CALLIGRAPHY IN ART

Calligraphy and Typography were used in art forms dating back to around 600 BC. Many different areas of the world used Calligraphy as not only forms of writing but as artwork as well. Depending upon the region, different styles were also used.

Originated as a visual art form of writing and eventually some artists even used it strictly as an art form, leaving the words left behind and just using the strokes and linework. Now, I could go on and on about the origins of Calligraphy all around the world but here is the generic breakdown: Each general region (Western, East Asia, South Asia, Islamic) had a set of rules and shapes to be used while writing calligraphy. Calligraphy included a set rhythm and a geometrical order to the lines on the page even down to each character having a set order in which the strokes must be made to make each letter/symbol. Often a "carpet" page would be used as well within books, a carpet page being a page with not only the words but also a fully decorated colored shapes as well. Any irregularity of style, size or color increases the value even if it is considered illegible.

Calligraphy from each general region has endless different branches and styles. Even without having to study years and years of Calligraphy history, everyone can admire the amazing and technical flow of historic and modern calligraphy (and I'm not just talking about wedding invitations).

I'll show you some of my favorites:

Page from The Book of Kells, Western Calligraphy, Ireland

Islamic Calligraphy Art

Islamic Calligraphy Art even create pictures strictly from the brushstrokes used in Calligraphy

Calligraphy in Oriya font

Then there are Contemporary styles used today.

Contemporary Asian Calligraphy found in the Suzhou Museum

As a newcomer to the ways of Calligraphy, I have found that following the specific brushstrokes is both a challenge and dependent on focus but also quite relaxing. It is easy to pick up and good for the everyone to attempt and easy to add your own personal touch. It's a great skill to acquire even if you only use it for your wedding invitations (but they can be the most uniquely beautiful and artistic wedding invitations!)

COLLAGE ART: SURREAL IMAGERY OR SIMPLE BRAINSTORMING?

Collages are sometimes linked with childhood art projects, but how about collages that bring flawless surreal imagery together?

The idea of collaging is often a way to put all of your favorite ideas or thoughts together. But what about thinking out of the box and creating something completely new and imaginative... without just using Photoshop. Painstakingly cutting and arranging images found from encyclopedias to magazines can lead to some amazingly creative works and creating worlds that bring up issues or thoughts some of us may have never even thought of before.

One artist named Sato Masahiro, or Q-TA, uses both digital and analog techniques to create nostalgia based imagery. When in an interview with Revolution 360, the artist says "The reason that the majority of my work has young children is that I would like to show a new way of thinking by offering the audience, children’s view of the world and also placing children in those worlds." Just take a look at some of Q-TA's pieces for example:

  

But lets step back a second, haven't we seen innovative collaging before? Man Ray? John Stezaker? Hannah Höch? 

Man Ray for example was a significant component to the Dada and Surrealism Movements. He considered himself a painter over all but he also dabbled in photography and collage. He uses collage in two different ways (mainly photographic): in camera collaging and photogram collaging, which he appropriately called "Rayographs". Both forms of collaging but approached differently. In the top photo, Observation Time: The Lovers, Man Ray sets up the entire scene in front of the camera and takes a photo. In the other he uses random objects and sets them on top of the emulsion to create the shadows.

Man Ray, Observatory Time: The Lovers, photograph, 1936

Man Ray, Rayograph, 1922, Silver Gelatin Print, © 2011 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Either way collages can be attempted in various formats and mediums. Some artists use it as a way of planning out their creations or simple brainstorming, others use it as their actual medium. Sometimes they are used to create surreal worlds, or they are used to create an aesthetically or even psychologically pleasing work of art. Any way you look at it collaging leads to a very simplistic form of creating. So, you you're ever lacking ideas start a collage and see where it leads you!

Sources/Related Articles:

http://www.anothermag.com/current/view/3318/Top_10_Collage_Artists_Hannah_H%C3%B6ch_to_Man_Ray
http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/sato-masahiro-q-ta-collages?context=tag-art

EVERYONE HAS A DIFFERENT BRUSHSTROKE

I have heard many times that as an artist I was "born with this talent" but growing up I never thought I could draw at all. But if I remember correctly, I pushed myself to learn how to draw and paint; I trained my eye to see colors in all things. It wasn't easy for me, I was a terrible artist and I had to learn to use contrast and push myself to use the proper techniques. That is what got me to where I am today as an artist, not magically having this skill.

For some people I do think that art is simply apart of their blood. It's a talent and a passion they are born with. But I think for every artist there is a challenge to it, no one can get away without some struggle. I may not have been born with the skills but I was born with the passion and the eyes to see things differently.

I have always been jealous of those who can just sit there and draw something beautiful and create it out of thin air. I can't do that, but that doesn't mean I am less of an artist. Every artist is born with that creative passion which drives them to become the artist they are.

Something I had noticed while reading an Art History book is that artists often times really admire other artists' work. Now this isn't in a competition idea but in a kind of... jealous idea. As artists we have skills in a very specific sense; we are either sculptors, painters, designers, draw-ers? and sometimes these skills can overlap. But in a broader sense you never really see painters like Mondrian painting figures or portraits. Everyone is kind of stuck in their certain style of creating. I've had many great cartoonists tell me they'd love to be able to draw realistically but they simply can't.

Maybe just maybe every artist are born with some sort of skill: the skill of a specific style. Whether or not they waste their entire career wishing they were a fantastical Hyper-Realism painter instead of an Impressionist, it doesn't matter because the connection that everyone has with a certain style is special. You just understand why and how it flows better than any other genre and sometimes you may never fully understand why a giant blue shape hanging on the wall is considered art, but you may not just say it aloud...

Overall art is different for everyone, it is a personal growth and experience and no one is alike.  We comprehend things differently, we can have different meanings and opinions, and of course our flow of creating will always be different. So don't waste your time wishing you had the talents of someone else, your talents and passion are unique to you and once you find them and acknowledge them they will grow and develop. Let others inspire you, but don't wish to have what they have.

ARE TEENAGERS THE NEWEST SURREALIST PHOTOGRAPHERS?

Have you been keeping up with what is going on in the art world? Possibly not. Possibly yes. Either way have any of you noticed the new trend of young teenagers becoming famous over their surreal photographs? Maybe it is because they are learning more Photoshop in school than cursive, maybe it's because TV Shows are now a lot more creative and surreal than ever, or maybe the internet is just allowing us to see their success a lot easier.

Two photographers, both 15, have been brought to my attention recently: David Uzochukwu and Zev Hoover. One has an eye for deeply moving and emotion photography and the other has great talents at seeing things as fantasy and surreal. We will start with David Uzochukwu, a Belgium-based photographer who has been taking photographs since he was 10 (so 5 years).

Uzochukwu is able to put a moving story and meaning behind such simple images. He doesn't push things too far and slam you over the head with the meaning, but he does slam you over the head with the emotional reaction you will get from looking at his pieces. He has said "I love to tell stories and to convey certain feelings and emotions in an image. What really intrigues me is that photography—like all other art forms—can be so universal that you can be touched by a picture that someone else has created. Furthermore you can make the images in your head become reality. This amazes me again and again."

 

 Another 15 year old photographer, Zev Hoover attains a different sort of surrealistic photography. Hoover has been taking photographs since he was 8 (so for 7 years) and he is based out of Massachusetts. The fantasy elements of his photos really feel like you are reading a classic fairytale. The soft images are very skillfully edited to seem strangely realistic.

Hoover describes, "What's really cool about shooting my pictures is that it's a totally different world: Kids sitting on acorns; rafts made of popsicle sticks; floating down a stream on a playing card. I like putting my eye near the ground because you see a totally different world when you are thinking from the point of view of something smaller than you."

Both of these talents kids were on Flickr's 20 Under 20 List, which I suggest checking out because of amazingly talented, skilled, and mature these kids are. But don't let it get you down that you weren't a recognized photographer before the age of 20, keep letting your passion for art push you into the life you desire.

David Uzochukwu: http://www.daviduzochukwu.com/

Zev Hoover: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fiddleoak/

Flickr's 20 Under 20: https://www.flickr.com/20under20

BEAUTY IN DESTRUCTION

Recently at the Hirschhorn Museum in Washington D.C. they held an exhibit about destruction. Everything on that level of the museum was extremely obviously about destruction. But, majority of those pieces of art lacked something beautiful.

Yes, the artists were trying to get their point across about the destruction and how drawing it, photographing it, making a sculpture to represent it, creating a video showing the destruction of an object, or even having a performance piece all about destroying something beautiful can be a necessary and beautiful act or even leave a beautiful mess. But something that I have found over and over again that I just clumped into this same pile of beautiful destruction was the actual act of creating something more beautiful by destroying something.

Not sure if everyone who reads this will completely understand but I find a very large difference between the two (well not very large difference, but a difference still). Let me try and give some examples...

Monika Sosnowska, Stairway, metal and PVC handrail, 2010, 222.4 x 98.4 inches

This sculpture by Monika Sosnowska titled "Stairway" might just be a destroyed staircase, but the actual final product of the crumpled up staircase compared to the before of a typical spiral staircase seems so much more aesthetically pleasing and beautiful. In connection to the destruction theme, yes this definitely can apply for both themes especially once reading her statement: "Monika Sosnowska was inspired by an emergency staircase, built in 1971 at ‘The Museum of History of Tel Aviv’, which she discovered during a residency in Israel in 2008. She documented the stairwell with a photograph, just before its deconstruction. This image creates the point of departure for her own fabricated interpretation of the found architectural object by removing it from its original functionality through dismantling, twisting and squeezing the main elements. By changing the stairway’s direction Sosnowska challenges our perception. She captures the site, abstracts and freezes the space and creates an optical illusion leading our gaze upwards the spiral." But, she takes the destruction of this piece even further when she flips it upside down, it's not just a destroyed staircase anymore it's a piece of art.

Ted Basdevant, mixed media, 2014

Another artist that I found on Tumblr was Ted Basdevant. This work really caught my eye for the exact reason I was trying to explain above: this photograph might be a great photograph, but once he added the destruction aspect of the paint/ink it goes beyond just an image and creates a beautiful piece of art. Not only does the entire mood and attitude of the piece change with the destruction aspect but it changes the meaning. It isn't just a girl posing anymore, it's this hidden creature now and we need to start asking more of the "why?" questions. (Which in my opinion is what makes great art, art.)

Interestingly enough we find that photographers gravitate towards destruction more than any other form of artist, maybe because gorgeous photographs of landscapes have already been done (and done well... I mean come on Ansel Adams). Therefore photographers have to find some sort of beautiful twist on the world that can either document something that is now completely apart of our lives or make up their own destroyed version of reality (through either Photoshop or sculpture). One example is Michel Le Belhomme who creates these beautiful sculptures or environments and photographs them. I would post some of his photographs here but they are copyrighted to him so go check out "The Blind Beast" series (http://www.phmuseum.com/michellebelhomme/series/the-blind-beast). Now whether or not he was going for the beautiful destruction theme he nailed it.

As artists we find beauty in everything, so it makes sense when we can look at something that is completely destroyed and still thing there is something cool about it. I want to backtrack a little bit and say that there still is great beauty in looking at something that was once beautiful and now is a broken mess on the ground and yes it does speak widely about us as humans. So in either aspect of literally creating the beautiful from the destroyed or seeing the beauty in something destroyed, I applaud us as artists for finding the silver lining and being in awe of things that most people would run and hide from.

Citations:
Monika Sosnowska - http://www.capitainpetzel.de/exhibitions/stairway/

PROCESS IS ART

As artists we're aware that a crucial part of creating the work is actually creating the work, the process. For some artists the process is the only concept and the end product can be whatever it is. But for others the process simply the journey to the final product. This got me thinking about how we are trained to think in today's world.

Growing up the most important part was the grade on the test. It wasn't about what you learned as much as how that one letter could prove to the world that you studied well this time. The studying part was the torture, no one liked studying. But studying was the process to getting that final product that we all really desired.

This can go into other things as well, like shopping. Everyone shops. But rarely does a person actually go and think "Hey I bet these chips (or beer or really ANYTHING) were made in a really interesting factory..." The process isn't important at all, but the end product is all that matters. (Some people like to make their own food or beer or chairs and that's great. Seriously, we need more people willing to create their own items.) But have you actually been to a factory that makes potato chips? or a Brewery? It's AMAZING.

Sadly, I think most people don't really care how something is made and they only care about the end result. These people will never be artists, or understand the thought process of an artist. The process is what gives the final result meaning. Yes, sometimes when we are creating something we think of this amazing end product and that's all we want to achieve. But we forget that sometimes the human parts, or the little mistakes and tweaks that we get while struggling to make it how we want make it give the result that extra hint of amazing.

So what do I think? I think we all should take a trip and visit a nearby factory and go on a tour. It doesn't even matter what it is, just figure out how exactly this thing is made and the precision and labor that goes into it. You'd be surprised how many factories actually host tours and a lot of them are free. Visit www.factorytoursusa.com or just google it. (TIP: Beer breweries sometimes give out free samples)

Let this experience allow you to see things differently and appreciate the process a little more.

ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE INSPIRED BY CHAIRS

Recently everywhere I turn people have been talking about their Dream Boards and other similar things. Now, I don't know much about Pinterest, I already have a Tumblr so why should I set up another similar account when I've already got one, plus 3 sketchbooks I use daily (soon to be 4). But I've heard it is pretty much a Dream Board at least something along those lines. Even Ron Funches on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon says he started using a Dream Board. 

Now to break it down, there are many different types of dream boards or walls or books or whatever. You can put up pictures of things you aspire to own, or you can have pictures of things you just enjoy and inspire you, OR you can have pictures of just literally anything that you find yourself liking (from a rug, to an advertisement)

As an artist I think it is key to surround yourself in what you like and allow it to always be present that way if you ever look at it differently or have it randomly catch your eye, you'll be inspired. I have so many artist prints framed and surrounding me at most times. TIP: I've found that when going to museums it's cheap to pick up a few postcards of your favorite pieces you saw there and use them as art around the house.

But most recently, while looking through an IKEA magazine, I found some things that I was drawn to visually. Yes I also do just want to buy the stuff in the image and decorate my house exactly like how they do, BUT I also found it aesthetically pleasing. Then it hit me, I liked how this particular room was designed because of it's similarity to what I want to do as an artist. The color palette was similar, the lines and it had aspects of it that I needed to put in my work. 

I know it shouldn't be surprising or innovative to think that interior design or the design of a chair or the way that this advertisement is photographed is linked to the fine arts because I mean come on, have you walked around the MoMA? There is a whole section devoted to artistic designs of furniture and I mean their stores alone have everything and anything there but somehow it's artistic... 

What I'm trying to get at is: use your sketchbook, or the walls of your house, or just a bulletin board to put up EVERYTHING you find yourself attracted to, not just the artwork. You never know what will make you see something in your work.

Related Post (with Artist References): http://artotterblog.blogspot.com/2014/03/inspiration-can-come-from-anywhere.html
Here's the Ron Funches video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slrgBNOmhTI

CUTTING PAPER IS AN ART

There have been times where I've seen something posted on Tumblr of gorgeously intricate hand cut paper. And I think "Oh that's pretty cool, I bet it takes a lot of time" and that is it. I never really think about it again. Well, more recently I keep coming across these artists who cut paper and create these incredible and I mean INCREDIBLE pieces of art out of the shadows and the holes and it blows my mind. So naturally I looked more into it...

So Paper Art or Papercutting originated in China from the 6th Century Six Dynasties period called Jianzhi. They would be used as health, prosperity, or decorative purposes and would often include symbols from the color red to the Chinese Zodiac. 

Example of Jianzhi

A lot of the more notable artists to come out of the Papercutting scene were more Dutch and American artists. One you probably have heard of is Kara Walker, who creates these wondrous silhouettes confronting many issues such as race, gender, sexuality, and violence . But they don't always have to be just 2D designs, many artists in contemporary art have voyaged into 3D sculptures of paper such as artist Nahoko Kojima.

Kara Walker, Grub for Sharks: A Concession to the Negro Populace, black paper, 2004

Nahoko Kojima, Jerwood, Byako, paper, 2013

Many other artists have been working with this technique but are still trying to get their name out there are artists like Rogan Brown and Kuin Heuff. Rogan Brown is inspired by natural and minerals for his very intricate forms and Kuin starts by painting her faces and then cutting them.

Rogan Brown, Spore, paper, 2013

Kuin Heuff, Greta Heuff-Heg, acyrlic and paper, 2011

I think the whole technique and design aspects are very interesting and inspiring. The amount of effort plus a steady hand really is hard to come by today so I find it very exciting. If anyone knows of any other artists that do Papercutting then please share!! Otherwise, we can just sit and stare at these amazing works for another few hours (which I'm totally okay with).

Artist Websites:
Kara Walker: http://learn.walkerart.org/karawalker
Nahoko Kojima:  http://www.nahokokojima.com/
Kuin Heuff: http://www.kuinheuff.nl/index.php
Rogan Brown: http://roganbrown.com/home.html
Other Websites with cool Papercutting articles: 
http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/rogan-brown-paper-sculptures

GLITCH ART

Some of you may have heard about Glitch Art, others might not. Most of the time Glitch Art is referring to a part of the digital photographic process where the artist would edit the data/code in certain ways to create certain effects to the pixels of the image. Artists have used Glitch Art in video form and photographs. These forms then have inspired other artists of other mediums to create a similar pattern but with drawing or painting. 

So far this movement is not a major part of Contemporary Art but it has made its way into other movements. Artists like Nam June Paik have experimented with Glitch Art and similar techniques where it is nothing new. For instance in Nam June Paik's Magnet TV he places a magnet on top of an old CRT TV and gets a bend in the data. 

Nam June Paik, MagnetTV, crt tv and magnet, 1965

Currently there are conferences and groups of tech-art aficionados that get together with workshops, lectures, performances, and screenings. One is called GLI.TC/H. 

Andy Denzler is another artist who uses glitching techniques to get their unique look, except this time it's with paint. He has been working with his specific technique since 2004 and has really come a long way since then creating beautiful dreamlike paintings without getting too muddy.

Andy Denzler, Just Antother Day in Paradise III, oil on canvas, 140 x 120 cm, 2014

I know there is a lot of Glitch Art haters out there because it is such a easy process to do to photography in today's world, but there is a specific art form to it. Just like Modern are and Minimalism it has to be done correctly and with the placement and precise end product it can be something magical. But it is a process based art form where you have to experiment. I love it's end product especially when used with painting and drawing, it can become something new and exciting for the art world to move into.

ADVERTISING AND THE ARTIST

Now that I have been working on selling my artwork as well as my new small business of doing charcoal portraits I have really found how important it is to have a good advertisement. (And this might have something to do with the fact that I've been watching a lot of Mad Men recently)

Advertising can be an art form, it can also just simply be a tool to attract attention. Today for some reason it appears that advertising has lost it's main beauty and has succumb to simple-minded, sexist, or shocking approaches. Now, I'm not as obsessed with reading about specific tropes as some, but I can notice one when I see one, and since they seem to be repeated often, it's getting a little redundant. Now watching Mad Men has shown me that advertising was a little more competitive as it is today or at least in the creative aspects. Today's ideas don't seem as unique or original.

Now how does this relate to artists trying to sell our work or small business? We need to be better and more creative than those mainstream and overly done ads we see all the time.

1) Find something to make you stand out and that is unique to only you. Search the internet to see who else has your ideas and how yours is different.

2) Have your design be crisp and clean. You don't need to compensate because you are what you are and some people will love it and others won't, that's just life. Plus you don't want to confuse the consumer, let your work and words speak for themselves.

3) Know who your audience is. If you have mainly older people who want to buy your work then use slogans and words that they pick up on. 

4) You are the best, act like you're the best. Don't make a cheap design, use a new and powerful one. It's like the whole "dress like you have your future/aspiring job" idea except with advertising.

5) But, don't push your ego. You may be the best, but don't put down others that are trying just as hard as you are. Like I mentioned before, they might have a different audience, people that like your work might not like theirs anyways.

6) Use your work but don't force-feed it to the viewer. Make them want more.

You are an artist, you already think differently than those around you and will be able to think out of the box. Take your time and when you have the perfect idea you will know it. You can also find a group or test your work out on friends and ask them what they think. Don't forget that critiques are always welcome. Another great idea is to look back at previous artists or advertisements that really stand out (Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, or watch an episode of Mad Men when they are creating an ad, GEICO ads are actually pretty great too). Now don't copy what they do but get inspired and get your creative juices flowing from seeing some great work.

Check out this website to see what tropes there are and what you see often: tvtropes.org

There is more to come about this subject and some great artists that can inspire your work.

AFTER GRADUATING... NOW WHAT?

I know I normally stick to posts that can interest non-students as well as students, but for this one I will be talking to people who have recently graduated, or will be graduating. I have recently graduated with my BA in Studio Art. And even though the last year has been filled with what to do in the real world and how to sell your work and how to be professional, I keep finding myself looking around at my fellow students and thinking 'what the hell are we supposed to do now?' (sidenote: I'm going to stick to my art friends and not broaden into everyone that I know that has graduated, since after all, this is an art blog).

So, we went from having a studio space, being productive and creating pieces for a final show, writing artist statements, reading about how to sell our works to sitting in our parents home with part-time jobs that have no relation to being an artist at all. Now, I know people from previous years that went on to work for Photo Magazines, Photo Portrait Studios, moving to India, etc. But still what the hell are we supposed to do? How can we move into the real work without losing some of the drive we had in school? I guess that's apart of it though, some people move on and never continue their careers they chose for themselves in college. My thoughts? If you were passionate about it to begin with, and it wasn't some sort of easy way out or fun for the time being sort of thing, then you will be dying to make creating your work apart of your career. Now how to go about doing that? I'm not fully sure yet.

As an artist, and former art student, all I want to do is create and somehow have magical money come out of it that I can live off of. So personally, things I am going to look into is my local Art Community/Organization (which some cities they take the summer off so try in the Fall) and I am going to start taking in commissioned work. Which I guess is a perfect way to mention that I will be adding onto the Art Otter name. Within a few months I will be adding a 'store' where anyone can have a drawn portrait made. I know there are a lot of people that already do this, but I assure you unlike some other people, these portraits will have my full attention, I love portraiture, some say I'm obsessed, it's what I love and I want to continue creating them so why not? If you are interested or want to know more I will add a post shortly with information.

Now that I am doing slightly broadcasting myself. If you are a someone who just graduated with a Studio Art degree and don't want to find yourself comfortable in a part-time job and aren't yet ready to go to Grad School then find a way to still spend time creating. Make it apart of your life and don't let yourself forget about what you are passionate about. Even if you attend local drawing seminars or beg your friends to go to a painting class with you or even set up shop in your apartment or house somewhere, just keep going. Don't stop until you have found your happy medium with work and passion.

If anyone has any other advice, it would be GLADLY appreciated so don't be afraid to comment. (and don't forget you can comment anonymously and it won't be tracked to you at all so really there is nothing to lose)

SELFIES VS SELF PORTRAITS

Now that I'm back, at least for a little, let's talk about something very prominent in conversations today: selfies.

The idea of a selfie isn't exactly new, it's just mainstreamed so much recently that we feel like it is new. Technology today is literally programmed to take selfies, I mean what else would a front facing camera on your phone do besides take pictures of yourself? But before we had cameras selfies were still relevant. A self portrait is the artistic term for selfie, so let's think back to some of the more aesthetically pleasing selfies...

Even though self portraits date back to some of the earliest pieces of art, they became more prominent during the Early Renaissance. This was during the mid-15th century, when mirrors became cheap enough for most people to buy. One of the earliest self portraits is thought to be by Jan Van Eyck's Portrait of a Man in a Turban painted in 1433. Even though it cannot be proven that it is a self portrait.

Jan Van Eyck, Portrait of a Man in a Turban, 1433, oil on panel, National Gallery, London

Sometimes artists when they would paint mythical or religious scenes would put commoners' faces or their own in as some of the many background people. If you think about this in a Contemporary manner, they are in a way Photoshopping a selfie of themselves into an image of their favorite story, which is really quite humorous.

The first prolific self-portraitist, or selfie obsessed artist was Albrecht Durer. His most well known self portrait being his Christ-like selfie when he was 28.

Albrecht Durer, Self Portrait in a Fur-Collared Robe, 1500, oil on linden wood, Alte Pinakothek

However one of the most well known artists to create numerous self portraits was Vincent van Gogh. Vincent created over 35 self portraits in his time, many after he cut off his ear. One of my personal favorites it this self portrait:

Vincent van Gogh, Self-Portrait, 1890, oil on canvas, Musee D'Orsay, Paris

In a way these self portraits/selfies are very important in the development of artists over time not only because it is a way to work with a cheaper model but also because it shows their specific style as well as show their face (when most people are generally not aware of what artists actually look like but just know them by their name and most famous works). Artists can go on without anyone knowing who they are, which is good and bad. They should be recognized for their beautiful pieces and the viewers should be aware that a person did it instead of some anonymous artistic machine.

I've always had a personal interest in self portraits and find it very intriguing how artists portray themselves.  I suggest looking up artists and seeing if they have self-portraits, most Contemporary artists don't seem to do selfies (which is ironic) but many 18th Century and the centuries preceding have many artists that do.

I'm curious as to what other people think and why Contemporary artists don't create as many selfies as before, let me know by leaving a comment or tweeting at me!!

OFF DAY BLOGGING: UPDATE

Hey Otters!
I won't be able to post much this week or the next week because of all of my research papers, thesis work/paper, and more papers are due. It's the final stretch so I can't focus on anything else at the moment except for finishing everything to the quality I've been working towards my entire career here. In the mean time, I'll be on Twitter tweeting Art News and other things. If you have any requests or comments, now is the time!! But don't worry I'll be back with full force soon enough! In the mean time here's an otter I saw in the Smithsonian National History Museum in Washington D.C. a while back! So cute!

CROSS HATCHING: THE DRAUGHTMAN'S FAVORITE TOOL

When I first started learning how to draw I learned about cross hatching or hatching and thought it was a way to create a neat texture while drawing. I was completely unaware of it's extreme usefulness while drawing. To start, many artists from Peter Paul Rubens to Robert Longo use cross hatching in their drawings/sketches. Although there are different types of cross hatching that an artist can use. 

Rubens was a very talented painter known for his use of brilliant reds within shadows. Many artists look to his paintings to learn about color theory and painting in general. But some go back and create copies of his sketches to learn how to render a figure well and learn basic knowledge of a figure. In this one sketch of Rubens you can see the marks are just straight lines. These lines are following the plane of each part of the skin to create darker areas as shadows. So where there are more lines there is more bends in the skin and more planes in which the skin uses. Get it?

Another few artists that use this technique very obviously and beautifully are Robert Longo, Jenny Saville and Simon Birch. This is a great skill to learn when learning about shading and rendering the figure. Many artists use this technique while copying masterpieces. Something to keep in mind while working with cross hatching or hatching is that the lines do not need to be straight, they can bend around the plane as well which allows for better rendering and following of the figure's skin. This allows a better 3 dimensional appearance to the viewer.

So if you're a new artist or an artist just needing some ideas, try cross hatching to further your skills in drawing.

Citations:
Rubens Sketch: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/images/h2/h2_2002.12b.jpg

VISITING MUSEUMS: MET & WHITNEY BIENNIAL

If some of you follow my Twitter (@ArtOtter) then you know that I recently went to New York to visit the Met and the Whitney Biennial. There is a ton of stuff going on that you don't want to miss out on so let's start with the Met. 

If you've ever been to the Met then you know of the amazing collection they have there. Vast as that collection is they have some special shows going on currently that push it further. Historic Photographs (salt prints, daguerreotypes, albumen prints) are currently on view as apart of their Charles Marville: Photographer of Paris exhibition. Now as long as I've been studying Photography I've still never seen a daguerreotype in person. They have 2 on show and they are fascinating and amazing. A picture really doesn't do it justice until you are standing in front of it and just in awe of the beautiful silver reflections. Now that exhibition is only up until May 4th so hurry over. It's quite a beautiful collection.

Charles Marville, Rue de Constantine, 1865, Albumen silver print from glass negative

Another quite special thing going on at the Met is their William Kentridge installation, The Refusal of Time. This piece has moving sculptures and 5 channel video projection. As you get closer to this piece you can only hear it. Then once you get into the space, it's really quite amazing how you're fully embedded into the piece itself. At first it can be uneasy but once you start to look at everything you will realize how beautiful and mesmerizing it is. That's all I'll say about this piece because you really just have to see it in person.
Other exhibitions worth checking out at the Met are: The Passions of Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux (AMAZING artist who can portray torment and realism through his flawless sculptures, paintings, and drawings) and many more

Now moving on to the Whitney Biennial... I've never been to the Whitney before so I absolutely had to see this last biennial before they move. I had heard from previous years that it was mainly focused on performance and just really strange art, so going into it I really didn't know what to expect but to keep my mind open. The pieces that were included in this Whitney, I thought were amazing. I had barely any problems with the works I saw. I actually thoroughly enjoyed majority of it. I felt inspired and I understood what was trying to be portrayed. Some of my friends on the other hand had a completely different experience. They didn't know what was going on, they didn't consider it art, and they were very unhappy with the show. Now I truly don't know what show they saw but I saw something completely different. With that I'll explain which pieces I really loved.

Karl Haendel. wow. I am hugely in awe of Robert Longo's work as a whole and now seeing Haendel's work I am a huge fan of his as well. An entire wall dedicated to a truly talented draughtsman with amazing sense of composition and positive negative space. His drawings go from fully rendered to black void spaces, but yet feel complete. I could go on and on about him but I'll save that for another post. 

Karl Haendel, Theme Time - Presidents Day, 2013, pencil on paper 69"x52"

Keith Mayerson's large salon style collection of paintings included images from a guy jerking off to a family portrait. The range of styles and images was really awesome and it was almost overwhelming with the amount of paintings that covered the small room. It really takes a long time to get through the room. 
Paul P.'s Untitled small ink drawings were really ghostly and beautiful. The small collection was all you needed because of the detail and control in which he used. More of a classical style but definitely delicate and gorgeous. 

Paul P., Untitled, ink on paper, 2013, 11 3/4" x 8 1/2"

There also were a few interesting installation pieces. One being by Valerie Snobeck and Catherine Sullivan and the other being by Bjarne Melgaard. Snobeck and Sullivan's piece was very inventive and beautiful, including ghostly blueprint images and suitcases. On the other hand, Melgaard's included pillows the shapes of penises, and violent scenes being projected on the walls of a gaudy and sexual themed plush room. I've got to say, I can see where some people will obviously be upset about Bjarne Melgaard's piece but when I was in the room there was an older couple and they were not upset or running out of the room. It spoke a lot of animal instincts and tension along with the need to hold back and show restraint. I actually felt that the message was good and as if this is what could happen if people didn't restrain themselves and how dystopic that would actually be.
There are so many other artists that are worth discussing but I don't have the time/space to keep writing about the Biennial. I will continue on about some other pieces though during the rest of this week, so stay updated!

Citations:
Charles Marville: http://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2014/charles-marville
William Kentridge: http://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2013/william-kentridge
Met Exhibitions: http://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/current-exhibitions
Karl Haendel: http://whitney.org/Exhibitions/2014Biennial/KarlHaendel
Paul P.: http://whitney.org/Exhibitions/2014Biennial/PaulP
Bjarne Melgaard: http://whitney.org/Exhibitions/2014Biennial/BjarneMelgaard

CREATIVE CONVERSATION

This post is going to confront two ideas: critiques within your studio/workspace and having a place or group to go to about your creative questions. As an artist is it very important to have an open line to critiques whenever you need it. It may seem difficult when you're not in the right situation but there are so many easy ways to have support and criticism to help you grow as an artist.

If you have a studio or workspace don't be afraid to invite other artists in. One way to broaden your connections and keep them is to have studio visits. It's also a great idea to go visit other people's studios so you get a good idea of how their process is. Maybe you'll pick up a few tips while strengthening a few connections along the way.

Join a art community. There are plenty of ways to find groups of people with similar interests or even just area in which you all reside. There are groups that are called Art Organizations which you sometimes have to pay for but you do get insider info and opportunities. You just have to figure out which is the right one for you. But either way there are groups and communities online that you can easily join right on Facebook. This is also a great way to promote a show you might be in or anything that you've got going on.

Visiting art museums. Pretty much every museum has a VIP or Membership opportunity. This allows you to rub elbows with other people in the community that have a similar interest in art history or buying art. Not to mention you get great perks like wine and cheese evenings for openings of new exhibitions and sometimes even lectures by the curators or artists themselves.

A final way to get helpful studio practice help or social media help is to comment on blogs like this one. If you want to know how to stretch a canvas or get yourself in more shows but don't even know where to start, then ask! Start up that conversation so that you get your name our there and the information that you need.

VISITING MUSEUMS: WASHINGTON D.C.

Ever since I was little Washington D.C. has been the home of all museums. I mean it has the best set up a museum lover could ever imagine. Walking distance from a museum all about our navigations through space is a museum filled with skeletons from dinosaurs to frogs which is next to a museum filled with glorious art work. The art museums alone in Washington D.C. are numerous, there is the National Gallery of Art which is broken up into two giant wings, plus there is the National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum which are combined and hold so much variety of art work, and we can't forget about the Hirschhorn. Then there are other museums such as the Holocaust Museum, International Spy Museum, the Museum of Women in the Arts, Newseum, and so many more. But before I write about every museum in D.C. lets just stick to the art museums and what exactly you can expect to see.

To start lets go to the National Mall to see the National Gallery of Art (West building and East building). In the West building you can see more historic works of art such as European paintings and sculptures ranging from the 13th to 16th Centuries. There also is a good amount of American art and they always have a few temporary exhibitions going on which are very interesting. Then in the East building you would find a large amount of Contemporary and Modern works along with their Film series they almost always have running in their auditorium. If you know whether you'd enjoy a more contemporary feel then head to the East building but if you'd rather see some historical art then go to the West building.
 

National Gallery of Art West Building

National Gallery of Art East Building

Next on the National Mall is the Hirschhorn museum of art. This museum is the round building and it is smaller than the other museums but it does hold a great collection of art. While I was visiting they only had two temporary exhibitions going because of renovation. But both of which were fantastic. It's easy to get lost within the art but nice to flow right around the Hirschhorn (because it's a circle) so you almost forget to worry about seeing everything because you kinda have to walk through each room to get to the next. They had a large variety of mediums in there as well from video, drawing, painting, sculpture, and photography. I personally loved the Destruction and Gravity's Edge Exhibitions. I loved so many pieces from both. Which I can get into in another post.

Hirschhorn Museum

Next on the list is the National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum. This combined museum is awesome. I love portraiture so this is my favorite museum of all time. You can find anything from Nam June Paik pieces, to Georgia O'Keeffe paintings. Plus portraits of people ranging from the Presidents to Eminem and LL Cool J. It's hard for me to actually write about how amazing this museum is and how ranged the art work is within it. One section of the museum is American landscapes and gorgeous marble sculptures and another is a collection of over 100 TVs stacked all screaming at you to watch this amazing billboard of images and Eric Fischl paintings. It all depends upon preference and what you want to get out of a museum but I will always love the collection they have at the National Portrait Gallery. Sometimes their special exhibitions can be amazing and blow your mind, other times they can be strictly historical and you learn more about the person in the portrait than the art of the piece, which is okay too. 

American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery Interior Courtyard

If anyone has any questions about specifics about the museums or want to know more about something within the galleries, leave a comment!

Citations:
West Building Image: http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/United_States_of_America/Washington_DC/Things_To_Do-Washington_DC-National_Gallery_of_Art-BR-1.html
East Building Image: http://www.viewpictures.co.uk/Details.aspx?ID=107181&TypeID=1
Hirschhorn Image: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirshhorn_Museum_and_Sculpture_Garden
American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery Image: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Portrait_Gallery_%28United_States%29

A WHOLE MUSEUM DEDICATED TO WOMEN

In Washington D.C. there is a museum called the National Museum of Women in the Arts. This museum has been around since 1987 and promotes women not only in the past but also the current strong women artists of today. Their mission: "The National Museum of Women in the Arts brings recognition to the achievements of women artists of all periods and nationalities by exhibiting, preserving, acquiring, and researching art by women and by teaching the public about their accomplishments."
The NMWA is located in the heart of Washington D.C. and is in a gorgeous "Renaissance Revival" style building. This building holds over 4,000 works from the Renaissance to Contemporary all by women.

Great Hall and Mezzanine taken by Tom Field

But enough of the advertising, which I don't get paid for anyways, this is one of the few museums that is fully dedicated to women. By that I mean that this museum began by two women who were simply art historians collecting art. It then grew into this non-profit statement for women. It's not just any museum it's renown and has many advocates. This is a large support for women in the art world. This is a place to be seen and to be comfortable. It's definitely a place to visit if you're ever in Washington D.C.

Citations:
http://www.nmwa.org/

VISITING MUSEUMS: BALTIMORE

If you are from Maryland, or Baltimore itself, then you know of some of the great museums this city has to offer. As an outsider here are some things that I learned while visiting:

-The Baltimore Museum of Art. go there. It may be under renovation currently, but it's plans are big for when they reopen the entire building. But even though it is under renovation, it's still a great museum. It's not overwhelming even though they offer a lot (Contemporary, German Expressionism, Impressionism, European Painting and Sculptures, Modern, and Antioch Mosaics) Their Contemporary Wing includes very amazing artists from a collection of Andy Warhols (that will blow you away) to new artists like Jonathan Latiano who really knows how to fill a space with Installation art. My favorite was one of my idols: Robert Longo. They have two lithographs of his Men in Cities drawings (I may have cried...). Anyways, they have a cool exhibition on Sterling Ruby too which is worth looking into. Like I said it's not overwhelming, the collections are amazing and you can definitely take your time walking around and really see everything and not feel like you're missing out. 

Contemporary Wing of Baltimore Museum of Art

-The Walters Art Museum. I found this museum to be very similar to the Metropolitan Museum in New York minus the Contemporary Art and Photographs. It has a great amount of history shoved into one four story building. They offer a lot of really different stuff there such as a Chamber of Wonders and Armor as well as a Sculpture Court and of course Medieval Art, Renaissance and Baroque Art, Asian Art, Ancient Worlds (Greek, Etruscan, Roman, Egyptian, and Near Eastern), and 19th Century Art. I was quite impressed with their collection for all of these sections. It's definitely a large museum and even though each area might not be large, there is still a ton to take it. It holds the interest of everyone (unless you only like Contemporary and Modern works).

-American Visionary Art Museum. Now this museum is kinda off the beaten trail but it is really interesting and has a very different spin on art. This museum currently has a Singularity Exhibition going on with many different opinions of what Singularity is. Which is great, because you get to almost step into the artists shoes and figure out what it means to them and what exactly they are trying to portray. The diversity of materials and styles is amazing, you can go from wood sculptures to ballpoint pen drawings, to installation within a few minutes and still be in the same exhibition. It's all very offbeat artwork and really shows how these people are more interested on their work as a project to learn something instead of being an artist and showing your work. They also have an entire building to Kinetic pieces, which move and are cars or floats or on bikes. Really neat stuff, people are so creative. 

Visionary Art Museum Entrance

That's all of the museums I was able to go to but I'm sure Baltimore has a ton more to offer. I know they have an amazing Science Center right near Inner Harbor as well as the awesome Aquarium. Overall the city is very nice and clean, you really feel like you can walk all around it.

Citations:
Baltimore Museum of Art Image: http://bmoreart.com/2012/09/from-september-urbanite-new-bma.html
Walters Art Museum Image: http://blogs.ischool.utexas.edu/newmedia/category/early/cabinets/
Visionary Art Museum Image: http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/maryland/baltimore/american-visionary-art-museum