Authenticity

        The term "Authenticity" refers to distinguishing between what is real/original and what is not. If a viewer believes an object or work of art to be the real deal, it holds a certain awe-inspiring power that may be entirely psychological but is very engaging none the less. The authenticity of the artist, the story they are trying to tell through their art, and/or the experience they are attempting to recreate for the viewer loses much integrity if it is not as real as it claims to be. It all comes down to truthfulness. Romantic artists are big on personal truthes experienced and depicted for thier viewers to learn, and if a work is not honest, it becomes far less valuable both in meaning and in price.
       I know quite well the feeling of psychological hype that authentic artwork can evoke in a viewer. I had the privilege of visiting the Netherlands and Belgium on a study abroad trip last summer, and while I was there I saw many famous originals that I had previously only seen in text books. I remember in particular staring wide-eyed at "The Death of Marat" by Jacques-Louis David in the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium. To imagine the artist mixing the deathly ocre, green and gray paints smoothed into the skin of the deceased French revolutionalry (Marat), to contemplate the thoughts going through his mind as he touched the brush to the canvas, to be familiar with the story of political unrest, betrayal and murder that comprises the masterpiece-worthy subject matter... These powerful feelings evoked by the authenticity of this painting in combination with the fact that I was looking at the original with my own two eyes nearly brought me to tears. This happened several times throughout that month long study abroad experience, and I came back to the States bursting at the seams with inspiration and a new-found respect for the power of painting.

Narrative

       Artists often take on the role of storyteller in narrative pieces, though unlike most literary works it is much easier to view a work of art from multiple perspectives at the same time. It is also possible to view the same character in multiple scenarios simultaneously. Time-sequenced events can be conjugated into one scene. Often times the main character will be depicted more than once in the same narrative work, usually read from left to right like a comic strip. Most viewers will look at a complex work of art with some pre-existing expectation of narrative, but modern video artists refuse to be held within these confines and commonly take this notion of narrative and turn it on its head by disrupting the time-line we have come to expect.
       I frequently use narrative in my own art, but not in the sense that a viewer can see multiple scenes involving the same character. I like to try to create a dialogue between my rendered objects so as to lead the viewer to into the intended message or story by means of reflection and questioning. My paintings, drawings and sculptures are almost always created to be read from top to bottom/ bottom to top rather than left to right. I couldn't tell you why but it has always been that way. Personally I think that story is one of the most engaging aspects that can be used in artwork, second only to overall aesthetic appeal. I'm sure there are those out there who would heartily disagree, but like many art lovers, my brain is wired to search for narrative.

Globalization

       Globalization became a concrete concept in the 1990's and is used to describe the movement and influence of differing cultures upon one another. The development of multinational corporations, migrant labor and global communications are not the first things that come to mind when one contemplates the direction of the art world, but they are powerful influences none the less. Modern technologies and systems such as these have caused an inevitable cultural exchange of artistic ideas that cross social, political and religious boundaries. However occurrences such as the profound impact that ancient Greek art had upon seemingly unrelated Buddist art proves that globalization has actually been happening for thousands of years. Currently, huge multi-cultural art expositions known as biennales have manifested in celebration of the beauty and wonder of globalization.
       This concept is relatively new to me as an artist. Up until now I had not considered how my own works have been influenced by the fluid interconnectivity of cultures across the globe. Just taking a quick glance around at the art hanging on the walls of my home, I can immediately identify obvious Greek and Roman attributes as well as Native American and Hindu creative influences. Globalization has unintentionally but undeniably impacted my personal style. I can only wonder how much richer it will become in the future as a result of continual exposure to art from various cultures.

Consciousness -self-actualization -living life so as to leave the world a better place when you are gone -use of combination of still life and abstractions through oil or acrylic paints

Brainwashing -the everyday citizen is manipulated by the powers that be into ways of thinking that may not be beneficial to our own interests but beneficial to those powers (i.e. the media, the government, etc.) -3D clay sculpture

Passion -giving a tangible form to the fire that drives us -finger painting

Spirituality -connectedness to a higher power/connectedness to each other -forms made from words (can be cut from printed text or created from scratch)

Sacred Spaces -creation of ones own sacred space through use of rocks, stones, sticks, plants, etc.

Time Travel -Chose a historic artistic period and create a work of art in that style

Sensuality -photography of the human form

Portals -imprinted beaded or shredded curtains/doorways

Vessels -creation of a box, briefcase, cup, bag, or any other kind of transportational container

Culture -research a part of the world that interests you and design a postcard to send to yourself from that place

Memories -lifesize collage composed of material objects that represent personal memories (ticket stubs, photographs, posters, etc.)

The allure of excess -multi-media -create something tasteful, photograph your work, then intentionally overdo it

Recycling -3D sculpture -turn your trash into treasure

Success -to the best of your abilities, recreate a well-known work of art that you consider to be successful

Energy -wire wrap jewelry -research rock or mineral being wrapped -historic ritual uses? supposed metaphysical powers? document your day wearing another persons wrap and then discuss

Community -work together as a class to create a life-size sculpture out of random objects

Love -show love to a fellow classmate by creating and exchanging a work of art you are proud of -also ties in with selflessness -make something you love so much you would rather not part with, then give it away

Recreation - charcoal drawing of you (and/or friends) doing what you most enjoy in your free time

Inspiration -paint two series of mini-still lifes, one painted while close to your source of inspiration (music, sunlight, other artwork, etc.) and one without

Food -make a self portrait out of edible items

Conceptual Art

Renaissance artists were all about quality work, but they were equal advocates of the conceptual message behind it. Nicolas Poussin, master 17th century European artist, believed that "Able men must work with thier intellects, that is, they must concieve beforehand what they want to do." Artists like Poussin aimed to visually stimulate thier viewers minds so as to lead them to discovery of the truth within the work. Yes, these intellectual "adventures" proved to be quite effective in marketing paintings, but for good reason! Anyone can paint mere objects. An artist who can effectively portray an entire concept or story in a single image is esteemed and thier work is seen as both a material as well as intellectual treasure.

Personally, I am incapable to making "inconceptual" art. I don't even know if that's a real word, much less what it means, but you see what I'm saying. I couldn't paint about nothing if I tried. The Romantic painters of old were enlightened to view their work as an opportunity to promote a conceptual journey. For me, my art always has been and always will be a means of communication. It gives me an excuse and the freedom to speak my mind, and it is my most sincere hope that my viewers will be so taken with the visual quality that they cannot help but listen.

Series

A series is composed of individual works bound together by a common thread, be it a narrative, a character, or a big idea. Such things are often better understood by a viewer when observed from a variety of angles, and series aims to provide these perspectives for viewers. Creating multiple interrelated works of art not only encourages collectors to buy more than one, it also gives the artist more room to expressim him or herself. By utilizing the concept of series, an artist  has ample opportunity to strenthen their unique style and message. This development of an artist's "brand" helps heighten appeal for buyers, thus furthering thier reputation and overall prestige.

My own artwork often becomes a series, but usually not by design. If I am so taken with a particular theme that I take the time to represent it through one work, it's usually worth another go. My obsessive-compulsive nature forces me to make these related works similar in structure and aestheics as well, thus creating an unintentional series. I have yet to sell any of my pieces but I would hope that if a buyer cares enough to pay good money for one, they might purchase another for the same reason that I bothered to create it in the first place.

25 Ideas

(insert term here) -art that promotes leaving the world a better place than you found it (Example: a home for the homeless constructed entirely out of recycled/found materials)

Resilience -overcoming life's pitfalls -the journey from low to high

Collaboration - group artwork -process promotes teamwork and finding common ground with fellow individuals

Symbiotic Relationships - exploration of mutualy beneficial partnerships that exist between living things

Forgiveness -and the doorways it opens... the only way to truly move on is to forgive

Technology -(reverse cyborg) - we all know that machines would not exist without human beings to create them, but what about the way our machines are reshaping us as humans?

Stereotyping -How might a stranger stereotype you? Choose yours and render it as your personal artistic protest

First impressions -how important are first impressions to you? Though it is not necessarily fair to judge a person based upon your first impression of them, no one is completely immune to this unfortunate phenomenon. What would be someones first impression of you? How can you compare this to what you would want thier first impression to be?

Despair -the absence of all hope -how/why do we get here? How can we get out?

New Beginnings -artistic interpretations of concepts such as birth, growth, transformations, or just the beginning of the rest of your life!

Risk taking - Depicting the feeling of standing on the threshold of making a decision that could have serious consequences

Consequences -a result of risk taking - Can you think of consequences that have resulted from your own decisions? What (if anything) have those consequences taught you?

"The Prince" -Machiavellian philosophy -"the ends justify the means" -Do you agree or disagree? -Why or why not? -How do we see this way of thinking being practiced in the world around us and what are the effects?

Influence -What influences you and how do those influences make themselves known in your artwork?

Hodge-podge -Artistic conglomeration of seemingly unrelated objects, media, or ideas

Nature -using the environment to create new and insightful works of art

Selfishness - We are all guilty of it... Allow yourself to put pride aside and depict your interpretation as honestly as humanly possible

Selflessness -What can living in this mentality do for the world around us? What can it do for you? In what ways can you actively be selfless and how can you depict them?

Process - a journey? a struggle? a learning experience? all of the above? Set an artistic goal (end product) and document your process to achieving that goal

Functionality -creation of art with an every day purpose (clothing, kitchenwear, bookmarks, hairpieces, etc.)

Multi-sensory -How can you make art that you "see" with more than just your eyes? Can you see potential in a multi-sensory experience? How/why?

Paradox -conflicting ideas or principles that exist at the same time

Personal struggle -We all have (or have had) one -Depict it through the medium and method of your choice

Destruction -creation for the purpose of demolition -Modern day example = Burning Man: Artists spend weeks making amazing art installations and then burn them to the ground at the end of the festival

Sacrifice - giving up something you hold dear for the sake of the greater good -What have you had to sacrifice in your life? How can you pay your experience homage with an artistic tribute?