Once upon a time... I was a Scenic Artist

In 1988 when I was living near Venice Beach I used to ride my bike around town. One day I noticed a group of odd looking buildings and facades. There was a slew of activity going on inside the compound. Not being shy, I rode my bike through the gates and approached a guy with a paintbrush in his hand.  I asked him what he was doing and he told me he was working on a movie. 

And it was in that exact moment that my life would go in a brand new direction. I began working as a painter on that movie too; at first for free, then within a week I was paid $75.00 a day. And the man who would be paying my salary? His name was Roger Corman. It was his movie studio.

Roger Corman was KING OF THE 'B' MOVIES. He helped Actors and Directors like Ron Howard, Jack Nicholson, Robert De Niro, James Cameron and Francis Ford Coppola get their start. But I had no idea who he was at first. It was only recently that I discovered he and I were both born in Detroit and we each made our way into the film industry after living in the Bay Area.

I worked on three 'Corman' movies, one after the other - Time Trackers, Transylvania Twist and Hollywood Blvd. II.  It was like taking a crash course in scenic painting - but instead of paying for the classes I got paid!  I met some talented people there too, like Production Designer Gary Randall, and Director of Photography, Ronn Schmidt.

Within a year I gathered the confidence to take my new career to the next step! By now it was 1989 and my favorite T.V. show was The Wonder Years.  With a little detective work I found out where they filmed (in Culver City) so I went down to their stage and asked to speak with the Art Director. (Film studios these days are much more difficult to infiltrate with heavy security and guarded gates.)  His name was Bill Ryder and he was kind enough to give me a chance as an on-call Scenic Artist.  I was shocked that he hired me! I was also nervous as hell those first days on the set even though I mainly did things like paint posters for the set's hallways and create student's artwork for the walls. I felt as though I'd won the lottery being able to work with such an amazing cast and crew! I stayed on for three years as their on-call scenic/set dresser. I remember the very last day of filming. We were served lobster for lunch and each given a Director's chair with our name on it!

During that time I met a really talented artist named Cole Lewis. I went on to work with him on a few movies.  People Like Us was one of them. It was a mini-series and the sets were elaborate! Another fine artist on the crew was Glen Gowen. He was an aspiring film maker too. When he told me that he wanted to make music videos I gave him a cassette and asked if he'd consider making one for me.  After listening to a song I wrote called "Nothing Ever Happened" he offered to bring his camera to the set. He made an amazing video for me but somewhere down the line he and I lost track of each other - and also during that time the world had gone 'digital' so I was no longer able to even watch that video.  I tried to find Glen but couldn't locate him. I also tried to have the video converted a few years ago but the quality of the VHS was so aged that it couldn't be done.  But, then I received a message from Glen about a year ago.  He had moved out of L.A. and was still doing his art and still making films and videos.

Last month I received an incredible birthday gift from him. He converted the VHS into a Youtube video! (The link to it is at the bottom of the page) It's like a time capsule - featuring a time in my life when I was actually getting paid to paint! It also features one of the first songs I've ever written.

Universal Studios - Orlando, FL

Universal Studios - ANIMAL PLANET

Disney Land - Anaheim, CA

I eventually went on to work at set shops like Scenic Highlights and for other talented Art Directors and Production Designers like Richard Hoover and Gustav Alsina. I worked on projects for Walt Disney and Universal Studios along with dozens of movies, commercials, T.V. shows and live theater. But after about twelve years I just couldn't do it any more. The fumes got to me, along with the long hours and the physical demands of it. Sometimes the work was fun, but other times it was like house painting only under the extreme pressure to GET IT DONE QUICK!  So I had to let it go. 

It's been several years now since I've worked as a scenic artist. Some day though, I may try to work on just one more project, for old times sake! 

If you'd like to see the music video that my friend Glen made of my song, please click on the link below.

http://youtu.be/jdHtrEo2EQ0

If you'd like to learn more about Roger Corman (The King of the 'B's), click here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Corman

Good Morning Robin Williams

A few months ago something happened that shook my world, as I'm sure it did for many others too. Comedic Actor Robin Williams committed suicide.  When it happened, I was shocked and sad and baffled as to why he would take his own life.

Then my thoughts went back to the previous year when I had the incredibly special opportunity to meet him briefly when I worked on his T.V. show, The Crazy Ones.  I had called Central Casting's hotline the previous day and was surprised when they accepted me to work as one of the advertising staffers on the two day call.  I was so excited in fact, that I barely slept a wink that night.

Living north of Los Angeles has its advantages but one of the major disadvantages is the need to travel over the Sepulveda pass on the 405 to get to West L.A.  But, unfortunately, this is where the sound stage was: Fox Studios on Pico Blvd.  To be safe, I allowed 2 hours and 15 minutes to get there, thinking that would give me plenty of time.  But, oh... was I wrong.  I was 20 minutes late to set and realized that it was possible I might be sent home. (Being late is simply not tolerated on film productions - even being ten minutes late is enough to be fired and sent home without pay.)  When I arrived to the stage I was a nervous wreck, blood pressure through the roof and nearly in tears. Thankfully, after apologizing profusely, the Production Assistant handed me my voucher and told me to head to the wardrobe trailer which was outside and in the alley.  I breathed a heavy sigh of relief and thanked him again for cutting me a break.

I collected the wardrobe I brought with me and opened the door to the small hallway off the stage. This area is used as a buffer so that when filming begins a red light flashes and anyone coming in from outside knows not to open the inside door.  As I walked into that small space the outside door opened at the exact same time and in walked Robin Williams. The two of us nearly collided! So I blurted out, "Well, good morning." And Robin shyly responded back, "Good morning."  It was just a moment in time.  But I walked outside of stage 14 (the same stage that Marilyn Monroe was fired from for being late one too many times) with a smile on my face, suddenly feeling energized and really happy. That's what Robin Williams gave me. His energy was like a spell that came over you when you came in contact with him. I've heard others say the same about him.

But, my story doesn't end there. The day went very well and I was in several scenes (see photo below). Robin was funny on the set as I knew he would be, improvising and going into other voices. My favorite was his Native American wise elder impression.  I tried not to stare at him. Honest I  did!  But I couldn't keep me eyes off of him.

Since it was a two day call I made it a point to leave extra early the following day.  I arrived on time with a small gift for Robin in my purse.  Keep in mind that the only thing worse than being late to a film set is approaching the leading actors and trying to speak with them.  If they speak with you first that's different, but it's just not something that you do. And, I can understand this protocol because sometimes there are hundreds of background actors on set and it would be crazy if each one tried to speak to these V.I.P.s who are trying hard to focus on their lines and stay in character.

So I decided that if the moment presented itself I would give my gift directly to him. And if not, I would give it to his assistant to pass on if they chose to do so.

As the day went on, we were all needed on set most of the time, but later in the day many of us were in a holding area on stage.  It was at that time that Robin Williams stopped to speak with a background actor near me.  Inside of my bag was the small gift and it seemed to call out to me, "NOW'S THE TIME! NOW'S THE TIME!"  I realized at that scary moment that I could again be sent home, but I took that chance and called out, "Robin, I brought a small gift for you!"

As he approached me I pulled out a tiny orange pumpkin squash from my bag and placed it in the palm of my hand as an offering to him.  His face lit up immediately. As he took it out of my hand you could almost see the wheels turning in his head as he was thinking of what he could say about that little pumpkin.  He asked me, "Is this from your garden?"

I smiled and said, "No. I bought it at Trader Joe's for 99 cents."

And for some reason this made him laugh, along with several other background actors who had by that time gathered around.  My head was suddenly spinning. Wait a minute, I remember thinking.... Did I just make Robin Williams laugh?!  Isn't it supposed to be the other way around?  And then he went into a short schpeel about the tiny little pumpkin and I really do wish I could remember the details but looking back it was a bit of a blur because, quite honestly it was all very surreal. 

Robin turned to his assistant and asked her to take the little pumpkin to his trailer.  He thanked me for it and then headed for the set, leaving me and those around me feeling like V.I.P.s too. So often background actors are treated like human props.  Rarely are we even asked for our names. Usually,  it's: "YOU, go over there and walk down the hall", or "YOU, go sit on that couch and pretend to be on the phone." Or "YOU, go stand in the corner with... YOU and YOU...." as the 2nd A.D. points to wide eyed extras in the vicinity.  But really, can you blame them? Are they supposed to remember all of our names, especially when we are only there for a day or so?  None-the-less, being a background actor is humbling, and yes, humiliating at times.

But Robin made us feel as though we were part of the cast.  He took the time to interact with us and he was as kind and genuine and funny as you might imagine he would be.

I'm almost done telling my My Robin Williams story, but there's one more quick chapter to it:

After Robin died I contemplated whether or not to write about giving him the little pumpkin and decided not to. But then about a week later, I received a clear message from the Universe when I was driving up the canyon to my home one early evening. There on the side of the secluded mountain road and far away from any structures was a small pumpkin all by itself sitting on a rock!  It was about twice the size of the one I gave to Robin. Still small, but large enough to spot and it was perfectly healthy and orange (see the photo of me at the top of the page with it in my hands). I passed it by in disbelief then made a U-turn a half mile up the road and came back for it. I believe in signs and metaphors so when I picked up that pumpkin and put it on my passenger seat I smiled and thought to myself, okay, maybe I'm supposed to share my story.  And that reminds me - THANKS for taking the time to drop by and read it!

More about Janine Cooper Ayres:

 www.j9art.com

J-9's Sketchbook

Every now and then someone will ask me the question: where does the inspiration come from when creating a new painting? Often times it is a very spontaneous process but every now and then there will be an initial sketch or doodle which I take to the next step.

These sketches and drawings often pop up while I'm talking on the phone, or on hold with some stupid utility company who leaves me hanging. And these doodles and drawings just linger on random pieces of paper until I either throw them away, file them or turn them into paintings.

Here is an example below of a sketch I did while I was somewhere in America, in a tour bus, while playing bass with an amazing band called Downy Mildew:

Her name is "Cali".  Why does she have fish swimming around in a fish bowl on the top of her head?  I don't know. I don't question these things. However, after I drew it, I decided that perhaps the fish represented thoughts, swimming around in her head.

About ten years after I did the sketch above I was in the mood to paint but I had nothing in mind for which to use as inspiration. So, I looked through my sketches and doodles and drawings and found "Cali".  I painted her out on 16" x 24" canvas and now she is no longer lost under a stack of papers or filed away in my drawer somewhere.

A few years ago I learned how to make e-books.  This has been an amazing experience and I'm having fun creating electronic books and showing friends and family members how to do it too.  My latest e-book has just come out!   It's available on Amazon.com. It's a collections of many of my drawings and watercolor paintings.  If you would like to see a sample of the book, just click on the link below!

http://www.amazon.com/J-9s-Sketchbook-Drawings-Sketches-Watercolors-ebook/dp/B00LAJM0NU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1403804180&sr=8-3&keywords=j-9%27s+sketchbook

Every Picture Tells a Story

A long time ago I had the incredible good fortune to go on the road, playing bass guitar with a band called Let's Active. We were opening a string of concerts for R.E.M. and one particular night in Washington D.C. (after playing at George Washington University) we were a bit too amped up to just go back to our hotel rooms so we all ventured out to see a band called Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians. They were playing at a venue called the 9/30 Club. (Robyn Hitchcock is a brilliant songwriter who infuses British wit and humor into his music and art.) I had been a fan of his music even before that night. His band-mates Andy Metcalfe and Morris Windsor are incredibly talented themselves. I was introduced to them after they performed. A bunch of us all hung out and drank and laughed. It was a truly amazing night!

Robyn Hitchcock - Nov. 12, 1986 - photo by J9

Fast forward about five years:  Robyn, Andy and Morris were recording their album, Perspex Island in Los Angeles.  I was in a band called Pet Clarke at the time. We were invited to the studio to watch their recording session one night and I was sitting in a room watching Robyn lay down some tracks behind a soundproof glass window.

Robyn and I have something in common in that we both like to sketch and paint... Well, there on the coffee table was his sketch pad.  I picked it up and looked through it, admiring all of the interesting images that he had sketched. Feeling inspired, I picked up a pen and began doodling toward the back of the sketch pad. I intended to take the page out before leaving that night so he would never know that I had invaded his art space. But as the night went on I totally forgot and left my sketches in his book.

It wasn't until about a year later when I purchased the CD that I saw one of my sketches again. It was on the back of the Perspex Island CD! Apparently, Robyn had handed over his sketch pad to the Art Director at A & M Records to go through for cover design possibilities. To say the least I was blown away, but then a bit perplexed because the photo credit said that all of the artwork was by Robyn Hitchcock. I didn't think too much of it, but the next time I saw Robyn I confessed to him and apologized too for sketching in his pad. Then I pointed out the sketch I had done, which was a Sphynx-like image of his bassist Andy. The look on Robyn's face was one of confusion.  A somewhat maladroit moment occurred thereafter and then he said something like, "I didn't remember doing that sketch, but sometimes when I'm drinking I like to draw. I thought I might've forgotten that I had done that one." We actually had a good laugh about it. That sketch was even blown up and used on the back of the t-shirts created to promote that incredible album.  (See photo below).

Fast forward another twenty years (crazy how time flies).  I had always wanted to do a painting of that sketch and just a few months ago I finally did.  (It's an acrylic on canvas -16" x 24"). It is available for sale, by the way!

painting by Janine Cooper Ayres - copyright 2014

Several years have passed since I've seen Robyn, Andy and Morris. They are some of the nicest and most talented guys I've ever met so I hope our paths cross again some day. (And if so, I'll bet Robyn won't let me anywhere near his sketch pad!)

J-9

J-9 and Robyn  - photo by Jeff Davis

photo by Jeff Davis

Robyn in the studio in L.A. -  photo by J-9

Click on the link below to listen to one of my favorite songs from Perspex Island

 http://youtu.be/CFQPiD5ARyA

A few 'FIRSTS' for me!

This month I'll be exhibiting at the Acton/Agua Dulce Library and it will be the first time that I display my photography so I'm kind of excited about it. It's also my first earthbound exhibit - no space junk! That is to say, none of my alien characters have been invited.  It was a challenge because I have done a lot of sci-fi inspired paintings over the years.  

When I realized that I didn't really have enough paintings to fill the room I resorted to exhibiting my photography. It actually worked out well because it inspired me to go through my photo archives and I discovered some incredible photos that I forgot I had even taken.  It also reminded me just how much I love the earthly creatures that coexist on this planet with us.  So, then I was inspired to write a song. And that was another first for me - writing a song to accompany an art exhibit.  And then came a slideshow video which brought everything together!  It's been a fun but frustrating process trying to align photos with lyrics - but most of all - trying to convey how important these creatures are to me.  I hope that the focus is on them and not me. That was my main goal. 

See more of Janine's art (and photography too by clicking on the link below:

://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUaq_d08bmA&feature=youtu.be

BEFORE THEY WERE THE PRESIDENTS - My first e-book!

About seven years ago I had an epiphany of sorts.  I realized that I could only recite the first three presidents' names before I became unsure of who was next.  This bothered me. Actually, it made me feel dumb and I don't like to feel dumb so I decided to write a song that would help me learn all of the presidents' names. And guess what?  The song worked!  I was surprised and sort of proud of myself too for learning all of their names.  I recorded that song (called These are the Presidents) in my home studio and then another song idea came through. Eventually I had a complete CD's worth of songs so I recorded them all and released the CD on my own label (Music 2 Educate).  The CD is called Remember the Presidents. I have since released three more educational CD's for kids. Every now and then someone will download one or more of my songs and it's always a thrill when this happens!

One of the songs that I wrote was called Before They Were the Presidents.  I wanted to know what each of the presidents did before they went into office and I thought that others might like to know too. I also thought it might make a fun song. Even though all of the presidents had more than one occupation prior to their terms I chose one that was unique or different.  For instance Harry Truman was a haberdasher and George W. Bush owned a sports team.

I wasn't very surprised to discover that many of the presidents were lawyers before being elected.

Recently I cracked the code for creating e-books.  It really wasn't as difficult as I thought it might be. Once I got through the imaginary roadblocks I was able to start producing my own e-books and help others with theirs too.

And so, without further adieu, I'd like to invite you to read a sample of my new book, Before They Were the Presidents, inspired by the song I wrote of the same name several years ago. (the song or the book can be purchased for just 99 cents.)  Just click on one of the links below.

nook Edition

Kindle Edition

Listen to the song!

A Dream Come True For My Mom!

My mom is a great letter writer. Whether it's a letter to a friend, a relative, a congressman or newspaper, she's  not afraid to express herself. It's a trait that I've inherited from her as well. I've received some wonderful notes from her throughout the years but a  few days ago I received the best letter ever. I asked her if I could share it on my blog and she gave me her blessing.  Although it is somewhat personal I'm posting it because I feel that it might inspire others to NEVER give up on their dreams. One of my mom's dreams finally came true at the age of 88! I am honored that I was able to play a part in making it happen (with a little help from Amazon and Barnes & Noble and the e-book revolution).

HERE'S THE LETTER:


Dear Janine,

In Munhall, Pennsylvania as a young girl, about 11 years old, I stayed with my Grandmother Milko and my Aunt Marian during the summer months.  They owned a delicious pear orchard surrounded by a stone wall that Grandfather Milko built and as I would walk around the grounds I dreamed of writing a book some day. (I was inspired by my literature teacher, Mrs. Renfro who was a great storyteller.)  Any way, one day I got a piece of paper and wrote on it, "Some day I will write a book".  I folded the paper, removed some stones from the wall and hid the paper inside, then replaced the stones.  It was my dream, and Janine, you helped make it come true.   

       Love always, Mom

The book that my mom is referring to is called SELF PORTRAIT - A Collection of Poems.  She wrote most of these poems in the 1970's while raising four daughters. My father was playing the part of the busy executive in downtown Detroit, working long hours. My mom spent much of her time doing menial tasks around the house, but also within the poems it's clear that there was also a lot of soul searching going on.  As her Christmas present this past year I edited her poems and created a book for her.

If not for the internet and on-line e-bookstores like Amazon and Barnes & Noble my mom's poems would've stayed in her notebooks. They would have been passed down to one of us - but otherwise  never to see the light of day - or should I say, the light of the computer screen.  But, it's a new world now.  It's an amazing time for writers, artists and musicians who had to rely on publishers, movie studios and record labels in the past.  As an artist I'm thankful to be living during this time in history.  How many creative souls never had this kind of opportunity to express themselves in the past? To be seen or heard? To be acknowledged? Thousands if not millions I am sure.

If you would like to see some of my mom's poems, please click on one of the links below. You'll be guided to a page where you can read the first several pages at no cost.  Or, if you would like to purchase her book the price is $2.99 for both the Kindle or nook.  (It's also available as a regular book for $4.99 plus $2.00 postage & handling (contact me at: j9art_music@yahoo.com if you'd like to purchase a printed version and I'll send one your way.)

KINDLE EDITION      

nook EDITION (Barnes & Noble)

contact Janine for print version

There's one more thing I'd like to mention (or confess). Artists are generally somewhat needy and insecure - often seeking attention & approval from others. Unfortunately, I am no exception. I guess I just want to acknowledge my mom as an artist in her own right and to apologize too for not supporting her sooner. Better late than never I suppose, but it took way too long and for that I am sorry.

Editor and Poet (daughter & mother)