This is the first original peice of 2012 done by BluMuze Artistry and I was fortunate enough to be a collaborator in the creative process. The piece is centered around the theme of family, thus the tree. Soak it in for a sec. Here are the words,

The strength of a legacy lies in its roots
Seeds of love sewn in soil of faith
Reap a tree of life and family
Blood is no thicker than water
Relationship is the spirit of our trunk
Talent branches us into the world
And time ripens our fruits
(Adam IVY)

BluMuze is big on mixed media artwork, so it was a great idea to add leaves to the family tree that were cut from a gospel hymnal and apply them with a matte medium.

This is a great start but there’s much more to come from BluMuze Artistry in 2012. In the meantime check out the BluMuze website and fanpage for more info, giveaways, and artwork.

How hilarious is that poster? Classic. These two artists formed an ironic and unorthodox friendship that helped to create for some great collaborations artistically. Check these out, if you can find more please send those our way because I’d love to see more myself.

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My partner Mike told me about this documentary centered around the rise and fall of Jean-Michel Basquiat called The Radiant Child. Definitely a must see for art/culture fanatics. He was a Tupac of sorts to his industry and brought a whole new persona, perception, and attitude to the world of art that was simply undeniable. Here’s the preview.

Personally I think it would have been unfair of me to put any other picture in place of this one to serve as the introduction of our latest feature D Lammie Hanson. It’s just that this one sums her up better than any other to me… She’s an artist. My wife and I had the pleasure of meeting her at the Telephone Factory Art Showcase in Atlanta, Ga where we were thrilled to hear her speak with so much passion about what she loves and who she is. So it was only right that we bring this feature to you. IVYBetty… D Lammie Hanson.

You spoke so passionately about texture and how you use it in your work. Tell me what appealed to you in the beginning of it all, color or texture; and describe your affinity for it.

When I first started painting, texture and color were not in the mix of any painting I did. I was not into color at all. I was very much into Black and White like B/W photography and film. And my work reflected it in the beginning. If I did put color in, it would be a vibrant red for the lips.

“Just groovin with the best of crew… Don’t you feel the music to their step. Celebrate that life you have.”

Not only have I read it, but when we spoke you expressed a deep sense of faith and spirituality. At times when I write music I am so in tune and at peace that my pen takes on a mind of it’s own. Tell me about how your spirituality coincides with your artwork both musically and when painting.

In the vein of visual art, my paintings were cathartic. It was a way to give the subject a voice to share their heart and soul in a time of yearning to be heard and seen. I don’t know if that taps into spirituality but I think it goes into faith of the voice and soul. It was where I was at the time.

Sometimes I look at a painting and feel it painted itself. Visual Art became my loud silent partner who spoke for my soul when I couldn’t. Creating beauty to make myself beautiful. I now know that I am beautiful on my worse days, as well on my best days.

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In the vein of my music, I’m more subtly spiritual. Music is a big part of my life and sanity. Music helps make the paintings happen 95% of the time for me. But as a singer/songwriter I write lyrics with divine optimism in mind. In 1997, I discovered the band, Jars of Clay’s song, “Flood”. I’m an Alternative Rock Baby. I didn’t know anything about Christian Rock at the time. Being raised Catholic, I was able to identify with the biblical references in the song and I loved it. It was quite uplifting.

At the time I was an agnostic Catholic and I hit a rough patch after a heart-wrenching breakup. I renewed my faith with a more intimate relationship with God. Jars of Clay had another song called “Love Song for a Savior” and I was hooked on writing lyrics on intimate inspiration and love. You can apply the lyrics to “man” or God.

Have you ever been criticized about your artwork from a spiritual standpoint? I mean, someone attempting to label you or your work as blasphemous/against your faith? How did/would you handle it?

I never got picked on for my faith or my work as blasphemous. I’m catholic. I have inspiration like the Sistene Chapel or images like David. The human body and face were the road maps to storytelling. You can’t knock that.

The only criticism that I had ever gotten that got my attention was that my work wasn’t “Black enough.” I don’t paint to be black or “black enough.” I paint because I can and I love it. Being Black is a given. I’m a black woman. You can’t measure a person’s “Blackness” because their eyes see something other than what you see. You have other artists that will carry that torch. Do you need another one? I’ve always saw the world with my own individual eyes, then as a woman, then as a black person. In that order. I don’t have a problem with it.

No matter how much we as artists do the work out of love, there is always the business side of things. How have you managed to be able to handle/balance the business of being an artist in a way that does not subtract from what you love?

I do it out of faith. I’m the only one that can make the art I make. I am still learning the balance of success vs failure and trail and errors. I’ve taken some risks that can be humiliating failures. I’ve learned that I could try to make something that I think people will buy and then those same people will prove me wrong by buying my personal original pieces.

Lesson here: whether it’s music or art, your audience knows what truly came from your heart. Your pure vision and talents shine brighter than a prefabricated whim. And then you find your reasonably pricing system to find your worth… and run with it.

Many of your works give insight into the emotion and character of human beings, most commonly women, but men as well. What is your favorite emotion to illustrate through your artwork? Is this the emotion that you yourself find inspiration and create from most often?

Warmth and sensuality, it always flows through me into the paintings. The world just seems so disconnected and through my work I want people to know each other again. See each other, hear each other, feel each other’s presence. It’s not sexual but sensual.

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In your eyes what are some of the biggest and most noteworthy differences between men and women?

In my observation, women are communicators above their necks while men were allowed to express themselves below the necks. I focus on the eyes, lips and the position of the head of women because that is their main focus of communicating. Men’s bodies are their voice. Their strength, weakness, tiredness and virility can all be communicated through their shoulders and chest area.

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Music is another passion of yours, more specifically songwriting and singing. Does music help you to articulate an area of yourself that painting does not?

Oh Lord, Yes!!!! In painting or sketching, it is a journey to complete the artwork. In writing songs and singing, it is a continuous joy ride per song and within the song I hit certain notes throughout and I get many moments of happy. I do it because I love it. My first love of creative appreciation was music then visual art.

Tell us about Perceptive Arts Magazine and what you aspire to do with it.

Artists always come up with concepts on series. Behind those concepts are stories that usually get interpreted by a viewer who doesn’t personally know the artist. This magazine will focus on a particular concept of a living artist who has created a particular series of artwork with the majority of the commentary, explanation, expose, analysis or whatever will be by the artists with support of their peers.

I know so many artists whose work I admire, who have stories that should be told and who I want to see shine brighter. That is what inspires me.

Would you say your mistakes or your successes have made you a better person/artist?

In the world of mistakes, I’ve become a better artist. Art is a relative thing and one persons imperfection is another’s perfection. I’ve made the best discoveries and the best art out of things that I initially thought was a mistake from my original plan.

Now my successes just made me grateful and humble

What is the legacy that you want to leave behind from your work?

Ahh that’s a good question. I hope that my work can still touch peoples humanity. I want my work to be in museums and have people from any country in the world identify with the warmth, vulnerability, sensuality even strength. I hope the viewer feels inspired to be alive or happy on some level. Just to be alive and human is enough for me.

Spend 5 minutes with Lammie and you will see that she is definitely a people person, and approaches life as if it’s all one big canvas. That being said, be sure to check out her fan page here to stay current on everything Lammie. Her portfolio can be found on her website here as well. Lammie and all of her work is represented by Richard Beavers, House of Art, in Brooklynn, NY. If you’d like to get in contact with her, feel free to email Richard at rbeavers@nychouseofart.com

Dope right? Wait until you see more of Shellton Tremble’s artwork which he calls “So True”. The work speaks volumes, but if you really read what he has to say behind all of what you see, then you’ll realize that Shellton has a true appreciation of his gift as well as how he plays into the world of art and all that it has to offer. Shellton Tremble, So True Art.

I touched on this briefly when I originally reached out to you; your use of space and dimension is so bold and highlighted to me when I look at your work, especially in your abstracts such as the Stars in Love piece. Every nuance of the piece has a purpose. Every detail is one that is necessary for the overall clear translation of the work. Was that execution of detail something that came natural in your work, or something that took much practice and development?

I try to convey an overall theme in my work. I purposely manipulate shape, form and space to keep the eye moving or create a living two dimensional work. Ironically, you mentioned ‘nuance’…that is precisely one of the principles I strive to implement. I think of artistry as science or chemistry, thus I have a strategy called ‘Formula 55’. The first 5 are the aspects of creating art and the second 5 are the driving psychology of the creative process…one being nuance.

The complexity of human beings seems to intrigue you very much. It is apparent in your works such as Interfaced. Can you put into words how the spiritual, emotional, physical, etc. entities of the human being create a work in your eyes, and how it influences your process?

I am very intrigued how you have captured a lot of the mystique of my creative processes. I am very much interested in the universality of man. Diversity in man is as thought provoking as diversity in nature. The beauty and intricacies of mankind with my love for people are a driving force in my work.

I believe people have an aura around them. I can almost feel the presence of their energy. I think that we are part of the universe and made of star dust…which may seem bizarre to some, but we are made of the elements. And like stars, we have different forms, colors, shapes, and radiant energy. My belief is that we all have our true selves within…a spirit being who we truly are. Therefore, I try to exhibit that in my paintings. Man is a living, breathing, and walking machine of ingenuity.

Even with emotions, there are connotations to color, such as, red for love, green for envy, blue for sorrow, yellow for joy, white for purity, black for the cosmos, etc. So, I love ‘eyes’. Eyes are the windows to the soul. Eyes are the most endearing aspect of humans in my opinion. Eyes look like stars…so I try to capture the essence and power of the eyes.

Define love

LOVE is the embodiment of all creation. It is the ‘force’ of attraction and purpose wrapped in the power of infinity! We all start off liking something, but when we love something, mere words can not convey. I think it maybe the only word for the universal flow.

Taking the two previous questions further, there is much artistic expression manifested by love. An emotion created by two individually unique works of art; two human beings. Tell us about your creative process and how it is affected by the roller-coaster of love.

A wise man once said, “Art is mere imitation of life”. I find it ironic that nature always takes two forces or entities for creation. For example, Hydrogen and Helium’s reaction of the sun; bits and bytes take zeros and ones; plants need carbon dioxide – humans need oxygen. So, paint needs a canvas (surface).

Love is the manifestation of passion… I have a passion for my work, people have a passion for art, art communicates passion! My process either starts with something I like or items I feel provoke people to think of what they love. Love is such a strong influence due to the ups and downs, smiles and frowns. When we ‘love’ something we do it just because it is what makes us have purpose. So, my purpose is to create (art)!

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I know you are a fan of sports as well, and I believe that there is an art often underestimated and overlooked by those who don’t understand the beauty of what sports have to offer visually, as well as to one’s character. It is true poetry in motion to see a triple play; a 40 yard fade route; a three-punch-combination; etc. if you ask me. Does the competitiveness that sports naturally instills affect you in any way when it comes to your creativity?

Those few who don’t understand that sport is art are the same people who can’t see the ocean for all the water (lol)! Sports involve so many components of art, even down to the uniforms (color, design, and construction). We all get excited when we see something ‘spectacular’ and ‘astonishing’!

I believe sport is art in motion. It is a kinetic assembly of skill, technique, strategy, computation, and innovation. Sport much like a well done artistic motif provokes something within and we like amazement! I love competitiveness because it makes us reach for greatness and teaches us meekness. So, when I see striking artwork and the creative power it takes to achieve it, it just influences me to strive for the best! I want to be a champion, much like the greatest in any sport!

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It will be interesting to ask you this since you are a sports fan; superior talent or great work ethic, and why?

Whew…that’s a hard one!! I cannot contemplate which is better. It is best to have both! Michael Jordan didn’t just get to be the greatest basketball player because of just talent. Like any game, greatness comes with longevity! You have to have skills and not just dreams, which means you’ll need certain demographics.

Now, on the other hand a lot of sport is ‘mental’. You can’t let people take you out the game with mental distractions…a horse without a rider is just a horse. This is a loaded question…a catch22…no more, no more on this!! LOL

I often speak with artists about what role their creative expression plays in their development as a human being. Some view it as a proverbial growth chart, showing the many stages of their lives and perceptions. Yet others see it from the opposite angle as a key catalyst to their growth, rather than a reflection of it. What role does your work play in regards to your development as a human being?

I am the opposite. I see it as a catalyst to my growth! Why, you may ask…here is the mysterious secret! ART comes from within. Ingenuity and creativity cannot be taught. Much like ‘love’, art is so powerful it cannot be contained in a box or defined in mere words. So, my art flows from my heart, gathered by my brain, and executed with my hands – five fingers (Formula 55)!

The more I experience, observe, create, and convey makes me more of a well-rounded individual (that is why we need art is schools…lol). Creating art is a life long process…we artists always feel our best work is ahead of us, because of something within! Art develops my mind. It is very therapeutic!

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It’s always incredible to see different forms of expression come together. Film is a great example of this, but decor also takes one’s expression to another level by combining it with architecture, carpentry, design, etc. When you paint, are you guided by decor intentions/purposes, or do you paint free of any ulterior motives and allow the final result to be used wherever it applies?

I paint with the cosmos in mind, therefore I paint universally. I would say I am a freehand – free thought artist! I paint whatever inspires me. I know galleries and experts have what they think an artist should paint, because they have a client base and sales to think of, but to me an artist can always have a ‘signature’ brand, but still be broad in the creative process. Not all work an artist does is going to appeal to all people and we will be a very sad artist if we tried.

Most often than not, I have an idea in my head and I see it, but the finished products changes due to conditions, materials, revising, and ‘ah-ha’ moments. So, it depends on whether it is a commission piece, a signature brand piece or influences of the moment. Art can not be pigeon-holed in my opinion.

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You’ve been doing this for a long time, and it doesn’t seem like you’ll be slowing down any time soon as long as it makes you happy. Besides self-fulfillment, what is your goal for your artwork and for your personal self

Oh, I consider myself a ‘babe’ in this. To me a long time is 20 or more years, which I haven’t achieved as of yet. But, I can’t stop, because it is my passion and I feel as though I have to share with the world my energy. My art is probably in the top 3 items I love most in life (I won’t tell you the categories…ha!).

My goal with my art is to become of one the most prominent abstract and conceptual artisans in the world! I would desire to see top galleries showcase my work and travel to large expos for exposure. Of course I would like to sell my work…don’t want to be a self-collector! But, I plan on doing more shows, visiting and learning from other artists, and fulfilling my life’s purpose by producing inspiring work.

What can your fans and our readers expect next from you and your art?

My fans will see larger dimensional work in 2012 and beyond! I want to do some big pieces…maybe 48”, 60”, 72” or more. They can look for more signature items like the “Rhythm and Intrigue” Collection, some figurative abstracts with texture, and juxtaposed game and sport items. I have a book of ideas yet to be developed on canvas…so look for the vanguard effect!

Much thanks to Mr. Tremble for taking the time to chat it up with us. You can stay up to date on his exhibitions and latest works by checking in on his faebook page here. You can also find and purchase his work on his website at labronartistic.com. Thanks for reading.

Gotta thank the wife for this one. I don’t know how or where she found Ms. V. Kottavei Williams, but the the artwork, it’s quality, soul, and integrity all speak volumes for the woman that Kottavei is. EVERYTHING is a part of the process of creation in the eyes of Ms. Williams. No detail overlooked in her expression, down to the lowercase letters she prefers to use when she speaks through text. IVYBetty, meet Kottavei.

Ms. Kottavei you are an artist’s artist. Nothing is off limits, and no stone is unturned. I’ve read your words, seen the artwork, and I really want one of your quilts! But this is not why I say you’re and artist’s artist; those things are just reflections of my true reason for saying that. It’s your energy, you’re light. I purposely did not call you even though you sent me your number because I wanted you’re energy to come across strictly through text in order to act as an example to our readers of what the spirit of art feels like, and just how strong it can be. So, my first question to you is… Who are you?

my art comes not from me but through me. i am just the vessel. i am who i am in this moment and hope to  be someone different tomorrow due to growth and change. i could give you a biography of my life but i won’t. i will say i’ve always been a creative spirit. i cannot remember a moment of not having the desire to create. i was born in durham, nc, one of 4 children to parents who were scientists.  i liken myself to the poem the road less traveled by robert frost.

all my life i have come to various crossroads and dared to take the one most mysterious. i am free spirited, introspective, curious, quirky and open. i have wanderlust really badly and that makes me a prime candidate for global citizenry. in spite of what i see around me on a daily basis i still have hope for humanity. i’ve never met a stranger and  in meeting new people i hug them instead of shaking hands because if they didn’t need the hug i did! i tend to use both sides of my brain equally and can flip back and forth very quickly. i’m even ambidextrous! i’m really good at learning something new then turning right around and teaching it. i have always felt this kindred to women and girls and so we tend to be the subject matter of most of my work.  i’ve have been married for 13 years and have 5 sons (two sets of twins and a middleton).

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art is the end result of creating….in order to be a good artist, all i do is make art. everything is about the process. if no one ever saw my work i would still create it.  i lovingly refer to my creative self as my “inner child” and she wears me out most days. i want to do “normal’ things like eat or sleep and she wants me to create!

we come into this world with our natural gifts in tact and then many adults forget that they ever had a dream, a passion an appointment with their purpose. art, i think, must also ring true. i suffered from postpartum depression after my third son. the little art i made during that time was not pretty but it was honest.

“disconnect”
ancestors called me
my name. i didn’t anwser
now they deny me

i always say visual art is my air, baking is my therapy and writing poetry reveals my passions.

depending on how i feel, i could easily be doing one of a number of things or several at the same time. i’ve been known to knit, while sketching new ideas in my sketchbook with my computer open composing a new senryu poem.

when you talk about marriage it is just one example of a relationship that we encounter but there are so many that effect me….relationships with family, friends, spouse, children, other creatives, nature, and self. all forms of my creativity serve a higher purpose and it’s not uncovered until i am in that particular moment of creating.

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What’s your current favorite area of expression and why?

this is like asking which one of your children you love best! they are all my favorites but right now i’ve been writing senryu and haiku poems incessantly.  i just released my first book of poems mentalcourse: modern erotic senryu which is pre-selling on amazon right now; and am working on the next two books. one is poetry and the other is about my personal path to creativity.

passion! when i create i allow spirit to guide me. then i just begin….i do tend to work intuitively especially with the body casts. sometimes i’m seduced by colors or something random i saw or heard. music is a huge part of my process….amy winehouse yields a different  result than donny hathaway. there are pieces i started on years ago and are not finished due to the interruption of motherhood and loss of direction.

“vivid”
morning came early/
dreams still dance behind my eyes/
imagination movies!

art forces me to be vulnerable. to delve deep inside who i am, and when i’m being authentic and honest with myself reveal that truth visually. the other end of that is having the audacity to put it up where others can see, criticize, compliment and have their way with the artwork. it’s humbling. i am my own worst critic and dislike 95% of the work i do after it’s done. my art doesn’t force me to grow so much as revealing how much i’ve grown. as of late i’ve had quite a few creative people ask me how i dare to be fearless and create art with all of the obstacles that come with it. i honestly don’t know that there is an alternative that would serve me creatively. it is like breathing. is being alive “air optional”?

i believe i heal something within myself when i create paintings, art quilts, body casts or drawings but others are also healed by viewing it. it then becomes an interactive conversation between two people who may or may not have met. for my body/belly casting clients, my slogan/motto is “embrace the incomparable you!” the body/belly casts can never be replicated because no one has the same body.

i’m creating more casts for couples lately as they embrace each other’s oneness. i especially love capturing the temporary state of pregnancy…no belly is the same even with he same mom/client

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“courage”
trying to shake dew
off my water ladened wings
so i’ll fly again

 

Woman, mother, wife, artist, child of the Creator, etc… What is the common thread between all of your roles and pieces to your overall identity?

i am very much like a spider….there are many threads that create the life i call home.

motherhood is like holding a mirror up to one’s soul and taking a long look. our children both reveal and reflect us as parents whether good or bad. the most challenging part of being a mother and an artist is finding time for both. in my heart of hearts I gave birth to 5 but have 6 children…my art is the 6th. I spend time, nurture it and help it grow just like my birthed children. not surprisingly, all of my children have creative outlets!

i do not have a set process. i tell people often, “my art comes not from me but through me; I am just the vessel.” creating is such a sacred space to me and a bridge if you want to know who i am. daydreaming is a serious vice for me and i spend many hours in my imagination, an idea or a concept may come to me in the most inopportune time. to capture all of this, i keep sketch/notebooks to contain the ideas until the time is right to use them. i am NEVER short of ideas!

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What’s next for Kottavei?

i am a published poet and am in the process of writing a book about my personal path to creativity called “conversation with wildflowers” to be released in 2012.

otherwise i will continue just being….

 

Thanks so much to Kottavei for a great dialogue and insight into a true artistic spirit. If you would like to see more of/purchase Kottavei’s artwork you can do so at her website sagebelly.com

Whether this is your first time on this site or you are a regular here; this pertains to you. Our staff is looking to grow so that we can take the webmag and our vision to the next level. If you like what you see on this site and think you have the perfect voice to add to our webmag, then please write a “blog-style” article on a topic of your choice, and send it our way at contact@ivybetty.com

There’s no length requirement. We’ll be looking throughout all of February. We’re looking forward to hearing from all of you. Thanks everyone.

If you’ve been keeping up with the features like I know you have, then you know I’m on my art tip right now. So I bring you all a guy whose art makes some really powerful statements. Detroit native Jason Phillips is one of those artists that has all the talent, but also has the correct mindset as well to set him apart from his peers. Check it out.

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First and foremost tell me and the readers about yourself and why out of all the areas of artistic expression have you pursued painting/drawing?  Obviously you’re naturally talented at it, but going beyond the fundamental talent for it, why this lane of art?

Drawing was initially how I began to express myself at a young age. I was always captivated by drawings and paintings. Of course, I became bored of black & white pencils and charcoal, so I progressed to prismacolors, watercolors, acrylic paints, then oil paints. Oil paints provided me with the looseness and richness that I desired in my work.

Although I dabble with many media, drawing and painting is more conducive to my lifestyle. Less space and equipment is required than other disciplines.

It seems like every artist has his/her own natural eye for certain things that gives them the initial spark to create the entire story; ”the minds eye” so to speak.  Color patterns, angles, subject matter, the list goes on.  In the beginning stages of your career and development, what was your raw talent?  What came natural to your minds eye?

Imagination.
I would draw a lot as a child. However, I rarely used references. I wasn’t into comic books much, so I wasn’t trying to copy or imitate other artists work. I was able to create using my own imagination and would try to make my drawing as realistic as I possibly could. Earlier in my career, I would create surreal compositions by “warping” and “floating” objects within my work.

Taking that question a step further, were there specific things that you did to further develop that raw talent?

I had parents who encouraged me. I was placed in extra curricular art activities. I also attended Cass Technical high school in Detroit. It was well known for its commercial art curriculum. Before my senior year, I began working with a renown artist by the name of Hubert Massy. He introduced me to oil paints and creating large scale works.

I just tried to surround myself with artists that I could learn from and took advantage of every art program I could.

I can’t draw but I can appreciate, and even picture some really dope paintings. For someone like me who wants to pursue a career like yours, how would you approach developing them?

I strongly believe that being an artist is inherent. If you have it, you have it. …Practice, practice, practice. exposure, exposure, exposure.

I saw how much time and detail went into your tribute to J Dilla,  how important is music to you and what you do?

Music helps me get into a zone when I work. When I paint, I tune everything in the natural world out.

What’s on your ipod when you’re painting?

Depends on my mood or sometimes what I’m painting. I really only listen to 3 playlists: Hip-hop, Jazz, and Neo-soul. Pandora Radio is cool as well. I love the J Dilla and Flying Lotus stations.

Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, there’s an element of business involved with just about everything, including art.  How much are you involved in the business side of things, and what’s your views on the business and politics of art?

Unfortunately, I am involved in the business side. It’s very hard to keep up with clients, books, schedules, and then creating. Fortunately, It gives me more control of my brand and what moves I make as an artist.

Politics are politics. “I try to get in where I can fit in.” There will always be artists that are “connected” and get more accolades here and there. I like to examine the engine behind those artists, and take notes on the moves that were made to get that artist exposure and recognition. That is, in my opinion the key. Today, it has nothing to do with the actual skill of an artist.

One of my favorite pieces from you is the History Chair.  I have to ask, where did the idea come from? Did you have every element and detail mapped out or were some pieces improvised as you went along?  Did you feel a sense of pride, power, or accomplishment while painting as you began to see your vision being manifested so well?

Thanks. I’m glad that you like it.

“History Chair” was part of the “10,000 Project” for the Art House Gallery, Atlanta, GA. Over 10,000 artists were mailed a sheet of paper with the same word on it, and we had to create a visual representation of that word. The word was “chair”.

There were many thumbnail and rough draft drawings created. 90% of the composition was designed before the 4 x 6 ft. painting was started. It is now at the Stewart McClean Gallery in Atlanta, GA.

During my painting process there is a time when developing layers, the work is very abstract. I have to work through this murky, obscure phase correctly, or the painting will take a negative turn, requiring more hours and headaches to fix. So, there is always a sense of pride and accomplishment when compositions come together correctly to my eye.

The sense of African American culture is obviously undeniable in your works, is there another area of subject matter that is or is becoming as intensely important to you?

“Every good painter paints what he is.” -Jackson Pollock

My work will always have an African American perspective on whatever subject I choose. It is what I am. Our views and perspectives are truly American and need to be documented and accepted as being so. I do all types of studies of landscapes and still lifes. However, they are just practice to me. They have no message. My true passion is to create art that reflects humanity.

What are you most proud of?

Inspiring young artists.

Outside of these questions is there anything you would like to say to those reading this interview?

I am always interested in doing commissioned work. If you have a blank wall that needs a strong piece, please contact me at contact@jasonphillipstudio.com

Jason is a truly talented artist, who in my opinion knows who he is a person and exudes that within his paintings. You can find more of his work, and more about him at his website, jasonphillipstudio.com. Thanks for reading.

The architecture of the contemporary city is no longer simply about the physical space of buildings and landscape, more and more it is about the synthetic spaces created by the digital information that we collect, consume and organise; an immersive interface may become as much part of the world we inhabit as the buildings around us.
Augmented Reality (AR) is an emerging technology defined by its ability to overlay physical space with information. It is part of a paradigm shift that succeeds Virtual Reality; instead of disembodied occupation of virtual worlds, the physical and virtual are seen together as a contiguous, layered and dynamic whole. It may lead to a world where media is indistinguishable from ‘reality’. The spatial organisation of data has important implications for architecture, as we re-evaluate the city as an immersive human-computer

by Keiichi Matsuda
keiichimatsuda.com

Dude is cold! Check these out

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What if you watched a film and whenever you paused it you were looking at an individual painting. This is Khoda. Inspired by that idea, Reza Dolatabadi worked for two years on 6,000 individual paintings then sequenced them together in order to create the one continuous film we see here for his graduation project. Think he passed?

Credits:
Director and art director: Reza Dolatabadi
Written by Reza Dolatabadi & Mark Szalos Farkas
Animation by Adam Thomson
Music by Hamed Mafakheri

Khoda has won awards from a few different countries and was entered into many festivals as well. Click here to see the full list. You can also check out Reza’s entire portfolio of work at Rezaart.com