Written by For anyone who knows me, and for those that don’t, I’m an ideas guy. A total, big picture, broad strokes, high on concept, short on details, ideas guy.
I have found that over time, it has been both a blessing as well as a curse. Thinking, dreaming, and conceptualizing artwork, and the associated physical movements, that I am convinced is part of some kind of divine will. Maybe it’s filled with some kind of hope or unending sense of a collective sigh of approval. Crazy right?! And the flip side of the coin… when trying to execute the work, trying to fulfill the vision, here comes the adversity.
It comes in some way, shape or form, but never fails to show up, never fails to challenge you, or to completely stop you. And when that happens all your signals can get crisscrossed in your mind.
As I write this, I’m thinking that sometimes that urge to create, can cross an invisible line, a thin line between dedication and obsession, between faith and madness, between genius and insanity. Who draws were the line resides though?… Is it possible to be a genius to one and a complete mental case to another?.. is it all shades of grey?
It’s funny to me because when you have the vision, and that is blessing, the curse also comes with some kind of supernatural element to it. Artists to me are the most superstitious bunch of folks that I know. Creating, reinventing, revamping their own belief systems, time and time again.
The other day, I started with this idea… I wanted to begin a new body of work, and explore some new options. I wanted to create the letter “S”, but spread the love over a few canvases, maybe four of them. What could that look like?… combining some acrylic painting techniques and building up with spray paint… what would it look like?… well here is what it looks like… an idea, a blessing, and the curse gets crushed underneath.
"S" piece, #1 (click to enlarge.)
I deconstructed the letter and refilled the spaces and slices with color…
"S" piece, #2 (click to enlarge.)
I learned over time that I can take my fills and turn the letters “inside out”…
"S" piece, #3 (click to enlarge.)
Slicing the letter up allows me to explore its “insides”… sometimes letting the code spill out.
"S" piece, #4 (click to enlarge)
In the end.. it’s all about having fun, enjoying what you’re doing, and sharing the aftermath…
"S" piece, side by side. (click to enlarge.)
Side by side the pieces create an interesting visual statement.
"S" piece, all together now! (click to enlarge.)
But, when laid together the right way, like pieces of a puzzle, then the statement is complete! All by exploring new options!… sigh…
Like your work Scape!