Off the Wall, On the Mark
By JEANNÉ McCARTIN
Imagine a kid of means let loose at the candy counter; jaw breakers, Mary Janes, Mint Juleps for the taking. It’s a decent starting point for understanding the life that multi-discipline artist Ross Bachelder has created for himself.
"One thing that defines me is that I’m definitely the antithesis of specialized, unless to say artist," says 59-year-old Bachelder. "I go where the spirit moves me ... I am a juggler."
Bachelder’s early stats hinted at what was to come; a graduate of Eastern Michigan University, with a BA in music and an MA in English Literature. In ‘74, the native Michaganite, along with his wife, decided it was time for a new adventure. Seeking a place sans big city stimuli, they settled in Berwick, Maine.
Soon after, Bachelder’s bent was evident. He became involved with theater, directing, producing and acting. Over time he worked in one or all capacities at Hackmatack Playhouse, Dover Repertory Theater and with Portland venues. Reaching back to his formal training, he began performing as a stage and pit musician at Rochester Opera House, Hackmatack and the Bell Center.
A trained classic flutist, when not accompanying actors in theater he performs at numerous regional venues. The instrument was Bachelder’s first concentration. While he refers to this selection as "serendipitous," it was decidedly a more practical decision than most his later endeavors.
While the two were in grammar school, his older brother played the trombone. When it came time for Bachelder to join the band, he naturally went to his sibling for some sage advice.
"He said, ‘I’ll tell you, don’t play the trombone. You get to much hassle from the bus driver ... I’ve played flute since. Took private lessons from sixth grade to collage."
Initially his intent was the traditional track. He taught for seven years. But even then, he’d decided to make art a "complete career."
When first performing, his music was specialized and traditional, then "I loosened up." Today, Bachelder still plays chamber music, but has expanded his repertoire - in untraditional manner - and plays solo.
"There’s a lot of unaccompanied music out there for flute. ... I play etudes taking the (flute) to ... its total range."
Then there’s the unusual blend of genres.
"I love to mix contemporary, classical and jazz and Irish stuff. Oh yeah, I’ve been doing that for years. ... People find it very refreshing," he says, adding with a laugh "some people do."
"Locally it’s considered experimental or unorthodox. But to me it seems as natural as rain to bring different music together in a set. ... It’s more invigorating for me personally."
He also has a preference for the off beat setting, solo flute at a café or music store. bring different music together in a set. ... It’s more invigorating for me personally."
Bachelder’s other main endeavor is writing. He has been a correspondent for a number of local newspapers over the years. Today, he works even more independently, scouting out the intriguing story, writing it because it interests him, and then perhaps finding it a home.
Only recently he completed an article, which took him two months. Its focus was a first time, elderly playwright in a Berwick nursing home.
"He was afraid he’d die before seeing (his play) performed. I thought it was such a meaningful story. I thought, ‘I need to write that story.’" While it did appear in the York Independent, having it printed wasn’t the motivation, Bachelder says.
"My favorite art is what comes out of real life situations instead of art that’s created to build a career. The point was the story; the lone soul wanting to share before he died."
That same motivation sparked the recent piece sent to Kaleidoscope Magazine on a theater company in Akron, Ohio with members of "every imaginable disability."
"I thought it needed to be told."
Or explored, or sung about, photographed, or painted. It’s his modus operandi, a life designed for riding the creative wave. It’s what he did six years ago, when he took up the visual arts.
"I decided to just do it and see where it would go. ... I began painting and showing. It’s uneven and unpredictable and I’m not sure that’s changing. But I couldn’t be happier than I am at the things I do."
The addition of another discipline only enhances this generalist’s pleasure.
"I’m fascinated with the interaction in my own mind of all the creative things I do, between how my music has affected my taste in painting, how theater affects me as a musician and all of it on me as a writer."
Bachelder brings that same approach and enthusiasm to his day job as manager of the frame shop Ben Franklin Crafts in Rochester and Franklin Gallery the in-house exhibition space he established there. He doesn’t see this work as separate from his "ART." It is art.
"I enjoy framing and designing people’s art. ... It’s enormously satisfying," he says "I see them as no less creative than anything else I’ve told you I do. All human endeavor is potentially creative, whether it’s the appreciation of an elaborate sewer system or piece of machinery."
As a practice Bachelder goes out and appreciates others’ works three or four times a week. ("Good to confront the fact that tons of work is better than my own.") "I’m completely immersed in the arts. I spend my free time at exhibits, recitals plays."
He’ll travel long distances "to see things I’m interested in," and venturing out "to big cities, to see what’s happening."
"I love to react in a visceral way to (other’s work). I can run home after an experience and say ‘I’ll find the time to do that,’ not say I can’t do it.’"
To see that influence and get a sense of the man, one only need to head to the Franklin Gallery, through June 30, and take in "On the Wall, Off the Wall," his solo show.
"It’s a strange grab-bag of things. That’s what you’re going to see, lot of photos, a few paintings, a handful of drawings and few surprises."
Because he established the gallery, the artist is slightly apologetic when first discussing the show. He took the spot after an artist dropped out at the last minute. Back in his studio sat a new collection of work. It just fit.
"I’d been hiding so long I decided to come back out. I had no intention of showing my stuff, but in a way it’s false modesty isn’t it. It’s just another place."
Bachelder doesn’t consider himself a great or accomplished painter. He’s not sure he’ll ever be. Creating it is about process, expression and succeeding at the level one is meant to. It’s a practice he suggest to everyone.
"Immerse yourself in the art. Make it part of daily life. Let the chips fall where they may," he says. "I’m not interested in fame. ... But I am interested in producing till the day I die."
For now, that means a concentration in flute, writing and any of the visual arts. Theater is in the back seat. That said, one never knows what the next experience will spark.
"I’ve created an unconventional life," he says. "I know I’ll never be well known for any one artistic endeavor, because of my choice to do so many things.
"But I will be known, now and later, for my sense of adventure and initiative and willingness to challenge my own presumption," says Bachelder.
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