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New Artist Statement New Artist Statement
- From: Former member
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Description:
Artist (Author) Statement
As many stories as I have, the one that eludes me is the story of when I began to write. All I know is that I learned to write my name before I entered kindergarten with the help of a brother and sister. I don’t remember the moment beyond that when I fell in love with books and reading, so any story along those lines would be just as much of a fabrication as anything else I pen.
I do remember that I had delusions of being an author (an author, not a writer) by the time I was in first grade before my academic performance threatened to hold me to much loftier goals. My delusions then turned o nerdier occupations that straight A students get into: doctor, lawyer, scientist, etc., something that was supposed to make not only a name but also a large paycheck. Needless to say, my career goals were not clearly focused and I continued to make straight As in all subjects.
The one thing that never changed in all that time was my love of reading. I entered undergraduate studies with a concentration in communications. However, I selected English as my minor since I felt the ability to write well would serve me well in my future occupation. Since I ended up in graduate school, this seemed to be a wise choice.
After a few years, I realized I would not be given the opportunities I needed to further the scholarship in my discipline. Still, it did not occur to me then to turn to the very thing I used to keep myself sane in graduate school could be a way of life – writing.
Even though my literary heroes are Gayl Jones and Zora Neale Hurston, I do not pretend that I am in the same league as their genius. However, after converting a few scripts into short stories and penning many others, I did realize I had my own distinct voice and I was heeding the advice of my literay foremother Toni Morrison: “If there's a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.” I get great satisfaction out of the stories I write. Perhaps others will; perhaps they will not. In either case, I keep writing.
- Blog post
- 2 years ago
- Views: 292
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Goings on Goings on
- From: Stegosaurus_With_Wings
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Description:
Hello all! Just so you know, I haven't died. I have actually been DOING ART so that is why I have been very absent from the site. I am doing paintings for each member of my boyfriend's family members for christmas, started a large technicolor joker painting, I am in ceramics class making organs and a lifesized person with a gas mask coming out of her torso... Also, I am in a metalsmithing class. So needless to say I have A LOT going on. Hopefully I'll get some pictures of the things I am working on up soon. The semester is almost over so I may have a little more free time, but I will be looking for work to save money for NIU. I am a busy bee. I don't think you guys know, but I also am an excellent baker. I've made more pies than I can get rid of in the last few days! So I was just checking in, and wishing you all a happy holiday season.
- Blog post
- 2 years ago
- Views: 314
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New Journey New Journey
- From: algonzalez808
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Description:
This month I mark a momentous moment for myself. I have enrolled in Art school... I know yeaaaa!!!! However, this has sparked my intensity in producing art as much as possible to hone in on my skills and refine a style. I need help in deciding which direction i should go. I enjoy landscape, and recently I did a lion portrait and I must say I enjoyed that also. However I feel most free when doing abstract. Needless to say, I am praying to do a solo show to show and possible sell some of my current pieces to potential collectors and buyers in the Central Florida Market or abroad (I don’t discriminate, lol). The funds would help with Art School Cost, and the new owner will get first works from me that are unadulterated in art school influence. These pieces are raw, unrefined and pure emotional art without the technique. So, once I get the training the art may get better however will never be this pure. I am saddened by that thought, "never be this pure"....
- Blog post
- 2 years ago
- Views: 76
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Re: What did you learn in scho Re: What did you learn in school that you carry with you regarding the arts?
- From: Vinanti
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Description:Although I did attend college to study art I am primarily self taught. I say I am self taught because I have been drawing since I was alowed to have crayons, I use to get in trouble for digging the white butcher paper out of the trash after momma had thrown it away just so I could draw on it. Thankffully my mother recognized my love for art and bought me all kinds of art books, mostly human form artists such as Micheal Angelo, Caravaggio, Raphael and
- 2 years ago
- Views: 346
- Forum: Ovation TV ...
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Figure Eight - Stage 1 Figure Eight - Stage 1
- From: CarlyLandry
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Description:
Just for fun, I'm going to document the process of a new painting I'm working on. I hope you enjoy, I'm really excited about this one!
I've had the random images, thoughts and ideas for this painting brewing in my mind for about a month now. Up until yesterday, I was unsure of how I was going to put them all together. Finally, all at once, it just hit me and I knew exactly how I wanted it. Of course, it happened while I was cooking dinner, so I had to stop everything I was doing. I turned off the burners, ran to my desk and started sketching on whatever paper I could find. A few minutes later, I had the following rough drawing completed on a sheet of paper from my printer. Needless to say, my spaghetti dinner didn't turn out too well... but I got my sketch!
I've spent some time looking at it, deciding what I wanted to change and a few other things I wanted to add. I decided on the following:
1. The placement of the moon is off and needs to shift to the right so that it appears more centered between the trees.
2. The peak of the tall mountain on the left needs to be moved further to the left so that it comes up directly behind the tree - mirroring the hidden peak behind the right tree.
3. The trails coming down off the orbs and strings attached to the orbs all need to be in contact with or line up with the low points of the mountain range.
4. The tree on the left needs to come down further, eliminating some of the annoying negative space in the lower left corner which appears unbalanced to me.
5. A fifth orb needs to be added, hanging from the top of the moon. The thin branches will extend further up toward the fifth orb which will contain a gate stamped with a figure eight.
6. Increase the size of all orbs.
For the painting and colors: I'm thinking yellow oxide and earthy brown tones for the background. Blacks, dark brown or possibly navy blue for the trees. Titanium white and bright colors for the orbs. I plan on using outlines around everything, much you like you see in the sketch and lots of texture using heavy body gesso and thin washes of acrylic (glazing). The painting will be on a 16" x 20" hardboard panel. I will use acrylic for the under-painting and oils for everything else.
So, I won't be explaining the meaning of this painting because that wouldn't be any fun - not to mention I hope I've been vague enough with it that someone can conjure up their own ideas when viewing it. I'm hoping it will be interesting to someone besides me once it's all finished. I'll try my best!
- Carly, not iCarly ;)
- Blog post
- 2 years ago
- Views: 139
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my First Year my First Year
- From: ArtistDouglasG
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Description:
What an interesting year 2010 has been. It was my first year as a declared artist and a year full of learning and adventures.
ecember 2009 a friend asked me to design a couple of car tags for her teenage sons for Christmas. You could say that it was my first commission. I locked myself away in my study and started playing around with Adobe illustrator and photoshop till I created two different abstract pieces. Before I sublimated them onto the car tags using my heat press I showed the prints to my friend and she loved them. After Christmas she told me that her sons loved them and that was the inspiration I needed.
Many an evening after that I would come home from work and continue to experiment with the two programs until I felt really, artisticaly comfortable with them. Before long I was creating New art from photographs that I had taken in my life. Some pieces were compilations and others were complete alterations. This may sound terrible and conceited but I liked what I was creating and, more importantly, I was enjoying this new creative expression. Slowly I began to show others my work and I was pleasantly surprised by their reaction.
In April I donated a piece to the Mabee-Gerrer Museum in Shawnee for their 'Off the Wall' fundraiser and it was immediately snapped up by an eager guest. Then in June I participated in the first annual Art Walk in Shawnee. As each event came and went my confidence in my art increased. In June, I travelled to Clearwater Beach, Florida for a conference with my wife, Holly. She flew down at her company's expense and I took the Greyhound bus. While travelling I handed out postcard samplers of my art and did some marketing; again the feeback was very stimulating.
(Having, drunk too much coffee, while writing this first blog entry I skipped an important milestone so let me go back to it.)
While promoting my art at the local level I also used social media (facebook) and it was through there that I learned about 'ArtPrize 2010' in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I decided to try and enter this competition before I left for Florida. So on one Wednesday night I started my profile at ArtPrize.org paid my $50 entry fee and uploade a visual description of my proposed entry. By three p.m the next day I already had a gallery willing to host me and my entry in the contest in September; needless to say that was a big boost to my confidence and I think that helped me to promote my work on the Florida trip.
II went to Grand Rapids in September and had a blast and I'll write about that in another blog entry.
I I have continued to develop my skills and market my art and I am looking forward to 2011 and all it brings.
- Blog post
- 2 years ago
- Views: 108
- Not yet rated
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Morocco Market Morocco Market
- From: DianeMorganFineArt
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Description:
A member of our tour group in Tangiers took a picture of a man who didn't want his picture taken because he was in line getting a divorce. We were taken to the Chief of Police. The man wanted us arrested and wanted the man's film and camera. Whatever our tour guide said to get us released, I'll never know, but we were certainly grateful. Needless to say, after that, all pictures were taken with extreme caution. To catch this not-so-friendly-looking man I held my little point-and-shoot camera down at my side. I painted the scene in all soft pinks and blues as sort of a joke contrast to the reality of the not-so-friendly atmosphere and rather nasty looking man coming at me.
- 3 years ago
- Views: 258
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Cactus Blossom Cactus Blossom
- From: eternalflameserenity
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Description:
I rescued some cacti from the gutter down the block and they blessed me with these gorgeous blossoms one morning. Hearing they bloomed for only one day I eagerly grabbed my camera and was ecstatic to snap these shots. Needless to say, I was late for work.
- 3 years ago
- Views: 296
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"Corporate Pillars" Day 105 "Corporate Pillars" Day 105
- From: daniel_nolan
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Description:
I just finished a very busy and exciting weekend. I was asked to show "Corporate Pillars", even though incomplete, at the Ravenswood Art Walk in Chicago this past weekend. The first public showing. Needless to say I was excited about the opportunity. I am very grateful to Moss Design who extended the invitation and opened their space to me. I also exhibited 5 other of my larger pieces.
Because of the size of the sculpture and the paintings I was exhibiting, I rented a cargo van to transport the work. I felt this was a better idea than trying to stuff things in my car in multiple trips. This was the first time I rented a van for my art work. It was a mini adventure. It also gave my work some importance. It warranted special transport. I really like the idea that my art and my opinion of my art has evolved to the point of treating it with reverence. All went well.
The art walk was very successful. I met many people and I still enjoy others admiring my work. I like talking about my work as well and I have more than enough willing listeners.
Next to the sculpture, I place a box to collect additional business cards for the project. I received a bumper crop of 102 business cards. That is a new event record. I am very pleased with the results. Now I have to shift gears and get ready for the Pilsen Open Studios on Oct 16-17 that I am participating in. I am curious how far I can push the sculpture in the next two weeks.
- Blog post
- 3 years ago
- Views: 128
- Not yet rated
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think i've hit rock bottom think i've hit rock bottom
- From: M_Chelle
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Description:
Oh my fellow artists don't let this happen to you,
I was couragous and boldly moved to California over a year and a half ago, but once out here things began to slip downhill fast. I found I was in an area of total poverty and high drug traffic and usage without a love of the arts and very little outlet for my works. The closest store is a wal-mart and everything is over 40 miles away through extreme canyon driving. There are no jobs, but a year ago I was finally hired at wal-mart as a overnight stocker. This is one of the hardest jobs out there and walmart pushes its employees beyond human capabilities, driving you through fear and constant verbal abuse. It nearly killed me and I lost the ability to live life. I literally would sleep for 36 hours straight just to recover from a week of work. I realized that Wal-mart will suck your life away faster than anything I have ever seen. It crushes your power to even breath. Needless to say I was unable to paint or even think creatively, as I was so beaten into submission by this evil corporation. A few months ago the management at walmart launched a harassment campeign against me to get me fired and basically forced me to quit. As a result, I have lost my daughter, my dog, and am quickly slipping into homelessness and extreme poverty. I truely have hit rock bottom. I try to paint but nothings working. My money is leaving at an alarming rate to pay for rent and utilities, I haven't eaten in days. I am the sad picture of a starving artist. Please, I beg all artists out there, never take a job with walmart or any other corporate vampire it will drain you and leave you for dead as it has done to me. I am trying to slowly recover, but as of yet there is no light in my very dark tunnel. Any words of encouragement or advice to help me figure out how to get back where I belong or how to sell my work so I can eat and pay my bills would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
(M)
- Blog post
- 3 years ago
- Views: 163
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boredom boredom
- From: transporter
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Description:just like a little sheep as i follow over the edge
- Set (7 items)
- 3 years ago
- Views: 575
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On The Shortness of Life On The Shortness of Life
- From: celestejheery
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Description:
On the Shortness of Life –
Lucius Annacus Seneca (c. 5 BC – AD
65)In his writings called On the Shortness
of Life, Seneca discusses the principles
by which he believes a person can live
a long life. The book is full of tidbits,
some obvious, others not so obvious,
but helpful all the same.Seneca was banished to Corsica on a
charge of adultery with Caligula's
sister. He was a teacher to emperor
Nero, who later ordered that he
commit suicide because of a suspicion
that Seneca was involved in a plot to
assassinate him. In his writings,
Seneca claimed freedom for himself
even while in exile, as he still had his
studies to invigor his mind.Seneca stated simply that the past
cannot be controlled, that the future
may not arise, and that the present
should be the focus of one's thoughts
and actions. He also stressed that
time is our most valuable commodity,
and if one is not cautious and
particular, others who are not
deserving will easily and without
apology demand our time. He
stressed the importance of good
friendship. We should avoid “those
who are gloomy and always lamenting,
and who grasp at every pretext for
complaint”.To make the most of our time, he
stressed, we need to schedule in
leisure time – which is different from
what he called “idle preoccupation” -
whether it is every day or one day a
month, for example. If what you are
doing involves a serious commitment,
you are not at leisure. You should
always be greater than your task, so
that goals may be reached and so that
stress is not a result of an
undertaking. Amusingly, he even
recommended that one reach a state
of intoxication once in a while to drink
away the cares of the day.Those who are distracted, he wrote,
are the ones who complain that life is
short. Distractions take many forms –
work, excess, wealth, gluttony – and
focusing on these distractions comes
at a high cost. Seneca believed that
we have everything we need in nature
– that it is not necessary to eat
shellfish or wild animals. “It is the
mind that creates our wealth...and in
the harshest desert places it finds
sufficient to nourish the body and
revels in the enjoyment of its own
goods.” Even a modest hut should be
considered adequate for shelter. He
devotes much of his writings to
criticism of those who focus on the
acquisition of wealth – their
wastefulness and needless abundance.
If ones gets to a point where
everything can be taken away without
it bothering them, they are wealthiest
of all. “Whatever is best for a human
being lies outside human control”, he
stated.As if predating modern psychological
thought, Seneca purported that those
who lack inside themselves will forever
be insatiable. Studies, and sharing of
knowledge with others are the only
things that are truly important and will
“withdraw all of your melancholy”.
Part of his writings come in the form of
a letter to his mother, whom he tries
to comfort as she grieves for him in
exile. He commends her on how she
has handled the grief of losing her
husband, not giving in to grief, but
mastering it. Inner strength would not
permit her to grieve unnecessarily.
He claimed that we should learn to
soften our anger. “Think your way
through difficulties,” he recommended,
“harsh conditions can be softened,
restricted ones can be widened, and
heavy ones can weigh less on those
who know how to bear them.” “He will
live badly who does not know how to
die well.”He even offered practical advice such
as “we must go for walks out of doors,
so the mind can be strengthened and
invigorated by a clear sky and of fresh
air”.All in all, Seneca's writings are a good
reminder of where we must focus our
time and energy. A worthwhile read
for an afternoon of leisure. - Blog post
- 3 years ago
- Views: 152
- Not yet rated
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