John Simpson

This is one of those artists that throw me a bit. It just shows the cross over of ideas that are similar to my own, and to what I would aspire to do. How annoying. I love his work, I wish it was mine!

'Drawing has always been the most important element in John Simpson's work, which relates to the graphic tradition of artists like Edvard Munch and Odilon Redon. His work references the world of folk tale and myth, exploring the relationship between the human figure and animal forms. Often introducing contemporary elements to these classical subjects, John Simpson's imagery seems caught somewhere between childhood imagination and adult reasoning. His ability to capture the physical an psychological nature of these creatures can both disquiet and enchant in equal measure.'

Dear Children, 2008: Monotype. Size unframed 100cm x 100cm



 

                                                                                                        Actaeon with Hounds, 2008: Monotype. Size unframed 100cm x 150cm

Actaeon with Hounds, 2008: Monotype. Size unframed 100cm x 150cm

Wonderland III 2007: Original Lambda print - edition of 10, 120cm x 89cm

Ursula, 2009: Monotype with Charcoal, 100cm x 100cm

Actaeon, 2008: Original Silkscreen print. Edition of 60, numbered and signed by the artist. 

Size unframed 84cm x 114cm

 

Encounter with Omega 2010: Seigraph (Original Screenprint), Edition of 60. 84cm x 80cm

A fox and a Girl

Moved

Aha! Found a spare desk, in the corner dwon from were I originally choose to sit! Much more private!

Joel-Peter Witkin

Joel-Peter Witkin is an American photographer who lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His work often deals with such themes as death, corpses, and various outsiders such as dwarfs, transsexuals, hermaphrodites, and physically deformed people.

 

'Heaven or Hell'

 

'Portrait of Nan, (1984)'

 

'Dwarf from Naples (2006)'

'Costumed Inmate, Insane Asylum (1993)'

 

 



'Dog on a Pillow, (1994)'

 

 

 

 

Sara Jiminez

Another artist who's work I really enjoyed from the show, Next Great Artist was Sara Jimenez. She was in the final of the show, but unfortunately came in last. I really enjoyed her drawings, they are very free and relaxed.

Artists Statment

'My work begins with the personal and extends to my surroundings. The work I create is not medium specific or limited by material. The project dictates the form that the pieces take, whether it be performance, drawing, painting, installation, video, or a combination. Most of my work is through the lens of psychological portraiture. I see the body as a vessel for expressing the unconscious. My work began as primarily self-referential, based on the feminist theory that the personal is political. I still hold on to this foundation. However, I have become more interested in my narrative and body in relation to others, from strangers to family members. I am interested in creating poetic and metaphorical form around mundane, common, day to day relationships between the self and others, and overlapping the social protocol of private and public gestures.'

'Surrender'

'Two Headed Dog'

'Jeans'



'Hunger'



Circus Hunt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Third Year

I started my third year of art college yesterday. This should be interesting. I did nothing over the summer, and frankly I feel better for it. After last year I really needed some time off to refresh. Hopefully this approach will be successful.
I will probably be continuing with the dream aspect of my project which I worked on last year.
I want to be freer and more relaxed with my work, and not be so worried about how it goes down on paper.
I want to enjoy what I am doing. We have been moved up to the second floor, which is a strange view on the world.
A bright sunny room an a bit larger than last years, unfortunately it is a bit far from the print studio, and we will probably have to fight our way through the wave of two hundred some first years, but we shall manage.
I was a bit late on choosing my desk So I am right in front of the door, but at least it makes escape easy and quick, plus it is a corner all to myself and I am not squished with someone else.
So wish me luck, and I will keep you updated!

Kymia Nawabi

 

I came across the artist Kymia Nawabi while watching the American reality show Next Great Artist on the arts channel. She was the winner at the end of the series. Her winning exhibition was filled with amazingly large, detailed and highly skilled drawings, as well as a few sculptures.

Her work reminds me alot of Kiki Smith.

I am in awe of her. I adore her piece, titled, 'The Bridge.'

Her work is definitely worth looking at, unfortunately she is not published, which is a shame as a book would do her work such better justice than a computer screen.

Unfortunately her web-site isn't  laid out very well, so you have to search for her older work. Luckily for you I have the link right here.
I would recommend looking at the sight as she shows detail of her work, as unfortunately I can not get copies off of the web-site.

Kymia Nawabi describes her work as an “allegory of human behavior” which weaves a fantastical personal mythology together with “adopted gods, mythological creatures and burial ceremonies from different cultures.”

 Next Great Artist is a very interesting show. At first I wasn't sure about how they turn art into a competition, but in reality the art world is a competition. A competition to be remembered and to go into the history books. Its something we are reminded of in college all the time. It is a competition to survive.
It is amazing what the artists are pushed to do in less than twenty-four hours. To create a successful piece in that short amount of time is asking alot, and is frankly amazing.

 

'The Bridge'



'The Soul Purpose.'

'Not for long my forlorn'