Destination: Journey

2008-04-22T10:51:00.000-07:00

Accumulation

2007-12-07T08:34:00.000-08:00

Accumulation

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

I chose to collect people or rather portraits of individuals that I meet in everyday life. I decided to use multiple mediums to collect these portraits, some are drawings done in pen and ink, some are paintings done with acrylic on canvas, some are gouache on paper, and some are photographs. I used multiple cameras to capture the photographic portraits such as digital, Polaroid, and medium format. This was important to give variety to the portraits and made the accumulation much more interesting. I believe I chose the best possible thing to collect for myself because with every portrait I took, I was able to meet a person who has a lifetime of stories and was able to reflect my interaction with each individual into somewhat of a therapy for myself.

In the beginning I started taking mostly medium format portraits in any situation possible and most of the images were turning out great, but I felt that it was almost to traditional so I decided to mix it up a bit. I decided to start adding my drawings to my collection because I am constantly drawing people that I find visually intriguing. That was still not good enough for me so I tried to exhaust every medium I had and would carry at least three cameras with me whenever I went places that I thought I could get a portrait or two. I think overall it changed from something I was just doing for class into a personal mission to capture people figuratively and it was a complete success in my eyes. I was able to meet a lot interesting people and now I have individual reminders for each chance encounter.

I believe we were assigned this project, first of all because accumulation plays such an important role in contemporary art. So many artists in the modern era have to work in such large scale because landscape paintings and the basic canvas no longer excites the art world. Accumulation is a way to take something possibly on a small scale when viewed alone to a much large scale when viewed in large quantities. It is the basic strength in numbers argument. I also believe we were assigned this project to explore the basis of conceptual art, because we started out just collecting a few things at a time and then it turned into this massive collection that we would eventually have to create an artwork out of. It required much exploration into the concepts of why we collected these objects to create a piece that was cohesive yet inspiring.

For my final project incorporating all of the portraits I have collected I would like to create a large format book. Ideally I would want the book to be hardbound and be at least 14”x11”. The concept behind the book would be the people I meet in everyday life and my thoughts about them, this would include stream of consciousness thoughts of my first impressions of these people, quotes from these people, and maybe a short story about my interaction with the person. So on one page there would be one of the portraits I have accumulated, either a photograph, a drawing, or a painting and on the directly adjacent page there would be text in a basic, black font on white background, text describing who this person is in relation to our meeting. My artwork is most inspired by the people I meet everyday, and my ultimate goal is to capture their stories and images that make them the individuals that they are. I find human interaction so incredible and fascinating because it is unavoidable yet so avoided. This project would be a look into my life and the intimate details of all the people I meet and the circumstances we meet under, it would hopefully inspire others to go out and interact with strangers and ultimately promote a greater sense of universal community. I was inspired to embark on a project like this by artists such as Robert Frank, Dan Eldon, and Robert Crumb, all artists who captured the importance of the mundane everyday activities and interactions that make life so exciting. I would entitle the book “Everyone I Know”, which connects with the simplicity of the overall project. It is an interesting way to focus our attention on the personal interactions we naturally take for granted. I believe I have a learned a lot about myself by accumulating people (portraits) and this book is intended to show people the creative journey I have gone on to capture these images and inspire people to do the same. It is somewhat of a self-motivation concept, promoting change and empowerment among individuals.

Dia De Los Muertos

2007-11-10T00:10:00.000-08:00

Halloweenie

2007-11-01T10:37:00.000-07:00

Futuristic Thomas, I guess?

Kara was handicapped Pebbles, she stayed in character and kept falling down.

This guy wanted to demonstrate how to cheese.

Which one is naughtier?

Black Metal destroying a Unicorn(Chicken). Awesome!

Clay jumps into a picture.

And another.

Bobby looks guilty.

That's one sad chicken.

King Khan and The BBQ Show terrorize Charlotte!

2007-10-31T14:31:00.000-07:00

The anticipation is driving me mad!

Warming up.

This sexy canadian gurl was the hostess with the mostest.

Just look at thre front row and tell me they weren't having fun.

The crowd resembled Wrestlemania XVI

I see King Khan's krotch, mhmm mhmmm.

That's one angry looking chicken.

This is where our dear friend Kelly William's sadly passed away.

Wait Kelly must be having one last spasm before his eternal sleep.

Mark Sultan aka The BBQ Show.

The naughty nurse and chicken dance.

This show was so intense from start to finish, it was absolutely incredible.

Kelly and his "Fists of Invisible Beer".

We had to introduce them to COOKOUT, they'd never had a hushpuupie.

That's a happy man named Khan.

What the hell do you want Elon?

Odd Couple:2007!

It was fun to enjoy this night with such good people.

Goodnight fellows, It was my pleasure to hang out with Mr. Kahn.
Also Goodnight, Charlotte, you really proved something tonight because
I can't imagine having such an awesome time, with such a close group of
friends, anywhere but The Milestone in Charlotte, NC.

Halloween Cocktail Party with Prince

2007-10-30T00:29:00.000-07:00

We know how to carve, and we know how to pose.

Holly's hard work for the Cocktail Party.

Chocolate mice, best damn desert ever.

Holly in costume in front of fibers piece.

Jack-O-Lanterns.

The artist formerly known as Prince.

McKinna begging the artist for a photo-op.

Group photo=everyone say Purple Rain.

Cheech brought the salad wraps.

He also brought a female friend that was on a strict veggie diet.

Vesa striking a quite mysterious pose.

I dressed up as Aladdin.

Aladdin and his magic carpets... wink wink.

I always wanted to be a skeleton hand.

I love McKinna's necklace, she got it in Denmark.

Prince being Prince and melting McKinna's panties.

Then the Prince CD went in and all hell broke loose.

That was the most fun I have ever had at a Halloween function, I usually despise Halloween and protest any form of celebrating the holiday, but this might have won me over. Holly and Liz deserve a big thank you for all of their hard work on bringing our friends together.

Sweaty Black Lips

2007-09-16T22:27:00.001-07:00

Country Mouse.

Clay is a scary driver, period.

Donnie.

The long and winding road to Chapel Hill.

Donnie and I walked to Angela's once we got there.

But she doesn't like pictures so I just took more of Donnie.

The Gondoliers drove the crowd mad.

Clay was WASTED after being there for maybe 3 mins but it was his birthday, I think.

Beer was consumed.

The Black Lips.

They really are one of the best live bands!

Boy we were having some fun, my feet were bleeding I danced so hard.

They killed it, best show I've seen in a long time.

Donnie and I with Old King Cole Younger.

Old fashion Sprite maker.

It was Blake's birthday too, so his baby brother came out.

By this time Clay was basically the walking birthday corpse.

Tine and Ian of the Black Lips.

Weirdos.

Clay became the most hilarious angry drunk ever.

But he still had bursts of love and happiness through his rage.

We were.... well let's just say "HUNGRY" and waffle house did the trick.

Bug Juice?

Most surreal gas station ever, it looks like a painting.

I was so worn out, after such a wonderful advennture.

This Is Not A Wasteland (September)

2007-09-16T21:41:00.000-07:00

A couple days prior to the art show I had my first wet dream EVER!

Sara Ford's artwork.

Donnie and my mom enjoying the awesome food made by Holly.

Soup in front of Holly's piece.

I was suprised so many people came out, Thanks for the support.

Jeff and Soup discussing Vans.

Drew and Donnie reading the journal I published, and they're still for sale...wink wink.

The wonderful Taylor Williams and her guests.

Noah and I warping at lightspeed.

The collection of portraits I did.

Thomas Berkau's paintings, well aren't they just adorable!

Eric Supil's polaroid piece.

Last minute edition of Chris Slezak's drawings, he's quite the renaissance man.

The great Troy Lee's photography, check out his website for better images...tleephoto.com.

A few more of my drawings.

Taylor Williams' portrait of her brother, that got nicknamed the"good" painting.

Donnie Doolittle's ink sketches.

Another by Donnie Doolittle.

I'm gonna miss Taylor while she's away but I'm glad we had a chance to do this together before she went overseas.

Art Show Flyer

2007-09-04T20:55:00.000-07:00

Let's Get Physical!

2007-08-19T18:11:00.000-07:00

Renee and Soup.

Troy?

Brandon had no idea of the theme, but fit in anyway.

Flygirl.

Turns out Mckinna has a tattoo.

Work it out.

Girls, Take 1.

Girls, Take 2.

Guys, Take 1.

Guys, Take 2.

Baby got back.

So the dancing began.

Sweat was everywhere.

Thunder Village Art Show

2007-08-03T23:50:00.000-07:00

Rob and his painting.

Elon and his painting.

Alf enjoying fine art.

Elon enjoying fried chicken.

The Kinks were the soundtrack of the night.

The event was also catered by McAllister's.

I like the duck a whole lot.

L-A-U-R-E-N

Lauren calling the guy with iPhone.

Reggie Life!

"This picture is very gay."-Reggie

Feed the Cat

2007-08-03T23:38:00.000-07:00

We went swimsuit shopping, and found a few gems.

Baby mama drama.

Troy was sleepy.

Post-road trip photoshoot.

And "World's Most Diverse Group Photo!".

Teenage Wonderland

2007-07-24T10:36:00.000-07:00

Cupcakes....

This doesn't make sense.

Lady's Night.

Deja vu.

I'm beginning to see a theme.

Soul Train dance off.

Troy's Angels.

Creepy.

Creepier.

Creepiest.

Creeps.

Teenage Wasteland

2007-07-22T19:23:00.000-07:00

The adventures of Troy and Jason begin.

Troy's first ciggarette.

Cheers.

Queen City's finest.

Optical illusion.

Poison Ivy.

Big bad wolf.

Hungry Heart

2007-07-22T19:11:00.000-07:00

Feeding at The Wall, downtown.

Everybody's got a hungry heart.

Everybody needs a place to rest.

Everybody wants to have a home.

Ain't nobody like to be alone.

Come out to The Wall downtown to help your community, every Wednesday from 5pm to 7pm.

Tori Spelling

2007-07-22T18:47:00.000-07:00

Troy doing his light meter thing.

First official Born, Bread, and Butter photoshoot.

Behind the scenes.

Clay is gonna be a supermodel.

BWAT.

Derek the Man.

Frankie Biggs.

PRJ alert!

QUEERS!

2007-07-17T09:16:00.000-07:00

Holly found an egg.

*So we were out preparing for a photoshoot we are going to do this week, just taking pictures in prospective spots around South End, one of Charlotte's "art districts". Well we were at this one particular location when an old Caprice on rims that obviously cost more than the car itself drove by slowly blasting their jams. The car circled the block and came back by us, turned down R. Kelly, and the fine young man driving the car shouted at us "QUEERS!". We also got quite a few more honks and other weird looks, who would have thought taking photos around art galleries was so strange.

Check out Troy's photos at tleephoto.com.

Afternoon Delight

2007-07-09T09:45:00.000-07:00

Roman Bath House.

Donnie Doolittle and His Hairy Balls.

Joshua and Unsolved Mysteries came to town.

Joshua had his seamtress make these shorts for him.

His tattoo, of me.

Cheese.

No Dice!

2007-07-04T18:42:00.000-07:00

This was a wonderful date.

Clay Dixon Kuppinger.

Of course, we went to see Ben.

Then to NODA to free our spirits in water.

Where's Clay?

Polo.

Louie is ahhhhhhhh...

Night Moves

2007-07-01T13:02:00.000-07:00

Derek is a real man, check out his tan.

Donnie was there.

Cooze.

Hope you be jammin' too.

Tickled Pink.

Born, Bread, and Butter

2007-06-28T22:34:00.001-07:00

Shirts For Sale.

Power of Love

2007-06-24T18:30:00.000-07:00

My brother, on his special night.

Matt Ross photography.

Apples to Apples on the front porch.

Matt being filthy.

Let's skate.

I attempted to fly.

My hair has gotten quite long.

Go Jeffery.

Predator

2007-06-22T19:56:00.000-07:00

I woke up Clay after the Sherriff did.

Lunch with Bryson.

"What is that, your weiner?"

Mercy.

This probably is a bad idea.

I play Second Life.

I saw Noah and Kevin at the Common Market.

Catch Hell

2007-06-20T20:48:00.000-07:00

Heroes Convention 2007.

Colleen's for Icky Thump listening.

Her bathroom was being remodeled.

Her pet was camera shy at first.

Then Brandon and Colleen danced to Gillian Welch.

Elvis Presley Blues.

Brandon and I wanted to move in.

Her niece, Stella, came over.

Stella wanted to dance to Icky Thump.

Then she shredded.

Gnarly.

Stella=Adorable.

Then to McKinna's for a murder mystery.

Alright!

2007-06-09T18:15:00.000-07:00

We wake up, we go out.

See the sights, feel alright.

Keep our teeth, nice and clean.

Troy found a pet.

It didn't like Troy.

Troy had to have his daily "mocha".

I took Troy to see Paul Wall and Luke.

Then had to get some threads.

Then decided it was too hot for shirts.

We are young, we are free.

FecalFace

2007-06-08T21:14:00.000-07:00

BicycleBicycleBicycle

2007-06-06T13:17:00.000-07:00

Now that's just adorable.

I want to ride my bycicle.

You say smile, I say cheese.

Bad lunch for bike riding.

Donnie visiting made me smile like this.

Wouldn't it be nice

2007-06-05T19:10:00.000-07:00

We had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun.

When its ice cream weather, all the girls look better.

Wastin' time.

SC DangerWalk

2007-06-04T18:39:00.000-07:00

The other day I waked to SC along the train tracks.

I walked on this log too.

This is taken from SC, the Palmetto state.

Hoes and Pimps.

Notice the bullet wholes, creepy.