Art

Creativity is a recessive gene in my family. It's a seed that has planted itself a bit in all of us, but I feel that only a fair few of us have let it fully blossom and erupt into our lives. My uncle Rod is one person who has really dedicated himself to his art. He inspires me with how much he lives and breathes it. He lives and works as an artist and has had shows in New York, all over California, and of course here in Utah. His mediums have changed through the years but his talent has grown enormously.

Three pieces called Please Wait, In Memory Of,
and Counting the Days respectively.

He's greatly inspired by Asian culture and the ocean, which is his second home. He's a surfer and I think I've seen him twice where he wasn't wearing board shorts and flip flops. He's just the coolest, realest person around. And his mind is beautiful. 

Yesterday he had a quaint little art show on the fourth floor of the Salt Lake Public Library, which is seriously the most incredible building. It is itself a piece of art. 

Right now his medium of choice is painting with acrylics on sprawling canvases. His paintings have amazing texture and life inside of them. The movement of the painting, to me, reflects the oceans Rod has explored for years. Here's a glimpse into his mind. 

My favorite piece of his entitled Dedication.

Close up of Dedication.

A Flute with no Holes is Not a Flute

Now That Has Color

For You

Growth

Look at This.
(Side note, that is the title of the piece. Not a command.
But really. LOOK.)

His pieces look like they are made up of fractures of broken stained glass. Or foaming ocean tides. He's amazing. I am in love with his artist's statement on his website too:

"I am afraid of fear!

The moment before I paint, the feelings of fear flood my thoughts. Will the painting turn out? Am I using the right colors? Will I mess up again? These thoughts only last a few seconds. Then the need and excitement to paint takes over. I break through the fog of fear and begin to paint. Now there are no worries of what people think or how they will react to the work. 

The way I paint is a statement to myself of not to be afraid. My art reflects this. 

I am afraid of fear!"

This is perfect. This is how I feel about my writing. It reminds me of one of my favorite quotes. Incidentally, this is the quote Lady Gaga has tattooed on her arm:

"Confess to yourself in the deepest hour of the night whether you would have to die if you were forbidden to write. Dig deep into your heart, where the answer spreads its roots into your being, and ask yourself solemnly, Must I write?"

- Rainer Maria Rilke

Rod MUST paint to live. I MUST write to live. Our souls are connected deeply, by more than family blood. We are connected by art. Connect with him too by visiting his website. He has so many gorgeous paintings. You can find him here. 

Side note. Here are some gorgeous pictures of the library. This building, guys.