Videos

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This week has been a very blessed one. Many good things happening, which also add a little stress to prepare for changes and what comes next. It is the good kind of stress. Last night after sharing a great time with friends I was so tired that I didn’t write today’s post. I don’t who is reading this but today I want to share my videos with you. Sometimes no words are necessary. Enjoy!

Sculpting or Painting

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sculpting

Sculpting or painting? There is no secret that between sculpting and painting I prefer sculpting. Yes, I like to paint, but I prefer sculpting much more. There is no secret that very few people sculpt and many people paint. When it comes to painting or sculpting parties, many people don’t know there are sculpting parties and by default they prefer painting until they try sculpting. If you visit a gallery today less than 10% of the pieces are sculptures, unless someone forgot a broom in a corner after cleaning and is calling it ‘a sculpture’. Many will disagree with me but placing an object in a room is ‘a statement’ not a sculpture. Sculptures are not many. In one of the books I’m in from about 350 artists only 5 are sculptors. Sometimes there are expressions that seem to separate sculptors from the rest of the artists like: artists and sculptors, call for artists and sculptors, accepting art and sculptures, and the like. Why is that?

Photo Nov 28, 2 13 40 PMGalleries and exhibit curators will justify this occurrence by pointing out the issue of space. Sculptures take more space and interestingly they often don’t have pedestals for them. Sculptures are also heavier and make it more work to display. Getting into art exhibits and shows is easier than coming in with paintings. They also might mention that collectors and people in general are more inclined to acquire paintings maybe because paintings don’t occupy that much space at home. I heard many times people with children who are afraid to buy sculptures because the kids can bump into them and because they don’t have much space at home. Artists justify the preference for painting over sculpting because of the cost of materials to produce, storage space, working space, mobility, in transit costs and risks, and did I mention space?

The world is 3D. It makes sense to me to translate from 3D to 3D. It also makes sense to me to translate from 2D to 3D. It also makes sense to me to translate images from 3D to 2D and 2D to 2D, but I prefer sculpting. When I am sculpting it feels like a conversation, a journey, an adventure that develops with every step. On the other hand, I’ve never been inclined to do what the majority of people is doing just because it is ‘the norm’, or cheaper, or easier, or more acceptable, or even more commercial. When many of people I knew were singing on stage I was doing comedy. The norm is not attractive to me. I enjoy sculpting. The fulfillment that comes with seeing my work alive is something I don’t feel when I paint.

Brain Function of Artists

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How do I make sense of the things I see? How can I bring an invisible idea into something visible? What about those who turn sounds in their heads into music? How can someone come up with poetry, lyrics for a song, a story, or a dialogue? How can my fingers understand how to shape the clay in a visually logical way according to the design in my brain? How do I make philosophical sense of what I am looking at and articulate the silent language my art is communicating? How can people turn math into art and art into math?

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I’ve been reading here and there about the right-brain/left-brain functions. Some say it is a myth. Some say it is not. I was discussing it with my personal physician as well (my wife), who found several articles for me to read. I have no intention to write a research article with fancy references and style (as somebody said I don’t know how to interpret the literature or cite it although I wrote a dissertation) because this blog is not for that. When someone pays me to develop another research study then you would see the whole dissertation format in action. For now I am just expressing my thoughts on these subjects. Nonetheless, it is interesting to see what studies say about the brain function of artists. I don’t argue with these studies unless I make my own study or if they make artists look bad.

According to some the artist’s brain is different in structure and naturally wired to display higher fine motor skills and visual imagery but training and an encouraging environment play an important role as I wrote in The Discipline in The Discipline. It is necessary to cultivate a talent through practice and discipline. This is the combination of nature and nurture. However, while certain areas of the brain are more dominant both sides of the brain are used simultaneously. This is not exclusively for artists since it is said that engaging in creative activities helps improve brain function in multiple areas which I stretch with passion when it comes to cognitive psychology because not only the physical brain changes, the nonphysical brain changes too. To define ‘nonphysical brain’ that is what I call the non-measurable cognitive functions like perception, affect, beliefs, and intuition. Not to mention how engaging in creative activities help relief stress and to connect back to ourselves and it can change lives. it is no secret that art in its many forms also help develop well-rounded individuals.

Everything I Am Not

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I was about 5 years old when I realized I wanted to be an actor. I wanted to be a serious, Oscar worthy, staring at the camera saying nothing actor. My first acting gig came up during this time I got chosen to be one of the three wise men for the Christmas school play. I got into character, learned my lines, the beard and costume fitted perfectly. All I had to do was to get on stage and say, “I am Gaspar and I bring the myrrh”. I was ready!

The day came. All the parents and visitors were expecting the arrival of the three wise men. I was last. My two partners said their lines and my turn came. I approached the microphone looked at the audience and half way through saying my line I completely forgot what I was bringing to baby Jesus. “I am Gaspar and I bring…” I scratched my head, touched my beard, and looked inside the treasure box I was carrying while the audience erupted in laughter. I finally remembered I brought the myrrh. There was laughter and a lot of clapping as I moved to my position to allow the play to continue. I blew it! And it was AWESOME!

10400270_12997675351_1444_nDuring the school years all the way to high school I performed in many plays, talent shows, and events doing comedy. As soon as I began college I began working as a radio announcer and the comedy side began emerging even stronger to the point of becoming a paid job. I spent college between being on radio, television, performing stand up comedy, being a motivational speaker, and of course being an artist. After some years I was just working on a medical office then became a teacher and an instructional designer. At the same time I was developing my art career. I am not a writer but you are reading this now, so we can add that to the list too.

Late at night, before I fall asleep, all I want to know is that God loves me. I just want a chance to find my God-given identity. I would like to know that everything I am not serves a purpose and lifts someone’s spirit somehow. At the end of my life I want to be remembered by those who matter most as a “Loving son, husband, father, and friend”. The rest is just extra.

Where Your Treasure Is

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Photo Dec 08, 9 45 36 PMWhat is your goal? What are you looking for? What is the motivation for what you are doing? What is the most important thing for you to obtain? Why am I asking all these questions?

It is healthy to perform an evaluation of our motives in the things we do and what we want to accomplish. Humans have the capacity to align their behaviors based on their goals and behave accordingly. Our goals are informed by our values and how we measure success in our lives. Those same goals will determine our view in life and how we conduct ourselves with others.

Our society sadly measures a successful life based on money. It only takes one quick look at all those wealthy celebrities who are suffering illnesses, depression, depending on medications and illegal drugs, and even taking their own lives. I might sound like a credit card commercial but indeed there are many things money can’t buy.

I personally believe that relationships are more important than things. I believe that touching other people with my art and when I teach is more important than getting paid (that doesn’t mean I work for free or give away my art). Making  a difference in someone’s life is more important to me than money or recognition. Connections with people are more important to me than selling many pieces of art. Yes, selling art is nice. It is my job, as it is teaching, but money can’t be the focus of what I do.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:21