The past three weeks have been about fine-tuning everything necessary to apply for art/gallery shows. So far it has been a month of exploring how my artwork informs my psyche and exploring the image of myself reflected in the mirror of introspection. I have asked myself endless questions and spent hours writing about myself in first and third persons about my artwork and how everything is interconnected. In retrospect, I learned many things examining my body of work as a whole and then breaking it down into smaller subcategories and then seeing how things changed again as I view each as an individual piece. The questions include the few I have posted below, but in total there were more than 45 of them.
How is my artwork similar? Different?
Is there a common theme or elements that are presented?
What is it I want people to walk away with after viewing my artwork?
How has my artwork evolved over a particular span of time… years, months, and weeks?
How does the artwork affect me and what feelings do I associate with each one of them? (In a group setting and as an individual piece)
How has this reaction changed as time passes?
Now, I am certain that you would love for me to answer all of these questions for you, as it would allow you great insight into my artwork. (Maybe that will be a topic for future blog posts.) The one thing that I can comment on is that I have discovered that everything evolves or recycles itself. In one form or another, it goes through full phases until it returns back to where it started… but yet it is forever changed. I have come to understand that my artwork has the ability to constantly inform me so new growth can take place. Over time I have been able to create a copacetic relationship with my artwork. Even if at times we fight with each other…all is good.
Although, the most radical thing I have learned this month is the value of the “question” and the correct way to ask it. This knowledge has changed my approach considerably as I have modified the techniques I use to ask people questions. The answer is not always as important as the manner in which it is presented. It is more vital to ask the correct question that will facilitate the answer be in a form that can be utilize as nutrients for growth in my artwork. I also use questions to help inform me personally about my artwork and how it is perceived through the eyes of others. This helps me to determine if I am effectively communicating my thoughts and ideas through the use of my chosen medium.
I want to make it very clear that I am not trying to make a person feel one way or another with my artwork or that I even have any control over that. The most important thing for me is that the individual experiences some type of reaction; any emotion that is expressed is completely up to the individual. I am even comfortable with the fact that some people will not like my artwork and that is ok, not liking something is still a reaction and I welcome that. We all have diverse likes and dislikes that is what makes each one of us unique!
I offer my artwork as portals that peer out into a different world, one that is free flowing from a constant state of imagination. I want to give the viewer permission to explore and observe in a unique manner that they may not have chosen to investigate otherwise.
This is my personal goal as an artist.