Where There is Light There is Shadow
Affinity Publisher, Mixam, & Meta
Thursday, June 27, 2024
Weekly Wrap:
Back in 2016 I made a painting “Split” that started me thinking about creating a Shadow and Light series. For a number of reasons including multiple housing moves, constrained spaces, and other reasons it wasn’t until 2023 that I began making the paintings. While i was sorting ref images and making sketches for the series I had a thought that the culmination of the project would be compiled into a book. Now that I have acquired an affinity publisher license I spent a bulk of time this past week learning how to set up a document and use the program, gathering and attempting to organize book content, and looking at Mixam (an online printer) printing options. I had taken a bit of a break from the series because it was feeling more like a chore, or overwhelming, than play. I argue the best work needs some structure and skill but the always comes when one is playing and having a good old time! Now I am excited to get back to it and see what happens with the series and the book as I work on content, the book layout, and having fun in the process!
Inspired by Edvard Munch’s Starry Night I decided to experiment with a favorite of his, painting with essence. Essence is basically oil paint thinned dramatically with paint thinner. I’m using Gamblins Gamsol to thin my paint here. I love the watercolor like effect of essence but I also love thick paint so i’ll keep playing and see where this painting ends up.
Ugh, Meta, Adobe and AI training…
We arrived at Meta’s June 26th opt out of AI training date and despite navigating their deceptive and convoluted forms requesting to opt out I was told there are no laws protecting me and they don’t believe I have proved past wrongful use. While going through this process Meta told me the only state in the US with any protections here is Illinois. Hey to all the other representatives could you talk to your peers in Illinois and protect the people? This moment in time where our leaders are lagging behind the times and often in the pocket of tech is pretty frightening leaving us with little to no protections. I think this is going to create enormous issues for what rights people have over not just their work but their own bodies and autonomy. The internet is fairly mandatory for existing in this time period so the idea that individuals can opt out of using it is untenable. With no regulations we are at the fancy of a handful of companies that have shown us again and again they will happily and strategically cause harm to create profits. Let’s keep searching for and creating pockets of light and joy in these shadowy dark times.
Open call:
San Diego Airport Art Installation Mirror Mirror
Fee: no fee
Due: June 30, 2024