Christopher-Aaron Deanes

Happy Fall, but get back up.......

2011-10-27T13:51:00.000-07:00

To The Heavens" it is 24 X69 oil, rice, pastel, gesso on wood

Greetings Friends, and art family members. Sorry about the wait for the latest installment of my blog I have of course been busy. This piece that you are looking at now is titled "To The Heavens" it is 24 X69 oil, rice, pastel, gesso on wood. This is one of the Praise series that I recently completed. Since I last addressed you I have started this process of creating wood panels for painting, I am finding that I really enjoy painting on these.

Also I am continuing the tradition of inserting rice in my gesso as foundation. Yes, It is actually rice; representing all nations and all demographics.

Recently, I also signed up for the Black Art in America page to help promote my work along with applying for the Jerome Emerging artist grant (this did not work for me, there were others selected).. Persistence and perfection, persistence and perfection. I’m going to get there. Here are a few more pieces I created this summer/fall.

Postured Glare 16 X 16 oil, gesso, pastels, rice on wood

Raise The Praise, Oil, Gold Leaf, Pastels, Gesso, Rice on wood

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Man's Thoughts

2011-01-27T16:35:00.001-08:00

This sculpture is titled "Mans Thoughts" it is 57 X 72 X 45. Pastel, acrylic, water and flour believe it or not!

Narrative Reflections

2011-01-27T16:16:00.000-08:00

"Narrative Reflections"

16 X 24

Oils, Pastels, Gesso and Rice

One of the peices that was sold during the the Ubiquious Show in November 2010. This peice was done on wood panel as most of my most recent works. Oil pastels, rice and gesso a combination of sorts.

The Artist Within Us...the stories within us!

2011-01-19T13:02:00.000-08:00

Please join us for a new show coming to the UROC Gallery. Beginning Friday, January 21st the UROC Gallery will be featuring: "TAWU: The Stories Within Us," a new exhibit featuring artists of color from Obsidian Arts' TAWU Collective.
Opening ReceptionFriday, January 21, 20115:30 - 8:00 p.m. Artist Talk 6:30 - 7:30 _____Urban Research & Outreach/Engagement Center Gallery 2001 Plymouth Avenue NorthMinneapolis MN 55411(612) 626-8762
--

Overview
The University’s Urban Research and Outreach Engagement Center (UROC) is entering a new phase of growth and development in its permanent new building at 2001 Plymouth Avenue North, Minneapolis.
Senior Vice President Robert Jones and an interim leadership team are working to expand UROC's community-university partnerships, building on an earlier strategic planning process that involved many residents and organizations of North Minneapolis. The goal is to advance the University's commitment to North Minneapolis and urban communities by building sustainable programs that are responsive to community needs and that maximize the resources and assets of the University and all of its community partners.
A formal search for a permanent UROC director is planned by the end of the year. In the interim, Jones and the leadership team are working to identify gaps in UROC programming; broaden engagement of University faculty in UROC-based teaching, research, and outreach; and pursue opportunities for innovative partnerships that address critical challenges in North Minneapolis and create models for other challenged urban communities.
The team will continue to promote ongoing engagement with the people, organizations, and communities of North Minneapolis. This includes regular monthly meetings of the University Northside Partnership Community Affairs Committee as a forum for hearing ideas and concerns.
UROC History
The development of the University of Minnesota Urban Research and Outreach/Engagement Center began in 2005 as a result of informal conversations between Mayor R.T. Rybak and University President Bob Bruininks about how the University might join with the city to tackle the complex problems that faced North Minneapolis, one of the most underserved communities in the metro area.
This coincided with the University’s recruitment of Dante Cicchetti, a world-renowned expert who conducts groundbreaking work on family mental health aimed at reversing the negative effects of poverty, neglect, and other problems facing impoverished communities (including helping families avoid out-of-home placement of children into foster care). Cicchetti went on to to hold an endowed chair in the College of Education and Community Development but without direct connection to UROC. For a time, however, community interest in—and debate about—his work (see related FAQ for the University Northside Partnership, PDF format) spurred a vigorous process of community engagement that would prove important to UROC's development. In focus groups and community meetings, varied constituents in North Minneapolis participated in wide-ranging dialogues as well as formal votes. Representatives from the City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County joined these discussions.
In 2006, Senior Vice President Jones oversaw the creation of the University Northside Partnership as the convening mechanism to bring together community organizations based in North Minneapolis, city and county representatives, faith-based leaders, and University faculty and staff. The goal was a broad-based partnership to build stronger and healthier neighborhoods—a partnership that would build on existing community assets, tie together community and university expertise and resources, and leverage these efforts with city and county services and resources to realize a strong urban vision of community revitalization.
Towards the end of 2006, building on the foundation of the University Northside Partnership, Senior Vice President Robert Jones led the University's development of the Urban Research and Outreach/Engagement Center (UROC) as the interface between the University and community to achieve community-identified goals.
UROC increases the University’s ability to respond to repeated requests from North Minneapolis that the University facilitate collaborative projects, make its research and services more accessible, and allow for a more productive sharing of expertise and resources among community residents and organizations and University faculty, staff, and students. This direction is consistent with the suggestions and recommendations that emerged from the University’s Urban Agenda Taskforce Report.
Since 2006, the University has invested almost $200,000 in the Northside Seed Grant Program, administered by the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA), to support proposals from community organizations that operate programs that serve residents of the Northside community. The grants provide student research assistants and faculty researchers to carry out neighborhood-initiated and neighborhood-guided projects.
In November 2007, UROC’s first executive director, Irma McClaurin, was hired. The final transactions to secure the former shopping center at 2001 Plymouth Avenue N. as UROC’s home were completed in February 2008. The building opened its doors in October 2009, with a grand opening in May 2010. UROC continues to be led by Senior Vice President Jones as well as the interim leadership team he appointed in spring 2010.
UROC's mission is to link the University of Minnesota in vital public partnership with urban communities to advance learning, improve quality of life, and discover breakthrough solutions to critical problems.The UROC building provides University faculty and staff with office space in North Minneapolis for collaborative outreach and research programs reflecting community-identified priorities in the areas of education and training, family and community health, and economic development. Programs work toward specific goals in areas such as early childhood education, health disparities, health career development, youth development through the arts, youth development, nutrition, and other areas.
The Business and Technology Center (B-Tech), which received a $300,000 Empowerment Zone grant from the city to support programs for youth entrepreneurs, serves as a business incubator, provides technical assistance and support for Northside business and nonprofits, and helps to coordinate the UROC-based Broadband Access Project, a $3.6-million University of Minnesota initiative to close the digital divide.
UROC's initial development reflects a substantial financial commitment from the University. It also reflects funding from the federal Fund for the Improvement of Post-Secondary Education (FIPSE) over three years to document the process of community engagement around the themes of out-of-school time, healthy foods, and youth entrepreneurship. A $750,000 FIPSE grant served as the jumpstart to make UROC a reality.
Multipurpose space in the UROC collaborative research facility provides opportunities for other University services and community organizations to work and carry out programming on the Northside. As UROC’s building and programs take shape, a variety of initiatives and projects at the University and in neighborhoods are coalescing among community participants and University faculty and staff.
The Urban Research and Outreach/Engagement Center now anchors the University’s commitment to working in close partnership with the community to discover solutions to complex urban issues. Over the long term, the University of Minnesota envisions UROC as an anchor for thriving, innovative, and respectful collaborations that create a healthy and vibrant North Minneapolis, build new models of urban community development, and strengthen the University of Minnesota as a vitally engaged 21st-century university serving the public good.
Hawona Sullivan Janzen
Gallery Curator and Special Projects Coordinator
Urban Research & Outreach/Engagement Center
2001 Plymouth Avenue North Minneapolis MN 55411
private phone & fax: 612-626-1526
mobile phone: (612) 386-5268
email: janze005@umn.edu

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Ta-coumba Tyrone Aiken a MN Artist that excells beyond MN

2011-01-14T08:31:00.000-08:00

RADIANCE By Ta-Coumba Aiken

So I have been blessed to be friends and mentored by artist Ta-Coumba Aiken. This guy is a former student and graduate of The Minneapolis College of Art and Design from a while ago as myself. he has done work Nationally and Globally. Check out this video that was done by PBS on him in his own words.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n62Ws_B5WLU

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"Ya Feel Me"

2011-01-05T14:50:00.000-08:00

Lori Greene

Minneapolis, MN – Four women artists collaborate to create an exhibition with images and forms that are visually and/or physically addictive; testing the relevance of examination not only by sight and touch, but also through the perceived state of mind, to evoke a feeling, a particular sympathy, impression or conviction. Opening Reception January 15, 2011 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Artists Lori Greene, Stephanie Morris, Dorothy Johnson and Dee Henry Williams utilizing photography, ceramic and textiles, lead viewers on an artistic journey that encourages an understanding of their perspectives. Highly creative and flexible in their use of materials
and approach and deliberately producing images that deliver memory and illusion alternatively, the artists seek to provide contemplation and surprise.

Organized and curated by Minneapolis-based artists Christopher-Aaron Deanes and Shirley Robertson, “Ya Feel Me” is an attempt to explore ideas about “allure.” The exhibition will answer the questions: What images scream to be touched? Can a visual item compel someone to seek to touch it against their will or better judgment? The goal is to evoke sensations to the challenge “Ya Feel Me?”

Artist Dialogue: February 18, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. Free.

An organization of ideas . . . Obsidian Arts works to support artists, curators, and art historians in the examination of black visual culture. Founded in 2003 Obsidian Arts operates a gallery, black art history library, and artists’ development network (TAWU). Learn more about Obsidian Arts at www.obsidianartscenter.org. For additional information on this exhibition, please contact curators Christopher-Aaron Deanes and Shirley Robertson at obsidianarts@gmail.com.
Obsidian Arts is located in South Minneapolis at Pill House, 3501 Chicago Avenue S., Minneapolis, MN 55407.

The gallery is open: Mon–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Sat-Sun, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. No admission fee. Gallery Phone: 612-824-0708.

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u·biq·ui·tous (y-bkw-ts) having or seeming to have the ability to be everywhere at once; omnipresent

2010-11-12T10:10:00.000-08:00

egoist or egotist

5 X 7

Oil, Gesso, Rice, Pastels

$65

"Final Draw"
9 X 12
oil, rice and gesso on wood panel- $125

Up comming Art showing
Titled:UBIQUITOUS
Featured art by
(CEEI FASTINGARTIST) BOBBY BOOKER
AND
CHRISTOPHER AARON DEANES

This Friday at 6:30
Food, Music, and Art- Downtown.
Featuring Christopher-Aaron Deanes 12 most recent works in oils
ELSWORTH MENSWEAR
811 LaSalle Ave Suite 205A
Minneapolis, MN, 55402
jordin@elsworthmens.com
elsworthmens.com
612.339.0763
(c)612.644.8270

This work has been taxing to my studio time, family, ministry, and school. It embodies the whole of some of the things that I have recently trialed (such as relationships) and other things that are always in question of ponderance. As I proceed to grow my studio awareness and painting provisions I am developing what I consider one of the final and most steady stylized expression that I have ever created through the posture of using rice in my gesso as a stable. Oil Pastels expressionistic through the aggressive impressions that are developed through that thought and the images that fills the sketches and photos that Iv'e taken or found through my journey. I hope that you are able to enjoy this exhibition and expressly are able to gleam something positive or challenging from it.

This show is now posted at Elworh blog site located : http://http://www.elsworthmens.com/2010/11/13/until-art-do-us-part/

This work is dear to me as it has evaluated and become descriptive of my most recent body and expression. This exploration mves forward the continued use of rice in my work, oil pastels, and gesso. These mediums are displayed on wood panels. Enjoy

2010-10-05T12:11:00.000-07:00

This a painting I completed last week titled "Conscentization" it is 36" X 52" gesso, rice and oil pastels. This work builds around the socializing of education. The ideas that are consistently coming from Washington concerning education. So if you were a politician and had a grip on monies that would improve the schools which side would you take?

The Social Efficiency Ideology advocates believe that the purpose of schooling is to effectively meet the needs of society by training youth to function as future mature contributing members of our society.

Learner Centered Ideology proponents focus not on the need of society or the academic disciplines, but on the need and concerns of individuals.

Social Reconstruction Ideologies are conscious of the problems of our society and the injustices done to its members, such as those originating from racial, gender, and social and economical inequalities.

Historical Perspective of the curriculum ideologies has a historical recognition of the history of the traditions out of which each grew gives an important sense of perspective.

weigh in ......

here is another piece i recently finished 4 days ago. This one is of course titled

"EDucation REFORM" and it is 48" X 38" oil pastels, rice, and gesso

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2010-08-26T23:26:00.001-07:00

This show was incredible show. This retrospective on class, race, gender, politics, anthropology, sex, spirits, history, culture, figures, and discovery. Mindblowing, really I'm sorry you all missed it! This show has recieved grand attention and accolades from great creative minds. My TAWU is working on several things at this point. If you enjoyed this show you will surely like the group show we are currently at work on.

Visit MN MPR for one of the articles http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/state-of-the-arts/archive/2010/08/the-big-blaq-show.shtml

there was another article done on this show by Minnesota Spokesman Recoreded at http://www.spokesman-recorder.com/news/article/Article.asp?NewsID=104787&sID=4&Search=YES

There was also an article posted in the fwix http://fwix.com/twincities/article/458834cf1e/big_blaq_-_the_end_of_acquiesence_art_exhibition

MN Artist page http://www.mnartists.org/event.do?rid=268853

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Blogger Buzz: Blogger integrates with Amazon Associates

2010-08-05T14:59:00.000-07:00

Blogger Buzz: Blogger integrates with Amazon Associates

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VOODOO to what SAINTS DO

2009-09-21T12:06:00.000-07:00

I have since August been working on this proposal for the Haiti Biennial.

What happens when first world art rubs up against third world art? Does it bleed?
The Grand Rue Sculptors are a community of artists living in a downtown slum neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. This is the newest art community to have emerged in the last ten years. They have produced art that reflects a heightened, Gibsonesque, Lo-Sci-Fi, dystopian view of their society, culture and religion, and have dragged Haitian art into the 21st century. Jean Herard Celeur, Andre Eugene and Guyodo are at the core of the movement, which contains seven or eight other younger artists, all producing powerful sculptural works. Their work has opened entirely new vistas into the creative possibilities of the Vodou-inspired arts of Haiti. Their muscular sculptural collages of engine manifolds, computer entrails, TV sets, medical debris, skulls and discarded lumber transforms the detritus of a failing economy into deranged, post-apocalyptic totems.
In 2009 the 'Sculptors of Grand Rue' plan to hold their first 'Ghetto Biennale'. They are inviting fine artists, filmmakers, academics, photographers, musicians, architects and writers, to come to the Grand Rue area of Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, to make or witness work that will be shown or happen, in their neighbourhood. In the words of the writer John Keiffer it will hopefully be a “'third space'...an event or moment created through a collaboration between artists from radically different backgrounds”. '
'The artists use all the detritus of a post-industrial global economy which uses Haiti as a dumping ground. They return the compliment, creating astounding bricolages and assemblages which express both the despair and the seemingly endless creativity of Haiti and Voodoo. I have visited their ateliers on Haiti’s Grand Rue on several occasions over the last four years. I have had a chance to see their sculptures as they were being wrought from their desperate materials in a scrap yard on this wreck of a street, in this wreck of a city, in this wreck of a country. Saying all that, I would also have to add that, like Haiti, their sculptures seem to express the boundless creative energy of a people who are simultaneously the economically poorest, and artistically richest culture in the New World.' Professor Donald Cosentino, World Arts and Cultures, University of California-Los Angeles.
Forging a successful arts career is difficult for a downtown Haitian. Refused US entry visas, the Grand Rue sculptors were excluded from a private view of their work in a major museum in Miami. A lack of government support makes them economically excluded from all major biennales. The artists have responded by hosting the 'Ghetto Biennale', the first arts festival located in a shantytown in the developing world. The event will explore what happens when artists from radically different backgrounds come together. When first world art objectives encounter third world artistic reality, and when Western artists try to make art in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Haitian artist, Andre Eugene says, 'the Ghetto Biennale represents positive change in my area and gives us the chance to show another face of life in the ghettos of Port-au-Prince. I think we have much to offer and much to learn.'
Malaysian artist, Simryn Gill, has said of her potential involvement in the 'Ghetto Biennale'. 'The making of things, in the way that you describe Haitian artists doing, is very energising and attracting for me. Sometime it feels like we have left so behind us the acts of actually making, forming, transforming materials with passion and courage, and art has become a kind of domain of cleverness, even timidity, in case we somehow show ourselves up in too much eagerness or insufficient wit or skill by making forms.'
Kathy Acker, Andre Breton, Maya Deren, Katherine Dunham, Graham Greene, Jerzy Grotowski, Langston Hughes, Zora Neal Hurston, & Genesis P.Orridge have all visited Haiti and made work inspired by their visit.
More Informationhttp://www.yoonsoo.com/ghetto/files/about.html
DVD available on request 'Atis-Rezistans: the sculptors of Grand Rue' http://www.atis-rezistans.com/
http://www.yoonsoo.com/ghetto/index.htmlEnquiries & questions contact:
Leah Gordon at Leahgordon@aol.com or44.7958.566791 cell (UK)44.20.8533.1250 land line (UK)
Myron Beasley at performbrazil@gmail.com or 207.786.6437 (US)

Its titled "Ghetto" because of the poor and disparities in Haiti. For me this project will examine the opportunities to experience the culture and religion of Haiti. I intend to create 5 large paper drawings in pastels and paint. The works will encompass images of the culture of people there in Haiti. Theses will be paintings from drawings derived from photographs. I intend to canonize common folk and create a narrative of their lives categorizing them as Saints and giving them offices of the five fold ministries.

STATEMENT OF INTENT: As my current works I intend to depict the common folk there in the cities and communities as Saints even with symbols and images that portray their history and religions. My purpose in canonizing the commoners derive from the everyday people in our communities which can be perceived as saints according to their own doing without being dubbed as a saint to the masses. The Gran Narrative drawings will encompass local town hero’s and others that are not seen as hero’s just hard working people. My goal is to produce an image that will stir thoughts in Haitians about pride and resilience through there culture and religion. I would like to create a dialogue about Christianity among the already Christians there that will impact their ability and development. For the Non-Christians allow them, insight into that, Christian life in Haiti and what it might mean. Overtly my core intent is to create a conversation between the Christian world and that of the Voodoo community in Haiti, through art symbols and narratives.

I am exploding with excitement over this project and I hope to see great successes through it.

2009-07-22T11:22:00.000-07:00

Bishop "from the x-men"
I ran across this black superhero.com site and found it amazing. There is even this comic coming out about Storm "ORORO – BEFORE THE STORM" is called. I am a big fan of Storm and the X-men. Mr. T and Black Panther are a few more coming out. I am diligently working on this 38X42 piece for the Powder horn Arts Festival. I'll post a few images of this later.

A few years ago Aaron McGruder quit the cartoon strip business and just does the cartoon on Adult Swim Network. I was initially disappointed then I realized that he comes out better and more independent of his own characters. You go Mcgruder. We are we enthralled with the BrotherMan comics back in the day and they are making a comeback now also August 1st check them out as well. http://www.brothermancomics.com/drawingfromthesoul/

Anyways Ive gotta get back to work. Stay connected.--

The 18th Annual Powderhorn Art Fair, August 8-9th

2009-07-10T09:03:00.000-07:00

This is the Art Fair I look forward to every year. Not just because My artist group T.A.W.U. is involved in this fair but also because it is situated on a day that involves three art fairs around the cities. Even the Cities transit system is up to reflect free rides between the other art fairs and this one. There has been a long debate about the Art Fairs that are happening on this day and how they operate. Popular opinion says that The Metris Uptown Art Fair which is of course in Uptown on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis its with standing to be the National attention getter. Lots of artist from all over the country attend this event and sale art work. The boot fees are always pretty high and you are expected to get the grunt of high end art and and rub elbows with people with money. Then there is The Loring Park Art Festival involves more of a cultural attention crowd. you can go there to attain, taste, view and partake in vendors of savory foods, drinks and very diverse culture. Now they also have a listing of about 140 artist on tap that are involved in folk art and some crafty type works (sometimes this is the more functional art out there, and theses are the artist that will probably sell the most this year, simply because people are looking to purchase things that help and not hinder the pockets. Then there is The second oldest of the three, The Powder horn Arts Festival I'll start by giving you the quote from their website

“We originally planned on visiting all three art fairs this weekend: Powder horn, Loring Park, and big daddy Uptown. Powder horn Park was so perfectly inviting, and the artists so interesting, we spent the whole afternoon there and never looked back.” -Filmmaker Chuck Olsen. This says lot certainly, and I'm very excite this year because I will have my daughter working the booth with me and selling some art work and talking to people about that art culture that I love so much. Now please don't think I am steering you away from the other two but please come out and partake of the fruits that we will be sharing with you this first weekend in August. The Powder horn Arts Festival encompasses up and coming artist maybe some novice maybe some formally trained and certainly some fold artist. Gotta get the getting while the iron is hot, eh?

Also I forgot to mention that the Target Art Hop (this is what the Twin Cites has dubbed these events) , has a free bus service, for art lovers to enjoy a variety of artists, locations and cultures that nourish you hungry creative minds.

ART 21

2009-06-22T01:27:00.000-07:00

Mondays Highlights.

Get ready for Season 5!
The Season 5 artist roster, episode list, and broadcast dates will be announced on Monday, June 22.
For a sneak peek of Season 5, watch the trailer on art21.org .
Season 5 related announcements and content will be featured throughout the months leading to broadcast on the Art21 Blog .

This series is expressive and has extreme influence of me as an artist. I encourage you to follow the blog as well as the PBS series that will resume this fall 2009 for more information it's really fantastic. Dont cheat yourself.

Study #3

2009-05-08T22:59:00.000-07:00

This is the smallest portrait study #3. I wanted to create a drawing of a lonely fat guy .

small studies

2009-04-29T22:19:00.000-07:00

Being around Christopher Harrison all the time I can't help but to be inspired by his dedication and consistency in doing ...... at, design, painting, etc, etc, etc. I started this series of small painting studies today and finished to small 2"X 4" paintings small but they are studies. I'm starting with the portrait and this will evolve into the study of the hands. Thanks Christopher, you inspire me.

alone vision

2009-04-14T13:51:00.001-07:00

This is the African Elder print I've created a while ago titled "Vision". This piece was done in linoleum block ink and acrylic. It represents the future and the aspirations of what is to come.

We have to believe that there is a better tomorrow especially those of us that are wrapped up in the today's dealings. My bills, my family, my stress, my depression, my dissonance towards what is given.

Isn't it natural to rebel on some level? I mean Adam and Eve, Noah and Nineva, O.J. and the rest of us. LOL

Ive been swamped working of literature and flyer's for my church and man what a lot of work ministry is. I have also been busy painting.

As a painter I find myself painting my mood at times. sometimes I feel as though its an internal thing , that maybe we don't just frown externally but internally as well sometimes. I have had so many people that are drawn to these images that express the lower character of our emotions. There is something that intrigues me about these images beyond the texture of the paint, and brush stokes as usual. The delivery of docile temperaments in people, the type we don't run across often are clearly displayed in the direction of of theses individuals. They are also fictional characters. I want the reader to see people they know or have seen before. Because these are quite possibly people that I have seen before. The next 6 wood block portraits will have a different color in the back ground. Maybe the mood also has a lot to do with the color, the cool colors in the background of the first 6 pieces, maybe I should name then after moods or emotions as a result?

From The Continuity of Change article by Dr. Bateson

2009-04-14T13:01:00.000-07:00

As I read this articles about The Continuity and Change: Two sides of a Paradox I envisioned a sports commentator watching and announcing a runner win a race and stating the obvious of the race. The winner is…… A definite in our journey through life and learning. Dr. Bateson argued that the educational system is not a race to be won or more correctly quoted “games that can be won”. Challenged by the perception of the end result of education and educational reform, or for this matter any reform. I too agree that education is “not a game to be won”, yet a to be strategize. This article awoke a sense of articulation for the demonstration of what I understand about learning styles. I believe that learners learn best by educators focusing on their learning styles. Even more so specifically that David Kolb who theorized the development of the four learning styles does not have all the answers. What about the child with Emotional Behavior Disorder, or Oppositional Defiant individual; maybe consider the extreme illiterate beyond third grade. Let us expanded that thought to understand that the real perception of success is truly learning and being a student, always.

The metaphors that Dr. Bateson used to explain the how educational leadership ought to be perceived though “raising a baby” was the most precise. We never know that a baby would be born without a limb, autistic, colicky, deaf, mute, or other disabilities that would hinder the use of conventional knowledge that could be derived from reading a “How to raise a child” book. The analogy of Growing old could possibly have several collations to precursors that are early onset behaviors and patterns, its more predictable.

Walking a tight rope in my opinion is by far the least descriptive of the continuity between educational leadership and the change of it. A tight rope walker could tell you that they have experienced the things that would indicate a fall and that anything shy of science fiction acts could be expected.

When Mary Bateson compares the education system to that of a cybernetic system she draws images of education swaying between the same issues and reforms. This pattern is repeated to return to the more dominant ideology of the common thing, the comfort zone. In a cybernetic system is an evolution equation that creates clever ways to takes and disburses information, much like the educational system where information is taught and stored, and disbursed the same and different ways a controlled pendulum.

Author Whitehead’s definition of misplaced perception is partially true according to the text read in this article. As I read that misplaced concreteness is really abstract thinking, I realize that this to is the basis of reform in Continuity and Change. Creating lesson plans and using rubrics as Mr. Whitehead explains are things to get excited about though they hold little value in the true issues of education.

Dr. Bateson hold critical understanding as to how the educational system is dissonant and lacking in unstructured, unapologetic learning without educators and the educated being penalized for not being concrete. Your concreteness should exist in what you understand not what you know, when it does then we are become learners and educators.

Your Bussiness Struggle

2009-03-15T10:27:00.000-07:00

I am so very sorry that I have not written in a while. I will make it up to you asap.

I have to say that this piece has everything to do with life here in this great country as we speak. The poverty struggle, the joblessness struggle, the homelessness struggle.

I recently moved away from my family's townhouse and it was quite a mission. I was mostly packing and moving stuff on my own which required extreme energy levels. I tell you, you must have friends, real friends it's priceless. Yeah, you all came through at the last minute but nevertheless you did come through to allow me an opportunity to load your vehicles with stuff.

Bussiness Struggle, Watercolor--Christopher-Aaron Deanes

This all took place less than a week prior to Christmas. Well, you know how this could possibly be a problem (finanacially). However we stuck it out and moved forward. The family is quite scattered at this time. I am staying with an artist friend everyone else is scattered. Sometimes God will shift your existence to build your charatcter for the very things that he needs you to equip you for the hat he intends to place on your head, and I tell you I have a large head!

The journey is not completed of course. There is a shifting in the art, family, and resources. I seems like it doesn't ever end. My website is undergoing an overhaul as a result of this. I am also working diligently on applying for the Whitney Independent Study Program and the doctrate Program at The University of St. Thomas.

I recently read this article about how a certain culture was enamered with the ideas of created the perfect little utopic world for their children and children's children. Even the bible addresses leaving an inheritance for your children and theirs. The only thing is that like in this article the very next generation was inspired by their predicessors and began to revolt against the systems set in place to create a better and more equiped place for their own generation. So you see we even as a nation that fights to get back to the prosperity of the 90's we too need to adapt and get better.

Cars run by oil/ there should be cars created to run on electricity and water. Electric run homes/ to use solar power. Wind turbines, water power used for electricity etc, etc, etc. When we realize that this Nation as a pioneer that we are is moving then we can create productive jobs for us all that will embody us as a people and not us as individual consumers.
This is the Nano Car created by and India Company Tata. Its 10 feet long and 5 feet wide. Its all aluminum and it runs 50 miles per gallon. Thats all great but heres the big thing its $2,000-$2,500 unloaded. WOW! Now why can't American compete with this? Are we too greedy? I tell you.

2008-09-22T02:33:00.000-07:00

The Exploding Language show is going............... There has been several developments that really exploit the minds of man's though of what prejudice is. Ernest Brynat III has been interviewed on this public news station for the exposing langauge to people. It's quite interesting as to how peopel take this and make assumtions, but also to its end we too have to be responsible to execute the expression of people minds to open their understanding of culture and community. http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/myfox/MyFox/pages/sidebar_video.jsp?contentId=7431339&version=1&locale=EN-US

This is a a video from the fox 9 news channel nuff said there eh?

This is one of the most exploratory shows I have both experienced and been a part of, I am interested to get more feed back about this show from viewers and critiques alike.

Exploring the Black Arts Movement involves the attention of a community of folks that really don't have much experience or exposure to the arts; in a way that others do. As I look around at other families and people in my community; I see what is considered creative--- the latest Nike shoes, the coldest rap lyric, who sounds like lil' Wayne or Kanye' West. Then there are the creative Hip Hop generation that dress a way (saggy pants, one leg up, hat in a different direction large belt buckles with flashy bling to boot). The Hip Hop generation is a look, a life style, and a sound.

But wait a minutes... haven't we as a people always been the ground breaking pioneers of this country and now the world? Someone school me......

I viewed the Art 21 web site this week to discover the Kerry James Marshall my all time favorite fine artist and spokesman. Well versed, articulate, educated, and awseome art.

"Untitled Painter" 2008 courtesy of Jack Shainman Gallery

"Untitled Pin-up" 2008 Acrylic on PVC courtesy of Koplin Del Rio

2008-08-21T13:14:00.000-07:00

Mark Bradford is a funny cat. I met him at the Kara Walker show last year at the Walker Art Center here in Minneapolis. Flirting with all the girls, charming and funny. We began our conversation that was quite carnal but reverted to our internal selves, (ART). and what a stimulating conversation we had about the state of Black art today and how do you address it without being redundant????? The general consensus was to just be yourself. That's real. Here is his new video on the Art 21 website.

http://blog.art21.org/2008/07/31/mark-bradford-paper/

Adewale Adenle with Christopher Harrison

2008-08-20T14:32:00.000-07:00

"Fantasizing" oil on canvas 18" x24"
Today I will bring you a Nigerian artist Adewale Adenle. Europe, America, and Africa are just a few places that display his work. He has done mural projects and fairly large gallery shows as well. His work is for sale on his website.

O.K. let's dig into a local artist and friend

Christopher Harrison. As I have watched this guy explore painting in a way; that seemed too loose at times and extremely tight at others, He is a nuff said painter. the quality of the brush strokes really amaze me and render me paralyzed as I am forced to gaze at the intricate details of his work.

Marcus Jansen

2008-08-16T12:25:00.000-07:00

Marcus Jansen is quite talented. His works explore a different type of landscape panting than one migt imagine. He delivers oil and enamel onto a canvas as though it arrived through a dance or some sort of artistic movement. I imagine art works similar to produce a kind of conversation about the likelyhood of whats expected and what can be derived as a result of emotional and physical retribution. It's moving and explosive, to say the least. Please take time and check out his works, his new website opened today.

Unity is escaping--The Topic Is Race; the Art Is Fearless, the artist is Rashid Johnson

2008-08-15T10:27:00.001-07:00

This illustration I created with the thought and the struggle that exist between us as a people, business and culture. Sometime I think we are headed in a vertical format but still appose each other. We fight to maintain our own but forget about the others around us. B

"Business Struggle", Gauche on weighted watercolor paper

"It takes a village to raise a child", that was quoted as an African proverb, Hilary Clinton thinks that she coined it:D Team work is something that demands that we trust in and rely on each other. You know you actually have to believe in that persons abilities in some respect. This is a hard task to ask, at times.

Anyway I was brosing the web and came across another fabulous show I missed. Read the article the NY Times did about it. This show was back in March that displayed an awesome artist Rashid Johnson at Nicole Klagsburn Gallery. Please check this brother out. There are somethings that represent the pun of our realistic pondering.

This is one of his photo's.

"White Bronco (things I'll buy when I get my reparations check)"

done in chromogenic development print 2003

Processing

2008-08-10T22:52:00.000-07:00

Dear Anonymous Person,
Thanks for your response. The image that I posted last week was a sketch I did for a t-shirt design that will come out in the spring. Thanks for the complement. Here is another example of some of the new works that I am dillegently processing. This I call "The Yell". Its how we sometimes cope with lifes turns and burns. You know the bruises and cruises. This peice was done in HB pencil and acrylic. Keep reading and thanks again.

Christopher-Aaron

Exploding Language

2008-08-05T05:43:00.000-07:00

Greetings Friends and fellow bloggetts. I have been far too busy to re-enter this world lately and I do apologize. I will make it my business to continue my monthly blogging, in spite of lifes world-winds.

So since we last blogged there has been so much taking place. The Soul on Ice show was hugely successful and I will post some pictures later this week about it. I have since then started the process for the Exploding Language show. This show is gonna be really an interesting exploration of the Black Arts Movement. The artist included in this show are Torkwase Dyson, Tim Portlock, Mica Lee-Anders, Christopher Harrison, Charles Huntley Nelson, Michael Paul Britto, Jessica Ann Peavy, Ernest Bryant III,and of course myself. The drawing above is a sketch I did last week at the Powderhorn Arts Festival. It was kind of boring sitting there watching people. Sold a little but of course the connections were there. I'm excited to do this project ( the Exploding Language). This will be the hottest thing during the National Convention around here. Sometimes timing is everything. The government has apparently put limits as to what can be created (public art) during the National Republican Conventions. That's funny, eh? Anyway I'm back and will be writing, stay blessed-

Soul on Ice 2008

2008-02-16T13:14:00.000-08:00

"Soul on Ice”
- Understanding the value and depth of Black Culture This is a show of Black Culture which includes the largest number of Minnesota Black Artists. Over Sixty Artist's will be participating in this show

We exist in quantity and are living and working here in the state of Minnesota, this show will prove it!

When:February 23rd – March 24th, 2008 Where:Soap Factory 518 2nd Street SE, Minneapolis, MN http://www.soapfactory.org/

Reception will be held Saturday February 23, 2008 from 7-11pm

This show is sponsored by the artist collective called T.A.W.U., (the art within us), an artist support group sponsored by Obsidian Arts, will curate this phenomenal group exhibition.

The title is inspired from the renowned author and activist, Eldridge Cleaver. His book, entitled “Soul on Ice”, reflects on the turbulent times of the civil rights movement, an era of revolution and change. He made important strides in building a culture consciousness that is still very active in our lives today.

The artist are challenged to create their interpretation and understanding of the enormous value and great depth of Black Culture.

TAWU/Obsidian Arts Contact:
Pat Phillips
Soul on Ice
(612) 822-6808
Obsidian Arts Gallery
734 E. Lake Street #220
Minneapolis, MN 55407
phil0115@umn.edu
www.obsidianarts.org

iona rozeal brown

2007-09-16T22:39:00.000-07:00

This sister has some flavor in her prints that address race and identify on several levels that explore the state of being. Her works are shown at Speilman College. Here is acopy of her bio it speaks volumes about who she is and her views of race and identity.

back in 1997, i read an article in Transitions written by Joe Wood. it was titled "The Yellow Negro," and subsequently introduced me to a group of Japanese youth called ganguro who darkened their skin and paid top dollar to have their hair permed into afros.

sure, i'd seen white youth here in the states hang out with black youth, adapt the pimp/stroll/gait, the slang/lingo/lexicon, the whole nine. Bo Derek took it to new heights with those cornrows. and then these Japanese youth were trying to be as black as they could. this was different.

one way for me to talk about the ganguro is with the help of Japanese woodblock prints from the Edo period. Ukioy-e, the floating world, was a time of decadence: new art forms, high fashion, geisha, samurai - codes, honorifics, passages, accoutrements, style-flossing, whips, bling, rhymes, beats, cutting, scratching, fresh gear, dope ropes, b-boy stances, sampling.

i re-present these prints to represent the present while maintaining connections with the past. hip-hop, and therefore black culture (should) do the same thing. although not always receiving a fair cut, if any cut at all, black people have supplied, and continue to supply the world with marketable talents. "you all and your music. you're just so FREE!" this freedom emitted by hip-hop, jazz, gospel, blues, the djembe, speaks, attracts, seduces, mesmerizes, hypnotizes, educates and engulfs.

...blackness...coolness ...freedom...free like we?...they don't know who we be (DMX)...we real cool (Gwendolyn Brooks)...cool like dat (Digable Planets...check the jazz group in the video).

part of the romantic idea is that we are all mirror images of each other. beyond the ganguro phenomenon, there are many connections between these two cultures; on a good day, the relationship is reciprocal, the dark-faced ganguro may not be popular anymore, but the acquisition of hip-hop accoutrements, both visual and verbal, is vogue, fly, fresh...you get the picture.

iona rozeal brown

Mark Bradford does some cool................

2007-09-16T22:25:00.000-07:00

Street Level: Mark Bradford, William Cordova & Robin Rhode

Mark discusses his performance art in this promotional clip for a segment on Art21 Season Four. Art21 included this description of his work: Mark Bradford uses signage and advertisements scavenged from the street to create wall-sized collages which respond to the impromptu networks that emerge within a city, such as underground economies, immigrant communities, or the use of abandoned public space. In his films, Bradford captures and documents the cultural, political and racial conditions of an urban environment.(images fo the Art 21 4th season)

View his performance here!!!

I was honored to meet him at the Kara Walker exhibit this past February 2007. Tall mellow guy with a large personality. Then I later looked him up and experienced his abstracts they really blew me away. Go ahead and look at his works, they WILL impress you.

One million dollars donated to the HIV cure and fighting againgst AIDS

2007-09-03T20:04:00.000-07:00

As an Instructor and Artist I have found that throughout the time spent creating art there is a significant link to self and the discovery of thehumanities. While I have experience creating Neo-Manerist paintings, abstract INCONSCIOUSSNESS artworks, and prints; there is no comparison to the work that changes the lives of individuals.

Upon research I discovered HIV/AIDS Facts For MinnesotaAs of 12/31/05, a total of 7,824 HIV and AIDS cases have been reported to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) since the epidemic began:1,539 (20%) African American469 (6%) Africa-born431 African Americans have died 31 Africa-born persons have died 1,156 African Americans currently living with HIV (includes those who haverelocated to Minnesota) 587 Africa-born persons currently living with HIV (includes those who have relocated to Minnesota)304 new HIV cases were reported in 2005:158 (52%) cases among whites: rate 3.7 per 100,00066 (22 %) cases among African American: rate 39.3 per 100,00048 (16%) cases among Africa-born: rate 96 – 136 per 100,000 Statewide rates for African Americans were 11 times greater than whitesRates for Africa-born communities were 26 to 37 times greater than whites* only 4.3 of Minnesotas population is African American. (CDC)

This summer of 2007 I created these two by three black on black cresentboard paintings that would sell for two dollars and fifty cents. This artwork would lend assistance to the African American Aids programs in which one dollar of each sell would go towards The Black AIDS Institute and Product Red. My goal by the year 2009 in have sold one million of these pieces in effort to get the word out, this is the number one cause of death among African American.

I encourage you to assist me in the support in this cause. These small paintings are $2.50 each and $1 of each will be donated to these two organizations. These paintings are presented at an acual size and are all pastel drawing/paintings on black on black cresent board over clear golden acrylic paint and rice (for that particular style, please see future info in rice paintings). These are a few that I have started with, if you are interested in being a part of this contribution and more please contact me via email (chrisdeanes@yahoo.com) or post a comment.

Titus Kaphar "as tight as Kaphar"

2007-08-31T03:21:00.000-07:00

WOW! I'm never really ceased in the amazement and pleasure that I receive from viewing and experiencing artist works that are created in the contempt. senses. This cat Titus is one of the Studio Museum of Harlem boys that emerged as an artist with the statement of destroyed arts art. Is it destroyed? Or is it just now created? (that is the question) Some of the images that I've experienced of his was the bodies being cut from the paintings and hung backwards or upside down. It's kind of genius that wanted to support arts and art making and I guarantee that you will be amaazed at the skill level of dialoge that will arise out of this visual expolsion here. Titus has exhibited with a few of the now contempary artist that are hot off the press. This guys has been buzzing in the art air for a few years and I am hopeing Minneapolis being the midwest art mega that it is invites his soon.

Guernica's War--chaos and purpose

2007-08-25T07:18:00.000-07:00

As an art watcher/investigator/interigator I usually pick apart images and art works. Not in a bad way but observational, questioning, imagining and responding. Our thinking as a society should consistently disect these ideas throughout lifes experiences and not just eye-candy (visual arts, or for what I am writing about today). As I stated earlier that Picaso was a pacifist in a weird nonconforming way but in the works that ALLLLLLLLLLLL artist are socially conscious on some level. It doesn't always come out in the works but sometimes in text.

We aught to ask ourselves as artist how do we teach each other to think? Thought is what we learn or refined thinking is great disipline, to put it another way! As I explored the relationship between the study of thought process and controversal art I began to explore arts even in a subtle way that challenges the way we percieve information. This is about much more than the dominance of style, form, color, and status it's about who's communicating a message that moves you to think.

At the auspicious dragon web site there are truely some provoking ideas that are being formed here. Check them out as well. Relativity 1953 Lithograph
M.C. Escher

As You can see this piece here done by Mr. Etcher is a historical piece. Relativity influences thet thought of travel, traveling towards a predestined destiny???? I'm not sure yet it doesnt quite ever get there and it also seems that that the this work has an unlimited groove (flow) on the synthetic staging of an alter reality

Pablo Ruiz Picasso and American Art

2007-08-08T22:35:00.000-07:00

The Walker Arts Center has done it again; where The Whitney Museum of American Art has organized a fabulous showcase of art and artist representing an era of Picasso. This display exhibits an star cast of artist such as Jackson Pollock, Louise Bourgeois, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Jasper Johns and some other incredible cast members. There are over 30 pieces created by Pablo. This show exemplified the formation of art in the last century and how Picasso shaped the minds of culture, art and people.

This artist was born one year after I was born. He was and stilll is know as the father of Braque painting, and was the most in stle and fad of a people before pop-art and the evolution of the culture of the masses. Does this tell you abot Pablo? Well lets dig a bit into who he was and what this means to us a people today.

Pablo Ruiz Picasso (October 25, 1881 – April 8, 1973) was a Spanish painter and sculptor. His full name was Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Clito Ruiz y Picasso.
One of the most recognized figures in 20th century art, he is best known as the
co-founder, along with Georges Braque, of cubism.

Pablo Picasso was born in Málaga, Spain, the first child of José Ruiz y Blasco and María Picasso y López. He was believed to be a stillborn baby. However his uncle, Salvador Quiz Blasco a well known doctor, revived the baby by blowing cigar smoke into lifeless Pablo's lungs, Wow! and they say smoking will kill you? How about reviving a whole generation of visiually stagnated folks? He was christened with the names Pablo, Diego, José, Francisco de Paula, Juan Nepomuceno, Maria de los Remedios, and Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad.

Picasso's father was a painter whose specialty was the naturalistic depiction of birds and who for most of his life was also a professor of art at the School of Crafts and a curator of a local museum. The young Picasso showed a passion and a skill for drawing from an early age; according to his mother, his first word was "piz," a shortening of lápiz, the Spanish word for pencil.It was from his father that Picasso had his first formal academic art training, such as figure drawing and painting in oil. Although Picasso attended art schools throughout his childhood, often those where his father taught, he never finished his college-level course of study at the Academy of Arts (Academia de San Fernando) in Madrid, leaving after less than a year.

As I did some research on Picasso I found him to be a Pacifist. You know a person that is indifferent when it comes to war, peace bound but, against taking a liberal stance in the way that would post him up as for or against a thing. Pablo's stance allows him to be acepted by diverse communities internationally. It's kind of genious, who doesnt enjoy images that are not politically charged?

As a child I could hardly appreciate Picasso, but as a trained artist and 35 year old man I'm enamored with the likes of his labor. Please read his bio it quite interesting.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picasso

Laylah Ali

2007-02-27T12:57:00.000-08:00

This was a most interesting meet. Laylah I met at the Kara Walker exhibit. She was there with Kara to interview her for the artist talk at the Walker Arts Center. The talk was great, she asked all the right and dificult questions that noone else would probably not anked. Ms. Ali called me warm hands (LOL)!

Her work is really sparking a cord with me in terms of the simplicity and intricacy of the images. Look and see what i mean. its quite interesting how the simplest images create such powerful messages.

Wangechi Mutu

2007-02-27T12:53:00.000-08:00

It was most exciting to see and hear from Wangechi Mutu at the University of Minnesota in March. She spoke about how sexuality and personality defined women and how she wanted these jounalistic images (to her) to grow. The images that she is most know for are the ones that she used as journal sketches. I tell my students all the time how sketching is important as artist.

My Enemy? or My Friend? The Walker's know their sh...

2007-02-27T12:23:00.000-08:00

Take a look at Kara Walkers new exhibit: Kara Walker: My Complement, My Enemy, My Oppressor, My Love
This show features a retrospective of Kara’s work that includes work as recent as 2006 and as old as 1994.

You can see the growth in her new works and it explodes into the backdrops of women and abuse of women. WOW is how I felt observing her new forks that are displayed in the newest showing that will also exhibit in Los Angeles and London. This new work is enticing to the thoughts of how and why consequences that we address in our own state of being as African Americans but also as a community. The purpose is, in part, to eliminate the exotic nature of difference. Like history itself, it is possible, then, that a single exhibition, a single artwork, can prompt both deep pleasure and sharp pain, depending on each participant’s perspective, disposition, knowledge, and background. It’s all about communication as I so frequently explain to students of mine at The Minneapolis College of Art and Design.
I am excited to see Kara take a stand on something that is important and needed. "I don't feel anything is moved forward in a conversation about race because it is a conversation about race," Kara says.

Its an ongoing journal, a dialog that’s both needed and ignored in our community. In the Star Tribune newspaper her in Minneapolis Kara says " I come at this work from a whole range of visceral feels, A large part of my work appears in these big institutions and I want it to speak directly to a black, female audience there because I think nobody speaks to them. It's just a complex construction, to be black, and American, and a woman. It's interesting to touch a spot that hasn’t healed in me or in most African American women, I think."

Soft spoken, shy, but walks with a large stick. I also had an opportunity to meet her father, Atlanta-based painter Larry Walker, who has a huge history in art and art history; both as an instructor and artist himself. Her sister Dana Walker is also a fabulous photographer over at the art center, in Pasadena.

This is a remarkable display of an artist growth as a Woman and an African American Artist.

Yes To Praise

2007-01-23T11:33:00.001-08:00

These are 4X6 images that I painted with acrylic and pastels.

They are titled: Yes To Praise
Images that were created in my sketch journal.
fun eh?

They will be sold at the General Mills Art Show in February 2007, cool.

MCAD and Ellen Gallagher

2006-12-11T13:27:00.000-08:00

Awesome School, yeah! really not just because I graduated from there in 1996, and not because I am currently teaching a class there (January 07).
But, really because there is a profound message that resonates in the halls of the former, present and future students there; where there is a energy that surpass visiting a single artist studio and being inspired. MCAD has an energy that sparks the interest and spontaneity of creativity and integrity of the evolution of the mind (WOW, THAT'S DEEP).
I am convinced that there is a resounding Deity that resides in the souls of the students that are fired up about art and art making.

MCAD - Minneapolis College of Art and Design
2501 Stevens Ave S Minneapolis, MN 55404

View Map(612) 874-3700

http://www.mcad.edu/

The class "In the Life of Ellen Gallagher" is a splendid study of the life of a modern-day artist whom I believe has earned strips in the I war against the Pleasantville-types (you now those of whom wish to deminish art and art making, because it is the ultimate freedom of speech).Anyway I'll address more about Ellen after I see the show at the Walker.

http://calendar.walkerart.org/canopy.wac?id=3124

Kehinde is doing it Big......

2006-12-11T13:05:00.000-08:00

I remember in 2005 walking 5 blocks to a gallery named Franklin Art Works, here in Minneapolis. The night was cold, it was January, and the show was with this artist that I had just head about name Kehinde Wiley. Impressively enough I took the red pill and dove in. The show was off the chains, not to mention meeting Kehinde Wiley, himself. Cool guy I took a walk with him as he smoked and talked about the politics of the art world. With his rep from Tilton there I was schmoozing and kissing major bottom.
After chatting with Kehinde I was really inspired that this brother from the west coast residing in the east could do what he was doing. He's impressive and I thank you Kehinde for the encouragement and the autograph (sweet deal). Now Kehinde has blown up and that is literal, I remember when Jean Michel Basquiat was the man and I think that Kehinde will surpass him in status of African American art history, and that not a cut on my man Jean but, well, you tell me, check him out for yourself. The one thing that I noticed that they have in common is that they both paint without shoes on.
www.kehindewiley.com

He has since, been on the Today Show with Matt Laurer, painted works for the VH1 Hip hop Show in 2005, and really have had incredible success. This brother is a great example of African American Art and Art making today!
Go ahead Kehinde you've got my support!

Villalongo, yeah, I'll go!!!!

2006-11-09T15:55:00.000-08:00

Life is just backwards at times you know? You ask what creates the evil in people and their thinking? I really believe that patience and persistency is key along with prayer. I am also inpatient at times, though. When life is bigger than you it has to be worked out daily, spiritually and not carnally. These times we truly feel lost and discouraged in our social man, you know?

O.K., enough about personal psychological battles.
Question: Will the Art world think of me a hypocrite if I love and promote an artist who does works that are as mythological, cut out images and worthy (artisticlly) as Kara Walker? and be critical of her content?
Well call a spade when you see one.
I am floored to meet and explore the paintings of William Villalongo.

Villalongo offers wry commentary on the state of race relations in America with flat, large painting/collages full of hard-edged shapes intertwined and influenced by baroque paintings. He paints in layers of acrylic over black velvet and adds crowds of putti, cut out of paper, and laid on the surface. The colors are beautiful, rich, and restful, making the intense compositions possible to look at. These are visual tour de forces that look like hard-edge acrylic designs until you look closer. He also makes cut-out line drawings on black velvet paper with similar subject matter.

In "Love Before the Colonization of Mars," putti and aliens -- all dropped down from outer space to a gorgeous jungly environment-- have an orgy, and in "Dirty Diana and the Beast with 40 Eyes" (right), quoting from William Bouguereau's "Nymphs and Satyr," Villalongo shows Cupid (himself?) being dragged by sexy ladies to an uncertain fate as putti lurk beneath the greenery or get chewed up by the 40-eyed pink beast in the right hand corner. These images show a world without rules, where playfulness and danger are love partners.
(provided by http://www.fallonandrosof.com/2004/08/politics-of-different-color.html)

William Villalongo will grace us at The Franklin Art Works in two weeks. I am excited because this s the same place where I met Kehinde Wiley two years ago and its only 4 blocks from my house. Hope to see the hard core art fork in their Sundays best.

"Necessary Interactions"

2006-10-02T12:20:00.000-07:00

It seems that life has an interesting way of telling you that you are moving in the right or wrong direction.

From my abstract collection.
This is called "necessary Interactions"
Oil and mixed medium

There is so much to this painting. It took over ten years to complete this piece. It has rice, aerosol, oils, acrylic, and heavy gesso in this structure as well as passion, redemption, salvation, renewed strength, creativity and intrigue.

This piece represents the deity of abstract painting. It has the raw vision of a sketch and the blunt smell of fresh bread in front of a bakery. The bold lines were created as I was in prayer. The honesty of the lines moves you into a dimension that will explore each and everyone individually as a graphing of life as a dream narrative that you might dream for days, concurrently.

The color is a investigation of facts and supposablies (I know its not a real word). But suppose that certain opposite hues were not that same, and contrasting colors were superimposed upon each other to create a flared psychological morphemic that decodes the very thing that you need in paintings. (Well lets just say the purest on certain colors exposed to a fire that this painting truly made it out of and was reborn, like a phoenix).

One of the things that happen in my abstract works are the uncovering of life's excuses for reality.

Well write me lets dialog about it.

Through The eyes of the artist....

2006-08-29T14:16:00.000-07:00

Through The Eyes of The Artist...
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Patrick Cunningham
"The Butterfly" 2006

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"Urban Luck" Christopher-Aaron Deanes 2006
Yes, a new art show held at
The Center for Independent Artists - 4137 Bloomington Avenue South - Minneapolis, MN USA 55407
Phone: 612-724-8392 - Fax: 612-724-8421 - cia@c4ia.org

This show will be held with an incredible abstract artist
Patrick Cunningham ( no stranger to the Midwest art scene).

patrickccunningham.net

Check out the bios at the www.c4ia.org site.
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The reception will be held on September 15 from 6:00-9:00pm
The show will run from September 1 -25 titled "Through the Eyes of Patrick Cunnningham and Christopher-Aaron Deanes

The African Elders

2006-08-29T11:49:00.000-07:00

Your feed back on the Elders would be great!!!

"Thought"

"Vision"

"Overcome"

"Strong"

"Gilgal"

These are Linoleum Blocks that were hand carved and then acrylic paint was applied over the final print. These were each done on a black on black cresent board stock and cut to the individuals size. I am currently having them framed.

Karas Walkering a Thin Line (repost)

2006-08-21T13:24:00.000-07:00

O.k. I was thinking about the artist Kara Walker.

Kara Walker creates these elaborate shadows that are old slavery, plantation narratives, that depict the slave women hanging the slave owners, while the slave women give oral compensation to him (kindo wild, eh?)

check her out for yourself: http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/walker_kara.html

Yeah, I love her as an artist she’s well spoken and quite a scholar but, Well, here is the question?

Should artist have a sense of responsibility to community if they are African American, and do Racially charged work?

(example : Kara Walker, Betty Sarr, Michael Ray Charles).

I think about the desensitizing of the slavery movement. If we as artist choose to address such issues then why ought we to create works that take responsibility away from so called white America?

" I'll buy this art, its funny, it pokes fun at how slave owners and racist individuals did and still do."

Christopher-Aaron...... O.k. I'm biased I need work that charges my spirit, the soul and the mind
not removes my guilt over the wrong thoughts that I may have had about a group of people that make me prejudice.

Personally I have experienced the police brutality, the racism, the targeting accusations about being or doing something that I did not (profiling), the job denial letters, the looks when you pass a woman of another culture and they clinch their purse, called a nigger growing up in at a private school where my sister and I were the only two African Americans in the school, the comments and all. But I am not creating racially charged artwork (as a continual body of work, to base my content on). And if I did why even today in the society that we dwell in would an artist try to pass through the minds of others that we are ok, and healing has already taken place? I believe whole heartedly that If you are a white American you should not be holding the burdens of SOME forefathers that wronged others in the onset of slavery in this country, but we stop being educated when we try to desensitize truth.

Trespassing is wrong

2006-08-09T19:39:00.000-07:00

Hey have you ever wondered why cats walk pass folks like they are the stuff? Just a thought that whole concept of arrogance in beyond me.

I hope all of the great art makers are well out there I just took down my INCONSCIOUSNESS show last week and sold two pieces, that was cool. I am working on a few things now that should be a show stopper.

1. I am working up a show at the Center for Independent Artist (check them out at:http://www.c4ia.org/). This will also be an abstract showing.

2. The second project is top secret but what I can tell you is that I am working with Patrick Cunningham and Ester Osceonde, and it involves some serious research and you will probably be very interested in finding out about it.

I wanted to talk about two artist (African America Artist) I want you to keep you eyes on one is Wangechi Mutu out of New York, this sister is special her work speaks some series poetry(http://sikkemajenkinsco.com/wangechimutu.html).

The second artist is a friend of mine named Melody Strong artist/ illustrator and graduate from The Minneapolis College of Art and Design my alma Mata.
you can check her out at melodeestrong.com

Portrait Art Show

2006-07-03T10:59:00.000-07:00

"Cresha'"
Oil on Panel Board $700

"Her life is that energy"
Oil on Canvas board Framed $650

(Double click on images to view larger)

If you missed the INCONSCIOUSNESS show.

2006-07-02T15:16:00.000-07:00