Using creativity to find meaning in our life.

Creativity is a valuable tool that we can use to help find meaning in our lives. The creative process involves using our imagination, intuition, and problem-solving skills to create something new and original. By tapping into our creativity, we can explore new perspectives and gain insights into our lives that we may not have otherwise considered.

One way to use creativity to find meaning in our lives is to engage in activities that bring us joy and fulfillment. This could be anything from painting, writing, cooking, playing music, or any other activity that we are passionate about. When we are engaged in these activities, we are completely absorbed in the present moment, which can help us forget about the stresses and worries of daily life. This sense of joy and fulfillment can provide a sense of purpose and help us feel more connected to our lives.

Another way to use creativity to find meaning in our lives is to explore our passions and interests. This could involve taking up a new hobby, learning a new skill, or reading about a topic that interests us. By pursuing our passions and interests, we are engaging in self-discovery and learning more about ourselves. This can help us find meaning and purpose in our lives, as well as a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.

Another way to use creativity to find meaning in our lives is to engage in mindfulness and self-reflection. This could involve setting aside time each day to meditate, journal, or simply reflect on our experiences and thoughts. This can help us gain clarity and insight into our lives, and help us identify what truly matters to us. By engaging in mindfulness and self-reflection, we can start to see our lives in a new light and find meaning in unexpected places.

Finally, we can use creativity to find meaning in our lives by giving back to others. This could involve volunteering our time, donating money, or simply being there for our friends and family. When we give to others, we can experience a sense of purpose and meaning in our lives. This can also provide us with a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction, as we are making a positive impact in the world.

In conclusion, creativity is a valuable tool that we can use to help find meaning in our lives. Whether we engage in activities that bring us joy and fulfillment, explore our passions and interests, engage in mindfulness and self-reflection, or give back to others, we can use our creativity to gain new perspectives and insights into our lives. By doing so, we can create a life that is rich with meaning and purpose.

Why PURCHASE original art work?

Art has the power to transform a space and bring life to an otherwise bland room. But why settle for a mass-produced print when you can invest in something truly unique and personal? Here are a few reasons why purchasing original artwork is a worthwhile investment:

1. One-of-a-kind: Original artwork is just that – original. No one else will have the exact same piece, making it a truly unique addition to your collection.

2. Supports the artist: By purchasing original artwork, you are directly supporting the artist and their craft. This not only helps the artist continue to create, but it also helps to sustain the art industry as a whole.

3. Increases in value: While there is no guarantee, original artwork often increases in value over time. This means that, not only are you getting a beautiful piece for your home, but you may also be making a wise investment for the future.

4. Tells a story: Original artwork is not just a pretty picture, it is a reflection of the artist's life, experiences, and emotions. When you purchase original artwork, you are getting a piece of the artist's story and adding a personal touch to your home.

5. Adds character: Mass-produced prints and reproductions are readily available and can be found in many homes. By purchasing original artwork, you are adding character and personality to your space that cannot be found in a generic piece.

Investing in original artwork is not just about adding beauty to your home, it's about supporting the arts, making a personal statement, and potentially making a wise investment. So why settle for a print when you can have a truly one-of-a-kind piece of art in your home?

As money makes money; creating art builds creativity.

Creating art on a regular basis has long been touted as a way to tap into one's creativity and unlock new ideas and inspiration. But is there any scientific evidence to support this claim?

One study conducted by researchers at the University of Kansas found that people who engaged in creative activities on a regular basis showed increased creativity in both their personal and professional lives. The study participants, who were asked to engage in creative activities such as drawing, writing, or playing music, reported feeling more confident in their ability to come up with new ideas and solve problems.

Another study, published in the journal "Frontiers in Psychology," found that people who regularly engaged in creative activities, such as drawing or writing, had increased activity in the brain regions associated with creativity and problem-solving. This suggests that engaging in creative activities can have a positive impact on brain function and cognitive abilities.

Additionally, creating art on a regular basis can be a form of mindfulness practice, which has been shown to have many positive effects on mental and physical health, including reducing stress and anxiety, improving mood and cognitive function, and promoting overall well-being.

It's worth noting that engaging in creative activities does not necessarily mean you have to be an artist or a musician, it can be any activity that allows you to express yourself, such as writing, cooking, or photography. Engaging in creative activities can also be a way to explore and discover new passions and interests.

In conclusion, creating art on a regular basis can indeed make you a more creative person. Regularly engaging in creative activities can help to boost your confidence in your ability to come up with new ideas, problem-solve, and increase activity in brain regions associated with creativity. Additionally, it can also help to reduce stress, anxiety and promote overall well-being. It's worth taking the time to find an activity that you enjoy and make it a regular part of your routine.

Its more than Money

There are several reasons why it may be best for a person to never require that they make money from their art:

1. Creativity and freedom: When an artist is not focused on making money from their art, they have more freedom to create what they want and to express themselves without being constrained by commercial considerations. This can lead to more creative and authentic work.

2. Passion: When an artist is not focused on making money, they can focus on their passion for creating art. This can lead to more meaningful and satisfying work.

3. Authenticity: When an artist is not focused on making money, they are less likely to compromise their artistic vision in order to appeal to a commercial market. This can lead to more authentic and true to the artist's self work.

4. Stress reduction: Not having the pressure to make money from their art can reduce stress and anxiety for the artist. It can also help them to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

5. Personal growth: When an artist is not focused on making money, they can focus on personal growth and development, which can lead to a more fulfilling life.

It's important to note that being an artist is a difficult path and not everyone can make a living from it. However, having an art as a hobby can bring a lot of joy and fulfillment. Additionally, not being dependent on the income that comes from art can make it easier for the artist to stay true to their passion and to create work that is authentic and meaningful to them.

Art and Books in the Home

Art and books can bring a sense of beauty, culture, and intellectual stimulation to any home. Not only do they enhance the aesthetic of a space, but they also serve as a reflection of the homeowner's personal tastes and interests. In addition, incorporating art and books into a home can have numerous benefits for both the mind and body.

Art, whether it be paintings, sculptures, or photographs, can add color and depth to a room, making it feel more dynamic and inviting. It can also serve as a conversation starter and create a sense of individuality within a space. Additionally, studies have shown that looking at art can lower stress levels and improve overall well-being.

Similarly, books can not only add to the décor of a room but also provide endless entertainment and intellectual stimulation. They can serve as a source of inspiration, a way to escape reality, or a means of education. Reading has been shown to improve cognitive function and reduce stress.

Furthermore, having art and books in a home can also be a way to pass down family traditions, memories and legacy. They can serve as a way to connect with previous generations and to create a sense of continuity within a family.

In summary, incorporating art and books into a home can not only enhance its aesthetic appeal but also provide numerous benefits for the mind and body. They are not only a reflection of personal tastes and interests but also a way to pass down family traditions, memories and legacy. Therefore, it is important for a home to have art and books as they bring beauty, culture and intellectual stimulation to any home.

The benefits Of creativity

Being a creative individual can have many benefits, both personally and professionally. Here are a few examples:

1. Problem-solving: Creativity is often associated with the ability to think outside of the box and come up with new and innovative solutions to problems. This can be a valuable skill in any field, as it allows individuals to approach challenges in unique and effective ways.

2. Emotional expression: Creativity can also serve as a means of emotional expression, allowing individuals to communicate their thoughts, feelings, and experiences through various mediums. This can be a powerful tool for self-discovery and personal growth.

3. Improved communication: Creativity can also help improve one's ability to communicate with others. Whether it's through writing, art, music, or other forms of expression, creativity allows individuals to convey their ideas in ways that are both unique and impactful.

4. Increased productivity: Being creative can also help to increase productivity. The ability to come up with new and innovative ideas can lead to better time management and a more efficient use of resources.

5. Increased sense of fulfillment: Finally, being creative can also lead to a greater sense of fulfillment. Whether it's through the process of creating something new, or through the sense of accomplishment that comes from completing a project, creativity can be a powerful source of motivation and satisfaction.

Overall, being a creative individual can bring many benefits to one's personal and professional life. It can help to improve problem-solving skills, emotional expression, communication, productivity and sense of fulfillment. Encouraging and developing one's creativity can lead to a more fulfilling and successful life.

The multidisciplinary artist

As an artist, it can be tempting to focus on one specific medium or style and perfect your craft in that area. However, being a multi-disciplinary, eclectic artist has many benefits that can lead to a more fulfilling and successful career.

One of the main advantages of being an eclectic artist is that it allows for a greater range of expression. By experimenting with different mediums and styles, you can find new ways to convey your message and tell your story. This can lead to a more diverse and interesting body of work, which can be more appealing to audiences and potential buyers.

Being an eclectic artist also allows you to stand out in a crowded market. With so many artists vying for attention, it can be difficult to make a name for yourself. By embracing a diverse range of mediums and styles, you can set yourself apart from others and showcase your unique talents.

Furthermore, being an eclectic artist can also open up new opportunities for collaboration and experimentation. By having a diverse set of skills, you can work with other artists, designers, and creators from different fields, which can lead to new and exciting projects.

In conclusion, being an eclectic, multi-disciplinary artist can be beneficial for your career and personal expression. It allows for a greater range of expression, sets you apart from others, and opens up new opportunities for collaboration and experimentation. So, if you are an artist, don't be afraid to experiment with different mediums and styles, you never know what you might discover.

Self created art to preserve your Legacy

Art is a powerful medium for self-expression and storytelling. Whether you're a painter, sculptor, photographer, or any other type of artist, creating art is a way to leave a lasting legacy of your life and experiences. In this blog post, we'll explore the ways in which self-created art can be used to preserve one's legacy and how it can be passed down through generations.

First, it's important to understand that art is not just about creating something that looks good. It's about expressing your thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a way that others can relate to and understand. By creating art, you're leaving a visual record of your life and the world around you.

Creating self-created art can also be a way to preserve your personal history. For example, a painting of your childhood home can be a powerful reminder of your childhood, and it can be passed down through generations to come. Similarly, a sculpture of your family can be a lasting tribute to the people who have been most important in your life.

One of the most unique ways to preserve your legacy through art is by creating a self-portrait. This can be a powerful way to express your individuality and to leave a lasting record of your appearance. Additionally, self-portraits can be a great way to explore your emotions and feelings.

Another way to preserve your legacy through art is by creating a family tree or genealogy chart. This can be a great way to document your family's history and to pass it down through generations.

In addition to preserving your own legacy, art can also be used to honor the legacies of those who have come before you. For example, creating a painting or sculpture in honor of a loved one who has passed away can be a powerful way to pay tribute to their memory.

Overall, creating self-created art is a powerful way to preserve your legacy and to pass it down through generations. Whether you're a painter, sculptor, photographer, or any other type of artist, creating art is a way to leave a lasting record of your life and experiences for future generations to enjoy.

Hope

Hope

We look down when tiredness and solace appear

Sadness can appear in fraction of a second

Hope is in the other direction

Look up, Look up.... from there lays the true

Constellation

Eternity on hold

Let the blue face of sadness

Close its eyes in a Zen like

Meditation of Repose

Either/Or

Now or Never

This or That

Love and more Love

Is what will

Break through

Poem Honoring Books

 BOOKS 

In my books I make my home.

From Orion to Zeus the rice paper holds

Types of fonts

The everlasting, eternal word

Through the pages, the ages flow. 

Burning brilliance, coals of fire

Upon the soul

A hunger deep and wide

All my books; my comfort be… age upon age

My starship of repose.

David Eric Soderquist 

8/21/2022

Our Legacy our Mission

"What is it, namely, that connects the temporal and eternity, what else but love, which for that very reason is before everything and remains after everything is gone."

Soren Kierkegaard

The art of the PHOTOBLOG

Through our eyes, stories are told.

Ancient armies have returned from the vanquished lands with laden treasure. Bells ring.

Different wars,different names. Same result.

What dirt roads has this cowboy transversed?

Working,fighting,speaking.

The end of the fair. The lights go out.

Respite in Lexington Part One

Cy Twombly's old art studio

On my way back from Florida were I cared for my sister during her long illness with cancer, I was able to make a short stay over in a beautiful town called Lexington Virginia. I was drained emotionally, spiritually and physically from a fierce battle to assist Erin in her crossover journey to get to heaven.

On my way back to the frigid North Country of Jefferson County New York, I needed a one day respite to restore my weary bones. I knew Lexington to be the place of Sally Mann’s birth and present life. She has always had my admiration as a photographic artist of immense energy and vision.  The words skill and talent are thrown about with a great deal of carelessness in the world of art critics these days. They are much overrated. It is both a necessary and sufficient condition to be just two things, a person with vision, and one who can be ubiquitous. Put another way, do you see differently from others and can you produce? Those are the two requirements to being a great artist. Notice, I did not say a great rich artist.

Sally Mann and Cy Twombly are great artists who also were able to not worry about finances. Cy was also a native of Lexington and a personal friend of Sally Mann’s. He passed away in 2011. It was always easier to be a fan of Sally’s work versus Cy’s because her pieces had a sublime, dreamlike quality. Cy’s work invoked that “I did the same type work in kindergarten” statements from many of his viewers. It was not until I was able to see his work firsthand across the street from the Menil Collection at the Cy Twombly Gallery in Houston Texas that I became a true fan. As an abstract colorist who used paints, scribbles and words to craft enormous pieces that were in the size category of Clyfford Still’s; the viewer is left with no choice but to be awestruck. Clearly Cy is one of those artists that a person needs to see their works in real life to have a deep appreciation for.  

Being and artist and bibliophile, I tried to find a book store in town before I even secured a place to lay my head. Before anything however I felt compelled to enter into one of the most historic places in town, the local church. It seemed only fitting to give thanks were thanks was due. The sign over the door upon leaving gave me a not so subtle reminder.

 Without too much trouble I came upon The Bookery, a quaint little shop that had new and used books which was located on West Nelson Street. The owner Marysue Forrest was busy going through piles of new inventory. After she directed me to the art section I made the observation to her that she and I suffered from that same “Bookitis” malady that made us yearn for the bound pages. I let her know that I was in town because I wanted to see the place that Sally Mann lived. She mentioned to me that she had gone to school with the famous photographer and that she had signed copies of her selected works. No extra cost for the autograph she mentioned. Sally stops in here occasionally and makes sure her authored works also have her signature. I was delighted, how could I resist? I asked Marysue if she would mind signing the book along with Sally for she was the only person that I had ever met who knew the artist personally. She politely declined mentioning something about her signature reducing the long term value of the book. I correctly responded, “Not to me it wouldn’t”. Marysue was not familiar with my deep love for human legacies and the fact that she had a greatness that rivals Sally’s. Notoriety, fame and success does not elevate us above others, it only appears to do so. It was not my last visit to this endearing little book store. It was relatively small and had books “sky scrapered” all around but upon entering you felt at peace, you felt at home.     

  Upon leaving with my new purchases I was told that Cy Twombly’s former studio was just two doors down. The little shop front was nondescript yet charming store front did not seem like it could have been home to one of the world’s great painters. It was and also is the subject of Sally Mann’s photographic book Remembered Light.         

New Life into Discarded Memories

It's interesting to watch the way people behave after a disaster that destroys their property. Many are most concerned with their photographs for they in fact are the perfect metaphor for their life. Printed on paper in two dimensional formats, the photograph is in essence proof and validation that we existed, that our lives mattered.

I've become sad when I see photographs that have been discarded purposely or because of the events of life have hit their owners so quickly.

Photographs tell of life as strongly as they do death. In them is proof of what once was and will always be. A frozen capsule of time is what we hold in our hand. They are reverent and should be sacred to those in front of and behind the lens. When they are not treated as such, I have been known to step in and rescue them from an ignominious end. I then try as best I can to breathe some new life into them. I sometimes will scan these old photographs at a very high resolution. I then like to crop and edit the photo in a way that could perhaps make it even more appealing to the viewer. I am often attracted to ones that are not extremely clear. There's something about being a little bit out of focus and having some elements of graininess that make the photo even more life affirming. In many respects once you begin to study the particular work it can increase your fondness of it to the level of it approaching fine art. 

“to take a photograph is to participate in another person’s mortality, vulnerability, mutability. Precisely by slicing out this moment and freezing it, all photographs testify to time’s relentless melt.” ”

— Susan Sontag, On Photography

My worldview is that each and every person on earth is sacred and has infinite importance. With this belief structure I take a very protective stance with respect to photographs for images capture time, and time is the substance of our lives. 

Most of my vernacular photographic subjects have died and gone on. I think that even in some small respect a singular photograph composed properly is a tiny living legacy which testifies of the subject. It's like the lens says visually what cannot  be said in the auditory, "I was a witness to your life."

“To photograph people is to violate them as they never see themselves, by having knowledge of them they can never have; it turns people into objects that can be symbolically possessed.””

— Susan Sontag, On Photography

Writing about Art

Taylor Soderquist 

Taylor Weldon Soderquist

Taylor Weldon Soderquist is a prolific artist. He has produced hundreds of works at the young age of twenty seven. The above work is entitled A Time is Was. The painting is on a 4’ x 5’ professional grade stretched canvas and it appears like a section of a gigantic beanstalk made out of stained glass windows. It is as if a photographer stepped in and took only a one section photograph of this colossal jigsaw puzzle of colored glass. Its large size testifies to its importance.

I have often wondered how the process of writing an art critique essay would feel. Is it difficult to speak about art with the written word? Most importantly is it necessary at all, when art by its very nature has no rules and therefore lies outside the confines of anyone’s judgment?   Would this project be enjoyable I pondered? In addition would it be worthwhile, as well as worth reading?

I will say that I have always found that when reading about art, when I was not presented visually with what was being discussed, ended up being a fruitless effort. It seems axiomatic that it is very difficult to describe that which is unseen, especially when it is so unnecessary as in painting, living in the digital age. Writing and photographs are best friends and there are no reasons for these two not to accompany each other.

I chose this original art piece because I happen to own it. I bought this from my son a couple of years ago and it is waiting patiently for my art studio and library to be renovated to have its due place of prominence on the wall. I consider it a masterpiece and not just because this is my son. Any human being that crafted this creation would have my allegiance and admiration forever. A Time it Was pays homage to a litany of different artists, among them being Barnett Newman, Adolph Gottlieb, Hans Hoffman and Ashile Gorky. These great abstract expressionists led the way nearly seventy years ago and their profound influence on Taylor’s work is unmistakable.

Taylor utilizes attractive geometric patterns, shapes, and colors with a deft hand and spirited heart. The observer can find a cacophony of images and subjective feelings that give a nuance of joy and completeness. It is as if this painting existed, breathed and lived before actually being born of horse hair and tubes of distinct thick bodied paints. The background of this painting has the most miraculous shades of green, gray, purple and reds. Included also are some soft blends of brown. The technique he utilizes seems almost reminiscent of the “scrape squeegee paintings” that have been mastered by Gerhard Richter.

Moving in closer one is able to see three dimensional cubes that are mounted on hinges, a mysterious silhouette of a person shaded in gray, along with a pair of eyes peering out ominously  at the viewer. These also accompany symbolic hands, forks, arrows, clubs, and a reverent pose of an individual kneeling in prayer. Any time an artist is able to use a flat plane and create a textured colored appearance of three dimensionality there is little mistaking that one is close to observing greatness.  When I looked at A Time it Was the first instance, I was convinced I was in front of a tour de force.  Every occasion I examine this work I see something different.  Sometimes these visions are very pronounced and other times their minuteness is palpable. The work is alive. Those simple four words are the sum and substance of this work of genius.

I’m convinced that this feeling of vivacious can only be evident when one stands before the original painting itself in excellent light. Viewing an original art work may not be a sufficient cause of aliveness but it certainly is a necessary one. There is no greater lover of photography on earth than myself, yet I know the severe limitations when we try to re-create the magical power of a visual piece of art by photographic means. It just cannot be done, or at least done by the means and methods at most of our disposal. I heard recently that our eyes see at about 560 megapixels. That is the type of quality we can witness by being in the same room as the creation. When I sat and studied this painting yesterday in the natural sunlight I was struck at Taylor’s adeptness at picking out different hues and subtly changing them with blended whites. When one looks close, you can also see the individual brushstrokes and perhaps even some places that were missed, yet these give the enchantment and allure of being genuinely human. The same can be seen up close of a Matisse or a Van Gogh. Our digital realm will never be able to replace the power of seeing a work of art in person.

On the back of this painting Taylor left a request that people look at art and that they learn from it. Last of all he suggests that you love the art.  My studying and learning from this work in order to write this essay has increased my love of it and my depth of appreciation for it even more.

Two Approaches to Social Change

There are two consummate photographers who take divergent approaches to the idea of social change. They both enjoy the same last name. The first is Ansell Adams. For those unfamiliar with this work a quick Google search will bring up multiple images of landscapes, and nature. His approach to the craft of capturing the spectacular was done with a large format camera that held incredible detail for exposures that were measured in seconds not fractions of seconds. Anyone that views his photographs can see why one of his favorite adjectives was sublime. His photographs are pure artistry, beautifully sublime capturing of light that is unparalleled in its scope. 

One of his first in foremost goals was to share the incredible beauty of our national parks with those viewers in America that perhaps never had the opportunity to see these treasures in person. Ansell Adams was a dedicated conservationist who believed that the best way to preserve our beautiful American landscape was to show people exactly how valuable our natural resources truly are. He thought beyond the mining operations and the establishment of hydroelectric power and rather saw the value in just a pure, spiritual, aesthetic sense. He felt that the land, the trees, the mountains all had value in and of themselves and should not be viewed as merely just a provision of economic gain. He was also very consummate editorial writer. He wrote thousands of letters on behalf of causes such as stopping the building of dams which would destroy many thousands of acres of pristine wilderness. In short the methodology of Ansel was to capture brilliant and beautiful light and convince people that our viewing of national treasures should come above the economy of raw resources. 

Another photographer by the name of Robert Adams who is still alive today has produced a magnificent canon of work which like Ansel Adams has the same desire to change the public perception of what we mean by advancement. Robert Adams took a totally different approach. He focused much of his photographic attention at the sprawling suburbs of Colorado in the 1970s. What he showed was the raw uncensored effects of man's encroachment upon nature. He was featured on the PBS program Art 21 and is very articulate with respect to his methodology. It was not uncommon for him to take photographs of clear cut forests that showed the incredible destructive effects that man can place upon the earth in the name of progress. His work is displayed and owned by multiple museums across the country. He is considered one of America's foremost photographers and many of his pictures that show this raping of the land are considered to be fine art. He has had many of his books printed by the renowned German publisher Steidl. When one sees Robert Adams photographs they have a very different emotional response than those who view Ansel Adams masterworks. Robert's photographs typically have more grain in them and show less differentiation in hues. He often likes to photograph scenes with the sun directly overhead to show its burning radiance, and instill feelings of stark loneliness. He was just as effective in getting us to think about the true cost that we are paying as a society for the destruction of our natural beauty. These two men had social causes that were very much aligned, yet the methodology that they used was very different. They both optimized artists that have a very sincere sense of value and desire to make a lasting impact upon society. View their work if you can, you will not be disappointed. 

The question of values

How do we define our age?

This age of post modernism.      

I recently watched a YouTube lecture that was given with respect to the idea that people do not necessarily buy what you do, they buy why you do it. The speaker made some very compelling points which led me to today's topic. 

We live in an age that is fraught with confusion. Politically our country seems separated into two distinct parts. One side versus the other, one set of postulates versus another. Among this maelstrom our society and culture is yearning for meaning. Is there any way that art can be brought into the fold as a catalyst for change? From Soren Kierkegaard to Aristotle many of the great thinkers have made the assertion that a life that is unexamined is not worth living. As important as it is that Apple Corporation be able to define why it makes iPads, it is also important for individuals to assess intelligently why it is that they produce art and ultimately the largest question of all, which is, why do they exist on the earth? 

Art historian Suzi Gablik his written about the subject of art and meaning, and human values for many decades. Her work is invaluable to those who seek the larger questions of life and the role in which art finds itself. Her seminal work, which is called Has Modernism Failed? ,was written in 1984. At only 128 pages in length it struck me as a book that packs an immense punch for its ability to get an individual to think and reason about the role in which art finds itself in our current culture. It opens more questions than it resolves but what it does is to get the reader to begin to ponder some very important points with respect to traditional visual arts versus the avant-garde. The existential nihilism and the commoditization of art in our society have made impotent those whose voices truly need to be heard. I believe what Gablik essentially wants to impart to her audience is that they need to be able to define what it is that their work means and to think deeply about how it can affect society in a affirmative way. To say that art is just for art's sake and to postulate that what is most important is the freedom to produce our work only to satisfy ourselves is to negate our humanity. The fact that we live on this earth with others in a community that should espouse works of love gives us a much greater responsibility than what modernism has placed upon us. These questions will not be left in an abeyance as a curiosity. As an artistic community worldwide each individual artist needs to establish a firm foundation for their thoughts, their beliefs and their purpose. Next week I will discuss two artists in particular and the ways that their work has helped promote social examination as well as change. 

Solo Show

My interest and joy in having my own art website is growing day by day, week by week. You read a lot of different artist’s curriculum vitae's and they always include shows that they have done in the past. There are many of us with a deep creative spirit that happen also to be in the winter of our lives, or at least the late fall, that no longer desire to market their vision in a traditional manner that detracts from their quality of life. Getting your name out there, networking, making contacts, marketing to galleries, is a great deal of hard work. Yesterday I decided to put on my own solo photography show and just added an additional page to my website. I thought that I would let it run for two months, and then change the material so that every year I have six different solo shows. What fun! In addition, I get to be the curator. Whether a person likes the show or not to me is irrelevant. What is relevant is that it exists; and it is work that I felt has merit and says something about me as a creative individual. Why bring all these middle people into the equation when in fact all we want to do is have a platform to present our vision? There won't be any wine, there won't be any crackers, there won't be any grand opening. As soon as you hit the button save and publish your solo show is ready to go. If you happen to be in New Zealand and someone tells you about my site or you stumble upon it you might be able to look at "Dry Bones and Steel" a solo show by David Soderquist. 

The subject of decomposition and decay has been one that I've always been interested in. The laws of thermodynamics have always postulated that all things that have order have a desire to seek an even more stable plane, a less complex order of existence.  This causes death both in humans and in the products that we produce. Bones and teeth, rust, metal, antlers, and the harsh rays of the sun's iridescence brings about a sublime beauty that can be readily captured with the camera. The spirit is transcendent, what is left behind is left behind and this has been an immensely fascinating subject to photographers for decades. I hope you enjoy my first solo show. If not, that's OK also. Thank you for your viewing.

The Readymade

The artist Marcel Duchamp lived from 1887 to 1968. He is considered one of the foremost contemporary artists of our time. He had a vision that was significantly different from all those who came before him. A true artistic prophet he was a diverse anti-traditionalist in many respects. He was an original founder of the Dada art movement that chose to produce art that in many respects was irreverent, yet was a direct result of the insanity of the world at the time. This art movement took place simultaneously to the great World War One. Marcel and his contemporaries were able to look at the world and see that despite the Renaissance that man could be responsible for untold horrors. These visionaries had a response to this infamy and they chose to begin to think about the world of Art and Design in a different way. In addition to being an accomplished visual artist Marcel Duchamp was the father of the ready-made, a piece of art that once found can be considered as a standalone piece of art because of the selection of the viewer. It was truly the first concept that original art could be collaboration between the original manufacturer and the eye of the viewer. One of his most famous pieces was that of a plumbing fixture which happened to be a urinal. He laid the urinal on its side and signed it "R. Mutt". When the society of independent artists refused to enter it in an exhibition he vehemently defended it on behalf of Mr. Mutt. 

Last week I went to the local transfer station which recycles plastics, papers, and metals. There I saw what in my mind was a readymade piece of art. It happened to be an old discarded aluminum pressed engine block probably from some all-terrain vehicle or perhaps a motorcycle. My father owned a motorcycle dealership throughout his career and it provided the bread and butter for our family. Like Marcel Duchamp I am able to look at structures in such a way that I study the design, structure, line and form and decide instantaneously whether it could stand on its own as a readymade piece of art. This particular metal sculpture had good bones and I felt that it was worth asking if I could retrieve it. I have decided to put a beautiful gloss of white paint over it. This monochromatic element along with a base that will be painted a lime green will have an amazing contrast and should show quite well. The poor tired old engine block thought it was heading towards the furnace yet somehow miraculously it was pulled back and spray-painted with the rich color of white almost as if it was the driven snow. I guess this could be considered as a way in which the mechanical structure made it to heaven. No more heat, no more grinding, only the job of sitting there; statuesque, sublime muscle, with a fierce brilliance. The world is a gigantic museum and all we have to do is stand back, look, look again, and think, think. Visual aesthetics can become a powerful panacea, a positive addiction, and a manner in which to make sense of our increasingly complex world. Beauty has been and will always be in the eye of the beholder. 

The first rays of light

Last week I needed to bring my son to the airport in Syracuse at a very early time. When we were done saying our goodbyes I looked at the clock and it was still only 5:30 AM. I had an appointment later that morning in the city. I decided that at this time there’s not a lot going on and I had at least four hours to click off with some type of useful enterprise. As usual I had my Canon 60 D with me. I decided to head into downtown Syracuse, park the car and start off on a photographic journey. What an experience it is to be a part of the sublime nature of early morning light. 

I started off in an area called Armory Square; I began to walk near the iconic Art Deco building of National Grid which used to be Niagara Mohawk. The final picture in my art show of this blog is of the figure that I call King Electric. It is a magnificent sculpture carved with stainless steel right into the side of the building. I was able to wander the whole area and take photographs the way that I desired. What I discovered was that many photographers; me included have a little bit of reticence in photographing in and amongst the busyness of everyday life. In some ways we don't necessarily want to draw attention to ourselves. That was miraculously gone on my walk through Armory Square. I came away with over 100 photographs many of which I believe have some merit. Not only does a person get the solitude and peace in the early morning but they get a beautiful wonderful light that is not available at any other time. I've always been enamored with the light that comes at the end of the day but based on my constitution and my love of sleep I've never been able to be a truly early riser. I believe now after my walk through downtown Syracuse that my habits will change.