I have a dear friend, an artist and musician who is rebooting his life now as a starving artist in Austin, he has been in the north east coast region for the last couple decades. I can tell you with certainty he is an honest man, a descent man and good company in any circumstance. Well, he decided to make himself penniless on purpose and has recently taken up residence on the streets in Austin to meet complete strangers and build himself back up from scratch. He will not accept gifts, but he will sell you a piece of art. It can be on commission too; i.e. you can have some input, but he does not want to become an art whore.
More on the flip, including the rules for his new life.
You can read more about him on his blog at absolutezeroproject and view his current art. If you are in Austin and want to buy a piece of art from him or have some spare clothes or rain gear or food you are willing to exchange for a piece of artwork you can contact him from his blog.
He will not take a handout. It's pure barter system.
I have trusted this man with my life and I can attest to his character 100% so have no fear and enjoy any encounter you might have with him. He's a true artist, searching for the impossible.
Here's his statement about his mission and his own rules for what he must accomplish:
On October 8, 2008 at 8 am I will have sold, given away, or thrown out everything that I own* and have spent or given away every cent of which those sales had earned along with whatever money remaining in my bank account, such that I am both penniless and without possession.
I will have boarded a plane destined (one way) for Austin, Texas, a place that I have never been and do not know a soul.
Upon reaching my destination, I will survive solely on what my creative works will allow me. This is to say that I may not receive any charity of any kind as well as any work for money or food that is not creatively oriented.
For instance, at the airport I expect to have to find a drawing implement and surface with which I can create a work of art for trade - perhaps for a ride into town, or a granola bar- any necessity that would be considered immediately helpful. From there I will seek to establish myself ever more securely.
I have given myself four objectives in completing this project that I must meet that before returning to Boston:
I must organize and have my art displayed in its own gallery show.
I must perform live on stage.
I must leave a $100 tip
I must pay for my own way home.
It is important to note that while there is a range of acceptable methods; I will seek the most intriguing way possible toward completing them.
Attached to the listed missions will be the following rules that need be attended:
No charity or overpayment of any kind will be permitted. Any service or convenience offered must be reciprocated in advance unless agreed upon materials are required to accomplish the work.
I may not stay in the same place for more than three days on end. I may work for three days consecutively on a particular project and return toward completing it only after a fourth night is spent elsewhere.
I cannot knowingly sell any of my work to family or friends met prior to my journey.
I look forward to any and all opportunities that will explain the mission of this project and while knowing full well that there is no way to predict its full course, my expectations about how the goals will be manifested.
I can be contacted personally at rocduv at rocduv dot com
*But for the single outfit worn on plane, camera with video features w/charger and flash memory, pre-paid wifi Skype telephone w/ charger (Sony Mylo) and a transfered Bally's Gym Membership w/ small lock and key for locker.
Here's a couple pieces of his work:
Morning of Life
Eve
Pedro
He is doing OK atm, he has met a lot of friends in the art community in Austin, but I'd like to give him a little boost, since IMNSHO he has earned it! What frigging balls! He made himself a pauper to improve himself! And he's being successful!
If you know any art people in or near Austin Texas, please forward this to them. Make sure to have them read his blog at absolutezeroproject.com where he makes his own case for himself.