2018 - 2021 OVERVIEW VOLUME II
The process of crafting an image is a meditative experience, often leaving him engrossed for hours. He refers to this state as entering into a higher con- sciousness, a realm he prefers to inhabit. During these extended periods of creation, he discovers small joys actively experimenting with new fea- tures, techniques, and approaches, in both graphic and visual arts. His learning methods offer limit- less possibilities. He prepares each morning to enter this state of mind and stay there as long as the day allows, but life has its ways of interrupting studio time. He wears a headset to give his mind something to crunch on while he works with his hands. When a phone call comes in he presses a button on his headset and hardly misses a beat continuing to work while talking. In 2019, after a fulfilling career spanning over 43 years, Shooster retired from the family business. It was a customer service center representing some of America’s finest brands including The Metropol- itan Museum of Art; MoMA - Modern Art Museum; Chicago Institute of Art; Hermes; Toyota; Wollford; Zara; Crate and Barrel , among others. Being sur- rounded by these brands inspired him to create his own brand, Shoosty™ During this period (2018-2021), Shooster com- pleted writing the biography of his father. Com- pleting this was the culmination of 8 years of effort. The book is titled, Herman Shooster: The Son of a Tailor Who Was the Son of a Shoemaker. “I have never been more compelled to fin- ish a project. I was hanging on every shred as I sat for about two hours each morning thinking about my father. If I could just do it again, I would have been so much more careful with the time we had together.” - Stephen Shooster
For Shooster, the act of creating provides the art- ist with a sense of control. The smooth motions in- volved in observing deeply and discovering not just solid shapes and light, but also reflections, moods, and myths expand his thinking. Coupled with daily writing, these activities help organize his thoughts in unique ways. Shooster believes in documenting all his work. He says as it allows him to measure his progress and understand his place in art history. This practice is akin to documenting experiments in science. Each page in this catalogue is a milestone in his artistic journey, marking his evolution as an artist. Through this catalogue of his work, Shoosty invites us to see the world through his eyes - a world filled with music, travel, history, and endless possibilities.
“Art is not what you see but what you make others see.” - Edward Degas French Impressionist
Stephen and Herman Shooster
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