Art Inspiration: Part 1

INCIDENT:
Last year I wrote about the artist Phil Hansen in a post called "Inspiration." Hansen mostly does portraits that have a single or multiple stencil look although most do not actually utilize stencils. The latest piece that is featured on Hansen's website is a huge portrait (15.5 ft x 11.5 ft) of Lance Armstrong. Hansen made the painting by dripping paint onto the wheels of a classic red Radio Flyer tricycle that he rode over the canvas. This piece does utilize clear plastic stencils to get a clean look but the marks have a lot of depth and character because of the way they marks were applied.

Here is a video of the making of this piece: "Lance"

MORAL:
Phil Hansen's creative methods and materials are always inspiring for me. Throw in his consistent output of work and I'm sold. He has discipline and talent... both of which I could use a little more of right now.

I haven't produced new work for a long while and the last time that I did was for a class that I took last year on block and lino printmaking. So if it were not for the class motivating me to pursue my art, I would still be without new work. I simply have not had the motivation or discipline to follow through even though I have been constantly developing new ideas. I am not sure what is holding me back... fear perhaps? Lack of time? Lack of talent? All of the above? Whatever the reason or excuse, it is clear that I can no longer hide behind it.

An artist friend of mine recommended that I read the book "Art & Fear: Observations On the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking" by David Bayles and Ted Orland. I just started reading it and already it is giving me necessary perspective.

So my next several posts will focus on artists that inspire me, like Phil Hansen, for whatever reason -- their conviction, their artwork, their methodology, the subject of their art, etc. I hope that by surrounding myself with their work something good will rub off on me.

Urban Prankster

INCIDENT:
My newest obsession is the blog Urban Prankster. According to their about me, "Urban Prankster covers pranks, hacks, participatory art, flash mobs, and other creative endeavors that take place in public places in cities across the world."

Their most recent post was on a piece from Bruno Taylor's "Playful Spaces" series where he installs a swing at a London bus stop.



Several blog's have covered Bruno Taylor's "Playful Spaces" work. Check them out:

Pixelsumo -- Bruno Taylor

Wooster Collective -- Bruno Taylor's Playful Spaces

TreeHugger -- Go Play Outside: Bruno Taylor Makes Cities Fun

designboom -- playful spaces by bruno taylor

Urban Prankster -- Bus Stop Swing

MORAL:
This video made me very happy this morning so I just had to share the happiness that it brought to me. I think I will search out a swing later this afternoon and rekindle the joy of childhood.

Let It Out

INCIDENT:
As a continuation of my post on Olympic fever, an appropriately timed release of Kleenex's 40-minute documentary on US athletes and the fans they inspired does just the trick to get right to the core of the Olympic spirit.

Here is the trailer for the film:



Go to the Let It Out website to view the full documentary.

MORAL:
At the core of the Olympics is the promise of humanity. You are compelled to rally behind the pursuits of others as they test the limits of human capacity. The Olympics is not only a time of peace (theoretically) but it is also a time when differences are put aside to celebrate the human race. If only we could only bottle the Olympic spirit or learn to translate that spirit to our everyday... if only.

Has the Olympics inspired you? How can we live the spirit of the Olympics everyday? Let's try.

Olympic Fever!

INCIDENT:
We are currently at the beginning of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad in Beijing China. So much press has been given to these games before they even started on August 08 2008. And while the human rights violations and the role of China in several humanitarian crises cannot (and should not) be ignored, the Olympics should really focus on athletic skill and the competitive spirit.

If you have ever worked towards an athletic goal such as running a marathon or competing with a local intramural soccer team, then you have just a taste of what these athletes strive towards... what they live and breath for for the four (or more) years leading up to an Olympics. It takes incredible devotion and even more sacrifice. And if you ever dedicated your time and energies towards something personally important, then you have an idea about what it means to be an Olympian.

The Olympics are not only for the athletes but is equally for every country's people. There is a sense of national pride during the Olympics. But at the same time there is a sense of camaraderie between countries and athletes. If only the spirit of the Olympics could continue past the 16 days of the XXIX Olympiad.

MORAL:
I have Olympic fever! The only thing that I watch is Olympic coverage on television. Handball, trap shooting, fencing, water polo... I watch it all. I love seeing the fans in the stands waving their flags, yelling at the top of their lungs, and supporting their teams. I love seeing countries win their first Olympic medals... ever. Or seeing when the athletes march in the opening ceremonies filled with pride.

The best part of the Olympics for me is that for 16 days every two years I believe I can live out my Olympic dream. As delusional as that thought may be, during the Olympics I can dream... and dream big!

UPDATE (08/13/08): I just read this quote from Dominque Dawes, who is serving as a commentator at the Olympics, about the US silver medal win in women's Team Gymnastics. I think it sums up my point quite nicely.

"I experienced Opening Ceremonies for the first time this year," Dawes said. "And what I took away is, the Olympics is not about one athlete or one moment. It is about the team and world and the impact these athletes make on the world. No matter how well they perform." -- from ESPN.com, "Team final result should not define Sacramone" By Alyssa Roenigk

Pil-Ams Represent!

INCIDENT:
I need to take moment to bring attention to all of the Pilipino-Americans who have been representing hard on American dance shows such as So You Think You Can Dance, America's Best Dance Crew, and Dancing with the Stars.

America's Best Dance Crew (ABDC) is probably the best example. Of the ten crews that started on ABDC this season (season 2), eight crews have at least one Pil-Am. SoReal Cru and Super Cr3w are two of the three remaining crews still in the competition. 6 of the 7 members of the SoReal Cru and 3 of the 6 of Super Cr3w are Pil-Am. Way to represent!



This has super special importance considering that the Philippine All Stars just won 2008 World Hip Hop Championships on August 3rd in Las Vegas! What! What!

MORAL:
I am a very proud Pilipina-American. It is important to have Pilipinos serving as positive role models in the U.S. and in the motherland so that young Pilipinos can know that hard work can provide great opportunities. The efforts of these Pilipino role models are something that I think should be recognized more. It is not easy to be a good role model but consistently these groups promote positive attitudes, good sportsmanship, mutual respect, and gratitude -- all attributes that we could all use in our daily lives.