Schlock Art: Why A Modern Artist Suffers

Thanks to technology we have an abundance of imagery at our disposal. We can view art from all time periods, even though we miss the details that the originals can offer, like brush strokes, texture and so on. It can be a paradise for the modern artist that wants to explore new territory, and yes... there is new territory to be discovered. I personally like to paint information overload, but spacial relations, multi-dimensions, string theory, and such all provide stomping grounds for artists that want to pioneer into the unknown.

So what's the problem? Simple, the press likes to glorify the crap. Pregnant Britney Spears statues, floor flags, human bodily fluids on religions figures and horse head eating maggots all get the ink these days. It's obnoxious because it is lousy art. And yes, this is not an opinion, this is fact. Projects that only invoke uncomfortable feelings and shock value do not live up to high standards, just as much as a smiley face sticker or a $39 print at Target. These are one-trick ponies, that cheapen the industry, and it is time the art world gathers the finest in the industry and penetrates the consciousness of the everyday citizen.

And there are plenty of modern artists that stir the imagination. They are not getting the press, except the occasional PBS series (ART 21) and such. A good place to start is the Phaidon Press book Vitamin P, a 352 page visual treat for those that want to see what modern art can truly be without the excessive use of boobies and vulgarity.

And for those looking to expand a career in the arts, which you can do... there are plenty of online resources to get you started. The Art List is a monthly newsletter listing art contests, competitions, awards, juried art shows, art grants, calls to artists, and other opportunities.

View The Art List Online

It is the job of the artist to awaken the public of new visual possibilities, the more eyes and ears, the more enlightened we all become.

Children's Illustrations TearSheet

Read this doc on Scribd: Children's Illustrations by Michael Foster

Inside the Illustration: part 1

I think we all have an impact on the world, sometimes in ways we never get to witness. Take for example this ghost. Obviously the snowman reminds him (or her) of something, the past, forgotten youth... there's hidden meaning, which I won't reveal and ruin the mystery. In many ways, it doesn't matter the exact reasoning why the ghost is touched by the presence of the snowman. It's a private moment, one that none of us ever get to see... yet it is important to the ghost. Is the ghost reaching out to the snowman? Does the ghost relate to the snowman? Does the ghost know who made the snowman? Could be all of those... or maybe just the small fact that by seeing something that was created by someone else, a connection is made. In this case, a spirit quietly connects with the living world.

The Book Club

As you may have noticed, I've got a new widget on my blog courtesy of Shelfari. Here's where I put books I've read or own on the shelf, along with reviews so you can get my humble opinion on certain reads related to the arts, business and so on. If you're an avid book lover I'd highly suggest jumping in on this social site with brains to match.

Free the arts... no it's actually for free now.

One of the topics I really want to explore is the impact of digital media and how an artist can compete (let alone put food on the table) in a world where so much information is now given away. The first step, this article by WIRED magazine's Chris Anderson entitled "What Are You Worth in a Free Economy?" by Nat Ives for Ad Age Magazine.

View the article here.

East Vs. West - Art Shows

You can see my entire portfolio of recent paintings at two fun-filled places in the Seattle area. Both shows will be running throughout the spring.

ON THE EAST SIDE
Koap Home • 116 Central Way in Kirkland, WA 98033
Visit Koap Home
This show has plenty of my solid, most popular paintings.


ON THE WEST SIDE
Ola Salon • 2942 Avalon Way SW, Seattle, WA, 98126
Visit Ola Salon
Lots of works in progress and early pieces can be found here.

Book Club part 1

The Fabric of the Cosmos: Space, Time, and the Texture of Reality
by Brian Greene

Yeah, I know what you're thinking. What's a physics book doing on an art & design blog. Well, truth be told... there are a lot of lessons to be learned through the exploration of string theory. Not to mention the ability to picture 11 dimensions can do wonders for ones painting (and or advertising) career.

Some of what you will learn is the following...
1) Sometimes there is more than one accurate and valid explanation for the same thing.
2) Every moment of your life in theory hasn't disappeared, it's still happening.
3) You need negative forces to have positive ones. (and vice versa)
4) It takes about 20 very solid and fixed measurements (size of electrons, temperature which water freezes, etc.) to make a universe as random as ours.

It's a good mind expander, and under $12.00. Check it out!

Buy the book at Amazon here.

What's it all about?

Many of you have been asking about the meaning behind my work. So I've provided a little mini-list of the secrets behind some of my recent paintings. The main story: Information is everywhere, in forms of music, radio signals, television, our own memories and opinions, conversations with others, internet, cell phones, advertisements, the urban buzz... it completely surrounds us. In my paintings, the information is shown as blips, scribbles and bursts.

"You're Not the Only One I Know" - Each character in my paintings deals with "the information" in her own terms. Here, the subject recognizes the viewer as someone from her past. How she remembers you is the mystery.

"There's Never Anything Good on T.V." - I'm sure if we had the ability to travel to other planets and visit other intelligent life-forms, they would have the same problems we do.

"Within Your Reach" - Named after a Replacements tune. Here, the focus of this work is about making connections. The mood of this character is unknown, but it is autumn and it appears she is spinning. The question remains, is she within your reach, or are you within hers?

"I'm Really Not That Anxious" - Although in a busy urban setting, this person has found a way to deal with "the information." How she accomplishes this is a mystery. Maybe she's far above in a skyscraper, or perhaps she's found a moment of peace in a coffee shop. What do you think?

"And Then She Was Gone" - Here, the character is dealing with the memory of someone who has long since disappeared. The camera and television set suggest that memory is subjected to our own unique perspective. The memories are shown as yellow bubbles, more solid in structure than most information, yet much more fragile while slowly drifting away.

"Rest and Relaxation" - Many of us find peace and understanding when we spend time with our pets. The double meaning of R&R suggests that even in the most serene of settings, we are never completely out of harm's way.

"The Spaces In-Between" - We live in a modern world of constant communication. Even in the most desolate of places "the information" still swirls around waiting for a connection. Since there is no character in this painting, it forces the viewer to determine how they feel about the interaction in its most basic form.

"Just To Fall In Love" - Sometimes "the information" becomes overwhelming and we must force ourselves to deal with it on our own terms. The particular mood of this character has been highly debated. How do you think she feels?