Why am I blogging? Why
does anybody blog? I think we are
evolving from a world where it was considered rude to talk about controversial
issues to a world where it is considered rude not to talk about them. We realize if we don’t talk about them they’re
not going to go away. I could go on and
on about the taboo things we need to be open about but I digress. The point is that I’m excited about blogging
because it opens all the tiny corners of the world to each other. All of these big problems start in our day to
day lives, they start small and become large when bad attitudes, bad habits and
ignorant beliefs remain unchecked. I
realize that the internet isn't going to stop social injustice or human
suffering but it is an easy, increasingly accessible, way to begin dialog about
what’s working and what’s not for those who choose to use it that way. It has the potential to streamline the
pursuit of happiness right down to the tiniest details.
All of my social idealism aside, the nitty-gritty of this
blog will be about me starting to draw again.
For several years after art school I felt that art was frivolous and I
would only do it as a hobby. Recently,
though, I've been embracing my “artist-ness,” realizing the potential I have as
an artist to inspire people and spark debate.
I love the idea that a picture speaks a thousand words. I should also mention that I have two kids,
and that, for me, has been a brilliant, hair-raising incentive to make art as
my living or face the drudgery of supporting two kids without using my
skills. What’s the point of raising the
next generation if I’m only teaching them to subsist and not pursue
happiness? I’m all about happiness, and,
as an artist I’m all about inspiration too.
My goal is to balance raising kids, living life and being an artist then
turn around and share what I've learned with anyone who wants to know.
In high school I very consciously chose to study art in
college because that was my calling and nothing else came close to a satisfying
alternative. The cliche question became “but
what are you going to DO with your art?”
It didn't matter because I was going to figure it out. I perceive myself as literally self-centered
as in reflective, often solitary and maybe a little socially awkward; because of
this it is challenging to offer up what I've made to the rest of the
world. Something that’s very common in my
teenage drawings is that it’s just a single image, very technically well drawn,
just plopped in the middle of the page. Now I pay special attention to the way
everything interacts on the page. In a
similar manner I’m not just drawing something for its own sake; I have a plan
as to what each drawing might accomplish when I’m done. There are books in my head to write and illustrate,
paintings to paint and a world of people who need art as much as I do.
