On May 2, I walked over to FAVO for Parker Sketch’s monthly Art Critique. Artists crowd into his FAVO art studio and show their work. FAVO is a former motel where artist convert individual units into artist’s studios. I sketched the first presenter Colette (444cole444 on Instagram). She produces abstract colorful paintings. She brought three of her primitive face paintings. The sort of reminds me of Picasso paintings crossed with tribal face masks.
When the inspiration hits, it hits hard. She explained that she produces these very quickly. They hearken back to her families’ past and she works at a feverish pace when hit by the inspiration. Comments from fellow artist were mostly about the way they were framed. Lattice edges the painting and there are gaps between the edge of the painting and the lattice which often had wads of what appeared like bubble gum. The commentary was that collectors and curators would not like the wads since they would not seem archival. The bright pink color is what resonated with me since it jumps out from across the room.
After Cole presented, Louise Bova presented one of her many sketchbooks that had painterly abstractions on every page. Sketchbooks are my favorite medium, so I was infatuated. You can learn more about an artist by looking through one sketchbook than you can by talking to them for many hours. Louise flipped through the sketchbook quickly, which was my only regret. I would have liked to study each page at a more leisurely pace. Louise has an exhibition coming up in September, so I will get to see the work on the walls and take more time to look. The abstract work had an amazing energy to it. There is violence to the way masses of color and lines are thrown down. I could learn something about letting go from studying the work. She then showed a more representational piece painted entirely in blue of an urban street scene. It reminded me of paintings I used to do in NYC of the Fish market at 4AM. I have a Louise Bova painting in my collection that is from her NYC years. This blue painting reminded me of that black and white painting done in an artist’s studio. I identify more with representational work since that is what I do each day, but the energy of her abstracts are attractive. There might be a sweet spot between those two worlds.
Louise made the mistake of saying the works in the sketchbooks were JUST studies. I often say the work in my sketchbooks are JUST sketches. Anyway, a conversation was sparked about how artists undersell their work in the words they use. That conversation went on way too long. I could see from her work that she is a confident and accomplished artist. I can take only so much art speak sometimes.
I presented my short, animated film, COVID Dystopia at this Critique. It was the FAVO premiere for the film. I have taken the film around the world to cities like Berlin, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Reno and Wild Rivers, and the Orlando Film Festival to name a few. The film won the Best Animated Film Award multiple times. I often would give a talk in front of audiences after those screenings and take questions, but there was never any criticism of the film. The FAVO screening is the only time a group of artists could offer suggestions and insight. Parker Sketch said the film needed more moments where the pace might slow down and I agree. I recognize that the film happens so fast the no one can possibly fully absorb all the imagery. Though I have hand drawn animation in each scene there isn’t a simple fluid story line to follow. The entire 5 minute film is a fast-paced fever dream. I now have the film on YouTube to be seen for free, yet very few people have looked at it. The time to study the insanity of letting the virus rip has passed. Despite this, I still have the COVID Dystopia book to get to press. 100 years from now there will be interest in seeing this view of man’s inhumanity and inability to adapt to a virus.