Submissions accepted!

I've never submitted to a juried show before, but when I saw our local Center For Contemporary Arts   was holding a juried exhibition and was accepting a max of three works finished with in the last three years I thought, why not. Now two of the three have been accepted and one of the pieces accepted was "Windows for Mirrors" 

It's such a personal piece that I'm not sure how I feel about it being out there for anyone to see.

the other selected piece is "Quarantine" 

I'll be getting these down to the center soon for the show before the 17th. we'll see how this goes.

 

Widows for Mirrors

 Converting our gust quarters into a mini gallery. The first piece I’ve installed is an extremely personal piece. You see I heard a very good talk not to long ago in which a brother used an illustration of exchanging our windows for mirrors. The point being, when we become self absorbed in the negative realities of our lives, all we can see are our own problems.  It’s like looking into mirrors instead of relishing the view from our windows. Appreciating the good things, counting our blessings. 

You see, my wife left me, a few weeks before the COVID lock down 2020. I knew something was wrong, but every attempt to find the root of the problem was met with deflection. Her mind was made, her heart far removed from the vows we made 30 years ago. And on a dark and rainy night she disappeared, just like in one of those tawdry novels. 

This piece encapsulates the story. The hole she left in our lives is real. 

Two years in the pain has lessened by the bountiful spiritual blessings from Jehovah and the love of my spiritual family. And like artists before me I am now able to use my abilities to address the drama of this life.  I know some might think it insensitive to use the affairs of our lives as fodder for our work but I can’t think of any better therapy to deal with the pain. The loss, the heartache. And perhaps with in this,  others can find solace and camaraderie in the fractured imperfections of our shared experiences.

A little Kintsugi helps. 

What a difference a few years make

Eleven of years ago I made a post about what is a masterpiece, What is art https://samkirkman.blogspot.com/2011/05/what-is-masterpiece-what-is-art.html?m=1

It’s been about that long since I’ve read that piece and today, eleven years later, I’ve about decided I was full of it! I’m a bit embarrassed over what I wrote. I railed against artists like Tracy Emin. And while I still feel the charlatan artists exists, that does not necessarily apply to Tracy, or Damian Hurst or Jeff Koons. There is A LOT I do not agree with in their approach and execution. I still value most highly those who’s own hand applies to their work, but I must admit that sometimes it takes a group effort. Case in point, Damian Hurst’s wreck of the unbelievable Damian Hurst’s Wreck of the Unbelievable

I watched the documentary on Netflix like everyone else, and I was astonished! I can’t say I swallowed hook line and sinker, but at first I do admit I was awestruck at this “incredible find”but like I said, was reticent to believe. And then, suspicions confirmed! As the style of “art” that had been “recovered” from the sea, was incongruous with my knowledge of Art History, and as the program proceeded, I had the most pleasurable Aha! Moment. I rejoiced in being “Hood Winked!” When the “corral encrusted” goofy and Micky statues and Walt and Micky were revealed “I knew it!” I shouted out loud! What a ride! And when you dug in and unpacked everything that Damian had done… I honestly think it was this Work that changed my mind about conceptual art. So I re-examined the work of the likes of Tracy Emin and others and like a breath taken from a new set of lungs saw their work much differently. I can appreciate the highly personal expression “My Bed” was. The snapshot made unflinchingly public of a point in her life that was so dark, so ugly. Yes Art is more than painting pretty pictures, and even though I can’t say I enjoy certain works of the conceptual scene, I can appreciate having been encouraged to think.

Having A Creative Run

 I've been experiencing an incredible surge of creativity lately! I've completed 6 and have at least three more pieces in the works. It all started when I found my dearest first bourn son has developed into quite the creative! He's been inspired by Rafi & Klee  A joyous pair of Artists sharing their story and art on Youtube. I'm so grateful for them. Having that spark of appreciation for the arts now ablaze in my son makes me Giddy! at any rate, here are a few of pieces I've completed lately.

                                                      "Quarantene"

                               Goat Skin, Plater Life Casts, painted Briars MDF & acrylic

"Dessert Series #2"

Cedar (Ash Juniper) Gnarl, treated with Lime sulfur MDF, Plywood & acrylic paint.

Dessert Series #1

Cedar (Ash Juniper) root Gnarl, MDF, Plywood & acrylic paint.

Desert series #3

(Ash Juniper) root Gnarl, MDF, Plywood & acrylic paint.

"Untitled"

Mesquite branch gnarls, Yucca seed pods, acrylic paint, Cherry wood base. 

"Happy 26th Anniversary!"

Altered Photo on Canvas, Acrylic paint.

And a couple of other pieces you can see in the post, "Home Grown Music"

  

 

 

  

  

  

The Crack

 

Just had a Wonderfully invigorating chat with some friends on line about Art and wanted to share a brief  experience highlighting how we creatives are sometimes alone in our appreciation of things. Back in 2007-08 when my youngest was 3, my sister and family came out for a visit to California. We took them on a whirlwind trip from Yosemite, all the way down the coast to Morro Bay. While in San Francisco we visited Golden Gate Park. The New DeYoung museum had just been completed and I was dying to see it, but I knew my wife, kids and visiting Family would have been board to tears. So I settled for just walking up to the entrance. I noticed a crack in the pavement on our way. I thought, this is deliberate. the crack continued into the courtyard of the main entrance and as I witnessed, it  run through Huge stone Monoliths set for setting, turned sharp deliberate corners and wonder around the area I thought to myself, "Andy Goldsworthy?" Sure enough, upon reaching the entrance there was a marker identifying it as "Fault line"by British Artist Andy Goldsworthy! I must have Squealed like a little girl! "Andy Goldsworthy!" I shouted. "Andy Who?" My family replied. What's the use. no mater how much I might try to explain how deeply his work inspires me and elated I was to actually be experiencing an Actual Goldsworthy piece, I just let it go.

https://youtu.be/g1UpH5-5JJ4

Here is a video on the execution of "Fault line" at the DeYoung. Just one of those random life moments I cherish and wanted to share. 

Home Grown Music

I've fallen in love...

well, I've always loved gardening, loved growing gourds, and loved music, but a few years ago I came across a video about the Kora. I immediately fell head over heals for this remarkable instrument. I had to make one of my own. Believe me... it's harder than it looks! Growing a gourd large enough takes finding the right seed. then, a whole year for it to mature. a plant started from seed in March, planted out @ April/May will produce a usable Calabash by October. If growing conditions a perfect.      

      

They grow like MONSTERS! one plant can easily cover a patch of earth 10'x20' and then some, producing perhaps only one or two useable fruits. This past year I managed to grow a couple that were large enough, but sadly only one made it to Korahood. It was from a Giant African Bottle seed I managed to find on Amazon, Robs Giant seeds  because of its shape I had to preform major surgery. I called it, FrankenGourd!

But finally! At long last... I had my resonance chamber for my very own Kora! I may perhaps put together a how to post, but I would direct you to Dennis Havelena if you want to find out more now. 

This year Im ready! built a support covering almost half of the garden to support more Monsters! 

So to date, this year I've managed to build only three, these two made from either half of a bushel gourd I'd grown a few years ago and my FrankenKora! Size makes all the difference when it comes to the sound. the larger the better.and while I need a WHOLE lot of practice, I think I've got at least one song down!

My Journey To Wit's End

Hello? 

Is this thing on? Pbth pbuth pbtht…ehe ehem…. Well, it’s been awhile. Hard to start this back up not knowing where to begin. How about where I am right now. 10 years ago this April 2022, my family moved home to Texas to be here for my Mother. She’ll be 85 March 5, much to her chagrin. So here we are in Texas, at Wit’s End, both literally and figuratively. I’ve stayed busy, and so I’ll be sharing some things I’ve accomplished. My most recent works to share with whoever will consider them and the community of Rouges from Rafi & Klee studios https://youtube.com/c/RafiWasHereStudios an encouraging group of creatives my Son Ethan found and shred with me. I’ve missed having a creative community to converse with so I’m looking forward to sharing. Now if I can remember how to use this blogger stuff… 

Catching up

Ouwangalaymah Finished!      available at; Amazon  

Did another one!

"When the Grackles Loose Their Tails" 

Available Here Barns & Noble

What am I doing now?

Can you Tell I was listening to the cat album of little shop of Horrors while I was working on this one?

Elevating the humble gourd to the fine arts. Devils claws have always fascinated me as well, but they're getting harder and harder to find out here in west Texas. 

And the Kirkman Family Gallery is Looking awesome! Malcom thinks so anyway.