Artistic Philosophy
I take photographs, print them black and white on paper then collage the photos (which have been enlarged) on a panel or paper and then draw from the live model over that and then print over that or take it into painting. The floors of San Marcos, for example
were photographed and then printed and then manholes were printed over those prints and then drawings or paintings were made over that. This gives me a certain creative
freedom away making a fixed goal oriented 'master piece' and I can be just as surprised as the stranger or audience who may happen to see the work. The work is always open,
as long as its in my studio, to changes and evolvement. Picasso worked somewhat like this. You know there are so many Picasso prints of the artists work around; I may just
reverse negative print it and then draw over that and no one can sue me over that. It's Richard Prince and his work on Willem de Kooning, or Prince's word paintings being
obviously influenced by Jasper Johns.
I have some photo copied prints of David Smith's Cubist Sculptures. I collage those onto paper and then made drawings and paintings over them. Wrapping paper, my manhole cover prints, patterned fabric, landscapes that
I painted, other drawings all kinds of geometric formations have been used-paint-splattered surfaces and much more are first prepared in anticipation of creating art over
them later. I think that art is a great active live agent for gathering knowledge. I think that without imagination there can be no knowledge. Art is the process of imaging. Without
that process we could never SEE the possibility of heart transplant, liver, kidney, or lung transplant. My art has to be alarming, unsettling, interesting, out of the box- paradigm
breaking. It has to be difficult, challenging, and not too familiar. I would always, every minute, try to imagine the best because through that imaging: even the worst ( when and
if it come to me) will turn out the best. This has been already verified many times in my experience.
1. I was poorly educated up through high school. I get scholarship to Art School and finally get perfect grades up through student teaching for a Bachelors Of
Art Education for teaching high school. At the last minute I am kicked out the program because the system does not like my innovative way of teaching. I was working quite
well right before my master teachers eyes but they said it would never work. So I got a MFA and ended up with an excellent job teaching at a University only two days a week
for 42 years and can never be fired and that's only 58 days out of the year and I have great SS funds and excellent retirement. Much better than teaching high school!!!
2. My van breaks down and It costs 298. To fix the breaks. I save the rotors ( circular break drums) print with them on canvas and in anticipatory prep. works. These works are
sold and I gross 2,400.!!
3. My van breaks down again ( Transmission). While walking to work I see manholes and start a creative process with them which has become a huge success. More exciting and fun stories on the manhole adventure will follow.
4. Smudges and drips my pants have turned into many painted pants performances and yes many stories.
