Painted Chest

In 2006 my grandfather gave me a trunk to take to College. When I got the trunk in my dorm, I created a painting for it. The painting is strange. I love poems by William Butler Yeats. And I chose his poem Leda and the Swan. I love the final words, "Did she put on his knowledge with his power?" The painting is referencing knowledge learned by nature, amongst other personal and familial symbolism.

And the painting is ok, I want to stay away from making personal symbolic paintings. When I see mine, I sometimes feel as though I am looking into a mirror, and it's not the image I would like everyone to see. It's easier for me to communicate a message that isn't personal but one that shares and relates to more people. The reason why I am posting this image is because I did take the time to make this painting and it is a reflection on my development as artist.

Late Night Diner

I am excited because I had two cups of coffee and a bowl of chocolate icecream at 2 o'clock in the morning.

I went to the A-town diner with my friend, Lindsay. She is a studio Art major as well. She ordered french fries with her coffee.
We spoke about artists and the impact of art in our lives. She brought with her a book of paintings done by Alice Neel and I brought a book of art by Picasso. It is very strange to compare the two artists because there are similarities. Especially with an almost outline of the figure and flat colored bodies. When I look Neel's painting I feel as though the heads of her figures are constantly nodding because the head especially the face appears to have more weight than the whimsical body.
And... I've always loved Picasso. He has broken down and rebuilt realities, dimensions and imagination. His paintings have a curosity that lure the viewer and pull their eyes rapidly around the painting. The composition is usually very striking with masks figures, floating heads, lights, and people who appear to be emotionally on another plane.
I realized though, when Lindsay asked about my plan for the senior show that I am slightly nervous. I am anxious about my senior project. I want to create something... strong, but reflective. Existing, but only existing in part. Curious but plain. I think that is why I love painting and drawing sticks.

I was painting a nude figure today in class. I couldn't figure out the perspective and balence. I wanted to portray her realisticly, but I couldn't. Even with a lot of practice, I couldn't do it. I have doubts that I will never reach a finished image. And worse yet they transform into thoughts about not being good enough, or smart enough... it is an endless chain. I keep reminding myself that, I'll see this through because that's what I will learn to do. Tomorrow is a new day, and I will be back in the painting studio.

Art Criticism

I started to read, In Relation to the Whole by Rackstaw Downes. I am very excited. The reason is I never thought to evaluate the Art Critic. The most I've known, probably learned from my Travel Soccer days, is if you get a bad review, practice more and make sure you're prepared to kickass next time. However, what if the art piece is not par to the critics standards of Art? Is it even worth to impress the professional if it deviates from the artist's truest intention?
Art used to be viewed in a Hegel Philosophy, which is learn from the past to determine the future. At one point Art was considered sublime when it redressed antique art. In other words study from the masters to out do their work. There also seemed to be security for artists to conform to the trends and movements of their time which continously aimed to improve the quality of art. Which may be necessary practice for an artist to survive. Although it was the plucky artists who made the strongest statments against conformity of the different art movements
I feel as though the Hegel way of thinking may be inadequate because I believe a person is not in direct competition with the past to eventually conform to present standards. I believe a person should be influenced by a master but develop his own body of work. Perphaps the most valuable criticism reflects on the Artist's commitment to his study and how well he achieved his goal.
When evaluating an art piece, I do my best to be honest. I want first the person to explain her piece. The first thing I look for is reflection. With great reflection exists time, observation and development of skill. Technique and quality are important because there is a dialogue between the artist and the viewer. The Artist should strive for the best possible dialog to deliever her message to the viewer. Because the delivery of the message gives art strength and meaning whether it is personal or universal. By delivery, I mean composition, style, skill, time, and motivation.

Beginning of an Artist Statement

I wrote down words today to form an artist statement. It's not personal, most of it is common sense. I took Nature Writing last year, and I did well in the course. It's an odd genre of writing because as I sat in class, I felt a sense of looming danger as a consequence for carelessness. All Nature writers feel this; they write with hope to encourage others to act. As it should be because things may be bad, but they can always change. After explaining this, I want to write my scattered words.

Random Words for Artist Statement

Nature is to Human, repeating patterns and syststems
Humans have need to control chaos but life is random
Lose of control random probability, repeling electrons
beauty in reflection. Experience gained by time
Frankenstein
Adventure, lesson, risk-choice
Millions of beliefs, all valid by each own person, inequality
"Everything you imagine is real": Picasso
Collage of diversity
Ugly is to beauty as Nature is to Human
beauty is to ugly as Nature is to Human
Fate vs Freewill
Either Romantic thinking or not
Learn to love Nature
or natural diseaster for future generations
Learn to embrace eachother
or human diseaster for future generations
by existance of art we may communicate through different times and spaces
Welcome many individual realities and identities because everything ties
together

I want to write my first draft next week.

Contest Entries

I sumbited this image for a magazine cover design... it was way too dark. I know for next time not to use charcoal for entries. It is really rough. This image won a t-shirt contest... although it was banned from my school.... ..... ....

This an ink and water color painting that won for the Health and Wellness logo for Cedar Crest College. I made a mistake though. Cherry wood represent knowledge and health. Cherry blossom represents short lived and fragile. But since we're human, I imagine we all feel that way when it comes to our health.

Pen and Pencil drawings

Pen sketch of sword on fabric Iinterned at Landis Valley Museum this summer and the next two sketches are from there.

This is a pencil sketch of my closet

Sketch book drawings

This is an ink sketch of Derek. Not bad, but the nose is too small.

I went to Kentucky this summer,and stayed in a cabin. This is my jacket hanging off the rail.

This is a sketch of my ink bloter on fabric. I like it.

Derek made a campfire, and I drew a picture of logs... I swear I am not lazy, and I could have helped if I really wanted too.

Thisis my favorite sketch I feel as though I drew my collared shirt so nicely. It makes me smile.

This is a chair... nevermore