ISOM SYMBOLIC ART

Saturday, January 22, 2022

From the archives. Still life just like real life. Circa 1970.

Friday, January 21, 2022

From the Brad Wisenstein collection

Watercolor and India ink. Circa 1990

Airbrush on wood collage. Circa 1990

India ink on paper. Circa 1990

Thursday, January 20, 2022

At ubi materia, ibi Geometria.

“Where there is matter, there is geometry.” Johannes Kepler

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

Acrylic marker drawings.

Acrylic markers on black canvas paper 9" X 12"

Isom symbolic Poetry

Journey

Mind is ever haunted

Time is always doubt

Purpose of my journey

Old age is now sight

Death is always near

Man in pain

Curious man and a broken watch

Time without need or relevance

Sight

Looking at stars

Eyes wide open

No rays in sight

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

Recently, I have been posting about my art teaching philosophy and experience as an art educator. I am very happy that the posts have generated some interest. I have always considered myself an art educator and not an artist. Simply, I am someone who makes art. Making art is not a difficult activity and does not require special training. Art teaching is about setting a condition for art to happen. As parents we buy crayons, paints, an all sorts of craft items. Children participate in countless poster and drawing contests. This burst of art suddenly starts to subside about the sixth grade and fades away for most students. This is the point at which the art baton is handed to the art instructor. Unfortunately, there is often no art teacher to assume the art leadership role. Many parents do continue to provide a creative outlet separate and apart from the school system.

Monday, January 17, 2022

Natural world

The primary influence on my work is the natural world, from the expanse of space to the microscopic view of structures. I am not interested in reproducing what I see. Instead I am seeking a way to go beyond the world of nature and into the place between what we can see and what we cannot.

My interest, at either end of this spectrum of this reality, continues to feed my imagination.

Dans l'air fermée...and innocent parody.

Plein air painting seems to be the “ art du jour”. Plein air is a term derived from the French phrase en plein air, which literally means 'in the open air'. It's a familiar concept today, but in the late 1800s when the impressionists ventured out of their studios into nature to investigate and capture the effects of sunlight and different times of days on a subject, it was quite revolutionary. However, it is not quite so revolutionary today.

My art is called “studio art” which is art produce in a studio setting. Studio art is not revolutionary today and it is a quaint reminder of an artist in his cluttered studio, lined with plaster busts and manikin models to help him in his academic studies.

I decided to describe my work as Dans l'air fermée. Dans l'air fermée is a French expression which means "in the closed air" and it is used to describe the act of painting/ drawing indoors. which is also called La peinture avec l'esprit ("painting with the mind” or what the minds’s eye actually sees”) This type of art, generally does not require a classical studio, photographs, copy devises etc. All you need is a computer, a few sharpies and the desire to draw objects, symbols and images from the subconscious mind.

Isom Symbolic Art prints

Prints of art work posted on this blog are available for purchase. Please email if you are interested.

The prints offered for sale are printed on a HP Envy 5420 in house on 8-1/2” X 11” paper. For all practical purposes the prints are artist proof’s and printed in limited numbers. The prints are not archival prints but printed on good quality bond or photographic paper. The prints are signed/dated and make my work available to a wider audience and serve as an introduction to my work.

What is important to note is that the artist proof prints are of the same quality, type, media etc as the regular edition (unless of course the artist declares otherwise). The only difference between them is the restricted quantity of prints bearing the A/P designation. Traditionally, the artist was very involved in the printmaking process. As the first “proofs” were either pulled or printed, the artist would work out the color and quality issues as they came out of the press.

Note: Signed and numbered digital prints on archival paper are available at my gallery. They are generally printed in editions of ten.

Definition:

Modern printing methods such as laser and ink-jet printing are known as digital printing. In digital printing, an image is sent directly to the printer using digital files such as PDFs and those from graphics software such as Illustrator and InDesign. This eliminates the need for a printing plate, which is used in offset printing, which can save money and time.

Without the need to create a plate, digital printing has brought about fast turnaround times and printing on demand.

Instead of having to print large, pre-determined runs, requests can be made for as little as one print. While traditional printing techniques result in slightly better quality prints, digital methods are being worked on at a fast rate to improve quality and lower costs.

Sunday, January 16, 2022

Earth poem

The Isom Asemic Code Cipher is a cryptogram code system. This form of cipher embodies geometric and organic shapes. Because it use basic shapes it is an economical and effective method of transmitting confidential information. These devices were often employed by the ancients or by the Medieval philosophers and alchemists. The mystics of the Middle Ages used a system of cryptography which concealed the secrets of the human soul. The Isom Asemic Code Cipher can only be decoded by individuals versed in the deep philosophic principles upon which many mystics based their theories of life. Much information relating to the invisible nature of man is hidden under what seems to be mere scribbles and unrecognizable organic shapes. Every student of symbolism and philosophy should be acquainted with the underlying principles of cryptography. This art furnishes a fascinating method of developing an acute mental awareness. Discrimination and observation are indispensable to the person seeking knowledge, and no study is equal to cryptography as a means of invigorating these powers

Atemporality

Today’s Hand Mind Internet Vocabulary: Atemporality

“The concept of internet-induced "atemporality" was coined by science fiction writer William Gibson, author of the cyber/adventure novel Neuromancer. Gibson reasoned that the internet made time disappear in a way, since all periods of history (or art history) are immediately available to anyone cruising the web.”

http://www.nj.com/entertainment/arts/index.ssf/2014/12/art_review_forever_now--contemporary_painting_in_an_atemporal_world_at_the_museum_of_modern_art.html

Doodling and sketching everyday

For most of my life I did not think of myself as creative at all. Then, many years ago, I started doodling and sketching everyday. I filled countless sketchbooks with scribbles and notes. Each day in class I worked alongside my students making art and after school I worked with students constructing sets for plays. I made art with my children and grandchildren. I made art that covered the walls in our homes. I collected junk and filled the garage and studios with art. My motivation was simply filling my life with art. I found myself in a role where I needed to be creative each day, developing new ideas for class projects and home projects. Creativity is important for many reasons. It is a path and process for not getting stuck in old habits and ineffective ways of seeing yourself and the world. Creativity can help with problem solving, with creating healthier relationships, and with having a healthier and happier life.

What I learned is that creativity isn’t something that you have or don’t have. It is something that you can nurture and develop.