No matter what happens in the world it seems that our little bubble at SNG Studio remains a happy, positive, safe haven for joy. As Adam Savage says, “I reject your reality and substitute my own”. Wise words from a fellow crazy man I know. Making and creating art saves lives and promotes good mental health. Because having a purpose is supreme. As Gary Hughes says, “Life just makes sense again”. The makers and artists that are my friends keep us inspired and we keep them inspired. It’s an endless cycle of joy, imagination and magic.
This entire week has been a series of daily interviews by book writers, podcasts, and live video-stream shows all focusing on my career. It would seem my past and present are catching up with me. What I learned from these interviews was the difference I have made in people’s lives as a result of my work in films. I have been so busy that I never gave it a thought before.
It was heartwarming and down right emotional. All these movies, TV shows, and commercials have changed people’s life paths and set many of them on careers of their own as well as giving them joy and enriching their lives. Never discount the fans, be open to them and listen because they are an important part of who we are.
Yesterday was the last interview for this week. Alan Holzman came to interview me at the studio. Allan and I hadn’t seen each other since the wrap day of the movie “Forbidden World” 40 years ago. He was the director of the film and he had kept a journal on making the film which is now a book. It finishes with interviews with all the people that worked on his crew. It was a wonderful meeting. And the questions he asked and the memories they brought back were amazing. He is still that calm and wonderfully kind man he was 40 years ago.
I was in charge of making all the stages of the alien creature. What an experience it was making this film.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083959/reference/
Also this week I got a call from the Academy of Model Aeronautics https://www.modelaircraft.org/ . They are the largest and oldest organization for model aviation in the world. They had interviewed me for both their magazine and live stream. I spoke of a much needed film about the importance of model aviation. And how it needs to be made. A film that expresses how model aviation changed the world we live in. Everything from the air buses we fly in to our landing on the moon all started with the gateway of model aviation. They asked me how I might envision such a film and I told them a talking heads point A to B documentary is not the way to go. It’s been done and it never engages an audience that isn’t already into aviation. I also talked about the lack of interest by our young people. We need new pilots, astronauts, engineers, rocket scientists and more. We need to engage the public with the hopes they will involve their children in this wonderful hobby that will lead to great careers of great opportunity. Their children can change the world. At the end of the interview they said they would get back to me about this and they did. They are very serious about making such a film. So this is all very exciting for me as this is a film I really want to make. Something that might continue to inspire people to change the world and set it on a correct path of discovery, exploration, and enlightenment as we touch the stars.
I didn’t paint this but I wish I had. This is where it all begins. That first moment when you’re young and you see this airplane fly over that fills you with wonder and captures your imagination. This is what I want to bring to the screen and peoples’ hearts.
I didn’t get much hands-on work done this week but we will return to our regular schedule next week of painting and finishing masks that await their new homes.
These masks all await hair and some paint.
In between the lines, I found time to work on this beautiful structure of a Heinkel HE. 112 free flight WW2 fighter being built for a contest in October. It has to be super light to fly well enough to be the last plane to land in the mass launch. The last one down wins.
It needs final sanding, covering, paint and bits but it’s well on its way. It was one of the more difficult builds I have ever made.
Mary is working on a new bird series of chickens. No blog post from her this week but here is sneak peek of a chick she is working on:
As always, never stop looking up
(and no, the sky is not falling) and having love and joy in your hearts. This is the strongest force in the universe and it cures all.
Lost of love,
Steve and Mary
Fine Art America – Steve Neill
SNG Aero – Rockets by Steve Neill
…and Mary on the web
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The Art of Steve Neill 