NATE METZ - Art Blog » Damn Good Advice

Damn Good Advice: SIXTEEN

natemetz — Wed, 07 May 2014 14:35:53 +0000

There is nothing very overt about the provocative nature of my photographs. Often, they are beautiful moments of color, line, form, and texture. I do find, though, as I continue to submit work and meet other artists and converse with gallery folk that my work isn’t Photography with a capital P. It’s unexpected in some ways because it’s not how most people would use a camera. For example, these tidal lines are rather unassuming perhaps, but I see a delicacy worthy of framing. But, no, you say, it’s pedestrian at best– lacks varying qualities of color, depth of field, and these five other technical aspects of a Photograph.

This is my brand, my photography. I’m not overly intricate or technical in my approach, although my perfectionism may ask me to lean that way at times. I challenge your classic and traditional view of photography, and that’s my style of provocation. I do not accept any established definition of what art should be. I own my expression fully. These prints are for sale because they are worth money and would look great hanging on your wall or even a 4×6 on your desk. If you already know me, then this diatribe is not news. If you’re new to Nate World, now you know!

Needless to say, I do already embrace this Damn Good Advice and follow it unconsciously. Being a cultural provocateur is an archetype repeated throughout many areas of my life. It isn’t easy and I don’t know that I would pick it out for myself if I had a deck to choose from because it is an ongoing challenge. It requires great strength and courage to think freely and remain centered so that I can continue to honor the pure place of my creativity. I’m glad seasoned creators like Lois can ask younger generations to continue to push boundaries and reinvent the art world.

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Damn Good Advice: FIFTEEN

natemetz — Sun, 24 Nov 2013 22:43:05 +0000

There is something honorable and humble about recognizing the origin of creativity as separate from the ego and conscious thoughts. I am surprised that Lois was able to draw this conclusion after so subtly establishing his own expertise in advertising. Most creative geniuses are masters of craft and worship their own greatness. The Great Idea does indeed exist independently of our 3D world and we are able to tap into the creative realms, channel the ideas, use our minds and hands to mold them into tangibles, and make art. It is quite mythical, yes, Lois, and magical I’d even say.

I also support the notion that creative people are more in touch with reality and are able to generate dialogues about any given subject. We are also more in tune with ourselves– our minds, hearts, and souls. We are a step ahead, prompting you to discuss and ponder. Great artists have a voice to guide a viewer through our work. Our function ahead of the curve is merely that, to show a way through and by. Art must be viewed. It is a spiritual experience to view art because it connects people, ideas, places, and more art to become something meta and great.

I am blessed and grateful for how I see and capture the world in photographs. I capture beauty in both pedestrian and worldly abstract botanicals and street life. It is with a great spirit of discovery that I share my camera lens with all of you. I spoke of it during my gallery talk at the Summer Streets opening reception. It is very rewarding to go on a walkabout with my camera, see beauty everywhere I go, and capture the fleeting moments of changing light and reflections. It is spiritually nourishing to know whatever I do capture will make beautiful photographs unexpected and enchanting.

My abstract and minimalist work is often retorted with the low blow that “I could do that…” But, you don’t and you haven’t. That’s the intrinsic value in my work. It’s what you pay for: the guide, the artist, a channel and medium to creativity that shows you the beautiful things that you don’t stop to ponder and enjoy. I show you just how much beauty surrounds us that you were previously too busy to enjoy. So pick up a copy of my book, browse my galleries, like me on Facebook and continue to immerse yourself in my findings. I love to show you what I see, how I see it, when I see it, begging you to ask why you see it. My creative abilities are a gift for us all and part of the spiritual chain that links us together in this blessed life.

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DAMN GOOD ADVICE: Fourteen

natemetz — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 13:59:24 +0000

“Wouldn’t it be great if we could predict the future?”

“Can you imagine how much power, fame, and wealth you could amass if you knew before everyone else what the key product would be?”

“Can’t you find comfort, safety, and reassurance in knowing what you create would be well-received?”

It’s all the talk of trends. I have not yet been exposed to photography trends, although I am sure if I were to read photography publications more devoutly my inner dialogue would be inundated with the jabber of the next best thing. I find it preposterous to pay X amount of dollars to whatever institution to tell me the direction of the market and how my work should follow *if* I want to be recognized, significant, or displayed in a gallery. I much prefer to blaze my own trail so to speak. I agree with Lois’ sentiment: “the fact that others are moving in a certain direction is always proof positive…that a new direction is the only direction.” To follow it one step further, I believe that if I am going to create artwork and photography that I market as original, Nate Metz work then it should come from my mind unadulterated by marketing savvy professionals. I have to maintain an integrity to my work, my point of view, and who I am as an artist. I believe in my work. My work sells. The first part of making great art is that I believe in the creation. I am not an artist who creates in line with the trend for the sake of selling art. Can you argue that it is harder this way? You may, but I think it is easier to please myself before trying to please the rest of the world. I am unable to kowtow and pay lip service to any trend if I first did not believe it myself. Here are some trends that I do embrace:

1) digital photography i/o film

2) the green movement

3) world peace

4) a global spiritual awakening

At one time, though, I paid money to learn how to forecast trends and in turn was paid to follow them. I flipped through hundreds of glossy magazines to stay aware of what was going on and where we were going. These experiences working with trends came while working in the fashion industry. Trends are a big part of the industry for the big conglomerates who want to appear as though they have their finger on the pulse of fashion. It is a lot like a popular high school click as they pick who or what’s in and out. During those 6 years, I found trends to be a lot of fluff. I read vague generalizations about how in two years, it’ll be all about comfort, chic style lines, femininity, and futuristic. And as different trend houses preached the coming days it is obvious that different designers followed the advice and amazingly in two years most everyone was right on point. Not. It was just a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Here are some images of a “future” collection I had created based on some trend research.

In retrospect, it is much easier to identify trends in a creative field. Just add up the number of people who did what over x amount of time. But, if you subscribe to the future-casting world of trends, then you are trapped because you have to go in the direction you bought into back then. Your world very easily becomes a convoluted Back to the Future mess. So follow the advice, follow your big ideas, make them reality, and everyone who follows in your footsteps will by default be on the trend they seek.

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Damn Good Advice – THIRTEEN

natemetz — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 00:13:41 +0000

I can say that I am guilty of it: google. I’ll be in the midst of a brainstorming session and I start to google my ideas. Sometimes I’m checking to see if it’s been done before and take a litmus on my originality. Sometimes I’m having trouble connecting some ideas and look to see what other people think on the subject. And, other times, I cannot articulate my thoughts so I mind map on google images and help myself see. Lastly, I google myself (name, art, business) to check on my SEO and visibility.

So if you’re not tinkering on a computer, as George Lois so vaguely puts it, where do you find the big idea? He doesn’t offer up any suggestions. Rereading his tagline, I see he is merely pointing out that one should not expect a computer to do the work. One must still put forth the effort to procure the big idea. As the illustration on the page says: “DUH!” I’m not sure that this is really great advice though for any creative individual. We already know this fact: ideas come from within ourselves.

When I meditate, dream, or set forth the intention to solve a creative problem, develop a big idea, or embark on a new creative project, it always comes from within my being. It is spiritual. Sometimes I feel it in my heart. Sometimes I think in new ways that challenges my beliefs. And, other times, the big idea explodes with such a tremendous force that the fountainhead remains shadowed by the idea itself. I do not question my intuition when it leads me to a great idea. Because I trust the process of my artwork and photography, the big idea blooms like a flower. It just happens. And then with a series of computer tricks, contents, and forms my computer delivers it to the world to share all of it’s glory.

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Damn Good Advice – TWELVE

natemetz — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 13:49:12 +0000

This post is a two-parter. The supreme court was presented with a case this week challenge benefits for gay couples. It’s part of a larger political struggle for equal rights for gays and gay marriage. Social media was inundated with red “equals” signs in support of gay rights. As a gay man and philosopher I do have some very strong opinions about the subject. But, that will not be the discussion here. Lois’ advice hits me strong. What is the point in having these strong opinions if I can’t articulate them? How could I ever expect to enter a discussion or dialogue with anyone on the subject? When I added this symbol as my profile picture of Facebook, I couldn’t say why I felt the need to post it. Even now, a few days later, I can’t clearly state my exact opinion. Again, I default to a symbol to demonstrate:

So what about THE ART? I know you’re asking it. Gay marriage is rather off-topic for the blog. Here’s why: the inner turmoil to find words to describe my feelings, to describe the red equals symbol, and the befuddled desire to express emotion is the same pattern of confusion I find when I show new work. The nerves and anxiety still throw me even though I know inside why the work is important, why it’s good, and why I want to share it. My work, though, does not incorporate universal symbols shared through social media. It’s up to me to articulate passionately and succinctly my ideas. I’m gearing up for my first exhibit in June and it is nigh time I start gathering my thoughts on the key images.

Note: I so greatly appreciate how I only look at one entry at a time from the book. And, each time I open it to write my next reflection the advice is so on-point with my art career. If I haven’t yet said it, I do recommend George Lois’ Damn Good Advice as a touchstone for your own personal reflections.

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Damn Good Advice – ELEVEN

natemetz — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 15:22:40 +0000

Congratulations on 100 blog posts!

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DAMN GOOD ADVICE – TEN

natemetz — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 21:28:52 +0000

It’s not very often that text, copy, or any sort of word makes a statement in my photography. Alphanumerics tend to be incidentals.

Behind the work is a different story, though. My favorite brainstorming is mind-mapping: connecting words and phrases in a correlative spiderweb of an idea. Most recently, my idea is translucency. While looking at my photographs in that body of work, the word comes to mind in a subtle way. This use of words is different that the advertising described by George Lois.

The idea that really stands out to me in reflecting on Lois’ first commandment in relation to my own work is the interplay between words and images as a form of communication. Even if my photographs do not include words, when we view them we think in words. There is a translation that occurs when viewing art. Because to say, write, or otherwise express our reaction and feelings about one of my photographs we use words. Furthermore, anytime I submit a body of work I am asked to include an artist statement: words that describe the visual image. At first, I dread writing down the words that would appear to seal the fate of the associated photographs. As I work through my writing process, I try very hard to maintain a sense of open-endedness. My interpretation in the artist statement is never designed to me the final comment.

So yes, the word does indeed come first.

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DAMN GOOD ADVICE – NINE

natemetz — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 13:46:46 +0000

Anything that communicates it’s message in a nanosecond is disposable by nature. This advice is really the first that I digress from in my experience as an artist and a creator. The caveat here being that good art has a hook, a message, some joiner spark that ignites interest in the piece. Whereas, an ad would stop there, art needs something to hold the viewers interest. After all, we don’t print giclees of a McDonald’s big mac add for over the fireplace! If you do, e-mail me. I would love to talk to you more!

Sure, in a crowded gallery or winding museum walls, my work needs to make a statement and communicate a BIG IDEA in that nanosecond. How else would the viewer stop walking? The real kicker is that in addition to the BIG IDEA, it should look like NATE METZ. Branding is important even with art–we call it finding our voice. What I like most about using my voice is talking about truly big ideas about life, philosophy, spirituality, light–not cold medicine or fast food. Let’s be honest, products generally do not fall into the category of being a big idea for the human race. Henceforth, when I refer to BIG IDEA it shall be broader in theme than capitalistic endeavors, products, inventions, and marketing. I am striving for a greater consciousness in my understanding of my work and our world: a truly BIG IDEA.

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Damn Good Advice – EIGHT

natemetz — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 16:00:59 +0000

It is time for some honest reflection on the ideas behind my digital photography. My captures do not always go for the Big Idea. While it’s true, I have been able to get some amazing work together, the bulk of it is safe and “pretty.” I can say all of this because I have not pursued my craft with much seriousness, about all that was required of a good hobby. My more recent work is finding it’s voice and making a statement, for which I am very grateful! And, more importantly, my book AWAKE is a Big Idea. That is one project that really penetrates the mind, touches the heart, and elicits a reaction.

In deeper reflection, art should have purpose. My acrylics and collage work is some of my most pointed work. My spirituality and philosophical musings are much more apparent here, for example:

The connection between body, mind, and spirit / heart, brain, and aura is apparent within the context of a tree. The image easily pulls the viewer around the canvas exploring our personal connectivity.

I can look at my photography and see the deeper themes, but it certainly takes more work on the viewer’s part to explore them. In working with a critique of AWAKE, I can see how some pictures lack intention and purpose. The book works, though, because of the accompanying text. This image is a great example:

This peony if framed on a wall would like some context. The title is ambiguous, although the story is just a personal memory: in a school play, I was Prince Charming and on opening night, I picked a bouquet of white peonies from the garden and gave them to the girl playing Snow White. Isn’t that sweet? I took a different approach though when I published this image. In AWAKE, this is frame 49, stating

We have the power and responsibility to transcend anything in our lives that keeps us from accessing the magnificence of our being.

The soft fullness of the petals create a mystical atmosphere where contemplating transcendence works. Personal power is a Big Idea.

My goals now are to transition from exploring the subjects themselves to exploring artistic concepts. I will not rely any longer on clever titles, backstories, or spiritual text to provide the necessary working context of my photography. I am in the pursuit of higher work: inspiring images without limitation and truly Big Ideas! This is what I’m referencing:

Here the translucency is unexpected, and one of the next concepts I am exploring. I purchased a high-intensity flashlight to help me capture this magical lighting when not naturally available. I will surely share my progress here, so be sure to bookmark my blog!

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Damn Good Advice – SEVEN

natemetz — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 15:38:41 +0000

It seems to be the achilles heel: all the talent in the world, but no work ethic to go anywhere with it. It has been stressed to me time and time again by peers, mentors, and my own experience that being an artist takes a lot of work. But, it is the most rewarding to share yourself with the world in this way, enriching the lives of many. I digress though, George Lois, on working yourself to a burnout day in and day out. In my spiral journey I have to keep my drive in balance with the rest of my being. Certainly there are days that I invest more, but to repeat draining activities day after day negatively impacts my art. I need more than a nights sleep to fully recharge: reading, a salt bath, taking my dog on a hike, flying a kite, chilling with friends, or many other options. I’ve learned that devoting my everything to any one thing is not healthy for my quest to be a whole person. So, yes to a work ethic, no to running myself into the ground.

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