Wow, its been a long time since I’ve posted anything. I got a new job recently and I have much less free time lately. I’m not sure how often I can update but I’ll try to post something from time to time.
I haven’t plugged my Etsy shop for a while (on my blog at least). So, I thought I’d bring some attention to it. I have several new works and the prices are reduced on several pieces. Also, several pieces have free shipping! Feel free to take a look and fund my capricious habits help out a poor artist.
Today is election day and regardless of your political views, your possible disillusionment with the system, prior apathy, or whatever may have held you back from voting in the past, it is important that you exercise your right to vote! Just do it!
I received an e-mail in my blog account and was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t somebody asking to transfer 1 million pesos to my account or someone informing that a long lost relative just gave me 2 million shekels or something (I’m not falling for that again).
Instead, some folks wanted to share their blog post about some of the core components of postmodernism. It certainly isn’t all encompassing but it is a great primer that captures the salient points of the movement.
It’s been a while but I have a gallery show coming up once again. In the off chance that you happen to be in Columbia, MO between October 11–October 22, feel free to check it out.
The show is at the Craft Studio on the University of Missouri campus:
On Tashcen’s website (fantastic selection of art books btw) I came across this book:
Chronicling graffiti art and street art is, to say the least, difficult. The shadow of illegality, preference for anonymity, and the spectre of the criminal element complicate the process which is, in my opinion, unfortunate because graffiti art is a genre packed with significance and relevant commentary that is lacking in much of the art world en large.
This looks like a great and well-researched book that incorporates great plates and first hand accounts from the artists themselves. Domestic and international trends in graffiti art are covered and it even includes a preface by reclusive Banksy–how cool is that!
I came across this video on Thoughts on Art and Teaching and although it is geared towards the benefit of arts in Great Britain, I imagine that those of us in the U.S. enjoy similar dividends via our arts as well.
BTW, there is some coarse language, sorry kids.
You can never disseminate enough info about the benefits of the arts in my opinion. Enjoy.
I came across a great article by Matt Ballou about Nerdrum, his followers, the nature of Nerdrum’s kitsch, and the interplay of all three. Be sure to check it out!
I’ve been thinking about the creative process lately and how it can be plagued with inertia. Creating can be frustrating, difficult, painful, and leave the creator in a very vulnerable position. Greater investment in one’s work leads to greater potential for a painful rejection if the work is not accepted or grossly misunderstood. All of these things boiling in the cauldron can make inaction seem like a more desirable state-of-being.
So, I wanted to provide some points about the creative process that will hopefully help us (me) continue rolling that rock up the hill. The points apply mostly to visual artists but anyone who creates can benefit from the following:
The Visual Arts speak in a way that words cannot. Continue your contribution to the discussion because if you do not, who else will? What you contribute is important and it is valuable.
Everything that we create continues to develop our cultural mileu. Whatever you make continues to shape and define/redefine our cultural heritage. Your voice is an important contribution to this ongoing process.
Your artistic heritage is ancient and unique. Not everyone can or is willing to expend the effort to create. You belong to a select minority of artistic individuals whose legacy reaches back to pre-historic times. Think about how we attempt to understand ancient cultures–through their artwork.
Your work is your legacy–it will outlast you. A culture is defined and outlined by what is created by artistic-minded people. Contribute to the legacy that will help future historians define who we were.
You have the power to leave a lasting artistic/creative legacy. Every great artist began as an unknown. What distinguished them was their persistence and their sense of self-efficacy. The crowd tries to pull people back down to their own level–for the sake of your own soul, do not let them do this.
Musings 