OBEYing My Impulses
This morning I put a Harry Chapin record I bought recently in Phoenix on the record player, poured a second cop of dark as night coffee and sat down to read/view/consume a book I received for Christmas called Covert to Overt: The Under/Overground Art of Shepard Fairey.
Many people might not be aware of Fairey’s work outside of his Obama Hope poster or Andre the Giant Has a Posse stickers, but I’m a big fan of his work. Something about his aesthetic has always appealed to me. It would be easy to say that it was only because of our love of the combination of black and red, but it goes beyond that for sure.
It is funny to see how different students and faculty react to the one poster of his I have hanging in my office at Wheaton. Most don’t mention it, but whenever one does it always leads to great conversations. One of those little things that help me identify kindred spirits.
I’ve decided that in 2020, my focus is going to be around BETTER. (read more here)
This means that I find that I’m good at many things, but there is always room to improve. Moments ago I received my student evaluations for the last semester and there were a few nuggets that I’ll use to improve my courses this semester. Under the tree this year were a variety of cookbooks that I’ll use to mix things up in the kitchen.
I also took some time before the holidays to learn how to use some of the tools in our Makerspace Lab 213 at Wheaton to create unique gifts for some people close to me. I can’t show photos of them yet as some still haven’t been opened, but the art of creating with a mix of technology and my hands felt great.
I have artistic impulses all the time, but I realized that I need to learn more about the techniques and technology out there to figure out what I want to make.
One of my students has significantly helped with this as we discuss what he is working on, and he is always ready to answer any question I might have. Plus, I’m always chatting with Emily about her latest classes and work, and she too puts up with my silly questions to learn how different things work and come together to help her create her art.
The idea I can’t shake is taking my photographs and converting them into other art forms. I still don’t know if this means laser etching them on acrylic or turning them into stencils that are then used in a mixed media piece. Part of being better this year is giving in to those impulses and begin playing and experimenting to see what I come up with.
The gift I made for my father-in-law was well received, and I know in my heart that the others who I made something for will appreciate them. That gives me all I need to lean in and create more.
I’m ready for the year ahead. I hope you are too.
