August 1, 2008

H.B. Meagan
2006
acrylic on canvas
36" x 16 "

Today I spent mush of the afternoon riveted to a book by Kien Nguyen called "The Unwanted". It is a memoir of a man who grew up during the Communist takeover of Vietnam. As I was reading this book I realized that I tend to choose non fiction literature more often than not. I do read other types of literature but true stories are what appeal to me most.

This desire for "real stuff" follows suit in my music, art and podcasts interests as well. In music I am drawn to the authenticity of Laura Nyro,Todd Rundgren and John Lennon, art it's Frida Kahlo and my favorite podcast is Keith and the Girl. There's a similarity in presenting these artists' truths-not always the easiest to ingest but compelling nonetheless.

When I create I try to emulate those who put themselves out there by expressing themselves truthfully whether easy on the ears, beautiful to the eye or inspiring to the head.

July 24, 2008

Tonight while me and my dog were in the woods on the way to our huckleberry patch we were accosted by a ground nest of angry wasps. This diversion from our original intention grabbed my attention fully. I had become so accustomed to traveling the same path that it took a few minutes to get my bearings and decide how to go around the nest without being stung. While I was bushwhacking the thigh high ferns I considered the fact that change is inevitable and wondered how I would be affected by a slight detour in my route.

Every once in a while it's good to get things stirred up. All change, no matter good or bad has an impact on perspective (at least mine) and forever alters the way things are perceived. For instance every time I go to a museum my art work changes though that change might seem insignificant.

In February when I saw the Frida Kahlo show at the Philadelphia Museum of Art I was affected by her colors. This actually was surprising to me as I have seen many of her paintings before in published form. My expectation before the show was that I would be affected by her technique and/or subject matter and all though those things did make an impact it was a room full of her paintings that demonstrated her color palette most of which is easily lost in printed materials.

Likewise when I first began really looking at modern art and the skill of the masters who created them, I began to understand the brush strokes and choices of color. When I saw Matisse's Thousand and One Nights I was struck that his pencil marks were still visible. This was again a surprise that I enjoyed finding and I keep it in mind when I fight not to overwork my paintings and leave some of its original intention on the canvas.

June 17, 2008

In yesterday's blog I wrote a bit about artists using recyclable materials when creating pieces of art. Many of the typical recyclable materials are creating pieces that are 3 Dimensional (with the exception of photographs or prints of said pieces. But there are also ways to create 2 Dimensional pieces as well. Paper artists are always combining papers many use recycled papers already. Painters have been using wood, stone and masonite for many many years. In fact I once saw two of Frida Kahlo's pieces in the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington DC. I was surprised to find that both pieces were painted on masonite having incorrectly assumed that masonite was a modern building material. Since both paintings were done in the late 30s, I came home and started asking my "builder" friends about the origin of masonite. We were all surprised to find that masonitte had been created in 1924. After inspired by Ms. Kahlo's use of masonite I used a left-over scrap from reconstructing my house. This piece is called "Carnivale Cruise on the Cuyahoga" It was created in 2004. The materials are acrylic on recycled masonite which had to be primed with gesso before I could paint on it.

This piece was painted after I took a friend of mine (the reoccurring redhead) to the Cleveland Clinic for a detoxing procedure. The trip was a week long with lots of illness, vomiting and crying from my friend and my pathetic attempts at nursemaid. When we got home both our families were annoyed at been left to their own devises and decided we had taken a vacation-thus the title.

Sorry for the sales pitch but like everything life is expensive and there are always bills to be paid. If you like my work and want to support my endeavors please consider purchasing a painting. I have just put up the painting, ""A Silver Titter Stole My Baby"" on Ebay. It is a painting I'm proud for artistically as well as socially. It is acrylic paint on organic cotton and hemp canvas. Please feel free to pass the link to friends and family members and if you are so inclined feel free to purchase this painting for yourself.

June 16, 2008

The recent issue (July/August 2008) of Art Calendar is focused on environmental issues. Like the rest of the world the art community is involved with sustainable art practices that have a positive impact on our planet whilst creating thought-provoking, beauty and wondrous art.

Today as I walked in the woods I reflected on "green" art. I will use the next few posts to write a bit about art and the environment

One of the thing artists can do (and have done in the past) is to use found objects in their work.

An Australian artist, John Dahlsen is a wonderful example of someone who is creating beauty from discarded object. Living on the Victorian coastline of Australian he uses found objects to create totems, landscapes and installations.

Frida Kahlo, Picasso, Louise Nevelson and Duchamp have all created amazing art from found objects.

In 1998 I painted "The Dishes Hadn't Been Done" on a metal tray that was rescued from the discard pile at a friends home. Using reclaimed materials lends itself to thinking outside the box. There is also an opportunity for more creativity as you have to work with an object already created not started from scratch.With the metal tray I had to contend with a round shape as well as the scallops along the edges. Although initially this is harder the art created can be more interesting than if you start with standard unused art paper, canvas, stretchers, etc.

Sorry for the sales pitch but like everything life is expensive and there are always bills to be paid. If you like my work and want to support my endeavors please consider purchasing a painting. I have just put up the painting, "A Silver Titter Stole my Baby" on Ebay. It is a painting I'm proud for artistically as well as socially. It is acrylic paint on organic cotton and hemp canvas. Please feel free to pass the link to friends and family members and if you are so inclined feel free to purchase this painting for yourself.

May 14, 2008

Photo of Todd Rundgren by Mindy Hertzon. 

Today was a strange day for me and although my intentions were there I never got to accomplish what my goals for the day were. Between having my monthly menace and small but thought inducing issues that came up I was distracted to the point that here it is 5:53 and the best I can claim to have done today was go grocery shopping and feed my daughter and animals. Oh well. One thought I had (and I will relate it to art I promise) was a idea presented to me by someone near and dear to me to travel to Hawaii to celebrate Todd Rundgren's 60th birthday with him at his house. I have been listening to Todd since 1977 so this is basically a "once in a lifetime" opportunity to have Todd and family open their house to their fans to host a week long party. They live on the beautiful island of Kauai on 5 acres and approximately 100 other Todd fans will be camping along side of each other, eating, drinking and making merriment at one of the most beautiful sites on the world. So where's the hesitation come from? Having been a Todd fan for so long the most contact I have had is him on stage, me in the audience and a few times that I got to go backstage and say "Hi". How will it feel to see him day and night, see him as a real person with his flaws and imperfections after so many years of idolization? Because of the isolation artist need to create (and most desire) we never really get to see them with their hands down after all what would Jackson Pollack smell like after a week-long bender or would it be so romantic to see Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera in one of their throw things at each other fight? Whatever I decide I will always hold a special place in my heart for Todd Rundgren as his words and music have guided me through times both troubled and good. As all good artists do he crafted his words and music to reflect a universal truth that I could relate to even though we have never met and live worlds away. To quote one of his songs from "Initiation"

"You can say what you will about me

Talk is cheap and I don't mind

When you lay your life down in those grooves 

You know you're bound to get scratched up sometime

It's only just a song pay me no mind"

Todd Rundgren