First Friday: June 2025 - Heath Show & Rocket Classic Trophy
Inspiration & Updates from Brian Madden Studio
“The scariest moment is always just before you start. After that things can only get better.”
― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
Hi friends,
Starting complex new projects can feel so intimidating. I’m the type of person who can have trouble taking the first step up the mountain if I don’t know the right one to take. But I’m learning that the only way to feel better is to start climbing.
This past Monday, we launched the new Rocket Classic Trophy in Detroit for the Rocket Classic PGA tournament, and the Heath Ceramics Show of Hands group exhibition opened last night in San Francisco. These two parallel creative projects challenged me in different ways, and pushed me to scale the practice to the next level.
In this June edition, I’m excited to share:
WHAT I’M SHOWING: Heath Ceramics Show of Hands
WHAT I’M MAKING: 2025 Rocket Classic Trophy
WHAT I’M SEEING: Water and Stone, by Jezrael Gandara
WHAT I’M READING: On Writing: a Memoir of the Craft, by Stephen King
WHAT I’M HEARING: Motor City Miles
You’re receiving First Friday because you’ve supported my creativity, visited the studio, or otherwise signed up to stay in touch.
Thanks for being here.
WHAT I’M SHOWING: Heath Ceramics Show of Hands
Last night I premiered 3 new pieces from my Sonic Monuments series in Show of Hands, curated by Heath Clay Director Tung Chiang. The show is part of Heath’s month long Design Made Good festival, featuring a dynamic group of international artists whose work reflects a fresh and unique approach to their medium. Thanks to all the friends and fam who joined for the opening party last night. If you couldn’t make it, no worries! The show will be on display at Heath San Francisco through June 22nd.
My work often centers around celebrating achievement through creativity, and for Show of Hands, I wanted to highlight what pushes me forward and visualize the unseen. Focusing on messages that guide my practice, each Sonic Monument reflects the revolved sound waves of the spoken word from writings by Anaïs Nin, Bob Ross, and Mother Theresa.
The first piece, Sonic Monument to the Final Analysis, is painting on raw linen canvas that speaks to my decision to follow an unorthodox path, despite the judgement that may come with it. The stalactite-like soundwaves are based on Mother Teresa's "Anyway," a poem found written on the wall in her home for children in Calcutta, adapted from Dr. Kent M. Keith's paradoxical commandments. The piece is broken out into stanzas, left to right, with each line written and top to bottom in wax pencil, metered against the spoken word recording that defines the forms and cadence of the Sonic Monuments.
If you’ve visited my studio, you’ve probably seen the pair of brass candlesticks, Sonic Monuments to Anaïs Nin. I’m excited to continue highlighting Nin’s message with the next iteration in the series, Sonic Monument to the Risk of Remaining Tight in a Bud.
Full coverage 24 karat gold leaf envelopes a CNC and hand-turned and wood-burned poplar sculpture depicting the words that drive my creative practice and sum up my transition from corporate designer to a fine artist:
And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.
— Anaïs Nin
The final piece in the show is the marble inlay Sonic Monument to Waiting on the Good Times, an ambitious experiment that speaks to the ups and downs of life, through Bob Ross’s poignant message about painting:
Gotta have opposites, light and dark and dark and light, in painting. It’s like in life – gotta have a little sadness once in a while so you know when the good times come. I'm waiting on the good times now.
— Bob Ross
Sonic Monument to Waiting on the Good Times is a revolved remnant stone inlay sound wave that uses calacatta and emerald green marble to represent the positive and negative aspects of Bob’s message, reflecting the realities of my own inner landscape.
Show of Hands is on view at Heath Ceramics until June 22 at Heath San Francisco, as part of Design Made Good month long festival. If you’d like to learn more about any of these pieces or inquire about collecting one for yourself, please email sfstaff@heathceramics.com.
WHAT I’M MAKING: Rocket Classic Trophy
For the past two months I’ve been heads down bringing the new Rocket Classic trophy to life for the Rocket Mortgage tournament in June. This Monday we unveiled the new award at Detroit Golf Club, in a press conference hosted by broadcaster and Rocket Classic board member Mike Tirico.
The award is an iconic design packed with story elements and infused with a unique sense of place to honor the city of Detroit through its local limestone base in the shape of the city footprint, and a cast aluminum tower machined and finished crafted by a diverse team of local fabrication partners.
Here's a closer look at the new Rocket Classic trophy. The game-changing design was a joy to bring to life with ROSSETTI, Rocket, and our talented team of Detroit-based fabrication partners.
I want to take this moment to thank and highlight the local team:
P2R Metal Fabrication – CNC metal machining, tower-base locking mechanism, painting, and assembly
Aristo Cast – Investment cast aluminum trophy tower
Capital Stoneworks – CNC and hand-carved local limestone trophy base
Stone Restoration Services – Local limestone finishing
Spencer Bunyan Manufacturing Co. – Laser engraving
Suki Liu – Custom live hand-engraving (stay tuned for Suki to do her thing at the Detroit Golf Club June 29)
Can't wait to see this trophy hoisted on Championship Sunday at the 2025 Rocket Classic!
WHAT I’M SEEING: Water and Stone, by Jezrael Gandara
I’m excited to announce the online premiere of Water and Stone, a mini documentary about my artistic practice, directed by Bay Area-based narrative filmmaker Jezrael Gandara. As a long-time film collaborator and friend, Jezrael has observed my studio practice through the highs and lows while building his career as an accomplished narrative director and cinematographer.
When Jezrael approached me about creating a narrative short film sharing my story as an artist and an athlete, I knew his creative lens would shine a unique light on my practice.
On May 17, we hosted an intimate premiere event, supported by Best Day Brewing. The event kicked off at golden hour, and when night fell we screened the film, followed by a Q&A with the director and crew. Thanks to everyone who joined for this special evening at the studio, and thanks to Jezrael and the crew for sharing your storytelling gift with all of us.
WHAT I’M READING: On Writing: a Memoir of the Craft, by Stephen King
I’m scared of horror, but I respect the craft, and I want to learn from the great ones, no matter their craft. On Writing is Stephen King’s raw memoir that speaks as much to nursing sick toddlers as a young parent and battling his personal demons, as it does to his hatred of adverbs and his travels through the publishing world. He’s also a great voice actor and I was blown away by the range of his characters. I’d recommend a listen, and will leave you with this quote that speaks to the artist in me, and why I’m so grateful to you for being here with me.
“Writing isn't about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid, or making friends. In the end, it's about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life, as well. It's about getting up, getting well, and getting over. Getting happy, okay? Getting happy.”
― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
WHAT I’M HEARING: Motor City Miles
This month’s songs were mostly overheard throughout Detroit and Eastern Michigan while shepherding the Rocket Classic trophy to life.
First Friday playlists only consist of songs I’ve heard, received, discovered, or rediscovered out in the world, at coffee shops, restaurants, bars, gallery exhibits, stores. They can also be received from friends and family, IRL and online. If you have a request, send it!
Take care and talk soon,
Brian
brian@brianbmadden.com
Website | Instagram
I’ve always wanted to be a dad, so I’m excited to share that the studio’s about to get a lot more interesting. Baby Madden is on the way, due October 16. Jen’s doing great and we’re looking forward to the next chapter. Stay tuned.