"Having a point of view or something to say is what separates the artist from the craftsman." Doug Dawson, "Capturing Light & Color with Pastel", 1991
When asked what he would say to
people who did not appreciate his art, James Turrell answered, "The only
place a culture gets to choose its art, gets to select its art, is from what
artists make. So actually, it's incumbent upon the society to look to what
the artists do. And, of course, if they don't like what's being done, then
go be an artist. Or be part of the choice of that art, which means go to
the galleries, buy it, support it -- support the art you like."
Pittsburgh Post Gazette, interview "breakfast with...". Monday,
July 30, 2001.
The pieces below have been made as light/shadow studies on white paper with graphite. They have all been made from photographs. The portraits that I have included as Faces of War may not be what one immediately thinks of when we hear the word "war". I have made this collection intentionally to suggest that we are all the same whether in war or peace time. They are my statement.
Lest we forget our gentler selves, I give you, "The Faces of War".
"The Face of War" was taken from "Adventures in Value" photography by Marion Morehouse and text by E.E. Cummings. I finished this study shortly after September 11'th and while looking at it I ask the question, "Is that light coming from the sun or a bomb blast?"
"Skull" was part of my anatomy studies. Bone structure is basically the same for all human beings. Underneath it all, we are all the same. If you look closely at the larger image, you will see very subtle differences on the alternate sides of the skull. This is so because the skull's intricacies cannot be grasped on merely one plane. This drawing was made from the anatomy illustrations in "Anatomy for the Artist" by Jeno Barcsay, Budapest Academy of Fine Arts.
"Marissa" is a composite of two photographs of my granddaughter at 4 months. Marissa was born into wartime.
"Renaissance" is another light/shadow study from "Adventures in Value", Marion Morehouse and E.E. Cummings. The subject of this piece, preserved by an earlier artist during Roman times as a concrete bust, would have been very familiar with war time. The laurel wreath is withering.
"Julie" was taken from a photograph of my daughter at age 5. Now, Julie is a mother who has given birth during war time.
"Edith Stein" was made with graphite on especially treated paper. It is meant to resemble an old piece of newsprint. Edith Stein, the famous phenomenologist, doctor, Jewess, Catholic nun and victim of the Holocaust was intimately familiar with war.
"Gandhi" was intentionally left very light in order to call to mind the fact that his way was one of light... reflecting light. In my opinion, Gandhi waged a war of light. His gentle smile and ultimate victory over oppression serve as a challenge and indictment. Let us not miss the Gandhis among us.