To create one’s own world in any of the arts takes courage.”
~ Georgia O’Keeffe (source)
A Lonely Porch, Comet, MT
I admire my students that continue to create and put themselves out there. It takes courage to face a group of individuals for critique. This summer I have a wonderful group. It is fun to teach when you see that they are engaged and eager to learn.
Dance first. Think later. It’s the natural order.”
~ Samuel Beckett (source)
A Room with a View
Imitation is the best form of flattery. For the past year, I have passed Intermedia Arts on Lyndale Avenue in South Minneapolis and found it interesting that they are following a variation on my blog’s theme about how art changes lives by painting a wall mural proclaiming art changes everything. I am glad my blog has served as an inspiration to that art organization, and other artists and folks seeking a moment of solace and inspiration.
An only child in a dysfunctional family I found myself lost in my imagination at a very early age. Drawing, coloring, play acting, and creating tunnels and forts were the staples of my play. First grade, I found color and began forming my own aesthetic through what I call, now, scribble art. Using a pencil or crayon I would draw a series of loops on a page and fill each section with color. My poor classmates had to endure numerous “show and tells” as I would show my works and talk about the colors and what I discovered. I have to admit. I had a friend and she and I would share our techniques. That year my parents separated. I didn’t know it then but it centered me and helped me through that transition.
Through the rough times over the next few years. I would draw… battlefields, airplanes, cars, collisions and a myriad of other subjects. In the fifty and sixties, my toys were cheap. Pencil and paper were all I needed. I escaped into the two-dimensional surface before me. When I was learning to write perhaps that was my introduction to typography. I loved it…. the exercises introduced me to line and shape and as long as I was drawing I was happy. Reading never came easy to me… but drawing gave my ego a boost and taught me I could do anything.
Around third or fourth grade, I discovered the human figure. My life drawings got me into lots of trouble and looking back my fondness for the male figure was clear sign of things to come and probably helped me acknowledge my sexual identity sooner that most little boys at the time. The sixties and seventies was not the ideal time to come out as a gay man but… I did and I attribute my drawing and self-awareness contributing to my ability to acknowledge and retain my dignity in the process.
From third grade to the middle of the seventh grade I lived with my aunt’s family, I was not a happy camper and envisioned myself as a boy cinderella, a lesser than part of my aunt’s family. I am ever grateful for the roof that they provided. Most grateful for my father’s support and love… My mother was largely absent. That was the year I read Gulliver Travels… As I worked buffering the tile floors for my aunt. I would begin to create my own Gulliver Travel tales as I stared at the specks in the linoleum tile. There were many kingdoms created, as well as, a large number of cast members. I guess it was almost a “Horton and the Who” scenario. I was an unhappy child but …. had a world of friends at my feet
I have to go for now but I will continue this brief story of how art changed my life.
Art changes People, People change the World”
~ Ricardo Khan, Artistic Director, Crossroads Theater Company
I found this video as I was searching the web for art changes. That video lead me to the quote you see above. It was used by August Wilson, playwright and he credited Richardo Khan. In both William Kentridge’s video and Richardo Khans argument, I can’t disagree with either. I enjoy how each perspective begins with art and they involve the man in the mirror. As the Michael Jackson’s song goes, “If you wanna make the world a better place. Take a Look at yourself, and then make a change.”
Art is the tool for the individual to get started. You can locate both the video and article in the MoMA publication—Inside/Out.
Girls sometimes sport pale lip tints, dark eyeshadow a la’ Edie Sedgewick, while guys are often into hats and caps. Vision-challenged art-nerds often lean towards retro or nerd style glasses, many owning more than two pairs of specs.”
~ Urban Dictionary
Far From Random
Fossil microbes give sulphur insight on ancient Earth
Reading the news today my imagination is sparked again by the speculation about life on Mars current or in the past and this speculation has fueled my art. Whether it is recording/documenting traces of… or evidence of life, I am fascinated about what traces we might leave behind. CSI, the television show, examines a crime scene for traces of DNA. Looking for a hair or fiber, or a bit of soil that can tie the suspect to the crime.
As time passes and friends and family pass-on, I muse about what traces we leave behind… What evidence of life do we leave… a single skin cell, a passing shadow, or an assemblage of shells? Or possibly only a deed.
A lot of people have gone further than they thought they could because someone else thought they could.”
~ Unknown
Separated by Minutes and Hours
The other day I ran across Creativity Explored; a site that represents a community that truly is designed to changing lives through art. Their mission is to support aspiring artists with developmental disabilities and promoting their work in a complicated world. They do this through offering guidance and programs, providing studio space, art supplies, and a marketplace to sell their work. More incrediable they have been offering these services for over a quarter of a century. Their studios and gallery is located in the San Francisco area. In short, Creativity Explored’s focus to help individuals that wish to become self-employed and self sustaining artists to do so. I believe, it is in their demonstrating through their actions that they find success.
I call them super mentors!
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Dance, when you’re broken open. Dance, if you’ve torn the bandage off. Dance in the middle of the fighting. Dance in your blood. Dance when you’re perfectly free.” ~ Rumi
The kind of beauty I want most is the hard-to-get kind that comes from within - strength, courage, dignity.” ~ Ruby Dee
I believe in everything until it’s disproved. So I believe in fairies, the myths, dragons. It all exists, even if it’s in your mind. Who’s to say that dreams and nightmares aren’t as real as the here and now?” ~ John Lennon
