I was asked an interesting question about the rust art I have been making. The question was how I came about making this kind of art, what inspired me, etc.

Well……A close friend of mine who knew I made art (I was not showing yet at this time) asked me if I would like to be a part of an art benefit. It was a group called H.O.P.E. They raise funds for the Orphans of Darfur. What they do is the woman in the couple who are the main duo core of the HOPE organization will choose a photograph once a year that she has taken. This photograph is then given to several different local artists who are then asked to do a piece based on the photograph, in other words their interpretation of the image. Their finished pieces are then auctioned at a live event to raise the funds. ALL of the money raised goes to the kids and now young adults who were orphaned in Darfur. I was aware of Darfur but I had no idea the extent, the true horror of what had been and is taking place there. A few days before the event they screened the film “The Devil Came On Horseback”, I believe it was called. It was truly one of the most disturbing things I have ever seen. Because I knew that the pieces were to be auctioned, I wanted to come up with a concept, something new, something that was guaranteed to draw the attention of an art lover and guaranteed to raise alot of funds. I guess about four months prior to the show, I started working on this project. I went through a multitide of different ideas, attempts, mediums, etc. before I came to the rust works.

It came almost by accident, as an idea really, then it was a matter of finding a way to make the idea into a workable reality. I experimented over and over again before I got it right. Finally I had it down. I worked for those 4 months on this one piece until it was truly the best it could be. I am very happy to report that it sold at auction second highest behind a Shephard Fairey piece!!! YAY!!! After that success I was so thrilled, truly thrilled that my efforts had been able to raise that so needed money to help those poor tragedy struck people. If you are interested please look up H.O.P.E. they are an amazing organization and are truly great people. I will try to find their link for you.

Anyhow, one thing led to another and I kept experimenting with the process. I have always admired natural process, and I find some of the most beautiful works of art I have ever seen were those created by nature herself. Rust is alive. It does not cease to change and to evolve. That is what keeps me fascinated by working in rust. I may create a piece, but after four months or a year the piece completely changes, the colors have morphed, and become a completely different shade, texture, etc.

It is a process of starting a work of art then leaving the rest to nature. Coming back and looking at a piece I made two years ago is incredible, because sometimes it looks almost nothing like the original. It has grown and changed, almost always becoming far more vibrant and alive that I ever could have made it on my own. This will probably never cease to fascinate me.

In answer to why I do this? Why I make art?………I love it. It makes me happy. I make art because it fills my soul up and makes this crazy mad world a little more calm in my head. Same reason I make music, same reason I dance. I am an artist, and in order to breathe, I must create. If I don’t, and I stagnate, it’s not good. It may sound odd, but it’s the truth. It’s the only life I have ever known.

Thanks for checking in and reading this and I hope that answered the question:)

Muchos besos

F