Mission for 2008

While doing research for my next paintings I couldn't help but begin to think differently about how I related to nature and the natural world. Connecting this with all the information about global warming, carbon footprinting, pollution and mass extinctions, and I cannot help but wonder where my art fits in with it all.

I believe I am an artist that is less concerned with making aesthetic pieces of art, and more concerned about connecting to the creative spirit and communicating something meaningful. The aesthetics of my work come after I understand what my art needs to say. It is the communication of my work that must come first. So, I started to think about what my art could be saying, or should be saying about humanity's relationship to nature.

A few months ago I began thinking of about a fox. I have long held an appreciation for the fox. Perhaps like a totem animal, it was something I thought of when I was younger as a guide and a source of inspiration. I hadn't thought much of the fox for many years, but then, here it was appearing in sketches and random images. I decided to paint a series of small pieces featuring a different kind of fox in different seasons. In doing these paintings, the need to connect my art to nature grew even stronger. But, I knew this wasn't going to culminate in a series of quaint little portraits of animals. There are plenty of great photographers and naturalist painters who can do that much better than me. If I were to paint nature, it had to be in a way that best utilized my skills and particular vision.

I also realized that it couldn't just be about the art itself either. It had to be about who I am as an artist. If I am going to celebrate and honor nature through my art, I would have to do it through how I live as well. So the year 2008 will have me doing some re-evaluating and adjusting of my work and how I live as an artist.

Beginning in 2008 and over the course of the year I will phase out all products that are not environmentally friendly. I believe I have been very careful about avoiding hazardous materials, but I will be going through my supplies thoroughly to be certain. Additionally, I will be recycling more materials to reduce waste.

I will simplify my life dramatically. By decreasing my material consumption and energy usage, I will be able to devote more time to my art. I see my role as an artist, as primarily a service provider. I am willing to sacrifice many of the comforts and material things that I accumulated and sought after in the past, in order to provide my services as an artist. Some of those services will obviously to be to produce beautiful works of art that people will like to see hang in their homes. Another service is to provoke thought and ideas about a particular thing or subject. And finally by working with individuals in a patron relationship I can provide a service to the patron, to myself, and to the community by creating works of art that would likely never be created.

All of this is to ultimately help me realize my goal of being a full-time artist that contributes in a positive way to society. I intend to produce work that is meaningful, of high quality, and that is enduring without causing damage to the world.

I would be interested in hearing from other artists who are trying to be "green". What resources do you refer to to determine what is safe and durable? What things do you do to reduce consumption and save energy? I would be interested in hearing from you.

DoAn