Return of the Ranter

Okay if I am the AUDACIOUS ARTIST, I should get to talk about whatever I feel like. For all of you who were hoping I would make this strictly about art so you could monetize my blog by putting your art supply ads in here....forget it! (At least until we can negotiate the per click rate.)

If I want to talk about how the Dallas Cowboys should have done something about drafting a front line before the player union negotiation year, I will.... even though that is news to no one.

If I feel like panning a movie because I didn't like the book it was based on...well spoiler alert or not it's in here. By the way, whose lame notion was it that an art blog couldn't be about all the arts; not just visual? Hello (knock, knock) movies are visual...and so much more. I love a good story. If I liked the story I want to see the movie, if only to see how badly they mucked it up. And yes, J.K. Rowling deserves to make yet another billion dollars for creating the Potter series. Who else do you know in recent history who has inspired that many kids to read? Of course, I'd like to see Terry Pratchett get his as well for the Disc World series, but that is a whole different rant.

Here is a few topics you can expect to hear about, not that I am limiting myself to these or any others.

I told you about loving stories already and of course movies. Give yourself a gold star if you notice this paragraph is bordering on redundant already. I also enjoy TV, though some of the stories are predictable and formulaic. I will sometimes talk about my faves.

I love women, but since this is not a porno blog, I will probably describe my fondness for the female form under the thin disguise of "life drawings" or "best photographic lighting results."

I rather enjoy good food, but unless I have an unusually excellent or equally horrific dining experience I will not be talking about the mundane act of eating. And if you are interested, ask me about my "No effort diet plan." I'm not sure how well it works yet, but I haven't had to put much effort into it at all.

As I have mentioned in previous writings posted right here, I am also very fond of video games. Here is another art-form that combines visual, audio and storytelling like movies. The plus is that with video games, you get to interact and become part of the process of telling or revealing the story. I will be talking about a few of my favorites in the posts to come....if I am not too busy PLAYING.

I do love the visual arts. As much as I enjoy visiting galleries and museums to view other artists' work, I most enjoy making art. The process is exhilarating. I will talk more in depth on my own process, but will happily discuss the techniques of other artists as well. Keep a sharp eye out for my new training series "Tricks and Techniques of the Successful Self Taught Artist," out on DVD this fall.

The main thing I am passionate about, and I hope I do not sound too militant on this subject, is the value of art. I do not only mean the dollar amount attached to purchasing art, but the importance of art to our society, culture, education and ultimately our future. We are meant to be creative beings, but in our day to day struggles to scratch out our survival we sometimes forget that. Art and more specifically artists help us to remember and reconnect with that purpose. I want to encourage you (my fellow creative beings) to create, to appreciate the creative spirit within those around you and live with as many reminders of this as you can create or afford to place in your home. Much, much more on this later.

That's all for now. Tune in next time (subscribe to make sure you are here next time) for my take on the issue of Thomas vs. Damien.

-Ken-

Ken O'Toole is an abstract experimental artist represented in North Texas (DFW) by Haley Henman Gallery.