These words...

So I have been thoroughly engrossed in this book called
Baltimore '68: Riots and Rebirth in an American City.
Its a book by Elizabeth Nix. I am about halfway through the book and as I have been reading it, I have been pulling words out of it. The words are combinations of names, ideals, class, and race. I have jotted them down a couple of times but I have yet to decide exactly what it all means to me. I have been trying to see the connection with it and my current body of work. I know in the past my work has been heavily influenced by race but the last few years for me, my work has tended to go slightly left of race.

Even before I started reading this book I had started to investigate when I had the switch over...when did I go away from mainly talking about race and class in my work to creating art that was more, how can I say it...more or less tamer than what I was doing the first part of this century. What changed my voice? I shouldn't say change...what caused me to hush my tone? Could it have been me feeling like it was something I needed to do so I wouldn't constantly get stuck or have to deal with the lull between pieces. Because for awhile there it felt like constantly focusing on race to me would come off like I'm spewing propaganda. And that's a message I never want my work to convey. Hopefully soon I'll have a better understanding of what this all means for me in the "now." Until then...

-Namaste

Happy Born-Day, Jean-Michel Basquiat...

On this day in Brooklyn, NY 52 years ago, one of the greatest artist whoever lived was born.  Jean-Michel Basquiat in the 80s was one of the most iconic artists of his time.  He tackled issues of race, power struggle and self-identity and created works; which inspired many of artists in his time and in the present.

I, myself become aware of his work while studying in art school.  I had one of my classmates mention to me how my work seemed to be heavily influenced by Basquiat.  I am not ashamed to say that I knew nothing of this artist growing up as a kid in the 80s.  After doing a little interwebs and library research, I found that I was one, familiar with some of his work already and two, I could see where some of the similarities were in our styles.  From that moment, I resolved to become familiar with this great artist.  Just reading quotes by him and also finding archived footage of his interviews (which were really powerful) were very informative.  This great artist was taken from the world all too soon.  It was and is great to see that in his brief time on this planet, he influenced so much of our culture.  He is still influencing us.  I know he has influenced me and I consider him to be one of the artist that I do idolize. Untitled(Skull) is one of my favorite pieces of his.  Maybe one day I will own a print of it.  Just thought I'd share a little of my feelings/insights on this great artist on his birthday.  Just a little...

Congrats on surviving the apocalypse!!  Until next week...



-Namaste

Emotions make you cry sometimes...

I just recently started watching this documentary about artist Beverly McIver. Its called Raising Renee. I am not to far in it yet but some far its pretty good. It has the makings of being a real good film. As I was watching the film, it made me reflect on my own work.  I have always noticed that I tend to leave certain emotions out of my work. Sadness, pain, resentment, etc...these are just a few of the emotions that I have felt in the past couple of years. And yet, if you look at the work I have created in that time span you.will see none of that in the work.  I referenced the documentary earlier because its about her work and her raising her sister while creating this work.  Her sister and family has always been apart of her work. They are the subject. I constantly shy away from including emotions of pain and hurt in my work.for fear of exposing my personal life. Now don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with showing emotions...its just the way that I was raised that has me guarded against showing certain signs of emotion. My personality is also a big part of it as well. Those type of emotions I try my best not to wear on my sleeve. For me I believe that if I portrayed them in my work, it might paint a picture of a fractured "boy". I also believe my work then might be viewed as being created by someone who is reaching out for help or maybe it would invite people in who might believe that they "know how to fix me". Could my way of thinking be extremely way off base or extremely assumptive? Maybe...but it is what it is in my mind. At some point and time, I believe I can and will muster up the courage to attack more personal subject matter in my work.  As an artist, I can not be afraid to put all of my emotions into a piece for fear of letting one get to close.  I should be able to pour.my emotion into a piece and feel like I did that piece justice because I had no worries about the viewers perception or gaze when it comes to my work. That's all I have for you guys this week. Thanks for letting me share with you. -Namaste