Update on my Art

So I've finally decided to update my blog with the progress I've been making in my studio. Below are some photos of my studio, to show you the world through which I create my works. Every artist's studio is different, but sometimes, I think mine is cramped and full of the strangest things, and I like it that way. New photos of my work are coming soon...as in minutes.

Artist Spotlight-Troy Paiva-Photography

Troy Paiva

Since 1989, Photographer/Graphic Artist, Troy Paiva has been photographing the desolate landscape of what used to once be a part of flourishing American life in the West. Old gas stations, deteriorating cars, and obliterated buildings are just some of the subject matter of Troy Paiva's view of the "Lost America". Troy uses a technique of lighting with colored gels on either flashlights or strobe lights with a long exposure to create an eerie look with a surreal background (created by the long exposure).

I found out about Troy randomly while searching for graphic artists as a part of my research into digital artists for college class I was taking. I immediately loved his technique because it involved unique lighting for each photo. Partially being a technical theater nerd, I love any art that involves lighting effects. I always like to point photographers in the direction of "light painting", since you can get some very interesting effects.

You can see more work by Troy on his website: lostamerica.com

Advanced Art Work Update-1.24.11

Silver Lining. 2010-2011. collage, paint, spring, on cardboard.

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COE. 2010-2011. collage, paint, thumbtacks, twine, on cardboard.

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Doorway. 2010-2011. collage, newspaper, cardboard, on masonite.

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X. 2010-2011. collage, paint, on wood with pallet.

Is This Art?

In the Fall of 2010, I put together a brief exhibition, called Is This Art?, of the current work for my Senior thesis project. Since this is only the halfway through my Senior year, this is only a glimpse of direction of my work to be shown in my Spring 2011 gallery exhibition.

The concept behind this particular exhibition was showing how I've been influenced in the past few years by artists like the Dadaists, Marcel Duchamp, Jasper Johns, and Robert Rauschenberg. I show these influences by using similar techniques and styles learned from studying these artists. And the highlight piece to this exhibit, A Progression of Broken Chairs, shows the path that my work is going.

I Hate My Job. 2010. mask, wood.

on sale: $5.00, email njjared@coe.edu to purchase

3 Open Containers (Smells Included). 2010. jars, clay.

Untitled. 2007. book, paint, tape, collage

on sale: $10.00, email njjared@coe.edu to purchase

Tribute to Ceramics/Iburg Erased. 2010. wood, collage, plastic, spray paint, vase.

Iburg Erased. 2010. broken/reassembled vase

Y?. 2010. wood, keyboard, wax, collage, spray paint

on sale: $15, email njjared@coe.edu to purchase

detail of Y?

Lantern. 2010. lantern, wax, string.

A Progression of Broken Chairs. 2010. collage/assemblage on broken chairs

A Progression of Broken Chairs was the main piece for my art show Is This Art? The story behind this project is definately interesting. The chairs were given to me, after they were broken during a student theatrical production at Coe College, after the production student director, Trevor Ketteman, allowed me to take his broken chairs. After his last show was finished, I quickly approched him, saying that I would like his broken chairs, and he reluctantly agreed. And so I cleaned up the chairs and moved them into my studio, which was conveniently next door to the theatre where this performance was being held. It was once I had them all in the studio, that I realized I wanted to fix the chairs, but not just in anyway, but to sort of create a metamorphasis. Starting with one who chair, each chair, I decided, was going to become more creative, more decorative, more...me. This was the first time in a while that I've felt this close to my art. And I think that this piece has really reflected itself upon me and I back at it. The piece itself is reflecting my life in past few years as an artist. From nothing to something, I guess. And being one of the last pieces to be created for my show, I can definately see the direction of my show to open in the Spring of 2011.

A Progression of Broken Chairs is for sale. The cost for the for all three chairs (the first chair coincidentally broke) is just $45. If you would like to purchase this piece, please let me know. My contact email address is njjared@coe.edu.

Fan. 2010. fan, newspaper.

Monitor. 2008. computer monitor tube.

Artist of the Month: Robert Rauschenberg

Probably one of the biggest inspirations for me from the art community, Robert Rauschenberg is considered a highly influencial artist of modern American Art. He has been titled with being one of America's earliest Pop artists, and even been titled a Neo-Dadaist, although he considered his work to be very "Neo-Rauschenberg". Best known for his Combines in the mid-50s. This series of pieces all included found objects in a collaged element. His most famous Combine: Monogram can be seen below. But he did more than just paint and collage, Rauschenberg also loved to work with other creative minds, both in the field of art and dance. He worked with such names Cy Twombly, Jasper Johns, John Cage, and Merce Cunningham, among other abstract artists of the mid-20th century. Rauschenberg had even experimented with movement and is a part of a group of people, whom some consider the first group to invent the idea of Happenings.
After his Combines, Robert worked with the scientific community to create EAT (Experiments in Art and Technology), which helped to fund art works with scientific elements, such as works that moved to sound, works that involved chemical reactions, etc. Rauschenberg would continue to create works for the rest of the century, and sadly passed away in 2008. His creativity and imagination has paved the way for many artists of the present day, and he is one of my favorite artists in modern art.

Monogram. 1955-59

Advanced Art Work

So I am halfway through my final year at Coe College, and that means taking the Advance Art course for a full year to help prepare me for my own art show in the Spring of 2011. Now most art majors stick to their art major emphasis: drawing, ceramics, digital, printmaking, etc., but I've decided to be bold and forget that I'm a graphic design emphasis. For my art exhibit, I'll be doing a mixture of 2D and 3D collage and assemblage. I had gotten into collage my freshman year during a course with the belloved professor, David Goodwin. And, although I was mostly taking digital art courses after that year, I always remember how much I loved using different materials, mixed with imagery and actual found objects. And so the summer before my summer year, I decided that I wanted to go to the world of 3D for my art. It was a bold move that I am quite enjoying, and even though I plan to enter the field of graphic design for a career, I am glad that I am challenging myself this much. I've done a lot of practice over the past semester and I beleive my skills are improving and I'm starting to find my niche. I've been told that my work is quite remeniscent of work by Dadaists and even my favorite artist as of right now: Robert Rauschenberg.

Below are photos of some of the work in progress that I am currently working on during my "winter break". I'll try to keep uploading photos to this blog to show how these pieces are turning out.