COMPLETED WORK
Completed Aug. 20, 2000.
WEB SITE
Web site. 2000. Coloured Light. Variable.
HONESTY NOW was my original web site. It is now complete and will be left
as it is. I hope it will have some influence on those who view it, and it will
remain a touchstone for me to return to when I feel I am losing my way.
Click on the image to view the site.
What follows are the WORK IN PROGRESS notes compiled for this work:
Background
In July of 2000, I included the following in a covering letter which I sent
to a prospective employer:
If I were measured against the conventional criteria of artistic success,
I would be found lacking. I do not have works in famous collections, or
a list of showings to my credit, or validating degrees and certificates.
In fact, I have no artistic credentials to put forth. Still I have produced
a body of work which is original, highly diversified, and significant.
My lack of "success" is directly attributable to my dislike for the idea of
selling my work. I have given works away freely, and have no problems with
the praise or criticism of them, for they are what they are, but I simply
cannot wrap my mind around the idea of marketing them. I would hope that
it is not simply demand for, or market value, or critical acclaim, that gives
a work, or its creator, intrinsic value. I would hope that a life well lived
and its products, if honestly produced, are of value and can be judged as
such, for I would then be judged a success. In spite of my lack of credentials,
I have no reservation in saying that I am a good artist, and I back this
statement with my works.
I have always been more interested in the lives, the ideas, and works of
others than I have been in my own. I have gained tremendous insight into my
own existence because others have chosen to share theirs. I have been
fortunate to have received so much, while giving back so little, but, I cannot
in good conscience continue this leeching without, in turn, replenishing.
As ideas on how to rectify the imbalance developed, it occurred to me that
the Internet could supply the vehicle which would allow me to make my works
accessible to a wide audience, while my home could be open to any who
wish to seek out and view them. In this way I could share my works without
the concerns of marketing.
The letter went on from there, but the inspiration for this web site is clearly
present in these two paragraphs.
Foreground
After mailing the covering letter, I began to give serious consideration to
creating a web site, but as so often happens, I lost may way. I started to
question which works I would post. Would it be my most impressive works,
as in the ones that get the loudest ooooww's. Would it be my best technical
works, as in the ones that other artists would best appreciate. Would it be
just paintings, or just drawings. Would it be a cross-section of everything.
The answer was in the letter all along, and once I found myself again,
I realized that there was only one choice. Then, not only did I know what
to post, but I knew that the very act of being bluntly honest was exactly
what my whole being needed. I was ready to begin building the site.
Middle ground
At the time I decided to build this site, I had no idea how to do it. I went
to the computer store at the mall to buy whatever software I might need. The
young guy behind the counter asked why I wanted to use software instead of
building my site with HTML. I expressed some doubt about my ability to do this,
but he assured me it was easy and proceeded to demonstrate how quickly text
and images could be brought together. He then suggested that I check the Net
for HTML tutorials and go from there. What follows are the two sites I used,
and if you have ever given thought to building a site but did not know how,
then let me pass along that it really is easy.
Here are the two sites. Start with Lissa Explains, then, when you're ready
move on to Annabella.
Lissa Explains It All: HTML Help for Kids
Annabella's HTML Help
Your comments and questions are welcomed. E-mail me.
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