Happy Thanksgiving

For all those inspired by the holiday season, I hope you have a fantastic one! Take plenty of time to relax and reflect on the past experiences of the year!

Lines of Inspiration- A Critique on Renoe Alexander (Musical Artist)

Looking at a number of artists, visual and musical, I can't help but think of their sources of inspiration. Anything from a landscape with cultural roots to a preceding artist. The thought that you can take influences from multiple places and compile them into this mess of ideas and thoughts to call your own.

I've recently been on a musical artist kick, in particular Yann Tiersen, Chris Garneau and Johnny Cash. All different sides of the musical spectrum, but none of them compromising their musical genieus. I travel from song to song, video to video trying to understand these artists; look at influences and look for cultural references. I fell into a moment of weakness this week though.

An artist, in his own right, Renoe Alexander displays his videos on youtube. After listening to a number of his covers, though well sung, I was under-whelmed and frustrated. He was very accurate in duplicating a style. Distinct styles that these other artists encompass. Bringing little to nothing of his own, not even other influences. I kept telling myself, "if I want to hear this song, I can just listen to the original version." But I neglected to think about his intention. Was it his intention to make these covers to expand his musical vocabulary? To show off his ability to duplicate? In my hasty judgement, I developed this tunnel vision and closed my mind.



I've recently downloaded his free EP, called "For When Your Skin is Cold." Safe to say, I was hasty. This EP is like many others, mostly organic in nature. Mainly acoustic and recording equipment isn't the best, but this lends itself to a more honest experience. With a mix of classic seasonal songs and some original songs by the artist, it is a nice little compilation of musical range and self expression. With his voice being subdued at times and whiley at others, it is a good start for this artist. Though in the covers, I would like to see more personality shine through, they are nicely done. With much room to grow, this is a major accomplishment for any artist. Good luck Mr. Renoe Alexander.

Podcast Idea still alive and well!

Numerous "should haves" and lack of tools has delayed this idea of podcasting. But! Fear not! I am on the market looking for a digital recorder! After a drunken/green bean casserole night talking about everything from the colour spectrum to survival of the fittest to antibiotics, it is apparent that we must record for the sake of a continued discussion and a catalogue of objective views!

Where the Wild Things Are - A Perspective of a Generation

The actual book, "Where the Wild Things Are" is just a brief memory of my childhood. I remember mostly the penwork of the illustrations and the neutral, drab colours of monsters that overcome the composition on the pages. When it comes to context, nothing rings a bell. I may even remember the book on an episode of the Reading Rainbow...

This translates to a unique perspective of the movie. I still had the feeling that I was in on something. The feeling you get when you feel your generation was exposed to something that not every other generation was (which is not the case at all). This is the same feeling when I see that a Roald Dahl book is made into a movie, who was my favourite author as a child. This feeling, I think, helps someone connect and immerse themselves into a movie moreso than someone who hasn't heard of it.

The movie, a great movie. I was surprised at the context of the movie! It is the very complex, mature subject of personal relationships and maintaining them. A scenario that everyone can relate to one way or another. Don't get me wrong, even if a child couldn't relate to this so much, the visuals and comic relief is enough to keep them entertained. The characters deal with loss, competition, jealousy and social norms along with happiness, hope and accomplishment. These elements provoke a feeling of depression and is sometimes threatening.

In terms of cinematography, this movie is fantastic. Contemporary approaches are used in terms of the costume and effects while maintaining a vintage-like feeling. Gestures are over the top to translate emotion so that we can relate to them and everything seems very well crafted and well thought out.

This movie does fall short in some areas. There is quite a few scenes and ideas that drag on. A lack of some character development, but it may also add to the subjective viewpoint of the main character, Max.

Overall a great movie, leaves you with mixed emotions.

Thursday AKA "Dia de Artes"

Thursdays have always been a day to veg for me. It is the day of the
infamous Fresno Art Hop, midnight movies and usually a pretty light day in terms of a "to do" list. So I tend to take this day slow and enjoy the good things. Walks are plentiful, cycling is a must, blogging and reading is mandatory. The sun seems to shine favorably and the clouds aline perfectly.

I start the day off with a movie, a healthy bountiful breakfast and then off to class. But I am looking forward to the rest of the day. Primarily because I'm thinking of hitting up the Fresno Met with my cousin that came in from out of town. Also going to see a couple movies; Paranormal Activity, Where the Wild Things Are and/or Whip It! Which you will promptly see feedback. Maybe in the form of a podcast... (eh, eh?!)

The Fresno Met has some interesting exhibits this month, including some sketchbooks of Matisse. Marc Chagall has an exhibit as well, which I admit, I have not had a chance to explore. It should be a good day. It will be a good day

Richard Diebenkorn (Visual Artist)

I first heard of this artist from my art professor. Then I thought to myself, "Why have I not heard of this man!" I was turned on to his "Ocean Park Series" that is an abstraction of landscapes. Here is one of his pieces of that series.

When I see one of his pieces of this series, I get this overwhelming calm feeling. The soft, almost watercolour effect and colours reminds me of the "ocean." Geometric shapes and simple line add to the effect and are just overall satisfying to look at. The paintings deals with a lot of asymmetrical balance. Pulled back and fourth by colour.

Okay, so less of the elements and let's get more personal. The level of abstraction on the pieces are fantastic. The process of painting/drawing something so many times and abstracting it and keeping the feeling. It's concept that makes me want to get up and start on a project. I have yet to see his pieces in person, but I will eventually make a pilgrimage to a museum soon.

If anyone is a Sufjan Stevens fan, a musical artist, both artists have something in common. Diebenkorn has lived in many places around the world. In each place a certain series was created and evolved. This relation is brought on my Sufjan Steven's announcement to create a album for each state called "The 50 States Project", to capture the mood of each state with history and cultural references. Like Sufjan, Diebenkorn captures the place that he lives in visually. For example, Albuqeurque period, Berkley period and Sausalito period. I believe that capturing your environment intentionally is a common subject but is never tiring. Each artist interacts within their environments, so it would only be apparent that it would influence their work.

I have found some inspiration to keep the art critics in the groove and make us write more. I'm am starting a podcast. Listeners will be able to listen to our conversations about movies, music, visual artists, performance arts and anything else that might fuel the fire. I'm thinking about making it a weekly thing. So stayed tuned!

Sage Vaughn (Visual Artist)

The first art critic blog has to be a visual artist. For more than one reason. The artist that I'm looking at is Sage Vaughn, an urban contemporary artist whose paintings inspire and are very expressive. His works are similar to Banksy, looking unfinished... with conviction. What I mean by this is that there is a lack of detail that only furthers the type of media that is used. Sage Vaughn uses recycled materials and the final outcome looks like a finished, cohesive and relatively aged with through the use of abstract painting approaches. The washes on both his "Wildlives" and his "Wildlife" series have minimal detail, brining all the detail to the figure. Which all the peices have one figure of focus, be it a child or a bird on a chain link fence. 

The choice of colour bring cohesiveness to each piece, almost looking like pastel. All of the elements work together to capture a unified feeling. For example, in his painting titled "Sleepwalker."

This painting simply translates to me as the stereotypical view of childhood. Bright use of primary colours, whimsical pose and implied innocence. This is countered by that almost morbid use of the dripping "red" paint and the little girl's dark face. I feel a connection with the oxymoronic feeling that describes the way an urban childhood really is. Not entirely innocent, yet not hell (the implied background gives me this feeling)

The composition excites me. Look at the vertical elements and the ambiguity of space. The abstract building in the background balances nicely with the detailed figure in the foreground. But where is the figure? She is obviously standing on a platform in the foreground, but the faint background seems flat, driving you to oppose placing yourself within the painting.

I believe that sage's art relates to a large audience because of the use of human figures, abstract imagery and familiar details. As humans, we can relate to another human just by our form. And the use of children furthers the audience a younger crowd, that as well as everyones nolstalgia of being a child. The abstract imagery with minimal detail simply implies, allowing the viewer not to work too hard.

Here are some other paintings by Sage Vaughn: