The Name Is the Frame
A name is a sort of frame for a picture. For me Thorn, my artist moniker, (which actually is part of my name) is the perfect frame for the picture that is my artwork and advocacy work. Because I received resistance with the various types of artwork and advocacy work that I do (for the incarcerate,formerly incarcerated, and equitable public art access) I began to embrace the resistance. Interestingly enough, I was listening to the book The New Jim Crow and heard a couple thoughts on ‘Gansta Rap Culture’ in what I feel is the proper perspective: “there is nothing abnormal or surprising about a stigmatized culture embracing their stigma”. It is all in an effort to find the positive in the negative. That describes me accurately for sure: definitely always trying to find the positive in all situations.
A name is a sort of frame for a picture. For me Thorn, my artist moniker, (which actually is part of my name) is the perfect frame for the picture that is my artwork and advocacy work. Here’s at least part of the story.
The New Slave Matrix: Inhumanity + Profit in the US Prison System
The New Slave Matrix: Inhumanity + Profit in the US Prison Sysytem
So often artists become their own subject matter. There comes a time when sharing your own story is the only way to educate others. This was tough I have to say…When my brother initially went to prison it coincided with my mother’s cancer diagnosis as well as other oh so traditional familial drama. If nothing else I have more than enough to ruminate on for many an art piece for decades to come. Also what I hope for is to give another perspective for those who look at those who look at those who are incarcerated and the tragic United States epidemic of mass incarceration as a black and white issue.
#TheNewSlaveMatrix is a project that focuses on the #prisonindustrialcomplex the profiteering that happens on the backs of #American citizens and it’s overall affect on family. The first phase of this is to share phone calls between my Mother, brother Darrell, and I on a range of topics. This project is something that has been kind of rattling around in my spirit for the past couple years. Deciding to ask my family if I could share our story as part of this project just happened a few months ago. I express gratitude to them for allowing me to share.
Though I’m sharing my brother’s first days at the first facility where he was held, Santa Rosa Correctional, this wasn’t our first recorded conversation, it is the most logical starting point.
Please #share my brother’s story, our story. It is the story of millions of Americans that goes unheard.
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Listen to his story:
I Just Recently Received a Grant to Do My Project TalkTalkConvo!!!!
Grants Make the (Art) World Go Round…
Grants Make the (Art) World Go Round.
I remember when I was in college. I honestly knew nothing about the world of being a professional fine/exhibiting artist.
When I truly began to understand that talking to others about my work as well as talking to other artists about their work, was the true path to being a working artist. Then, if you choose to talk to those who fund work about your work, well, it opens doors…in this case grant funding doors. I just recently received the good news that I’ve been awarded a Community Foundation Art Ventures Grant for my project TalkTalkConvo. Yaaaayyyy!!!! I love my work and believe in it and it is also an amazing feeling when you’ve convinced someone else of it’s value. I’m so excited to get started.
4th Times the Charm.
So this year was my 4th time applying for the Art Ventures grant.
Thinking back, I didn’t really believe being an exhibiting artist would be part of my personal journey. I went into the Peace Corps after college and when I finished I thought I’d be working primarily as a graphic designer. I then decided to at least dip my toe into things a little. After hearing that a friend from college received a grant and fellowship,I was fascinated. I asked her how do you do it? How do you enter this wondrous world where people will give you money to do the work you’re simply passionate about that isn’t client based. How do you begin? I asked. She simply said: '‘Just answer the questions.” Ha! What an oversimplified evasive maneuver of a question answer. Over the years I found out she was kind of right but mostly wrong. Answering questions about your artwork is mostly about leaving the fear of talking about your work in the past and being in the present to write about future work you want to create. Simple right? That’s why it took me four times. If there is any advice I’d give someone about grant writing at this point, it would be to give your proposal to someone who knows no details about what you plan to do and see if they get it. Because I so badly want to complete this project I, myself, had to move beyond my fear of allowing someone to help me help others fully understand my vision. It helped.
So What Is TalkTalkConvo About Anyway? And What’s This With You Repeating Words In Your Titles?
My in progress project TalkTalkConvo put simply is about my passion for talking an connecting with others. I read once that to read a book is like connecting to someone else’s dreams, just imagine how I feel talking to people. I truly believe that each of us has these deliciously interesting and invigorating idiosyncrasies just waiting to be discovered. Who doesn’t want to be discovered and understood?
So someone asked me recently why I repeat words in my titles. I swear I didn’t think anyone else had noticed. My last traditional show, PlayPlay, uses a phrase that I and other kids used to indicate that if something wasn’t real, (meaning not having real world consequences) it was playplay. For me the phrasing, just as it is with TalkTalkConvo is about the music and rhythm of conversation and communication, call and response, a refrain, and another opportunity. These words strung together are interacting. Interaction is required for talking as well as for play.
All of that being said, I’m so excited to embark upon this new adventure and new facet to my work. I’m also excited for you to join me. Let’s talk :)
TalkTalkConvo Proposal
We communicate at every moment. Whether or not we say a word. The bigger question: what arewe saying? Take a look at the proposal for my upcoming project.
Sketchbook Sketchings
“Sketching is the breath of art: it is the most refreshing of all the more impulsive forms of creative self-expression and, as such, it should be as free, and happy…”
“Sometimes the very best of all summer books is a blank notebook. Get one big enough, and you can practice sketching the lemon slice in your drink or the hot lifeguard on the beach or the vista down the hill from your cabin.”
The Sketch Book Isn’t Always Full.
I can’t remember the last time I was really with out some type of sketch book. Even when I was 8 or so I had a steno pad I drew in. I didn’t keep anything, I just gave the drawings away. I also would put them in envelopes and decorate them; give them as gifts. I had (still have) a thing for receiving mail. Receiving mail is like a surprise gift, hopefully… (“What’s in the Box!?!?!” Forgive my movie reference. I couldn’t resist.)
Dont think I don’t ever use my phone for notes and such, I do. I have 600 pictures and 100 types of notes and lists. I am just the type of artist that also needs to touch things: a pen, the paper, smear things with my fingers, rip some paper… It can’t be replaced.
Books, Books Everywhere.
I keep books kind of everywhere these days. In my purse I always have a book. In my car I have a book for notes and thoughts since I listen to audiobooks and music all of the time. They are all a combination of thought/idea books or word sketches (since I can totally make up my own things here) with sketches for work or design layouts. I have a book specifically for my community work. That was a gift. I keep ideas, meeting notes and such in it. I make my own books too but also buy books. I just bought 2.
Playing Favorites.
My favorite of all is to sketch on tracing paper. I overlay and combine previous sketches plus I love the way the paper sounds…all crinkly. Makes me feel like I’m doing something. It’s also nice to use in collages. It allows you to layer with transparency. I usually make it more transparent by adding an oil.
I just did these collage sketches last night, adding to a sketch book from college actually. I realized recently as I was going through it mining for ideas (best reason to keep a book) that I still had space in it. I do this type of sketching when I’m going through an artistic transition of some kind and need to work through it.
The first is a tiny canvas about 2 inches x 2 inches the rest are in my book. All components are recycled.
