Trends | The University Star | Wednesday June 27, 2012 | 7
Forsaken flip-flops live on as sculpture Sara Beth Worcester, Staff Photographer
Robert Schmid, manager of A. E. Wood Fish Hatchery, creates art from objects he finds on the banks of the San Marcos River. By Xander Peters Features Reporter A San Marcos local is demonstrating how one man’s trash can become another man’s treasure. Robert Schmid, a local artist and manager of A.E. Wood Fish Hatchery, has been searching for artistic inspiration where others might overlook it. While kayaking, Schmid scans the San Marcos River and its banks for flip-flops, driftwood, glass and other miscellaneous pieces that may fit what he calls “found objects” art. The part-time artist has collected more than 2,000 shreds of lost footwear over the last few years of his recover-and-create pastime. In 2010, Schmid featured his installation, The Forest of Lost Soles, in the San Marcos nature center. He has also stockpiled enough driftwood to finish his latest piece, named the Four Gar of Texas. “I wanted to find a way to tell people that flip-flops aren’t the best footwear for the river,” he said. “I had hoped to promote my work as more than just a novelty by using what someone had tossed aside in the water.” Schmid attributed the initial spark that led him to a passion of artistic expression to his wife. She had encouraged him to take up woodcarving classes about 20 years ago. Since then, he has started doing watercolors and constructing abstract pieces such as the flip-flop installation. “I’ve been exposed to art and the spontaneity of the process for a while now and I’ve learned that it takes a lot more than a pretty picture,” Schmid said. “You have to use a certain part of your imagination and
soul to drive art, to be art.” The artist went on to mention how a significant amount of the originality in his work derives from Julia Cameron’s book, The Artist Way. He said the novel instilled in him how the idea of worldly inspiration creates a sense of possibility in almost every walk of life. “I like to take my grandkids on walks down by the river, and when we do, everything I notice around us, an old bicycle, a crooked stick, broken glass, I see as something that could be used for art,” Schmid said. In the future, Schmid would like to find somewhere he can display his work where it would be appreciated. Until then, the casual shoe collector said he plans to continue doing his part to keep the river clean while studying works by famous Texas artists and developing more opinions of his own. “One thing that bugs me about art is how if you’re going to make something so damn abstract, like a painted-black wooden board, then you have to explain it,” he said. “Especially if you’re going to price it for $10,000, because your ‘average Joe’ trying to make a living isn’t going to appreciate that due to the price. So, tell people about your work and why you did it. Maybe someone out there will appreciate your experience with the piece as much as you did.”
Theater program teaches alumna acting skills, leads her to success By Paige Lambert Trends Reporter Terissa Kelton spends her days around cameras, costume artists and creative geniuses. Kelton, Texas State alumna, is developing the next set of projects for Twitchy Dolphin Flix, an independent film company in Austin. Her involvement in the theater program at Texas State led her to Twitchy Dolphin. “Through the classes developing stage acting, I found myself to be a more subtle actor,” said Kelton, 2010 graduate with a BA in acting and mass communication. “I talked to Laura Lane, a faculty member, and started looking for other projects.” In spring of 2009, Kelton found a casting call for “Look At Me Again,” a film being produced by the company. Even though she only went in as an extra, Kelton was asked to audition for another film. She has been involved in every film since. “Terissa has lots of moxie and pluck. After she came on board as an extra, I knew she had a future here,” said James Christopher, president of Twitchy Dolphin. “She has that certain work ethic this business takes, and how to be subtle with emotions where it was needed.” Christopher said that subtlety is important in film. Since the audience is only a few feet from the screen, actors must not go over the top with emotion. After acting in “Turkey Day” and “Snatch ‘n’ Grab,” Kelton tried her hand at producing.
“The owner had pre-cast for “Goin’ Guerrilla,” but he asked me if I wanted to produce,” Kelton said. “I helped with publications, worked with script writers, and really enjoyed the whole process. I eventually got an acting spot, so it was an interesting dynamic being actor and producer.” Kelton went on to produce “3 References,” her sole position for the film. She said she was more excited about this film, which just recently wrapped, because she could focus on producing a great movie. Double majoring at Texas State helped Kelton produce and work in the film business. “It’s cool because I know how to highlight my acting, approach the camera and how to write press releases on the other side of things,” Kelton said. “It really helped me learn how to keep connections and not burn bridges, which can be a tremendous downfall in a small world like the indie film industry.” Kelton has worked on six films with Twitchy Dolphin over the past three years. The company has won awards at major film festivals around the country. She credits her success to Texas State, which helped her prepare for this unique business. “The professors really helped me understand to always be going on to the next thing,” Kelton said. “To move on if you don’t get a role and try to expand your skills.” Kelton’s training, passion and work ethic created a unique style of acting that fits into the Twitchy Dolphin scene. As Christopher said, “it takes a special someone to be twitchy.”