Mark Sexton Band NPR Tiny Desk SubmissionIt's my honor to share and promote some of the hotness we have going on in Reno! Check out my friends' song Home is You which is their submission as a chance to be featured on NPR in Washington, DC. Share, comment, Like, reblog...whatever you can do to spread the greatness of this group here.For more from the Mark Sexton Band, visit their website and facebook page.And also check out an awesome side project led by some of MSB members called Whatitdo. Prog funk wonderfulness. Their first studio album is on the way.
A Shout Out
I don't know if she follows my blog at all, but still I would like to give a shout out to a young woman that I encountered about two months ago. Her name is Becky Jo. She worked at the restaurant where my first art show was held over the summer and randomly spotted me while I was out one night. She could hardly contain her excitement as she went on to tell me how she loved my show and thought it was one of the best that was shown at the restaurant in all of 2014. She even introduced me to her friends and continued to praise my work to them. I can't describe how touched I was and truly humbled by that experience. It was something that I will never forget for as long as I live. She was particularly moved by this self-portrait:
She seemed to feel a deep connection to what I was expressing here, and remarked that she liked how real and honest my work is; that it was different and refreshing to see such openness from an artist.Becky Jo gets it.In those moments of running into her and listening to her words about my artwork, how it touched her, it was probably some of the most encouraging and validating moments of my life. She doesn't know me at all, but she could feel me through my work. It's that kind of connection and mutual understanding that fuels me in life, and as an artist. To be able to have those moments is a reason why I live, why I create and why I dig so deep within myself for my work. Without that motivation, I wouldn't be nearly as brave as an artist. I probably wouldn't even be an artist, or at least I'd be creating completely different kinds of work. I am grateful that Becky Jo and I had the opportunity to cap off that connection in person. It happened at just the right time for me. She helped me more than I could ever tell her.I hope that she will see this one day.
3AM - A Self Portrait
Who are you at 3am? If you said "asleep," then this one isn't for you.I am ecstatic to be able to share with you my latest piece, a self-portrait.
I think I'd consider this one to be of the most accurate self-portraits I've done to date, in execution and narrative. If you recall in an earlier post, I shared a blue self-portrait that I did in college (maybe about 10 years ago? What the fuuuh...):
You can see with the new one that we have come a long way, baby. I think it's great to be able to have some of these older pieces to reference as I continue to make new work. I love seeing the progression, and I love to be able to share that with you as well. If nothing else it shows that it really does take time to build skill, confidence and develop a personal style. I think with each painting I am getting closer and closer to nailing that down.I think my Hemorrhage series marked an official beginning to creating deeply personal and emotional work. With "3am", I can tell that I am growing much more comfortable with revealing my insecurities and exploring the darker emotions within. It's odd to me how much more comfortable I am with being vulnerable on-canvas than in-person these days. Try as I might, I just don't think I have any bravery left to be this honest and open with a stranger or even an acquaintance in real life. In deliberately taking an inward direction with my subject matter, I'm noticing that each piece is revealing as much about myself to ME as it is to you. With the completion of this latest piece, and now comparing it with a self-portrait from my early 20s, I realized that I have not done a real self-portrait that shows any levity or happiness. Those are the types of traits that people assign to me the most when they think of me. I'm aware that I can be perceived as a jovial and well-adjusted person, but I've never painted myself in that light. Is that not how I see myself? Is it all just a front?I don't know if I'd say it's that deep, because despite whatever I put down in my artwork, or whatever darkness I may face, I do think that people's perception of me is correct. I am generally a nice and easy-going person. However, I think when doing self-portraits it's about the artist showing the viewer a side beneath the surface. Yes, yes, I'm nice and laidback, I like to dance and goof-off. BORING. There isn't much depth in any of that to me, anyone can show you that or paint pretty pictures. What I think is the most interesting about people is what's underneath all of that, the internal struggles and haunting questions. The kind of stuff that people wonder about a loved one who suddenly commits suicide. When we're surprised we ask, "What was he going through? He seemed just fine."There's usually more behind what someone shows you on the surface. "3am" is about just that. It's speaking to that witching hour for the Lonely and the Preoccupied. In this painting the body language is exposed yet guarded and a bit insecure. The gaze is deep and distant, searching the reflection in the mirror. I used a lot of cool shades of blue and grey to express the sadness and uncertainty that befalls me when my mind drifts too deep into nostalgia or lingers too long on questions without answers. I also struggle with constantly feeling like I'm in a liminal stage in life. The strength of these thoughts and emotions are at their peak when no one is around, in the dead of night when it seems as if I'm the only one awake thinking about everything and no one is thinking about me.At 3am I am solitary, self-reflective, exposed and unsure.Who are you at 3am?