we were fortunate enough to have the music created live in our studio everyone involved had a marvelous time.


Angela contacted us earlier in the week and asked if she could come down Sunday afternoon and play some of her new songs for us that she had written for her upcoming and soon to be released album.


As Thanksgiving Day is coming up this week, among other things we are grateful for, would like to send a big thanks to Angela for being such a vibrant part of our collaboration.

This video features parts of two of her songs, That's How You Love Me and Ordinary Ways. 


Check out Angela Josephine's Web Site.

ArtPrize Jukebox in Grand Rapids Comes Down.

I am going to make my way down to 671 Davis St. NW in Grand Rapids, right in the heart of the Steepletown neighborhood on Wednesday October 15th to deinstall the nearly 50 paintings that Tali and I created during ArtPrize 2011.

Tali and Royce in their Grand Rapids studio

A few of the paintings were sold and we are happy about that, and now that the exhibition is over the last of the circus finally has to leave town. Luckily some of the paintings will still be available to be seen by the public, several of them will be going to Well Being, LLC at  1118 Front Ave. NW, Suite #1, Grand Rapids. Stay tuned for images of that installation.

I am looking forward to working with Roger again, and seeing some old friends, like Dick, Eddie and Sharon. We have to thank Steepletown Neighborhood Services and these fine folks, because they hosted us in the most first class way. Thanks you guys!

More from the studio in GR.

If you are going to be in the neighborhood, give me a call, text, or email.

ArtPrize 2011

As most of you know already we had the great fortune of being a part of the world's largest art prize competition during ArtPrize 2011 in Grand Rapids, Michigan in the end of September  through October 9th. We had a wonderful venue outside of the crowded city center in the Westside neighborhood of Steepletown. 

Steepletown Neighborhood Service hosted us and gave us a really incredible space to work in and  all the corridors to display the 50 paintings we did while we were there. We were there 18 days and literally were painting 10 - 12 hours each day.

It was an incredible amount of work and it took an amazing amount of energy to be on for such a long period of time, but it was so worth it. We met so many great people, had some really meaningful conversations. We sold some art, that is a good thing. We have at least one hundred and one stories to tell so now that we are back to our respective homes and studio, and the dust as mostly settled, and there are only a few more boxes to unpack we will start to report some specifics of what went on in Grand Rapids while we were there.

So stay tuned and you can continue to be part of the art.