Goin large

Well, as canvases go anyway. This one is as tall as I am, and a good 120cm wide. It's been sitting on the living room wall for a while now, because something hs happened to it that spells doom for most paintings.

I like it too much to exhibit it.

The thing is, it's not the exhibiting I'd mind, it's the danger of the painting getting damaged on the way, in the process, or some unforseeable event ocurring. (like say, it being purchased)

I say that's unforseeable because really, who has a wall big and blank enough to accomodate this thing?

Not many people I wager, so there's really not a lot of point in sending it out into the world for people to look at, stroke their collective chin appropriately, and then wal away from. As the end result is my having it back on the wall here at home, I figure it's easier to skip the middle step and just leave it there.

I just have to say...

I was recently fortunate enough to have a few words published in an arts magazine. It was a great chance to publically whine about things I don't like, so naturally I grabbed it.


I just have to say..

You know, I think I’m getting old. I say that because things that didn’t bother me before bother me now. I didn’t rant about them before either. For example, one of the things I love about art is the way you can communicate serious issues discreetly, under the guise of an aesthetically pleasing object.

Yes I know, all sorts of disclaimers should be inserted here about how I define “aesthetically pleasing”.

Or “Object”.

But I digress. I’m all for art that has a message. No one ever said (convincingly) that art always had to be easy. But it seems to me lately more artists are getting to the message bit and then forgetting to make it look good. If you want to explore the boundaries of your chosen art form, talk till you’re blue in the face about “slippage” (and then say the shade of blue is in reference to Ives Klein), and so forth, be my guest. But if the vehicle for these sentiments does not please my senses, I’d prefer to read your essay.
Because lets face it, the last time I punched someone in the face, he did not thank me for reaffirming the visceral nature of human existence and the impermanence of dental positioning. He just held his jaw and scurried off.
So for the sake of this old man, if you could just as easily write it down, do that instead. Heck, exhibit your beautifully crafted, Harvard-referenced two thousand-word artist statement. Because if I’m not going to appreciate your work without reading it (and the three obscure academic tracts you referenced in it) then it’s your statement that’s the real artwork, not the random assemblage of objects you found in your neighbour’s hard rubbish pile, smothered in an unidentifiable foodstuff and called an installation.

There. I feel so much better now.

I heart Ironlak

It's different, that's for sure. If anything I think of it as more like drawing and colouring in the way we used to when crayons were the available medium.

Plus, it's unbelievably fun to be doing something new and find my skills gradually improving.

AND. The boys at Ironlak were so nice to give me immediate feedback on my feedback. Reassuring me of the fixing of colours and the imminent release of sorely needed ones.

Gold.

http://www.ironlak.com/html/main_new.html

Hit em up. It's worth a look.

Soothing.

Here's a blue lamp. Yes I know, I've got an obsession with blue. Not really, but I do like it a lot, and I use it for chromatherapy value. From what I've read blue light can help physically slow the heart and metabolism. Just the thing people should need in this high-speed high-stress culture.

All Pianos are Blue

This is "All Pianos are Blue". Acrylic on canvas, 80x100cm or so.

I'll probably always have a soft spot for this painting. And an amusing anecdote to go with it. You see, I sent this very image to the grad show catalogue, and they instead used a different image, taking this one's title and medium information. This mistake was the repeated in the book they give you at the graduation ceremony. Not that I didnt point this mistake out the first time, but why should they listen, after all, I'm only the artist.

It's also quite a lovely panel, and I hope it looks good when it goes out to exhibition in July. Until then it's safe on the living room wall, reminding me that honours wasnt such a bad year, and that no matter what the results I was able to grow a lot.

A bit of fun..

Even though it's still painting, it's nice to do something silly every now and then. He doesnt look as good in real life as he does here, up close you can see the background through his yellow skin, but I thought I'd rather have that than a completely empty can of Pineapple Park.