'White Castle Sonata III' with Son_Art_A, this Friday at Midnight.

Animee Circular   C.T.Rasmuss, India ink/Chinese watercolor (Nov. 2012).


Come out and Join T-Paine, Pop.Calypse, and Red Rodney, help support a 'Live' effort to exercise free speech/expression in this parking lot on December 7th at Midnight, runs til a quarter after; sponsored by Son_Art_A!
White Castle: Springfld Pk & Kemper Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45246

Afterwards we'll go inside for burgers/coffee, and some more fun/readings!!!

Somethin to do afterward for all those visiting; Essex Studios this weekend which ends at 11pm. on Friday; or for any one attending "Fill the Truck"/Auction at Frame USA (7-9:30pm.)

Benefiting, healingcenter-Cincinnati:

http://fillthetruck.org/winteraid.html


donated artworks below by C.T. Rasmuss; to live/silent auction:

Himalyan Sun  C.T.Rasmuss, permanent marker (2012).

White Castle Sonata II  C.T.Rasmuss, India ink (2012).

...Follow the Multi-Colored Path..written by Gale Stevenson

In The Distant..   C.T.Rasmuss, India ink/gouache (2010).


Time for me to follow the multi-colored path to my room,
and see if I can locate the stars in this starry-starry night sky.
                                       -Gale Stevenson

On Tuesday night I edited a previous blog called Artist Melting Pot, in reflection of a swell musical performance earlier that evening(link found below); tonight I am blogging about the above photo in which Gale Stevenson wrote these accompanying words for, just last night.

I really appreciate her doing it, how my painting was able to encourage such words, and in turn encouraging me and other people that my painting alone wouldn't otherwise be able to reach. 

 I thinks it's a real example of an artist's Artist Melting Pot, in action!  Not only does it have a title, but an Identity now...Thank you Gale for 'pouring' into the 'Melting Pot' haha!  

Sweet Dreams to you too!!

click here to view "Artist Melting Pot"

'Ode to Vincent Van Gogh'; Day 5 by C.T.Rasmuss

Fish Jump Too, 14 of 100   C.T.Rasmuss, India ink (2012).

Concentric Daisies, 15 of 100   C.T.Rasmuss, India ink (2012).

Quixote in The Orient, 16 of 100   C.T.Rasmuss, India ink (2012).

Kevin Loughran Whew!! Your Marathon is Gathering Pace, Chad!! I am reminded of a quote by Picasso... "There IS Inspiration Out There, but It has to Find Us Working." You are Certainly Working Hard, and I'm Sure that Some Ace Pics will be Seen... :)

11 hours ago · Unlike · 1

Thanks again Kevin for the boost in spirit! 

 I hope your right, lol!...I find it ironic how you mention Picasso, because coincidentally I focused on his style in preparation for the above works that I did just last night(w/ India ink).

As a framer last year, I worked on some prints of his, some minimalist/iconic ink drawings he did; I've always wanted to try it(as minimalism is on the other-side of the spectrum, challenging for me).

I have a similar interest in prints from the East like Van Gogh did; he was a Western pioneer in his interest however, 

but still!  I think Picasso brings an interesting twist to "Ode to Vincent Van Gogh"; 100 in 30 Days..

as Picasso was 'A Terrorist on Idleness'!!!

'Ode to Vincent Van Gogh' Day 4 by C.T.Rasmuss

Indigo Blossoms, 9 of 100  C.T.Rasmuss, India ink (2012).

Ode to Donald "Wayne" Cadwallader, 11 of  100  C.T.Rasmuss India ink (2012).

I pour some freshly brewed coffee in preparation for another extended night of painting; I think to myself about how it's already 7 pm, and I'm just now ready to start on my work.. 

"Well I did wake up late", due to a long night last night after completing the above pieces and two others, rounding out 12 pieces in 3 days...I'm partially filled with regret on one hand how I'm always starting late, and filled with anxiety on the other Wondering "How will I ever finish this?"

One thing that quickly enters my thoughts is, "People do this all the time don't they?? people who do production, commercial art, or have to fill such quotas"; I personally don't take part in any such work, so my experience is nil with that sorta thing..."This is different I convince myself!!"  

"I'm doing it for a sense of purpose!"

A War on Idleness, it's my Ode to Vincent Van Gogh, and only after this, am I ready to once again attack the stillness of  the night with a confidence that's required to fulfill the Quest..

                  

Guerrilla Artfare at White Castle

Well We made it to White Castle at midnight on the button, we were out of there within 15 minutes; did some reading from Thomas Paine's Rights of Man (by Red Rodney & Pop.Calypse in the tradition of responsibly, exercising our rights to freedom of speech).

Here are some photos of what took place, more to come; including video poetry by Pop.Calypse inside White Castle over coffee.  Even though the turn out happened to be 'just we three', it did happen and we followed through:

White Castle parking lot

White Castle parking lot

White Castle Sonata II  C.T.Rasmuss, India ink performance (Nov. 17, 1012).

White Castle parking lot, trunk of car.

Next target happens on Dec. 7th at midnight..

Location to be determined 24 hours prior to SONArTA's next operation.

Rockefeller, Carnegie, J.P. Morgan & The Inspired Artist

India Ink-Still Life 2  C.T.Rasmuss, India Ink (2012).

In reference to Rockefeller, Carnegie & J.P. Morgan, these great innovators of "Modern America", who am ?  Am I a great innovator as well, by way of being an artist??

I've learned that these men gleamed into the future with 'clutching fists', where by no means I
m no powerful man or industrial tycoon, but I do hope to be very prosperous, just like any human being has an equal right to. 

It's no doubt that I hope to inspire others through my art, but I stop to ask myself: "Is what I teach and do power and/or innovation?..or is it just ideas & examples of beauty?"  Do I really need to be the "greatest artist to ever live"(or my generation) to be successful"?. as they were the greatest at their profession of the time.   

Whatever the answer I find for myself, I'll continue to fight through the struggles and persevere like these successful men did in their respective fields; while all the time, positioning my integrity toward the highest of  artistic priorities.  

So I'd like to thank this blog, the people who hear what I have to say, and all those who enjoy what we artists  do(tycoon or not).  I will prove my appreciation of art in general by going into work tomorrow afternoon, and turn out the best students I can, as well as the best 'India Ink-Still Life 3' within the rejuvenated 'clutching' of my brush!!!

All in all, I really hope to carry on the legacy of my generation, and to do my part in filling the gaps between "compilations" of the generations before and after me in the best way I know how; through color, shape and pure artistry.  

All  in The Name of Culture and Prosperity, The best to you all!!!

Huang Gongwang's 'Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains' (Part 1of 2).

So I enjoy meeting with an artist's group called, Creativa where there's always a plethora of mediums and backgrounds from which the artist operate; we've meet every 2nd Saturday for the last 5 years here in Cincinnati, OH. great times I might add!!

Monthly dilemma: what to do?  Like any other piece I attempt, I'm lucky in that it usually comes to me quick, then I just need to figure which direction to go in; again most like any other time, but this is a live performance which I've incorporated over the last few times we've met.  Here's my process for tonight; (short and quick) if your interested...

note: some variations in steps/order for each time I prepare, as artists are hopefully always changing their ways!!


Step 1: MEDIUM-  Which will be India Ink tonight.

Step 2: SET UP-     I will be using what I have available, which is a large sheet of heavy watercolor paper
                               tonight.


Step 3: COMPOSITION-
                               
                                Tonight I decided for the 1st time to pay homage to the originators of this  
                                medium; and  I'm now in the hunt to learn more about one of these masters from                             
                                the East.


Step 4: SKETCH- Once I find what strikes me, I'll learn more about their work, and quickly sketch it.

Step 5: CHOOSE MUSIC- I usually choose 3-4 songs totaling under 10-12 minutes, theme's important.

Step 6: EXECUTE!!!

Step 7: SIT BACK AND ENJOY THE REST OF THE NIGHT AND ARTISTS AT WORK!!!

Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains (first half)  Huang Gongwang (1350).

Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains" is one of the few surviving works by the painter Huang Gongwang in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368).  He's considered a member of the "four great masters of the Yuan." 

Huang spent his last years in the Fuchun Mountains near Hangzhou and completed this painting in 1350.

After Sketching I ran into bit of a problem..

This MASTERPIECE requires much more than just a quick sketch I believe, and I wouldn't be giving it's due or the artist his respect if I didn't study this very intricate and complex composition much more before executing.  It took an attempt at sketching before realizing this and rather than forcing it; I will now move to plan B, and render a photo I took last night after leaving a disappointing art opening.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Encountering a Fresh Medium

Asylum C.T. Rasmuss, India ink on linen (2012)

  Jerusha Tree C.T. Rasmuss, India ink on linen (2012)

I performed to an audience when creating the above two pieces at Creativa, a creative group based out of Cincinnati, OH and at a Disciple Ministries Concert in Hamilton, OH respectively...it was the first time I had ever used this medium and I had only practiced it just a few days before the 1st live action painting at Creative on Saturday, Oct. 13th.

I've always been curious about this medium and finally had a reason to use it, it dries fast and is perfect for performing live action painting; in my earlier experiences with performing live painting performances it was always a problem what to do logistically with the wet artwork after finishing, especially with the way I apply acrylics in an impasto manner.  After finally giving this medium a try, I'm hooked now and fascinated in the directions I can go!!  I can see why Vincent Van Gogh was so intrigued by the prints of the East, as well as Modernist, Henri Matisse, not just for their composition and pattern, but perhaps the way the ink interacts with such a simple and fine material like linen; I, myself really enjoy the simplicity of it..(definitely the opposite side of the spectrum for me:)

India ink has been around since the 3rd millennium B.C., it developed in China and the carbon pigment in India ink started to be traded in from India thereafter, hence the name India ink.

C.T. Rasmuss' Philosophy on Art

Still Life in Violet, Crystal Vase  C.T. Rasmuss, India ink (2012).

My personal philosophy on art is: Art is what you make it...

Nature of a Painting's Outcome

Bridge over the Sun  C.T. Rasmuss, India ink/watercolor (2012).

If an artist's state of mind is completely calculated, especially in regards to the end result of the artwork, then what conclusion can be taken from a painting that's done over an extended period of time as well; is it considered to be forced since the end result is pre-determined, with the artist unwilling to expect a more 'natural' outcome..

Therefore...is it rather the artist's ability to listen to the conversation between the brush, canvas and what is being created or what the artist has set out to do, unwilling to compromise with the unexpected; that's most in tune with the 'Laws of Nature'?