Exquisite Corpse Project

This picture was inspired by the two different definitions of the word 'cartoon'. The top drawing is modeled after the modern day definition of a cartoon and is therefore very lighthearted and it uses straight lines to imitate motion and shading. The bottom part is a representation of the original definition from the late middle ages and the Renaissance and is intended to be darker and somewhat Gothic which was popular in this time period. Originally, cartoons were drawings or paintings that were constructed for transfer to another medium such as a tapestry. To capture this, I made the fingers appear as if they are tearing the paper upon which they are drawn (as opposed to the Earth's crust which they were originally intended to tear). This, in a way, is intended to break the fourth wall of the painting and reflect the physical nature of original cartoons as if the painting itself wants to be removed from its page.

Here is the same picture flipped vertically to expose the darker side. The blur effect is meant to appear somewhat like an oil painting.

Keith Haring - Tuttomondo

Much of Keith Haring's art seems to speak on a similar subject. His signature playful, human-like shapes sprawl all around many of his pieces in order to discuss the nature of humanity. His final work of art, Tuttomondo, for example does exactly that. It contains many different shapes and creatures, but all, with perhaps the exception of the snake in the top right corner, maintain distinctly human-like features. Some of Tuttomondo's creatures seem to simply be free form as if they were products of mark and gesture and the little black lines separating each creature are certainly examples of this. However, other creatures, such as the human scissor creatures cutting the snake, intentionally represent aspects of the human plight in continuation of Haring's quest to reveal human nature. This could be described as the content of Tuttomondo. Tuttomondo's form is defined by it's placement on the side of the wall. This form represent's Haring's attempt at breaking down the barrier between street art and gallery art.

Mark and Gesture to Celtic Music