textured.incantations

reversing the gaze (man as object)

2011-09-27T13:22:00.001-07:00

As a participating artist in the upcoming show Man as Object: Reversing the Gaze I have been giving deeper thought to the polarities that come from gender, racial and religious differences. This particular show obviously focusing on the former. The wider the divide the more push that often comes from each side, and granted I fully accept that there once was an urgent need for fierce movement, but at some point, in the words of that oh! so eloquent speaker Rodney King, "can't we all just get along?"

There are some very prominent names included in this show. Personalities that paved the way for female artists to have a greater platform from which to create. Personalities that continue to chip away at the antiquated stereotype that the best artists are dead, french and male. Carolee Schneemann's work delves into studying the body, sexuality and gender and has been described as expressive, exuberant and intelligent. The documentary !Women, Art, Revolution, by Lynn Hershman Leeson, exposes the feminist art movement of the 60's, and Gorilla Girls on Tour!, is working to change the world, one sexist city at a time. These are all positive, change making actions, yet I question my previously weakened sense of authority in weeding out what worked for me individually vs. having a generational knee-jerk reaction.

Feminism is defined as a series of movements aimed at defining, establishing and defending equal, political, and social rights and equal opportunities for women. Somewhere along the line I picked up the idea that feminism equaled individuality and autonomy, and put men and women on opposite sides of the playing field while creating a lateral hierarchy rather than a team-based horizontal one.

From my own experience, I have found tremendous strength in accepting help, allowing myself to feel vulnerable and accept that men add to our world. Couple this with the tenacity, fortitude and focus that woman have exemplified throughout the history of the feminist movement and anything is possible. That is not to say that there won't always be men, and women, who play into the extreme stereotypes, but it's important to understand the reality of the situation rather than just reacting to or making generalizations.

Reversing the Gaze encompasses all the ways that women view Man-as-Object, by reversing the views that male artists have objectified women. While we do live in a world of instant gratification that places high expectations on how a woman should look or behave, the show's organizers aim to equalize the gaze between the sexes through the collection of male adoration, male impersonations and male appendages. As an artist who is honored to be amongst so many amazing women I can say that I will be putting on my newly found sense of authority, wrapping up in acceptance and throwing on my wide angle lenses in order to appreciate both sides of the gaze.

Man as Object: Reversing the Gaze opens at SOMArts November 4, 2011 with an opening event from 6-9pm. The exhibits runs through November 30.

la terre | interview with Market Street Gallery

2011-04-07T08:53:00.000-07:00

Market Street Gallery: Hi Everyone... I'm very excited since this is our first facebook micro-blog interview with our exhibiting artists. We plan on conducting these micro-blog interviews with all upcoming exhibiting artists. Tamara White is our interview guest today as her solo exhibit, 'la terre' just opened on April 4th and runs through April 29th.

The opening reception is on April 9th from 6-8pm; gather your friends and stop by for the opening party.

Tamara White creates these wonderful large size mixed media paintings which we are very excited to showcase here at Market Street Gallery.

Hi Tamara, how are you doing?

Tamara White: I'm doing great. Thank you.

MSG: How is your New York trip? Are you enjoying NYC?

TW: I am definitely enjoying my time in New York. It's always a treat to come here a few times a year, and for me, as an artist, it's invaluable to have the opportunity to check out the art scene.

MSG: That's great. I love New York.

TW: It is a unique place.

MSG: So let's chat about your art; how long have you been painting or creating art?

TW: I have been doing some version of fine art since I was a teenager, but more seriously for the past 6 years. My graduate degree focused on digital art, yet I soon realized I didn't like being in front of the computer all the time, but rather enjoyed getting my hands dirty and connecting with the materials found in my pieces.

MSG: How do you choose the media which you use for your work?

TW: It is a bit of an organic process. I start off with an idea and then sort of let it evolve, as it needs to. If I know that I'm going to do a lot of layering I will typically use a panel rather than a canvas so that I can layer, remove, add, scrape, texturize...

MSG: Where does your inspiration for your work come from?

TW: The world around me. Obviously, as any artist would attest to, my personal life makes its way into my work, but inspiration can also come from overhearing a quote on the street, a sentence from a book or article I've read, graffiti quotes on the subway wall. The inspiration and ideas are endless so I'm typically always making notes when I'm out and about.

MSG: When did you discover your 'signature'?

TW: I think my signature came early through a series I created after my grandmother passed away. I had such an immense need to express what I was feeling while working through my grief that I found quotes and thoughts weaving their way into my work.

MSG: Can you briefly discuss what your 'signature' is?

TW: I would say that my signature is definitely incorporating words, thoughts and symbols into my work. It is a rare occasion when there is not some graphical element. I have a belief that it's important for the thought or element to be included regardless of it's opacity in the final version. Overall, these elements add to the texture, character and spirit of the work.

MSG: So tell us a bit about the body of work on display for the 'la terre' exhibit?

TW: This series was first conceived from photographs that I began taking while traveling between Berkeley and Fall River, in northern California. I found the typography between the two extremes to be quite fascinating. It's amazing how much texture and layering comes forth through changing seasons and time of day. I later began examining the contrast of urban landscapes that incorporate many more graphical components with that of the agricultural terrain.

MSG: "Autumn" & "la grange" are your 2 new large artworks on display at the gallery; can you tell us the story behind these latest pieces?

TW: Autumn materialized after finding an environmental management handbook from the 1950's. The canvas was prepped and then covered with pages from this book. I love the subtle texture that the pages provide to the background. As is typical in my pieces, I just continued to layer the textures and colors until the final image found its way.

La Grange was inspired by a magical place along Fall River, Graybarn Ranch. The piece lends itself to representing the amazingly beautiful changing sky, the scenic river and the passion arises from those who experience the area.

MSG: The exhibit looks really good Tamara, how do you feel after hanging this body of work?

TW: I'm really excited. It's wonderful to see the cohesiveness of the work and how well the pieces flow together within the space.

MSG: Are you looking forward to the opening reception this Saturday (April 9th | 6-8pm)?

TW: Most definitely! This is the first opening that I have had on a Saturday, and I'm looking forward to having a good turnout while seeing everyone.

MSG: Let's switch gears a bit, if I remember correctly, you have a couple of dogs right? What kind of dogs are they and what are their names?

TW: I do. I have two dogs, a boston terrier names Agnes, and a french bulldog named Jack (as in Kerouac, Sparrow, Skeleton, Be Nimble, and obviously, Jack White of the White Stripes...), lots of monikers, and I clearly like squishy faced dogs!

MSG: haha.. that's great. Do you ever have your dogs with you when you paint? Do they inspire your artwork?

TW: Not anymore. I tried but they would constantly want to lie right in the middle of my workspace, and then began seeing dog hair making its way into wet paint on the canvas! Inspire me? I don't know... probably not as much as my family.

MSG: How does your family feel about your art? Are they supportive?

TW: My family is incredibly supportive, most specifically my husband, who has always been tremendously encouraging and enthusiastic about my work. My kids are great because they will tell me exactly what they think and pick out their favorite pieces. My youngest daughter, Lucy, is always telling me that she is going to be an artist like me when she grows up. Little does she know that she has already attained her goal!

MSG: That's wonderful Tamara. I would like to remind everyone that the opening reception for 'la terre' is this Saturday, April 9th from 6-8pm. Tamara, thank you so much for doing this micro-blog interview for Market Street Gallery's facebook page. Have a safe trip back and see you at the opening reception.

TW: Thank you. This was a lot of fun. I'll see you on Saturday!

Control NYC Opening

2011-01-20T21:07:00.000-08:00

Organized around the theme of control (of lack of), the show explores the artists interpretation of all methods of control: internal, external, positive, negative, over life events and over technology, empowering or dehumanizing, politically correct, or not. Karen Gutfreund is the exhibition coordinator. www.nationalwca.org.

Ceres Gallery is proud to bring Chelsea a thought-provoking and exhilarating exhibitions of works addressing the issue of control in all its possible permutations. The Control exhibition is the culmination of two years of collaboration between the California South Bay Area and Peninsulas Womens Caucus for Art and is now brought east by Ceres. The mission of the WCA is to expand the exhibition opportunities and recognition for women in the arts, a mission that meshes exquisitely with Ceres own. February 1-26, 2011. Opening is February 10th from 6:30 - 8:30pm.

Arists: Arabella Decker, Eleanor Dickinson, Cosette Dudley, Yvonne Escalante, Angela Fortain, Cynthia Grilli, Karen Gutfreund, Elaine Jason, Judy Johnson-Williams, Louise Maloof, Yoko Mazza, Kim McCool Nelson, Joanne Beaule Ruggles, Centa Schumacher, Caroline Seckinger, Leigh Toldi, Ruth Waters, Corinne Whitaker, Tamara White

the power of inspiration

2010-12-30T09:24:00.000-08:00

There was recently an article on the Huffington Post discussing what is better for creativity, happiness or depression. My answer is both. Life is what we make of it, and art is a reflection of that life. I am inspired by the world both around and within me, and as an artist it is only natural that these moments would come forth in my work.

I have a newfound sense of appreciation for a place of inspiration that was once overlooked. An awakening that is a bottomless wealth of creativity, love, and connection. The more that I am able to stay engaged in this awakened place the more my art is bound to prosper. As Alice Walker states in the article, despite feeling that good poetry must come from sadness, she actually found as she got older and happier she continued to write.

So as we are out there, trying to make the math of life add up in our heads, we can continue to find visual encouragement even in the happiest of times.

pro arts box art benefit auction

2010-10-21T06:43:00.001-07:00

Please join me for Pro Arts Box Art Benefit Auction on Saturday, November 6 from 6-9pm. Boxes will be on display to preview during the week of November 2 - 6. Admission to the live and silent auction is free, and will feature Tom Vacaar from KTVU, Fox 2 as auctioneer, wine, beer, music and more!

Box Art 2010 features original works made from recycled materials distributed by Pro Arts in partnership with The Reuse People (TRP) and Habitat for Humanity. This annual fundraiser inspires fun, new work created in community with other artists working with the same materials.

Auction proceeds benefit Pro Arts' Youth Fellows Initiative, a program that nurtures artistic development by integrating arts education, exhibition opportunities, professional arts training, youth internships and youth development in the introduction of artistic practices to youth in Oakland public high schools.

For more images of Tamara White's work go to: www.tamarawhite.com

ceci est la couleur de mes reves

2010-09-20T22:23:00.000-07:00

I recently returned from NYC, the most amazing visit I have yet to experience. It was as if my body was buzzing from the surroundings. I had the pleasure of taking in the food, the people, the theaters and museums. Amongst the two million artifacts on display at the Met I was pleased to stumble across my favorite, Joan Miro's This is the Color of my Dreams. I adore the simplicity of the canvas with the telling romanticism of the text. It is as if Miro is allowing the viewer to experience a sliver of intimacy through seven little words. If my dreams had a color I would like to believe that they would be as beautifully poetic and simplistically displayed.

This piece also reminds me that I love words. The creation of a story within a painting can leave breadcrumbs of a path, yet it is ultimately up to the viewer to make their own individual interpretation. Simple little words can move mountains and change a perspective entirely, both on and off the canvas. Ceci est la couleur de mes reves.

open studios a success

2010-06-28T10:55:00.000-07:00

Open Studios 2010 was a success! Thank you everyone who came out, said hello, endured the heat, and those who actually made a purchase. I look forward to keeping in touch about future shows and events. Hope to see you again next year!

save the date

2010-05-13T16:41:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again... when artists begin to scramble diligently to complete pieces, clean their studios, put their best work forward. East Bay Open Studios!

Please save the date and stop on by. I will be opening my doors the second weekend of the event on June 12th and 13th from 11am - 6pm each day. Location: 201 Third St., #204 in Oakland, corner of Third and Jackson.

I look forward to seeing you, and if you can't make it you can check out my work at here.

suffrage is heading to nyc

2010-03-30T22:12:00.000-07:00

I was recently informed that "Suffrage" is heading to NYC. As part of the all women Control exhibition that was featured at San Francisco's SomArts in August 2009, a portion of the show is traveling to New York's Ceres Gallery.

Ceres was founded in 1983 as a program of the NY Feminist Art Institute which promotes contemporary women in the arts. The gallery exhibits a broad spectrum of high quality work each year within a community of women artists that includes national and international members.

I am honored to be included with this amazing cast of women artists, and look forward to the experience of showing in NYC.

the art of the story

2010-01-22T20:36:00.000-08:00

I recently came across an article for a gallery opening entitled "Story Painters." It immediately resonated for I, too, am a story painter. In two simple words it is such a precious and perfect way to describe what I love to do most. It is a rare occurrence that one of my pieces is completed without the inclusion of some sort of word, symbol, lyric, quote... the possibilities are endless. The world around me is a constant source of inspiration and lyrical creativity, and I find the visual inclusion of these elements to provide a texturized richness; the layering of our experiences and the world around us. In the end these experiences makes for a lovely story. A story painting.

The Bedford Gallery in Walnut Creek will be featuring the work of Story Painters Squeak Carnwath, Hung Liu, and Inez Storer from February 16 through April 11, 2010.

box art 2009

2009-10-25T21:37:00.000-07:00

Pro Arts is holding it's 35th Anniversary Party and Box Art Auction on November 7 from 6-9pm. You can preview the exhibition from November 3-7, including my piece Cow. The event is sponsored by East Bay Express, The Reuse People and Dick Blick.

ARTsoup 21

2009-08-29T08:17:00.001-07:00

I was recently notified that 4 of my pieces will be included in the upcoming ARTsoup 21 show at Bayshore Studio, located at 2178 Palou Street in San Francisco. Show is curated by Matt McKinley of McKinley Art Solutions and will run September 16 - December 8, 2009. More details to follow...!

Control Exhibit + SJ Examiner

2009-08-14T20:02:00.000-07:00

Control exhibit was recently featured in a San Jose Contemporary Arts Examiner article.

No H8

2009-07-31T09:00:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to create a piece on the whole gay marriage struggle since the inception of Prop 8. I watched the two sides vehemently argue their points and with sadness and frustration I watched it pass. In my opinion Proposition 8 took something historic and meaningful and changed it to purposely reflect a discriminatory point by disallowing gays to legally marry in the state of California. The new section, 7.5 Article 1, now reads: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in the California."

My only question is why? Why does it matter to you? Why is it that you are letting a book or a supposed God dictate who can have equal rights? Aren't we all God's little children? Why the separation and discrimination? I have a lot of thoughts, opinions, and absolute frustration over the matter and am finally getting those emotions to canvas. If anything, it will be a very cathartic process.

we are the world

2009-07-20T14:20:00.000-07:00

I have been asked to create a piece for the ART + Advocacy Auction that benefits the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center. The mission of DCAC is to improve the lives of abused children in Dallas County and provide national leadership on child abuse issues. So, while thinking through ideas that would translate the message of DCAC I kept coming back to We Are the World perhaps due to all the Michael Jackson media coverage lately.

After watching the video since my last listen many years ago I found the lyrics and the range of artists performing in the piece quite impressive and amazing. It was like a walk down memory lane. All those artists from the 80's I remember so fondly, and posthumously to hear the genius of Michael Jackson was quite remarkable.

The core of the lyrics suit the mission of DCAC and will provide a beautifully, textured background to the artwork. From there on out it's an organic process before the final layer is applied.

We are the world

We are the children

We are the ones who make a brighter day

So let's start giving

There's a choice we're making

We're saving our own lives

It's true we'll make a better day

Just you and me

the answers in the land

2009-07-15T10:00:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about land. Landscapes. Seascapes. Urbanscapes. Mountain Ranges. Rivers. My travels the past few months have taken me from the north to the south and everyone I look I'm finding inspiration. There is wondrous inspiration everywhere I turn with a beautiful range of color and texture that occur so naturally. Organically translating those qualities into my work had been put to paper in my notebook of ideas, and then I saw this beautiful photo taken by a friend in Michigan. It exemplifies all possibilities for a creative breakthrough that surround us daily. Just open your eyes and see the plausibility of a new perspective.

control

2009-06-13T13:25:00.000-07:00

Control

featuring yours truly

SOMArts Cultural Center

August, 2009

934 Brannan Street

San Francisco, CA 94103

Reception will be held Thursday, August 6th from 6-8pm.

east bay open studios this weekend

2009-06-12T22:25:00.001-07:00

In conjunction with the Pro Arts East Bay Open Studios I will be opening my doors this weekend from 11am - 6pm Saturday and Sunday. I have new work, old work, new series... Stop by, check it out and say hello.

Location: 201 Third Street #204, Oakland / 510.501.3889

Save the Date

2009-05-15T11:55:00.000-07:00

A reminder to save the date for East Bay Open Studios 2009. I will be opening my doors the weekend of June 13 & 14th from 11am - 6pm. Location: 201 Third Street #204, Oakland / cross street: Jackson. Hope to see you then. If you can't make it let me know and we can make other arrangements.

East Bay Open Studios is produced by Pro Arts, a nonprofit artist-based organization that encourages and exhibits artists’ work and provides a venue for furthering communication in the arts. This event connects the public with over 400 regional artists and is accompanied by the Directory of East Bay Arts, the Preview Exhibition open May 6 - June 15, 2009, an online gallery, and the Brake for Art Tour: Art Bus Preview. Pro Arts produces exhibitions and events, the Youth Fellows Initiative and public programs year-round in its gallery at 550 Second Street Oakland, www.proartsgallery.org Media Sponsor: East Bay Express

looking at art like a child

2009-04-14T07:50:00.000-07:00

I recently had the pleasure of spending a day at my studio with my two young daughters. It was an amazing and enlightening experience to watch the raw flow of ideas just transpire onto the canvas, and gave me pause in thinking how we spend our lives trying to grow up only to then fill our days searching for the fountain of youth. In the search for your inner child you can find: Classes, Approaching Art Like a Child. Articles, 50 Ways to Think Like a Child, Design Thinking and the Beginner's Mind, and Creativity and Original Thinking - Act Like a Child. Books, Painting from the Source: awakening the artists' soul.

These articles and books all shed light on the art of thinking outside of the box; of cleaning our lenses and looking at the world around us with the same sense of wonderment that children experience; of tapping into our senses to really touch, hear, smell, and see the textures and layers around us. There is a beautiful world around us that we often take for granted as we get older and in that aging process we often miss some incredibly inspiring elements that can be integrated into our lives, and our art.

Remember that cliche of stopping to smell the flowers? Well, while you're at it, take in the texture, color and shape of the flower. Draw outside of the lines. Squish play-doh between your fingers. Get messy. These elements are likely the ingredients to that illusive fountain of youth.

life imitating art

2009-03-09T09:50:00.000-07:00

Oscar Wilde may have said it best. "Life imitates art far more than art imitates Life." I am finding inspiration all around me that has such a profound influence on the direction of my art. The images and the art are molding me and providing a lovely, yet powerful full circle to the process.

And isn't it amazing where the most slight of inspirations can come from. The curve of a tree, the way the drops of rain fall upon a window sill. And Facebook? Yes, unbelievably Facebook. The newest "random things" subject is your pseudo-band. Here are the rules:

go to wikipedia's special random page and whatever the first random article you get is the name of your band.
go to the Quotations page and the last four or five words of the very last quote on the page is the title of your first album.
Now, off to Flicker you go. Third picture, NO MATTER WHAT IT IS, will be your album cover.
Toss it all together via Photoshop or some other editing program, and there you have it.

Sometimes the randomness of life can create art, but I'd like to believe that we are all be created by the beautifully randomness of the images and experiences around us.

suffrage

2008-11-19T10:16:00.000-08:00

suf.frage [suhf-rij]

-noun

1. the right to vote, esp. in a political election

2. a vote given in a favor of a proposed measure, candidate, or the like

3. ecclesiactical. a prayer, esp. a short intercessory prayer or petition.

The suffrage movement began in 1776 when Abigail Adams wrote to her husband John, who was attending the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, asking that he and the men who were at work on the Declaration of Independence "remember the ladies." John responded with a laugh citing that the Declaration states "all men are created equally."

Well John, we've come a long way baby. I can only hope that future generations will view gay marriage with the same incredulousness that I have over the history of women's rights. With the election of Barack Obama we are slowly chipping away at the narrow mold that has dominated this country for the past 200 years.

"It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union."

-Susan B. Anthony

yes we can

2008-11-05T00:02:00.000-08:00

and we did.

i am giddy with delight and pride in this country i call home.

In the words of our very wise 44th President, "Change has come to America."

it's about time.

grow

2008-09-22T08:07:00.000-07:00

growth demands a temporary surrender of security.

-gail sheehy

you grow and you learn. life is change - growth is option - think wisely. growth begins when we begin to accept our weaknesses. change is inevitable - growth is intentional. grow where you are planted. we find comfort among those who think like us - growth among those who don't. growth itself has the germ of happiness. with each new path, dreams lie in wait...

grow . growing . grown .

organize. agitate. educate...

2008-09-16T10:37:00.000-07:00

...must be our war cry.

susan b. anthony, 1890.

and now, 118 years later, we must organize, agitate, educate after the nomination of sarah palin as the republican candidate for vice president of the united states. Mrs. Palin is against:

sex-education
birth control
the pro-choice platform
environmental protection
alternative energy development
freedom of speech (as shown in her attempt to ban books)
gun control
separation of church and state
polar bears

Let us remember the trials and tribulations that our founding sister endured in order for the women of today to have freedom of their voice and freedom of their body. The political interests of Sarah Palin will effect the lives of our daughters and their daughters. So today I honor the women who shook up the status quo and taught us to depend on ourselves while disregarding failure as a viable choice.

susanbanthony.alicepaul.rosamaybillinghurst.emilywildingdavison.

millicentfawcett.janeellenharrison.anniekenney.gracekimmins.

christabelpankhurst.emmelinepankhurst.sylviapankhurst.

francisparker.alicepaul.emmelinepethicklawrence.katesheppard.

katesmith.adajames.harrietmaymills.juliasears.margaretsanger.

rosescott.emmamiller.drannahowardshaw.idabwells.clarazetkin.

anniearniel....yournamegoeshere.

New Visions 2008

2008-09-07T22:25:00.000-07:00

Selections by Lucinda Barnes, BAM/PFA

& Karen Tsujimoto, Oakland Museum

August 28 - October 24

New Visions is an annual juried exhibition juried live in the gallery. The New Visions exhibition brings exposure to artists making work that explores fresh perspectives. Selected artists may use experimental art forms as well as explore conventional or traditional media. This year's New Visions jurors are Lucinda Barnes, Chief Curator and Director of Programs and Collections at Berkeley Art Museum and Karen Tsujimoto, Senior Curator at Oakland Museum of California.

Selected Artists:

Kamal Al Mansour, Miguel Arzabe, Rebecca Bauen, Rick Begneaud, Noah Beil, Yasuhiro Esaki, Bernadette Jiyong Frank, Richard Gilles, Susie Grant, Josh Hershman, John Hundt, John Kuzich, Marc Landes, Eric Larson, Robert Lewis, Steven Vasquez Lopez, Seth Lower, Merrill Mack, Pablo Manga, Bill Mattick, Valerie Mendoza, Masako Miki, Jane Neilson, George Pfau, Eduardo Pineda, David Ryan, Fay Holiday Schenkman, Dickson Schneider, Brian Stechschulte, Pearl Jones Tranter, Jamie Treacy, Michael Wells,

Tamara White, Elizabeth Wilcox, Yvonne D. Williams, Anastasia Winter Schipani, and Bijan Yashar.

a new perspective

2008-08-13T20:53:00.000-07:00

"i never saw an ugly thing in my life: for let the form of an object be what it may - light, shade and perspective will always make it beautiful." - john constable

taking in the little details of our surroundings bring forth a richness and depth that is often overlooked...

freedom

2008-07-24T13:42:00.000-07:00

12.1.55.courage.6:06.hope.2857.strength.7053.tenacity.2.4.1913.

pioneer.10.24.2005.honor.92.grace.1132.icon.1995.quiet.19:00.

goodbye.

numbers. descriptions. all things rosa parks. the first in my series

"she" that will focus on the strength and perseverance of several

women in history. "people always say that i didn't give up my seat

because i was tired, but that isn't true. i was not physically tired, or

no more tired than i usually was at the end of a working day. i was not

old, although some people have an image of me as being old then. i

was forty-two. no, the only tired i was, was tired of giving in."

forest through trees

2008-07-22T19:59:00.000-07:00

tell me about the forest through the trees

how it was there before my eyes

tell me how it was there all along

like a twinkling beacon to see

hold my breath and close my eyes

i take a step forward to enter

the forest through the trees

yes.we.can

2008-07-17T08:09:00.000-07:00

after being inundated with the political ramblings that occurred throughout the recent primaries i found the focus of my art shifting. here are a few pieces that came out of that timeframe. The Speech, born from barack obama's inspiring "yes we can" speech, and Truth, out of a simple desire to have a leader who is willing to be honest with us.

art is a reflection of the world we live in

2008-07-16T14:17:00.000-07:00

external stimuli + internal reflections = art. quiet conversation. images emerge. dialogue ends when each side agrees.

thought for today: no.

no war

no trans fats

no parking

no diving

no one

no smoking

no trespassing

no thinking

no choice

... no wonder.

rip george carlin.

"it is the ability to choose which makes us human."

blogged, blog·ging, blogs

2008-07-15T23:27:00.000-07:00

blog: noun.

1. a shared on-journal where people can post diary entries about their personal experiences and hobbies; "postings on a blog are usually in chronological order" [syn: web log].

I have officially entered the blogisphere. My little, virtual space to share my art and incantations. Textured sprinklings of life, memories, stories.

and to end this first entry, a quote from my fav...

"i don't think about art when i'm working. i try to think about life."

-jean michel basquiat