The Atheist Factor
An interesting (but short) interview between Bill O’Reilly and world famous Atheist Richard Dawkins. Regular readers (both of you) know that I’m a big O’Reilly fan, but I have to say that I wish Bill would’ve given Mr. Dawkins a couple more minutes. The subject of Atheism in the world is very interesting, and misunderstood, and it felt like Bill wasn’t taking it too seriously. Anyway, here it is. Enjoy!
Here’s a portrait of O’Reilly I did. Have a look.
Godless? Me?
Just wanted to make mention that I’m included i the latest Carnival of the Godless over at the Neural Gourmet. Check it out. You know you wanna.
Are You Ready For Some Football?
Here we have what may be a somewhat marketable piece of “sports memorabilia”. It’s a double portrait of Washington Redskins Fullback Mike Sellers. I actually think that this turned out pretty good! I’m becoming much more comfortable with vectors, and I’m really enjoying them! You can really make some great art with this medium.
The thumbnail is only a small part of the whole piece. As always, click the image to enlarge and enjoy!
Happy Easter
Happy Easter everyone.
Click the image to enlarge.
UPDATE: 3/22/08-
Well, I guess this post is ranking pretty well in Google since it’s really the only post of mine that has garnered any real response from the blogoshpere. Thank all of you for commenting below. As an artist, it is highly gratifying to know that I’ve made people think, or feel emotion, or be moved one way or another. Some of you like this piece, some of you hate it, but everyone who’s commented has been moved somehow. That is what every artist strives to do with their work.
Thank you, and again, Happy Easter.
~C. Dowd
UPDATE 2: 3/22/08-
BTW, while you’re here, please take a moment to check out some of my other art on this blog, or in my official online portfolio. Thanks!
Remembering Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain was a great influence in my life. Today, April 8th, is the day that he was reported dead, and the media went nuts. MTV actually stopped what they were doing and went to Kurt Loder, live in the studio, for the entire day. It was unheard of for MTV, but Cobain was really the biggest thing to happen to popular music since the Beatles. If you ask me, nobody’s even come close since.
Here’s a recent portrait I did. Hope ya like it.
Here’s a great little youtube vid some guy put together. Enjoy!
I still get a little choked up when I watch that Unplugged performance.
Chocolate Jesus And Other Delicious Things
Cruising around the blogosphere I caught a post from local blogger CrabLaw about that chocolate Jesus. He actually got into a bit of a "blogger duel" with somebody I never heard of over whether or not the Chocolate Jesus was offensive or not. I couldn’t help but chime in. Here’s what I said:
As an artist, and an atheist, I can see the true intent of the artist in question. The true intent of the artist is *shocker* to offend!
What a great way to get some recognition in the art world! Hang Jesus’ chocolate ding-a-ling in a NYC hotel! Brilliant!
Remember "Piss-Christ"? The exact same thing.
As to this quote-"The self-appointed privilege of some artists to "make you think" assumes an arrogant, one-way door model of communication in which the observer of the art is, I guess, supposed to absorb the artist’s gentle rain flowing down from Mount Olympus, and never question or object when it smells like urine.", yeah you’re right! Artists ARE arrogant!
It’s been my experience that the large majority of the artistic community is little more than a group of spoiled, arrogant, punks. It’s all part of the romanticized stereotype of the starving artist.
In art schools, it is often taught that the artists’ role in the world is to question the norm, and to be provocative. To a "real" artist, watercolor birds are NOT art. Chocolate Jesus, definitely is.
Was it right for the artist to knowingly create such an offensive piece? Well sure it was. Freedom of speech, etc. In America, you have the right to be a douche-bag if you so choose.
Was it right for the hotel to display it? Well it probably was a bad business decision, but it’s well within their right to display whatever art they want. I bet they’ll be hanging those watercolor birds from now on though.
In conclusion:
Anyone who thinks that this was not designed to offend, isn’t being honest.Anyone who is truly offended by it, well that’s too bad. Stay at another hotel.
And anyone who threatens the artists’ or the hotel managements’ life, is either a religious zealot, or a redneck.
Me? I say God is imaginary so what’s the difference? ;-D
The whole thing got me thinking. All of these religious types are WAAAAAAAAAAAYYYY to sensitive. I mean, you hang a chocolate Jesus and the Christians go ape-sh*t. You print a cartoon of Allah and the Muslims firebomb the whole damn city. It’s ponderous, man.
Anyway, everyone involved decided to take down CJ (chocolate Jesus). I’m wondering what they’re gonna do with him now? I mean, that thing could be broken up and given to an orphanage for Easter. Those kids NEVER get any candy, they’d LOVE it! I can see it now, smiling faces, sticky chocolate covered fingers, what fun! I’m guessing that none of them would want to eat CJ’s chocolate penis tho. Maybe they could save that piece for one of those creepy, kid-touching priests. They love Easter too!