Evolutionaries

Evolutionaries
Originally uploaded by rsconnett

EVOLUTIONARIES
(Part of my 'TRANSHUMANISUM' series)

10" X 10" - Acrylic on birch wood panel
Completed 12/09/2008 - Los Angeles

In the near future people will be able to decide how the evolve. Evolution will be taken from the hands of nature and we shall control what we become through science and technology. Breakthroughs such as nano technology and A.I., ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_inteligence ) will enable us to transcend the slow pace of human evolution exponentially.

This may result in several and varied evolutionary variations. Some may choose to have extremely strong and large bodies like giant insects, while others may decide to become small and invisible like a floating energy. Nanobots, ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanobots ) and utility fog, ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utility_fog ) will make the physical world and many of it's laws absolute.

Until we are able to control ALL THINGS, (in which case it is conjectured that we have become god, and fulfilled human destiny) we will be limited in the changes we can make to ourselves. This could be an amazing period where we make ourselves into our own 'Art Forms' as different and varied as snowflakes.

In this possible world, People will transcend the physicality of eons of intelligence and physical evolution in an amazing short period of time, (see The Singularity, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singularity).

There may be those who will rebel against what they see as "ungodly' modifications of the accepted human form, (see Luddites, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luddite).

Early adopters of modification and augmentation technologies may be termed "EVOLUTIONARIES".

~ RSC ~ 12/10/08

EMPATHICS

EMPATHICS
Originally uploaded by rsconnett

EMPATHICS, Acrylic on wood panel, 10 x 10" (25.4 cm. X 25.4 cm.)
November 2008, Los angeles

This painting, (and 3 others) will be shown and sold at this years "ART BASEL MIAMI" in Miami Florida December 4 - 7, ( www.artbaselmiamibeach.com/go/id/ss/ ) If you are interested in the purchase of this piece, please e-m to rsconnett@gmail.com

This painting illustrates some of my fancies about human communication in a higher age of human evolution. I dream of communicating "empathically" through technological enhancements to our abilities. Empathy is superior to telepathy, and certainly to verbal language. It is to communicate with emotion. This would be a grand language! There would be little chance of misunderstanding.

I've been reading about "Transhumanisum" … "A term often used as a synonym for "human enhancement". Also known as "Posthumanisum".

It is an international, intellectual and cultural movement supporting the use of science and technology to enhance human mental and physical abilities and aptitudes, and overcome what it regards as undesirable and unnecessary aspects of the human condition, such as disability, suffering, disease, aging, and involuntary death." (quoted from Wikipedia; en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transhumanism)

I've been concerned about death since I was a child. It's been a great motivator for me. Death is the greatest betrayal of life! Just when you begin to get good at it, you die!? Isn't that a bit of a "GYP"?

All through the history of mankind people have found ways to "make peace" with death. What choice have we? From the first historical records we find reference to death and "afterlife" Religions were invented (in part) to answer the question of the greatest human tragedy, our own death.

What could possibly be worse than death? Yes, life can become terrible in many ways, and one might welcome death under certain circumstances. I certainly agree with this. My father died a terrible death as a result of a more terrible state of life. So, I understand. However, when life is still vital. When we want our life to go on, to do more, it is indeed a tragedy beyond any other to die! This is premature death! And I believe most people die prematurely.

There are those who believe that life can be sustained in good health and sharp mentality through the use of technology. These are the Transhumanists. One whom I most admire is Ray Kurzweil. He has 'almost' convinced me that it will be possible to not only live longer, but to become much more than who we currently are. He belives we can transcend our own current biological state. And indeed, it is our duty to do so! It's a matter of evolve or die! It always has been. Now, it is up to us to take the next evolutionary step through our talents of invention. We can no longer rely of biological evolution to save our species.

The merging of human biology and human technology is the next step in human evolution. This is why the robots will not revolt; we WILL BE the robots!

In the same way that the first man invented a tool, or utilized energy (fire) to improve and extend his existence, we shall embrace and merge with technology as the next step in human evolution. It may be a bit late for me, (and that pisses me off!) but I continue on with a glimmer of hope. I have little hope for existence beyond the grave, though I keep an open mind to all things.

It would be wonderful to be free from the world we live in now, and enter a new phase of existence. I would live in a world where the only limitations are imagination.

In my own small way, this is the world which I do my utmost to live in now. It is not always so easy. Oft times the grim hands of reality swoop down to pluck me from my reveries. I spend my days toiling by the "sweat of my brow", being the accursed white Christian that I am :)

I highly recommend reading the books by Raymond Kurzweil, and about the man. Here are some links;

About Ray kurzweil: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_Kurzweil

The Age of Intelligent Machines: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Age_of_Intelligent_Machines

The Singularity Is Near: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Singularity_Is_Near

By the way, Someone here described the "SINGULARITY" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technological_singularity ) to me, and I lost track of who this was. If you read this … Thank you very much! I have learned much and been much inspired!

AFS #1

AFS #1
Originally uploaded by rsconnett

This painting, (and 3 others) will be shown and sold at this years "ART BASEL MIAMI" in Miami Florida December 4 - 7, ( www.artbaselmiamibeach.com/go/id/ss/ ) If you are interested in the purchase of this piece, please e-m to rsconnett@gmail.com

Title: AFS #1, (Alternative Fuel Source) Acrylic on wood panel 10" x 10" (25.4 cm. X 25.4 cm.)
November 2008 - Los Angeles - Robert Steven Connett

What I was thinking about here is a visual analogy of the effects of technology, both known and yet to be invented, upon life forms.

These impictured ideas are part of an ongoing thread of thoughts I have concerning the inevitable "technological singularity". The technological singularity is a theoretical future point of unprecedented technological progress, caused in part by the ability of machines to improve themselves using artificial intelligence. (SEE: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technological_singularity)

To my mind, there are several ways life on Earth could change after this event. My thoughts gravitate to these ideas, and I like to paint them. The only thing certain is that life will change radically and quickly. Much more evolution will take place in a very shot period of time than ever before in our knowledge. This will be technological rather than biological. However, impact on the biologicals will be almost as though it was the same.

It is predicted in Ray Kurzweil's book; "the age of spiritual machines" that this singularity event will occur sometime near the year 2025. (as I understand his time line of machine evolution, as he does not refer to this event by name)

At this time computers will be operating at several hundred times the power of a human brain. This time is an estimate of course, and I tell it here simply to illustrate that whenever this time will come … it will indeed come.

When it comes. When machines begin to perfect themselves in their own image and far better than any human can, it can only be assumed that they will predicate their evolution on the betterment of mankind. Further to that, a question arises, what will a machine's conception of what is the "betterment of mankind" be?

This small painting is simply my minds representation of what might come of a machines idea of how a life form might be bettered. I realize this does not really 'explain' the image. There is no explanation. It is art … and thus the explanation, if any, is in the mind of the viewer. I can only hope that I have struck common cords in the psyche of my fellow humans to pass on some idea similar to my own … which obviously, I can not adequately explain using the language of words.

SUPPLICANT

SUPPLICANT
Originally uploaded by rsconnett

'SUPPLICANT' 
or "SUPPLICATION to the INEVITABLE"
10" X 10" (25.4 cm. X 25.4 cm) Acrylic on wood panel
October 2008, Los Angeles

My mind wanders to visions of a future after the angry Mohammedans have set off their suitcase W.M.D.'s, and a chain reaction has occurred, leaving not much other than a poor few folks who probably envy the dead.

In more logical thinking, I doubt any human life will remain after 'everything' hits the fan. The seeds of racial and religious hatred, territorialism and insouciance for the stability of our environment will eventually come to an inevitable conclusion. The human race will go out with a pathetic whimper, not a defiant howl. Of course, I hope this is many years away … but we can't be sure of that. We can't be sure of anything anymore.

It's fun to imagine a post-apocalyptic world full of tough survivalist guys and sexy women. Visions gleaned from TV and Movies where heros can overcome any obstacle. Suffering and anguish is what happens to "others". These "victims" are at fault for being too old, or too young, or not going to the gym enough. In fact, The entertainment media glamifies the horrors in subtle ways. Shows like "24" and "THE UNIT" are full of propaganda which bombards viewers with America's War Mongering, torturer policies and glorifies the militant 'Superman Survivalist Good Guy' bullshit. Perhaps a race of sociopathic sado-masochists will evolve and make this a reality?

Even though I know it's lethal crap, I laugh along with everyone, and love these shows. My trusty TIVO gets them all for me! I still cherish my adolescent fantasies of survivors who are willing and able to flourish in a Post-Apoc "Mad-Max" Stone Age. I dig all the destruction, murder, War, degradation and humiliation!

Here, in this painting, I have painted a meek survivor, supplicating his/her self to the more powerful, huge and emotionless cyborgian priest. In the future the Priesthood of Cyborgs will possess the final truth and be the providers for the remaining meek humans ( who have inherited* the Earth, but not what the Christians expected).

All prayers and sacrifices are made to the immortal machines. The machine clerics have become the spiritual leaders and oracles of the planet, the new religious hierarchy. The ultimate religion which believes in complete randomness. Their spiritual followers are the human detritus, remnants of the suicided race, their dwindling flock. And in the course of nature, the latter will perish, and the machines will rebuild and evolve themselves into a more perfect organism which will reign until something better comes along.

* Blessed are the worms, for they shall inherit our bodies" ~ rs connett. Circa 1997

MICROBIA III, CRUSTACEAPODS

MICROBIA III, CRUSTACEAPODS
Originally uploaded by rsconnett

MICROBIA #3, subtitled; "CRUSTACEAPODS"

24" x 24" (61 cm x 61 cm) Acrylic on Canvas, Completed Oct. 2008

This is third in a series which includes MICROBIA #1 (BLUE) www.vomitus.com/museum/NewVmmPages/BlueMicrobia_vmm.html ... and MICROBIA #2, (RED) www.vomitus.com/museum/NewVmmPages/RedMicrobia_vmm.html

This painting is a good example of my fascination with tiny primitive sea forms. (Real and imaginary)

With each painting I get a little closer to feeling satisfied with my work. After many experiments, and many derivatively influenced works, (influenced by the artists I admire) I have come to two (2) distinct styles that most dominate my paintings.

This painting is the type "A" painting I "escape" into. Thus, I suppose it is "escapist art", at least for me it is. I find the subjects challenging mostly in technical ways. The color, the placement of forms, the illusion of depth and transparency. These challenges keep my mind engaged during the process. There are a few references to things "unrelaxing", such as the machine fetuses in the spheres, and the food chain scenarios. However, the subject matter of the piece is purposely not provocative.

My other painting style, (I'll call it type "B") acts as a catharsis for my feelings of anxiety, fear, anger, etc. Usually these paintings concern the state of the world, and more particularly the state of my world. The cruelty, ignorance, foolishness and evil that obsesses and plagues me. Also, my dread of death and growing anxiety over it's briefness.

When I'm not escaping into my personal dream world, I'm thinking of the huge evil that shrouds our existence. War, crime, hunger, hate, violence and death. These things should not be ignored, but more than not, they are. Who's responsibility is it, if not an artists, to portray these in the unique venue available to him?

At this point in the evolution of my painting, I wonder what road I will take. Will my escapist fascinations take over? If so, will I always feel that I have betrayed my true perceptiveness, to feel safe with my "pretty pictures"? Or will my more substantive style take over, allowing me to express important feelings and ideas, yet salving me not?

Must I have only one focus for my work? I will try to allow my work to find it's own level.

RS ~ 10/17/2008

Faces in a mirror

Faces in a mirror
Originally uploaded by rsconnett

8" x 10" Acrylic on panel ~ 8/2008

I sat down and sketched this out using a soft lead pencil (B-6). Didn't erase anything, just started painting over the sketch. Didn't think about what I was painting at all. Just let it roll out.

The only thing I did think about was the colors. This is the palette I'm using in a few other projects. (red, orange, violet and raw "Buff" titanium)

All these faces. They all look "anguished" or at least, somewhat disturbed.

As I think about it, that makes perfect sense. They are disturbed because they are an extension of who I am, and I AM disturbed ... I am disturbed by what I am, and what I see around me.

When I look in a mirror ... It's a frightening thing!

I used to be young and handsome. I was vain. I would preen in the mirror, absolutely in love with myself.

When we are young, we wonder what we will become. When we are older, we wonder at what we HAVE become!

What I do know is that it doesn't get any better than this ...

NIGHT TRAWLER

NIGHT TRAWLER
Originally uploaded by rsconnett

NIGHT TRAWLER
Acrylic on canvas 6/2008
Size: 22" x 28" (55.9 cm X 79.1 cm.)


This painting has several other paintings under it's skin. That has caused some interesting "impasto" effects. This canvas has been worked, and re-worked, again and again. Underneath this image sleeps the bones of painted memories that only I can recall, and those memories are passing away as I write this description.

At times this painting has been in my closet, under my table, faced against the wall, and purposefully forgotten. I have been working this canvas on and off for over a year.

The "NIGHT TRAWLER" is the boat of my dreams. I would love to live on this boat. To glide from place to place on still and rough waters. Inside this boat is everything I have ever wanted or loved. In my imagination, I am this boat. It is my sanctuary, my retreat, my hideaway. No one can touch me here.

I want to walk into this picture and disappear. I wish to leave the absurd trials and tribulations of men behind, and become part of my painted world. A more interesting and mysterious world where fish rise up above the water to stare at men. Where fish can fly like birds, and translucent creatures swim across the starry night sky shimmering in moon light.

Many years ago, when I was a young boy my father would wake me before dawn to go fishing in the Ocean. We would drive through the foggy San Francisco streets to "Muni Pier" , buy bait wrapped in yesterdays newspaper, and drive across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito. There my father had moored an old 26 foot inboard with a cabin. To my young eyes a Ship! As the first false dawn light began to color the world, we would board with our gear. Trembling with the morning chill, breathing out hot steam into the cold, he'd start the engine. The smell of gasoline, bait and salt water is a heavenly memory.

We made slowly out the jetty and into the San Francisco Bay to cross the "Potato Patch". This is an area of rough water under the Golden Gate bridge where many a small boat has gone down in a sudden storm. Past this fearful patch of rough water lay the beautiful blue waters off Marin County, California. We would skirt the shore, find a still cove and drop anchor. These coves were always surrounded by high cliffs with wild trees overhanging the edges. The Cliffs were natural wind breaks. The water was blue black with its depth, and still as a mirror. The smell there was pine forest mixed with salt water, morning sun, exhaust fumes and dead fish. When I die, if I smell this, I will know there is a heaven after all.

My excitement to begin was so extreme that my fingers would tremble while I set my hooks and sinkers. My father and I would sit side by side in lawn chairs as the boat gently swayed in the calm morning water. The fog would clear in spots and open holes in the sky. Through these openings rays of white orange sunlight would appear. Someone called these "The Fingers of God".

And what fish we caught! I never knew what monstrous beauty I might pull from those waters! Creatures from science fiction! Things that I was sure no one had ever seen before! Huge green purple kelp fish with bulging eyes and fins that looked more like seaweed than fish fins, mottled with countless of hues of blues, greens and violets and blacks. They were covered with tiny slithering worms and tiny gittering crustaceous fleas. Amazing things that I would stare at with the wide eyed wonder of a seven year old boy.

There were Leopard Sharks with beautiful black spots. Fish that looked like futuristic cylindric space ships, Crabs, giant jellyfish, White sharks as big as our boat! (Very scary!) and so many more! The sea's imagination knows no bounds!

The fish my father wanted were the Salmon and Stripped Bass. He once caught a 50 pound Salmon off the Gate! There were big Bat Rays that might take 3 hours for my father to land. He would never know what they were until it surfaced. He always thought he might have a huge salmon, and would curse in rage when it was only a "F-ING RAY" that he had sweated hours to bring to the surface!

My favorite times were slow and silent. When our lines made the only ripple upon the water. The only sound was the soft lapping of the dark water against our boat, the sound of gulls, and my fathers breathing. I would try to match my breaths to my fathers as we sat in silence. I was a miniature version of him, looking into the dark waters thinking our thoughts. I wonder now what he was thinking. I wanted to be him. He was perfection. It was the perfect harmony of a father and son. It's a precious jewel of a memory.

In my painting are remembrances of the rocky cliffs and the calm waters of these pristine California coves. I wonder if they are still there as they were way back then? (Circa 1958) I think not.


This Painting is currently available for sale. If you are interested write to me: rsconnett@gmail.com

DREAMING MACHINES

DREAMING MACHINES
Originally uploaded by rsconnett

The most recent painting in my series of paintings concerning the "reality" of dreams.

I spend a lot of time dreaming. Any time I can, I dream. As a child I was scolded for "dreaming". So, this made me want to dream even more! Most of the time, I prefer my dreams to the waking world. But not the nightmares!

I often think that dreams may be the gateway to another world. Perhaps a parallel world just as important as the waking world which we call "reality"?

When one dies does he go into a dream from which he never awakens? Perhaps dreams foreshadow death? Have we all not thought this? Not a very scientific theory however. The brain activity that goes on during dreaming, ceases all together at death.

On the other hand, if brain activity is electricity, perhaps this activity moves on after the body machine runs down? Is electricity energy? Is energy immortal? Is this electrical energy in us, the current that travels via synapse junctions in the brain from one neuron to the next, the undying energy of a "soul"? … But I digress … I am speaking now of dreams, not souls.

A dream is the only alternative reality that all people visit. From Junkies to Presidents, we all travel to this other world, twisted and strange as it is.

Human beings are indeed "DREAMING MACHINES", (and hence my title for this painting)

My painting shows representations of what it is to dream, and what it is to be in a dream. This is just "remembering" my dreams. Dream remembrance is not at all accurate. Somewhere on the way back from the dream, On the "bridge" from our dream back to reality, we lose most of the details. Like a man trying to carry a big armload of tiny twigs on a windy day, most of them blow away by the time we get back. Trying to recall and paint the remnants excites me. It brings me closer to my dreams. However, it's difficult because almost all my twigs are gone!

Dreaming is seeing, being and existing within, and without, worlds merging known and unknown.

Painting is very much like dreaming. I must seek to find my dreams because they are my models!

Dreaming is feeling and seeing things only possible in dreams. In dreams we experience things which are beyond our waking imaginations.

In dreams we mix fragments from our past with an assortment of possible futures.

In our dreams we stir a "psycho-stew" of things that are, can be, may be, and never will ever be.

In dreams we see our "real' worlds, warped and molded by abstract ideas and notions we never "dreamed" we had. ;)

In dreams there are structures, both logical and ludicrous. Cities that stretch further than the eye can see. Places I've been and never been. Rivers, Lakes and Oceans. Wide open spaces and small dank claustrophobic spaces that can be a prison or an endless maze.

In dreams there be Monsters!

We call all this "The stuff of dreams". Does it come from within us, or somewhere else?

Dreams are both metaphor and analogy ... and neither. Dreams make no sense, and yet can be important revelations!

In this painting, a woman's mind explodes with dreams. Dreams float away like bubbles that escape into a vast and endless expanse. Behind her, nightmares are entombed in an ancient wall of dark fears.

In my dreams I often can not speak, so my mouth is covered. My dream world is endless. It rocks like a cradle on a silky sea, filled with visions of fish. I see my dreams through many eyes, and many lenses, (Like the many lenses I use when I paint.)

We have dreams of sexuality so bizarre they are unspeakable. We all have our secret dreams. Dreams that we will never tell. We will take these dreams with us to that final dream … or that final nothing.

To think that all the people who have ever lived have had hundreds of dreams! Each dream is unique. How many dream worlds have been dreamt of? And how many more dreams shall we have?


contact me at rsconnett@gmail.com

LITTLE BANG THEORY

LITTLE BANG THEORY
Originally uploaded by rsconnett

Acrylic & oil on gessoed panel. 8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
Orientation: Up to the viewer
Another in the series of "MICRO-PAINTINGS" created with powerful magnification glasses and the tiniest brushes available.
Completed in Los Angeles on 5/6/2008

This painting symbolizes the creation of my "tiny universe". It is a rendition of a bright mili-second burst of inspiration before it culminates in the creation of an idea. A bright and explosive germ of an idea! The first flash of synapse and neuron! The tiny explosion which is the beginning of a series of electronic agitations which culminate in a plan!! A plan of how I might re-invent reality in my art, and so also in my life!

Because of my chemical make-up, God, Fate or total randomness, I wish to live in a world apart from most other people. I live in a world that I have managed to create. A world apart from what I sometimes refer to as the "unreal reality". I live as far away as I can. (It's not easy!)

I sleep during the day, and work on my art at night. I avoid most human contact. I interact with my fellow man with great reluctance. I spend most of my time in my glorious studio! This is the place that I love most. My space for creating things and ideas! A place where I can think! It is here that I keep my easels, my paints, my computer and printers. It is where I write and paint and dream and scheme. It is where I read and wonder, admire and conspire! My sanctuary. My mind turned inside - out!

Typifying my nature is an obsession for cleanliness and order. Ironically, I love to be surrounded by clutter. However, on closer inspection, one will find that this clutter is organized in it's own logical manner. This is very much like my paintings. I am fascinated by transparent and translucent objects. These objects are very "CLEAN". I collect these small things in my studio. This is a secret collection. Yet, these objects hide in plain sight. (Orbs, water drops, bottles, light bulbs, paper weights, fuses and containers of liquid) Some of these are in this painting.

I also collect objects from the outside "reality". These items represent feelings of the ironic, contemptuous, and sardonic. (a mummified cat, giant spider in plexiglas, tiny skulls, rubber heads, animal taxidermy, photos of ridiculous movie and TV stars, old dolls, puppets, teeth, broken toys, dead fish, dried insects and human remains) These objects are very "UNCLEAN". These things serve as reminders that the world they come is a threatening, dangerous and UNPLEASANT place. I am, of course, also fascinated by these things. Some of these are also in the painting.

You, the reader, being of superior intelligence and comparative wisdom, (as no one else thinks about, or reads about my art) might feel well equipped, and even anxious to interact with "Unreal Reality" and all it's politicians, gangsters, psychopaths, crooks, cops, idiots, drunks, misfits, yuppies, beggars, thieves, horror stories, love stories and sad stories … and I wish you well! … but I'm sick and tired of the game. So I choose to drop off and start my own! This painting is the illustration of the birth of that idea.

I'm not completely unrealistic. I need money! So, as part of my "not-so-brave new world" I choose to include the internet. (And here I am!) In this wonderful, (very clean!) electronic infinity, I can trade the fruit of my mind for my daily bread. This electronic data transfer is also illustrated in the painting.

On the net I communicate mostly with my like and kind. I deal with interesting subjects, interesting entities and an environment which is perfectly clear, logical and ordered. The computer reality is as clean and clear to me as the inside of my translucenies, On the internet I can disseminate my art, the ultimate diary of my existence, written in pure metaphor, for the money I need. This is truly a gift for which I thank fate, or my chemical make-up, or God, or total randomness.

Thus, my "LITTLE BANG THEORY" is a farcical rendition of the bright beginning of a glimmer of an idea. The sparkle in my eye blown up and painted in my "MIRCO-PAINTING" style, using many pairs of powerful magnification glasses and the tiniest brushes I have.

DREAMSCAPE II

DREAMSCAPE II
Originally uploaded by rsconnett

his is a "MACRO - MINIATURE" Painting.

Acrylic on Board, 8" x 10" (20.3 cm. x 25.4 cm.)

This is the forth "Macro-Miniature" (BIG LITTLE) painting I've done. I'm able to complete my ideas in small spaces. I can only do these while I'm not working on commissions. It allows me to achieve a balance. I can keep a little more objectivity about my larger paintings when I go into these. (And I do "GO" into them!)

I have quite a collection of lenses now. Starting at 2.50 up to 700%. The smallest brush I use is an 18/0 script.

... Obsessive? Probably ;) Obsessive is okay with me.

These ( BIG-LITTLE) paintings are becoming more dreamlike. The ideas start with something simple like a cliff and a body of water. The other parts of the painting come to me in dreams or daydreams, or thoughts. Or, they just appear, and I capture them with the little brush, as fast as I can, before they elude me.

Maybe I'm sinking into this little "Microcosmic Universe", (Thank you, R. A. Heinlein!) ... like the "Incredible Shrinking Man", a film from the 1950's.

I do seem to be shrinking sometimes. Metaphorically speaking. My world is very small. If my computer crashes I panic and pray to the electronics Gods as I re-boot. "OH, PLEEEASE DO NOT CUT ME OFF FROM MY WORLD DEAR GOD!!!"

... Is that pathetic?

No, I don't think so ... ;)

Dreaming by the City of Glass

Dreaming by the City of Glass
Originally uploaded by rsconnett

Acrylic on Canvas, 11" x 14" Completed 4/2008

This is the number 2 painting in a series of small paintings I think of as my "Cities of Glass" or "Fungal Cities"

These paintings are small, but not "tiny"; 8" x 10" & 11" x 14". However, I consider them to be Miniatures because of the minute detail I put into them.

Some info for you Artists; I wear several different magnifying glasses when I paint these. I start with standard magnification glasses with a 250 power, and move all the way up to Jeweler's goggles with a magnification power of 700%. In between I switch from #3, #4, #5, and the #7's for the finest details. I used "script" or "liner" brushes, very slender and long. I go as low as size 0018! (made by Loew-Cornell series #7350)

These are also experiments in subtlety. My earlier work is well known for blatant imagery. Now, I desire to make some paintings that will allow the viewer to project their own interpretation into them. I no longer feel the need to bash people over the head with my art. I find it more challenging and satisfying to trigger imaginations.

This one is purely aesthetic. It is meant to provoke feelings of "other worldliness" and a little mystery as to what is actually going on in this microcosmic environment.

The idea for the sleeper in the bubbled top boat came to me when I dreamed that my bed was floating in the water while I had a fishing pole and my line in the water.

Spying on the Dark City

Spying on the Dark City
Originally uploaded by rsconnett

8" x 10" Acrylic on Masonite

Currently available on eBay;

cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160222735434

Something a little different. Working with light and very few colors. Trying to achieve a little bit of mystery in the picture. I love the idea of huge cities that grow like a giant fungus on the continents of the Earth.

THE BONE FACTORY

THE BONE FACTORY
Originally uploaded by rsconnett

Acrylic on Canvas 18" x 24" (45.7 cm. x 60.9 cm.) completed in March 2008

With this painting I've returned to color. Unlike my last 6 paintings, in which I used a very simple and dark palette, this time I've used a colorful cartoon comic book style. The use of abstract forms in the factory and cartoonish images for the objects in the foreground was a 'kick' and a challenge. I wanted to make representations of death, pollution and fear using colorful and merry imagery. In this painting I've continued to paint what's on my mind concerning Earth pollution, Global warming and mass extinction, (including our own).

It's a big colorful painting that draws your attention with smiling skulls and happy colors. It's my hope that when you look more closely, you will realize that you are looking at a picture of death heads with bar codes, (representing loss of individuality) and a polluting factory. I hope that will trigger addition thoughts on those subjects.

Crucifixion 001 (Epitaph II)

Crucifixion 001 (Epitaph II)
Originally uploaded by rsconnett

This painting was originally intended as a 'study' for a larger more involved and detailed painting. One I've been commissioned to create. I've decided to continue my series of paintings which began with my commission entitled 'EPITAPH' www.vomitus.com/museum/NewVmmPages/epitaph.html

My 'Epitaph' series of paintings concern my trepidation and anger over the changes I have seen, and see coming, in our world.

I need to express the horror I feel as I watch our planet become a garbage dump. I must express my disgust of those people who, in spite of power and money, choose to make this situation worse rather than better. I paint my dismay, as I watch our rights as citizens steadily erode in the name of 'safety'. I need to express my fear, (real or manufactured) of looming destruction by war, weather, crime or disease.

It seems to me that the planet itself has turned on us because WE have made ourselves its enemy.

In the short time that I have lived, I have seen SO MANY beautiful natural things destroyed through foolishness, ignorance and avarice.

Everyone with a TV knows that GLOBAL WARMING is real. Even the a-holes who have tried to deny it for decades, (all the time knowing the truth) have been forced to acknowledge it now. Our world is getting sicker faster than anyone wanted to think.

These paintings are my small attempt to make people think about what is happening. I'm not sure we can stop it.

We are on the brink of a world without hope of recuperation. This could be the beginning of the end of the human species. OH YES, I know, You've heard this ALL before, right? … Don't be so fast to dismiss the possibility. Not when the greatest minds of living generations are saying the same thing.

Life has already ended for thousands of species. The end of more living things than has occurred since the mass extinctions of the dinosaurs, 200 million years ago, (http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2001/05/0510_massex.html). These extinctions are ON OUR HANDS. In many cases, these are not extinctions, these are GENOCIDE'S!

How does this happen? One example; Why would an Amazonian subsistence farmer be concerned about the 'genocide of species' he commits by burning down a plot in a rain forest when his family is starving? WHAT WOULD YOU DO in his shoes? Would you let your family die so that the Western world could have new cancer drugs?

Until all people realize that we are connected, I don't see how we can last indefinitely.

The human population continues to grow at an alarming rate. We hit the first ONE BILLION PEOPLE in the mid 1800's. (19th Century) Now, just over 100 years later, we are at 6.5 BILLION. By 2050, some estimates show human population at 9 BILLION. THINK ABOUT THAT! These 'BILLIONS' are mostly people living in poverty. What can they do to make the world livable for you or your children? … NOTHING.

The EARTH has been compared to a living thing, called GAIA ~ (http://www.webcom.com/gaia/) I agree that it does act much like a living thing. It seems to me that the Earth will continue to do what it can to rid itself of THE HUMAN VIRUS. The Earth will continue to struggle against our onslaught, the way a human body will call upon antibodies to fight off a disease.

Based on what I have heard, read and seen, there will continue to be an increase in Earthquakes, Floods, Cyclones and Hurricanes. Extreme weather conditions. This is being caused by GLOBAL WARMING. If you have not read Al Gore's book: "THE ASSULT ON REASON" You should. Or at least see the movie. He IS our rightful president, after all. And while you are at it, watch the movie "ZEITGEIST": www.zeitgeistmovie.com/ (FREE)

I feel like yelling; "HEY! The f-ing ice caps are melting! WAKE UP!" Doesn't that scare the sh-t out of you?!


New diseases are developing and mutating. A.I.D.S. is the NUMBER ONE KILLER in Africa. The MRSA infection now kills more people in the US than A.I.D.S. I have never seen so much CANCER … and it seems like every other person over 70 has DEMENTIA of some kind! (Alzheimer's) IT DID NOT USED TO BE LIKE THIS!

Wars continue to rage. Genocide continues to be practiced. Muslim Terrorists plan to kill the infidels, while we western terrorists continue to try to kill them. Religion against religion. OUR GOD IS THE ONLY GOD! KILL IN THE NAME OF CHRIST, ALLAH, BUDDAH, SATAN!

The "HAVE-NOTS" are murdered by the thousands. No one cares.

What the FU-K, man?!?

By the way, Did you know that male penises are growing shorter and shorter with each new generation? Did you know that the Amphibians are disappearing from the Earth? Did you know that it rains human fecal matter in Mexico City? (it evaporates up from open sewers and then rains back down on the people)

I was lucky to be born when I was. I have enjoyed all the fruits of the Earth. And I am now leaving the young my sh-t and garbage. Thank you VERY much! …"Please clean it up now, won't you?"

The media is going to tell you not to worry. OKAY, It's a problem … Nothing 'we' can't handle. 'No worries mate' … 'CHEERS!' … and in the same breath, they point out THE LOOMING RECESSION, THE INCREASING MURDER AND CRIME RATE, IMPENDING TERRORIST ATTACKS, RAPISTS ON THE LOOSE, DRUGS IN THE WATER SUPPLY, CRACK ON THE CORNER, DIMINISHING IQ RATES … But hey, It's all 'okay, as long as you don't venture out of your prescribed comfort zone.

They want you to believe that everything outside your 'comfort zone' is VIOLENT and DANGEROUS! … However, if you just stay home and do your job and do AS THEY TELL YOU, everything will be just FINE!

They want you GOOD AND SCARED! We live in a society of FEAR. If 'THEY' keep us afraid, then we are easier to control. (SEE; 'THE CULTURE OF FEAR' by Barry Glassner)

Here's what I think: The 'media' is controlled by MONEY. Money is controlled by those who would take what is left of the worlds resources and hoard them for themselves and their kin. These are the guys who wield their power to control what you see, hear, and read … ultimately what YOU THINK.

It is their mission to make you STUPID with the NEW OPIUM of entertainment. They don't want you thinking or trying to do anything about ANYTHING that might make them share what's left of the 'GOOD STUFF'. They want you to shut up and do as they tell you to do. They want to ENSLAVE you. And in a few generations - THEY WILL.

'Entertainment' is the 'NEW RELIGION'. It is the new "OPIUM OF THE MASSES" And we are being BOMBARDED with a new 'BLITZKRIEG' of CRAP tailored made by psychiatrists, psychologists and Propaganda Masters who are working for the media moguls, who are working for the government, who are working for the global corporations. The global corporations run the world, and they want YOU stupid, satisfied and pliable.

PLEASE NOTE: People who you and I have never heard of DESIGN OUR LIVES for us.

This massive BLITZ of brainless crap on TV. "THE MOMENT OF TRUTH", "SURVIVOR", "BIG BROTHER" "PRISON BREAK" "LOST" "DIRT" "WEEDS" "HEROS" "AMERICAN IDOL" are intended to brain wash YOU. (I watch too!) They want you TO LIVE IN A DREAM WORLD. They want you to NOT TO GIVE A CRAP about Global warming or War or Pollution.

They can take our rights away one by one using the excuse that they are trying to PROTECT YOU. Crimes are exaggerated ALL out of proportion. We fear to walk the streets. We lock your doors and hide in our living room watching the TV. We are RATS IN A CAGE. ALL WE WANT is to be left alone so we can enjoy your favorite show in peace!

Your life is worth less and less. There is almost no 'MIDDLE CLASS' left . What will be left when the middle class is completely gone will be The HAVES, and the HAVE NOTS. Their attitude is, "I've got mine ass-ole, so F-CK YOU!"

And speaking of the 'HAVES & HAVE NOTS': Would you welcome the new 'INFO CHIP'? Available soon in your neighborhood will be the "WONDER CHIP" A tiny chip which contains all your vital information and can locate you anywhere in the world!

This is a chip that can be implanted under your skin that would hold all your important health information, enable you or your children to be tracked in an accident using GPS, … and contain all your financial and bank records so you could shop without cash or credit cards! Does that sound great!?

If your answer is "YES, That sounds like an interesting idea" … YOU SHOULD THINK AGAIN CAREFULLY.

When enough people accept this new technology, all others will eventually be forced to do the same. (Sort of like credit cards, but WAY more imperative) When most people use the chip, the people who control that chip will control you. They will control your financial info and be able to find you. If they want, they can 'disconnect' you from everyone else. They can disconnect you from your money, accidentally or deliberately. Think about that.

Don't take my word for any of this. FIND OUT. Check it out. THINK ABOUT IT.

I'm like most other people. I would prefer to simply 'live my life' and let 'the other guy' worry about all this global warming crap, war, mind control and overpopulation stuff. Unfortunately, if you are under 40 years old … you WILL be directly effected by what is to come. Your rights and freedoms will go south for the nuclear winter. Your standard of living will be slowly but constantly eroded. One day you wake up part of a third world community living as slave labor within a 'FIRST WORLD UNITED CORPORATION', owned and operated by the greedy vampires who hold on to the remaining wealth and power of the planet.

My series of paintings will reflect my feelings and ideas. It's the best I can do for now. If I can make a few people sit up and think about it, my existence is almost justified. ~ RS Connett 3/8/2008

EPITAPH

EPITAPH
Originally uploaded by rsconnett

EPITAPH: Definition; "A statement written about the death of a person. Often an inscription on a tombstone."

This is a commissioned painting. The collector asked me to paint a human skull. Other than that, he gave me complete freedom with the piece.

As I painted, and thought what to paint, I began contemplating death. and my mind drifted to the death of not just myself, but of all things. All the life that has lived and died. The life that has become extinct on Earth. All the deaths that mankind has caused and continues to cause.

We are NOW experiencing the biggest mass extinction the world has ever known*. We lose thousands of species each year. This is a fact linked directly to man.

We are crowding everything off this planet as though we could exist alone. I'm talking about plants, animals, insects, reptiles … fungus, you name it. We will eventually be included in the list. Think not?

This is not some 'Hippie Bullshit'. This is real. We are killing the earth. The greatest minds on the planet agree that we are closer to annihilation than we have ever been.

Read "THE ASSAULT ON REASON" by Al Gore. Read "THE WORLD WITHOUT US" by Alan Weisman ... Read "HEGEMONY OR SURVIVAL" by Noam Chomsky. These are not mad men. The mad men run the world from behind closed doors and enslave us with superficial entertainments.

Your religion will not save you. Your government will not save you! Your TV, Computer, stereo surround sound home entertainment system will not save you! (or me) It's TOO LATE!

I have believed these things since I was a teenager. I have been saying this for decades and writing about it for decades ... And yet, instead of devoting my life to REALLY doing something about it, I've thought more about my own personal life, and how I might best live through this. I have been a 'dilettante' (a person who cultivates an area of interest without real commitment or knowledge) when it comes to my commitment to the life on our world.

I have contributed more then most to the demise of our species. I have chosen to live a life of comfort while I fully understand the implications of my choices. I suppose that makes me more guilty than those persons who really don't know what's about to happen.

Meanwhile, those who hold the true reigns of power continue to suck the world dry, including me and YOU, so that they might live like the GODS whom they do not believe in.

Watch the movie "ZEITGEIST" (http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/)

I have enjoyed the fruits of this planet, and had to pay little for my pleasures.(as of yet) It is young people who will pay. The things I have seen and experienced are already gone. I remember clear waters filled with native fish in forests filled with giant trees. These things are gone now, replaced with our garbage and shit. What is left is fenced in for the enjoyment of the few who control us.

I believe that the human race will not go our in a blast, but in slow and painful agony. I feel bad for you who do not know what the world was like before we destroyed it. All I can do now is continue to paint and write. The only contribution to sanity that I have made to this planet is my art and my thoughts.

I see little hope. However, you may disagree. After all, the first stage of the enlightenment of grim reality is denial. Some people, perhaps most, do not move beyond this stage. They will die still not believing that we all committed suicide.

RS ~ 2/20/2008

* One exception might be a pre-historic meteor hit that caused a ' nuclear winter', attributed to causing the extinction of the dinosaurs.

God's Half Brother

God's Half Brother
Originally uploaded by rsconnett

12 X 16" Acrylic on Canvas. January 2008.

I'm fascinated by structures in nature of decay and rejuvenation. Rebirth from a hibernation. The cycles of nature in the raw. I am fascinated by the way man strives to mimic nature in order to fulfill aspirations to become what we perceive as God.
I am frustrated by our inability to express things of importance through our language.
The possibilities of augmenting life so as to prolong it. The mixing of organic life created in Nature, and man's attempts to build similar structures in machine forms. This gives me hope, for I dread that death is nonexistence.
I am enamored of our reinvention of science.
I am at a loss at the realization that it is to late to avoid the coming cataclysms in nature. The death of the world as I have known it.
These are some of the ideas that inspire the images I paint.
It is a self portrait.


This painting began as a projection of a small drawing I'd done in 2004 which I called 'BRAIN ANGEL' I used a projector and sketched the 'Brain Angel' image on a blue-white surface.
I then used the basic structure of the old drawing to expand upon and bring forth new ideas.
This is how I often paint. I see 'things within things' and follow them. Like Alice following the rabbit down a hole, I pursue my visual ideas. Spontaneous, yet also influenced by my conscious thoughts. Not of what I am painting, but thoughts that float through my mind during the perfect state of 'flow' that I achieve while painting for many hours.
I continue to use a very limited palate; BLUE, PURPLE, BURNT SIENNA & WHITE. The blacks you see are these colors mixed. In this piece I added some VIOLET.

SPINAL TOTEM TATTOO

SPINAL TOTEM TATTOO
Originally uploaded by rsconnett

Acrylic on canvas ~ Size: 12 X 24" (30.5 x 60.9 cm) Completed in December 2007
This is a commission for a TATTOO, (and a painting). In the beginning I was hesitant. However, it has turned out to be a VERY interesting piece! It's painted to form along the spine of the collectors back. ( a 'back piece") I'm anxious to see what this will look like when it is actually on his body! (I will upload a picture of that when I have it)
I have never considered doing Tattoo design before. However, I had such an excellent time designing this one, I would gladly take on another assignment. The nice thing is the person who commissions something like this gets a TATTOO and a PAINTING! This looks wonderful as a painting on my wall.
Although this tattoo is done for my collectors use only as a tattoo, I will be selling mounted giclee prints with hand painted boarders which look exactly like the original painting. If you would like to discuss doing a tattoo/painting contact me at http://www.VOMITUS.com.

About my art

To make Art is a basic, instinctive need for the human animal. It pre-dates all language and civilization. Interesting that it is seldom an occupation that makes much money. Perhaps that is becuse we all can do it? It seemingly has no purpose other then to reach a deep yearning of the human spirit ... A deep yearning to 'create', to emulate our visions of God. We want to create our own worlds, just like God. We can not command the seas to rise or the mountains to move ... but we can draw them any way we wish.

This need in us, so unique, is the basis of all the cultures of the Earth. All that man has accomplished, the domination of the planet, all has it's basis in or need to create art.

What shall I call my art? The works I've done have been classified by others as "Outsider", "Surreal, "Low Brow" "Psycho-Representational" All I can tell you is I attempt to illustrate my ideas. So perhaps you should call me an 'Idea Illustrator'?

My art is the scratchings in pen, paint and words of a relatively normal man, living in quiet desperation, slowly going mad on my way to demise.

My art is collected for its beauty, intensity, strangeness and honesty. It’s the kind of art that you stare into, and see many things, including perhaps yourself. Your interpretation of this work is a direct reflection of who you are. It is art of many meanings to many people. It is a mirror. It is not 'ambient art'

Most of my work grows from a single stroke. It is spontaneous. My need to paint and draw began as, and remains a "catharsis". An unplanned way to express feelings and thoughts. Thus, It is not an intellectual process. Any intelligence found within these works comes from within the observer, not the creator.

You either feel my art, or you don't. If you feel it, take pleasure in it ... If you like it enough, you should buy it! It is how I make a living. I am unfit for any other occupation. So, I sincerely hope you will like it, and buy it, and live with it. Having 'ART' in your home is important. There is a huge difference in the quality of life between those who do, and those who do not. If you do not buy my art, I strongly suggest you buy someone else's. �