Yesterday we had an enjoyable day at the New York City Aquarium at Coney Island. Even though we're all legally "adults", I think the sea lion show still managed to bring out the little kid in all of us...plus the day was a great opportunity to do some sketching and take a walk on the beach:
(Yes, the squid is holding a pickle.)
Today, accompanied by Michael Mcdevitt, we visited the studio of Charles Browning. Charles was extremely hospitable, pulling out several paintings to show us. He told us about a little bit of his history as an artist and gave us deeper insight into the business side of the art world. Charles was very candid with us and told us plenty that most art students don't hear about until they are out of college.
We have noticed several common themes that crop up during our visits with artists. Right on top of the list is the use of humor in art. Majority, if not all, of the artists we have met have agreed that humor should be employed in art to capture the audience, keep their attention, and add to the impact of a work. Charles creates work in a classical style largely influenced by American history which idealizes or romanticizes the influence of the "white man" on the native population of the Americas and his relationship with African Americans. Charles deals with heavy, borderline cruel, subjects. The humor in his work not only hooks the viewer to consider his work further, but it makes his subject matter easier to swallow without turning the viewer away. For some it is easy to ignore that white settlers in the Americas completely ravaged and exploited the native populations (not to mention the slaves they brought with them) as well as the land of the Americas. Charles makes the viewer aware of this subject with humor, and because he keeps his audience laughing, they are less likely to turn away and more likely to think about the subject deeper than they would if his work did not contain that humorous aspect.
Charles speaking to us.
A work in progress.
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