To live a pure unselfish life, one must count nothing as one's own in the midst of abundance.

Empty Bowls 2013 is Saturday, February 9th! This year we are having a pasta pot luck and all of the proceeds go to the food bank of south jersey. More people than you realize do not know when they will eat their next meal, not only in other states or countries but right here in south jersey. Most people go day to day and don't realize how lucky they are to have food when ever they need or want it. Some kids don't have the luxury of having a snack when they get home from school and some adults would rather feed their children than eat dinner themselves. If you were faced with loosing your home or eating breakfast that day...you would probably choose your home. The food bank of south jersey supplies all south jersey shelters with food and does their best to make sure that everybody has enough to eat. Not only will you get an awesome meal and a specially made bowl but you will help feed other too! Empty Bowls is a great cause, for more info on the event and how to donate CLICK HERE !

It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles.

When I did my blind contours I didn't really like any of them. I thought I looked silly or weird but that wasn't really what it was about, and that's not really what matters in life at all. It doesn't matter what I look like, it's whats on the inside (cliche but true). The statements are what made this piece meaningful. I'm going to continue working into this piece and making it more interesting artistically but in the end I think it will just be a cool page to add to my book. 

Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened

The last two years of art we have wanted to make lanterns but never got around to it. This year we finally did and I absolutely love mine! I didn't want it to be a typical cut out design, I wanted it to be dimensional. I started by using a drawing of a rose. At first it seemed really cool until I realized the rose wasn't connected to the paper anymore. I had to find a way to achieve the look I wanted and keep the paper together at the same time. After making 5+ paper flowers I started to work on the intricate design that added more effect when it was lit up. I made one flower for each side of the lantern and also made a flower cut design on sturdier paper as the backing/form. The cut design on the form of the lantern added even more details when the light was shone through both layers. I wasn't sure if I was going to like doing cut paper designs; especially because I was terrified of cutting my self. This experience was pleasantly surprising and I'm extremely excited to see all of the different lanterns lit up at the art show! 

Keith Haring - the energy in art never dies

   


     Keith Haring was born on May 4,1958 in Reading, PA. His father was a cartoon artist and he developed a love for drawing at a young age. After high school Haring attended the Ivy school of Professional Art in Pittsburgh. Although he participated in the local art community often he decided that  Pittsburgh was not for him. In 1978 he moved to New York City and attended the School of Visual Arts. Here Keith discovered underground art, New York City became his canvas. One day while walking in the subway Haring noticed the unused advertising panels. These panels were perfect for chalk drawings, sometimes he would do up to 40 drawing a day. Keith Haring's subway drawings became known to all the locals who often to stopped to talk to him about his art; what did it mean and why was he doing it in the subway instead of gallery? Keith liked the fact that he didn't need to show in galleries to be famous. He went directly to the people, bypassing the critics that could make or break his career.
     In 1981, Haring had his first solo show at Westbeth Painters Space but his big break came in 1982 when he made his Soho debut at Shafrazi Gallery. Haring's well known characters engulfed the entire studio and was a critical success. After this he had shows in countries all over the world including Japan and Brazil. Haring not only produced drawings but created animation for Times Square, set designs and watch designs for Swatch. Keith Haring was a founder of pop art ideals. He wanted his art to be accessible to everyone. In 1986, he opened the Pop Shop where he sold merchandise with his art on it and held workshops for children. Some of his most famous works include the "Crack is Wack" mural, and the radiant baby. In 1988 Keith Haring was diagnosed with aids and created the Keith Haring Foundation in 1989. Many of his later works create aids awareness and promote activism. On February 16, 1990 Keith Haring died of aids complications at the age of 31.

One of Haring's most recognizable characters is the "Radiant Baby" which shows up in many of his drawings. Haring went through a so called "Jesus phase" as a teenager which was later reflected in this radiant "jesus child". Some also saw this figure as the "radioactive" child created to address the idea of nuclear energy. 

I love Keith Haring's work because it has so much power to it. It's all about energy and power and movement. As humans we all possess energy but it is up to us what we decide to do with it. Haring also realized that art had much more power than he did. He saw his art as an extension of himself. He had accepted the fact that death is inevitable, that our energy will eventually die but, when we create art its energy is completely separate and can continue to impact the world after the creator is gone. 

Keith Haring knew that he had the audience to impact many social causes the he believed in. This was mostly shown in his aids related works but also in many anti-drug campaigns. 

Haring is incredibly complex artist. He had a reason behind everything that he did and he had so many thoughts to portray through his work. I could go on forever about his work but nothing gets better than reading it from him. His journal entries and explanations of his work are so beyond inspiring that you can't help but love him. Check out all of his work and journals below and see for yourself!

www.haring.com