Mensa Artists Owl Digital Art Graphic

When I create an art image, it is interesting for me to analyze how it reveals my sub-conscious mind and soul, expressed in an associative and conscious communicating way. I am finishing the Mensa Artists Owl  art image into an 18 x 24 inch print mounted on foam core board perhaps to be professionally framed and presented to the Phoenix Artists Guild for critiquing. Visit http://ymmartin.com/mensa_artists

A friend recently questioned why the figurine doll was included in the graphic placed in front of the owl, and I replied: "It's a jester entertainer, musician doll figurine, representing all performing arts artists."

Also, my Mother’s name was ‘Doll’. The instrument the medieval feminine doll is holding/playing is an ancient historical trumpet, one of the oldest instruments in man’s history, and in Junior High, I studied and learned to play the trumpet (could already play the piano) prior to playing the tenor saxophone in marching band, dance band, and state high school musical contests. The small figurine doll (feminine) is included in the art graphic memorializing my Mother who liked and collected curio figurines of all sorts, the medieval music playing imp doll represents the eternal life communicating spirit of my Mother expressed through her love of music and dancing. The owl symbolizes my Father who taught me about owls and nature, loved learning, revered knowledge, and was very intelligent and wise. The poem on the graphic is titled “Not Lost In Time” and signifies the continuity of artistic thought and achievement, timeless, being a unifying force in history rather than being divisive. The last line of the poem says, “we’re not apart, but whole.” conveying mother and child are never separated spiritually, more conceptually, the artist and their art are never separated, hence the intellectual property ownership copyright laws.

Wind instruments: Brass

The trumpet was (and is still) a very loud instrument, which was used for outdoor activities such as tournaments, fanfares, and in battle. Since the technique of bending brass had not yet been applied to instruments, the medieval trumpet was very long, sometimes even as much as six feet. The long middle-register trumpet was known as the trompe or buisine. The shorter, higher-pitched trumpets were called trompettes.

Juror's Statements

For artists entering their art works to an art show, it is very helpful to know the jurors criteria used for selecting works to be included or awards made in the show.

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For the 2011 Glendale Adult Center Art Show May 3rd-May 30th Larry Willis wrote the following:

First, thank you for inviting me to jury your exhibition. I enjoyed the experience especially when I found out there were going to be no pieces left out of the show. All I had to do was give awards. I enjoy looking at art and those involved in the creative process. So it is hard for me to judge harshly those who are pursuing what they love to do. I once expressed, “Those who can - create, those who can’t - curate and everybody is a critic.” When you are a juror you take on the last two roles. (I’d rather be creating.) When evaluating art I look for three criteria, (1) skill of media (technique), (2) inventiveness (originality of idea) and (3) balance (this can be balance of design, color or both). When all of these come together … it’s great. All of the pieces that received awards, including honorable mentions, displayed at least one of these, many two and some all three. (Others that didn’t get  ribbons displayed some of these qualities also.)some  who got honorable mentions were in the running for higher place (it was hard to decide.)

 In “A Grand Evening”, Carl Holle’s originality was scale. Grand can mean large, but the grandeur was displayed in a small piece. It also had balance of design, color and showed his skill as a painter.

Something to keep in mind is that all judging of art is subjective. What I chose might have been different from another’s choice. When I began entering my work in exhibits I put 3 paintings before one jury and all were rejected. I entered the same three in another juried exhibit and got 1^st place in painting. This gave me perspective so as to not take it too hard.

Again Thanks, Larry Willis
www.phoenixartspace.com/larrywillis

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For the Phoenix Artists Guild 2011 Spring Exhibit at the Beatitudes Church, Juror Ruth Knowles, Arizona Artists Guild President wrote this:

Phoenix Artists Guild Spring Exhibition

Looking at art work gives me an opportunity to see people’s unique vision, their personal interpretation of their world.  I also appreciate seeing a certain amount of risk taking some artists take to convey their vision.  Thank you.

The PAG Exhibition presented challenges for me as a juror of awards.  I selected work that illustrated technical skill and craftsmanship in the particular medium as well as attention to the basic Elements of Art and Principles of Design.  I also considered Concept, Originality, and Composition of each piece.  Additionally, I wanted the hand of the artist to invite me to look closer and to linger. 

As a caution, I remind artists to present work as simply as possible: neutral mats, simple frames.  Try not to be influenced by a framer or a garage sale find.

----Ruth Knowles

                                                                                                        

Robert Genn, High Ego Force

Robert Genn’s Twice Weekly Letter, The Painter's Keys website., today wrote:

 

 

“Fact is, great art comes from both the schooled and the unschooled.

It may have more to do with the old business of "character."

In our game, character is the confluence of four virtues:

high motivation,

high curiosity,

high work habits

and high ego force.

Funnily, among the folks I compete with, those four virtues are most often found among the unschooled.”

 

and he also included a John Holt quote,

 

"What makes people

smart,

curious,

alert,

observant,

competent,

confident,

resourceful,

persistent--

is not having access to more and more learning places, resources, and specialists,

but being able in their lives to do a wide variety of interesting things that matter, things that challenge their ingenuity, skill, and judgment, and that make an obvious difference in their lives and the lives of people around them." (John Holt)

 

Robert Genn’s message content was thought provoking. The ‘high ego force’ is a phrase I have not seen before, and yet it is so descriptive of leaders and achievers. It is the propelling fuel of initiative overcoming the inertia of stale mate, status quos, and apathetic, conforming acceptance of existing environmental or social negatives surrounding us. 

 

There exists an operative social conditioner which chastises persons for being too egotistical, and why is that? Conceit is not a virtue, and it is linked to being too egotistical and self centered (selfish). What is the magic that separates high ego force from egotistical and conceited? 

 

Perhaps Robert is linking high ego force with self esteem and belief in one’s abilities to overcome obstacles, to be able to make productive progress by eliminating problems? Persons who say “I can” versus those who say “I can’t” have high ego force. The traits and attributes of achievers distinguishes them from non achievers. Can persons achieve if not being self motivated, action oriented, and having a strong knowledge of who they are regardless of others preferring they be someone different, or others attempting to change either this or that in them? It is essential to know when to listen to others, but to not abandon self determination and personal self development as determined by your innate self directives.

 

Polonius:
This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
Farewell, my blessing season this in thee!

 

Laertes:
Most humbly do I take my leave, my lord.

 

Hamlet Act 1, scene 3, 78–82