T h e s e P l a c e s U n t o l d
m y s t e r y i s f o r c e r t a i n
m y s t e r y i s f o r c e r t a i n
These Places Untold arrived to me early 2021 in Austin, Texas where I kinda learned the basics of a sewing machine. I approached the sewing machine like a child with a new toy. I began to create mystical scenes, piecing together various fabric scraps by sewing them together in very rough construction. After completing a dozen or so of these mystical scenes, (maybe call them collages) I decided that one day they would be references for large paintings.
In that 2021 year as the lockdowns and plandemic continued, I watched with disgust and anger as the public hopelessly attacked itself. I couldn’t focus on art making, I had to leave this warzone. By the end of 2021, the Old Mule (my 1995 Isuzu Trooper) and I made it to Baja Sur, potentially for-good and forever. As the summer of 2022 arrived, I watched as lockdowns lifted and hatred began to dissolve. I decided to bring back a dream of mine to life which was to paint in New Mexico. All the famous painters have painted there why not me too.
Before I left Baja, I secured a casita in Chimayo on Craigslist and made my way north. The Old Mule and I didn’t make it to Chimayo. Instead, we broke down in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. It would take a month for the Mule to get fixed, so it was decided I would set up a studio in TorC. In the perfect place of quiet solitude, this is where I began painting These Places Untold.
These Places Untold have come to be as the result of 20 plus years painting experience in the acrylic medium. I began as self-taught then chose to study and give homage to the ways of the renaissance masters at The Mark Kang-O'Higgins Atelier at the Gage Academy in Seattle, Washington. I learned to see and observe life.
I then would be a BFA candidate, accepted to San Francisco Art Institute with a Presidential Scholarship. Dismissed in the freshman year. Later in 2014 I attended drawing classes at Artist Student League in New York City. That’s where all the famous artists hung out as well, so I gave myself that experience. Since 2014, my predominant focus has been on cows, Vibrant Cows (www.vibrantcows.com).
These Places Untold is transcendence in art making. Delivered from an almost ten-year respected and disciplined dedication to painting cows. The cows, a gift from nature to activate the greatness within, nurturing a connection to basic goodness which has allowed for the present realization of the These Places Untold paintings; a mature body of artwork that is my own.
These Places Untold begin as fabric collages I sew. I have continued sewing and collecting fabric since the first pieces of 2021. Created where the child plays at heart. No intention other than playing with materials provided by life. Being the architect of this artwork, I create lively representations of the fabric collage in the acrylic paint medium. Importance to being challenged by the practiced medium bridges opportunity. Looking at thoughts and feelings arising as to the artworks story, generating a unique title that gives direction. Bringing to life artwork that demands an open heart, not an open mouth by the viewer.
In some cases, These Places Untold is story of land, where mystery is for certain. Barely are words alchemized. Words are unnecessary. Inside all, it is known. Today and maybe since forever: occupied minds, trauma, worldly desire, ego, endless suffering, fear....piles. Feeling compressed, stashed away and buried deep, yet still like the greatest champion ever, your number one witness to your story...the place untold inside that is in all of us, is our reminder we are alive. Burning alive.
The artwork tends to lean into themes that could, and maybe should cause discomfort. What kind of themes are those: destruction, death, birth, meaninglessness, fear, disconnection, suffering, affliction, pure beauty, a mirror to your life and thoughts. That discomfort is for you. It is yours.
Me, aware and appreciative of aesthetics, my artwork completes as meditative objects suitable to be animistic decoration, like a bardo mandala.
For adult thinking viewers, These Places Untold is meant to be observed stilly, no need to obstruct the truth. The truth is to sit with oneself, connected to the place untold inside. Cherish it. Symbiosis with pure presence, gratitude to witness artwork that “gets it”. Fully surrendered, now let the Title of the painting direct the self through thoughts while remaining silent and continuing to be present. Shhhh...let it stay with you. Stop making gossip of you, and all that is around you for your entertainment. The world, and even me as artist could give two fucks about your interpretation. Challenge yourself a little more. Silently, out of respect, the whispers say, “shut the fuck up for once”.
For children, These Places Untold gives inspiration to loving hearts with malleable minds verging into social programming, even already confused by abuses. Finding subconscious relieve, igniting their own imaginary senses without the obstruction of an ‘elder’ forcing opinion and correction.
Praise yourself for being aware. Now celebrate.