a fulfilling project - at times tedious, but mostly informative ...
- in the last days of February I discovered a drawing program for my Mac that provided the kind of tools that fit my process and interests; one that is capable of layering, editing, and utilizing a variety of calligraphic tools ...
- i became totally disenchanted with the political rhetoric surrounding health care legislation, tea party dogma, bullying behavior, and a general disgust with our culture’s lack of ethics and the dichotomies of tolerance - i knew i wouldn’t have much to say, but wanted to fulfill my commitment to posting daily ...
- i began to recognize a gradual shift in my work over the past year of intensive production - and with the painting “logos”, which began to culminate in February, i knew i had to plot and research to see where the changes were going ... drawings, like improvising music, get me there quicker ...
- there are a lot of changes and challenges i’m facing with health, studio, and domestics that i wanted to play close to the vest - not to be secretive, but to not disempower the prayers by sending words out prematurely ...
the result was thirty-one layered drawings/paintings in as many days ...
they began with a reliance on old tricks but quickly evolved toward trying to locate a space in the picture plane to insert the elements of picture making that interest me most - namely; lyrical interplay between expressive notations, a language of inspired, repetitive shapes and counter-balanced oppositions, color field layering with erasures that reveal previous activity, and identifying the most essential ingredients ...
as i grew more satisfied with the results, the more they began to resemble the painting “logos” ...
sometimes it takes time to become co-ordinated between mediums [venues] when you find your voice ...
for a musician, it’s the same if you play solo, trio, or orchestra - you have to try to apply your voice to the accompanying structures, acoustics, and environments ... a lot of tricky balancing that requires confidence, skill, and self awareness without self consciousness ...
speaking of music - “nero’s melody” - a piece i’ve flirted with for years, and probably will continue to explore for years to come ...
i needed to create an environment to parody the notion; there were no violins when Rome burned - it didn’t happen in one afternoon - and Nero’s behavior or musical proclivity isn’t the subject of investigation ...
so why set out to complete the piece now - especially since it has little to do with the drawing series ...
the month of March - the Ides of March - soothsayers and pagan spring rituals - the political and social machinations of current events - the display of some of the most grotesque news as a media festival; the signage of social tipping points ....
the piece begins with a dream-like, circus riff - a Fellini-esque interplay, like a combination of ”Strawberry Fields” and “Benefit For Mr. Kite” with ocarina, accordion, pan flute, violin, classical guitar, and pizzicato strings - an unlikely ensemble, but suitable for a satirical cabaret ...
it progresses with more classical elements while introducing the melancholy melody and a few discordant tension points to offset the odd lament - later, transitions back to the sardonic atmosphere before bridging to a structural breakdown while restating the theme - it circuitously simplifies, mutates, and fades ...
i’m pleased by the efforts, grateful for learning, but a bit overwhelmed by the tasks ahead if i think beyond present circumstances ...
one thing for sure - every turn in the road brings new surprises - and it seems the road is turning again while providing evidence that what i studied and learned up to this point is only preparation for the next phase of life and work ...
and as Pope Julius asks of Michelangelo in Irving Stone’s “Agony and the Ecstasy” referring to the completion of the Sistine Chapel: “When will it end?” - to which Mich replies; “When I am finished” ...
