Gallery class or really gallery management class

Last night Greg lectured about venues; all the place a person can exhibit and how they are organized. It was really mind boggling. He gave us the scoop on what is happening in Dallas. Saturday we are going gallery hopping.

We have to fill out a sheet on each gallery observing different aspects of “the business.”

On a personal note, I am such a fish out of the water. Older undergrad among young undergrads. An undergrad among older graduate students. My task Saturday will be to make some connections with my classmates. We will see how that goes.

It helps because I know my instructor respects me as an artist even though I am a believer. That makes me not fit in also. I try to look at my time at UTD as being on the mission field.

We will, see what God can do with it.

Must Vent!

I have struggled with the file all evening and feeling like I am at WORK! I had to make decisions about processes that I am not sure will work. Oh, the artist... I know she will manage to make something work.

I want to reproduce the Photoshop file on canvas at Fedex Office, the banner department. I used to do banners for the Yutes. I did take in a whopping big file that crashed their computer. I get these phone calls. You crashed the computer! Anyway. They only accept pdf's so that will reduce the size some.

I may or may not work on top of the canvas. I may leave the art as is. I will also reproduce the artwork on the amazing Canon copier at work. The material we produce looks like photos. Very cool on different type papers. Oh paper that is a whole other thing. I want to try several. So this art is not done yet.

As for my friend John* my week was such that I could not speak to him much. However I have decided to make him a smaller copy of the art and give it to him with my artist statement and some more. He will mention it to me. So I pray for more conversations with him. He is an astronomer and gave me a card at Christmas that he made from photos made from a telescope of the universe. AMAZING. And he doesn't believe in God.


My 100 word ar less statement:

“The Embrace” captures the moment of reunion between the father and the son. It expresses in story form the lovingkindness of the Father as He receives us His wayward children back home nothing short of full reconciliation. The son asks for forgiveness, the father restores his rights as a son and in honor of his return calls for celebration.

The figures form a triangle as the two embrace. The Trinity is pictured; the Father, the Son and the relationship between the two depicted as an embrace representing the Spirit of God.

Artist Statement (long version)

The Prodigal Son: The Embrace
Luke 15:20

So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

The first movement in the story is the son’s return motivated by the realization of his need brought on by squalid living. When the son’s outer reality begins to match the inner reality of his abandoned lifestyle the son comes to his senses.

He recalls the character of his father whom he has rejected by asking for his inheritance before the father’s death. This is akin to telling the father, “I wish you were dead.” He knows his father will treat him better as a servant than the foreigners he serves treat him as a hired hand. He gets up and returns home.

The second movement in the story is that of the father who has not lost hope but expectantly waits for the son’s return. When seeing his son’s from a distance he runs to him, throws his arms around him and kisses him.

The mixed media piece is called The Embrace. The work captures the moment of reunion; father to son. It expresses in story form the lovingkindness of the Father as He receives us His wayward children back home nothing short of full reconciliation. The son asks for forgiveness, the father restores his rights as a son and in honor of his return calls for celebration.

The figures form a triangle as the two embrace. The Trinity is pictured; the Father, the Son and the relationship between the two depicted as an embrace representing the Spirit of God.

Technical Difficulties

Art has a life of its own. The rest of this process should prove interesting. I am losing some midtones in the face going to CYMK for the print. I need a colorcopier to scan or I am going to have to photograph the drawing and deal with light and distortion.

The photoshop file for the college is 468 M. I want to crash Kinkos computer for the third time.

Tweaking

I added some contrast tonight because I didn't take it to work to scan. It was raining and I didn't want to risk it getting wet.

I plan to take it tomorrow. There is an older gentleman who comes in everyday. He doesn't believe in God. Every once in awhile we talk about spiritual things. I want to talk to him about the drawing. He asks me everyday about my classes because he used to teach college classes. The Lord has put it on my heart to tell him about His love. I think that is what the drawing is about loving kindness or compassion.

Went to look up the word I am talking about online and I came across Matthew Henry. I need to put this into my own words, but somehow through the art I want to tell John * how huge God is and how solid is love is.

The Lord descended by some open token of his presence and manifestation of his glory in a cloud, and thence proclaimed his NAME; that is, the perfections and character which are denoted by the name JEHOVAH. The Lord God is merciful; ready to forgive the sinner, and to relieve the needy. Gracious; kind, and ready to bestow undeserved benefits. Long-suffering; slow to anger, giving time for repentance, only punishing when it is needful. He is abundant in goodness and truth; even sinners receive the riches of his bounty abundantly, though they abuse them. All he reveals is infallible truth, all he promises is in faithfulness. Keeping mercy for thousands; he continually shows mercy to sinners, and has treasures, which cannot be exhausted, to the end of time. Forgiving iniquity, and transgression, and sin; his mercy and goodness reach to the full and free forgiveness of sin. And will by no means clear the guilty; the holiness and justice of God are part of his goodness and love towards all his creatures. In Christ's sufferings, the Divine holiness and justice are fully shown, and the evil of sin is made known. God's forgiving mercy is always attended by his converting, sanctifying grace. None are pardoned but those who repent and forsake the allowed practice of every sin; nor shall any escape, who abuse, neglect, or despise this great salvation. Moses bowed down, and worshipped reverently. Every perfection in the name of God, the believer may plead with Him for the forgiveness of his sins, the making holy of his heart, and the enlargement of the Redeemer's kingdom.

Finished

For Now.

This will be a mixed media piece. Mixed media just happens. We will see where this one goes. I also need an artist statement.

Rendered

Looks like it is going to happen, I need this done tonight. Scan tomorrow at work. Scott says more contrast in the face, especially his. Yes.

Drawing and Listening

A New Friend

I met Irv Steinberg when he came into the shop to have a postcard for his photography show made. He was approached by a friend of of his who works for the American Heart Association to do a benefit. Irv was a celebrity photographer in NYC. I found it fun to work with someone who met the Beatles in their American tours, knew JFK and Marilyn. There isn't anyone he did not capture with his camera. Fun!

Drawing Two

I have to finish this part of the art this weekend. I need to submit next Sat by noon. It doesn't have to be complete, but I have a lot to do.

I am enjoying this. I forget how much I love to draw.

There is something about drawing a face. It takes a little bit of courage or respect. Especially if you know the person. I started to draw wondering how I could do it successfully, I didn't know. I just did it. That is a sort of fearlessness. I can't say faith, but a suspension of judgement. Just do it. Well, it worked. I tried to observe the reference drawing as carefully as I could. And there is a face.

I am always amazed. When something works, I never feel like I did it, but it just happened, I allowed it to happen. I guess it is a gift.

Drawing

This is a bad photo that I tried to get to look better, but it shows the start. I work from left to righ to avoid dragging my arm continually through a rendering. I still am not sure what else. I am going to photograph the bike path by my house with all the electrical wire. Not so much for that but it is a path and I can get the look of distance. I still am thinking of framing it with a cardboard box with writing on it like "will work for food."

I love drawing. It is nice to turn on the itunes and draw. Good stuff.