Animus

I have always loved hands. I think they are one of my favorite parts on people. They explain character so easily, by their lines, showing age and wear. The best thing about hands, is that they assist in personal expression. I'm one of those, that talks with their hands. Someone once told me that I only speak in half sentences and then gesture/pantomime the rest. I'm probably the extreme case, but gestures are so important to me, and my figurative work. When I started painting, one of the first subjects I tackled (with zest) was in fact, the hand. Recently, at my dad's house, I took some photos of old paintings. This is an early study of hands that was completed when I was 15 years old. I apologize for the bad photo, but I was forced up against the other side of the narrow hallway where this is hanging, in order to get the shot...

oil on canvas
1991

And to round things out, a piece based on the idea of hands, with a twist (animus...soul, will, action) that was painted a few years ago...

Animus
watercolor on paper
2008

Violations, in the Face of Popularity

This is a post about popularity and art. Or I guess I should say, it's a post that is against it. I like a lot of soul in my art, I'm as critical of others' work as I am of my own. Perhaps I should have been a critic....but needless to say, I expect a lot from people who call themselves "artists".

One thing I expect, is for them to not sell-out their muse. What do I mean? Well, take for example selling one's art. Do they pushpushpush the selling part, and not the actual making part? Self-promotion and having a ton of friends (whom will support any kind of crap one decides to pump out), while useful for some, gives me a bad taste in my mouth. I would rather, MUCH rather, people have a discerning eye, and be honest, or comment because they truly feel something about what I am saying through my work. Not because they have to, not because they are my friend, not because they want to kiss my ass, not because I am so 'popular' and 'nice', not because I need something from them in order to fill me.

Fan pages on facebook (for artists) are another thing I detest. I think it's pretty self-important, pretty egotistical, if you think you need more 'fans'. I really think that's sad. Is your art based on your own merit or are you just running a popularity contest? Are you trying to reclaim your status in high school (or God forbid, grade school)? Or were you never popular, and you need to claim that to make your miserable life feel more full....of 'fans'? The risk one runs with fans, is an ego the size of Texas. I'm against fan pages, I think they are an indication of someone feeling needlessly self-important, and/or having deep-seeded self-esteem issues. Fans have no business interfering in the artists' mind, let's look to the much reviled (imo) Damien Hirst for an example of fan interference. For him, it seemingly boils down to making money, not increasing talent. It's false, either way.

Is the work about making you feel better? Does it help your mood? Then, by all means, don't punish it by trying to sell and promote it automatically. This will undoubtedly result in the loss of your muse, and it will be your own fault. Good thing you have those fans to fall back on, even if your work is crap....? Hm.

The most brilliant piece of writing I have found on this subject in quite awhile. Nick Cave's letter to MTV in 1996 (here is a portion)

"...She comes to me with the gift of song and in return I treat Her with the respect I feel She deserves - in this case this means not subjecting Her to the indignities of judgement and competition. My muse is not a horse and I am in no horse race and if indeed She was, still I would not harness Her to this tumbrel - this bloody cart of severed heads and glittering prizes. My muse may spook! May bolt! May abandon me completely!..."


There is no "trick" to being an artist. If you are an artist, I strongly believe that your muse should live in your soul and veritably beat on your chest to get out. And, She will not be based on what is hip and new in the ridiculously biased "art world", or based on what will catch someone else's "consumer-searching-for-a-product" eye (eye-candy, if you will). No, She lives only when you, the artist, is real, and truthful, and free.

If I had it my way, I'd be your classic "weirdo-hermit-living-in-the-woods", just doing my thing, just painting, but alas...

Baltimore and Me

"Good morning Baltimore. And some day when I take to the floor, the world's gonna wake up and see Baltimore and me."

-Hairspray

I have received my official acceptance letter from MICA, for grad school (my first choice). I will be attending MICA starting in June for a Master of Art in Community Arts degree. I think this may be the best thing that has ever happened to me, in terms of excitement and hard work. (I worked really hard for four years, and it actually worked for me!) Thanks to Heather Gordy, for remembering that great quote, and everyone who helped me proof read, and gave me their honest opinions on my work (Lo and D.). And thanks finally, to my references. It means the world, that three people, truthfully, believed in me so much...to the point of bringing me to indebted, glorious, tears several times already. Their kind words, and belief in my abilities are the greatest gifts anyone could have ever given me.

I am sending my deposit today, and then I'm on my way babies!

Circular Logic

It seems that I have made it onto the front of this postcard too! (made for the Guildess show, Flow, by April Heding.) The circle painting on the right is mine. Exciting postcard times for me lately, I'll tell ya what.
Don't miss this show, Gallery Night and Day, April 16-17, 2010! Click the pics for more information...

(as an aside, I can't wait to see the rest of Michael Waraksa's work)

International Domestic Violence Memorial...

There is a mural mosaic project occurring soon, for the International Domestic Violence Memorial's 'Lantern of Hope'. Not only have I signed up to participate as an artist, but in the meantime, I have just finished an advertising postcard (for IDVM) for an event coming up for them in April, at The Amnesty International Human Rights Arts Festival.

IDVM will be participating in this art festival, and I hope that I can swing by and meet everyone. Until then, here is the postcard I designed (with a close-up of my painting/print, Requiem as the under-image):

Flow Through

Results for Guildess' upcoming Gallery Night and Day show are up. I'm (my two paintings are) part of the "Juror's Choice", selected by Naomi Shersty.

Check it: http://guildess.wordpress.com/2010/03/11/flow-exhibition-results/

Quoth the Raven - Mighty Magic Hips

"...These hips are free hips. They don't like to be held back..."

Lucille Clifton, Homage To My Hips

The second piece in this series is now finished. The quote above is used at the bottom of the skirt. With this piece, I concentrated on echoing the bird shape and the human shape, as with the previous piece. I am finding more similarities than I ever dreamed I would. In fact, there are a few more works already physically planned out. Until then...

Mighty Magic Hips

Shana R. Goetsch

(click the image to see it larger, also click on the link to the poem, to hear and see the author read it)

I'm Making It, In Milwaukee

I just got word via my twitter, that I (my voice) is on the 88Nine Radio Milwaukee blog. Producer Adam Carr is currently creating a series on all types of art in the city for the project, Make Milwaukee. A few weeks ago, Adam stopped by Evelyn Patricia Terry's newly opened, Terry McCormick Gallery. The interviews are being featured on 88Nine radio spots, and can be found on their blog with some excellent extras (I'm an extra). I'm in the second audio piece, plus I'm in a photo. As I've said, excellent. Click here for the blog.

Photo by Julia Taylor

Quoth the Raven

The first of my series, "Quoth the Raven" is done. *airkick*

Spread My Wings

Words featured are "Imma be spreadin my wings, Imma be doin my thing", one part by each arm, (mentioned in the previous post). There is also a phrase included from a video that someone sent me this morning, which is from a Native American story about the raven, "and from then on, we no longer lived in darkness". I also used some still images from an Iron and Wine video, that is a particular favorite.

Inspiration and Its Odd Ways

Normally, when I use words in my art, I get the inspiration from a song, or a poem or a phrase that just sticks with me from pop-culture. Other times, I find an image and it goes from there. The last few days, I was dealing with the latter. I was asked by an artist friend Michelle, to trade an 8x10 piece with her. I wanted to do something uplifting, and I was considering an off-take on a classic mother and child.

But I wasn't satisfied with that idea, and so I looked around my house...noticed I had scrawled a few things about ravens, and The Raven by Poe....and then I thought of people. Women and birds, specifically. Anyway, the point of this right now (as you will see the finished product of what I am talking about, in a few) is that I was searching for language to use, words. I wanted something confident and strong, as I was dealing with images of women...but the phrasing, what to do? I was momentarily stuck.

So this morning, I was feeling extrasupercool, and like I could do and accomplish anything. I decided to look on youtube for a video to aptly describe my mood. I picked the Black Eyed Peas video, Imma Be Rocking That Body (I was feeling kicky, what can I say?), I had not seen it previous to this morning.

Anyway, I was rocking out, and noticed there was a raven in flight right before the lyrics start (a sign). And then I saw Fergie get up and work it in her long black flowy skirt (another sign). Then about 20 seconds later, she utters the fateful words: '...Imma be spreadin my wings, Imma be doin my thing...'
Thank you Fergie, for being so confident, you rule.

Want to see what I saw? Click the link and watch 1:45-2:50 minutes, specifically. I got what I wanted, light-hearted, yet strong and beautiful too. Honestly, that minute of film is an important part of my inspiration for the current piece. Odd choice, but there it is. I'll post the piece when I am finished, but for now, Imma be right in the thick of it.

She Always Gave Me Valentines

Always, without fail...

(this pop-out valentine is over ninety years old, and was made in Germany)

I'm honoring an entirely different form of love today...and this is the deepest one I have.

Today, I filled out a form, on behalf on my mother. I've taken it upon myself to be, at the very least, her voice. This year, I want her added to an important list: the "Remember My Name" Memorial Project. It's a national name registry that continuously compiles information on victims of domestic violence. If you know someone whom you feel needs to be added to this list, please visit the International Domestic Violence Memorial's facebook page for more information and a link to the form. And please remember, not all domestic violence is also intimate partner abuse.

I'll leave you with a valentine that I gave my mom many moons ago. She saved this, and I found it well after she died. I'll just have to send my valentine out to the universe this time around...

The Thin Line

I had a really good time tonight overhearing people talk about my Deer Hart (Dear Heart) pieces. A couple of young guys were somewhat excited to see more of my pieces, because for some reason, they broke up the series into two, separate, spots in the gallery. These are the things I take for granted won't happen...but I should still learn to leave a note on the submission form from now on. But I received a ton of compliments on, "the colors!". FYI, there were three other pieces that had to do with deer in this show, as well....deer/antlers are so hot in contemporary art right now. Unreal. It's a good thing I have a jump on the competition, in that respect.

So here it is, click on the slide show! Tonight's exhibition documentation starts about 10 photos in to this set:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/artinshanaty/sets/72157623322622466/

Artists' Block

I am working on a piece, or wanting to work on a piece, and it may be the subject matter that is tripping me up...the classic, mother and child. It seems so long ago that I painted something topical or relevant to the world. Since I have been busting my butt all last year to just "Paint!", I feel like I've gotten out of practice in "meaning". Partly, this is my fault, as I needed a break.

I am not one of those people who can ascribe meaning into an abstract painting, anyone's abstract painting. To me, abstractions just are; no more, no less. They shouldn't take flowery, poetic words to explain them...otherwise, why not paint that subject, itself? The hardest thing for me is naming those circles paintings....a phrase or a meaning seems to ruin their purity, and what they are about (largely technique and color).You will see that with my circle paintings, I've used numbers, or one-word titles. If I find a phrase I like, I am definitely using it for MORE. (note: I use the word "abstract" to convey my own circle paintings. In general, I feel "abstract" is used as a description far more than it should be. An "abstraction", is an abstraction of something else, and that something else should be recognizable within, otherwise, is it really an abstraction of that something? Think about it.)

So I am stuck, because I've been doing abstract nothingness for a year. I feel that part of my mind is weak, in fact. I never actually considered it, or thought it could happen, but there it is: "fluff head". After this little sojourn, seriously, no one can ever tell me again that painting a subject is the same as painting abstractly. One involves two parts of the brain, the other just one, the intuitive side. While I occasionally enjoy some fluff and my own intuition, I'd like to get back into things that really matter to me.

Curse this block!

One More...

Artist Statement. What I need to do, is stop being involved in so many different things that require specific statements. After the fourth one in a few months' time, I'm done. I literally think I have it all covered now.

Found Objects in Art

The idea of found objects in art is an intriguing one, for me. It involves
imagining what the object will become, and seeing its future. It is a process
that is full of creativity and hope. “Found Art” transcends its label, being that
it’s transformative, and it always becomes more than the sum of its parts.

I began incorporating found objects into my art many years ago, after a
particular assignment in a two-dimensional art class. I loved wandering
through the neighborhood, and being asked to pick up, in effect, garbage.
Since that time, interesting little things have caught my eye more often. I have
found that little treasures are waiting for me, in my direct path, almost
constantly, and I just need to take the time to truly see them. Much of my
material has been gathered from outside, and on daily journeys. Dirty, rusty,
artsy, junk can frequently be found in my purse, on my coffee table, or in my
car, just waiting for its chance to shine, again.

Launching...

The Launch Party for Little Episodes, is on February 25th in London. I wish I could go, I received an invitation for it today. And it looks like from this page that the first book will be titled, "Back in 5 Minutes". My piece, Self-Portrait 2006, will be in this first (I believe) book from Little Episodes' "Expressions of Depression" anthology. We're getting closer y'all!