Art Challenge #6: “The Fool” gallery is now premiering at The Artist Challenge. My contribution is a colorful abstract drawing of a face that represents some of the emotions behind feeling foolish. Drawn on an 11″ x 14″ piece of paper, layers of expression were built up over time with pens, markers, and paint pens.
Vulnerable feelings of sadness and embarrassment began the drawing, and despite the ultimate attempt at a smile, the reddening of the cheeks and watery eyes add to the complex face of emotions. The fool tries to ignore what’s inside and hide from the outside, stuck in an awkward and chaotic limbo, when honesty may be the truth that sets one free.
The accompanying time lapse drawing video offers insight into the creation of the colorful abstract face and reveals a hidden layer of emotion behind the final expression.
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4 responses so far ↓
1 vikki // Mar 22, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Really insightful exploration of ‘foolishness.’ As I stated at the gallery- I can appreciate the darkness that the character has. It exemplifies his fool’s mood or moment. The chaos of the lines that surround him attempt to upstage and hide the truth.
The work really defines the truth of the way we deal with this emotion in our ’grown up’ rational brains. We so desperately try to hide any appearance of ever being viewed as ’foolish.’ Yet the irony is that it would be so much healthier and SO MUCH easier to just state the facts. Everyone feels foolish at times! In fact, dare I say, it is actually a productive emotion that makes us grow and learn.
I also love watching how these works come to creation. Really great work, Michael.
Vikki
2 MDE Art Blog // Mar 24, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Thank you Vikki! I’m always delighted to hear your thoughts about the artwork! When you expand on and validate concepts it reminds me of the power and ability we have to communicate complex ideas with images.
And I’m looking forward to the next challenge!
~Michael
3 Martha Marshall // Apr 8, 2009 at 7:34 am
Hey Michael, love this video. It’s great to see your work as it’s being created.
4 MDE Art Blog // Apr 11, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Thank you Martha!
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