This year has been a turning point for me with my art. I have been teaching more art classes, working on being an influential/inspirational artist, working on ways to develop my art for more than something to look at. I stay up late a lot and create for hours with music in my ears. Music has had an impact on all of my art, its apart of my influence and process when I create mixing colors, shapes, and words in my art. I had an opportunity to create a mural on a cinder block wall that was 14 X 18 ft. I was chosen out of many other artists. At the time I asked the person Jim Rice who I was going to create the art for, why me? He said because I love your art, you are a great person and I just know that you are meant for this project. I didn't know what to say because it meant so much to me that he believed in me and my art. He said that the catch is, there is no pay for the project but he would get the materials that I needed. I thought to myself and said yes, he was shocked! I looked at it as a new experience and adventure. As a bonus he had a amazing photographer that I will name West Cooke video the project and make a time lapse for me. Responding yes to the project gave me more than I could imagine. Something for my portfolio so influential, amazing, and doing something I truly love to do. What a great project to add to my career in art.
After the mural was finished, the person I created this for was inspired! The look on his face confirmed to me that my art was more than just a piece of art, it had changed his perspective on art in a huge way. In Jim's reaction he said, "Jon I guarantee that you will get work from this piece of art." Only minutes later a friend of mine stopped by and said that this piece of art has had an impact in my life instantly. Can you create this on canvas but change the word? I am ready to write you a check right now! Wow!!!!!!!! Of course I answered yes I can do that for you. That commissioned piece paid for my trip to NYC and then some. It was a 4 X 5 ft piece of art that had changed my art forever.
The piece said DELIVER with the E flipped backwards to say Evil. Basically Deliver us from EVIL. Attaching the image so you can see it and the mural of Revolution where the L was flipped backwards to spell LOVE in red.
I do art because I love it!
I have been fortunate to have worked and learned from some of the best artists in the business. Number 1 artist who I have spent time with, Tracy Lee Stum. She has had a huge impact on my art and my life. I have had the opportunity to work with her on some of her art projects. I now know what it takes to really create from start to finish on a project. Tracy has taught me how much time and effort it takes to create art. When it comes to art she is amazing and dedicated. Tracy saw that I am passionate about art so she recommended me to take a trip to NYC and attend The International Art Expo 2012 in New York.
So I looked into the idea of the expo and decided to go for it! Hands down the best piece of advice I have had in awhile. If it wasn't for Tracy to put that idea in my head I'm not sure if I would have went to the convention. I wasn't aware of it on my own. So I thought about it for a few days. Not sure if I could go by myself. So I called a close friend of mine, basically asked if he would take a trip with me to NYC for this convention. He replied and said, "it would probably be awesome, but I don't know if I can pull that off." I said well what if I bought your plane ticket, would that change your mind? He laughed and said, " here we go again Jon Nelson making things happen. "Obviously he said yes, and then we had 2 of our close friends go on the adventure with us. By far it was the best trip and adventure I have experienced in my lifetime so far.
I thought that when I came back from NYC that my art had changed. Not until a friend of mine mentioned to me that my art hadn't really changed, I had grown and I was different. The energy, influence, and experience changed me and the way I think and create art now.
No comments:
Post a Comment