The Role of the Artist

From Art and Perception (dot com)...

Why is it so difficult to be an artist?
Posted by Karl Zipser on April 30th, 2007


To be an artist today is to confront continual uncertainty. There is economic uncertainty, and also uncertainty of purpose. Modern society seems to value art — art is preserved in museums, and purchased for large sums by “collectors.” And yet the typical artist is strangely disconnected from the top levels of success.
...There is far more wealth in the world today to purchase art than in any time past. The difficult position of artist today is therefore something of a mystery.
If there is a general appreciation of art, and money to buy art, then why is it so difficult to fulfill the role of artist?"

Check it out in full by following the link...

It is a noggin scratcher, to be sure- something that I think every artist thinks about from time to time (though it's probably best not to get bogged down in it) Being unappreciated in one's own lifetime and all that...
And on a completely unrelated note, here is an abstracted landscape I've been working on. I'll post some pics when it's done.

Morandi slide show

A pretty cool slideshow of Morandi's work... (click here)

Contest piece for the Lewiston Sun Journal

Here is a project that some of my students (Athena Andoniades, Sierra Edwards, and Aharon Hebert) worked on as part of a contest sponsored by the Lewiston Sun Journal- winners will be chosen by the readers, so vote early and often! I think the concept is really inspired...

Recently completed mural

Here are some pictures of a mural that my brother and I painted at a private indoor golf club in Portland. It was done in acrylic and measures 4o feet by 8 feet.

(Needless to say, it took quite a while...)

Knitted Ferrari

Here's a strange sculpture that was recently featured in an English gallery. What you think of it?

Lauren Porter’s Knitted Ferrari Sarah Myerscough Fine Art (Mon. 27th Nov. to Fri. 1st Dec.)

In Laurens Porter’s full size knitted Ferrari we find the fusion of the seemingly incompatible. The most aspirational of all consumer products is presented in the medium most quintessentially ‘home-spun’. The masculine is brought together with the feminine, soft with hard, young with old and the fast with the slow - this particular Ferrari was 10 months in production. If you were to ask what the opposite of Ferrari might be – could the answer be knitting?The beauty of this piece is not just in the simplicity with which these associations and stereotypes are challenged; the positivitey with which Lauren raises these questions is just as immediate. Stressing the importance she places on using humour and optimism to put across a deeper meaning, Lauren especially wants people who don’t normally go to art galleries to see her work. The wide appeal of this piece can be seen in the breath of interest in it - exhibited in both the British International Motor Show in the Sunday Times VIP Super Car Section and at the Alexandra Palace for the Stitch and Knit expo. ‘I get men admiring the racing lines and old women admiring the stitching’ Lauren says, and likes the way that people walk away from it with a smile on there face.A controversial cross between a Testa Rossa and a 355, this version includes windscreen wipers, wing mirrors, low profile tires and, of course, the famous badge (here hand embroidered). Having already drawn a great deal of attention to itself, having been featured in the Times, the Sun and on BBC 1 already this year, the red knitted Ferrari will now be on sale at Sarah Myerscough Fine Art.

Art Theft in Zurich

http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/02/11/art.theft/index.html
"Haul includes pieces by Cezanne, Van Gogh, Degas and Monet"

Art theft is one of the most inexcusable crimes. Taking something that is on public display, and essentially bringing back into a private collection- these people should be drawn and quartered...

An Andrew Wyeth Piece...

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep"
Andrew Wyeth
(b.1917)


"Wind From the Sea"
Oil on Canvas
Dimensions unknown


While I personally prefer the work of N.C. Wyeth over that of his son, Andrew; ol' Andrew has a real knack for painting that cold, dried out, wintery New England landscape. (plus, those curtains are sweet...)

Self Portrait in Progress

Here is a self portrait I've been working on- I've taken pictures at semi regular intervals to give an idea of the process oriented nature of this work. (you have to click on it to make it go)

Here's how it stands right now- I still have a little ways to go...

The Photo is a tad dark, but you get the idea...