This piece is special because of the inspiration it was drawn from, the biblical scripture from Matthew 6:22 "The eye is the lamp of the body.
If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light." To me this puts the focus on love, empathy, humbleness and graciousness, which may make this certain piece one of the most positive ones I have created.It embodies the beauty of the transformation of the mind directed towards love, with the intention to spread love,joy & happiness to one another.Because if the mind has bad intentions, those intentions are what comes fourth to bring pain, loss, lies and hate - there is darkness in the soul.
2.Did you choose, or were you chosen to create this artwork?
As with all my work, I choose it. In fact that is the foundation all my work is based upon, it comes from me - inside out.
3.Tell us about your techniques.What steps do you follow when you create a new artwork? Do you have a real plan or set up?
All my work begins with the idea, the idea is sourced from an experience.All experiences good and bad come together to create a symbol or message I construct into an image in my mind.Everything always begins with a traditional sketch quickly jotted down, then it is worked on over a period of time.Things are added, taken away, altered etc. until it is ready to be painted.The way I paint each piece differs because I constantly try to find new ways of creating them, I always want to further my experience and learn new ways of creating.Sometimes I will work on something for months, and many many hours are spent just on one piece.
Other times I want to quickly get the idea down. "The Eye Is The Lamp Of The Body" is one that took me about a month to finish.Starting the piece is always the hardest for me, knowing what I accurately want to say, knowing what style to do it in.Its really not an easy process for me like some may think. The art is a reflection of what my heart is currently going through at the time, so putting that energy into it is like living through it ten fold.
4.Where did you found your inspiration about this artwork?
Like I previously mentioned this was inspired by Matthew 6:22.There are quite a few different interpretations of this scripture so I took bits and pieces from all of them,and combined them with how I feel in my heart about the text.A huge symbol in this piece is the actual water 'tunnel' the man is in, he is not parting the water but the water is curling around him creating a tunnel.
"Tunnel vision" is something commonly used to describe someone who is negatively focused on something, close-mindedness.With this portrayal I wanted to put the emphasis on it being the focus for good, a sort of 'tunnel vision focused on love' and the determination for positivity and happiness, while blocking out all negativity.
5.How do you feel about the feedback and the response you received? Do you care? Or do you like to figure it out all by yourself?
The creation process for me is a one way direction, I never bring back around the comments to take away from what was intentionally created.I am blessed to have those that like and enjoy my work, this one in particular and it truly means a lot to me.But I'm pretty determined to do this for the rest of my life, everything I'm doing now is just the beginning of a long journey, I'm pretty motivated with or without feedback.
6.What is the strangest or funniest comment or question you've ever gotten about this artwork?Do you keep previous comments or critiques in mind for your future works or do you just go your own way?
The funniest comment is that a few people automatically thought the character was Moses,obviously because of the 'parting-like' waves.What's funny is that the man was actually painted from a photo of myself.I lied on my bed on my back and had my wife take a photo of me and painted it.So I'm assuming, having painted the character a little tanner, more facial hair and glowing eyes I could pull off looking like Moses.
The fish have no symbolic supporting point other than just fitting in terrifically with the movement and composition.
I personally feel that the worst thing an artist can do is create work based upon the feedback,response or need for acceptance they get from others.If one chooses to have that outside involvement within everything they create,it can bleed the individuality out the work, until it is just a watered-down, accepted, force-fed redundant image everyone understands, and no one has to put energy into it. I'm talking good and bad responses too.A passionate artist will continue to push themselves, they will always push forward and learn new techniques, new ideas, new ways of creating. I would make these pieces even if no one saw it, so like with this one I let myself absorb it, I created it, and I let it go & on to the next.
7.What are your biggest doubts (assuming you have any), about your artwork?
I go through a lot of emotions creating these pieces. Sometimes there are doubts but they are inner personal road blocks that are necessary to overcome and move on.
On the road to trying to become a better artist there will be doubts no matter what,it helps you learn about yourself and it helps you reanalyze things.I can be hard on myself as an artist, but I know I have to be if I want to create what's in my head. I'm the type of artist that if I'm feeling doubts about my artwork, I'll probably paint a picture about it.
8.Share with us 3 pieces of your gallery to admire.
The story behind the artwork.
We will try to show the story behind the artwork.
Many times all of us we are wondering how a piece of art was created.
Here is a good chance to learn some informations about techniques, the artist's feelings who is being interviewed and many more.
We will be picking one artwork,and the selected artist will have the chance to choose 3 of his own works to be featured.
If you want to be interviewed,send a note to /Litavis or /JurgenDoe . We will be happy to give you an interview about your work.
The chosen piece
1.What is special about this piece?
This piece is special because of the inspiration it was drawn from, the biblical scripture from Matthew 6:22 "The eye is the lamp of the body.If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light." To me this puts the focus on love, empathy, humbleness and graciousness, which may make this certain piece one of the most positive ones I have created.It embodies the beauty of the transformation of the mind directed towards love, with the intention to spread love,joy & happiness to one another.Because if the mind has bad intentions, those intentions are what comes fourth to bring pain, loss, lies and hate - there is darkness in the soul.
2.Did you choose, or were you chosen to create this artwork?
As with all my work, I choose it. In fact that is the foundation all my work is based upon, it comes from me - inside out.3.Tell us about your techniques.What steps do you follow when you create a new artwork? Do you have a real plan or set up?
All my work begins with the idea, the idea is sourced from an experience.All experiences good and bad come together to create a symbol or message I construct into an image in my mind.Everything always begins with a traditional sketch quickly jotted down, then it is worked on over a period of time.Things are added, taken away, altered etc. until it is ready to be painted.The way I paint each piece differs because I constantly try to find new ways of creating them, I always want to further my experience and learn new ways of creating.Sometimes I will work on something for months, and many many hours are spent just on one piece.Other times I want to quickly get the idea down. "The Eye Is The Lamp Of The Body" is one that took me about a month to finish.Starting the piece is always the hardest for me, knowing what I accurately want to say, knowing what style to do it in.Its really not an easy process for me like some may think. The art is a reflection of what my heart is currently going through at the time, so putting that energy into it is like living through it ten fold.
4.Where did you found your inspiration about this artwork?
Like I previously mentioned this was inspired by Matthew 6:22.There are quite a few different interpretations of this scripture so I took bits and pieces from all of them,and combined them with how I feel in my heart about the text.A huge symbol in this piece is the actual water 'tunnel' the man is in, he is not parting the water but the water is curling around him creating a tunnel."Tunnel vision" is something commonly used to describe someone who is negatively focused on something, close-mindedness.With this portrayal I wanted to put the emphasis on it being the focus for good, a sort of 'tunnel vision focused on love' and the determination for positivity and happiness, while blocking out all negativity.
5.How do you feel about the feedback and the response you received? Do you care? Or do you like to figure it out all by yourself?
The creation process for me is a one way direction, I never bring back around the comments to take away from what was intentionally created.I am blessed to have those that like and enjoy my work, this one in particular and it truly means a lot to me.But I'm pretty determined to do this for the rest of my life, everything I'm doing now is just the beginning of a long journey, I'm pretty motivated with or without feedback.6.What is the strangest or funniest comment or question you've ever gotten about this artwork?Do you keep previous comments or critiques in mind for your future works or do you just go your own way?
The funniest comment is that a few people automatically thought the character was Moses,obviously because of the 'parting-like' waves.What's funny is that the man was actually painted from a photo of myself.I lied on my bed on my back and had my wife take a photo of me and painted it.So I'm assuming, having painted the character a little tanner, more facial hair and glowing eyes I could pull off looking like Moses.The fish have no symbolic supporting point other than just fitting in terrifically with the movement and composition.
I personally feel that the worst thing an artist can do is create work based upon the feedback,response or need for acceptance they get from others.If one chooses to have that outside involvement within everything they create,it can bleed the individuality out the work, until it is just a watered-down, accepted, force-fed redundant image everyone understands, and no one has to put energy into it. I'm talking good and bad responses too.A passionate artist will continue to push themselves, they will always push forward and learn new techniques, new ideas, new ways of creating. I would make these pieces even if no one saw it, so like with this one I let myself absorb it, I created it, and I let it go & on to the next.
7.What are your biggest doubts (assuming you have any), about your artwork?
I go through a lot of emotions creating these pieces. Sometimes there are doubts but they are inner personal road blocks that are necessary to overcome and move on.On the road to trying to become a better artist there will be doubts no matter what,it helps you learn about yourself and it helps you reanalyze things.I can be hard on myself as an artist, but I know I have to be if I want to create what's in my head. I'm the type of artist that if I'm feeling doubts about my artwork, I'll probably paint a picture about it.
8.Share with us 3 pieces of your gallery to admire.
Jeffrey Smith:
http://shadowness.com/ascendingstorm
Website: www.ascendingstorm.com Oct 10th