The Studio

Sueños

from the "Dreams" series.

 

"Visual artists are conscious, and unconscious, agents of mass dreams, allowing forbidden or forgotten images to surface, reinforcing aspects of identity that provide pride and self-esteem, countering the malignant imprint of socially imposed inferiority.  As namers, artists participate in an ongoing process of call and response, acting in the space between the self- or individual portrait and the cluster of characteristics that supposedly define a community."

 -Lucy Lippard, Mixed Blessings.

Heading Westward...

We are in the process of packing and moving out West to Colorado.  

The next couple weeks will be hectic so I will probably not be posting very much on the blog.

Stay tuned... 

Art Surgery

Alison Saar doesn't fuck around.

 

    When I was younger I dreamt of becoming an Art Conservator.  I stacked my courseload with as many Chemistry and Art classes that I could.  I became obsessed with memorizing dates, periods and movments in Art History... and then I started oil painting.  Seduced by the media and creative release of art-making I decided to put all my chips in and transfer to art school - best - decision - ever.  

    Art maintenance (conservation) sucks.  Yet, it has to be done.  I have spent the last couple weeks (and counting) working on performing "Art Surgery" on a couple of my larger paper-mache sculptures.  Considering that it was my first time working with the media on such a large scale AND learning the process along the way - I figured at some point I would have to perform some repairs.  There is something rather liberating about taking a Sawzall to your sculpture and knowing that it will be okay.  You built it once, so this time it will be even stronger.   

 

Delta Heat

    

    The heat and humidity of the summer always re-unite me with Delta Blues music.  Of course, the gritty content of blues music is probably better suited for winter months - but the cold is already depressing enough...  

    I started reading Alan Lomax's book "The Land Where the Blues Began" over a year ago and plan on finishing it this summer.  The book chronicles Lomax's journey across the American South making some of the most important recordings in history.  If you want to understand the roots of blues culture - this book is a must read. 

Here is Booker White playing 

"Aberdeen Mississippi Blues" to seal the deal:

 

mental toughness and art-making

MKE native Rich loads an atlas stone at Bradford Beach 6-26-11

 

    I had a pretty awesome weekend.  I worked for a friend at a wedding on Saturday all day/night;  and then on Sunday watched a bunch of huge, mastodon dudes lift heavy things at the Bradford Beach Strongman competition.  Epic.

    I read THIS ARTICLE last week on the Elite FTS website and once again found a parallel between physical discipline and artistic/studio discipline.  The largest hurdle we face as artists is just getting in the studio and working - regardless of whether or not you are in the mood.  One of the biggest obstacles we face is the mental block of "not being inspired" or "not having the right materials."  Adapt and grow.  Make use of non-conventional materials, and branch into a new media.  Do what is uncomfortable with your art in media and subject matter in order to grow - nobody has to see what you have made other than yourself.  Once you have neutralized the idea of the viewer, you are able to more honestly approach art-making and will discover more about yourself - it's pretty cool.

    If you have already taken ownership over your processes and are experimenting with variety - show your work to others that you never intended to see the light of day.  It doesn't have to be in a gallery - just have some people over and talk about it.  It will only help you become more and more in accord with your true vision.