Content vs. Pretty

Is angst necessary for good art? Or even just serious content? I wonder sometimes.

I’m not so thrilled when my Mom calls my work cute, CUTE!, but understand the source and tolerate it with good spirits. But do I want other people calling my work cute? Definitive no. But still, sometimes the work comes out pretty, if not necessarily cute. What to do, what to do?

Keep making art, me thinks.

Yep, sometimes it will be pretty and sometimes it will have social content and sometimes it’ll be in between. I don’t want to sensor myself or I’ll freeze up in a nanosecond. Just keep working. Pen to paper, brush to canvas, insert here whatever mediums or materials apply. Just keep working. In the end, it’ll all be okay. And if not, toss it out.

Here is a “serious” one, based on stoning as capital punishment in Iran, among other places. It is about Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani’s conviction of adultery (ah, the Scarlet Letter appears again in my work. Tessie lurks in the back of my mind.) and murder.

Do you feel a cute one coming on? To be continued…

Photographing Work

Photographing work is a necessary evil in this business, me thinks. It’s not something I personally enjoy doing, and I find it very hard to take the time to do. But once I do take the time I certainly enjoy seeing and contemplating the work in print. I think it puts space between me and the work and I can look at it from a different angle, for lack of a better word.

Here’s one I’m contemplating now. It’s another version of Melanie (Some People Say I Done Alright for a Girl), this time in black and white. The previous one has the roller skates, which ties it closer to the original song by Melanie. I like to do a concept in different ways, just to work through all of my ideas. Since I am a twin, I find it very hard to see just one of anything. Multiples are a must for me!

I’ve got more to share and will do so as the day go by.

Have a creative day!