I love talking about nothing. It is the only thing I know anything about.

Oscar Wilde

Let There be Light

Let There be Light
Originally uploaded by My Art4Life.

I am finally getting around to posting a photo of one of my pieces of art. I am hoping in the next month to add links to other online locations where I have artwork posted. I think this blog could definitely use some colour!

"Dare to be naive."

Buckminster Fuller

MFA the new MBA...

Or so says the Harvard Business Review (February, 2004), Daniel H. Pink, who claims that "an arts degree is now perhaps the hottest credential in the world of business." This is exciting news to me, even though it is potentially 2 years old. I guess it takes that long for revelation to travel all the way to Prince George. September 2006, Frieze magazine discusses the demand for interdisciplinary studies to feed the creative economies. This is in action at IDEO who designs,'products, services, environments and experiences'. Its employees work in interdisciplinary teams whose collaborative ideas and 'stimulating creative hybrids'(frieze,The Art Market, R. Jones)are the natural order of business. Innovation is a desired skill!

I think I'll be going ahead with my decision to pursue a MFA(MAster of Fine Arts)at Emily Carr College of Art and Design. It will require that institute to accept my 'interdisciplinary' background of post-secondary and experience on par with a Bachelor's Degree. After reviewing their site on Prior Learning Assessment, I think it can be done, but it'll be a long haul. None the less, "Art is making something out of nothing and selling it." according to Frank Zappa, and that is what I intend to do.

why even bother...

I have absolutely nothing to say. If you read this then you must have nothing to do. Isn't it great to have a blank mind and lots of time to enjoy it. aahhhhh.....

gifts of the spirit

A friend pointed me to this art by Irene Kordalis Pedersen which is created in the spirit. Moved by her faith in the God of Abraham, she uses scripture from the Bible as a backdrop on which she hangs words, colours and shapes as she is so moved by her God-breathed inner spirit. Otherwise known as the "Holy Spirit" or the "Rouach HaKodesh". In order to successfully do this, a person must clear the mind of any cognative thoughts, those of order, reason, evaluation, critisism and let the tools and the paint flow. I believe it is possible to connect with the creative spirit of God and let God move and direct the painting of a visual. These paintings by Irene are amazing and have some very interesting colour and symbolism that I immediately recognize and relate to. Others who have seen her work in person feel the same. This "spirit-led" work is not an isolated incidence. Musicians have attempted "spirit-led" Jazz, like my friend Jeremy Stewart. This work is large!

attendance is essential

if you are going to succeed. I repeated that phrase several times yesterday to the fresh and enthusiastic faces in my New Media Illustration class. At first it seemed like any other piece of advice offered by a knowing individual...something to quickly blow off, however, as I think about it this morning, this phrase may offer something more tangible. How many times have you gone through your day performing a series of automated responses? "Today is the same as yesterday and it will be the same for tomorrow." you might think. We are not really present in some (or all) of our daily tasks, but attendance is essential! We need to be present, in the moment while we go through our day in order to succeed. And I think this applies to everything we do whether it is bagging groceries or running the corporation. All have a dream, but none will ever succeed unless they have habitually applied discipline to whatever task they are currently engaged in! Making it a daily habit builds confidence and the ability to follow through.
Rick Bartow,an established, contemporary First Nations Artist says that it is not a matter of talent and inspiration that has given him success, but rather logging the hours in the studio. He goes every day and applies himself, whether he feels inspired to do it, or not. Marshall Arisman, Illustrator says, "Artists will never be satisfied, and anyone who tries to satisfy them is a fool." If you can substitute your name in the above statement, then all the more important is attendance for you. Know one else is responsible for your happiness and success...only you.