Please excuse the lack of posting over the next few days. My dad is in hospital with heart trouble and all I can think about is him. My dad is one of my biggest inspirations and I love him very much. I am sure he will be fine, he is fit and healthy and should come through with flying colors, but I admit to some trepidation still.
Archive for November, 2006
29
Nov
06
Pre-apology
27
Nov
06
Small Nudes
I am working a lot in small scale at the moment and full color. the fun of working like this is I can explore poses and the different effects that colors and textures can create. I am very tonally orientated which makes working with color a rare delight and a fun form of expression. it’s a very unforgiving media which adds a level of complexity, especially as I am not working with a model.
Tags: Art, creating art, nudes, painting
26
Nov
06
Oh to be Nudist again..
I was watching Queer-eye earlier today, resting from an enormous and wonderful Thanksgiving. This episode was the one with the nudist. watching this episode really made me think about nudity which, lets face it, is never far from my mind.
They discussed the equality that nudists feel, that skin is the great equalizer, how it is about being comfortable in your skin and in your own body as well as with others.
Lately I have been happy to find myself gaining more comfort in my skin again. I used to be a bit of a nudist and there is a wonderful feeling of freedom in it. When inhibitions get in the way it can block many things, including, I believe, creative expression. I usually paint nude or just in my shirt so I have something to put my iPod in (no comments from the peanut gallery! 
).
I truly believe the body is a beautiful thing, It is mysterious, surprising, expressive and powerful. I really never grow tired of it.
24
Nov
06
Nudity Sells… and buys!
by Johnny Naked
“The Ever-Changing Naked Picture Project” — his title for the 30-some photographs generated so far, as people of all ages and sizes disrobe for his camera — began in January. The entire series went on display at Gallery 825 on Oct. 20 and will continue through Nov. 17.
The project is ongoing. Until a few days before the show’s closing, Naked will accept requests from anyone willing to become his next nude model in exchange for a copy of the previous photo. Most of the models have been artists, but there have also been some who signed up after seeing the project at the gallery or online.
ART – An art fee that’ll make you blush – Los Angeles Times – calendarlive.com:
There’s something about this concept that really speaks to me, it’s about accepting all people as beautiful and embracing the figure and ourselves. at least that is what I get from it, no doubt many others see renewal of life, a demystification of nude art, a chance to be a part of a work of art or maybe just a chance to be an exhibitionist and see a new side to yourself.
Whew! does it sound like I have been writing proposals and creating submissions? that and I am constantly looking at different angles in art, trying to see how different people might see the same concept. I personally like my works to have individual meanings and completely different meanings. if it means the same thing all the time then perhaps you aren’t touching your audience enough..
And yes, to answer your question, I probably would have participated in The Ever-Changing Naked Picture Project .
Tags: art show, art world, creating art, nudes
21
Nov
06
Phew! Goya Returns
Children with a Cart, by Goya
NEWARK, N.J. – FBI agents in New Jersey have recovered a 1778 painting by famed Spanish artist Francisco de Goya that was stolen as it was being taken to an exhibition earlier this month, the agency announced Monday.
FBI recovers stolen Goya painting – THE ARTS – MSNBC.com:
The stolen Goya has been returned. The media blitz is largely responsible for the return of this wonderful Painting with tips coming in all over. I was afraid that this theft would turn into another snafu like the Munch thefts.
Goya is one of my inspirations, he is responsible for the first full frontal nude, which created a big stir. His beautiful Paint strokes and use of light and shade fascinate me.
21
Nov
06
Discovery
Do you remember that I mentioned that I muffed a piece the other day? well, it goes to show that nothing is beyond redemption.. This composition came to me one night and I have been sitting on it and cooking it up. At first it represented my body issues and was a representation of body dysmorphic disorder. then I started working on it while I was starting to re-emerge from my cocoon. that is when it all went haywire. the Original concept wasn’t working but I wasn’t quite ready to embrace a new meaning. it became a big ol mess, just like me.
Then, last night I was taKing it down to move aside and forget about when it struck me. and I started working on it, working back into the image with pastels. Suddenly the whole work started to glow and change. Each line had a purpose and a meaning. I got into the zone and was pretty excited with the outcome. It became less about issues and more about rediscovering myself. The glowing lines represent the joy I feel about finally reintegrating all parts of myself. They are colorful, but strong all moving together to create a cohesive whole.
Tags: Art, creating art, impasto, Nude, painting
20
Nov
06
Checking out Nude Models
Scotland’s most famous nude model was the young Sir Sean Connery, who posed for students at Edinburgh College of Art. In April 2002, Glasgow City Council was ridiculed when it ordered a touring arts workshop to make sure its life models were fully clothed.The Royal Academy of Arts roadshow was allowed to use the models on every other workshop.The enhanced disclosure checks are usually required for teachers, doctors and other professionals working with children.
The Sunday Mail – NEWS – NO NUDES ARE BAD NUDES:
The Royal Academy of Arts is looking to make it’s life models undertake the same checks that professionals working with children need to take. I admit to some curiosity, in all of the life drawing situations I’ve been in the model has not talked to the group, just disrobed and posed. I assume that the check is to make sure that the models aren’t exhibitionists or something.. Maintaining objectivity is important which is why none of the models have chatted after taking off the robe.
I know quite a few people who may not have been able to maintain objectivity while drawing Sean Connery though.
Tags: art news, censorship, creating art, nudes
19
Nov
06
Apology
I realize my posting has dropped off a little lately. I have been spring cleaning and picking up different parts of my life, relaxing into myself again. I have articles piling up here and paintings I want to do, applications and everything. My blog is one of my most important marketing tools and I feel terrible that my posting has dropped off, but every so often we all need a break.
I worked on a painting the other day, an image that has been plaguing me, and it didn’t go well. unfortunately if the white pieces go wrong there is little that can be done. whenever a painting doesn’t go well, I tend to hide away until I can make it work, anything art related tends to bug me when a painting goes wrong. I need to put it aside and do something else, I work best with goals so I am going to work on that this week.
16
Nov
06
Body art
Well, something I have been waiting for for over 10 years has finally happened – I finally have some ink.
This was one of the most profound experiences of my life. it was almost 3 hours straight but during the whole process it was as if time just stopped. It was meditative and felt like a scouring of my soul. everything that has happened, all the self-doubt and fear is gone. It struck me that my belief in this thing is so strong that the symbol has become an object for change in me. The symbol isn’t what matters, it’s the belief that has the ability to change. For some it may be religion, for others it may be their family or a cause to fight for, all symbols of importance to that individual. The belief is the key, I am finally learning how important belief is and how powerful. This may seem a silly thing to believe in, but it isn’t any sillier than other objects of belief.
The fact that it is permanently engraved on my skin, to know that I suffered for it, is allowing me to take back my self, to own who I am. This is a symbol of strength, sensuality, confidence and power. It represents me, a me that I lost a long time ago. Now I am taking my self back- I finally feel like me again. Believing in this symbol is allowing me, ultimately, to believe in myself.
I was afraid I might lose this feeling, then I realized that the only way for me to lose it is to let myself lose it.
Tags: ink, musing, body art, dragon
14
Nov
06
Critical Nudity
Their bodily proportions insured that their nakedness aroused little in the way of public indignation. They were about as sexy as the Macy’s balloons, and their seemingly inflated blandness lent them the cheerful and benign look one associates with upscale folk art. The sculptures were a shade less ingratiating, a shade more dangerous than one of Walt Disney’s creations, but in no way serious enough to call for critical scrutiny. Though transparently modern, Botero’s style is admired mainly by those outside the art world. Inside the art world, critic Rosalind Krauss spoke for many of us when she dismissed Botero as “pathetic.”
The Body in Pain:
This review of Botero’s latest show fascinates me because of the critical views. I frequently wonder if the goal ultimately, in art, is to gain approval from the art world at large, or the regular populace? can you have one without the other? and if we were to choose one, which should it be?
Approval from the art world opens doors to museum collections and critical acclaim. Approval from the Common Man ™ paves the way to sales and people’s hearts. One could argue that by capturing the attention of the populace you can gain critical recognition, but the argument could also be made that by playing to the crowd you are eliminating the chance to be critically acclaimed.
I think there is a strong philosophy that art must be complex, deep and obscure to be appreciated by critics and conversely that non-artophiles should have difficulty comprehending the enormity of works. Both are complete bosh in my most humble opinion. I think an artwork can have beauty, strength, complexity and depth and should be able to stand on each leg on it’s own, thus giving something to everyone. Art should be accessible for everyone, whether they hold a PHD in art appreciation or walked in off the street and have a velvet elvis on their wall. There should be something in it for everyone – even if it is just boobies
Tags: Art, art news, art world, critics, nudity
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