Early 2014, I discovered a truly unique soul, Frank Andrews. Perhaps one of the best influences of my lifetime, he became not only a teacher but a tethered friend. We had a serendipitous strange meeting, but that is both of our styles (much like many of his friends I imagine.) I came across his name in a book and dropped him a line, not for a reading, but to ask him why I felt the way I felt. I left him the most wacky voicemail. Truly I just knew I needed to meet him. Oddly enough, he invited me over to his otherworldly house on Mulberry Street for tea. It wasn't filled with stereotypical occult objects, but memories, both physical and spiritual. His home is wildly in tune with something else that felt familiar. Since then, Frank Andrews has been a dear friend and astounding teacher.
Perhaps it was my gypsy blood, but I believe he found me strange. And one thing about Frank is he loves all things strange. As Frank says, "Pretending to be a normal person day after day is exhausting." During my last years at NYU, I would visit Frank for a class weekly to learn the art of the tarot, palmistry, and just about life in general –– all purely out of friendship. I have been an artist for as long as I can remember, and Frank truly provided the knowledge to guide me in my work.
Frank gifted me a plethora of antique books as I built my own sketchbook of archival information from 2014-17. As I learned, I wrote, painted, and opened my first business, Storm Ritter Studio. And no matter what, I continued visits with Frank, even just for tea and story time. Essentially, these hours became an other-worldly experience that taught me to be the person I am today. Frank is the man. If we go out to grab food around Little Italy, he's a local celebrity. He's simply a person with a innately rare aura that lights up a room.
ESOTERIC SKETCHBOOK 2014-19
The Cool People truly came alive when I met him; subconsciously, I believe he kicked down a door in my mind. He allowed me to see the universe again with opened eyes. As I taught myself an ambidextrous style of painting, The Cool People were birthed in 2014, and little did I know would become the pillars of my artistic world. View content from my early years while learning tarot with Frank Andrews. As of 2021, my solo shows and Storm Ritter Galleries showcased my evolved surrealist work, but without this foundation, would not be what they are today.
Frank has been a supporter of my work, attending my shows. As artists we are often asked who are our influences. Mine, Frank Andrews. Funny thing is, he never taught me about art, just about people. With my eccentric vibe, we were bound to cross paths, and I always give credit where it's due with Frank.
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