Last month I posted 16 Ways to Reduce the Carbon Footprint in Your Art Studio and I invited artists to contribute their ideas. One artist was chosen for their answer, and has won a free class: Courtney Wooten pointed out that as artists, our greatest potential for impact can be made by using our art to “spread awareness, to shine a light, to educate, inspire, agitate and help build a movement.”
Courtney Wooten: Although we do a lot of re-using canvases and re-purposing materials in our home, my mind keeps going back to Toni Cade Bambara’s exhortation that, “the role of the artist is to make revolution irresistible.” As important as personal responsibility and praxis is to me, over 70% of greenhouse gas emissions come from 100 corporations. Reducing my own carbon footprint is great, and using my art to spread awareness, to shine a light, to educate, inspire, agitate and try to help build a movement feels even greater! No social movement is without creativity and visual art—as Brecht (I think, I’m paraphrasing?) reminded us, our artistic expression isn’t just about holding up a mirror to reflect society, but wielding a hammer with which to shape it.
In 1970-1, Frank Auerbach did a study on Titian’s ‘Bacchus and Ariadne’. Auerbach abstracted the forms but distilled the essential pieces of the composition – a great exercise for any artist. We did some modern interpretations of classical compositions in my classes last quarter. I’ll post some pictures soon. For today, here’s Auerbach’s study of …
Hey there. I wanted to send out a little personal thank you about V. Notes, this unusual and personal blog series of thoughts and ideas related to art. Initially started as a way to give my painting students more information outside of class, V. Notes now has over 1,000 readers. Many subscribers are part of …
[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text] THIS WEEKEND! Printmaker’s Show Reception: Saturday March 23, 5:00-7:00 Show Open: Saturday, March 23, 11:00-7:00 Saturday, March 24, 11:00-5:00 Seattle Artist League 10219 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133 Come by this weekend to see monotypes, drypoints, woodcuts, …
One year ago in March, to protect our students and teachers from a new coronavirus, the Seattle Artist League moved our classes online. The virus was declared a national emergency, and we went into quarantine. We have now been in quarantine for thirteen months. Through this year, we have met each other online to draw, …
The role of the artist is to make revolution irresistible
Last month I posted 16 Ways to Reduce the Carbon Footprint in Your Art Studio and I invited artists to contribute their ideas. One artist was chosen for their answer, and has won a free class: Courtney Wooten pointed out that as artists, our greatest potential for impact can be made by using our art to “spread awareness, to shine a light, to educate, inspire, agitate and help build a movement.”
Courtney Wooten: Although we do a lot of re-using canvases and re-purposing materials in our home, my mind keeps going back to Toni Cade Bambara’s exhortation that, “the role of the artist is to make revolution irresistible.” As important as personal responsibility and praxis is to me, over 70% of greenhouse gas emissions come from 100 corporations. Reducing my own carbon footprint is great, and using my art to spread awareness, to shine a light, to educate, inspire, agitate and try to help build a movement feels even greater! No social movement is without creativity and visual art—as Brecht (I think, I’m paraphrasing?) reminded us, our artistic expression isn’t just about holding up a mirror to reflect society, but wielding a hammer with which to shape it.
Use your art to raise awareness, call for action, and change the world. (Works for any medium and skill level!) – Courtney Wooten
Thank you for the call back to our powerful potential as artists, Courtney. Looking forward to seeing you in class!
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Auerbach’s study of ‘Bacchus and Ariadne’
In 1970-1, Frank Auerbach did a study on Titian’s ‘Bacchus and Ariadne’. Auerbach abstracted the forms but distilled the essential pieces of the composition – a great exercise for any artist. We did some modern interpretations of classical compositions in my classes last quarter. I’ll post some pictures soon. For today, here’s Auerbach’s study of …
A note about V. Notes
Hey there. I wanted to send out a little personal thank you about V. Notes, this unusual and personal blog series of thoughts and ideas related to art. Initially started as a way to give my painting students more information outside of class, V. Notes now has over 1,000 readers. Many subscribers are part of …
League Printmaker’s Show
[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text] THIS WEEKEND! Printmaker’s Show Reception: Saturday March 23, 5:00-7:00 Show Open: Saturday, March 23, 11:00-7:00 Saturday, March 24, 11:00-5:00 Seattle Artist League 10219 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133 Come by this weekend to see monotypes, drypoints, woodcuts, …
Online Anniversary Show: Landscapes
One year ago in March, to protect our students and teachers from a new coronavirus, the Seattle Artist League moved our classes online. The virus was declared a national emergency, and we went into quarantine. We have now been in quarantine for thirteen months. Through this year, we have met each other online to draw, …