POST-TALK THOUGHTS

I gave an art talk August 7th along with Bev Wight at the Westmount Public Library.  Bev and I are inspired by similar things but end results are totally different. She ends up with abstraction and I end up with, umm, let's call it humorous expressionism. There are lots of "isms in art" as every afficionado knows. Take this one with a grain of salt. 

I was introduced as an artist who produces "bold" work. After the event was over, I started thinking about what the word bold means. I looked it up!

BOLD has to be written in bold font doesn't it?

Merriam Webster defines the word as follows (I selected definitions that I felt were the most appropriate):

1. fearless before danger: intrepid
2. showing or requiring a fearless daring spirit
3. impudent, presumptuous
4. assured, confident
5. adventurous, free, (a bold thinker)
6. standing out prominently

"Fascinating"!  Having grown up on a visual diet of Mad Magazine, I view my production as positively timid in comparison.  I constantly self-censor and often wish that I could set myself free from the psychological hang ups acquired during my extra-curricular catechism classes dispensed by Father Cyplak (spelling of his name is most probably incorrect). 

I was about 7 or 8 years old when I found out I was a sinner.  Before then I was a perfectly happy kid, totally unaware of my badness. Mom said that during this period of spiritual enlightenment, I lost weight, became riddled with anxieties, and had heavy duty nightmares.  I am not sure if these classes were essential to my education but I have no doubt that in long term, they fed my art.  

I am determined to get even bolder!  Like black chocolate, the experience is deliciously sinful. Sorry Father.