I have been nominated for a blog award by Doctor Kandinsky. Now, I don’t do awards, but I always appreciate the feeling behind the nomination. It is very meaningful to me to have my work make enough of an impression on someone to merit being singled out, and I am very grateful for it.
I am writing this post as a thank you, and because I was intrigued by the set of questions posed, I wanted to answer them. I feel that I got the better of this situation, certainly, by being able to express some opinions and think about some issues. I’ve also taken the opportunity to post some images from the past – this blog has been going on since February, 2013…
Thank you, Doctor Kandinsky!
The questions posed and my answers:
1. do you think there’s a difference between art and decoration? why?
This question has been debated by better minds than mine. I will say that I do not like hearing someone say, as they look over my work in my booth at an art fair: “Do you have anything in (fill in color)? I need something for my living room.” – or – If you had a picture of a (fill in animal, object, whatever), I would buy it, because I collect pictures of them.” If you say these things in my booth, I will get a cold look on my face very quickly and I will try very hard not to sell you anything. I’m not kidding.
From February, 2013.
2. who’s your favorite painter (or writer)?
No favorites. There are just too many choices and each one offering something the others don’t. Let me just keep choosing from the endless buffet, that is all I ask.
collage, July, 2013.
3. when you look at art what are you looking for?
I am looking for something that stops me in my tracks.
Tell me
Artist trading card, 2013
4. do emotions have colors?
Yes, of course they do.
2″ square paintings, 2014.
5. do you think that concept art is a joke?
I am not really sure of the definition of concept art so I can’t answer. If you want to be taken seriously by me, then sincerity must shine through.
August, 2014.
6. does blogging help you to be creative?
I answer this with a 200% yes. Having this audience has meant everything for me.
Moon over the ocean. Clay tile, January, 2015
7. Da Vinci or Van Kooning?
Neither.
“Ghost House”
20″ x 16″
May, 2015
8. do you believe that artwork (paintings, photos, sculpture, literature, …) is more likely to speak to our mind or to our soul?
I do not think there is a line between soul, mind, or body. Art, like every experience, is to me something that rushes in wherever it can and roots itself in the places it finds best suited for it.
“Four Square.” September, 2015.
9. what is more important to you: technique or spontaneity?
If there is no technique, there is nothing to work with in a spontaneous way. I think in art, as in everything, skills have to be learned and exist in order to have a means of expression. I think the question needs to be: what is more important, planning or spontaneity, and I would say, my experience is that in every endeavor each one of these comes in waves, alternating with the other.
January, 2016.
10. is street-art vandalism?
Like so many other things, it all depends.
June, 2016.
11. how about young children as teachers in art schools?
No.
October, 2016. Clay tile.
12. why do people whisper when they talk inside of museums?
Because: they are intimidated by the look and atmosphere of the place, in the more haughty ones. Don’t like to attract attention to themselves in any situation. The acoustics of many museums amplify the least little noise. Were told by the teacher on that field trip so long ago that they’d in trouble back at school if they didn’t shut up right now. Are afraid their opinions will be overheard. Are afraid their opinions are uninformed or ignorant or embarrassing and will be overheard. Are shushed by the guards. Are shushed by other patrons. Are shushed by the people they’ve come to the museum with. Or, all of the above!
March, 2017.
