opinions?

[isl]

have a look at my site and let me know what ya think.

www.islartworks.com

[artfortruth]

Your pen and ink illustrations aren't bad, not unique or original (very early-mid 20th c surrealist) but technically sound. You have a soft organic line coupled with a strong Florentine edge. Your work has a feminine feel to it, I was suprised to see you were not a woman. Your pastels and color work do not show the same skill (technique wise). Those are like wise very Matisse/Picasso/Derain, derivitive. What are you aiming for in those? The color seems arbitrary, some more than others. You could be using your color to better tell your stories (they seem rather emotoionally charged and would be well served with emotionally charged color usage.) I would suggest you look at shape, and line in the pastels as you do in the inks, and use a softer palet with more gray to pull the pieces together. Also look at Eves Tanguay, Dali, Picasso, Kirchner, Matisse, Andre Derain, Modigliani, and even Emil Nolde. Remember, the goal of any Artist in it for the right reasons is not to copy the past but to exceed it. By looking at some of these guys and studying their line and pallet you will be better prepared to go beyond them. If illustrating is your fortay, than childrens books or tatoos may be right up your alley. Your work has more potential than most stuff I've seen here, but still needs a LOT of work. Your range is pretty good. I do not know what your intententions are, but the graphiti skater style in of itself is a dead end beyond illustrating or decorating (not that those things are bad, its just not Art). If you were to take the next step and really make that style unique and meaningful beyond being descriptive, you may have something. Good luck.

[isl]

hi,

the only name i reconized in there was picasso! i have never taken a single art class or lesson in my entire life and have never even been to an art gallery! my lack of reconized art establishment techniques and procedures could probably be traced to that. so even though i haven't got the slightest clue what you just said i can only take it as a compliment that my self taught styles reminds you of some other artists. thanks again for your comments. keep studying your art history who knows maybe someday you can read about me!

peace
ISL

[artfortruth]

Without any knowledge of past Artists, Art, or any formal understanding, noone will ever read about you. I know that an honest critique based on TRUTH as oppossed to taste or opinion is hard for people to take (i know it was for me), but it is to your own benefit to take such assesments seriously. That your work reminds me of real Artists from the past is no compliment, it means that even if you were unaware of it you were COPYING them. That is only one reason why knowing history is important, how else will you know what's already been done? There is a term for people of your background (or lack thereof) and it is called outsider artists. That is a fad, very few Artists (and I mean almost noone) who have thus far stood the test of time were untrained outsiders. Henri Rousseau (turn of the 20th c) is the ONLY one that comes to mind. I do not believe that in this world where everyone and their grandmother's dead dog thinks they're an Artist can a person such as yourself have any impact on culture. Artist are not haphazzard hobbyists who paint for fun or therapy, they are hardworking, dedicated scientists who sacrifice blood sweat and tears for years on end to achieve their own distict line (or voice, if you will). People who are unwilling to take criticism, or who turn comments such as mine into compliments without trying to understand what those comments really mean have no business calling themselves Artists. So take heed! If you are serious about being an Artist, you will have to get over your ego. These are facts, passed on from centuries and centuries of progress, not the opinions of some self-rightous asshole who has nothing better to do than diss peoples work online. I say these things because I LOVE Art, I live for it, and it breaks my heart to see it continually bastardized by those who are unwilling to look beyond themselves. Art is not about taste, fads, self expression, democracy or opinions. As the great living Artist Tom Blodgett says, Art is about Art and nothing else. I hope that you don't see this as an attack but rather as words of wisdom given specificly for YOUR benefit. Good luck

[From the Heart]

Your art Rocks Isl! I enjoyed looking at your creations.

Hey Artfortruth snoot. You should spend more time enjoying the fact people are expressing themselves. Do you think you're original?? You're book smart and thats far from being original. That's very main stream and shallow. Go quote that to your snooty coffee house art friends.

[artfortruth]

From the heart - I appreciate your response, it is not the first time I have received such comments. The common attitude is that Art is a means of self expression, and therefore found in the eye of the beholder. Purists who believe in an ageold idea of truth and human evolution such as myself are being suffocated by solupsism and self importance. I celebrate creativity and self expression but I also see it for what it is. Do you think that Artists such as Rembrandt, Da Vinci, or Picasso were merely pulled out of a hat from a confused hodge podge of mediocrity? The fact is that some people achieve what others cannot, it is necessay for human progress, and in the midst of that struggle for greatness one is confronted by an absolute, a standard, without which there would be no progress. To excel beyond the standard and change it, as all the greats did, one MUST both recognize and master the past, to know the rules in order to add to them. Artist don't break rules, the expand upon them. What I have said to Ian, and what I say now, are not opinions. I can't stress that enough. I don't hang out in coffee shops talkin' shit, I study and work in my studio. Nor will I call myself an Artist until I am certain that my work can hang with the sublime. What I offered Ian was an honest critique based on TRUTH, not because I am an asshole but because I love ART and desire to pass on things that I had to learn the hard way. I accept the mediocrity that plagues this board, this country (USA), indeed this world, but I will not succumb to it. I accept that people such as Ian don't want "negative" feedback although I know it is the only way to progress as an Artist. I say let people paint and express themselves. But if you are going to call it Art, be prepared for criticism. What your comments show me is that you do not have the same level of tolerance as I do; you resort to insults and assumptions and are NOT accepting of those who see or know things that you do not. It would be funny if it wasn't so deadly. So, from the heart, I ask you to be tolerant. If you do not care about the standard of perfection real Artists must meet, if you don't want to believe that Art is not in the eye of the behloder at all, than be accepting of those who do. You might even learn something. Good luck

[isl]

Sorry to ruffle your feathers there lil’ buddy! I don’t believe I said anything about being bothered by negative criticism but that is neither here nor there.

It appears we are on the opposite sides of the same coin my brother. You believe that unless an artist takes time to study the history of art and its various techniques, styles etc that he will contribute to the “bastardization” of art. You may very well be right but it is my belief that the academic elite have dissected and categorized the institution of art to such a degree that it is fast becoming nothing more than an intellectual pursuit. I too agree that a vast majority of people in the art establishment have absolutely no reason to be there but sadly have been promoted and accepted into the fold by the very elitism that you are projecting.

I’m sure that Oregon has a very fine program and the knowledge you have and are obtaining there will undoubtedly serve you very well in your career but I personally have no interest in artists that have come before me, their styles, movements, colour theories, techniques et al. I don’t believe my skill would be any better served by emulating and building on those of the old masters. It is a deliberate decision on my behalf in an effort to stave away from undue influence on my own style (or voice if you will).

It may, I suppose, have the appearance of self importance but I assure you I do this more as a contribution to the development of this institution rather than for its destruction. I know you disagree strongly with my views but I do recommend you consider other positions on art outside of the ones in your art books and classrooms, I know it’s tough but you might even learn something.

You referred to yourself as an a**hole a couple of times in your posts, don’t be so tough on yourself. Relax a little….after all art is about art and nothing else. Good Luck

Peace
ISL

[artfortruth]

AH, a good response. Kudos (although Little brother is what I should refer to you as

Just a quick retort on one of your comments. Although it may not seem it, and was prob. not your intent, to turn my original critique into a compliment based on your own self admitted ignorance of Art is negative. If you had said then what you said now your statement would have carried a lot more weight. That it is your intent to remain so distant from Art as it has been past down to us as a means of remaining "uncorrupted" in your attempt at being unique is your choice (though ironicly not a unique one). It may mark the attitude of this time but you are in for a suprise if you think that you will make a contribution beyond our time that way. Mabye that is not your intent (although some would argue, soundly, that living beyond death is the whole point of Art).

I can say from personal experience that the self and self alone approach is a dead end. I was not born with an Art history book in my hand, and I for a long time believed that not learning technique, academics, or the starchy restrictive rules of the elitists would strengthen my personal approach. I was wrong. I got a critique on my work from a wise old master, and although I did not want to believe that he could be so objective and critical about something so personal, a voice inside me kept on haunting me that he was right. So I learned the basics, the rules, and I PROMISE you that I never, never felt so free in my work, so liberated from restrictions, so sure that I am on my way to finding my own line.

Note this, the elite HAVE bastardized Art, many self proclaimed Art snobs and academics have done just as much damage as those who belive Art is in the eye of the beholder. But none of them were Artists. Artists are not generally connected with the establishment (if you studied even a litle bit of Art history you would know this.) They often struggle, fight and even die (Van Gogh) because of this conflict. Artists are particular, stubborn and definitive, but NOT a part of the plastic and superficial elite.

On a more personal note, whether it was your intention or not many of you little comments were rude and condescending. I can laugh them off because I can see where they are coming from, and they remind me of a former, lesser me. But be carefull, others may not be so kind. If you continue to go down the road your going on, whatever. Good luck, because luck is all you will have to rely on. But we are not opposite sides of a coin, were are two completely different forms of currency. I have 30,000 years of human history on my side.
You have only now. It's like comparing gold to the rupple.

This has been quite fun, but frankly it is taking time from my work. I'd much rather be active in my pursuit of Truth than argue in circles for no real reason. But, and I say this in all sincerity, Good luck and take care. You are not a total idiot, you seem to have some brains, and I'm sure you'll live a decent life. I know I had to get beyond myself in order to progress, I hope you do the same. So, brother...

Peace, really, and God bless

[artfortruth]

oops.

One more thing about seeing Art and knowing about it. It is unfuckingbelievably beautiful. Experiencing Art, esp. first hand , like a museum for example, is an experience too sublime for words. Those wonderful masters created these treasures for us, for Time. Enjoy them while you can. There is nothing quite like standing between the Giant Pollock and the collosal Newman at the Museum of Mordern Art in NY; it is a journy in and of itself. As is the Louvre. And don't underestimate the power of a good Art history book. You really should enjoy these guys and be insprired by them. Everybody should. Again, good luck, to all those who are trying to be Artists.