...The Role of an Artist...

I believe that the role of an artist is to help the world to see. I think that seeing is something that people do not take the time to actually do. Sure, mostly everyone can see, we have basic eye sight, but how many of us look deeper and see how people and objects in our world interact? I think the role of an artist to grip their viewer, bring them in, and teach them to really see. When I am faced with a new project or piece, I choose my subject matter. Part of my process is to study that object and get to know it. I wrestle with it, learn a lot about it, and most of all see it. See it for what it is. I feel like when I finally display my piece, I am inviting my viewers to see and join me in my process. They are forced to deal with my piece and it's subject matter. I can draw attention to what I want my viewer to notice most. Of course, each viewer will come out with a different idea of what my piece means, but in the end, I was facilitating a journey to really and truly seeing an object for what it is. As far as the video we watched in class, I think it ties in with my idea of an artist. I think videography is definitely an art. This video stated opinions, facts, and problems. The viewer was forced to deal with the subjects brought up in the video. Now, the viewer could either choose to reject or agree with what the video was saying, but they still had to deal with the subject. 

Who I am as an artist

As an artist, I believe that I am a voice. I enjoy painting over any medium and I paint mostly everyday objects. I use the colors in my work to bring the viewer in closer. I believe that exaggeration or a lack of color speaks volumes. I love to create art utilizing subject matter such as dead trees by the side of the road that I pass everyday or my favorite pair of shoes. I bring these objects to life by bringing exaggerated colors in to them. I feel that utilizing color in my work depicts the objects as they once were or the life and beauty that is in those objects even when they appear dead or forgotten. I also like to set everyday objects on flat planes so that I can enhance the parts of that object that stand out to me. I can make my viewer focus in on what I want them to see. They can see the beauty that I see.

Some of my art work!

"My Pink Sneakers"
Prisma Colors and Oil Pastels

"Trash Can and Broom"
Pencil

"Stoplight"
Prisma Colors

"Tracy's Shoes"
Oil Pastels

"Sculpted Woman"
Powdered Graphite

"Pin Your Wings Down"
Watercolor

"The Purple Tree"
Watercolor

"Experiment"
Mixed Media: Tempera paint, prisma colors, and newspaper transfers

"Blue Like Jazz"
Prisma Colors