Introduction Commodification of devotional artworks diminishes their original meanings. Colonialism and institutional practices have for centuries eroded cultural identity associated to these traditional art forms and diluted their intended meanings. Looking at the history of the Hopi Kachina dolls and the greater significance of Kachinas to the Hopi people, we can better appreciate what has … Continue reading Teaching Tuesdays – Commodification and the Road to Re-appropriation of The Hopi Identity
Urban Manitou
He was meant to be an amalgam of Golem and some Japanese forest spirit hiding in the dark corners of my mind. The Manitou, as I understand it is an amazing transformation spirit animal. As this one is at least partly human, I felt the forest spirit had become an urban one. This one is … Continue reading Urban Manitou
Transformations with Life #21: “Cactus Coming up for Air”
I've had an aversion to using ball cactus, mainly due to the fact I feel they don't really grow or change shape. I found this little thorny guy and felt he has more personality than his brothers, so I had to use him. He sat in many different pots, before I accepted to leave him … Continue reading Transformations with Life #21: “Cactus Coming up for Air”
The Three Gentlemen Walkers
The idea for this came from my People of the Land series. As I was painting it, I started to feel that the muse was whispering other influences right into my mind. The colours are more African inspired, and the figures feel like some traditional Cuban or Dominican folk pain tings I've seen in markets … Continue reading The Three Gentlemen Walkers
Transformations with Life #3: Creeping Donavan
This pitiful succulent was laying half out of its plastic pot when I found it in the hardware store garden centre. It needed some love. I wasn't sure it would to survive being transplanted, much less be able to stand being formed and bent with wire. I gently added fresh earth around it and placed … Continue reading Transformations with Life #3: Creeping Donavan
500 Works of Art on the Road to Your Creativity #104: Champagne
Champagne: The History: Here’s my part of the story. Tell me what you see and start the next chapter… These were made following an invitation to design the dishes and serving wares for a new international fusion restaurant. The restaurant never saw the light of day, but lots of my designs did! Along with these … Continue reading 500 Works of Art on the Road to Your Creativity #104: Champagne
The New Renaissance Mindset 