Happy 2008 New Year!

Albert and I just got back from visiting with family, and I already have a nice long to-do list of things that need doing (including the prep work for my long awaited Senior Show at the Academy). With it being the New Year though, I took a look at the things I accomplished in 2007, and I made a fresh list of goals for 2008. Last Year (2007), I accomplished these things: -Graduated with my BFA. -Got married. -Moved into a better / bigger studio space with sunlight. -Remodeled website (twice over). -Got an art-related job (two, actually). -Started painting and sketching on a daily basis. -Began formulating a mailing list. -Won one award from a juried show. -Got into an emerging artists gallery. -Was in 10 group shows. -Produced over 30 new drawings (and a few paintings - including a commission). For this year (2008), I want to: -Remodel and organize my studio space for studio visits. -Have an Open Studio. -Get into a more prestigious gallery. -Publish work. -Free up more time for production (work less, paint more). -Show more locally (in San Francisco). It's a short list so far, but I'm having trouble verbalizing some of my goals. As it is every year, I want to push myself to create better art. Part of that will be freeing up my time, and I also need to stop looking at trendy things (and thinking about whether or not my work is trendy). What else it entails, I'll have to wait and see. Other things I have a jump start on (fixing up the studio), and I'll post about them in the next day or two. :) P.S. Got a new camera for Christmas.. nice little Elph 1000 I can throw into my bag. I'm looking forward to snapping some references during my lunch breaks; optimizing time is a must right now.

Contemporary art?

Sometimes (or maybe it's most of the time?) I honestly don't understand the current trends in art. And I kinda feel like other people would think I'm dumb for walking into a gallery and finding a lot of contemporary art gimmicky. :P Don't get me wrong, mixed media and variety is wonderful, I love how you can make any kind of art you want with whatever you want. However, after I get over the initial "wow" factor that the work was made out of pencil shavings, I start to wonder if there's anything else to that work. Truly, I believe that good art is art that transcends both the gimmick and the punch-line concept. Good art is art that, as a viewer, I'm impressed by it visually, and then I stand around to think about its meaning, and then after reading the statement, still continue to find layers of things happening. Good art isn't "Paris Hilton", good art is "Cate Blanchett". There's a real solid piece of work under there, it's not all just rag-sheets and glitter. Of course, I'm saying these things partially as a frustrated viewer and a frustrated artist. I find meaning in my work, but there's a part of the art establishment that doesn't. I'm trying to find a balance there somewhere, and it's something I've been really struggling with for the past year. I'm never sure if I'm going in the right direction, and I'm scared to death of creating something and then becoming pigeon-holed by a piece of work that isn't "me". Hopefully, I'll soon run across the answer to (at least) part of this problem.. but then again, maybe it's just something all artists struggle with? Anyway, that's my rant for this week. :)

Article

Here's an interesting article on how the *function* of art has changed over time (from cave paintings to contemporary art). From representing gods on earth (idols), to inspiring piety, portraiture of the wealthy, to the examination of the subconscious. http://arts.guardian.co.uk/art/visualart/story/0,,2166939,00.html Reading things like this make me look at art and wonder where exactly we're trying to go next (or where can we possibly go next). Aside from the neo-surrealism/graffiti boom here in SF, I haven't noticed any real "movements".. Everyone just does their own thing, whether it be conceptual, or representational. :P And what function(s) are those artists trying to achieve? Hmm.. Edit> Sorry, didn't realize the link was not active until now.