Andy York

Andy's Inspirations #1

2012-02-05T16:36:00.000-08:00

It's another year. So far I'm feeling good about it. Last year was a little rocky but I am working on a lot of good things this year.

I am now a member of the Water Street Studios of the Batavia Artist's Association in Batavia, IL. A few weeks ago I attended the opening for their current show Illuminate. Everything was very professional and I got the sense that there is a lot of good things yet to come from this organization. They have a decent young artist base to work upon and have a lot of community activities that I think will keep them going for a long time. I just missed a deadline for an Energy show they will be having in three separate spaces at the same time, although I will catch one later this Spring. I really look forward to becoming a part of this group.

I have also joined the Elmhurst Art Guild within the last year. This organization is a little farther from me and I have heard really good things about it. I often see information about this guild from other sources in the Chicago area so they seem really connected to the art community in Chicago. I am looking forward to trying to get into a show with them later this Spring as well.

And yes, the Naperville Art League has a public art competition coming up soon. I have printed #2 of Second Perception and plan on entering it into this show. There will be another member show not too long after that and have started a new ink drawing that I hope to have completed by then.

Oh, and I've also found several artist communities online that I have recently become a part of. It's very exciting to know and be a part of other art groups with similar minds. Some of the communities I've recently joined are as follows:

http://www.bluecanvas.com/sharkdogstudio
http://www.artists2artists.net/profile/AndyYork
http://andyyork.artistswanted.org
http://andyyork.artistswanted.org/yr2011
http://sharkdogstudio.imagekind.com
http://www.behance.net/sharkdogstudio
http://bza.co/sharkdogstudio

One of these links is for the organization called Artist's Wanted. They seem pretty credible but have not dabbled enough into it to see how it all works. I have joined the Year In Review competition for them and am hoping for some more exposure if nothing else.

Within the last week I received an email newsletter from Chicago Gallery News which had a link to a new webinar series for this Spring. I checked it out and ran into Klein Artist Works. To my amazement Mr. Paul Klein is very well known in the Chicagoland area. I signed up for the seminar series which will be like a regular Spring semester college course giving artists all of the ins and outs of the art world that they always wanted to know. I have previewed a couple webinars and am very excited to be a part of it. It would be a dream to someday be doing art full-time with me being my own boss and supporting myself. Check out the link for more information: http://kleinartistworks.com/

I think that's all the trouble I can cause at the moment. I'm hoping for a very productive 2012. It's now time to get back to creating art...

Be Awesome!
Andy

Reinvigorated...

2010-11-27T21:08:00.000-08:00

I haven't been on this blog for most of the year it seems. I had signed up for the Chicago Marathon earlier in the year and became obsessed with running my first marathon. After completing the crazy feat I am back again and ready to make some art.

Currently I am taking another stab at my artist statement. This is a lot more challenging than I had expected. Maybe this is because I don't consider myself a natural writer? I think its hard for anyone to write about themselves.

In January of next year, my girlfriend Nikki and I are thinking about taking a ceramics class together. I can't believe that I had attended one of the best Universities for ceramics in the country and never took a single class in it. I guess that shows my commitment to graphic design. I had become obsessed with doing anything and everything that would help me be a better designer, from printmaking to drawing, photography and art history.

I had shown in many member shows for the Naperville Art League this year as well. I hope to include more of this information within my website soon. I really look forward to finding many more opportunities to create and show my art.

Here's to the new drive for art. Oh, and I signed up for the Wisconsin Marathon in May. Hopefully this won't become a distraction.

Drive On,
Andy

Throw Away The Rudder

2010-05-23T10:59:00.000-07:00

After joining the Naperville Art League earlier this year I entered three member shows. The first was their annual Public Art Competition with the theme "Commotion" in April. I submitted the ink drawing "With A Gun And A Pack Of Sandwiches." It was a great show and I'm glad to see the variety and skill of the artists in this area.

The April/May member show contained the theme "Are We There Yet?" I submitted the new acrylic painting "Phantogram," and feel fortunate yet vulnerable about being able to show my work. I have never taken the opportunity to show my work on a regular basis and look forward to doing so.

For the current May/June NAL member show (Running With Scissors) I have submitted the painting "Throw Away The Rudder." The theme for this show is interesting and I wasn't quite sure what to do with it? I've done a small collection of ink sketches and looked back wondering what I could expand on. After choosing something that felt like it might go with this month's theme, I began working.

In the middle of the painting is a hand intermingled with other organic forms. Running with scissors sounds like a busy, daring and free-form expression. I decided to take this perspective and emulate busy expression. Let go and be free, throw away the rudder. There is always a psychological component to my work.

Take Care,
Andy

Naperville Art League

2010-03-31T18:53:00.000-07:00

Recently joined the Naperville Art League. I hope to have a pen and ink drawing in their upcoming public art show next month. The show is from April 7th to the 11th and this year's theme is "commotion."

Check out the site for more information: http://www.napervilleartlegue.com

I now have my own gallery page there too!

Cheers!
Andy

Phantogram

2010-03-15T18:07:00.000-07:00

A painting, a painting! I haven't finished a painting in quite awhile. I like acrylic because of the flexibility of the medium. It can look like watercolor, have its own qualities as acrylic and even give the impression of oil. I have not used color in quite some time. I look forward to experimenting with paint and color a lot more.

This work is called Phantogram. It comes from a band that I've discovered recently. I really like combining words to become something else. On one hand there is a phantom, then it's turned into a process or physical concoction. In a way there is a specter jamming out to some tunes. Music, color and conceptual chaos coming together to cause some visual commotion. Gotta love it.

OK, I'm just jazzed that I've finished a painting. Oh, and I joined the Naperville Art League this week. I will be attending my first meeting on Thursday. I can't wait!

Keep Creating!
Andy

With A Gun And A Pack Of Sandwiches

2010-02-07T12:54:00.000-08:00

Finally finished this ink drawing the other day. At 9" x 12" it's one of the bigger drawings that I have made. Again, as a recurring theme this work is about either internal or external turmoil. Trying to keep the mind in check with its own thoughts and inner workings can be a challenge at times. Sometimes life is chaotic and other times I feel as snug as a bug in a rug. With the play on balance and the dual aspects of the imagery I have decided to name this work "With A Gun And A Pack Of Sandwiches."

Art and artists are often viewed as slightly unstable. Is this because it's true or because we reside within our emotional brains? Perhaps it's a combination of both? I would like to believe that artists are very passionate and connected to the actions they choose to participate in.

Coming from a rural area in Northern New York, the change from small and comfortable to the large and busy of Chicago has been a challenge. Everything and everyone seems to always be on the go. At times I wonder if this is even healthy? How do we balance work with home time?

Sharkdog Studio has become my creative outlet. As a graphic designer by trade, there resides a constant purpose for everything and anything that I do. Design is more about the ability to sell something in a strategic and purposeful way rather than showcase aesthetics and subjectivity.

So here we are together wondering who, what, where, and how we are what we are? My pen and ink drawings have become a means of self discovery. On one hand we could be standing violently shaking on-point with a weapon ready to strike, and at the same time ready to sit down relax, chill, and have a nice lunch with a significant other. Are these feelings? emotions? life lessons? processes we have not yet discovered? Yes, the creation of art may be a subjective process but may also help with understanding. Upon the completion of a work I feel a little more clear about myself and who I am than when I had started.

What have you done lately to discover something about yourself?

Carry On,
Andy

Chi

2010-01-24T14:30:00.000-08:00

Ah, another little ACEO. These cards are fun to create and are sooo small. This is a little chihuahua that I know very well, named Keegan. I like playing around with line, shape and form. Creating something out of a blank piece of paper is always rewarding. It is much more of an accomplishment to create something than it is to destroy. If all of us created maybe there would be fewer problems surrounding us all.

The name of this work "Chi" stems partly from the chihuahua and partly from Chinese influence. Whenever a greater meaning can be created to make something more dimensional I become more satisfied.

Drawing and art for me are a form of therapy. All of the external stresses of the world may be forgotten and the process of creation becomes the focus. Whether a temporary distraction from reality or the realignment of balance, the process becomes a means of expression. I am conflicted as to whether this expression is external or internal. Maybe a combination of both? Maybe the action of creating art allows me to express subliminal emotions that I try to hide or keep inside? In any event, the black and white lines become a tangible thing that the viewer may interpret in their own way.

Let us all do more creating and participate in less destruction!

Thanks for Reading,
Andy

Blackfly

2010-01-03T19:03:00.000-08:00

Woo Hoo, another ACEO accomplished! 2010 is aiming to be a good year. The title of this work is Blackfly, which has allowed me to let go of any and all baggage from the previous year. The black flies are not going to carry me away! Oh, and this is another art card which relates to the title because of its size.

Cheers!
Andy

ACEO

2010-01-03T09:57:00.000-08:00

Art cards, what a novel idea! I just created my first art card (ACEO) last night. I decided to call it Lucky Dutch, the title of a song I've recently purchased by Radio Moscow. The title seems fitting because these little art cards are only 2.5" x 3.5" and can be traded. It it almost like a card game, and since this is my first completed work of 2010 and the first thing I'm listing on sharkdogstudio.etsy.com I hope that it will become lucky as well. So here's to a new year of discovery and experimentation. Thank you to everyone who has paid such great complements to my work so far, your support is very appreciated.

Travel On…
Andy

Etsy

2010-01-01T20:47:00.000-08:00

I just found out about Etsy! It seems to be the best way to be able to sell my work. Just found out about art cards/ACEO as well. I think I'm going to Blick tomorrow to find some more information about the cards. Anywhooo, an Etsy site is in the works. Check out sharkdogstudio.etsy.com and I hope to have work available for sale soon! How exciting!

2009-11-15T19:07:00.000-08:00

I found this image the other day. This is an acrylic painting that I did in high school and the first piece I ever sold. It might be the ONLY piece I've ever sold. I have a habit of giving things away. Recently I gave a whole bunch of original drawings away to family. I think it's worth it. I do look forward to being able to sell work again though. I can't wait to find a place to exhibit as well. Just have to keep busy creating...

2009-09-24T19:24:00.000-07:00

Just finished another drawing tonight. I was listening to a song while running this evening and thought the title would fit this piece. I've decided to call it "Spread Your Love Like A Fever." An interesting title, I like the juxtaposition of two potential meanings. On the one hand love is a wonderful thing; I find myself falling deeper in love with my girlfriend every day. The other hand can be perceived as good or bad depending upon interpretation. Is the spread of love a good thing? Why is it associated with a fever? It can be easy to catch? It can be easy to spread, like a sickness? Does it spike? Does it wane? Does it evolve? What do you think?

Cheers!
Andy

2009-07-28T18:06:00.000-07:00

I finished another drawing today. It's been uploaded to my website and has made me feel a little better about not completing many in the last couple months. I think I have an excuse though. I just moved in with my girlfriend. Things are going absolutely wonderful. I don't think I could ask for a greater person. The downside is that I am now getting used to a different routine, am farther from work, and the process has put many of my belongings into unmarked boxes.

Another frown to the kidney transplant Nikki just had to endure. Three weeks ago now, she received a brand new kidney from her brother. Recovery is actually going a little faster than expected, so we hope things continue to go well.

While Nikki was in the hospital I found out that my Grandma was admitted at the same time for a back injury. All the more to worry about.

Last week I found out that my Great Grandma had died. She was 96 years young. I should have expected it at some point but she always seemed so upbeat like she could take on anything and win. I thought she would live forever.

Is it needless to say that I've been mentally occupied the last few months? I think so. It is rather overwhelming and has started to affect work. I try my hardest not to let this happen, it must be the redhead in me. I became very frustrated at a coworker for something that was irrelevant and it got blown out of proportion. I wish I could turn back time.

I've been thinking about a title for this drawing. Since I am a big fan of the band The Tragically Hip I've been naming several works after their songs lately. I think I'm going to call this one Are We Family. With everything that has happened to me in the last few months its become important to stay close to family. Some people you want to get closer to, some you can't, some become family just by means of association. I like to keep the title's open to interpretation as well. I become bored with a piece of art if I already know everything about it. Think of this work as you will, but remember Family.

Just keep swimming,
Andy

Starting Out

2009-07-16T19:12:00.000-07:00

My very first blog. I notice a friend had created one and have heard a lot about them. I would like to let everyone know about my creations at Sharkdog Studio. I hope to have more up here soon!