I'm Not Jackson!!!!

After receiving some feedback about my previous posting from a well-intentioned Tamale peer, I realized that a lot of people may see me as some kind of an art fraud. First of all, I will explain my series that I am working on in more detail once I have more paintings completed. But to set the record straight momentarily, I am only working on a series. It is not my style nor is it a style that I am attempting to use forever –well, I guess if it sells and gets me rich, then you can call me a kitschy artist. I am only using the technique for a few paintings because it is conveying emotions, memories, and flashbacks that I can’t convey in any other way. In fact, my other paintings are going to consist of objects, chicken wire, talc, weaving, and even volcanic ash (actually, the close-up I previously posted does have volcanic ash).

Because I don’t want people to think that all I can do is throw paint all over a canvas, I thought that I should share some art I have done in the past that got selected into two annual juried shows at California State University, Hayward (oops, I mean, East Bay). I was –and still am –completely honored to be in each show, especially since I am not an Art Studio major.

2006-2007 Annual Juried Show

This one was the first portrait that I ever painted, so he looks a little on the pale side –I did it in a Painting I class using oils.

That square in his hair is just a glare.

This one I actually did in high school with rendering pencils. I could probably pull off a better drawing now since I’m a little more experienced (not much more experienced, but a little does make a difference).

2007-2008 Annual Juried Show –won an award

This was the first painting I ever did that involved warping figures –this is definitely a style that I’m going to experiment with some more. I really enjoy layering with oils and it’s a technique that I’m going to stick with. Because I got into a car accident after starting this piece, I actually had to paint the top half upside-down because I could not lift my arms (I even had to tape paint brushes together in order to reach the canvas). The sides of the canvas are also covered in gold leaf.

Some Close-Ups

I did not submit anything for the 2008-2009 year because I didn't take an art class that whole academic year (in order submit anything, one has to fullfill that requirement).

I didn’t plan on making this a show-off session, but I was a little concerned that people may make assumptions that I’m just copying other artists. As an Art History major, I would never do anything of that sort –or at least not intentionally. Again, when I get more paintings going, I’ll explain the purpose of my series. If you got this far, thanks for reading!

In Memory of Michael Jackson

I wanted to write something in memory of the Michael Jackson a.k.a. the King of Pop. There have been tributes and there will continue to be tributes to honor the King of Pop, but I think that the best homage comes from….Nature.*

*italicized Nature: must be whispered slowly in order to get its complete effect

Nature: Yes, Nature. I don’t mean the tree-hugging, hair-growing, and no-bathing rituals to “save some water” kind-of-Nature (if that’s your thing, by all means). I’m talking about Nature in art: Things that have been created without the initial purpose or thought of creating art. To simplify things, it’s just art that naturally happens.

Art and Nature: Nature has created a lot of art, specifically religious art. In fact, you have a good chance of finding an image of Jesus in your lunch or the Virgin Mary on a building somewhere.

For Example:

Virgin Mary on a 10-yr. old grilled cheese sandwich

(the sandwich sold on eBay for $28,000)

Jesus on a frying pan

(sold on eBay to an online gambling company)

Virgin Mary water stain

underneath the Kennedy Expressway in Chicago

Jesus as a Cheeto

(a.k.a. "Cheesus")

Virgin Mary in fire-damaged home in Mexico

Jesus on a tree

in front of a health club in Illinois



Lady of Guadalupe on a tree

in Rogers Park in Chicago

How Does This Relate to Michael Jackson?: I saw on the news two days ago that you can now find an image of Michael Jackson’s face on a tree stump in Stockton, CA. A tree stump?! Yes way!!! Nobody, other that Mary or Jesus, can get their face on a tree stump. Personally, I think that’s the greatest honor.

Modified:

OK, it’s kinda hard to make out his face on the stump -it looks more like Mickey Mouse being flushed down the toilet to me. I guess it was difficult for the Nature Gods to make a perfect impression with all of the face transformations the King of Pop has gone through in his life. Nevertheless, Michael Jackson made a lasting impression on many of us and his music will be listened to for many generations to come.

The Man, The Legend: Thomas Kinkade

I didn’t want to write another blog so soon, but I was absolutely shocked this morning after reading the SF Chronicle. I was debating whether or not I should report this, but I feel that it is important for the world to finally see the truth.

When you look at these kitschy paintings, you feel a great sense of relief, calmness, tranquility, and relaxation. The sensory information eventually overwhelms your brain so much with these feelings that your neurons turn off and you become a zombie that can only repeat to yourself, “I wish I could live there,” “Oh, that’s so beautiful and cute,” and “I’ve gotta buy this calendar for Grandma.”

Yes, you have been duped by artist Thomas Kinkade. I apologize, I should correct myself. He describes himself not as an artist, but as the “Painter of Light.”

Some Background Information: The Painter of Light wasn’t born with this prestigious title. He was just an ordinary man who painted until he became a born-again Christian. After being converted, Kinkade stated, “God became my art agent” –and so began his journey using religious themes in his art that zapped the neurons out of so many innocent Americans.

Don’t get me wrong, the Painter of Light can paint. He does create very detailed paintings that awe and inspire many people. But if you can get God as your art agent, then you’re pretty much set for life. That is, until I read the newspaper this morning.

The Twist: It turns out that the Painter of Light only became friends with Jesus to help persuade people into feeling that they could trust him due to his religious affiliations. How I see it: Friends with Benefits.

The Scandal: The Painter of Light has been charged with fraud and owes $2.1 million to two former art gallery owners (the two owners became a married couple). According to the couple, they had been “lied to and cheated and broken, and are broke because of the deceit they endured at the hands of Thomas Kinkade.” What? At the hands of Jesus’ BFF? Mind-boggling!

Long Story Short:
Turns out the Painter of Light used his religion as a way to create a business relationship with the couple. The gallery owners were convinced that they were going to help “in spreading the light… [and that] their business was blessed.”

As a result, The Painter of Light had the gallery owners sell Kinkade paintings at a minimum retail price. What the couple didn’t know was that the Painter of Light would also sell the same paintings on cable television at a discount price. Scandalous!

In Other Words:
Because the Painter of Light was selling his paintings cheaper than the art gallery owners, he was able to sell more of his paintings. Thus, the art gallery owners went out of business and have taken the Painter of Light to court.

My Notes to Jesus: I’m sorry, Jesus. Nobody saw this coming. I guess a celebrity, such as yourself, has to be careful because you never know who will exploit your friendship.

For more information on the story:
Egelko, B. (2009, June 18). Damages for gallery owners reinstated against Kinkade. San Francisco Chronicle.