I learned about Jaune "Quick-to-See" Smith last year in Art II during an artist spotlight. Right away I was intrigued by her work, and I feel that since then my work has been influenced by both her content and her style. My current artwork is similar to hers in that it is often mixed media and paint. Like Smith, my color schemes usually consist of rich earth tones. As a Native American making statements through her artwork on the displacement and discrimination of her people, Smith inspired me to bring my interest of indigenous cultures into my own work. Most of Smith's work is made up of primitive symbols and drawings where I like to try to include realistic people in my pieces.
Just recently, I watched a documentary called "Cavedigger" about a starving artist named Ra Paulette. He has a love for digging caves in the sandstone hills of New Mexico and sculpting their interior walls into works of art. Like Ra, I believe that art is just as much about the process as it is about the product. Unlike Ra, I don't have the ability, skill, or means to dig a cave of my own. However, our work is similar because I like to use the subtractive method. I like the idea of taking material away to reveal an image--whether it be by erasing, carving, or scratching. Ra intends for his caves to be alcoves for peace and pondering. The fact that pretty much nothing can stop this 60 year-old man from digging his caves all by himself is inspiring alone. After seeing "Cavedigger," and the impact that art as an environment can have on one's state of being, I am curious to explore the creation of spaces as pieces of artwork.
Just recently, I watched a documentary called "Cavedigger" about a starving artist named Ra Paulette. He has a love for digging caves in the sandstone hills of New Mexico and sculpting their interior walls into works of art. Like Ra, I believe that art is just as much about the process as it is about the product. Unlike Ra, I don't have the ability, skill, or means to dig a cave of my own. However, our work is similar because I like to use the subtractive method. I like the idea of taking material away to reveal an image--whether it be by erasing, carving, or scratching. Ra intends for his caves to be alcoves for peace and pondering. The fact that pretty much nothing can stop this 60 year-old man from digging his caves all by himself is inspiring alone. After seeing "Cavedigger," and the impact that art as an environment can have on one's state of being, I am curious to explore the creation of spaces as pieces of artwork.
