q&a: creative
Q: Why black and white?
A: White equals Light and Black equals Space.
Q: What are the marks?
A: The marks are a universal non-language in accord with the fractal scalability of the universe. They are meaning beyond meaning - all and no meaning.
The glyphs represent filaments of the quantum particles of String Theory, photons of light, molecules of water in clouds, refractions in shallow water, glimmers on ocean waves, white birds in flight, stars in the heavens...
In symbolic terms they are both numeric and alphabetic. Alphabetically, they are linked with cuneiform, runes, Sanskrit, oriental languages as well as Roman letterings though I do not study these languages. From a technological perspective the marks reference scientific notation as well as the ones and zeroes of digital code. Occasionally words are embedded as inspiration strikes.
The marks on each drawing and animation are completely unique to that image.
Q: Why do you say the images are minimalist?
A: The tools are irreducible and nothing is added to the original inspiration. I use the most basic, default 10 point mark in Photoshop. It is the equivalent of a digital yellow pencil. Nothing fancy. There is a lushness to less... From the aesthetic timeline of art history the images are an outgrowth of the work of Agnes Martin's grids, Jay DeFeo's monumental painting, The Rose, and the early charcoals of Georgia O'Keeffe. As an outgrowth, the work could begin to be categorized under the umbrella of neo-minimalism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo-minimalism.
Q: Would you say the drawings are abstract?
A: Definitely not. The drawings are very precise representations of mindspace inspirations, light in the subtle conscious. There is nothing accidental. The inspirations are quite clear and concrete and I draw directly from memory without embellishing or editing.
I deny the concept of the subconscious and believe that we are only as conscious as we allow ourselves to be. It is a matter of learning to pay attention to deeper intuitions. That's why I prefer to call the "subconscious" mindspace or subtle conscious.
Q: These look fractal. Are they?
A: Yes! They are scalable and directly reference everything from the microcosm to the macrocosm, from photons to constellations.
Q: Why do you sometimes combine poems, drawings and photographs?
A: People relate to different media. Usually the first inspriation is the drawing and I often don't know what it's about. While drawing, words arise and a simple poem forms in my mind. Often photographs from years before have a poignant relation to the work. Presenting the images together deepens the references, clarifies the message and opens viewer dialog.
Q: How are they related to science?
A:The images are synchronistically related to science. I don't set out to create scientific illustrations. If a drawing has an underlying scientific link that information is provided on the blog. By their fractal nature all the images are related to chaos and complexity theories. A similar example of patterned scalability is http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/george_smoot_on_the_design_of_the_universe.htmlThey are also illustrative of manifold geometry theorized in the 5th Dimension and higher of String Theory. An example of the behavior of manifold geometry is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Calabi-yau7.gif.
Q: How are they related to spirituality?
A: Light has always been literally and figuratively related to the Sublime. From monotheism to transcendentalism, from East to West, ancient beliefs to metaphysics, light is a remarkably universal fascination of humankind.
Q: Why animations?
A: The original inspirations move in my mind. No other medium could capture the light and narrative motion. I have a regular drawing practice, producing about two new stills a week. Then I select images for animation and develop one new animation a month.
Q: What do you mean when you say digital fine art?
A: Drawings are made on a Wacom Cintiq Digital drafting display using Photoshop. Photographs are created with a digital camera then edited in LightRoom and Photoshop. Animation wireframes are hand-constructed in Maya and textures are applied using Photoshop. Every phase of the workflow is completely digital and completely paperless.
Q: Are Computer Graphics really fine art?
A:Computer Graphics are generally used by the entertainment gaming and marketing industries as well as for product design. The way I use graphics software, Maya, is completely hand designed. The digital wireframe (similar to sculpture armature) and drawings are painstakingly handmade in a digital method that is virtually similar to applying sheets of plaster or leafing. Animations take over one hundred hours to create.
It is interesting that many people dismiss computer graphics as fine art in the way the new medium of photography was dismissed as fine art this time last century.