What You See Is Not What You Get

This blog title refers to the idea that willing viewers need to engage, put some energy into whatever they meet, to fully benefit from the experience.

For example:

Sunday, February 4, 2018 was the 52nd Super Bowl. One can believe a lot was viewer-invested—whether viewers were stadium-seated (average ticket price $3,900), party-going or home watching TV. All viewers invested in enthusiasm, time (viewing and/or traveling), money, and calorie intake. One can pretty much count on the Eagle fans saying it was all worth it, and perhaps some of the Patriot fans would agree. The Philadelphia Eagles won over the New England Patriots by eight points.

All of which leads to:

Recently Art Biz coach (http://artbizcoach.com) Alyson Stanfield encouraged her audience of artists to write Three Things they would want people to notice about their art. Aside from the blog title and Super Bowl metaphorical interruption, some of my thoughts run along these tracks:

1. I invite a response. Experiencing art, especially live and in-person, can be defined as an individual moment. We bring to our reaction or response a history of living, complete with preferences and prejudice. A picture depicting flowers may excite, or depress one who recently experienced a floral-rich memorial or emptied a vase of smelly, slimy dead flowers. An abstract floral picture may bring comfort or discomfort for the same, yet perhaps unrealized, reasons.
2. There is intention in every mark I make. Each line, dot, form, presence in a composition is considered from a basis of being a trained artist and my intention. Some lines are fast and furious, suggesting release, energy, action. Other lines are slow and meandering, suggesting a restful, if not boring, pace. Colors, and their relation to each other, are basically emotionally charged. Round forms are cozier than angled. Big dots become circles. Patterns reflect nature.
3. My work talks. I make a statement with each work. Although some statements appear ambiguous, all statements encourage viewer interpretation. By necessity, all work reflects my being, thoughts, concerns, and philosophy. Titling gives a hint as to the direction of my talk.

In considering Stanfield’s exercise, I discovered there are countless points that I’d appreciate people noticing about my art. My intent is to share the language of the visual realms and speak of abstract things; to give abstractions voice by having their own two-dimensional physical presence.

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