Portfolio

“The point is that you learn how to make your work by making your work, and a great many of the pieces you make along the way will never stand out as finished art.” Pg.6

“You make good work by (among other things) making lots of work that isn’t very good, and gradually weeding out the parts that aren’t good, the parts that aren’t yours.” p. 26

What work have you made that seems most yours? Why?

I feel like some of the work, that is closest to me, would have to be my wooden books, or my Elements paintings. Always wanting to be an illustrator, to tell a story and to capture the viewers attention in this way, illustrating books is like breathing to me; once I think of a concept, the process is very enjoyable and freeing. When it comes to my elements paintings, I am so very much drawn to the color use and soft quality of the images; they're serene and subtle, but interesting. Recently, I have also become very attracted to the wooden mosaics I have done; the brightness of the color and the depth of the spaces in between each piece, are alluring to me and I greatly appreciate the process of cutting wood, into various shapes, in order to achieve my design. Overall, the work that is closest to me, are pieces that contain narrative, meaning and sense of wonder.

“Chances are that whatever theme and technique attract you, someone has already experimented in the same direction. This is unavoidable: making any art piece inevitably engages the larger themes and basic techniques that artists have used for centuries. Finding your own work is a process of distilling from each those traces that ring true to your own spirit.” p. 103

Who are artists that are making work that relates to you? Are there other influences? How are these other influences connected to your work?

One of the artists I find quite inspiring, is Leonardo Da Vinci; while he is well known for his paintings, I am more so drawn to his endless portfolios of sketches and drawings. The way Da Vinci approaches life and beauty, and then portrays it in such a delicate manner, is stunning. His drawings are realistic, however, they seem to contain something more than just fact; the way in which he creates images, almost seems to reveal a hidden secret, or magic within the subject. I also remain immensely inspired by Disney and it's ability to envision worlds which leave the viewer awestruck; I am very much drawn to the messages of hope, bravery and imagination, that are the core of Disney narratives. Oftentimes, I will find unidentified works of art, while browsing the internet; while the artists remain anonymous, these works are just as inspiring to my own work, as those done by Disney, Tim Burton, or Da Vinci. I tend to notice that particular qualities of these unknown works, are their use of bright color, intensity of light of shadow, unique perspective and attractive distortion of the image.

“And while a hundred civilizations have prospered (sometimes for centuries) without computers or windmills or even the wheel, none have survived even a few generations without art.” p. 104

Discuss, in your own words, why you think this is so.

There are things that cause the mind, heart and spirit to prosper, and things that cause them fall apart. Art is something that is wondrous and uplifting and overall, is a realm of freedom; one's spirit and sense of well being, has the ability to flourish in artistic endeavors and to find peace, that is separate from the harshness of daily life. Art provides a place of refuge from the things of the world, that become overbearing, repetitive and confining. While technology can itself, be a form of artistic creation and a realm of wonderful invention, is can also be the cause of things that complicate and drain life, such as virtual obsession, capitalists interests, harmful machinery and the mind set of a fast-paced life. While technology provides satisfaction, in numerous accounts, art feeds humanity in a way that is irreplaceable.

“Art is something you do out in the world, or something you do about the world, or even something you do for the world. The need to make art may not stem solely from the need to express who you are, but from a need to complete a relationship with something outside of yourself.” p. 108

Which of these ideas resonates most with you? Why? If they all resonate, how do they differ?

Art is something you do for the world. I feel this statement resonates most for me, because of my desire to share images that uplift and inspire. For myself, coming across artwork that speaks to me and is encouraging of my own interests and influences, makes me excited and inspired as well. I think that being able to envision things that provide happiness to others is an incomparable ability and is one that is greatly rewarding. While my art may not speak to everyone, I can only hope that it can find service in delighting others and providing a spark of desire, to visualize and compose.

“Making art depends upon noticing things-things about yourself, your methods, your subject matter.” p. 109

What do you notice about yourself? What are your methods? Subject matter? The answers do not have to be limited to art related topics.

I notice that I am time and again drawn to fantastic elements and subjects; I never tire of thinking of what could be, what stories have been left untold, what impossibilities can become possible and what worlds are left to be discovered. What is it about these subjects that are so alluring? I think that fantasy is like art itself, in the way that it can be anything you want it to be; there are no rules or guidelines about what can happen, or how things should look. I am very disinterested in things that are ordinary, unless they are made interesting, in the way they are portrayed. I find that subjects that are standard, are just fact and nothing else, there is little left to personal touch and creativity; however, if a simple object can have a story behind it, or a unique design, it immediately captures my attention. I also notice my desire to keep everything clean and precise; I must admit I find this surprising, in contrast to my interests in whimsical and colorful subjects. However, for me, keeping things in order, helps me to maintain direction and the ability to carry out my design; I don't like leaving things unfinished, or unsure.

“The only work really worth doing- the only work you can do convincingly- is the work that focuses on the things you care about.” p. 116

“All this suggests a useful working approach to making art: notice the objects you notice.” Pg.101

What do you care about? The answers do not have to be limited to art related topics.

I care about hope, dreams, love, faith, family and the ability and strength, to fight for what you believe in. While I have and have had my share of tragedy, loss and devastation, I never want to cease holding onto hope and belief, that tomorrow will be a better day; I believe that in order to move past the storms, that occur in our lives, we must have the desire to keep going, knowing that the things that are going on, are only a short chapter of our existence. Things such as family, love and faith, are what help to keep me steady and strong. I also care about the ability of holding onto good things, things that many times, get left behind as we grow up, or change; things like creativity, imagination and self confidence. I believe that small building blocks, such as these, are essential to the entirety of one's life and maintain the power to change perspectives, actions and sense of self.