artist statement

I decided to submit an artist statement for my senior show at CCSU thats opening tomorrow. Here it is:

Over the last few years I have gravitated towards people as the focus of my artwork. It wasn’t intentional, but it happened because people are difficult to get just right. Capturing someone’s likeness is one of the most challenging things to accomplish as we are accustomed to noticing the slightest of details in each others faces. If something is just a little off, it’s noticeable. As a result of this fact, I was forced to refine my rendering technique.

Since childhood I have preferred graphite as my medium of choice and that hasn’t changed much after completing my degree in illustration. Graphite has a wonderful ability to be manipulated. It can be applied, lifted and layered to form different textures and if something goes wrong it can be erased and you can start over. It’s a forgiving medium and in that respect it’s comfortable. Graphite permits me the ability to focus on observation without the concern of medium control.

These days, I still use graphite whenever I can, but I have also started exploring the flexibility of acrylics. I really enjoy how many different effects I can apply to acrylic paint. Recently I started a series of large paintings where I focused on background textures. Using heavily applied tinted gesso, layering, sanding and acrylic glazing I have accomplished some very intricate textures. After completing a balanced and sensibly even texture, I apply a highly stylized almost stencil-like portrait. Painting in this manner allows the texture to play a part in the portrait and acts as a binding element. This recent series has been about my peers here at CCSU. The figures are people that I have had multiple classes with and have watched grow as artists in their own right. I wanted to do this series as a way of recording them as they are now, the year I graduate.

When people view my work, I like them to try and connect with the subject. Sometimes I focus on an expression, and other times I focus on a pose, but I always try to incorporate an avenue of connection with the audience. It’s never just about representing someone I know, it’s about relating to them personally.

temporary info for jessica

i cant send anything thrrough my school e-mail now.

sigh*


Commission blurb-

I started taking commissions in 2005 when my friends mother hired me to paint a 30' mural in her basement. At the time I knew nothing about mural painting and it took several weeks of effort to put up a basic mural. I really enjoyed it though, so when I had the chance I took a class with professional muralist and social activist Mike Alewitz. He showed us how to pull off a mural quickly and efficiently. By the end of the semester I completed a 52' section of a collaborative stairwell mural in less than four days. During this time span, I also started repeatedly painting my Volkswagen Vanagon with various murals. I ened up feeling pretty confident with the process and in October of 2008 I painted another vanagon up in Prince Edward Island, Canada for my friends Aswah and Lisa. Shortly after finishing, they ended up driving my mural clear across the continent through Canada and the continental U.S. As a result of this many vintage VW drivers found out who I was and I have contacted me requesting similar murals. Shortly after I graduate, I have a job in south Florida painting two VW buses for a woman and her children. The first bus will be a typical "flower-power" hippie mural and the second bus will be a yoga themed mural. After that I may have another VW in Tennessee to paint. If you are interested in aquiring my art on your vehicle please contact me via e-mail or by calling me at 1(860) 806-1107.

stuff to do.

Boy, this is a busy time of year. For my illustration class I have to paint at least two more portraits, but I can't organize a time to take photos of anyone. The idea behind the class is that i will have a cohesive bound presentation portfolio with full color reproductions of all my work this semester. My friend Jeremy keeps bringing in his camera to class, but I never have any work with me because they are so big. Hopefully he will bring it to the capstone show that opens this Friday.

Yep, the Capstone show is this week! I have looked forward to it since I started as an illustration student, but now I am so busy with other things that I can't really get excited about it. I submitted six pieces of art:

Helen
Metadrawing
Self Portrait 2009
The library Poster
Get Off My Lawn (Dick)
... and something else thats not coming to me right now.

Either way, I will be taking pictures of all of them at the show and will likely post them up here. Framing everything ended up costing me almost $300... but i suppose it is worth it. Now I can submit stuff to other shows without worrying about the cost of framing.

I also have life drawing to worry about... i have to finish my double portrait of Jessica, work on my sketchbook so it looks like something and do my final. The final is at least 30" x 40" and must include at least 7 figures from our in class drawings. It is suppose to depict some sort of myth. Mark Strathy is a pretty laid back guy, so I figure i will do something obscure that he might appreciate. Maybe something out of the Native American mythology of the pacific northwest. Might be fun to do a bunch of sasquatches (sp?) posing in the forest. :D


Another thing on my list is to try and find somewhere in Salem where I can show at. I would like to have a "real" show sometime soon and since I am moving into a new town might be the best time to do that.


The Florida Mural project seems like it might go down sooner than later. I talked to the woman who is commissioning me earlier today it seems the best time to paint her two VW's would be before it gets too humid and BEFORE I start a new job. That way, I can have some time to focus on the project without worry about it eating into my vacation time. Vacation time is sacred right now because Jessica and I are getting Married in September and might want to take a couple days off. I think California might be a possibility. :D

Maybe I could take a day and touch up Aswah's bus while we are out there. It would be a shame after to not visit them if we go out there. Anyway, I have life drawing in 24 minutes and have to drive 40 minutes to get there. I don't want to be too late! He never starts on time so I am OK. :D

introduction.

Hello people, This is my art blog. I am a practicing artist and will update this blog as a way to keep interested people informed of my art happenings.

Today I have work followed by class, but later on I will talk a little about my progress on the portrait I am painting of my friend John Edwards.