Helping Make a Differance

 I believe in the potential of imagination, creativity, community and culture. As a dedicated professional artist, business owner and educator I have enjoyed the energy and creative environment of Pioneer Square for many decades and as a member of the creative community, I have shared my artistic experience to inform, encourage and ennoble that environment.
 
 I have been a professional fine artist since 1978, having lived and created in Pioneer Square for 31 years. As a visual artist I have created within the disciplines of painting, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, textiles, installation, performance and music. I have also worked extensively in digital graphics, photography, audio, video and 3d. I have displayed my artworks in group and solo gallery and museum exhibitions.
 
 I have worked in areas that would be considered cutting edge and avant-garde. For five years beginning in 1997, I worked with digital technology in the field of Music Visualization. The compositions I created were performed in venues, including MOMA, MTV, 25th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Awards, California Music Awards and MacWorld NY and San Francisco. It was groundbreaking, difficult and very interesting. A time I thoroughly enjoyed. But I would like to present another aspect of my career that I feel are deeper in value and more far reaching.
 
 In 1972 I began teaching ceramics at the college level for one year. It was the first time I had instructed and I noticed the results in my students and myself. After receiving my BFA in painting and establishing a working studio while developing my creative skills, I returned to teaching in 1983. I am proud that my creativity has been exhibited in galleries, museums and public events but the energy seemed somewhat static. On a museum wall and also in extended performance, the art, a completed object or effect, has an emotional and intellectual exchange that lasts for a short time. Through teaching, I found a much richer dynamic. I had developed knowledge that I could apply, demonstrate and share, within a dynamic of many individuals with a desire to focus, study and practice. Rather than just exhibiting my knowledge, I could share the potential it contained and see the results in others. I gained new understanding of myself, communication and human nature.
 
 I have taught drawing, painting, ceramics, photography and digital audio and video to students who are eager to grasp fundamentals, engage in the media and practice to create a signature style. I believe that stimulating the imagination forms an attitude of curiosity and wonder that promotes a desire to understand, helping the individual to becomes more involved and informed, with a new broader imaginative language of personal experience, that strengthens the individual and is passed on to the family and community. The power to shape community as well as individuals.

 Since 2004 I have instructed elementary level public school students in after-school programs that provide experience in drawing, painting and ceramics. Because so many public schools have no classes dedicated to these areas of the arts, these students ages 5 to 10, who are such talented visual thinkers, need a space where they can grow through creative experience with support and encouragement.

 The classes of the passed two years emphasize the discovery of creative solutions and learning teamwork. That clay is their medium and that they are artists and the two long tables where they create is their studio. They have responsibility for it. I demonstrate foundation forming, the use of tools and give leadership positions and promote sharing their knowledge and experience with new and younger members. From taking attendance, making sure everyone has clay and tools and for the studio clean-up, these young scholars make their studio and I am sure in the future, their community, function well.

  Each year, as I have developed my fine art skills, I develop my mentoring skills to understand the dynamics of how to bring forth cooperation, respect, creativity and depth of thinking within a group of unique individuals. I have seen what important changes can occur through a hands on arts education. Experience in visual arts, music and theatre help students increase their academic achievements in reading, math and science. These young scholars need to use all of their senses to develop their fullest capabilities.
 
 Sharing the creative experience began early on. My studio, in the 619 Western Avenue Building on the 5th floor along with the hallway Goldshoe Gallery has given access to the public each month for more than 20 years. I have hosted individuals, families, students, artists, collectors and journalists for approximately 250 evenings during ArtWalk. As well as private events and international guests hosted through the World Affairs Council. These evenings have enabled individuals to understand the creative workspace, view artworks, engage in sharing ideas and inspired conversation that stimulates change in themselves and the world around them.

 I am very thankful for my education and knowledge. I can share its energy and see how it enables growth and understanding. But what if I had never learned to read? Then I would not know how to write also. This would be an extreme limitation. I would not be where I am. 

 In this year, 2010, I have joined in supporting the Central Asia Institute in their efforts to further the educational possibilities for students in Pakistan and Afghanistan by building schools with local participation in remote rural areas. The building of schools, where there were none before, has resulted in substantial long lasting improvements for these communities. I believe that books, notebooks and pencils can be profound tools for social and economic progress. 

 During each Artwalk evening, while enjoying the arts, individuals can learn more about education, students, teachers and schools and help to support local efforts in their communities and the creative work of the Central Asia Institute. By contributing to an educational effort on the other side of the world I hope that each individual takes a moment to acknowledge the value of their own education and knowledge and support the idea that even in the poorest school districts, having access to basic education and the Arts is an important investment for the creation of a more evolved and creative community and world.

Studio Evening-The Arts & Education

During the first part of this year, 2010, I began fundraising during studio events to support the efforts of a small group based in Bozeman Montana. Headed by a truly inspired individual, Greg Mortenson, the Central Asia Institute has brought education to young children in remote mountain villages of northern Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and the steppes of Mongolia.

I have been an educator since 1972, and I have seen the power of knowledge up close. The wondrous moment when a student first understands and proceeds, exploring new knowledge in their own personal style.

But what if I had never learned to read? Then I would not know how to write also. What an extreme limitation. I would not be where I am today.

I have joined in supporting the Central Asia Institute in their excellent efforts to further the educational possibilities for students in remote villages. The building of schools, where there were none before, has resulted in substantial long lasting improvements for these communities. I believe that books, notebooks and pencils can be profound tools for social and economic progress. 

By contributing to an educational effort on the other side of the world, I hope that each individual takes a moment to acknowledge the value of their own education and knowledge and support the idea that even in the poorest school districts, having access to basic education and the arts is an important investment for the creation of a more evolved and creative community and world.

I read Greg's book, Three Cups of Tea and was very inspired by the fulfilling of a promise and his devoted journey that is transforming a generation through education.

Gaining Alltitude

Sometimes I get stuck in the back of the Cave. Working on ideas, gaining knowledge, creating new projects, rubbing two sticks together to make a fire. A new inspiration to light the way.

So today, I am climbing here behind the controls, to reach a new altitude and put some spinning words into the Planetarium to lift it off the ground into a new perspective of the upper cloud formations of... what has been going on!

Oh, yes, all the stratospheric topics!
I need To update my website too.  And upload a batch of new photos while I am at it.

OK, I have to return to work. More soon!

All the Best, Edd

Temples of Light Iluminate the Whole Year

New ceramic Luminaries from the clay side of my studio are finding homes from Mazama, Washington in the North Cascades to Miller Falls, Massachusetts.

These new creations started several years ago when I was looking for a great holiday subject to teach grade school scholars. Something magical. There were always snowmen and the usual season ideas and we had done winter scenes with mirror for a skating rink dusted with white glitter for snow.

I came up with an idea for a Temple-house with a candle inside. It used all the techniques the scholars from kindergarten to fourth grade had learned. The pancake (the base or land), rolling pin flattened slabs (the wall) and a pinch pot (the domed roof). I did a quick demonstration for them and they were ready. Here is my first luminary Temple.

Over the years I have kept building these Luminary Temples in my studio in Pioneer Square.

They are great for the whole year but especially during the darker winter days. They have a special magic when a votive candle is slid in the backdoor and the golden light shines through the door, windows and decorative holes that fill with clear glaze and become diamonds of light.

The newest Luminary Temples along with previous ones are porcelain with clear glaze and new glazes to promote crackle in the glaze. I find they make the best gifts. They are unique, hand made and have a special magic.

You can view the series and purchase them at: http://www.eddcox.com/purchase_luminaries.html

They are a real collectors item and an amazing gift at $35.00.

Have a magical Holiday Season.
All the Best, Edd

Discovering Oil Painting

Painting in oil has become one of the primary means of artistic expression since its development in the 15th century. It provides the artist with many advantages. With linseed oil as the binder for the color pigment, an extended drying time and a durable and flexible paint layer were the most important improvements over previous media along with many qualities of painted surface resulting in smooth to rich thick impasto brushwork. Extended drying time gave the artist time to rework and blend paint layers into fine gradations called chiaroscuro and impasto gave portions of the painting a dimensional texture that expressed the painters paint application style. The artist, in the later stages of painting, could use a medium of oil to create glazes of transparent color to enhance the color and surface of the painting, creating an incredible likeness of the real world.

Artists have used the medium of oil paint through the centuries to extend its possibilities in technique and style. From the classical masters to the current contemporary masters it provides an enduring media in the visual arts.

When I first started learning painting in oil, I was 16. I had gained experience from paint by number sets. It was wonderful to fill in the shapes and have a painting of a schooner on the high seas soon appear. With a strong desire to create my own oil paintings I acquired a set if oils, brushes and a bottle of linseed oil and a pint of turpentine. I painted on canvas panels and figured this was all I needed and began painting. There were no art museums and very few galleries in my city, so for inspiration in my solo efforts I subscribed to the Time/Life Art Library series of books on artists. Each month a new book would arrive. One month Rembrandt the next month Picasso. It was extraordinarily inspiring as I read of the painters lives and times and viewed their paintings.

One of my first paintings, I remember, took almost a month to dry. I took it outside in the hot sun to speed up the drying. I know now what caused this frustrating result but at the time it was a struggle, to learn the appropriate techniques to gain the results I desired. The library was some help and I filled note books with bits of information on the painting process. I had read about the schools, ateliers, where artists in Europe studied with master painters. I wanted that kind if information. What materials and tools to use, the preparing of canvas and the procedures of applying oil paint to create the ideas I envisioned.

When I went to study at the university, I learned a great deal about art but not about painting. There was much more emphasis on expression rather then technique. But I new enough about the basics and put to practice everything I came across, from building large stretchers, using different canvas grounds, under-painting and over-painting to mixing mediums from oils and exotic resins. Some I preferred and kept, others I discarded. It took a long time.

Practice and desire are the key. I have exhibited in galleries and museums. You can reach your goal by many different approaches. When I began teaching I had to learn the art of sharing my knowledge. This took observation, experiment and time also.

Most all of us learn to ride a bicycle. Shaky, nervous crashes and then we got back up and tried again. Then came a time when we did not even thinking about riding. It was inside of us. Persistence, practice and patience are also tools of the artist.

I have simplified my teaching approach in terms of materials, tools and technique, into a basic foundation that will help beginners in their initial learning. A quality but very affordable supply list and a classical step-by-step approach to creating an oil painting, helps the beginning painter to proceed in confidence, practicing a method that heightens learning and increases ability, in the art of oil painting, for whichever personal style the student will develop.

Edd Cox

Oil Painting Workshop

http://www.eddcox.com/oilpainting_wrkshop.html

POTTERS MUD

Eye! From Earth to Fire the Potter makes Stone.
A Sticky Mess of Slugs and Worms, Pebbles and Pine-cone Chips.
The Ice Walls that Sailed upon Boulders the size of Houses Big.
It Sailed upon and Ground them down upon the Ice Walls course.
And Ground them down first South then back again to North.

Carved out Canyon and Salty Bay and ground down Mountain,
That to this Day, Say in a Covering fine as Silk, a grey and silty Cover.
No, it is not Dirt so common as be it plentiful but Rare.
You will Know It when it Sticks between your Toes and will not be
shaken off like Soil of Terra Firma.

This Stuff does not crumble like a Clod but holds its Shape and Embrace.
Does not loose its Shape but rather Stands its own Proper Form.
Smooth it is and holds onto Oneself.
Yes! Rip off Yourself a Hand full and See! It takes every Touch.
From tracery lines in Palm and Spirals of the Thumbs do Print
as All pressed upon It.

Ya See! Eye, from Long Ago Fire pit, told its Story and Some took Heed.
Thumb pressed Tea Bowl look at Thee!
You warm my Hands around and Empty to my Ear I Hear the Sea.
So what a Mystery You are? First Soft and Willing and so Carefree.
And Now as Hard as Stone, Two Hands Tall filled with Ale for Me!

Kyoto Series Paintings-Near Completion

The four Oil Paintings in the Kyoto Series are in the final stages towards completion. Transparent layers will be added over the impasto foundation and glass mosaic borders will complete the Paintings.