it isn't simply black and white

If there is anything I've overlooked, I would have to say its religion. Going to a Catholic school for twelve years and having it constantly in my surroundings and daily activities, its easily overlooked. Its funny, the themes that seem to be the most present in our lives are often the ones we overlook. To most, religion is black and white. Most believe it is either all right or all wrong, there is never really a middle ground. After being asked what I have overlooked, I've come to this realization that whatever religion your examining, whether it be Christianity or not, is a lot more complex than simply black and white. Its a fascinating part of art and history that has caused crusades and revolutions. It makes some cringe and at the same time moves others into fiery passion. It is not simply, two-toned, black and white, its a multifaceted part of our world and in a way religion is really how you use it. As a designer, I like to use what is around me as the inspiration for my work. Even if something strikes me as negative, I like to take it and reinterpret it into something that speaks to me. Lately, I've been going forth with the idea of religion being black and white. But, I've come to the realisation that sometimes there are not two truths to an idea. The truth is often one side or the other.

just like the perfect little bow

Streets lined with perfect houses and ideal families finding their comfort inside. Where I live, there is one common ideal. Everyone seems to seek out the same things: The big houses, SUV's, high paying positions and 2.5 kids in the suburbs. The people around me seek this perfection in all aspects of their lives. They feel as if these things go along with and somehow make up the ideal, "Christan Family". They interpret religion as being the perfected way of living. In a way, I've forced myself to overlook it because its everything I don't want. Until I started reading Salinger and studying art, I never really tried to look outside this perfectly tied bow that seems to surround me. As an artist, I don't strive to make everything perfect or solely find my inspiration in the common or ideal. The people all around me want everything from relationships to religion to be perfect. Personally, I don't believe perfection should always be the goal. Of course the ideal is typically seen as beautiful but one's artistic aesthetic is much more than seeking to create the ideal. For this piece, I took the idea of a simple bow that represents the way in which some feel the world should be and mixed with a tiny vagabond inspired silhouette. To me, It represents a synthesis of the appearance of perfection around me and my reckless artistic spirit.

its in the reflection

Within the Catholic School that I attend there are a series of mirrors. But, these are not your ordinary school bathroom mirrors. These mirrors have crucifixes detailed upon them. They are this way so that when you look at yourself, you are looking at yourself "through Christ". I understand the allegory in this but many have adapted into overlooking this simple idea. What once was a creative message now just exists as a bother to those who only wish to look at their image. I suppose I've overlooked it, but its somewhat entertaining to watch these people struggle to view themselves through the crucifix upon the mirror. Its a huge contradiction in itself, not that people are necessarily attempting to be. Then again, you can't blame them. Growing up in a culture that forces you into the aesthetic sphere, its easy to overlook the message and beauty in simple surroundings. As a creative thinker, I'm always looking for the meaning beyond the surface. For me, a strong and meaningful design is derived from a liberal approach to examining things beyond their surface. For this design, I took the simple idea of reflection and interpreted into two dark figures looking at one another. I never like to accept things for what they are, I prefer to examine them. Besides, the mirror is suspect in itself. Its seductive and misleading because we never really see what we think we're looking at.