For the past few weeks, I’ve been sculpting a 3D planet earth on a wood board. Using joint compound I built layer upon layer until I formed this work of art. The joint compound is cheaper, easier to mold, and easier to sand than molding paste. A  custom wood frame was attached to the canvas which allows the artwork to spin! Press play above to see it in action!

If you could time travel to the past would you fix your mistakes even knowing those choices from who you are? I began today by pressing play on the frozen components of my life by removing what didn't suffice. Each year I question aspects of life from relationships to nostalgia and even the matrix of life. With the invention of social media, people have become tethered to the ideals of superficial relationships. Why do we befriend people we've known once within our life but will never talk to again? We peer into other's lives out of pure curiosity without the intention of a fruitful explanation. For the past five years, I've been chasing fleeting images because the presents of progression haven't interested me as much as in the past. The nostalgia of the past is always on my mind ever since the loss of my father. Although the present is better than the past I long for the naive nature of younger youth. Often I live in the memories of the past reflecting on times before the loss of family and interwoven relationships. I feel like when Neo when he chooses the red pill, learned the truth about reality. If only I could experience the red pill once more before all truths were discovered. the truths about the pain of death, losing a best friend, and divorce. Although your all the better knowing the truth those first feelings before knowing the truth will never be felt again as the first time. If only we could capture the carefree nature of youth once more, if once more then what? would you be happier, more accomplished, even more talented? I wrestle and wrestle more with myself until finally, I conclude that none of it matters. Yes, I would feel carefree once again but none of it matters standing still. Those who have died taught me that life is fleeting and not to take it for granted. The friends who were lost showed where they stood within our relationship just as cutting the tethers of an unfaithful husband. I can be just as hollow as the subjects portrayed within my artworks but climbing out of the emptiness is the true journey. Hollowness results from emptiness when moments of the present are negated. Everything in life is created, evolves, and ceases to exist. Knowing what you know if you could would you time travel to relive all the before moments to be blissfully naive once more just to feel that same nostalgia?   

This week I ventured to rice university to Moody Center for the arts and James Turrell’s Twilight Epiphany Skyspace. This month Moody Center presented Radical Revisionists: Contemporary African Artists Confronting Past and Present. The exhibition featured artists (Sammy Baloji, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Omar Victor Diop, Adama Delphine Fawundu, Zanele Muholi, Robin Rhode, Yinka Shonibare CBE, and Pascale Marthine Tayou) depict the African experience of Diaspora through European view of race, representation and colonial narratives.  Overall the exhibition was a delight to experience. After visiting moody center I walked to James Turrell’s Twilight Epiphany Skyspace 2 minutes away from moody. The skyspace sits above a hill where seats are available to the public. In reclining granite seats you gaze upon the sky through a square cutout in the ceiling. The clouds move while your standstill. The view was magnificent Even Though I went during the day. The installation is an ephemeral nature pice constantly moving with each cloud different from the last. The peaceful room provides a moment of serenity away from your trouble and even social media. Both art venues are free and parking near Moody Center has a maximum fee of $12.  

Art exploration is on the horizon this month . Experimenting with new mediums, formats , and tools expands not expands an artist knowledge but also new breathes life into compositions. Paste mediums, iridescent paint, and pallet knives help create depth to ordinary 2d dimensions and makes compositions unique. Oxidizing gold leaf and sculpting with joint compound are two techniques I began dabbling into again.

After watching countless Lauren Brevner Instagram videos on gold leaf I became inspired to try gold leaf sheets! Since planets are my genre I decided to use gold leaf as a integrated layer within my artwork. Patina mediums can be used ontop of metals adding dimension. Artworks are always richer with layers creating a crafted piece. Sophisticated finishes patina coatings is my brand of choice.