Mini Blog: Art Quote

There is no must in art because art is free. WASSILY KANDINSKY

©2009 \\ COSMIC \\

Walking in the World

My Friend Christina posted this excerpt from "Walking in the World" by Julia Cameron:

"As artists, we are often in the ugly-ducking position.We have been born into families that regard us as 'odd'- and we come to regard ourselves that way. (Sometimes our families are supportive, but our culture, as a whole, is not).

"Our desire to make things and to make something of ourselves in the arts is often reflected back to us as 'Who do you think you are?' I call this 'growing up in the fun house' where our soul's aspirations are mirrored back to us in a distorted and distorting fashion that makes them appear egotistical and unrealistic: 'Don't get too big for your britches,' 'Who do you think you are?'

"We often don't really know the answer to that. We know something along the lines of 'I think I might be...' When we are surrounded by people who either cannot see us or cannot acknowledge what they see, our image blurs. We begin to feel both a certain self-doubt and a certain stubborn inner knowing that we may then dismiss as crazy. Part of us knows we're more than they see, part of us fears we're less than we hope. This inner friction is painful. As artists, when a shoe doesn't fit us, we may try to walk in it anyway. If we are told that it fits, we may start to use our excellent creative imagination to imagine that it fits.

"We may further tell ourselves that our own discomfort at the pinching and the pain of a wrong shoe- and a wrong personal and creative identity- is just our 'ego.' And, we might add, just our 'grandiosity.' For many of us, declaring ourselves an artist is a 'coming-out' process. 'I think I am, I think I might be, i really identify with... oh, dear God, I think I am.' Like any coming-out process, this is turbulent." (p. 258)

"All of us need and require accurate Believing Mirrors. Believing Mirrors reflect us as large and competent creatively. They mirror possibility, not improbability. They ignore 'the odds' against us. These mirrors are held by people large enough and expansive enough spiritually not to be threatened by the size and grandeur of another artist shaking out his sizable wings." (p. 259)

Thoughts: Who are the BELIEVING MIRRORS in my life, your life? How can I/you be a believing mirror for others?

Learn more about the book Walking in the World by clicking HERE.

©2009 \\ COSMIC \\

St. Petersburg Studio Tour

If you are looking to dive into something creative this weekend and you are in the St. Petersburg, FL area, check out the St. Petersburg Studio Tour sponsored by the Craftsman House.

The event is on Saturday, March 14 and you'll get a chance to visit the studios of some of St. Petersburg's most respected artists. The event is completely free and open to the public.

For more information and a down loadable map go here.

©2009 David Scott | Cosmic: Advertising & Design

Chris Jordan

Chris Jordan's images can make you angry or make you cry. The powerful use of repitition and color speaks volumes about the concept he presents in his pictures. He makes a point of sharing unbelievable statistics through visual means. The numbers are not only astounding, but the skill required to compose these images is simply extraordinary.

The images above depicts a composition of 29,569 handguns, equal to the number of gun-related deaths in the US in 2004.

Image: Copyright Chris Jordan.

©2008 David Scott | Cosmic: Graphic Design & Branding

MUTO

This is pretty cool. Blu is a graffiti/street artist from Italy. He recently finished a film combining graffiti and animation, titled “MUTO.” When you consider that each frame of the clip was individually painted and repainted, you can see how truly amazing this work is.




©2008 David Scott | Cosmic: Graphic Design & Branding

Cutting Creativity

When business slows, usually the first thing to get cut is the design firm or ad agency. When the economy slows, the first thing to get cut is the arts.

Creativity and the arts is what stimulates and develops us as humans and yet when we aren't progressing, we don't see the value. We automatically assume "it's not working." Maybe, it's not working because we aren't in tune with our creativity to begin with. Perhaps, it is the thing that it missing that would make a difference.

What would the world look like if art and creativity flourished when things weren't going so well. How would the arts impact your business? How would they impact you as a human being?

©2008 David Scott | Cosmic: Graphic Design & Branding

Eyes are the window to the soul

One the really neat things I learned at Photoshop World this past week was how to retouch the eyes in a photograph. In her session, Eyes are the Windows to the Soul, Fay Sirkis taught us a simple airbrushing technique that can add an enormous amount of depth to any photograph whether of a person or animal.

Note the difference between the above photo where I retouched only the eyes and the photo below in its original form.


Pretty cool, huh?

©2008 David Scott | Cosmic: Graphic Design & Branding

Oh, the places you'll go

The Read Across America campaign celebrated the works of Theodor Seuss Geisel's today. To most, he is known as Dr. Seuss. To celebrate, I was asked to read a couple of Dr. Suess books for Mrs. Gluck's fourth grade class this morning at Sawgrass Lake Elementary. The kids were so great! Attentive and excellent listeners. What I experienced was how much of an impact Green Eggs and Ham still has after almost 50 years. What I also picked up were the profound messages found in each of these books. Some of which still inspire me as an adult. I would recommend that anyone start a collection for their kids or themselves.

©2008 David Scott | Cosmic: Graphic Design & Branding

Collectors

There's something artistic and creative about people who are passionate collectors. Take my friend Mike for example. His office is down the hall from mine and he's a Hot Wheels enthusiast. He can tell you about anything Hot Wheels: history, special models, rare collectables, locations of Hot Wheels conventions.

I find that individuals that who are passionate collectors have a knack for appreciating the beauty of the details around us. They catch every nuance, shadow, color and use it to enhance their lives.

What do you collect?

©2008 David Scott | Cosmic: Graphic Design & Branding

One Sheet of Paper

Amazing sculptures produced by Danish artist Peter Callesen can be seen on display at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington D.C. Each piece uses only one sheet of paper.

©2008 David Scott | Cosmic: Graphic Design & Branding



More images via: WHY INternet

Giving Back

I've recently been exploring using my artistic talents for something other than personal gain. One thought I had was getting professonal artists together to teach art classes to kids who have been effected by homelessness. While this could turn out to be a great community project, homelessness hasn't exactly effected me on a deep personal level. In other words, I have never actually been homeless myself.

Don't get me wrong. Homelessness is a tragic issue. However, I have heard it once said, "don't attempt to be a leader in someone else's emergency unless you have a lot of success under your belt."

Since I don't have a lot of "success" being homeless, does this mean I'm not a good fit for this project? I could see where it would help.

So, what do you do to give back to your community? Is it something you do because of past expereinces?

©2007 David Scott | Cosmic

St. Pete Creative Network

The St. Pete Creative Network is a group of creative individuals made up of writers, graphic designers, film makers, fashion designers and others who share a general love of the creative arts. The group meets monthly to share inspiration, ideas and new ways to explore the inner creative self. The group was recently featured in both the St. Petersburg Times and Tampa Bay Business Journal.

©2007 David Scott | Cosmic

Flip Flop Challenge

One my favorite local artists, P$ynner, recently entered a contest to artistically recreate the most outrageous pair of flip flops. Her Fish and Mermaid pair garnered first place. P$ynner's flip flops attracted votes as far away as Canada and Turkey. Her picture and flip flops will appear later this month in the Tampa Tribune.

©2007 David Scott | Cosmic