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)