Word Tattoo

I invite you to join me on a journey to explore memories of the future.

a blog by john-michael korpal

The Power Of Art

Posted on by johnmichael

Ask most artists why they create art and you will find that their answer is often that they do not have the option to not create art. It is as much a part of their livelihood as breathing.

 

There is often a mutual dialog that is expressed between the art and the artist informing each of the existence of the other. This is a dialog that can be express in many different mediums and forms. The transformation begins as the artist is allowed to explore the process of art and its creation in greater depth. This is rarely done without conflict and struggle because the creation of art often causes the artist to have to explore the dark crevasses of their soul and past to find the kernel of truth in the work they are to create. It is this process that allows the artwork to have soul.

 

The artist mind does not always proceed in a linear fashion because the focused is more conceptual then that of a tangible concrete object. The artist is forced to rethink and sometimes refuse what seemed correct in the beginning. This presents a way of working towards such alternatives to create the art that has the capacity to inform. When the creative process travels through natural and organic pathways it allows the art and artist to be transformed, as the journey is revealed.

 

This process allows the artwork to become larger than the artist because when the art is given the opportunity to grow and develop independently from the artist. The art can mature into something more than the artist could have ever imagined. This is why it is easier for an artist to work with concepts because there is more room for interpretation and free expression. Using all the senses to express what is seen, smelled, tasted, and heard as well what is felt.

 

Creating art is like raising a teenager. You try to teach and educate to the best of your ability and knowledge. But there comes the point that you need to step back and allow the wings to spread and dry preparing for the first flight. You are left with nothing but perhaps the sudden feeling of emptiness or void and the delight of expression of the art form.

 

Some artists enjoy explaining what their creative process is and what the artwork represents to them. Some prefer to allow that internal dialog to remain a secret and allow the viewer to use their past personal experiences to reveal their own perception of what the artwork means to them.

 

In that moment the art has become even larger and has the ability to also transform the viewer.

Finger Painting

Posted on by johnmichael

Balancing my time spent in the studio has been very difficult, many things to do and very limited time.  Not just limited time to do the work but also time to sit with the art and reflect. I realize that this will be an ongoing struggle, even thought I love my time spent in the studio there are many responsibilities outside of those walls that need to be attended to.

 

When I am in constant motion physically and mentally, although I enjoy it, this is when I start to make mistakes…such as working last week in acrylic for the first time in months and I did not wash out the brushes afterwards… thinking I was using oil paint and would get to them later… wrong, I was sad to find that the five brushes are no longer usable.

 

The solution for today, finger painting with oils… not something I would recommend, but it was fun….

 

The piece below is what came of the finger painting or at least the start of a winter scene, which seem appropriate for today. This is just the background and it is very impasto so this will take some time to dry… I assure you that there will be a twist included in this piece as well to give you something to ponder but that will be dropped into the painting later. So you will just have to wait…

 

So trying something different in the studio and maybe a new direction to explore it seems a great way to spend a snowy afternoon!

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Perception and Reality

Posted on by johnmichael

February has been about the four R’s

 

Reflection

 

Revaluation

 

Reconnecting

 

Redefining

 

Investigating the ideas and thoughts of my past and comparing them to what is here and now. The goal is to figure out the connections from the past to what I want in the future. A different form of the game “Connect the Dots”.  I know this should be a very concrete process but with the addition of emotions to the mix, it becomes more random and scary.

 

I am learning that my comfort level that once challenged me is now boring to me. I want to be challenged more and not with the everyday mundane things, but in how I view something and how it makes me feel. I want to be able to understand things at a deeper level. I want to learn how to dissect a situation and walk away knowing that I learned something valuable.

 

I look at my artwork from last year and it feels different, not good, nor bad, just different.  I want to thank the art for teaching me all that it did. But then I also want to ask it questions. Invite it out for coffee and see what it has to share with me. What did the art learn from me? What did I share with it? But it only stares back at me and holds up the same mirror I offered others to use when viewing my work.  I feel a bit stuck because I do not know how to start the next painting…and the more I search the more it seems to ignore me.

 

I want to climb in and travel my landscapes to explore the blue skies, but I fear that in doing so I will never look back, and this scares me. What happens if my perception is not real to anyone else but me, without my past how can I create a future?  So I hold these questions and ask the art yet to be made, if it might have the answers that I desire, as I sit in the silence…. waiting.

 

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Show At Morpho Gallery 1-25-14

Posted on by johnmichael

Morpho Gallery Show

 

Thank you to everyone who braved the cold on Saturday to come out to Morpho Gallery to see my show. There was a great turn out, barely room to move around. It was a perfect opportunity to meet some great artists and see their art. If you were unable to attend, my art will be up till February 6th. So there is plenty of time to go explore!

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In the photos you can’t really see it, but  the two painting were placed on either side of a doorway. Which at first seemed unusual to me…but then the more I thought about it seemed very appropriate, because the placement forces one to enter a different reality (room) to view each of them. One of the things I try to encourage with my paintings is to invite the viewer to approach what they see in a different manner. Challenging them to break out of their normal perception of reality, as they define it. Sometime I just have to sit back and let the synergy take over ,it seems to know better than I do.

 

I had a fun evening and met some very interesting people and saw some great art!

It does not get better than that!

I Have A Seat Reserved Just For You!

Posted on by johnmichael

In the creative process there are many characters that play vital parts.

 

The first is the Muse or Genius whose most critical part is to lavishes the artist with inspiration and ideas to help maintain the flow while creating (at least when they decide to show up in the studio). The second is the ruthless Gremlin with his nagging small voice constantly telling you to doubt your ability, talents and what little bit of sanity you may still have.

 

 

These are the two “friends” that hang out in the studio with me daily. Encouraging the art, moving forward and shredding me feeding into my fears and my self-doubt providing me always with interesting array of realities. Over the years I have tried my best to make friends with both of them by understanding their worth and importance.  But at times, I must admit, it is like having a conversation with a five year old responding “Why?” to everything that you say.

 

 

When the artwork is finish and ready to leave the studio. This then opens the doors for more challenges. Although, the Muse usually remains behind in the studio; napping or getting drunk depending on the time of day, But the Gremlin packs a overnight bag and travels out with you to meet up and combine forces with the Critic.

 

 

So if managing the Muse and the Gremlin in the studio was somehow not difficult enough. Now one has to interact with the “real” world, the individuals that love your work and support you in your career, the Critics/Gremlins that wait patiently for that moment when you fall on your face while walking up the stairs. Lastly you have to deal with yourself, being at best a mishmash of all the emotional baggage that follows you.

 

 

So with this in mind and moving forward into the year I want to make certain that I create an environment in the studio that is advantageous to the making of the art. I have prepared myself for that moment the art leaves the studio.

 

 

I have reserved three chairs that are placed facing my work. The middle chair is reserved for me allowing me a place to sit back and enjoy my art from an outsiders view. The chair on the left is reserved for the individuals that support my creation of the art and the chair on the right is reserved for the Critic/Gremlin.

 

 

So now that every one has a place to sit and observe. Let the process begin.

Three Chairs