Topic: 500,000 posts, $89 million, and my paintings (Read 37841 times)

JimH · « **on:** December 18, 2012, 06:22:13 pm »

Sometime in the next week, we will pass half a million posts on Interact.
http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?action=stats

That's a lot of conversation. Most of it pleasant, some entertaining, a little of it hilarious. Thank you.

The forum must have started about ten years ago. I could look it up, I guess.

The company began in 1981. We were 30 years old in 2011 when I wrote this:
http://jriver.com/30.html

My younger daughter, Anna, and her home goods store, now occupy the store whose window is pictured there. She's had a lot of press since she opened in September. Here's a recent article and it tells a lot about her, the building, and how it all started:
http://www.handfulofsalt.com/profile-anna-hillegass-the-foundry-home-goods-store/

and her web site:
http://www.thefoundryhomegoods.com/-/HOME.html

Veronique is opening a gallery in an adjoining space. Here's the lighting going in last week:
http://pix01.com/P01@YqaJ

But what I meant to write about was Matt. Most of you know him and have probably learned what a smart, good natured person he is. He was a real find when his old boss, Nikolay, found him. Nikolay had discovered lossless audio, and Matt had written Monkey's Audio, one of the leading formats of the time. The other was FLAC. Nikolay realized how good he was immediately and offered him a job. A few years later, Matt had Nikolay's job.

So, if you know Matt, it should not surprise you to learn that he is in charge of JRiver. I gave him the reins a few months ago, so that I can begin to recede, retreat, retrench...

I know that Matt will put his considerable energy into his new job. Some things will change. But I also know that Matt has a deep respect for all kinds of people, and that he will preserve the place that is JRiver. Some things will change. But most things will remain the same. Together with all of our team, and with many of you, we've managed to make a unique corner of the universe. I know this will last.

I'm 68 now. I love working. I don't expect to quit. I just want to work a little less, and I don't want to get in Matt's way. I hope to help Anna, and Matt, and Veronique in their own adventures. Mine is a new path.

Last year, I noticed that a Mark Rothko painting sold for $89 million. It's a big painting. It's called "Orange, Red, Yellow". Then I read that Gerhard Richter's total for 2011 was $211 million. So I thought, "Why not?" "Give it a go."

Here's how I've been spending the time I've been stealing from JRiver:
http://seriouspainter.blogspot.com/

MrC · « **Reply #1 on:** December 18, 2012, 06:37:56 pm »

That's big news. Good for you and Godspeed.

I'll purchase your first impressionistic Jackalope.

JimH · « **Reply #2 on:** December 18, 2012, 06:39:41 pm »

Quote from: MrC on December 18, 2012, 06:37:56 pm

That's big news. Good for you and Godspeed.

I'll purchase your first impressionistic Jackalope.

Thanks. It's going to be north of $20.

jmone · « **Reply #3 on:** December 18, 2012, 06:49:31 pm »

Congratulations to both Jim and Matt! They are both "rich" men as they are doing something they love and doing it well. Great to see the transition is keeping it in the "family". So who is taking on the role of the "young turk" now that Matt is the old and grumpy one?

rjm · « **Reply #4 on:** December 18, 2012, 07:26:19 pm »

Good on you Jim. Congratulations to Matt.

Got any Elvis on velvet for sale?

pcstockton · « **Reply #5 on:** December 18, 2012, 07:41:03 pm »

Nice work!!! I expect to see you in MoMA in no time. Your 4x5 piece is SIC! Good luck!

Cheers,
Patrick

fitbrit · « **Reply #6 on:** December 18, 2012, 09:38:59 pm »

Congratulations to Matt in his new position. Good on you, Jim, for taking this time to slow down and pursue other ventures too. Thanks for the back story.

mojave · « **Reply #7 on:** December 18, 2012, 09:46:17 pm »

68! You're old enough to be my mom!

Congratulations on the transition. If you ever need some company in the Sandhills, let me know.

Matt, you've been doing a great job! I'm looking forward to where things are headed for JRiver. When are we going to get a Hillegas skin for Theater View?

marko · « **Reply #8 on:** December 19, 2012, 12:07:06 am »

Amazing. All the best to both of you along your new paths. You have created something quite unique here... not many people get to do that in their lives.

I'll have a single malt at the weekend and raise my glass to you.

jmone · « **Reply #9 on:** December 19, 2012, 12:21:52 am »

Quote from: marko on December 19, 2012, 12:07:06 am

Amazing. All the best to both of you along your new paths. You have created something quite unique here... not many people get to do that in their lives.

I'll have a single malt at the weekend and raise my glass to you.

Why wait? - I'll add a cigar to the malt tonight. Cheers to Jim and Matt

pcstockton · « **Reply #10 on:** December 19, 2012, 01:06:22 am »

Quote from: jmone on December 19, 2012, 12:21:52 am

Why wait? - I'll add a cigar to the malt tonight. Cheers to Jim and Matt

Agreed. I just had 7 pints (whilst having an amazing music sesh)... all to your honor and my liver.

-Patrick

gappie · « **Reply #11 on:** December 19, 2012, 02:12:10 am »

that is nice!! i like the painting, success with that jim!
and i love mc, im happy to know it stays in good hands. all the best with that matt

gab

MrHaugen · « **Reply #12 on:** December 19, 2012, 02:47:25 am »

Congrats to all of you! That's some impressing numbers.
If you're stepping down Jim, I'm glad that Matt is taking control. He'll do an excellent job as usual, I'm sure.

Gatherum · « **Reply #13 on:** December 19, 2012, 07:24:53 am »

I obviously haven't been around through most of this company's history, but I still want to say thank you for all that you guys have done. I'm glad to see that you're still keeping yourself busy, Jim. You've more than earned the lighter load. Godspeed on everything that you decide to do from this point onward. \m/

Magic_Randy · « **Reply #14 on:** December 19, 2012, 08:53:22 am »

Congratulations to both Jim and Matt. Well deserved on both accounts

For Jim we will remember you always, stay in touch on the forum. Hopefully you will see your your first $89m sale soon.

For Matt you are now seeing another side of the business. Enjoy your broader set of responsibilities which I'm sure you will execute with equal success.

InflatableMouse · « **Reply #15 on:** December 19, 2012, 12:25:21 pm »

Congrats Matt! I'm sure you'll do a geat job.

Godspeed Jim. I really hope you'll drop by every once in while, show some of your new paintings and have a little chat. I know even less about painting than I know about programming but they look great!

Sandy B Ridge · « **Reply #16 on:** December 19, 2012, 02:32:30 pm »

Congratulations to you both and I wish you both much enjoyment in your new roles.

SBR

vagskal · « **Reply #17 on:** December 19, 2012, 04:28:57 pm »

Quote from: Sandy B Ridge on December 19, 2012, 02:32:30 pm

Congratulations to you both and I wish you both much enjoyment in your new roles.

+1

You have created a friendly and productive place here on the forums. Keep up the good work.

drmimosa · « **Reply #18 on:** December 19, 2012, 07:24:43 pm »

Quote from: vagskal on December 19, 2012, 04:28:57 pm

You have created a friendly and productive place here on the forums. Keep up the good work.

You built JRiver from the ground up... and tamed the internet in your free time. That's the stuff legends are made of...

Many thanks for building JRiver and Interact, an incredible product and an inspiring community. Bon voyage in your future projects, Jim!!!

KingSparta · « **Reply #19 on:** December 19, 2012, 07:44:41 pm »

Interesting that I also started learning how to draw what is called "Manga", It is Japanese for "comics" or "whimsical images".

Drawing is something I have always wanted to learn how to do.

haylo75 · « **Reply #20 on:** December 19, 2012, 08:14:51 pm »

Congratulations to both Jim & Matt on opening new chapters in their lives. I did the same this year, and my life is all the richer for it. Good luck to you both!

rjm · « **Reply #21 on:** December 19, 2012, 11:11:14 pm »

Matt, I hope you consider getting a really good exec assistant so you have time to keep coding.

Listener · « **Reply #22 on:** December 20, 2012, 12:38:17 am »

Congratulations and best wishes to Jim and Matt. You've created something we all use and love. I'm sure that JRiver will continue to get better.

Bill

BryanC · « **Reply #23 on:** December 20, 2012, 01:11:58 am »

I find it comforting that even after 68 years, there will always be the opportunity to begin a new chapter.

jack wallstreet · « **Reply #24 on:** December 20, 2012, 09:50:37 am »

Also my congratuations to Jim and Matt. And also my thanks for creating and improving such an excellent product.

And for the unique way of listening to and serving customer needs.

locust · « **Reply #25 on:** December 20, 2012, 10:26:28 am »

wish you all the best in your new endeavours Jim, thanks for creating this product, hands down best program I have ever come across..

I agree I'd like to see a skin based on your art..

You'll have to setup an auto poster so Matt can't beat your post count lol

lise · « **Reply #26 on:** December 20, 2012, 02:42:50 pm »

Wow, Jim. That's quite the news. I raise my glass of Grand Marnier to toast you and all your success with jriver. I wish you all the best in your new chosen path. It's great that you will be spending more time with the more personal (and less gadgety) paints and canvasses.

And Matt, good for you. I still remember you as the new kid at jriver. Well look at you know, all growed up ;-) JRiver is in the best hands, that much I know. So here's a toast to you Matt. Way to go!

Anyone else I can toast? I need an excuse for my 2nd glass... Ah yes, Anne and Veronica, here's to you both!

NickF · « **Reply #27 on:** December 20, 2012, 05:49:44 pm »

Well, Jim, don't expect to relax too much in retirement. I joined that world a couple of years ago and have never been so busy! I am very glad that I found the time to discover JRiver and am truly grateful for the superb product and for your personal help as I have discovered its capabilities. Enjoy your art and your family.

Congratulations, Matt. JRiver is clearly in safe hands. I am sure that Jim has been an excellent mentor.

Nick.

DarkPenguin · « **Reply #28 on:** December 20, 2012, 06:27:53 pm »

That's a good Rothko to pick. One of the few that doesn't make you want to slash your wrists after staring at it for 15 minutes.

Matt, the berry tums are good and I recommend meditation over xanax. If you do get an exec assistant I would recommend recruiting from Sinners over Scores or Deja Vu.

Sounds like lots of fun stuff is happening on 1st St.

Mike48 · « **Reply #29 on:** December 20, 2012, 06:37:13 pm »

Congratulations and best wishes to both.

gvanbrunt · « **Reply #30 on:** December 20, 2012, 11:26:45 pm »

This is both happy and sad news. I've hung around these forums for quite a long time and I can say I'm used to both Matt and Jim being here, but I guess at some point you have to pursue other interests than full time work.

Congratulations to you both. Here's to another successful and rewarding 31 years...

sunfire7 · « **Reply #31 on:** December 20, 2012, 11:27:34 pm »

Wow... just. WOW

eddyshere · « **Reply #32 on:** December 26, 2012, 05:51:54 pm »

30 years of entrepreneurship and such a product. Guys, I wish you all the best in your new roles. Jim, painting is good but do not switch over completely : painters only get rich when they die

....MC should have made you by now and it has to be a daily reward remembering back all those years while you double-click on the logo and read MC 18(!)
CONGRATS for this amazing piece of software !!!

JimH · « **Reply #33 on:** January 10, 2013, 07:02:04 pm »

When I said I was slowly retiring from the business, I didn't mean to give the impression that I had died or that I would quit working. I meant to say mainly that Matt is in charge now. I'll still be around to ask and answer questions.

My other interest has been painting. We've sent this invitation out today and I'd like to extend it to anyone else who may live nearby and have an interest.

----

Veronique is opening a gallery in the foundry, next door to my daughter, Anna's store. It opens at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, January 15. The address is 125 N First St, Minneapolis.

As you might know, I've been painting since July. You can see a little about it here:

http://seriouspainter.blogspot.com/

The first show Veronique is doing is of my work. I'm incredibly grateful to her for considering it worth the trouble. I'm inviting you on Tuesday so you can see first hand what class she has. Here's a whiff of what you may see:

http://pix01.com/o01%40mtav

The gallery will close at 5:00 on Tuesday. If you come after 4:00, we'll offer a glass of wine.

Warm regards,

Jim

glynor · « **Reply #34 on:** January 10, 2013, 08:29:01 pm »

Darnit...

I want to come. You said the magic words.

JimH · « **Reply #35 on:** March 11, 2013, 12:37:55 pm »

More of my $89 million paintings

fitbrit · « **Reply #36 on:** March 11, 2013, 12:59:47 pm »

I really like the ones at around 2:30.

And sorry, I can't resist... they are JimH eye candy!

JimH · « **Reply #37 on:** March 11, 2013, 01:01:10 pm »

Make an offer.

rjm · « **Reply #38 on:** March 11, 2013, 01:02:04 pm »

Nice. I'd pay for one of the those.

MrC · « **Reply #39 on:** March 11, 2013, 01:12:12 pm »

Here's my favorite (attached):

Fabricio · « **Reply #40 on:** March 11, 2013, 01:29:51 pm »

When I read the post, I felt a lot of emotion.

I can not speak English. Is my communication difficult. I have dedicated myself to learn English. If I speak English, I will say that I think everything about this community. I just have to thank. Thank you for the existence of JRiver.

I had a dream: to buy a license. I realized this dream in 2010. I'm happy for that. Thanks for this great program.

JimH, a big hug. I'll still visit you. Visit their company. Do you authorize?

Matt, continue the mission with strength, determination, dedication.

Regards,

Fabricio, from Brazil.

csimon · « **Reply #41 on:** March 12, 2013, 06:06:39 am »

Some of these should be used for music visualisations!

JimH · « **Reply #42 on:** June 07, 2013, 12:36:41 pm »

On July 10, there will be a small show of my pictures in New York City (Artifact at 84 Orchard), so I'm working on a model. Here's a little Youtube video:

Photos of the paintings

6233638 · « **Reply #43 on:** June 07, 2013, 01:13:21 pm »

Congratulations Jim, I do like a lot of the pieces you have shown here.

JimH · « **Reply #44 on:** June 19, 2013, 02:45:13 pm »

Another Shutterfly book of paintings:

Click here to view this photo book larger

jamesecox50 · « **Reply #45 on:** June 19, 2013, 08:00:54 pm »

Best of luck, MC is a part of my daily life, Thank You and well done!
Ed

JimH · « **Reply #46 on:** June 30, 2013, 08:05:43 am »

Here's my daughter's post on Facebook. Both of my daughters will be there for the opening of my show. They're substituting for me since I can't be there.

https://www.facebook.com/events/670699762944930/

JimH · « **Reply #47 on:** June 30, 2013, 08:10:51 am »

We set up the paintings last week in a new studio space I've been working on. We tried to match the space where they will hang, including a door into another room.

http://pix01.com/631%40vx6V

And pictures of the paintings:
http://pix01.com/731%40yJ4y

JimH · « **Reply #48 on:** November 19, 2013, 02:26:26 pm »

We've been cleaning the studio and hanging pictures this week for an open house on Thursday, November 21 at 5:00PM. 125 N First St in Minneapolis.

http://pix01.com/G51%40JJHl

JimH · « **Reply #49 on:** July 04, 2014, 05:45:29 pm »

The forum is about to pass 600,000 posts.
http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?action=stats

INTERACT FORUM

Author Topic: 500,000 posts, $89 million, and my paintings (Read 37841 times)