A Statement

My work is both an autobiography and exploration of the forms and phenomena that interest me. Much of my work explores the diseases and illnesses that, both great and small, have impacted my life. As opposed to just illustrating the condition, I synthesize my experiences with both the causes and effects of the affliction.

In addition to my medical history I use a childhood spent in rural Maine as a source of inspiration for my work. Having been raised in the woods, I was something of a child naturalist and my observations and experiments are still providing me with fodder for art.

It is always my intent to create a beautiful and disturbing image and experience. I want the work to linger. I want to challenge the way beauty is recognized within the context of my work. I want to relate my experience, to that of the viewer. For the most part, we all share a common reality and I try to remember that and use it to my advantage when creating work.

Bonnie's statement

I hope that my art video will persuade the audience that, as an artist, my body is my canvas. I want to show the expressiveness of my hair and make-up, and how they are ever-changing and reflective of my various moods and personalities. As an artist, I like to be bold, innovative, and occasionally throw caution to the wind. When it comes to my appearance, I don't care what other people think of me, nor do I try to fit-in.

I like to sh= ock people, and whether they love it, or hate it, I am never just someone in the crowd. Sometimes my colorful appearance is a good conversation starter, and sometimes it just speaks for itself.

Alicia's Statement

When I create art, I intend to express myself. Art lets me use all of my emotions and passions and put them together into a visual work. All of my pieces give off a feeling that I was trying to convey at the time of creating.

My goal in art making is to bring back to the surface the hidden beauty that surrounds us. We are stuck in a world ruled by the media and superficial obsessions. This hidden beauty may be found in our physical world, fantasy world, or in one’s emotional complex. This specific short film was a new experiment for myself. I wanted to give off a weird sense of eeriness to engage the audience and keep them intrigued.

My inspiration comes mostly from the minimalist artists. I am a complete advocate for “less is more”. My interest in past work also extends to those eccentric individuals, such as Dali, who are willing to take risks. I like to stir things up and create something different to provoke a new thought or feeling in someone. I focus on sparking a new interest or idea in someone just by one look.

Faustine's Statement

I like the idea of being a creator, and with art, it’s all about creating. For me, the process and the result are both important. The result is what people see, but the process is everything it takes to get to the result. There’s something therapeutic about going through the process and getting the result. It’s a sort of satisfaction that I can’t get from anything else in life. Also, art-making is partially my way of showing people who I am. I like the idea of people learning about who I am through my art without them explicitly knowing it. I hope my work entertains and engages my viewers.

George's Statement

How to make my favorite casserole

by George T. Gregory Jr.


Mexi-Cali Casserole

Ingredients:

1 lb ground turkey

1 8 oz. can of tomato sauce

1 sm. onion (finely chopped)
2 cloves of minced garlic

1 8 oz. can of corn (or half a bag of frozen corn)

1 package of taco seasoning

1 large can of dark kidney beans (rinsed and drained)

Topping:

2 packages of Jiffy Cornbread Mix

2 eggs (needed for Mix)

1 cup of milk (needed for Mix)

Directions:

Brown the ground turkey in a skillet and drain; add chopped onion and garlic during the browning process. Add remaining ingredients and spread into a 13 x 17 inch casserole pan. Follow the directions on the boxes of Jiffy Cornbread Mix and spread the mix on top of the casserole. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy.

a statement

As a future Art Educator, I feel that it is necessary to incorporate elements of learning into my artwork and to take opportunities, where possible, to create works that communicate some sort of knowledge to the viewer. In this way I attempt to develop my identity as an Art Educator into my artwork, creating a piece that can be both informative and expressive while still representing myself as an artist.

a statement

I was born at the end of an era of typewriters, letters, and rotary phones: methods of communication that demand a physical and tactile presence. Growing up in Pennsylvania’s coal regions led me to investigate the Industrial Revolution and its demise. I document what is lost in transition and question our blind faith in progress.

While wandering through abandoned factories, mines and ghost towns, I became fascinated with the empty spaces inside, heavy with the weight of abandoned technology. The typewriter (an “individualized press”) as well as Taylorism’s “Time and Motion Studies” ironically standardized the motions and communications of every operator. I have found a direct connection to these actions through the historically commercial use of printmaking.

In response to the anxieties of separation from the physical world, I render the fading remnants of industry through outdated forms of media and communication

a statement

Right now I am very interested in exploring different materials or ways of creating artwork. I have found that whatever I am doing in other classes or areas of of my life always informs the artwork or vice versa. I would almost call myself flighty when it comes to art...I run with one thing until something new steals me away. My favorite aspect about art is communication or the dialogue that can accompany it or thinking through the idea or concept. I'm really excited in my own path to take this aspect of my own art thinking into the classroom and work with students. I'm not sure I believe in "inspiring" others...I hope I can just give my students the tools to inspire themselves and become passionate about something, anything.

a statement

What I do…or attempt to do is make art. I don’t make art just for me but I make art for other people around me. Someone else telling me that they liked my work is more satisfying to me than just liking it myself, even though I am probably my toughest critic. I think that because of my want to appeal to the masses I find myself more drawn to commercial art. I want to eventually use art “in” my career rather than “as” my career. I want to be successful and have a steady income therefore I want to use my art to get a job in possibly the gaming or movie industry. I’m not saying that one cannot make lots of money being a studio artist but I feel that it is just harder to be successful going that route.

a statement

I make art because I’m not big on math. Or science. Sometimes I like to read, but I hate sci-fi and fantasy. I like books about real events and real people. People who made an effort to create and promote change in the world for the betterment of society. Activists and protesters who stood up to the leaders, politicians, and governments who’s actions and policies they did not agree with. Art is a voice; through which I can encourage people to think critically about emotions, thoughts and ideas concerning their lives.

A Statement

With my art, I like to evoke empathy and communicate with my audience. If my audience feels an emotional response or feels enlightened by what is presented, I consider my work successful. More often than I not, I like to provide a different set of eyes, a different perspective for audiences to explore. This stems from my diverse background and seeing differing cultures through different sets of eyes. With this as my inspiration, I will continue making works that are valued by the public on an individual emotional basis.

A Statement

my goal when making a piece is to let the viewer into my world. I want the viewer to see what I see as I see it, and to feel what I feel when experiencing it.

A Statement

I was born at the end of an era of typewriters, letters, and rotary phones: methods of communication that demand a physical and tactile presence. Growing up in Pennsylvania’s coal regions led me to investigate the Industrial Revolution and its demise. I document what is lost in transition and question our blind faith in progress.

While wandering through abandoned factories, mines and ghost towns, I became fascinated with the empty spaces inside, heavy with the weight of abandoned technology. The typewriter (an “individualized press”) as well as Taylorism’s “Time and Motion Studies” ironically standardized the motions and communications of every operator. I have found a direct connection to these actions through the historically commercial use of printmaking.

In response to the anxieties of separation from the physical world, I render the fading remnants of industry through outdated forms of media and communication

A Statement

I try to take every opportunity to do the best I can, but in having to write this statement I realized just how difficult I find it to articulate or actually allow myself to focus on things that I conditioned myself to believe I am not good at. In turn, those thoughts lead me to think that I surround my life with barriers or even veils. Then, I realized that those same barriers and veils always seem to find a way in my work. I work intuitively for the most part. I don’t start off with big concepts, just a few ideas. I go with the flow of things during the process of creating, and then look back and question what is there.

I currently work with childhood imagery by using pictures from the past and the present environments that surround me and have surrounded me. I have come to realize that these current works are perhaps manifestations of how I currently view myself, and not so much about the pictures or my present surroundings. Yet, these images and environments help express my ideas. The faded shadow/silhouette in the video expresses the uncontrollable. I realized that the person in the video is not in control of the situation she is in, and perhaps that is an expression of how I presently feel. I do not feel in control or safe in my present circumstance. The layers in my work are like the patterns that make up our memories. These patterns are distorted and reside on different planes, and provide an image that is true and yet not true in its translucency. The imagery used is of the present, but is put in a sort of distorted context reflecting on both past and present. The images are from the present, and my memories are from both past and present. The undefined spaces between the two are those barriers and veils that seem to manipulate the present. Many of the images have varying layers and translucencies that seem to be symbolic of different feelings, but I feel I need to further investigate this idea. Some of the memories are very fragile and in these I intentionally leave all layers undefined, where they all seem to meld into each other. These also usually deal with loved ones and the idea that all things fade out and cease to exist. I believe that my work will always be inspired by my life and how my psychological make-up causes me to view things in my perspective. I am trying to view the work from a different perspective, but realize that I still view it through my attachment to the positive and negative thoughts that I seem to constantly create, rather than viewing it from a detached point of view. I am not sure if I will ever be capable of detaching myself from my work.

A Statement

“These pine trees smell like cleaning products.” I’ll be honest. I’m worried about everyone. This includes myself. As I attempt to navigate the adult world, with all of its structures, I’m finding a few things to be alarmingly apparent to me. Most prominently, I’m not very good at this sort of navigation, and many people who seem to have an easy time with this are also either admittedly and openly unhappy, or at least exhibit such behaviors with a certain level of acceptance of reality as being some sort of harsh wake up from innocent dreaming. Many of our own experiences are relatable only to commercial products, as these comprise most of our contact with things that fall outside of the moderated margins of ‘normalcy’. The other thing I can’t help noticing is that in instances where I’m doing right by society’s standards, I catch myself starting to slip in those directions. These structures that have imposed themselves upon our very thinking have very little to do with reality, however. They have little to do with ourselves, or each other. They have little to do with how we truly experience life and reality. In fact as far as I’m concerned, one of the best ways, then, that we can relate to true reality in our experiences is by thinking the way we did as children, before many of the structures had been constructed in our minds.

Using Carl Jung’s psychotherapeutic methods as a guide, I’m using my art in visual, experiential, and per-formative ways to help people reestablish their connections with other people, with their environment and their experiences, and with their self. I can only hope that my efforts are fruitful, because I consider it my primary ‘adult responsibility’.

A Statement

I draw, paint, record music and videos but not to impress. I am always striving to be better but never to be good. I don’t believe in “good” art and the only bad art in my mind is art with the wrong intention such as selling a product even if that product is you as an artist. My life motto is ( Make. Do. And Make Do. ) The make is my art, the do is activism, humanitarianism and general productivity, and the make do part is the rest of life taking whatever hand is dealt to you and using critical thinking to work with it.

Jeanette statement

Art has always been something intimidating but fascinating to me. Not because it is difficult, but because it has no central point of view, which is a difficult concept for me. Creating something completely unique is a chance to disregard common rules and conventions, and a chance to express my personal thoughts and ideas in a new way. It is a way to do so without worrying about “right” and “wrong,” but only about what effectively expresses the ideas I wish to portray through art. it is through art that I am able to step outside of the expectations of others and create a method of exposing any and every aspect of myself, from my point of view.

John Statement

I often think of how everyday materials will work rescaled in nanometers. Mostly I am concerned with the reconstruction of molecules in an object and giving it a strange twist in function. My goal as an artist is to use nanotechnology to inspire.

Brooke Statement

Forever interested in color, materials and books, I want to create objects and imagery that resemble day dreams and invoke a sense of play. My current mixed-media and printmaking work concerns itself with two interrelated sets of imagery. The insects operate as biological metaphor to address states of psychological relationships. The boxes, houses and interior references speak to home.

Alex statement

As an artist I believe it is pertinent to find and draw inspiration from your surroundings. Self generating ideas are too slow. When responding to your own environment, you can find the limitless accessibility of art and creativity. When navigating through my everyday life I am always looking for found objects and a photographic opportunity to incorporate in my art. If someone paints a shed and the paint decays from age, creating an interesting texture I could never make, I have the right to take a photo of it, manipulate it and call it my own. The majority of my art originates from random “happenings” that I come across. These happenings are unscheduled by me and typically overlooked by others. A happening may originate as a picture of a floor texture in an old farm house or a child playing by herself in an ally.

I like the idea of play, in order to better understand and cure my pessimistic natures. In all my work, I layer, re-use and recycle many images and mediums. Because it is the digital age, I have incorporated the use of the computer to further manipulate my images. The use of programs allows for quick changes and an extension to otherwise limited forms of art; however it is a necessity to work with my hands. Technology and commercialism create a disconnection between the user and the receiver. In response to that disconnection, I will always have a tangible aspect in a digital piece of art work. That is why I scan drawings or use textural photos. The presence of something real must exist for me. I am drawn to things with a history or antiquity. To me, digital art is the exact opposite of that.

Lindsay

My art is humorous and witty dance that is framed through the lens of a video camera. A distinct play on perspective and scale is often used, as the dancers appear larger or smaller than they really are. There is movement in the human body, camera and editing all creating an experience for the viewer.

Michelle

Art is a useful gift that I intend to incorporate in a lifestyle that inhabits personal joys. I believe that technology, design and artistic ambition are strong qualities in any project that I plan on making. I have a passion for the wedding and event planning industry but instead of incorporating typical aspects of event design I use personal planning as a canvas for an artistic work. In my future I would like to live by my own artistic expectations and open my own business. In the meantime, I use these life experiences to build a portfolio for what I would like to do down the road.

Kevin

I am an artist not by choice but as a result of being a technician. My art is the systems I create to display others works of art. To me, the artistic beauty is the inside of a rack, an organized wiring hookup, a well designed wiring schematic. My paintbrush is cable and my canvas is equipment. My satisfaction comes from people not noticing my work, but rather it being so natural that it just blends with the existing environment. Creating content to me is more of a byproduct of being a designer rather than the main focus.

James

As a dancer I find myself championing for the terms "art" and "artist" to be part of the every day parlance in my world. I speak of myself as a "movement artist" and talk about my choreography as "art," often at a time when I want to, consciously or not, validate or uplift my field. The ephemeral or non-tangible form of dance is difficult to grasp as art. People will group Theatre, Dance, Music, etc. into a performing arts category, but to say "I'm an artist" connotes something that rarely involves plies, tendus, and spinal articulation.


While labeling myself as an artist I see my approach to life as being central to this self-categorization. I can easily create movement, an installation, or a video, but the true worth to this endeavor lies in the attention I give to my aesthetic. Why do I feel more like an artist when I am hiking, listening to opera, or cooing a baby to sleep?--somehow these things feel like my aesthetic. The ending product often feels less important to me (i.e. what the motion project looks like) than the journey towards the product. I do not mean I sit with the camp of "process over product;" no, I appreciate and love having a deadline and producing/performing work. The "journey" I speak of relates to the attitude I have while approaching the work. What is important to me as a living breathing human is to be able to relate these experiences to other people in meaningful and hopefully life changing ways. As an artist this is paramount.

Brittany

I want my videos to express what has happened during my day, as well as how I felt when taping them. I prefer taping everyday activities because they are easy to relate to, but still interesting when the right twist is added. One goal I have of my work is put the viewer in a place of comfort or understanding. I mostly take video for documenting purposes. I like to look back on what I’ve done or what has happened around me (I have a bad memory).