Tuesday, April 22, 2008

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 ... ;)

Saturday, April 12, 2008

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.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

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.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

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.

Sunday, March 9, 2008

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

Friday, February 22, 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.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

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.