Charcoal Still Life - #2

Alright. Here is another charcoal still life. I really enjoyed this one because it combined three things I love to draw, but still challenge me. A sphere (Technically it is there.. It is peeking in on the left edge), flowers, and glass. All things considered I am happy with it. A few things I could be happier about, but that is a  never ending problem for artists  :)
I hope you enjoy it!
James
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PS.
Sorry it is crooked. Couldn't get a better shot head on so the angles are funny  :)

Art

I hate art. Now this is a paradox about me, because some of you may have noticed that I love to draw. In fact. I just happen to love art.

That is the reason that I need to write this post. I need to write down and share what I feel about the concept of art.

Merriam Webster's definition of art:

-skill acquired by experience, study, or observation

-the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects; also works so produced

Noah Webster defines art as:

"The disposition or modification of things by human skill, to answer the purpose intended. In this sense, art stands opposed to nature."

(Notice the word skill. I'll come back to that later)

Now I of course will be stepping on some toes with what I have to say in the rest of this post. I have warned you all.

But I have reached a point (second semester. It took so long) in which I already find myself questioning the definitions and ideas of art that are prevalent at least among many of my teachers. This idea can be summed up by one of my text books quite simply: "Art is anything that is not necessary to survival or reproduction"

Now. Under this definition just about everything is art. Here is where I run into a problem. I am more than willing to accept the idea of art in a very broad range of subjects, situations, and  styles. But I have set standards in my thinking. These standard are of skill and beauty. One of my favorite definitions of art (loosely quoted from my high school art teacher) is that anything can be an art. IF it is done beautifully. That doesn't mean it will necessarily end up looking like a perfect sunset. By beauty I mean: of a particularly graceful, ornamental, or excellent quality. (Merriam Webster). There is art in being a mechanic and fixing a transmission. But that art is defined by the quality of the mechanic’s work, not by the fact that he did something to a car. It is an art because he did that work well, and because of the skills he has that I do not have.

So this is my definition of art:

Creating something beautiful by doing it deliberately. To create a piece of excellence in all aspects of that craft, trade, or action to the best of one's ability and with all of one's skill.

If I can see that in someone's work, I know I am looking at art. But at this point I cannot accept that everything holds the status of art, simply because it does not lead directly to my very survival.

Now let me clarify my opening statement.

I love art. It is a passion that God has given me, and I hope and pray that that passion can be seen in my work.

And this is why I hate art. I hate the direction art has been going, and is continuing to go. We live in a culture where the standards of quality are disappearing. And it has come to infect the world of art. Art should be the epitome of a culture. I don't care if I become famous for my art (although that would be definitely be cool) I care about striving for the highest goal. Striving to show what God can do through me. Striving to create real beauty. Not just a pretty sunset, a product that anyone can look at and say. "That is excellent" a product that might one day let me hear the words, "well done" from the lips that matter most.

If anyone reads this, I would love to hear your opinion.

And have a great day. =)

--James

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Graphite Still Life - #1

Hope you all enjoy!
I wish I could have gotten a better photo, but I can't claim fantastic skills in everything.
As always, I hope that this picture encourages, blesses, or inspires you.
And of course, enjoy!
<><   SDG   ><>

Charcoal Still Life - #1

Well. Once again it is time for another post of my work.

This is my favorite out-of-class piece from last semester. It was a short assignment, and I had a lot of fun working on the canning jar, but overall it turned into one of my nicest pieces.

An Exercise in Surrealism

     I took Art Practices I this past semester. It was a good class. I wouldn't take it ever again. However, one of the cool projects we had to do was create an imagined landscape.

     I had a lot of trouble with this assignment. For one thing I was never much of a surrealist artist. For another we had to use acrylic paints which I have never really enjoyed painting with. I did like this picture though. Something about the idea behind it has been in my head for years, and this project gave me a chance to finally get it out on canvas. Someday I may come back to it and try to work out the idea again, but for now, enjoy!

Soli Deo Gloria

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Conte Still Life

      Here is one of the last large scale drawings I did last semester. It was an experiment for me in using conte crayons. I am not sure how I feel about the medium yet, it isn't my favorite, but I like the way this picture turned out. 

Enjoy!
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Ondori

Another one of my older pieces, I need to borrow a camera before I can get anything new out, but I have a few more pictures I can show off till then.
Still, this is one of my favorites, and probably always will be, I have always loved to draw birds, and this is one of my best.
As always, enjoy!

James
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Artwork One

Alright.
I said I would get something up this week, and hopefully I'll get some more up soon. This isn't a recent piece, but  it is a personal favorite of mine:

Beta

I feel like I should post something today. It has been a few days, and a pretty fun year.
I have been excessively lazy since I was on break and I don't have any art ready to post yet. I'll get on that this next week and hopefully have a bit of my work posted before spring semester starts.
In the mean time I have kept busy, and thought I might share some of my escapades and adventures with my friends that are a must for every well-rounded individual.
Build a tennis ball mortar
Play Settlers of Catan
Go snowboarding or skiing
Read (book seven at the moment!)
Hang out
Read some more
Build fires
Take an accelerated class in which you learn about:
-a- The stupidity of English Spelling
-b- The truly wonderful world of Phonetics
-c- The versatility of 4 letter words
Eat wonderful food
And above all, sleep in every day you get  :)

All in all it has been a wonderful break. At this point I wish it had lasted a few weeks longer, but still a wonderful break filled with the blessings of family and friends.

 - dzejmz

Inauguration

This is the beginning.
My blog of life experiences if they ever become exciting enough to share. And a chance for me to show off a piece of who I am through my art and writing such as it is.
I want you expect a lot from this blog.
My dream is to encourage you with the beauty God reveals to me, and my hope is that you can encourage me to always see that beauty.