realist, or…?

Are you a realist? If so, what kind of realist are you?

If not, what’s your angle? I’m interested.

signed,

Struggling Realist

~

realist [ˈrɪəlɪst]

n

1. a person who is aware of and accepts the physical universe, events, etc., as they are; pragmatist

2. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Terms) (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) an artist or writer who seeks to represent the familiar or typical in real life rather than an idealized, formalized, or romantic interpretation

3. (Philosophy) Philosophy a person who accepts realism

4. (Philosophy / Logic) (Philosophy) (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Terms) (modifier) of, relating to, or characteristic of realism or realists in the arts, philosophy, etc. a realist school

~

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003

~

“I’m in need of a remix”
acrylic & ink on paper, 22″ x 30″
artboy68 2013

new painting, different direction

Ok so I lied, this is nothing like what I said I was going to do but hey- I should just keep my mouth shut more often…

‘the walls before me’
acrylic & ink on panel
10″ x 13-1/4″
artboy68 2013

This was really fun for me, a welcome departure from the realism, which I do so wrestle with at times.

edge detail

If you like it, let me know!  Thanks,

artboy68

new painting: “Porcine Man”

“Porcine Man”, acrylic on paper, 18 1/2″ x 22″

You may recognize this as a drawing I posted last year;  I’ve also taken the liberty of renaming it. (Hey it’s my picture and I can do whatever I want with it…)  Really though, this was a great way for me to get the brushes out without having to think too much- just what I needed to kick off a new year.

Enjoyed the process, feel free to leave your honest opinion!

Thanks,

artboy68

“Losing Shame”

“Tolerance, white.”

This is my theme for this entry in the We Imagine Peace (Global Art Collaboration Project). After spending some time thinking about this theme, I found tolerance a difficult subject in the goal of promoting world peace, because I see the word as meaning accepting something negative, or the practice of permitting a thing of which one disapproves, such as social, ethnic, sexual, or religious practices. I believe tolerance is a starting point which should eventually disappear in favour of acceptance. 

So I had to think of how to represent this, and decided to relate it to my personal experience.

The figure in the drawing is my great grandfather, representing (in this case) generations of poor ideologies and false conceptions, mainly as a result of the times, and how small the world was for the individual a century ago. My father frequently used racial slurs in his everyday language- I don’t believe this was motivated by hatred- I believe it was learned behavior, and that he did not conciously mean to cause any harm. He certainly did not intentionally promote any ill will toward people of other ethnic origins in our home. However, using language like this is harmful even in the smallest measure. I have explored the concept of ‘generational sin’ in some previous writings, equating this inherited behavior with the term family shame. I felt that this was a good topic to illustrate “losing the shame” of intolerance.

The writing in the background of this piece is an excerpt from an essay on the psychology of using racial slurs in language. The gist of it is that stereotypes are a result of a lack of knowledge, and misconceptions can lead one group to see themselves as superior to another. Using racial slurs in speech is referred to in this excerpt as “the language of oppression.”

Today, with so much information and knowledge at our fingertips, and within reach of our youth, misconceptions and stereotypes are beginning to fade. Even in today’s world of mistrust between nations, truths are easier to find, which leads to understanding and combats fear and hatred, creating more tolerance.

Educate.

Find common ground.

I am happy to report that in my home racial slurs are NEVER used, and we promote acceptance and learning about that which is not understood. We are actively LOSING THE SHAME of our former generations.

Why the jellyfish? Some Google searching revealed that it is sometimes seen as a symbol of tolerance because of its minimal impact on the environment- they rely on the currents of the ocean and the winds to move it in the direction it needs to go, (in other words, they ‘go with the flow’) and they take only the food they need.

Thanks for taking a look! Let me know what you think….

artboy68

 

Hello, Sue Brown. You’re portrait 100.

Sue Brown, 15 1/4" x 15 1/4", acrylic on cradled wood panel

Sue says:

“I coach. I write. I draw. I help people bring more creativity, meaning and balance into their lives and work. My clients want to be more creative: either for their own enjoyment, to think differently in their organisations, or as a career change. I work with individuals and groups.

Check out my website for more information and you can follow me on www.twitter.com/idcoachuk” 

They say the proof is in the pudding. Here’s the pudding:

http://visualaide.wordpress.com/

http://whatidoisme.wordpress.com/

http://idcoach.wordpress.com/ 

I appreciate your talent, Sue. This one’s for you!

And this concludes my project. I have learned a few things during the process:

Relatively, 100 is a lot. I mean, 100 pennies is not a lot- but for me, 100 portraits is a lot.

I was able to accomplish a goal, on time.

Giving is a great way of getting.

Profile pictures usually portray the owner’s true personality. (Interesting!) For interest: http://healthland.time.com/2009/12/03/the-psychology-of-facebook-profiles/

Even though I got a bit tired half way through, I looked forward to doing each drawing.

I only threw one portrait in the trash. I learned to push through the doubt.

Doing a public blog challenge really is a great way to stay accountable, share, and get work done!

Time in:

I spent approximately 300 hours on this project, including prep time, drawing, researching and posting. (I also work full time.)

What now?

I will continue making art and posting it here, just not at the same pace. You might see something a bit different…

I am open to taking portrait commissions, all sizes. I will have a web site up shortly; until then, I can be reached at artboy68@live.ca.

Thank you for following along and all of your awesome comments. I will now have more time for reading others’ blogs!

Cheers,

artboy68

torso in 2 colours- first painting for 2012

Torso In 2 Colours, acrylic on cribbed panel, 30" x 40"

As I have said previously, I am also a figurative artist; 2D and 3D.  This painting was an exercise in using complimentary colours- only two colours were used (plus white): sap green and quinacridone red, sometimes out of the tube, and sometimes mixed to achieve varying neutrals. I used a glazing technique of laying one colour over the other in layers, often mixed with clear acrylic medium.

On my easel now is a self portrait which will be numbered, as suggested, #101. Will share when complete!

artboy68

sneak peek: process photos of ‘torso in 2 colours’

Here are some photos of a project I’ve been working on lately:  Torso In 2 Colours

I’m looking for some helpful critiques!

Thanks,

artboy68

btw I’ve decided to sign my paintings as AB68 from here on, so when you see that encryption, it’s me! Why? Google Scott Hamilton & try to find me.  Then google artboy68…. what’s in a username, after all? Comments?

thirty two. Sperlin; co-owner of the freakin’ coffee shop

Sperlin, acrylic on panel, 13 3/4" x 13 3/4"

The freakin’ coffee shop not only has great coffee; they have reinvented the whole concept and made themselves into an arts and culture hub in the community.  I recently had the opportunity to speak with Sperlin at a costume party and was so struck by his awesome garb that I just asked him if I could do his portrait.  He kindly posed for me on the spot as I whipped out my phone and snapped a photo.

Check out the website and learn about the awesomeness of my own home town: http://freakincoffeeshop.com/

This is portrait 32 of 100.  Previous portraits can be seen here, or learn more about this project.

Don’t be shy, leave a comment!

Thanks,

artboy68

nineteen

Odette Reyes (acrylic sketch on 4 ply rag board)

This is a painting of a fictional character created by Eliabeth and Ermisenda over at http://ermiliablog.wordpress.com/ .

I wasn`t supposed to include this as one of my 100 portraits, but I`m tired so this is number nineteen! Thanks!

artboy68

lucky number 13 is you, sir: Mark Armstrong

A slight departure for me today- I enjoy Mr. Armstrong’s work a lot, and he seems to have a unique personality that just makes his stuff that much better.  See for yourself- visit his blog at markarmstrongillustration.wordpress.com .  This is portrait thirteen out of one hundred. You can’t tell from the scan, but the highlights have a reflective gold sheen.

Mark Armstrong, 8" x 8", carbon transfer & acrylic on 4 ply rag board