My Daily Minefield

I believe I may have solved the age old question, plaguing mankind since Paleolithic man first decorated the walls of their caves, with paintings of animals.  The subject in question, “What is art?”  The answer is both very simple and quite obvious.  If I can do it, it’s NOT art!

For example, Edgar Degas’ oil painting “Two Dancers on Stage.”  I can neither paint nor draw a stick figure.  Nor can I go en pointe much less walk and chew gum, at the same time.  Verdict: both oil painting and dancing are forms of art.

I don’t consider this art.  And not because of its controversial nature, but because I can do that.  I can place a flag neatly upon the ground, in front of a shelf.  I do think it is a statement, a bold statement. a statement protected by the 1st amendment of our Constitution, but that does not make it art.  I believe that all art makes a statement (what ever it may be) but not all statements are artistic.

“Kind of like all cats are beautiful.  But not everything that is beautiful is fortunate enough to be a cat!”

Um sure, that makes sense.

Another example is when I sit down and play Beethoven, on the piano.   By no means does that make me an artist who plays music.

And my feeble attempts at writing poetry, doesn’t make me a timeless individual whose words (and gorgeous blue eyes) touch the souls and hearts of millions.  (i love you eddie!!!)

In the same vein, I can use spray paint, own a set of pot lids and can crumple up magazine pages, but I certainly could not create an amazing piece of work, like this one.  The artist is Brandon McConnell, his art is called Spacepainting and the above work, Spookius, is just one example of his talent.

This video is a mere 39 seconds of pure Wow!

Here’s Brandon showing kids how to create magic in under 2 minutes!

Beginners can create their own galaxy in under 3 minutes!  I so want to try this one!!!

Glossy magazine pages and Brandon’s fingers add flora and fauna.

This is Brandon’s YouTube Channel:  http://www.youtube.com/user/spacepainter?feature=watch

His web page:  http://www.spacepaintings.com/brandon_mcconnell.html

And his instructional site:  http://www.spacepaintings.com/instructional_videos.html

If Beloved ever gives me permission to spray paint, in our nice new garage, (oh – it’s so not going to happen.)  But, if it does, I promise to post my attempts at spray paint art. Till then . . .

All Spacepainting images used are by the artist, Brandon McConnell.