ITF Art Critique — Self-Psychoanalysis Across the Years
Here’s a piece of art from my past that I came across a little while ago. In my life, I have primarily focused my artistic aspirations into music (singing) and the occasional poetic masterpiece. Before I realized those artistic forms were my calling, however, I flirted with the occasional colored pencil or felt marker sketch.
As you can readily ascertain, I had an amazing amount of raw talent and ability. I could have used a small amount of guidance to channel my gift, but the natural aptitude is undeniable.
Note how I used life issues that resonated with me as the theme for my art. It’s certainly hard to go wrong with that approach, isn’t it.
Also note the innovative position and use of light source. Light rays twist and point in concentric directions, giving an uncanny retro effect without losing the distinctively modernistic feel.
The unique block style signature is certainly uncommon. Notice how I had the instincts to create my own distinctive flair, indicating personality and pizzazz.
One of the more impressive things I noticed in re-examining this particular work are the slight scale inconsistencies. They are extremely effective at creating a subtle tension. The degree to which the proportions are skewed indicate the effect is decidedly intended. A bright observer cannot help but wonder “What was the artist thinking? What thoughts, ideas, and emotions is he attempting to convey?”
Many years have passed since the day the ink dried on this particular canvas, so I can’t say for sure what I was hinting at. I do believe there to be a high likelihood, however, that I was probably expressing apprehension and slight misgivings about growing up in such a big world. Where would I fit? How would I survive? What was my calling? Where was my place? In my courageous pre-pubescent idealism, I answered these heavy questions with “Just let me drive fast cars and I’ll be fine!”
And give me a very disturbingly-curved face.
Idealist that I was, still I could recognize there would be significant difficulties and problems that would eventually need to be faced. The color and consistency of the emissions suggest alarming and high-cost engine problems were in the very near future for the artistic subject’s vehicle. Yes, he was driving a fast car and he was fine, but major tribulation was looming on the horizon.
But these seemingly dichotomous perspectives meld together in a logical though complex justification! Problems can be overcome, difficulties can be dealt with. As long as I know who I am and where I belong I can take whatever comes down the pike!
Take note of the understated background. I didn’t let my message get muddled up in unnecessary details or sidetracked down bunny trails, but I kept the focus clear! I eliminated the frivolous fluff, I was the wind that blew the chaff away. I kept the message front and center, I didn’t want it lost in the noise of excess and superfluity.
Art is such a wonderful thing, it can speak deeply on so many levels. Hopefully, this beneath-the-surface look at an unlikely artistic masterpiece creates a new-found sense of wonder and excitement in your own heart that will propel you on to a lifetime of deeper appreciation for fine visual arts.
17 Responses
August 1st, 2005 at 10:07 pm
I am speechless. Your unfathomable insight astounds me. And to think that I actually know you… have walked upon the very ground that you have tread upon… have dared to squawk out feeble warbles in an attempt to harmonize with your operatically-trained, arena-filling swells… have photographed thine aura… have watched you grow from just a babe into Your Artistic Highness… and even share some of the same bloodline…
EG
August 1st, 2005 at 10:43 pm
You share some of the same bloodlines? Oh my Eggy friend, that is immediate cause for concern!
Tom, I share your artistic prowess. I would say I have a greater degree of artistic ability though due to the fact that I create in an ad lib fashion unbeknown to many. A unplanned masterpiece immerged when my nephew asked me to create for him a horse. A horse is a simple enough creature, so grabbing pen and parchment I begin. As the creature unfolded from beneath my skilled fingers I realized the gift that I truly have been blessed with. And that is the gift of being able to take something simple and create that of far greater complexity. I completed the last stroke, smiled in satisfaction and presented to the dear child not a horse, but a lizard. (I won’t tell anyone that I meant to draw a horse all along and it ended up looking so much like a lizard that I dubbed as such..)
Oh the beauty of an over-active imagination. In our world, we never make mistakes. We simply enhance the ordinary.
Ag
August 1st, 2005 at 11:08 pm
What were you driving, an AMC Gremlin? Dig the flames and the tire smoke, though!
August 1st, 2005 at 11:37 pm
BTW, ITF, I loved the “frivolous fluff” alliteration. (Try saying “frivolous fluff” real fast three times.)
EG
August 2nd, 2005 at 12:09 am
Dude, that wasn’t bad! Fast cars forever!
The Baritone
August 2nd, 2005 at 12:18 pm
That’s hilarious.
August 2nd, 2005 at 4:44 pm
If everyone had the wisdom and artistic gift of Tom Troyer the world would be a better place.
-Kaitlyn
August 2nd, 2005 at 9:53 pm
as i pondered this masterpiece, and gazed upon the enormity of the sun, it appears as though you were trying to run away from something, possibly a thump on the arm from an older brother. douglas
August 2nd, 2005 at 10:08 pm
NO DOUBT!! Since writing this analysis, I keep seeing volumes more material in this particular piece of art. Brother Douglas has hit on another one! And he should know, as he was usually the one delivering the sharp knuckle on a much younger sibling’s arm!
August 2nd, 2005 at 10:37 pm
The depth of the waters here are so……., well I am not going to just dive right in head first, let’s leave it at that.
Cool picture Tom. {:^)
August 2nd, 2005 at 11:50 pm
Thomas, Thomas – Wonder and excitement can’t begin to describe my feelings after I read this extraordinary review. You have missed your calling brother – you are not only an artist, you are an art critic! I’m still laughing…And I can’t help but wonder if I wasn’t the one who first introduced you to the joy of going fast in a car when I drove you to Grandma’s house when you were about age 2 and I was in a bit of a hurry….
August 3rd, 2005 at 11:12 am
It is a wonder you had Martin do the artwork on Lookin’ Up and Purpose. You could have used something from your personal archives… and your fans would have been blessed visually as well as aurally. Maybe if you do another album…
August 3rd, 2005 at 11:47 pm
Tom! Where did you learn to do this? What have you been reading?? Bravo–not many of us can try out a new genre and be an instant success.
August 4th, 2005 at 12:06 am
It must take much deep thinking and meditation to come up with so much commentary on such a work of art as that.
August 6th, 2005 at 6:37 pm
Yeah Dave, alot, vast amounts, enormous amounts of both deep thinking and meditation; along with a great vocabulary! {:^)
August 6th, 2005 at 7:12 pm
Thomas, I would like to think that you were wanting a fast car. I know your older sister would like to take credit for instilling that desire in you, but we all know that the desire was REALLY flamed when another older brother took you for a ride in said ’87 Ford Mustang 5.O on a Brownsville country road with no other traffic involved. Then, you bought a “Camaro”!!!!! My brother, I guess I wasn’t as influential on you as far as vehicles were concerned. Oh well, I tried. If the picture is what you thought your Camaro would do, it is probably black emissions instead of tire smoke. Another older bro..dt
August 7th, 2005 at 9:31 am
I stand amazed in the presence of such insightful self-analysis. However, Tom – you forgot to add input on the fact that this car is in two dimensions, and apparently travelling along on a very thin line. Care to add anything about that? Perhaps you were also in a time warp and attempting to decide which side of the fence you wanted to walk on in life. I’m glad to see that you picked the right side. LOL
~Ed Hertzler~