Part-time genius

Commission of my digital art turned physical. Can’t believe someone asked for this within a week of posting the illustration. They originally asked for a print, but I mentioned that I could also do a physical acrylic piece - sold!

As an established international artist now (< apply a sarcastic tone), my artwork is an exploration of pareidolia - the physiological phenomenon where the brain interprets random visual patterns as faces.

I start by freely drawing the black outlines, then add eyes, teeth, lips - wherever a face jumps out at me. Next, I add colour. I don’t really have an explanation for my colour choices; I just pick the ones that feel right. From there, I add more texture with patterns and lines.

Soook a Fart, CAL, Digital Art, 2025.

Atari 5200

Literally the worst selling console of all time. 

NUCLEAR

The Chernobyl disaster is one of the worst documented moments in history. The safety reactors, which are cooling pipes that slow down the process of nuclear fission, were not turned on. In the aftermath, death, disfigurement, worldwide panic and increase in radiation levels was on the front page of every newspaper in the world. Ukraine was scarred and ridiculed. 

I chose to study this event in time because I knew what it was but very little about it. Understanding the devastation and destruction of nuclear power made me doubt the leading powers choice to continue down the path of poison.

SPACE RACE 

USA v USSR. The battle for technological and ideological supremacy. This event sparked an unprecedented increase in spending of education and pure research which accelerated scientific advancement. On the other side of the fence, it was a weapon to strike fear into the opposition. The country with the most authority and power maintains peace in their country and the people feel safe. The country without this loses control of their people.

Looking into this event was eye opening as it shows that on the outside the 'Space Race' was fun and exciting but underneath it all, it was just another tool in the grand scheme of control. 

WORLD WAR 

The most destructive conflict in history. It cost more money, damaged more property, killed more people and caused more far-reaching change that any other war. Hitler's reign lasted from 1933-1945. His hatred of Jewish people lead to a crazed massacre of 6 million Jews. Other countries had to intervene since he began to invade. Every man fighting the Nazi's was enlisted at a young age due to government procedure, since they were all very desperate. 

I believe that the advancement of technology and the actions of humans coincide with each other. Both categories have a huge impact on the world. The beauty of art is that is has the power to change the way people see things, whether that be good or bad, and technology can be constructive and destructive. In my opinion human action creates technology but technology determines human behaviour. 

Studying the history of arts shows the influences and social barriers the artist must have underwent to portray their art. In the early twentieth century there were far and few movements to study. This is due to many factors including war, disease and the inability to be in contact with the rest of the world. 

As time went on technology advanced and the rate in which things were done, accelerated. This paved the way for many new movements that were, now, more accessible. In a way, studying the history of art is vital as it shows the history of art at that instant in time. "We must know were we have been in order to know were we are going."

Studying the contexts of arts shows the influences and guidelines the artist restricts themselves to (within their chosen art movement) in order to produce creative ideas.