When someone decides something is going to become a regular part of their lives, it is usually because it brings on a sensation of pleasure. Whether it be a favorite shirt, a favorite food, or a favorite place you like to visit, something about it, especially when you first experienced it, makes you want to repeat that sensation, over and over again. To me, being a regular part of my life means to be extraordinary and special.
When it comes to FH, regulars are the key reason for it's success and continuation. Blog readers who drop by on a regular basis are one of the main reasons I am stimulated to continue. I look forward to the blog viewers who regularly comment, or e-mail me their thoughts on what I post. Most importantly, the artists that regularly contribute are the artists whose work inspires me the most. I have neither the time, nor the inclination, to spend what precious spare time I have, writing and creating pieces on anything, or anyone that doesn't stimulate me in someway. Whether it be visually or emotionally, the artist who appear regularly have the ability to touch and excite with each project or shoot they take on.
Richard Rothstein is a regular. For the past two years, I have been delighted to be able to feature Richard's work on a regular basis. Every time I view his work, I am continually amazed at his ability to create such visual and colorful masterpieces with such ease. From his spectacular New York cityscape's through his work with balloons, bodies or the Lord of the Jungle. Lucky for us, one of Richard's regular subjects has been model and personal trainer Rob Eco. Richard and Rob have created an amazing artistic partnership and I have been fortunate enough to be able to share the results of their work together. In or out of his loin cloth, Rob creates a stir whenever he and Richard are out on the streets shooting. As you can tell by the images, people love to join him and get in on the action.
What I hope will be a regular stop for many of you, is a stop at Rob's new blog, ProjectEco. Rob says his site is not another fitness blog. fitness is merely his lifestyle. it just happens to directly contribute to every bit of success that he has earned. 'This is my project. this is my life. this is the inspiration behind it.'
Richard on Rob
'To a great extent, the inspiration comes from the fact that Rob is the first straight man I've come to call a true friend who is completely and utterly without judgement. In fact, Rob's natural acceptance of who I am in every way gives me a feeling of normalcy and calm that is not easy for a gay man of my generation (born in 1948.) So when Rob decided to start his own blog to promote his emerging career as a model, actor and trainer it seemed only natural to me that his theme would be "inspiration". Rob's new blog covers the people, moments, music, art and magic that inspires him as he inspires me.'
'Our latest shoot was very much about inspiration. Rob and I are both the grandchildren and great grandchildren of immigrants. In his case, Italians. In my case, English, Austrian, Russian, Spanish and Polish. That's the America made great by immigration and inspiration. So we returned to our American roots: New York City's Lower East Side, once a global lodestone for men and women seeking freedom and opportunity. Today, that famous neighborhood is alive with hip bars, edgy clubs, avant garde art galleries and a vibrant nightlife that most certainly inspires--perhaps not in expected ways--but when is inspiration found in the expected. I hope you enjoy some of the images we captured as we sought out the inspiration of our immigrant roots and, as you can see, inspired many others along the way.'
