In my previous post, I discussed my creative process from doodle to final piece. Today, I want to delve into the medium that has become an integral part of my artistic journey. So, let's embark on a nostalgic trip back to my childhood, where the love for art first took hold. Imagine a young, enthusiastic version of me, passionately doodling and coloring away. From macaroni necklaces to imperfect drawings and crafty experiments, art was always a serious pursuit for me, even from a young age.
As a budding artist, I marveled at the transformative power of pen and paper, witnessing how artists brought their imaginations to life. My Uncle, a talented artist himself, left an indelible impression on me with his surreal and charcoal masterpieces. I vividly remember being captivated by one particular artwork—a charcoal drawing depicting an empty lynching post, with haunting shadows that revealed the dark essence of the scene against a desert backdrop. It was through experiences like these that I began to understand the creative possibilities and the sheer impact art can have.
Inspired and eager to learn, I reached out to my Uncle for guidance. It was during this time that he introduced me to the captivating art form of Geometric Surrealism. My early attempts at this style, which you can see in the accompanying images (weren't I just adorable?), were deceptively simple yet demanded intricate calculations. I was fascinated by the mathematical aspects of art—the interplay between objects, lighting angles, and the resulting shadows. This early exposure taught me that art is a vast realm limited only by one's imagination.
Motivated to broaden my artistic horizons, I embarked on a journey of exploration, venturing into various mediums such as Indian Inks, acrylics, oils, and more. I experimented with different styles—black and gray, surrealism, abstract, realism, pen and ink, and countless others. However, color always held a special allure for me. Vibrancy and depth became my artistic calling card, and without copious amounts of color, I felt disengaged.
For years, acrylics became my comfort zone until I took a chance on digital art. Initially skeptical due to a less-than-satisfying experience with a Wacom Tablet, my perception changed when I acquired my first iPad in 2018 (yes, I was a bit late to the party). Armed with the Apple Pencil and the Procreate app, my artistic world transformed. I discovered a universe of possibilities, playing with textures, brushes, colors, layers, and more. Admittedly, my initial digital creations were far from perfect, but the process of experimentation and growth fascinated me, as it does to this day.
One of the remarkable aspects of digital art lies in its flexibility. As artists, we are constantly attuned to imperfections and the desire for adjustments. With digital tools, we can easily refine, undo, and employ various techniques to achieve the desired shapes and textures—all without wasting materials. The cost-effectiveness of digital art alone is a game-changer. Yet, despite the immense advantages, there remains a lingering stigma surrounding digital art within the traditional art community.
I want to challenge this perspective and advocate for the acceptance of digital art as a progressive medium within the artistic realm. Traditional art forms will always have their place and enthusiasts, but just as we no longer need to gather beetles, flowers, or stones to create pigments, the digital medium represents a contemporary
Thanks for reading my ADHD Ted Talk on my journey.
Much Love,
Josh
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