Donny's Blog

pen on paper. © 2010 Donald Yi George

There's been some talk recently about style, for example the feature in artforum magazine. It's been used to talk about fashion, industrial design and art. Though, in general there is a narrow reading of the term "style" and confusion between "high style," "fashion," and painterly style. Style is a way of doing something, not necessarily the same as something being "stylish." Also, style doesn't only apply to the autographic gestures of painting and drawing, but can be applied to the way an artist thinks. For example, artists who work conceptually try to say that they are above "style" since they work with ideas. However, there is a "style of mind" and a style of thinking. Certain motifs, objects, themes, materials will repeat in the work of a conceptual artist in much the same way a painter may use similar shapes and colors in their work.

I got to see Stina Persson's show last night at Gallery Hanahou. I also got to meet her too. Both left me speechless.

I find these details amazingly beautiful. Perhaps especially because of the grace and athleticism of moves that are largely not under my conscious control or awareness. It's a very pure physical expression.

Hope you're having a good one. I'm taking the day off from posting and will be back tomorrow. I've got something big planned for later in the month too, so stay tuned. ...from PBS: THE ORIGINS OF LABOR DAY In 1898, Samuel Gompers, head of the American Federation of Labor, called it "the day for which the toilers in past centuries looked forward, when their rights and their wrongs would be discussed...that the workers of our day may not only lay down their tools of labor for a holiday, but upon which they may touch shoulders in marching phalanx and feel the stronger for it." "Capital is reckless of the health or length of life of the laborer, unless under compulsion from society." -Karl Marx

From life. Colored ink on paper. 11''x17''. This is a sketch from a more recent adult figure drawing session. The model for this sketch was actually at the previous session too.

I wanted to emphasize the warping of the paper with this scan. It goes really well with the face. From life. Watercolor and beer on paper. 9'' x 12''

From life. Watercolor and beer on paper. 9'' x 12''

From life. Watercolor and beer on paper. 9'' x 12''