Art Blog 4:: Ancient Egypt

This is Queen Hatshepsut's funerary temple at Deir El-Bahri (1473-1458 BC). Although this building was not intended to be her tomb, it is still an impressive structure, showing the simple grandeur that was accomplished across most of ancient Egypt. Rather that be on top of the cliff, or have the cliff leveled, the temple is beautifully tucked right up to the cliffs, almost as an extension of the natural landscape. Imagine the alternating levels filled with living fragrant gardens, and the architectural details just rising up from the shrubs and then disappearing into the clifs, as if the winds themselves had carved the temple.

In today's architecture and design, it is not uncommon to see architects and Interior designers pushing to make buildings and spaces more in harmony with their natural surroundings, instead of appearing to have "conquered" their surroundings. However, in antiquity, this unusual union of man with nature is a rare but exciting picture into the, even at that time, forward thinking minds.

Fast forward to the 20th century, and meet architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who spent most of his life looking to integrate His buildings and structures into the natural landscapes of their surroundings. To truly be in harmony with the land rather that dominate it. The pictures should clearly demonstrate that attention to how his structures fit into the landscape with as little intrusion as possible, seeming to "grow" from within the hills and trees, and having a life of their own.

Falling Water::
I love how this home relates to the same vertical and horizontal feeling of trees springing from a crevice in a rock. The horizontal cantilevers also resemble water rushing over rocks to the falls.

Marin County Civic Center::
Talk about civic architecture blending in with its surroundings! The building practically blends in with the contours of the hills that it is nestled in.

These votive figures are images dedicated to the gods, and date back to somewhere between 2900-2600 BCE. They were found in the Diyala River Valley in Iraq. The worshiper would commission a statue and have inscribed on it something they accomplished in that god's honor. Or the statue might simply be identified by what they are doing, ie. "one who offers prayer." This figure would represent the worshiper to the god. The physical form of these figures represents the conventions of Sumerian art, and show us today something about how they viewed beauty and the human form; just as the saint statues below epitomize art and what the human form in art had evolved to at the height of the Catholic church.

These statues of the saints that top the peristyle/collonade at St. Peters in Rome offer another idea of intercessory prayer. Each "patron" saint represents a different group of people (St. Christopher for travelers, St. Lawrence for cooks, etc.) The patron saint of a particular group of people is a saint who will pay special attention to, protect and love the members of a particular group. Prayers by members of a group are more likely to be answered by their patron saint. Some consider it a special devotion to God by displaying humility in asking a saint for intercession rather than expecting to be answered themselves, calling to mind Job 42:8, which implies God's favor to the virtuous.

Art Blog 2:: The Prehistoric and the Now

This is a picture of the aptly titled "Hall of Bulls" from the caves at Lascauz. At first glance its kind of strange to see paintings on the ceiling, then once that hurtle is crossed, it is hard for some to see these as art. I think no matter what one thinks of the subject, it can be generally acknowledged that they are regardless its amazing that they have survived through time. Even at the beginnings of our humanly existance we were fascinated with capturing the full energy of the "life" around us in something more permenant that just mere memory. I can imagine lying on the ground and looking up at the scene almost as it trying to sleep and my dreams were escaping to join the creatures up above. These delicate images, with their whispy outlines, manage to show the great power of its subjects.

Seeing a painted ceiling evokes memories of the Cistine Chapel, and looking at the simplistic, but carefully planned strokes, brings to mind the many grafiti pictures in cities across the nation. But more that those, the bright color from the "Hall of Bulls" ceiling, and the energy it creates, brings forward to my mind another modern master- Dale Chiluly.

This is his instalation at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art and it titled the Persian Seafoam Ceiling.

When thinking of ceiling installations many people think of the lobby ceiling in the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas Nevada, but I think this instalation relates better to the "Hall of Bulls" above. This series title-Persian Seafoam Ceiling- hints different ancient glass styles and reflects the fusion of East and West. Chihuly worked at the Venini factory in Venice and historically, Venice showed an assimilation of Persian, Byzantine, and eastern ideas. His awareness of these historical ties and stylistic influences in Venetian art grew. Persians glass design highlights gently fluted edges, which are delicate and powerful, plus their jewel-like colors and sensuous curving forms make them stand out as some of Chihuly's most amazing work.

Art Blog 1: Art as Me

Pictured above is Mike Wilkins (born 1959) "Preamble" 1987, painted metal (real official state license plates) on vinyl and wood, 96 x 96 in.

This piece demonstrates the immense pride that I have for being an American. I love my European ancestral heritage, but I feel very honored to be an American-through good and bad times. As much fun as it is to travel outside this country to historic sites and places of unbelievable beauty, I want to discover the uncontested beauty of my own country first so when I go abroad I can truly appreciate these new landscapes, but always know my home holds the most beauty ever. This land is something special, the land reflects the people, who in turn reflect the land, and at just the right times the people and the land are in harmony and the many values and virtues of both become one- e pluribus unum.


Pictured to the left is "Snap the Whip" by Winslow Homer. Like the energy the painting shows, I love to have fun and hang out with my friends; goofing around, or just sitting and enjoying conversation. I value people, and the effect they have on others. Without friends or people to interact with, life can't be lived to the fullest. You can have all the knowledge, culture or money in the world, but without someone to share it with, it is pointless.


I love architecture, standing in building both old and new, large and small gives me an amazing feeling. The detail of older buildings, like these below, from the Panama Pacific Exposition of 1915 in San Francisco, is just incredible, and shows the dedication of the designers and the great technical ability of the craftsman and artists who built them. Buildings remind me of my passion for art and design.








Spirituality is an important aspect of my life, and these two spaces, the Chapel at the National Air Force Academy, and the Washington National Cathedral, are two religious spaces that I have enjoyed worshiping in. To me Christianity is not just a religion, it is a relationship, and how the journey of that relationship with Christ. That relationship helps define me as a person, and guides me in my daily life. I don't have all the answers about life or where I am headed, but I have faith in someone who has had a plan for me since before I was born. "For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7).






























This last video speaks to my love of music. Music is an artform that is an integral part of my life. I see music as something that can transcend all conflicts and speak where words would cause problems. Instrumental music can enhance the written word to add another dimension and give deeper meaning. For me music is an outlet in which I can create and work with others. As you see in the video, no matter what happens, music will keep on livin'!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1gNYwVdLoQ