|
Schiller
has painted and acted the political animal for-her-ever.
Recently she plunked down in Kansas City, Kansas.
Photo taken by Steve Curtis in collaboration
at S2 Studio in KCK, 2009 |
I'm
grappling with being human, aware and sane. The fact that individuals
remain so in spite of the many pressures (actual and imagined)
of daily life intrigues and astounds me. There
is so much beauty and strength in that fact. That is why I must
paint and draw people. It forces me to examine them, see them.
In ways we rarely notice as we go about our own everyday concerns.
Hence, I'm involved in portraiture.
Much of portraiture is static. It is the likeness of an individual.
It may be an excellent likeness, but it remains shallow. It
says little more than here is John/Jane Doe. The artist may
be sensitive, skillful and present elements of character; twinkling
of eyes, set of jaw, etc. Still, the viewer is given little
more than an introduction to one person. That is what I consider
straight portraiture.
What I am striving to accomplish (an ideal which may be unattainable)
is to produce portraits of individuals as well as occasional
animals all interacting (though only perhaps by sharing the
picture plane) in situations which reflect upon ourselves and
upon others. To try to accomplish emotional content without
distortion; through a harmonious statement. For not everyone
wants to relate to "emotionalism" and "expressionism".
They like to see themselves as more rational and controlled.
Yet in reality blood courses through their veins and emotions
distend their consciousness. It has to be, for they are human.
I paint especially for (and to?) the segment of the population
that may be uneasy in that truth. To portray an order obvious,
yet infused with that moment when the picture perfect is belied.
I want the viewer to ask, "What is happening here?",
"Who are these people?" and answer for themselves
through their own experiences and needs. Whether rife with obvious
message or ambiguous and open to any/all viewer interpretation,
my work is for the (becoming?) emotionally and politically aware
and adventuresome. I see my job as artist to invoke human feeling.
Picture this, picture that; color this, color that. In the pursuit
of better understanding of individual issues and needs for compassion
and communication at every level of human endeavor and social
participation. |
