Wednesday, June 12, 2013

FREE PRINT!

https://www.facebook.com/events/370264936407692/?ref=14

https://www.facebook.com/events/370264936407692/?ref=14

Tonight is my closing party for my show at BART. The show is called "On The Couch". It features art inspired by old video games and cartoons. It is art inspired by sitting on the couch. The show looks great and has been very successful! The link to the closing party is at the top of this post.

Tonight I am giving away free prints. They are assorted mystery prints. The first 30 people attending will get the opportunity to randomly pick a print as a gift. You don't know what you will get. All of the prints are reproductions of original artwork that I have done. After you receive your print, you can feel free to trade your prints, or flaunt your precious print and gloat over your perfect luck in getting the exact print that you want!

I look forward to seeing you all there!

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

My Art Collection

Well, I haven't written in a while. I thought I would try to do get going again. I just walked by my rapidly growing collection of art. I have been buying art at local art receptions and art walks. My collection includes over 40 pieces!
This are makes me smile and I am inspired on a daily basis by these pieces of art. The work is mostly original paintings, but there are some drawings, photography, prints and even doodles on napkins. All of this work is unique and brings character and a touch of flair to my home. I am proud that I have supported local artists by buying their work. I didn't buy it all though, I have also traded artwork for some of it.
I guess the whole point is that it is important to bring art into your home. It is important to support local artists. If you haven't bought original art, it is time tto do so. You don't have to build a huge collection, but start somewhere. buy a small painting or print. Hang it up. I am positive that it will change your life.
Here is a link to my facebook album of my art collection!
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.224770804234468.60245.100001046502890&type=3

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

"Self Taught Artist"

Recently, I have heard the the title "self taught artist"a lot. 

I started thinking about that. And the more I thought of it, the more obnoxious the phrase became.

What people mean when they say that is that they didn't go to school. If that is what they mean, then they should say that. Nobody is a self taught artist. We all are informed by the world around us. We are all taught what we value by the people that surround us. We all learn technique by whatever we choose to surround ourselves with.

Unless the artist lived his or her entire life in a white room without any television, computer, books, or any kind of packaging materials at all I say that it is impossible to be self taught!

Every time an artist watches TV, they are getting an art education. Every time an artist looks at the packaging on a box of cereal, they are getting an art education. Every time a person interacts with other people or show other people their art, they are getting an art education. Nobody in our society, with any level of connection to any kind of design, media, or marketing is a "self taught" artist. And with the world population getting greater and greater access to the internet, the term "self taught" becomes less and less meaningful. The art world is using sloppy terminology. 

So, you don't like that? OK.

We can look at the other side of the coin, or canvas. EVERYONE is a self taught artist. All artists make the decision to do art, and the choice to better themselves in some way. Some people choose to go to art school, and surround themselves with other people with experience for inspiration. Other people choose to go to a cabin, or their apartment, or anywhere, and choose to grow through their own experimentation. All artists choose their path and inform themselves in the way they choose. They are all self taught. Some just choose to teach themselves through traditional "art world" paths. 

Either way, the romantic notion of a "self taught" artist is beginning to annoy me. Besides the general definition of the word, the use also bothers me. The title "self taught artist" is usually used in two different contexts. The first context that is is used is as an excuse to excuse bad work. At an art show one might be more generous while "evaluating" the work when one hears that it is the work of a "self taught" artist. The implication being that "That piece is excellent..... (for a self taught artist)". The second context is that it turns really good work into something fantastic! If one goes to a good show, and then learns that the artist is "self taught", then the work becomes even more magical. Either way, it is segregating the artist into another group, and then creating a different scale to appreciate the work. Why can't art just be art without putting different scales to judge it?

As all these thoughts were swirling through my head, the term started annoying me to a greater and greater degree. Mostly because it is creating a class system for artists. It segregates artists into different groups, not based on the physical and tangible, but based on the way someone chose to educate themselves. I prefer to let all artists be artists.

What brought this to my attention was an artist who was talking about his work. This artist described himself as a "self taught artist", almost as a shield or an excuse. If you are doing art, you are an artist. That doesn't mean that your work is "good", and that doesn't mean that you are communicating effectively as an artist. It just means that you create stuff that you call art. Some artists are more experienced than others, and some artists are more technically skilled than others. 

I also don't like hearing "female artist" or "gay artist", or "black artist". All of those distinctions are never good, and I think that descriptors like that should only be used when the content of the body of work specifically speaks about or speaks to those populations. And even then, it is dangerous to label people, or art, like that.

SHENANIGANS!

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Thursday, May 31, 2012

After a few days off...

Yesterday as a pretty big art day for me. Did lots of art stuff

I met with Boone Fowler about placing some art in Taste Restaurant, and participating in an Art Market. I will be installing some art at Taste in the College Park neighborhood of Orlando in a couple weeks for a 2 month show there. The reception will be part of an art event on Friday June 15th. The event is part reception, part artists at work, part concert, part art market. This will be a lot of fun.

Later at Artists@Work Wednesday at OLV restaurant, I worked on some art live and socialized with a lot of local artists. I discussed switching out some art at OLV.  Right down the street (at the same time) I was multitasking, by hosting a group reception with Ernie Turner at The Smoothie Room. This show at The Smoothie Room is an expansion of our Artists@Work event. There was a lively turnout and the work looks great! Thanks to everyone for participating.

Meanwhile during the day, I worked on art for 2 group art shows; "Flock of Art" and "Boarded Up". I also worked creating an inventory of my available art, did a little reaching out to try to participate in Art Basel in Miami, and I also tried to think about creating a website.... Not bad for one day!

And I forgot to mention that I sold 3 small paintings at Artists@Work Wednesdays at OLV!

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Here I Go... Trying to get organized.

I have been kinda just "doing it".

I haven't had a plan, and I have been just grabbing opportunities as they come. I am at a point where I need to change that. so i started trying to get organized.

The first step is going to inventory all of my available art. I need to know what i have in stock, and where it is so that I can effectively market what I have. That doesn't sound too difficult... until you start to see what kind of inventory I have.

At this point, I have over 200 paintings in my house. ranging from 4 x 4 x 1 inch to 48 x 72 x 2 inches. Bottom line, there is a lot of art, and a lot of it is stacked up neatly in corners, and i have to dig it all out, list, and measure it. I will then start to create an inventory. Good luck to me. It has taken over 10 days to list and measure 68 pieces.

On top of that, I think I have about 100 additional pieces out on display at various locations. the project just gets bigger and bigger. I am trying to attack it small chunks at a time.

Anyway, I guess what I really need is an intern.... or assistant. Of course.... that is not in the immediate future. So, I will have to do it all myself.

Here I go!

Saturday, April 28, 2012

I haven't written for a while. Mostly because i have been super busy. My solo show at The Center is almost over. It comes down in a couple days. I have a small show at Tako Cheena which has my newest work. This show is called "Splash". The facebook invitation is linked here;

http://www.facebook.com/events/365607003478655/

Besides that I am winding down for the season, and am about to focus on maintaining my regular events. The monthly critique group and the weekly "Artists@Work Wednesdays".

Since "Biography", which was had a lot of art with heavy content, i have made much less personal art. That is fine, I need to let a lot of the crazy heavy personal energy go before I can move on. Go check out "Splash", and see some of this work!

Monday, February 27, 2012

Artists@Work Wednesdays...

...is going to be really cool!

We are looking for passionate artists to gather to create on Wednesday nights! The idea is to set up a portable studio and make art for an evening outside, and probably while enjoying wine and good food.

The thought is that we want to get artists together to share their creative energy, experience, and passion with each other! It is a networking event, studio, critique, and support group all rolled into one!

Every major movement in art history revolved around artists meeting and sharing their thoughts, and that is our goal. To meet and share our thoughts. It is our turn to be a creative center. If the Futurists, Cubists, Impressionists, and Surrealists did it, why can't we do it now, in Orlando? The Bauhaus movement became a school, Andy Warhol's "Factory" was an artistic mecca.

So, now we give the world "Artists@Work"http://www.facebook.com/groups/368308159863731/

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Visiting Artist...

... at Montverde Fine Arts Festival. It was very rewarding.

The sestival consists of music, dance, acting, and visual arts. I have been volunteering as a working artist, demonstrating what I do, for the past few years. It is a very cool event.

I spent the last few hours painting live, and talking to students about art. They loved watching what I was doing and asked a bunch of questions. I had a great time explaining art to 5 to 18 year old students... and their parents.  I always find this event very rewarding.

In addition, I was able to do significant work on a couple pieces! That was great!

This year, I hopefully helped motivate a couple adults engage in their art more. I talked a lot about Art Night Wednesdays (soon to be rebranded to Artists@Work Wednesdays) at OLV. I felt like the pied piper, encouraging everyone to follow their interest in art.

Well, that is where my head is now... and it is time to run off to work!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Exhausting but rewarding day....

... today was a busy day for me and art. I got up early and installed a show of around 40 pieces at Newfangled Modern Market in Deland. The selected work looks great, and I am very happy to be working with them. This show also includes all of my most recent work. 4 brand new pieces, never shown before. And none of the work had been shown in Deland ever. The install was quick and easy, but it is an hour drive each way.

While i was in Deland, I took the time to check out the small downtown area. I found 3 museums, The Florida Museum of Art, and two specialized museums, one featuring women artists and one featuring African American artists. I also noticed at least 5 places that showed local artists. And there was a small art school with a student gallery. Lots of art for a "small town".

When I got home, I prepped to go to Art Night Wednesdays at OLV. I packed up my "portable studio" and available art. I had a great day meeting new artists, and talking about art all evening. I also significantly worked on about 10 paintings while I was there.

I am absolutely exhausted, and need to rest. I guess it is bed time!