What is art?  Is it something pretty that decorates our lives?  Does it have meaning beyond matching our sofa fabric?  Why are we so inextricably tied to the creative concept?  What would our lives be like without art?  For that matter, where does art begin and end within the context of our existence?  Is it something that can be contained, packaged, controlled and processed for consumption or is beyond our capability to tame it?  Is real art only that which, by genius or accident, inspires our species to greater heights or can Elvis on black velvet lay rights to the same motivation?  And who has the right to claim such knowledge?

Within most disciplines, there are fairly clear parameters that guide the direction of it's evolution.  Within medicine, it's health,  Within technology, it's invention.  But with art, the very act of placing boundaries on the discipline shatters it's purpose- which is to freely evolve.  Or does it?

 As a lifelong artist, I've found that trying to define art into a single definition is impossible.  Instead, I've had to allow it to fall into two separate categories in order to understand it's implications in our existence.

What is art?~ definition one:  The creation of form that brings an emotional and/or intellectual response.  Clearly, this is a wide open definition which intends to  embrace every possible aspect of art, from the crayon scribbles that adorn every proud parent's refridgerater door to the most esoteric and elusive creations such as Christo's flamboyant displays or Chris Burden's 'Exposing the Foundation'.  The point being, under definition one, is that art is everywhere, detractable by no one and unlimited in it's scope.  If you say it's art- damn tootin'!

Then there's definition two.  This applies strictly to those that intend to make the making of art their main purpose, their raison d'etre.  Under this banner, art becomes more than decorative, more than vision: art, as a true passion, becomes in and of itself one of the preeminent and absolute statements on the purpose of being, calling into question all that lies before us as a testament to our basest impulses and our highest callings.  The width and breadth of our history written in art is really the purest, unadulterated, unedited and most honest statements that can be observed about the nature of humankind.  Taken as a whole, the history of art becomes a clear, yet unapologetically cacaphonous  outpouring of who we really are.  Therefore, the burden of truth lies with us- the artists.  Does this sound like a tall order?  I hope so.  I hope the implication of that burden soils the Underoos of every would be Warhol that attempts to scrawl a straight line from their head to their heart.  As a lifelong pursuit, I'd say that choosing to be an artist of the second definition is akin to declaring oneself  to be a prophet and a conduit directly to the Source itself.  In the art world, we call them fanatics, lunatics and possible geniuses.  But history has given them a much more cumbersome title- Martyr.

Do you have to choose to be a member of one or the other camp?  Absolutely not.  As a matter of fact, most working artists prefer to remain undeclared.  It's really the function of the art historian to sweep up the schrapnel of explosive creation and try to piece it back together into an organized and well behaved record of the artistic impulse- often a complete fabrication in order to preserve continuity.

So, What is Art?  I think the most honest answer to that question is, "I may not know art, but I know what I like!"  If that answer doesn't suit you, stick around.  I'm bound to mess with your definition eventually.  Just give me time...,

I was asked by Art and Invention Gallery to produce a 'permanent' logo for the annual TomatoArtFest.  Here's the finished product.

 A Black and white version of the new logo.

"Ripe Red", acrylic on canvas.  Being able to combine all aspects of my art into one piece (color palette, humor, lettering, pop style) brings out the best in me.
 

The client that commissioned this piece gave me free reign to do what I wanted.  I always seem to do my best work when I'm given that license.  This piece reflects the spirit of the client.  I love being able to intuit my patron's personalities and expressing them in art.

"Coming Soon"- a new piece that really captures my love of old signs as well as my sense of humor.
 

"Animato", acrylic on canvas.  This was one of the pieces shown at the annual Tomato-art-fest in East Nashville.  I entered 6 pieces as well as designing the poster and t-shirt art for the event, all of which sold out.

"Miracle", acrylic on canvas.  Also from the Tomato show.  Seems I've found my home here in Nashville.  They actually like my weird sense of humor.

So your child's a star?  This one got his own stage!  Ladies and Gentlemen, let's have a warm welcome...

He also wanted a red guitar- what a rock star!  With paint, anything's possible.

With a border of musical notes dancing around his room, this little star is living his dreams!

Barona Casino, 2 of 3.  Like so much of my commercial work, I created these pieces on canvas and sent them to the client for framing and hanging.  The internet has become an essential tool in my arsenal.

Barona Casino, 3 of 3.  Beyond the French impressionists of the19th century, the California plein aire artists took the concept that the Europeans developed and raised it to the level of genius.  I find this genre to be one of the best challenges to emulate as an artist.

This piece was commissioned to show the possible look of a 'green' community to be established in the Nashville area.  Despite some clingy old stereotypes of Southern life, Nashville, as well as most of Tennessee, embraces positive new concepts such as the 'green' movement.

Barona Casino entry piece, 1 of 3.  These pieces were commissioned by the casino to adorn one of their entrances to the casino.  Done in 'California plein aire' style, they capture the feel of the land that the Barona reservation sits on.

Left side of a large diptych mural for Barona Casino's new Mexican restaurant.  I just wanted to capture the flavor of old Mexico.

The right side of the diptych mural.  I added more space by making a breezeway that's open to the ocean view.