So yea, what i'm doing for thesis

Sorry it took me so long to finally post something about my idea and definite plan. I wanted to first do the puzzle canvas idea where i make multiple odd shaped canvases that made the image of a female human body that was covered in tattoos and each canvas had its own tattoo and graceful composition. but that was shot down during a crit i had in my painting class, so i thought of moving to sculpture, i did a plaster cast of my arm and then cover it in tattoos, but it didn't turn out too well. then someone put the idea that i should to portraits of celebrities or political figures with tattoos. and then i took that idea to the next level and thought what about the Mona Lisa? or the David? Hannaline suggested i don't do the works that are that famous, maybe tone it down to the great painters such as Caravaggio or Rembrandt. so that's what i did. I'm replicating 3 paintings one from Caravaggio and Rembrandt and another painter that i can't remember the name of. but yea here are the originals


so i made up the canvases of the paintings and here are resent pictures of my work now

Thesis project... not quite there yet.

This is work By Susan moore. Her work was suggested to me by Paul. I quite enjoy it. It really emphasizes on the tattoo itself. I also enjoy the fact that the tattoo is put on, what i would consider, normal bodies. the figures are not idealized in anyway. It sends this message that tattoos aren't just for "attractive" people and that tattoo is more about expression than a decorative ornament . The emphasis of the tattoo is kind of what i'm going for in my work but at the same time, i know i can't do work like this. It is similar to what i have planned which is displaying a tattoo on the body. However having a tattoo on a figure i feel is too simple of an idea and it doesn't quite get the point across that Tattoos are Art. And when i say art i mean, high Art.

Crazy idea

ok, so this might not work but it's a thought....

How about instead of trying to figure out how to do some sort of major painting for my thesis, i get one of my friends to come down and give me or someone else a tattoo for 2 hours or so in the gallery during the opening. i'll try to get a tattoo chair and all and then perhaps make some painting of tattoo designs and hang them on the wall behind where me or whoever is getting the tattoo. i don't know just thought of it, and figured maybe i should write it down.

2 Sentences about my work

My work represents the desired union of Tattoos and the Fine art world. Tattoos are art aswelll, and this idea brings tattoos into the gallery instead of the tattoo parlor.

Options for when i graduate

1) http://www.cfeva.org/artist_application.aspx
This the Site for CFEVA (Center For emerging Visual Artists). this facility is a 2 year program, that's almost like graduate school. But instead of getting your MFA you are getting experience and a foot in the door to a career in Art. You are essentially taking a program to get good PR skills and publicity.

2) http://artemerging.com/ This site is called ArtEmerging.com : The Emerging Visual Artists' Gateway to Success. It is basically a phone book of scholarships, grants, jobs and so on for the emerging artists. Simply skim through it and you'll find endless possibilities.

3) http://www.theartlist.com/ This is The Art List. it's a web site for artists and photographers to find exhibitions and other opportunities for income. you simply have to sign up on their mailing list and you'll receive news on contests for exhibitions, and jobs.

Lost episode: chapter 6

Th chapter was a bit long and boring for me, however, there were to some thought provoking issues that were brought up about how Takashi Murakami does his work.

"An artist is someone who understands the border between this world and that one. ... I change my direction or continue in the same direction by seeing people's reaction. ... But I work by trail and error to be popular." - This makes me kind of worried. i feel the my work should be something i do that I like not how the consumer likes it. It's like a trap. i see this with musicians like Aerosmtih, the band was popular and still is however they're new albums are not as popular anymore and when they have concerts everyone is expecting them to play their old songs when, as musicians, they want to perform their new work that know one seems to like because the songs are different than their old hits. As an artist, i would be absolutley crushed if i felt the need to express myself in a new way and just because it was different people turned away from it.

- i found it interesting that Murakami has so many studios. i try to put myself in his place, i'm not sure how i would feel having so many. granted he needs those because of the staff of artists he has underneath him. but i see my studio as a home base. I keep all my work together because having my work in front me helps me to develop and evolve. i see a painting that i have completed, and if i like it, i ask myself "How do i take this a step further". but i guess being that Murakami has such, well, an empire, the need to make work based off of old work isn't really necessary.

- Now the fact that he has so many people doing his work for him, kind of makes me mad. i feel its unfair to a certain extent. but i also feel that, if it were me, i would feel guilty about excepting credit for a piece of work that i didn't do from beginning to end. my work is something that is apart of me and if i shared in the process of the work i would feel the piece wasn't entirely my own.

Garry and Megan, discusion on Nov. 13th

I feel that the students sort of attack against Garry and Megan about the thesis was unfair. These students that claimed to have suffered because the thesis proposal assignment had no real structure and that Garry and Megan didn't give enough feed back. I can agree that the thesis proposal should have been the main focus of the class from day one, and something that was touched on at every class meeting. but in response to the students, if this was an issue wouldn't it have been a smarter thing to address this issue before the thesis proposal was due instead of complaining the day it was due? I think these students were simply making excuses and trying to compensate for their lack of work and effort on the proposal. i'm not trying to make myself the good student here, i mean, i waited until the last minute to do the proposal and that's probably what happened to some of them. So instead of complaining that there was no structure maybe they should be a little more apologetic and accept the fact that their thesis was not up to par because it was their fault for not starting it early enough or asking questions early enough. We did receive the requirement sheet for the proposal the 2nd time the class met back in September.
In response to the group meeting every friday for next semester. i think that is a great idea. these students want structure, well here it is. with weekly meetings this pushes students to work at least once a week( WHICH IS SOMETHING THEY SHOULD BE DOING ANYWAY) so that way they have something to present to their group at the end of the week. The group discussions i would consider another incentive or motivation to actually get work done.
By the way... You students are flippin seniors, you are fine arts majors, this is your THESIS class, this should be your priority anyway. this is your last chance to get to show your work for free without hassle or BS before you have to enter the real world and have to go through the challenge to find places to show your work, which i would imagine is going to be a lot harder than writing a thesis proposal. You should be thankful that you are given this opportunity to even show your work.