DAVID

David 1978 

I Just started NASA #9 using the three colours in the photo below.

It’s been a very long haul this year – not much time for art – but I managed to complete a few more works amongst all the mayhem.

Hopefully, next year will be a different year – the passing of my Father this year and all the subsequent issues involved were very taxing – physically, time wise and emotionally.

Below is the beginnings of NASA #9 – NASA in a Time of Drought. The latest paints were supplied via a gift voucher, for my 48th birthday from my son – six tubes – two blues, two reds, two yellows – perfect.

The fractured sky is already showing possibilities and the images forming are already suggesting relationships that I never planned. After NASA number 10, I will be a third of the way through the series – I am already thinking about how to show it.

I have a small hanging of pictures at an Arts and Community centre in February, but will just draw on old stuff – mostly decorative work to suit the area. But currently, I am still very busy with family issues until the end of the year – so blogging and art are in the last carriage.

4864

this almost "the latest" incarnation of this painting (in a previous life it was called "bolts" - an older post on my blog) is at a breakout stage. It got caught up with a narrative for a while there, a narrative with which I became bored so I took a hammer and chisel to it which released me to paint in reaction. I feel much better for it - kind of like 8 hours after a good breakfast of branflakes. Phew.

Distortion of the Red Frames

Another experimental video – old film footage and my old guitar.

 

Actually this is my grandparents, doing a bit of acting for me in 1980 – they were keen to do a bit of experimenting with art now and then. This footage was originally shot on an old, second hand, standard 8 camera. I recently converted over three old film reels I had from around this time – projecting them onto a screen and then videoing them – the frame rates are out, but I like the effect anyway.

The music is my guitar distorted on a cheap amp with drums added, and then slowed right down – the whole final thing is very grungy.

Culterea

Just finished NASA #8 – The NASA Control of Culture – Acrylic on canvas – Cadmium Yellow, Phthalo Blue, Cadmium Red, Titanium White, and Carbon Black.

A bit of good and evil mixed up in #8 – just like culture. A cross on a boat on a mountain – a stream of sixes flowing – black bird like creatures flocking – snake like ropes and coils for breathing and support – yellow stars shining – astronauts crumpled and dragged.

I don’t believe in the notion that artists shouldn’t talk about their work: that the art should speak for itself. The art does speak and so can the artist, as long as they are articulate enough to communicate clearly.

Sometimes not speaking is a foil for not knowing anything and other times the speaking is so cryptic and meaningless that all sense is buried. It is important to think and talk about art, especially your own.

What is “culture” but the avoidance of fresh air. Below is a detail from my stagnant pond of blow hard NASA #8 stench. What the heck does it all mean?

Next is  - NASA in a Time of Drought – same actors, different costumes, different story.