Time Person of the Year, 2011, The Protester

Call it Zeitgeist, which according to Wiki is "the spirit of the times" or "the spirit of the age."

Zeitgeist is the general cultural, intellectual, ethical, spiritual or political climate within a nation or even specific groups, along with the general ambiance, morals, sociocultural direction, and mood associated with an era.

The term is a loanword from German Zeit – "time" (English "tide" and "time") and Geist – "spirit" (English "ghost")

I've been watching the protests all over the world this year and thought this was a brilliant choice for the person of the year. 

I also thought it was interesting because of the painting I did earlier this year, "The Activist, The Incognito Project". Did my model and I tap into this Zeitgeist?

The Activist, The Incognito Project, 24x18, oil on panel

The Incognito Project is a collaborative effort between myself and my models where they choose to share their alter-egos or secret selves.

This model choose to be stripped of everything except those things most important to her.

My model is not getting tear gassed or pepper sprayed but in her own quiet way has shared her concerns with the world.

Here are a few other works from the contemporary art world, and about social concerns that I find thought provoking.

Graydon Parrish  -  The Cycle of Terror and Tragedy:  September 11, 2001  - 8 X 18 ft., oil on canvas

Carl Dobsky, The Lotos Eater, Oil on Linen, 24 x 60 inches, 2009 

Banksy

Banksy

War Protester Sign

Max Ginsburg, Torture Abu Ghraib, 46x32, oil on canvas, 2009  

Check out this photo essay portfolio of protesters from around the world by photographer Peter Hapak done for Time Magazine.

You can see a post with close-ups of The Activist, here.

And other posts about The Incognito Project here.

The Incognito Project Gets a Shine

I varnished the first batch of The Incognito Project paintings this week. Fun to see this work coming together, and varnish day is always exciting, seeing the colors come back to their full saturation.

 "The Lion Tamer", 16x16, oil on panel

 "The Rake", 16x16, oil on panel

 "Bram's Lullaby", 16x16, oil on panel

 "The Activist", 16x16, oil on panel

 "Yippee Ki-Yay", 16x16, oil on panel

 "The Torch Singer", 16x16, oil on panel

This work is for a self-produced show that will be here in Birmingham, AL, details to be announced. To see more about the project click here.

"The Activist" ~ The Incognito Project

This model is a mother of four boys, a business woman, dancer and artist. The ribbons represent causes that are dear to her. The painting is 24x18 and oil on panel.

I loved her idea of being stripped bare of everything except symbols of those things she is most passionate about, the idea came to her in a dream.  

 

Yellow is for missing children, pink for breast cancer awareness or breast feeding mother's rights,  orange is world hunger awareness, purple is domestic violence prevention, sky blue is child abuse prevention and ADD awareness.

She is also wearing her wedding ring and a cross given to her by her father. She has been married to her "soul mate" for 15 years and feels that Christianity is a big part of her being. Many thanks Laura for your participation in this project!

Bubble Wrap and Scarlett O'Hara

The studio exploded yesterday when a crew from Gadsden Museum of Art returned my work from the show. Today, basically I cleared a path and kept working.

I felt like Scarlett O'Hara off and on all day as I thought, "I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow."

On the easel and nearing completion is the next painting from The Incognito Project, "The Activist".  

  Here's a sneak peek at the painting about a week ago. 

 This is my progress as of today. It was a good day to paint!