First Work

The first in a series of four, the following is my photgraph collage inspired / based on the color yellow-orange. I drew connections to the common use of this color in road markings and public utilities. Check it out.

A Few Inspirational (color) Artists

Takun Williams - http://technodrome1.tumblr.com/archive

Really cool digital artist I found one day. Works almost exclusively with pop culture references and ties to movies. I particularly love his use of bright neon colors in images that may usually be dull and boring.
















Gunta Stoölzl - http://www.guntastolzl.org/Works

Don't know very much about Gunta besides the fact that she is a German Bauhaus textile artist. Awesome use of color in her wall hangings, seems oddly unusual for the time period. Regardless, Super bright and fun stuff.

Keith Negley Response

Wednesday night was graced with the presence of renowned editorial illustrator Keith Negley. From his works with New York Times, Business week and many others Negley has come to be known a one of the leading digital artists in his field.

            As Negley explained in his talk much of his inspiration comes from the articles he is commissioned to design for. Working almost exclusively in metaphorical images Negley pokes at issues of politics and economics. Though all of Negley’s work is digital he often draws inspiration from his roots as a screen printer, utilizing textures and effects in his work that form a more organic feel to the images. Rather than drawing from his environment or life experiences as with the artists in Art City Negley works predominantly from necessity and restrictions imposed by his clients. Keith works in a field that is less about self-expression and more about communicating an idea successfully and in a creative way.

            Often forced to work in a limited color pallet Negley explained that he thrived off of muted colors as well as tints and shades that reflected on his love of vintage posters. His color palate also drew from his interest in pushing his own limits of creativity, by using only two or three colors he told us, he was able to force his designs to work through unique avenues: utilizing form, line and negative space in non-traditional ways.

            All in all Negley’s presentation was highly inspiration, lending advise to aspiring artists and showing us a glimpse into an elite field of artists who have to push the boundaries of creativity every day they work. 

Art City Response

A recent showing of the film Art City examined the life and works of a handful of artists from across the country. The Film discussed ideas like controversy in art, community, inspiration and struggle.

One of the themes from the movie that each artist expressed was that art should be a reflection of the person making it. The artists felt as though art was a selfish process that served only the artist’s ideas and intentions. It was discussed that true art should reveal something about the person making it, allowing the viewer to get an understanding of the artists by looking solely at their work.

Yet another theme that was expressed in the film is that art is representative of life experience and fears from the artist. Whether it be the beach, racial issue, dreams or a fear of not have a Coca-Cola, art is nearly always manifested through an experience of the being. Art does not simply come about from nowhere; it comes from life. Art can be social or antisocial, created from the fear of being apart or from the joys of being with ones you love. Ultimately art is a product of existence and therefore it is the goal of an artist to best communicate that existence with others through visual means. The purpose of is to make people think.