Profile Picture

For my 4x4 picture I decided to start with a picture of myself holding a pair of DJ headphones in a sort of amber lighting over the photo. The headphones and boom box in the painting help display my complete and utter love/appreciation for listening and creating music. I gave the photo an amber sort of lighting due to the fact that the color usually implies a sort of blissful, vintage feel to a picture. In the top right corner using a selected poem by Pablo Neruda, "World's End", with the translation by William O'Daly

"and that's why i have to go back

to so many places

there to find myself

and constantly examine myself

with no witness but the moon

and then whistle with joy

ambling over rocks and clods of earth

with no task but to live

with no family but the road"

This was presented to suggest my deep enthusiasm towards poetry. Also, the part of the poem I chose is a great keystone on how to live life, for myself anyways. Standing on the palm of my right hand is an old photo of my twin brother and myself at the age of about 3. The quote "Real Horrorshow" cradling the bottom of my right palm is from one of my favorite books, A Clockwork Orange. Anthony Burgess created a language all his own, and is truly a marvel. Being a twin is a main point of my life, it's a strong connection, especially for 18 years and one I personally always like to remember what the both of us are doing. This has only been my second time using Photoshop, but I will definitely be using more of it in the future.

First Post. three questions answered.

Art to me is an outlet to convey ideas and concepts that cannot be expressed eloquently through words or speech. Also, experiencing the view points and ideas of other artists and influences help display the variety and diversity of the world around us. Art is made to display ideas, to give hope, sorrow, grief, love, and the many simple and complex emotions human beings experience in all different stages of this life.

There are many influences as well as artists that inspire and comfort me. One of the most recent artists I have discovered is a street artist that goes by the name Boleta. Dominating the streets of Brazil, Boleta cruises around on his bike and uses graffiti to make inspiring creations wherever he so pleases. Please take a moment to check out this video, you will not regret it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfOAiIKCpzo&feature=player_embedded

Another artist that inspires me is Paul Freeman. A surreal artist that hides hidden Sanskrit into most paintings, he has toured around the world with artists such as Alex Grey and others. Paul Freeman does the artwork for my twin brother's band Emkultra, an up and coming progressive band based out of Phoenix. Here is an assortment of his work

The last example of my influences is a man who comes from the music world as well as displays breath taking artwork, Brandon Boyd of Incubus created a whole series of works named Ectoplasm. Being a musician as well, it is simply incredible that someone can succeed in both areas. Here is some of his work that you might enjoy.

Why did i want to take this class? Besides the obvious point of requirement, this class presented an opportunity for me to really learn and grow as an artist while gathering important and useful information when thrown out into the real world of artisan-ship.