Process
Loop is a
continuum of energy flows involving varied states, events,
relationships and moods, in search of personal homeostasis.
This journey is an ever-evolving fluctuation of peaks and
valleys. The high often relates to the moment when one has
de-coded their prior work and transforms it into a
stimulating new code. This visual phase prior to
homeostasis is the heightened productivity zone when the
work is at its most emotive. This often results in a
breakthrough followed by a meditative state, resulting in
an elated experience, a type of a holistic nirvana followed
by a sense of being inadequate in art and life. This last
flow state is the most challenging, but is needed to
transform the energy into the next dimension of growth.
The
Personal Process Loop has six
distinct phases.
1.
Research: cognitive and corporeal
2. The
Muse: communication and passion
3. The Model: improvisational and embodied
4. The Visual Imagery: solitude, intuitive, and proactive.
5. Publicity: exhibition, social gathering, public dialogs,
and critics.
6. Reflection: dialectic, doubt and education.
The
Process Loop Explained
1.
Research: Cognitive and Corporeal.
The
research component is an ongoing process. Building on the
prior series, it begins with reading and listening to
audiotapes, immediately followed by some form of exercise.
The mind/body connection helps me to mentally organize my
personal response to the research. Internet searches and
some visual stimulation in the form of movies or dance
performances comes next as I continually collect images and
text to inspire the new series.
2.
Muse: Communication and Passion. I open
up a dialog with a variety of people requesting comments on
my thoughts and questions. A muse appears in some form or
another to fuel the passion that is needed to being the
visual work into fruition. This comes in a variety of
forms; it could be a batch of war letters from a deceased
fighter pilot, love letters from a alias internet
relationship, a new friend I meet through this questioning
process, a mentor who inspires me, or at times even the new
medium itself.
3. Model: Improvisational and
Embodied. The
photo shoot takes place with one or more models in the
privacy of the studio or woods were we live. This begins an
intimate mental connection between my subject and me. We
discuss the new concepts I have been thinking about along
with form, composition, natural movements, and energy. The
shoot is an improvisation process that only last a few
hours. I thrive on the synergy of the model and the artist.
4.
Visual Imagery: Solitude and
intuitive. Images
from my photos, drawings, and research materials are
splayed around the studio, as I try to create order out of
the chaos. I work in a push-pull style: adding and
subtracting images, working very intuitively, listening to
the painting telling me what to do. When it becomes silent
it is finished. I am alone, listening to loud techno music,
making huge messes, staying up half the night and having a
love/hate relationship with myself. This active working
phase is fueled with heightened emotions and the nirvana
that keeps the art addiction alive in me.
5. Publicity: Exhibition, Critics, Social Interaction,
and Communication.
Documentation
of the series is done through photographs, newspaper
articles, and a statement describing what has fueled this
series. Announcements are sent out, the images are framed
and exhibited. Titles and prices are determined. The
opening goes up and I am a celebrity for a month. The work
seems to encourage people to talk about topics that are
usually taboo for them: Sensuality, Spirituality, Passion,
War, Death, Addictions, Infertility, and Intimate
Relationships.
6. Reflection: dialectic, doubt and education.
The
Valley sets in. A sense of worthlessness overtakes me,
wondering what I will be when I grow up; a pharmaceutical
distributor, a private detective, an art therapist? Or will
I stay on course and become a successful artist? I catch up
on the domestic projects that I have put aside for to long.
My studio gets cleaned. I take a class, start a Masters
program, get a new computer tool, or meet a new friend and
bang — I feel vital and the desire resurfaces to
begin the process loop anew.