THE LIFE AND ART OF ROSIE LEE
Monday, August 6, 2012
Random thoughts of an artist at 11:30 pm
Yesterday after watching the documentary about Ai Wei Wei “Never Sorry”,
now more than ever having a story that people can invest in and connect to as
an artist is huge. The connection of your story can either make you or break
you and can be the determining factor of your success, even more so than your
art work. Artists who reach the status of icons and become celebrities beyond
art circles are followed by wealthy collectors to the average Joe. There is
something about their story that goes beyond the canvas, at this point their
celebrity becomes a vehicle to a larger purpose and mission. In order for
followers to rally behind a movement there has to be a leader or set of leaders
who possess charisma that is unconventional and infectious. This inert belief
by the chosen leaders in the art world who convince us that personal sacrifice
is most beneficial for the collective in return place an expectation of
sacrifice upon each individual within the collective. Once accountability and
responsibility is handed down from the artist to the public with a sense of
importance, history is made, a movement is set in motion and the artist(s)
become a conduit for change. Once the larger society of people begin to take
notice beyond the art world the effect an artist has on the public becomes
paramount to the society as a whole and more specifically to race, culture,
generations, and etc. For some strange reason I think the aristocratic society
secretly cheer for the underdog and victims of the society they help to support both out of guilt and greed, of course they too
are victims plagued by an absence of humility or in the worst cases an absence of humanity. No matter your exposure to the arts learning and developing
an appreciation for art in a broad sense helps to remind us that we
are human and the artists in their imperfections are constantly trying to reach
perfection within their imagination, medium, space, instrument, stage and so on
only to come back to the essence of humanity. I’m not beating up on the rich
after all we love their financial support especially when they help fund the
next big project or buy into the next big artist. These well to doers are
typically surrounded by privilege which means they have options, resources and
opportunity as well as economic influence. Therefore suffering to them is in
the form of image not discrimination or inequality. I would say the upper
echelon see the unorthodox celebrity artists subconsciously as visionaries who
take on social responsibilities with a sense of courage and integrity they
lack. There is a certain power associated with money but this power doesn’t
compare to the power and actions that are exercised by values and values are
ignorant to the power of class or social status….random thoughts. What makes
you as an artist valuable?
Monday, June 11, 2012
No paint No gain
This past weekend I painted until it hurt and enjoyed every
minute. I’m ready to move onto the next level the canvas will not hold me back.
“To be stopped by a frame’s edge is intolerable”—Clyfford
Still
Monday, June 4, 2012
Rediscovering what you already know
I don’t want to make something you never seen before I want
to make something you’ve seen before in a new way. I’m talking about being
innovative with my art, I figure originality will come out of seeing my paint,
brushes, canvas…etc. as a medium to rediscovering functionality and purpose.
What would happen if my tools became functional sculptures and the application
of painting became performance art? Paint. Explore. & Imagine!
“I don’t want life to imitate art. I want my life to be art”
–Carrie Fisher
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
When painting...what is on your mind?
"I don't think about art when I'm working I try to think about life"--Jean-Michel Basquiat
Monday, May 21, 2012
Oak Cliff: In Transit
My thoughts on preparing for the Oak Cliff: In Transit show
July 14, 2012 at the Oak Cliff Culture Center in Dallas, TX.
I believe my work is a blend of abstract portraits
influenced by expressionism and graffiti. There is a movement to incorporate
graffiti within traditional contemporary spaces. I am trying to draw between
the fine line of contemporary graffiti and modern day expressionism.
Expressionism is described as having brush strokes that give way to the process
where painting becomes an unplanned event inspired by emotions. I want each
painting to be very simple, obvious and recognizable to the point people feel
the need to fill a void with their imaginations. My work should look as if a
child could achieve the same affect yet have an element of difficulty that
relates to the authentic character found in my usage of line and form, how I
infuse the two elements of line and form is the distinct individualistic
approach to art I am trying to perfect. There is something often profound when
simplicity makes you think beyond the obvious. Simplicity that creates intrigue is difficult to do but can have major
rewards. When I think of simple works of art Basquiat, Picasso and Haring come to
mind, so many people try to duplicate their works but fail miserably which is
the main reason why their work is timeless. Art people study throughout history
will always be relevant in the present and necessary to the preservation of the
art being created for the future. –Rosie Lee
Monday, May 14, 2012
From point A to point B
Time to revisit and rethink goals.
“If you don’t know where you are going, then how will you
know when you arrive”—Jack White.
Monday, May 7, 2012
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