Stone and freedom of expression...

Its been an interesting week with the events in Russia and the anti Putin artists making a stand....and a week of carving stone...strong and almost timeless as a material....artists have always used their mediums to express sentiment, when unhappy with their personal circumstances or social pressures exerted by ultra conservative viewpoints, which by the very nature, are in immediate conflict with art and the freedom to express oneself from the outset.

Like the everlasting qualities of stone and its longevity as a material, freedom of expression ultimately prevails and has longevity to survive way beyond those who wish to suppress it. The roots of free thought cannot be quashed, as once the seeds of objective thought are planted, they grow, unimpeded. I believe in freedom of expression, so much more that I'm now older and wiser to the winds of change in favor of democracy, it should be a  fundamental human right and although some more conservative mindsets may disagree , people seem happier when they have free thought and the right to choices and self determination.

I have returned to stone forms this week and one new wooden work, which awaits a base. The stone is very similar to that used in church construction in England. I believe that the stone I have sourced is Triassic sandstone and one smaller work is very close to granite. The stone took a good finish and a big plus is the work can stay outdoors. I do enjoy outdoor sculpture in a garden.

This next work is more granite in hardness....

And the largest work is this one........

Art Paths - Concept vs Aesthetic , Sales vs Independance.

                                         New Work Sold on Sunday. Oil on Canvas.40 by 36.

After working for some weeks now on various 3 dimensional works , and believing strongly in the finished artworks, I had reason to stop and contemplate my path forward as yet again my paintings are outselling my sculptures , causing me to reflect on the art market whims and fashions and how success within my 2d output is pulling me sideways again. Its a difficult dillema to fathom , as I enjoy both creating in both forms, and wish the outcome financially was spread between the two disciplines....perhaps its the fact that sculpture is less understood to some degree or perhaps its easier to fill a wall space than occupy a corner in the smaller homes of today, certainly here in the UK , I believe 3d work is less sought than paintings...where space is of a premium...

Its extemely fufulling selling artwork , as its the belief by the client , paying for the artwork, and wanting to own it , that drives me on , making me believe in what I'm trying to achieve is artistically creditable. Aesthetic vs Concept and the idea of painting to fashion at times is unavoidable , when trying to be self reliant as an artist, but it does play havoc with ones inner art self which in my case is always wanting to explore new ideas and themes...much often to to the frustration of the galleries which show my work , as its diverse , and thematically  appears to jump in and out of genre, medium and form...but then through time many artists have explored multiple disciplines and styles....so the argument of repetitive creation as the key to artistic success and value , does not hold sway with me...I am simply me and enjoy art in all its guises.

As I start a new work this week, a sculpture , I will be tested as to whether to explore some new ideas that I have around "exploding form"....or to pursue something more aesthetic and less concept driven , by design.Only when at the crucial startup of my Arbor Tech carving tool will I know which way I'll go this week...Anyway , the new dawn will see me at my carving block and ready to start...
I include the new painting , sold on Sunday. Its a marinescape in oil, and has been bought by a client in Derbyshire.

                                         40 by 36. Oil on Canvas. Sold Sunday.August 2012.

Steps and Searching.

Off to the beach to search for more wood today as my stocks have almost reached the end...recent rains and big seas have pushed up some large trees for selection as pieces...will need to select carefully as its a two mile walk back to the car , and when they weigh more than 50 kg's, its a long walk. But its fresh air and a perk of being a sculptor, sourcing new material and forms to transform. The above work was carved from Teak, thinking of having it cast into bronze at some point.