There was a time when I was building my site that I knew the secrets of my Heroes+Villains beforehand. That holds true now as well. In any mention of iconography, it is always important to cited where things come from in one fashion or another. A basis of thought with the understand that at least lead to the direction of one area of influence before delving into anything prior or echo and similarity.
As I have always approached my artwork on many levels, I see the beginnings of one thing to another where you aren’t going to find that full answer on my website, but rest assured it has been written and protected in that regard. I look at my time at SCAD and removed an aspect of my Heroes+Villains (first introduced publicly in December 2011) from navigation that was early on exploration while also pushing the boundaries in new direction of contemporary art. You find value in words and explanations and you find value in descriptors towards originality or process. As much as art history influences my work, so does culture which is unavoidable with every costume we dress up in on Halloween or in the office. We all wear associative masks where one might find me the opposite of dissociative as I connect and learn from anyone really. Character Studies and Words removed by self on website. Far better as a book, but really the only time you will get me to ever do that at this stage in my life is either in documented settings or in a fine art auction aspect of knowing what my worth is and the value of my words yet to be given or straight up taken for over 3 years. No contract signed on that agreement and I understand what has and has not been incorporated.
If my entire series was about acceptance, it is important to note it is about acceptance of ‘Self’ before going into acceptance of others in any group or in general. If someone doesn’t want you around, that is totally fine not to be around them either. They will or will not tell you one way or another. Eh….question it for a minute and then just move on. Someone will accept you or you will learn the comfortability of individuality and finding other things that make you happy non-contingent of others. As quiet as I am, I am quite vocal on a keyboard and actually internally hilarious at times while I keep back any aspect of in-direct discussion at this point because simply put. ..people may not want you around but they notice the shiny tributes anyways on things in modification and workarounds.
I’d remove the names but they exist and the meaning behind each image is what is withheld but was always with respect of everyone. I’ve re-examined my Heroes+Villains series and felt it best to give them justice by classifying each section as “Partially Inspired by…” To think of anything one dimension denotes what you see first before questioning and prodding around to find one other reference or another. As each individual is unique in character study, so too the question of the reference of the model and also that of the artist. There has never been brand confusion and never would be in my lowbrow approach of working with what I got. Have I inspired you? There is a difference once you go commercial vs. fine art and there are always bridges to be made or burned in that arena. It is understood my life of recent and what has occurred. In that regard, I am also aware where things could be at a major + in areas but also - in others. It is understood there is always face value and there is what is beneath, behind and to the side of things.
Whatever the reason, the idea of any aspect of connection denotes an invitation to associate with a person with the merchandising of every toy or any costume to where over time the incorporation aspect becomes something of cultural connection and reference. As it is understood I have not been able to sell anything of mine for years now, I resorted to my words where that too became attack after attack. Even in school, one must question ownership of what is yours and what is theirs. In the end considering everything, there are other plans where I am better suited with the understanding of what has already been incorporated and where things have not. In the end, there is always a difference.
I imagine in any message that ever needed to be sent to me, it has been understood at this point as I continue doing my own thing wondering what respect is given in that regard in return? Probably none or probably some. Any critical aspect of conversation for someone to take the time to mention anything or anything matters as recognition where love it or hate it, you acknowledged it and we go from there. #3daystil40