What topic inspires a visceral, almost painful reaction when you even think about it? We all have something, whether it’s dealing with your boss, facing the in-laws, spiders, or whatever. For me, it’s the environment and climate change. I literally get heart palpitations when I start thinking about it. I think it’s because I have a child with asthma. Maybe it’s just because I have a child. In any case, the world we live in is a source of great inspiration and dreadful anxiety for me. For that reason, I turn to art for reason and facts to focus my mind and calm my heart. Nature and the environment have inspired artists for centuries, perhaps even millennia. Dating back to the Cave paintings in ancient times, to the modern era, artists continue to explore environmental issues in art. Artists such as Andy Goldsworthy, Agnes Denes, Richard Schilling, Nils-Udo, Claudia Schmacke, and Chris Jordan tackle different aspects of nature in real time. Invoking the fleeting aspects of nature, many of these artists create unnerving tension, as if daring us to defy the power of nature. The answer should probably be to respond to this crisis, yet our hubris and dependence on finite resources provide no easy answers. So, Happy Earth Day! . Artists Reveal Environmental Consequences . It’s 2019 and the world looks really different than it did at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. We know this, in part, from paintings and documentary photography dating back to the 18th Century. Artists and photographers recorded numerous examples of environmental changes caused by industrialization during this time. Whether they showed smog enveloping whole cities, excessive dumping, deformed animals, oil spills, or just massive pollution, the images reveal the dire conditions unregulated industrialization had on our planet. With the advent of the steam engine, electricity, more advanced weapons and other technological breakthroughs related to manufacturing and travel, the world began to change. This naturally started the process that led to environmental changes with unforeseen consequences. However, artists, who studied composition by observing and recording landscapes, began to include elements of the industrial changes in their drawings, paintings, and photography. Since then, thanks to the Environmental Protection Agency and environmental watchdogs, we can see a cleaner, more appealing world. Unfortunately, it’s what we don’t see that’s dramatically changing the delicate balance of nature. Because we depend on energy that produces excessive carbon emissions, our climate is constantly imbalanced. This is (major understatement) bad. We can learn a lot from the images that show what the world looked like before the EPA was created. . Lessons From the Past . The London Fog of 1952 killed about 12,000 people in five days. It was so devastating, that four years later, Great Britain passed the Clean Air Act of 1956. Consequently, this was the first time a European country took environmental issues seriously. In fact, if you live in London, there is an app that allows you to check how polluted the air is by the block. Despite taking bold action to stop another air quality tragedy from happening again, the British government couldn’t fully understand the reason why the fog was so deadly. They knew people were using coal at higher levels than usual that winter and the toxins had an effect. However, the coal by itself couldn’t totally explain the lethal nature of the fog. . China’s Connection to the London Fog . In 2016, scientists from Beijing shared research pointing to the cause of the deadly London Fog. They discovered that sulfuric acid was part of the fog. What they discovered was that as the fog evaporated, it left behind an acidic haze. Subsequently, this haze led to the deaths of so many people. Chinese scientists, in particular, have reason to study air pollution. Namely since sixteen of the twenty most polluted cities in the world are in China. In...

What Will You Do When Your Feminist Target Turns on You? Women makeup roughly half of the population. Yet, for some reason, there are people who believe harassing women is a good idea. This obsession with controlling women’s lives seems like a bad idea, given the numbers. So, imagine if every woman decided enough was enough. What would the world do if women just stood up and rejected the notion of being targets? What if women targeted men with the same diabolical cruelty they imposed on us? Would that be ok? According to the Museum of Modern Art, Feminist Art is “Art that seeks to challenge the dominance of men in both art and society, to gain recognition and equality for women artists, and to question assumptions about womanhood.” Today, much like the 60’s and 70’s, women find ourselves at an inflection point. While women have made great progress towards equal rights in the last forty-five years, our equality faces an existential threat. It seems as though every day brings a fresh law designed to infringe on women’s autonomy, our privacy, and even our right to individual freedom. Anyone Can Be a Feminist Artists, in the capacity of a social conscience, must speak out about women’s rights. Since we can speak in visual form, we often communicate ideas that cannot be explained easily. In truth, feminists don’t have to be women. Artists take on challenging issues in order to reach people who might not otherwise understand complex ideas. I can personally attest to this. As a young art student, I tried and failed to understand how history influenced contemporary issues. Whether it was feminism or race, the past seemed abstract. My ignorance held me back, particularly when I interacted with people from other cultures. Fortunately, I was directed to visit about twenty-five art galleries one afternoon in New York (no exaggeration) as an assignment. During this long day, I came across the artwork of Glenn Ligon. Art Helps Us See Each Other Glenn Ligon’s Runaways Lithograph Series opened my eyes to the long lasting impact slavery had on America. His artwork depicted images from runaway slave ads juxtaposed with descriptions his friends had written that described him. “Ligon was surprised to find that the descriptions his friends wrote were similar to those from the slave ads. Critics have also commented on how the texts read like accounts of criminal suspects, perhaps a critique of racial profiling by law enforcement.” In an instant, I understood. I felt the impact of racism and prejudice. I could empathize with the people who were still being seen the exact same way as their predecessors. It was like all of history came crashing down on me. I could never forget that work. I saw that exhibit nearly twenty years ago and I still think about it today. This is the power of Glenn Ligon’s work. Feminist Art Can Help, Too Just as Glenn Ligon’s work helped me to better understand racism, art about women’s rights can, too. Now, more than ever, feminists need to help people see the blatant injustices against women. We still don’t share equal representation in government, business, or the arts. Now, without our consent, men would take our rights away through denying women’s privacy in healthcare. Further, they would criminalize the doctors who would dare to care for women. Yet, in doing so, this action can only conclude in poorer quality healthcare for all people. While words fail to move adamant and controlling people, images may not. Feminist issues have a place in art. As time moves forward, we can do more to raise society’s consciousness about the need for equality for all. Through effective imagery, evocative messages, and work that forges undeniable parallels, people will be moved to understanding.

What the Experts Say According to the Tate "Digital art is a term used to describe art that is made or presented using digital technology." As explained by the British Council this art form has been around at least as early as the 19 60's. Certainly, it drew more recognition in the 19 80's with the development of the paint program. Artists like Harold Cohen, Richard Hamilton, David Hockney, Nam June Paik, and Jeff Wall established the validity of this art form. Not to be ignored, women digital artists like Guan Xiao, Carol Kunstadt, and Rosemary Trockel broke with traditional media while adhering to more formal ideas related to composition. Since that time, digital art has matured into a discipline that encompasses multiple types. Including both two dimensional art, video, film, installation and computer animation, it can also be called Multi-Media Art. Although galleries and museums regularly exhibit digital art, the idea that it is not as valid as other art forms can persist. I admit, I struggled with this as an artist. In particular, as I fell in love with digital drawing, I felt uncertain that my work would measure up to more traditional art media. Luckily, it turns out there are a plethora of ways to create digital art. To understand the idea that digital art is just a way to express artistic ideas, I think about how I explain drawing to my students. First of all, I always tell my students that drawing is about seeing. This can apply to most visual arts. Furthermore, art becomes realized once the artist's vision or idea is executed. Artists regularly employ assistants or manufacturers to create works of art. Inasmuch as an architect utilizes contractors to build the structure based on a set of plans, artists can direct contractors to execute works of art. Likewise, artists use technology to create an artistic idea or vision. What Exactly Is Digital Art? In fact, two dimensional digital art is divided into the following areas: digital photography, photo painting, digital collage, integrated digital art, digital painting, vector drawing, and algorithm/ fractals. Similarly three dimensional works include video installations and computer aided interactive spaces. To this end, each area allows the artist endless possibilities for exploration in subject, composition, and content. And, these properties are universal to all artworks. Consequently, acceptance of the premise that digital art is a valid art form, artists may choose a range of options. For example, an artist who enjoys traditional media artworks can photograph or scan that work and continue working on it as a digital artwork. Also, artists can incorporate video and sound to create art installations. Although we tend to associate technology with the practical and applied arts, the range extends well beyond that. In earlier articles, I have mentioned how art connects with multiple disciplines. For example, math and science both integrate the arts for practical purposes. Yet, in one case a mathematician integrated algorithms and computer modeling to create works of art. Fine artists also blur the lines between graphic design and high art: Andy Warhol and Barbara Kruger come to mind. Making Digital Art Whether you're an amateur artist, student, or professional who hasn't tried digital art, you might be curious about it. Really, I started exploring it for a few reasons. Most importantly, I simply don't have space for an art studio. Additionally, I am a teacher in America. (Subsequently, my great-grandchildren might see a raise in teacher salaries.) In the end, my impulse to create art outweighed my pre-conceived notions about digital art. After conducting a rigorous cost analysis of a virtual art studio versus a real life one, I determined that virtual was better for my budget. Once I knew how much my virtual studio costs were, I decided what technology to purchase. Because I have limited space and I like to draw and paint, I chose the following items: a 27inch iMac co...

Welcome to my gallery of limited edition giclee prints! A Giclee Print is an archival work of art. The print is generated from an original image created by the artist. I create my work digitally. To do this, I hand draw compositions with a stylus and a touch screen tablet using a variety of virtual tools. Despite using virtual tools, I can alter the settings to draw with a variety of media. This gives me control over the marks I make on the artwork. In order to generate a physical artwork, I use Giclee prints. Actually, this is a digital process where the image is transferred onto archival paper using high quality ink. In the end, this creates a work of art that will, when cared for properly, last for years to come.

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The Scholarly Artist Gallery Products

Important Message-Please check with each institution for hours or closures. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, multiple institutions have closed as of March 18, 2020.

Visit Museums and Institutions- St. Louis

St. Louis is a place where you can see and visit art institutions for free or for a very inexpensive fee. Most places are student and family friendly, offering free programs during the week and on the weekend. Experienced art curators and educators bring first rate exhibitions and programs to the St. Louis region. Thus, St. Louis May be a lesser known area for the arts. If you’re interested in studying art for work, school, or inspiration, many institutions offer resources if you know where to look. Find out more by clicking on the links below. I guarantee that even the most seasoned artist will learn something new!

St. Louis Art Museum

The Contemporary Art Museum

Pulitzer Arts Foundational

Laumeier Sculpture Park

Craft Alliance

St. Louis Artist Guild

Citygarden Sculpture Park

The Sheldon Art Galleries

Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum

St. Louis University Museum of Art

Places to Study in St. Louis

Study and Earn-Teen Programs

Do you know a teenager that loves art? Are you in high school and need a job, but would rather make art? You can actually get paid to make art in St. Louis! If you want to learn more about local programming, check out the links below!

CAM STL Teen Programs

St. Louis Artworks

St. Louis Art Museum Teen Arts Council: TAC

Study and Conduct Research-St. Louis

Craft Alliance Community Arts

St. Louis Art Museum Richard Memorial Library

St. Louis Public Central Library

St. Louis Central Library Archival Collections

Explosive Politics: A miniature Artist’s Book

St. Louis Map Room

Come back to see updated information about local art resources. This site will be updated frequently!

Please take a minute to check out my gallery to see a selection of my limited edition giclee prints!

Why Art Matters

Art plays a role in every intellectual and practical pursuit. Consequently, this cannot be overlooked or unrecognized. Although we don’t spend a lot of time discussing it, artists have traditionally made significant contributions to numerous fields of study. Since ancient times, art has intertwined with engineering, math, science, literature, architecture, and religion. Essentially, art history and world history support each other because it is through artworks that we can understand cultures from the past. It is important to realize, art objects frequently help us understand information about sociology and archaeology. Through conducting research, I hope to illustrate the significant contribution artists make in their own and other fields of study. Therefore, I will curate and write articles about artists, contemporary issues, and history from an artist’s perspective.

THE SCHOLARLY ARTIST GALLERY EXHIBIT

Articles

Local Art Institutions Links

Fortunately, many local institutions offer free admission and allow us to see and learn about all kinds of art in St. Louis. Because of this, I encourage you to explore the information about these institutions which are available on this site. I created this collection of art resources because I could not find a comprehensive list of places to visit and learn about art. In the meantime, please let me know about your favorite places to go see art. For an interactive experience, check out my sidebar for art activities and social media links. Finally, explore my gallery of limited edition prints in the gallery .

Kathleen’s Artwork

Art History and Contemporary Issues

Why is art important to our culture?

Web Media is a growing field in the art world. As people with art and design backgrounds get more comfortable with technology and the demand for user friendly, attractive websites increases dramatically, so do opportunities for exploitation. Propaganda is not new. It has been used for centuries as a tool of influence; particularly of less educated and economically stressed people, by those who would maintain power. We have the weight of history to bear this out: just look at how slave owners used Romans 13 to justify the Fugitive Slave Act, or how the Russian Bolsheviks used propaganda to overthrow Nicholas II in 1917. We have been warned in so many ways that a house divided cannot stand, but still refuse to listen. It’s not surprising that once again, in the face of entrenched racial tension, we find ourselves all the worse for it. A foreign power chose our 2016 Presidential Election to make a statement and prove to us that we are our own problem. Many people are still in denial, refusing to believe the truth about our society: that racism erodes the strength of our country and makes us vulnerable. Can it possibly make sense to condone or even encourage it? Imagine how strong our country would be if we stood together, if we truly loved our neighbors, and stopped fighting each other long enough to pay attention to the real threats we face. Now more than ever, we need to address racism at every level in our communities. We need to recognize the true nature of how it affects the oppressed and act accordingly. As Sherrilyn states, “Our enemies know that race makes us our own worst enemy. It is past time we learn this ourselves.” We can’t let propaganda lead us blindly to act on our worst impulses. Especially when it looks and sounds appealing.

How a Graffiti Artist Turned Photographer is Taking a Stand and Changing the World

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/its-time-to-face-the-facts-racism-is-a-national-security-issue/2018/12/18/f9746466-02e8-11e9-b5df-5d3874f1ac36_story.html?utm_term=.1d54b546deee