Saturday, August 27, 2011

Purgatory

: A place or state of punishment wherein.So lets take the religious symbolism out of this scenario.So a state of death leading to a purification.To me this could be the stop of one thing and beginning to another.Very much like my story of getting sober and picking up art!Now on to the punishment wherein....I myself am plagued by anxiety attacks due to the damage I had put my body through.So I can relate to the definition so to speak of the word purgatory.Now I have heard many testimonies,stories,experiences,and so on about what individuals of many walks of life have been through and I (and this is only an opinion) but I have found a combination of communality in 99.9% of stories.This metaphorical purgatory.This transition from point A to point B.If they were positive or negative in outcome is different from story to story but there always seems to be this line where a individuals thought processes and or way of life change.This death turned purification so to speak.And I use both the word death and purification lightly.Only cause any change that may take place is open to interpretation by the individuals themselves and the people they surround themselves with.Another communality seems to be struggle.If it be large or small (again only an opinion) but there is usually an internal and or external struggle before or within this change or purification so to speak.So back to the case at hand in a state of progress there will always be your so called purgatory's and in a state of progress there is always the death of one thing and the birth of another.Embrace these deaths and births.Embrace this change as it occurs as it allows us as individuals be who we are or may be becoming.The purgatory so to speak in itself is the development stages of what may be ahead.Therefor do not let this get you down.It will not last forever and in its own right it is a means to an end or means to a change.When faced with trials and tribulations or even hard times try to smile and continue on.It is all a part of the process some see more some see less but in my opinion we all see hard times.Make the best out of it.Enjoy smile and remember tomorrow is not a given do what you can today!

Monday, August 22, 2011

Art Show

Sometime next year if anyone would like to be part of an artshow e- mail me....I am thinking of pulling in as many people as possible to make a huge show happen.Anyone interested let me know.And the next blog is coming soon thank you all for the patients!

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

encouragement

I have received many emails as to the encouragement passed through the blog.For this I am appreciative of.Many up and comings.Many people in troubled situations looking for the escape so to speak.I also get alot of I cannot draw or do art.I tend to disagree.Much like my last post art does not have to follow a guideline,it does not have to mimic someone else s...It only has to portray or express what you feel.And what you feel like showing when you feel like showing it.There is the old cliche (a picture is worth a thousand words)Remember nobody can tell you how to express your thousand words so to speak.Art can be very functional at getting out what you normally could not voice verbally.I strongly encourage the many that have contacted me and the people who read but may not have to take an old board paint it white let it dry then go to town.It doesnt have to look any certain way.Just paint draw or use a sharpie marker and do what you feel.If it be detailed or scribbled.Realism or abstract.They are your feelings and works and enjoy them.Nobody else has to.There is a sense of reward in others appreciating your art.But for me I am blessed that people can relate to my passion.I love this in its own right but other than my commissioned pieces I paint what I want to.Not what standard America as a whole wants to see.Some embrace it.Some ridicule it.But at the end of the day I got out what dwells deep inside of me.The masses liking them as a whole doesnt really count for much if you didnt enjoy what you were doing.I mean it is a means of income but like any other job that is where love becomes work.Enjoy let it be fun be happy.Express what you feel like expressing.The worse case scenario is you have a bunch of your own art in a room somewhere but again you released the part in you that may not have made it to the surface otherwise.And like life or a mistake or mishap.Grab the boards and go over them again constantly changing them up.At the end of the day accomplish something.Do something productive.Don't worry about what others will think and most of all be free with yourself while doing so.Enjoy and I wish you all the best.Im in need of a nap.lol.Then back to painting.I hope to hear from some of you.Let me know how it goes.Instill the chill.And keep dreaming.Thanks C . RAAB (artisticneurosis) 

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Keeping the head up

I have previously deleted the last post.I have hit a roadblock with public art where I reside.I am trying to not let others opinions or in my opinion others narrow-mindedness get to me.It had me there for a minute.I get frustrated when I try to promote healthy ways to improve on arts in places and they are like its graffiti or nope not in our district.It could be a flower or actual graffiti and to them it has no merit whatsoever!So my frustration ensues.I have tried to get the local kids a public wall and everything.I have moved into the fine arts but have not forgotten my roots and these kids need a way to express themselves.I guess I dont understand how the generation before me can be so quick to turn down a beautification of there own city.I am not asking to graffiti things I am just asking to give me,the community and the kids something nice to look at and a place to express ourselves.It can be fine art but let it be art none the less.Every thriving town has a art community where this is accepted even encouraged.And it has proven to stop kids from breaking things and what not.I grew up doing graffiti.I am not saying to let these kids run crazy.I do not promote vandalism.But let a painter pick up a spray can and try to do a mural.Its an art.In fine arts the two major groundings I had were graffiti and tattooing.Both are frowned upon in the fine arts at least where I reside.And everyone is entitled to there own opinion.But when I show in galleries or people look at my art like wow I love it they neglect to see it's roots.Also let the standard artist be it a fine art painter try to tattoo or throw up a graffiti tag.It would be a mess.Although the galleries and community are constantly (trying) to convince me its not art.No WRONG.It is what it is.And back to the case at point for those who read my last post which had been written out of frustration please excuse my actions as I normally dont carry myself that way.And mark my words art is a movement and I am bound and determined to get public arts accepted where I reside.It can only make the place better.How can you have a billboard or mcdonalds everywhere and be battered to death with that imagery and not want to see something more encouraging and uplifting.I had hit a point where this ongoing battle was effecting my painting at home and my attitude towards the cities.But NO I refuse to let people knock me down especially when you enjoy my fine arts.I am still mind blown at how you will love the canvas art but when you ask we where I started and me being me tells you the truth all the sudden my fine arts are not interesting.C'mon...Really....Well again viewers I am trying not to complain which I have but I am frustrated at the lack of acceptance of the arts.We can build monuments,buildings that fall apart,and other things that somebody gives merit.Why can't my functional things not have the same merit?So as a frustrated citizen and a person who loves art I will drop this subject as far as blogging goes for now.You cannot take the art out of the artist.I will provide more encouraging and uplifting posts around the corner had to vent.Sorry and respectfully thank you for your time C. Raab (artisticneurosis)

Monday, August 8, 2011

Art events and a few galleries in northeastern ohio and others......

Lake Shore Artists...Local to Ashtabula an artist guild encouraging the growth in anything artistic.
www.lakeshoreartists.net
Ashtabula Arts center.....Gallery,Plays,and everything Creative
ashartscenter.org
Waterloo 7 Gallery... Willoughby Ohio...Showing local artists,owned by sculptor Jerry Schmidt
www.schmidtsculpture.com
Misc. Festivals pertaining to art
www.artfaircalendar.com
Geneva Grape Jamboree
http://www.grapejamboree.com/
Sandpiper gallery
www.sandpiperjewelrydesigns.com
Other misc. Art walks and shows in or near Cleveland Ohio
http://cleveland.about.com/od/events/tp/summerarts.htm
Misc. Galleries spread in Cleveland Ohio
http://www.letmypeopleknowcleveland.com/Play/ArtScene/ArtGalleries.html
LOL>>>...A Link to more links and websites pertaining to Ohio arts..
http://www.lkwdpl.org/locals.htm
I hope some of this helps anyone up and coming, established,or interested...Will post more as time goes on but the best I could do on a short notice.Thank all of you and I will be posting some paint tutorials on here.Not mine but things that maybe helpful to someone starting out or thinking of starting into starting painting again e-mail me or leave a comment if there is something else you would like to see up here and as always keep creative ,keep motivated, and enjoy C. RAAB


Thursday, August 4, 2011

The next post

Just a warning the next post will include all of the art shows and artistic events and links to these events from sept.2011 through mid to late 2012.I am gathering information from other artists and organizations.I will also be posting a few tutorials on painting if anyone is interested.Please leave comments on what you would like to see more of so as that I can help.The next post will be here in 3-4 days and will be packed full of as much info as I can get pertaining to art in northeastern Ohio.Please feel free to leave comments.And as always Thank you for the support.   Chris Raab