SHOP TALK: Rob Schamberger Newsletter 17NOV24
No-one needs anyone, they don't even just pretend.
Hi. My name's Rob Schamberger. I'm that guy who paints rasslers. And other stuff. I'm afraid I can't help it.
WORDS
After doing the last several studies of my model Zelda, I made a couple of my regular model Doug as well (above and below). I wanted to apply a lot of the concepts and stylistic approaches I’d developed with her and see if they’d translate to the male figure as well.
I took inspiration for both from Caravaggio’s paintings of John the Baptist in addition to the other work I’ve been doing. Part of the joy of working with different models is their different approaches to their craft, not just with posing but also in their faces and their overall energy. I say that with my wrestling paintings all of the time, right, that I don’t want them to just LOOK like the subjects but to give the viewer the same FEELING they get as watching them compete. A lot of that basic concept comes through with my other personal projects and especially will with this one.
One of my therapists introduced the idea of the list of human needs to me. It’s a relatively new concept in the therapy world that expands on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, taking a look at what the human brain needs to function comfortably. There’s several different lists out there, as every person is unique and valid unto themselves who have different needs in life. But there is some universality to it as you go through them.
When my therapist handed me one of the lists, I have to be honest that my eyes glazed over. There was just too much. I found another one that ‘only’ had about thirty on it, which seemed manageable as a way in to understanding the concept.
It’s interesting in that it works hand-in-hand with the ‘emotion wheel’ concept that I’ve based my Emotion Series paintings off of, as well as the trauma tools I use to manage my PTSD. I can look at what I’m feeling, identify ways to manage them if what I’m feeling is overwhelming me, and now look further at what needs of mine are not being met that can lead to those overwhelming emotions.
And with my Emotion Series paintings coming to a close once I finish the last one next month I’ve been looking at what I can do next in this space. With the direction society seems to be going, I’m pulling my emotional boundaries in a lot closer and looking inwards to examine how best to manage myself, which is also making my work in therapy so much more important to me. There’s a saying in the arts that they more personal and honest one gets with their work, the more universal it becomes as others are able to see themselves in it.
So, TL;DR: I’m going to do 30-ish paintings of visual representations of some Human Needs. Unlike the Emotion Series, these aren’t specifically how -I- experience them, but done hopefully to instead help myself and others understand them and allow the concepts into their lives. Above are some watercolor sketches I whipped up to help myself, my photographer and our models to put the reference shots together to make them.
I’m excited to start sharing the paintings with you in the weeks and months to come!
Here’s a preview of Thursday’s new Hikaru Shida painting. Tikka’s worked really hard on it.
UPCOMING AEW/PWT PAINTINGS
Hikaru Shida - SIGNED
Sting
Konosuke Takashita - SIGNED
Hangman Adam Page - SIGNED
Card subject to change.
Rob’s Art on ShopAEW
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Rob and Jason Arnett's novella Rudow Can't Fail!
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Rob’s prints and shirts at Pro Wrestling Tees
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Instagram
Threads
Bluesky
Cara
YouTube
WHAT I LIKED THIS WEEK
I finished up watching Cobra Kai season six part two yesterday morning and I don’t know why I keep underestimating this show. Like, it’ll seem a little too bubblegummy and then some absolutely crazy things will happen. It’s really amazing how they keep finding the balance between pop and emotional realism. I think there’s also an argument that this is the best of the nostalgia genre, where it has plenty of nods to the Karate Kid movies while also keeping the focus on the new characters.
Katy and I started watching Say Nothing on Friday night. I saw the trailer and was immediately sold and when I showed it to Katy she was like, “Yeah, I just read that book a few months ago. Totally in.” I’m fascinated to see where it’s going, but so far it’s doing a solid job of showing things from the IRA’s perspective while also not losing sight of the flawed humans involved in both sides of the conflict and how their actions affect themselves, one another, and the civilians around them who are just trying to exist.
Somebody, Somewhere season three is wrapping up one of Katy and I’s current favorite shows about a bunch of social outcasts creating bonds and community with one another. It’s frequently outrageously funny while also warm and genuine. It’s the kind of show that in the 80’s and 90’s would have been a beloved indy movie and I’m so glad that it was able to be made.
On Friday I finished listening to the audiobook for The Narrows by Michael Connelly, because I needed something that had a bit of grit but wasn’t too challenging. It’s another one of the Bosch Universe crossover books, bringing together Harry Bosch and characters from Connelly’s other books like Blood Work, The Poet and Void Moon. Listen, there’s nothing particularly great about this, but there’s also nothing wrong with it and with where my brain’s at right now that’s perfectly fine.
I finished up reading The Goon Omnibus volume one by Eric Powell. I’d never read any of this before, for no reason other than I hadn’t. It’s right in my wheelhouse, especially Powell’s gorgeous art which you can watch quickly evolve throughout the course of this collection. I do have to say that this is enjoyed more in small bites rather than large chunks. Or as I like to say, it’s a perfect bathroom book. Which honestly fits perfectly with these characters.
I also read the visual tour de force that is the second half of Blacksad: They All Fall Down Juan Diaz Canales and Juanjo Guarnido. This is one of those like Cobra Kai where they find balance, this time with a very dark noir story that just happens to be told with anthropomorphized animals led by a black cat detective. Like, this would have been too heavy with human characters but is palatable thanks to Guarnido’s gorgeous art depicting these humanlike animals. It’s a delicate balance that they do perfectly.
James Brown doing Payback live in 1974. You’re welcome.
Faces.
YOU GOOD?
Last night Katy and I joined my longtime great friend Tom and his family for his birthday. Tom and I became friends back in 1999(!) and instantly clicked. We misspent our youths together drinking like fish, watching wrestling, getting into heated arguments about utter nonsense and occasionally running from the cops. As our wild days passed, our bond stayed.
Not only did I get a brotherly bond with this guy, but I also immediately clicked with his incredible family. If you’re a fellow outcast type with dubious familial relations, you’ve probably also found one of those types of families that accepts you as the person you are, who helps you to grow simply because you want to be as lovely as they are. That’s Tom and his family and I’ve been wonderfully fortunate for the past quarter century to hug them and tell them I love them.
In a time when so much about society seems uncertain and often terrifying, it’s vital to identify and embrace the people who love you for who you are and help you to feel safe and valid simply by being in their presence.
Love you more,
Rob