REPOST FROM THE WRIGHTER ARCHIVES: Shut That Darn Thing OFF!!!

Today’s post is actually a repost from The Wrighter archives (Dec. 2008).  It has recently been reported that watching television has been linked to over-eating.  It’s just one more reason to run away from the boob-tube.
Shut That Darn Thing OFF!!!

The ills of television are no secret to anyone because for years, studies have proven that television does more harm than good, especially with children and young adults. Even the great Ronald Dahl wrote about its dangers in a song sung by pygmies, dedicated to a TV addicted boy humorously named Mike Teavee, in his famous book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  
It rots the senses in the head!

It kills imagination dead!

It clogs and clutters up the mind!

It makes a child so dull and blind

he can no longer understand

a fantasy, a fairyland!

His brain becomes as soft as cheese!

His powers of thinking rust and freeze!

He cannot think–he only sees!

Besides the obvious scientifically journaled reason to shy away from television, I’ve listed eight additional reasons to cut the darn thing off.

1. It sucks up all of your remaining energy. This is why it is so easy to watch two or more television shows back to back. Once you’ve watched one show, many times, it takes twice as much energy to pull yourself away from a second.

2. It is dangerous to go in and out of a zombie state.

3. You become susceptible to media messages rather than using your own independent thought. It’s like hypnosis almost. You believe later that you’re thinking independently but the astronomical forces of television has literally shaped or reshaped your entire mind, and more often than not, it’s not in a good way.

4. There is a force that wants to keep your entertained and distracted. Until you can come up with a solid justifiable reason to watch TMZ, The Hills, or My BFF, there is no reason to waste your precious time, because your government is turning you into a slave behind your back.

5. Because the water you’re drinking is slowly and systematically making you sick with fluoride and other toxic chemicals and you should be figuring out how to correct this.

6. Because chemicals are being released into the air through certain airplanes, using what is called chemtrails, designed to breakdown your immune system and cause deadly diseases and you should be doing more research about it.

7. Your government is passing laws to take away more and more of your freedoms and you should be figuring out how to fight back.

8. Because you haven’t been doing enough meditation or reflection to clear your head and explore the inner mysteries of yourself.

If this isn’t enough to get you, at least, thinking about your television usage and the world you live in, then I’m afraid you might already be brain dead. I’m so sorry.

Today's Featured Artist: Virginia Bryant

Today's artist is Virginia Bryant.  You can learn more about Virginia and her work by going to her website: http://virginiabryant.tumblr.com/.

"This is part of the forthcoming new “MIRRORED SYMMETRIES” portfolio. For the last 3 years there has been a hand painted sign by me in my studio which says BALANCE. This series, MIRRORED SYMMETRIES, is the manifestation of that idea, which has been primary throughout my body of work, and is now reaching its apotheosis in these new works." -Bryant 

What is your artist statement?

My painting is a progression and development of collaborations with paint that evolves from gestural abstraction, staining and pouring techniques and automatic writing.


My motivation in painting is to communicate the infinite sense of possibility and wonder experienced when painting. My affinity with paint, which being liquid is a form of life itself, solidifies my commitment.

In times of a predominating lack of connection to more traditional pastoral concerns, I have maintained focus on taking the beauties of nature as my foremost inspiration while balancing elements found there with explorations into ways of painting that are new to me. 

It is congruence with the infinite and ineffable that my processes seek to connect with, which is confirmed with intuition. My attraction to the sublime and proclivities for the mystical are balanced by an intense drive towards balance.

Which is your favorite work of yours and why?

I have many favorites that are no longer in my possession, but of what
I still own, I would have to say "YGGDRASIL" because, like the mythical tree it is named after, it connects spirit and material experience in a new way. I had just started working with acrylics after a several year absence, so the newness of the process and how alive that feeling of newness can be shows up well in this work.


What is your favorite thing you've purchased in the last 30 days and why?

I know I "should" say a new sable brush, which I have not used yet, but really, I totally enjoyed these really great raw fruit bars and organic pecans yesterday, more, so far. Once the brush gets to working that may well change!

What do you think about "The Scream" auctioning @ $120 million on May 2nd?  
Nothing.

One hundred years from now, what do you want people to think/ remember about you?

If I am remembered I would like it to be for using my gifts as an expression of that which is greater than self.

Distraction #1: Illegal Immigration

Perhaps it’s because it’s an election year that immigration policy has been one of the hot button issues at the forefront of media attention.

No matter how you feel about immigration policy in this country, you should know:

There are several ways to become a legal resident of the United States. The exact procedure to obtain legalization will depend on your location, your background and your residency status. In most cases, before you can obtain a Green Card (permanent residence) you must obtain a legal status. If you are residing--because of illegal crossing or an expired visa--in the United States as an illegal immigrant, you must obtain legalization thru your family (if permanent residents or American citizens), your place of employment, the United States military, thru marriage or from an educational endeavor.


This will enable you to maintain residence in the United States for a certain period of time. It is crucial to understand that all visas have expiration dates—Green Cards and Citizenship are permanent, not Visas. Before your expiration date, you must secure a Green Card through marriage, the military or a family member, employment or business.


To acquire legalization you must engage in or be categorized as one of the following: a family-based immigrant, a member of the United States Armed Forces, a worker or student with exceptional skills, an employment-based worker, or an asylum seeker/refugee. The visas associated with these categories are all temporary; however, they will enable you to live in the country legally and apply for permanent residency in the future.  


(http://immigration.laws.com/illegal-immigration)

Proponents of lax immigration laws are one of the sores of American law and social fairness.  Despite being illogical and self interested, believers that illegal immigrants should demand more rights of an already densely populated, cash strapped country are both destructive and arrogant.

The concept of relaxing the enforcement of  legal immigration at the demands of illegal immigrants and their representatives is along the same vein as convicted felons demanding cable television while imprisoned.  Some may take offense to immigrants being compared to felons, however, the analogy is an accurate one.


America has not closed its doors to immigrants; it is fighting the long practice of ducking procedure to become legally recognized American citizens that is in question.  It is ignorant to presume that you can break laws and because the laws you broke happened years ago, you should not face consequences for breaking them.  This is not like stealing a candy bar ten years ago.  This is ripping and punching holes in immigration policy.  It is deliberate, self serving and delinquent.


The bigger issue that proponents have created is a distraction from what some law makers are pushing and passing that is eroding the small amount of freedoms American citizens still have left.


While we’re looking down at flashing objects, above us are forces that count on our indulgence in meandering and senseless frivolity that keep us fighting and counterproductively debating, especially on the social issues of today.


All laws of this country are not in question.  It seems though that the merit of a country to protect its own citizens with the taxes its citizens pay is lost on Lax-Law-Free-For-All supporters.  

Today's Featured Artist: Belinda Chlouber

Today's featured artist is Belinda Chlouber.  This is her tribute to "The Scream" by Edvard Munch. The piece is titled "Wild" and is based upon her mother's poem titled, "The Wild Animal Trainer"

What is your artist statement?

After my mother, Carla Chlouber, passed away last spring, we discovered that she had written but never shared a trove of poetry. These poems inspired my recent work. They have enabled me to “collaborate” with her in a way I never did while she was alive. While I miss her deeply, I now feel lucky and privileged to work with her in this way. This discovery was redoubled when over Christmas of this year I discovered that her father (my grandfather), Arthur Carlos Sweet, was also a poet, having located his poetry from a 1935 Varsity notebook that lay hidden in a trunk for seventy-seven years. Reading their work and understanding the depth of their feeling helps me to see the parts of them that they passed on to me. It is this “collaboration” backward through time that most inspires me as an artist.


It is my belief that one day as a result of our enhanced ability to record and share our experiences we will be able to more clearly see the thread that connects generations. We will see our similarity in feelings and how we experience life, we will see ourselves in each other.

Which is your favorite work of yours and why? 

Currently my favorite work is “Love is Like….” It is based on my Grandfather Sweets poem “Love”.  

Love (1935)

I’m sorry, dear, but love is like

A fragile lace

That’s beautiful to contemplate

But has no place

As cloak against the cold

Realities of life

Where bitter winds of doubt

Cut with keenness of a knife

Assail the luted soul that love

Has got in thrall

And fed the aching heart

On bitterness and gall.

Why love should breed such misery,

I do not know.

And I am truly dear,

But it is so.

As I painted this piece I asked myself over and over, “Is love enough to cloak us against the cold realities of life?” My grandfather’s grandfather, who was a part of the Blalock Community http://bit.ly/K8ZnM0, and http://bit.ly/JaW04M was murdered in Mexico during the Mexican Revolution and the rest of the family had to flee back to the United States. It must have been terribly painful, one of those cold realities of life. My grandfather was a small boy. Sometimes I wonder if events can haunt generations if they are left unresolved, I hope not but am afraid so.....

What is your favorite thing you've purchased in the last 30 days and why?

I love this piece of artwork I purchased from Louise Stanley http://lulu.artist-at-large.com/paintings/ “Unfair Labor Practices”. She's such an icon in the Bay Area and Berkeley.

What do you think about "The Scream" auctioning @ $120 million on May 2nd?

I think it says a lot about our current world situation. Maybe it speaks perfectly to that actually. We are in such a state of transition and it’s not clear we will be able to pull it together as a species. We do desperately need a worldview that will enable us to survive. My hope is that because of the internet we will be able to transition more quickly to that worldview---whatever it maybe---as long as it enables our survival and the survival of our planet in a way that all life can flourish.

One hundred years from now, what do you want people to think/ remember about you?

That I helped bring back the beauty of the unknown. The beauty in cherishing life. The beauty in understanding how we are all connected and that life is a manifestation of some kind of energy which we may never fully understand---but that that’s okay.


Visit Belinda Chlouber's website at: http://www.tenfingers.com/

Allison Schulnik's "Salty Air" Preview

From May 26^th through July 7^th, the Mark Moore Gallery will be exhibiting the works from Allison Schulnik in her series titled, “Salty Air.”

Previewing “Salty Air”

I haven’t gone to see the exhibit in person yet, but I certainly plan on it, simply to gain a full appreciation of the texture of Schulnik’s work.  Some of her oil paintings from the series are so rich with texture, you kind of wonder how the piece ever dried.  I’m excited to see it and perhaps the technique may seep into my modus operandi and inspire some of my own future work. 

The element of texture is my most favorite characteristic of Schulnik’s work from the series.  I’m especially fond of her 2012, 16 x 20 oil on canvas stretched over board piece titled, “Pink Shells.”  The background texture, reminiscent of a pink sand beach, makes you want to reach out and touch the painting just to feel the rough swirly lumps under your fingertips.  The seashells in the painting are arranged in such a way that it looks like they are posing for a group portrait.

Though Schulnik explores the Hans Christian Anderson fable of “The Little Mermaid,” the next layer beneath the sea faring subject matter, is a love affair with clowns.  Clown makeup, clown costumes, and the gross and sometimes ugly exaggeration of the ordinary.  The only non-clown subject matter seems to be the seashells (both paintings and porcelain sculptures), yet every other creature created looks as if they live a life that belongs to an ocean circus.

This series also has a fixation on genitalia.  Female.  Male.  It doesn’t matter.  In one oil on linen painting titled, “Mermaid With Legs,” the artist depicts a naked blonde clown-faced woman with her legs spread apart on a beach – showing the goods.  It is definitely not a traditional nude painting, but plays along the fence of erotic art.  In a few other paintings she depicts red lobsters with giant human-like penises.  

Schulnik’s paintings in “Salty Air” seem to represent the harshness of living in and on the ocean.  You sense a foul fish odor in their essence.  You’re able to feel the cold and isolated wetness in the images.  Her living creatures she depicts are not pretty.  In fact, some of them look downright grotesque.  Her lobsters are obscene or maybe perverted is a better word.  However, her sculptures of overstated seashells are intriguing - a welcomed balance to the roughness.

About Allison Schulnik (From the Mark Moore Gallery website)

Born in 1978 (San Diego, CA), Schulnik earned her BFA in Experimental Animation from the California Institute of the Arts, Valencia (CA). She has had solo exhibitions in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Montreal, Rome and London, and has exhibited in both group shows and film screenings around the world, including those at the Garage Center for Contemporary Art (Moscow), St. Louis Contemporary Arts Museum (MO), Contemporary Arts Museum (LA), The Hammer Museum (CA), and the Hafia Museum of Art (Hafia), and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (CA), among others. Her work can be seen in the public collections of the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art (KS), Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego (CA), The Santa Barbara Art Museum (CA), Montreal Museum of Contemporary Art (Montreal), Museé de Beaux Arts (Montreal), and the Laguna Art Museum (CA) – where she will have a solo exhibition in 2013. The artist lives and works in Los Angeles, CA.

An Approach to Changing Life - Yours

Looking around for something inspirational this morning, I found this article from ETR by author Alexander Green today and felt very much moved by its content.  In the article, Green discusses the life, beliefs and progressive terminology of psychologist, William James.  Wait.  Before you get turned off by the idea of reading about a psychologist – give it a chance.  After all, James coined the term, “time-line.”  

In essence the message from Green’s discussion from my favorite newsletter I’ve reposted below and the title of the article are the same.  Take a gander.  You don’t want to miss out.  It could be life changing.

How to Change Your Life  
      

By Alexander Green

Although the economy is on the mend and the stock market has taken a big bounce off the bottom, tough times remain for many Americans.

Unemployment is high. Bankruptcies and foreclosures are near record levels. Repo lots are overflowing. Worry and stress are on the rise in many households.

Some of these folks might want to visit psychologist William James, even though he's been dead for a hundred years.

James (1842-1910) was an author, philosopher, scientist, Harvard professor and giant in American intellectual history.

He trained as a medical doctor but never practiced medicine. He broke new ground as a physiologist and psychologist. He studied religion and psychic phenomena and wrote three classic books, including The Varieties of Religious Experience, the acknowledged inspiration for the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous, one of the world's most effective treatment programs.

Although his name is not widely recognized outside academia today, James made major contributions to psychology, philosophy, literature, teaching and religious studies. He coined numerous words and phrases including pluralism, time-line, stream of consciousness, live option and moral equivalent of war. Historian Jacques Barzun writes that James' book Principles of Psychology is "an American masterpiece which, quite like Moby Dick, ought to be read from beginning to end at least once by every person professing to be educated. It a masterpiece in the classic and total sense."

What do so many find inspiring about James? In part, it was his life itself, his legendary zest for living. James loved to travel, hike and mountain-climb. He served as a naturalist and accompanied Louis Agassiz on his expedition to explore the upper reaches of the Amazon. He churned out articles, books and hundreds of public lectures while carrying a full teaching load at Harvard. When he died from heart failure in his late 60s, his contemporaries said he had literally worn himself out.

Despite James's many accomplishments, his life was not without its setbacks. He suffered from ailments of the eyes, skin, stomach and back. He was diagnosed with neurasthenia and depression. He contracted smallpox in Brazil. Three siblings, including novelist Henry James and diarist Alice James, were afflicted with invalidism. His beloved sister Alice died of breast cancer at 44.

However, James believed that we are meant to spend our lives being curious, active, and fully engaged.

He was also one of the first to try to reconcile science and religion. In particular, he was interested in human spiritual experience, a realm that is difficult to capture by logic or observation, and nearly impossible to nail down scientifically.

Yet he found a way. James is the father of the distinctly American philosophy known as Pragmatism, the doctrine that truth reveals itself in practice, regardless of its origins. Something is true if it doesn't contradict known facts and it works.

James thought a belief should be judged by its results. He was more interested in the fruits of an idea than its roots and advised people to look for a truth's "cash value," arguing that a belief is true if it allows you to live a fuller, richer life.

He was particularly interested in showing men and women how to convert misery and unhappiness into growth. As you can see from some of his remarks, the approach is nothing if not pragmatic: 

·         Lives based on having are less free than lives based either on doing or being.

 ·         Acceptance of what has happened is the first step to overcoming the consequences of any misfortune.

 ·         If you believe that feeling bad or worrying long enough will change a past or future event, then you are residing on another planet with a different reality system.

 ·         Great emergencies and crises show us how much greater our vital resources are than we had supposed.

 ·         Compared with what we ought to be, we are half awake.

·         Action may not bring happiness but there is no happiness without action.

·         Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.

·         Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.

 ·         Begin to be now what you will be hereafter.

James taught that we can change our lives by altering our attitudes of mind. He called pessimism "a disease" and said it could be cured by substitution. You can change, for example, "I have to exercise today" to "I get to exercise today." "I get to visit my grandmother" can be substituted for "I have to visit my grandmother." The shift is a subtle one, but powerful.

The essence of a belief is the establishment of a habit, a willingness to act. That begins with a change of mind. The best motivation is always an inspiriting attitude.

As a pioneering psychologist, James's primary interest was how the mind can bring about life-changing effects. Yes, we can always grouse about circumstances. But it is not what fate does to us that matters. What matters is what we do with what fate hands us.

"All that the human heart wants," declared James, "is its chance."

Pictures from Kobiphysics

If you missed Kobiphysics: An Art Show, then you missed my very first solo art show.  Aww!  What a shame!  Such a historical event too…  Oh well, as my friends often hear me say, such is life!  

From the show, I was able to sell my art, make new contacts, provide a venue for the cutest little Ukist (ukelele player) you’ve ever seen and create a solid series to exhibit elsewhere.  Not a bad feat for such a short period of time.  And if I could, I’d give all my supporters trophies – that’s how much I appreciate them.

 A couple of attendees are viewing my work titled, “Centripetal Show” and “Dilation.”  “Dilation can be viewed and/or purchased at: http://www.americafineart.org/Kobina-Dilation-Acrylic

 My adorable little Addae did such a wonderful job singing and performing two original compositions titled, “All My Friends” and “She’s Insane.”  By the way, the latter song was inspired by me…

Here are three generations of hard working women.  Both my mother and my daughter inspire me.

Overall, the turnout was great, people were curious and supportive and the facility (The Huntington Beach Central Library) was beautiful.  The show was a ton of work, but the word got out and I’m very relieved and pretty proud of what I’ve done.  My next show will be even better.  

Today's Featured Artist: Political Cartoonist - Kaveh Adel

Kaveh Adel’s reinterpretation of "The Scream"

 What is your artist statement?

My artist statement is very simple: If I want to be FREE I’ve got to be ME! (If you need more information feel free to check out http://kavehadel.com/blog/about/) 


Which is your favorite work of yours and why?

My favorite work is called "Love for Norway" as I did it truly as a way to show how we all as humans are interconnected and when one member is in pain the rest cannot be at rest (loosely quoting Persian Poet, Saadi) in light of the Bombing in Oslo and the massacre in Utoya in July of 2011 by Anders Breivik who is on trial right now. This drawing touched the people in Norway and consequently touched me and forever connected me with them since they have shown true humanity in light of intolerance and hatred with their patience and love.


My Second favorite work is "Where is my Humanity" as it was an introspective piece dealing with all of us looking within finding our own humanity ( with a short poem)

What is your favorite thing you've purchased in the last 30 days and why?

Favorite thing I have purchased in the last 30 days: Three physical books. Because I love reading books that I can hold in my hand. I am old school despite being very savvy with technology!


What do you think about "The Scream" auctioning @ $120 million on May 2nd?


The auction making "The Scream" the most expensive piece of auctioned art, I believe is a good sign that Art is being appreciated. Especially Art that requires personal interpretation and is left to interpretation. I suppose what I mean is that I see the trend in humanity going more and more away from thinking about the world around it and losing the ability to appreciate the beauty losing itself in accepting what is fed to it without scrutiny. I know money does not always equate value but in this case I choose to look at the positive aspects of this sale than the debate about the true financial worth.


One hundred years from now, what do you want people to think/ remember about you?
In 100 years I want people to think and remember me in 4 parts:  


Part ONE: remembered by community/world as such: HE was compassionate. He was a truly a Human being. He was giving (Spiritually, financially, and with his time) He touched people positively, DEEPLY and emotionally. He warmed people's hearts. He always responded to communication sent to him. He helped make life a little better for anyone he came in contact with.  


Part TWO: remembered by coworkers as such: HE was energetic, dedicated and excited about what he did. He was a perfectionist but knew when to accept reality! Cared about teaching others. He also cared about the well-being of his coworkers, clients and patients. He was Ethical and fair and never took advantage of anyone. He never undercut or undermined his fellow coworkers no matter how much he disagreed with them. He was self-made and never extended his hand for a favor or a handout.  


Part THREE: remembered by Friends as such: A friend who listened, was there when I was at my worst and my best. Helped me whenever I needed him. Was always a phone call away. He truly cared about and genuinely was interested in what was and is important in my life.

 
Part FOUR: remembered by Family as such: A Husband/Son/father/grand father who was there When I needed Him. He was and taught me to be kind, caring, giving, to love and choose to Love over all else. He helped me become who I wanted to be not who he wanted me to be. Taught me to be disciplined and focused in anything I set my mind to do. He cared about my views, opinions, autonomy and was compassionate and respectful even if he disagreed with me.

The Wrighter’s Film Review: The Cabin in The Woods

Recently, I watched the movie “The Cabin in the Woods” written by Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard and directed by Drew Goddard; which as of today, is still playing in movie theaters.

Going in to watch this film, I expected the dark lighting to set the macabre tone.  I expected long tried and over wrought pairing of fear and sex.  I also expected the unnecessary and inevitable perilous exploration into dark and creepy terrain.

What I did not expect, was that the creators of the film would be blatantly aware of my expectations and play to them anyway – with them knowing that I know what they’re doing.

It was a cross between, “Night of the Living Dead;”  “Halloween;” “Apocalypse;” and “The Hunger Games” if you can imagine all of that.  Though the films mentioned are written to be played seriously, “The Cabin in the Woods” has a thin layer of cheese that coats it, borrowed from cheese fest films such as “Shark Night.”

The twists in this movie are so odd that I forgave the cheese and enjoyed the bizarre and often humorous quirks in the story.  The plot hiccupped in movements so much and so intensely that I, at times, forgot that I was watching a horror flick.

As far as recommendations go, I only recommend this film if (A) you like comedy and/or (B) if you’re not a film genre purist.  In fact, I wouldn’t call this film horror, exactly.  It’s more of a hybrid genre – let’s call it a “hormedy.”

Despite the finale feeling a bit queenish, the paraded clichés can be forgiven, even appreciated as the audience feels winked at.  I myself walked out of the theater thinking, “Did I just enjoy that silly thing?”  I think I did.

Accused

Yesterday I received an invitation to view Sarah Ball’s exhibit, “Accused.”  

Who is Sarah Ball? That’s what I thought when I got the invitation.

This is from her website, http://www.sarah-ball.co.uk:

Sarah Ball grew up in South Yorkshire and studied at Newport Art College. After working in London throughout the late 80’s and 90s, she returned to Wales to concentrate solely on her painting and completed an MFA at Bath Spa University in 2005. She lives with her family in the Monmouthshire countryside.

“My work is that of the gatherer; a curator of objects and ideas that are concerned with the visual language of the storyteller. My paintings allude to fable and allegory - sourced from museum curios, Victorian taxidermy, studio and police photography, anthologies and collections from the natural world and objects gathered from my immediate surroundings - the sources are recast, creating new characters in imagined scenarios”. – Sarah Ball

Back to the “Accused” exhibit:

The exhibit showcases intimate and diminutive portrait paintings recording the faces of the 'Accused'. The exhibition uses police archive photographs from the Victorian Era through to 1960’s as its starting point. Ball explores the concept of physiognomy. Physiognomy (from the Gk. physis meaning 'nature' and gnomon meaning 'judge' or 'interpreter') is the assessment of a person's character or personality from his outer appearance, especially the face.

My analysis:

It sounds to me by the description of the “Accused” series and from viewing the paintings, that it is a mirrored maze through a study of stereotypes and criminal character predictions.

Let me give you an example: when a portrait is titled “Vagrant.” I’m looking for the vagrant in the woman in the painting even though what she actually looks like is a mousy librarian. The woman labeled “Gang Member,” looks like a pouty Shirley Temple, rather than a unit in a body of criminal element.

To me, the idea of Book Cover Cosmology (my term – no one else’s) is the equivalent to looking at a photo of Charles Manson (pre swastika forehead tattoo) and assuming he’s a Hollywood actor.

The additional element of Ball’s idea of starting with real police photos from Victorian era to the tumultuous sixties is intriguing. An idea, I must say, I wish I thought of.

Despite the simplicity and my gravitation to all things historic, it would have been nice to see the original police photos since many of Balls’ portrait people look as if they’re on their way to church.

Those of you who are in the area (Cornwall, England), I’m a little jealous. It looks like the effort put forth to see it would be worth it.

“Accused” is exhibiting at Millennium Gallery from May 25th until June 19th.

Featured Artist: Uma Aslam

What is your artist statement?

I was born in Manchester Uk. I am a self taught artist and have been painting for nearly 14 years. From my early twenties I have had the gift of seeing, feeling and channeling angels and the spirit realms. My art is a reflection of this as well as my life’s experiences.

I like to work with oil but also incorporate other mediums. Although I use brushes, I prefer using my fingers. This allows me to move more easily around my painting as well as blending my colors more efficiently.

About 9 years ago, I entered a dreamstate; here I met with an angel called Elizabeth. In the dream she was sketching on a wall the characters of Walt Disney, she then turns to me and tells me that she was going to remain with me awhile. She did, for nearly 3 months. Over time my paintings became more and more colorful. Some of them contained an element of healing energy within them, that many have experienced and I hope they will continue experiencing.

Which is your favorite work of yours and why?

1.I'm Home...oil on canvas 2005
This relates to a very important chakra ' The Sacral, ' the women, the life giver and life force, I am complete, safe and secure here. I believe this is where our soul houses itself, as most of our emotions are felt here, joys, fears anxiety and much more.

2.Entity Invasions....oil on canvas 2009
This painting is about the challenges one faces when trying to be ones light amongst the seen and unseen forces.

What is your favorite thing you've purchased in the last 30 days and why?

A veggie juicer! My old one broke down; I'd spend half a day peeling enough carrots to make just half a glass! Now I have a new one, I got in a sale and can now spend more time painting then peeling carrots.

What do you think about "The Scream" auctioning @ $120 million on May 2nd?

I'm not a big fan of this painting. If you've got that kind of money to blow then why not! They are saying that art is the biggest investment at the moment. I do however wish that living artists and their works were valued much more. There are some out there making it or should I say raking it. I suppose I haven't quite got there yet. One consolation is that when I do die, maybe my works will become sought after, then at least my family will not go without.

My version of the scream... (a very quick drawing with pastels*).

When i see the sunset, I raise my arms to the sky and sing Hallelujah!

One hundred years from now, what do you want people to think/ remember about you?

That I contributed to bringing something beautiful to our planet.

*This version of “The Scream” is by Uma Aslam

Today's Featured Artist: Tank

Since the auction of “The Scream” by Edvard Munch on May 2nd, for $120 million, I’ve been exploring a bit, looking at great works by other artists, while wondering what Mr. Munch would have thought about his iconic work wearing such a high price tag.

Munch died in 1944, but there are a plethora of other interesting and noteworthy artists around, whose art may one day break other records, or break barriers, or break . . . something!

So the plan is this, from now, until the end of summer I’ll feature artists weekly with Munch in mind, and together, we will take a look at their work, their approach to their art, their latest indulgence and their weigh-in on “The Scream.”

Today’s featured artist: Tank (Austrailia)

Website: www.tankart.com.au

What is your artist statement?

I have been painting professionally for approximately 15 years, originating with a fairly loose style which has progressively refined over time. My preferred medium is oil on canvas.

I do not concentrate on any specific subject matter or paint works in series. I often incorporate a variety of objects to convey my thoughts/ideas and I enjoy the challenge of making every day mundane objects into something more interesting.

I aim to include a message or idea in the majority of my works however I prefer to not necessarily dictate this to the viewer. I believe effective art makes the viewer think and I enjoy discovering the range of interpretations which each painting can evoke. I appreciate the subjective nature of art and am often intrigued to discover why viewers prefer certain imagery above others.

Although my style has previously been described as macabre, my interpretation of my imagery is usually one of humour.

Which is your favourite work of yours and why?

I painted ‘Meet ‘n’ Veg in 2005 and it is still my favourite painting. It was one of the first paintings which I believed successfully encapsulated what I personally strive for as an artist. It is a picture that makes the viewer stop and think about what the imagery means, however it remains open to interpretation. The title word play from ‘meat n veg’ to ‘meet n veg’ is also something I like to include in my work when appropriate.

What is your favourite thing you've purchased in the last 30 days and why?

A few weekends ago I bought an old black Bakelite telephone (circa 1930) from a small country market. I think it’s such an iconic object from history and I’m sure it will end up in a painting one day.

What do you think about "The Scream" auctioning @ $120 million on 2nd May

I believe the purchase of “The Scream” for $120 million on May 2nd is a positive thing. I am aware some people do not agree with the high prices paid for certain masterpieces, however I believe there are certain aspects of our art history and culture which should be treasured and their prices will reflect that.

I also understand there is some annoyance regarding this piece being sold to a private collector and whether masterpieces such as these should be exclusively available to the public. I believe that the art market by definition is the trading of a commodity, particularly at this level, and there needs to be an appreciation of the private collections and their contribution to the market. Many public galleries/museums do not always have the finances available to purchase works or necessarily the room/conditions available to store them properly. Private collectors who are purchasing at this level no doubt appreciate their investment and will protect them as necessary until they return to the market.

One hundred years from now, what do you want people to think/ remember about you?

I’m not really concerned about what people think about me in the future, I’d really just like for some of my art to still be hanging on some walls for people to see.

(This version of "The Scream" is called "iScream" created by Tank - photocopy and colored pencils)