happy halloween! i was teen wolf. what were you?

i have been busy preparing for the art show friday. today we were hanging stuff up i got a look at the covington map of the galleries participating. this thing is pretty big. lots of stores involved. i am going to sneak out sometime during the show and see a few.
i had originally thought this would be a good opportunity to do a new series in slightly different style or using different colors. but what i had in my head was not coming out great in the real world, so i kind of shifted back to the primary color scheme i’ve been working with. i only have one “new” piece in the show. i didn’t have time to do a new series although i have been experimenting with some ideas. i’m finally broke down and started using canvas instead of cardboard. i like working on cardboard. the surface kind of grabs the paint in an interesting way, and it’s easy to glue things to it and cut it and manipulate it. and if i really mess up, i can just go grab some more out of some department store trash receptacle. but i think there’s a perception with 2D art, that if it’s not on canvas or in a frame, it’s unprofessional. it has been a struggle to find ways to hang cardboard to give it that same professional impact. so at least for a little while, i’m going to try some things on canvas. i don’t know if it’s a compromise though. i want my stuff to look professional and to be taken seriously. this is more convenient..

it takes at least two days to do one large piece. starting with scrap paper, painting it a red/orange wash on it, cutting it up, gluing it, and supplementing it with printed sky blue graphics i create on the computer. i’m trying to stay away from obvious hearts although i’m still using some biomorphic shapes.

i have found some really great scraps to use. i discovered a box in my mom’s basement last weekend containing all my paperwork from junior high and high school. lots of interesting things including a study sheet i found about how the valuable skills needed to succeed in school mirror the valuable skills needed to succeed in the workplace. the SOCIAL SKILLS category includes works well with others, is liked by fellow classmates, and attempts to make friends. this was something a teacher was passing out in the 8th grade emphasizing the importance of popularity, being a “team player” and lots of other bullshit. another gem i found is a worksheet from 8th grade music class: Terms Used in the Music Industry. terms include To blend a multi-track recording into the desired balance of sound - Mix. One who finds work for a performer and schedules the performance - Booking Agent. et cetera. I also found CPR instructions, a handbook about frisbee, solar eclipse viewing guide, a pamphlet about the long term effects of the Protestant reformation on christianity, europe and western thought, facts about catholic confirmation, and on and on. it all gives a nice insight to the things i was interested in, as well as the stuff that was shoved down my throat. this is literally taking pieces of my life and inserting them into my art. it’s really been fun for me.

in a way its self-indulgent. i could be making paintings about conflict in Sudan. but on the other hand, a lot of artists throughout history blatantly inserted themselves into their work in a very direct way. Dali is the first that comes to mind, using specific symbols to represent his mother, certain fears he had or sexual interests etc. but i guess i still have him on the brain after that exhibit a few weeks ago. the best i can hope for is that other people can enjoy and/or relate to my experiences.