Jordan Swartz-The Rad Times #15

Success obviously means many things to many people and I believe it should be self-defined. If you’ve spent any time around me you’ve probably heard me say “Pursue the things that interest you” and this has always been my North Star. In a time of likes, and hearts, and re-fucking-whatevers, it’s easy to get caught up in the idea that you need to do more, share more, make more in order to “make it,” but I think we often underestimate how much of an impact we have here and now. I’ve loved art, I have since I was a young child, I’ve studied the masters, I’ve read the books, I’ve been to museums in foreign countries; one of my favorite artists is Colin Smith. I found his work when I was in high school through a punk message board and as a young aspiring artist he showed me a path I could pursue. He made books and paintings, wrote essays, took photos, and made digital collages, all of this way more impactful to me than anything I saw in a museum or a history book.
I’ve received a few messages over the years about my photozine “I’m Alright to Drive” and how it has inspired them to keep photographing or how they hope to put out a zine like it one day- that is all absolutely wild to me. Photos I took on tour of my best friends and made a zine of in 2013 is still rippling through the world. You never know where what you do may end up or who you’re currently influencing. Go pursue the things that interest you and share it with the world.

Thanks for hanging!
Be good to each other.

Val Kilmer passed away since my last newsletter and in the ensuing internet tributes I stumbled across this old Chuck Klosterman article originally from 2005. Val Kilmer was one of my favorite actors, hovering somewhere between character actor and leading man, he tried it all and brought an amazing charisma and movement to any movie he was in. I first really saw him in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and worked backwards, his late ‘80s through ‘90s run is unparalleled. Chuck Klosterman as well, is one of my favorite interviewers, he asks follow up questions that you weren’t thinking of and didn’t know you wanted to know.

I’ve read this article (Snapshots From a Rock ‘n’ Roll Marriage) at various times over the years; formerly touring for large parts of the year, every relationship seemed predetermined to be doomed and in the last few years breaking up with the woman I thought I was going to marry, it’s resonance having morphed over the years. What has remained is that objects have meaning. I haven’t acquired many possessions over the years but there are a few that I’ve trekked state to state; a t shirt that reads “fuck weddings,” the record of the band the German Kid played in, a black and white polaroid. Each of these items tell entire novels worth of stories to me and maybe no one else, but that’s ok.

I’ve loved stand-up comedy since I was a teen staying up late to watch Comedy Central, for good and bad, much of it now is just digging around youtube finding clips or listening to comedy podcasts, the latter is how I found Brooks Wheelan, his delivery and self awareness are what first grabbed me. I’ve watched this special twice since I found it and his take on crowd work at the end shows his creativity and ingenuity.

The Earth Path Indicator was the gps of it's time, installed in the 1962 Mercury capsule, when John Glenn and Scott Carpenter became the first Americans to orbit the Earth, it helped them determine their position relative to Earth. I’ve watched videos, I’ve read articles, I can’t even begin to explain how this worked, I just know first machines are a true fascination of mine. How do you build the first directional guide for one of the first manned space flights? There are so many pieces and variables to this, while simultaneously being the predecessor to our modern gps that directs us on a daily basis.

I have a couple new 24”×30” paintings available, it’s been so good finding my rhythm while still endlessly experimenting. They’re both available for purchase and can ship, just send me a message.

I have a few big projects launching (hopefully, patience has never been my strong suit) in the next couple months; two boutique hotel branding projects including identity, collateral, signage, merchandise, and website, as well as an identity project for a pizza chain that’s part of a larger resort. Some other fun stuff sprinkled in between as well, branding for a floral project and a summer camp, and some more work for the legends at Happy Jack Cap Co.