Bloggers, Tweeters, and Facebookers around the world are jailed for their pro-democracy activism, yet barely half the eligible voters in the U.S. care to cast a ballot. Online a different story unfolds—Journalism 2.0 meets Government 2.0 in an attempt to re-invigorate American democracy.
AMERICAN SPRING explores what democracy looks like in the 21st century as cell phones, laptops, and an ever-expanding toolkit of apps changes the power dynamic between citizens, the media, and politicians.
To hear the voice of someone being born is to hear the echo of the origin of all things. It is also to hear a passionate song. At birth, a baby does not cry only because it is natural. His voice is a medium through which he is establishing a bridge open to society, culture and love.
– Carlos Fuentes
People have asked me about where I get my ideas for my artwork.
Ideas just happen. There is no conscious process for me. The creative process always begins with what I think of as a pressure, a basic need to create. This pressure makes me feel alive, passionate. Ideas are there for the grabbing. The process of delivering it to the camera or to the canvas can be painful but only because of my own doubts or not being quite able to produce what my mind envisions; however, when complete the process is almost always very satisfying.
I know that a part of what I do for ideas comes from being aware; everything that I encounter in my daily life has the possibility of springing forth an idea for a painting or photograph. I know that interacting with friends, other artists, and people influences me but I am also influenced by things that I see; movies, videos, or the daily walk. All of these things can generate ideas.
The classical expression of an idea is a drawing of the old fashioned light bulb. To me, the use of the light bulb in this context is recognition that it’s the energy of life that brings forth ideas. Everyone is capable of ideas.
I can tell you that I do know what hinders new ideas. It is doubts, fears, and uncertainties. When I think about it, it’s the one thing that I’ve seen that limits people the most. Thoughts like, “This is not good enough.” Or “ It doesn’t compare to what (person’s name) is doing or has done.” Or “What would (family, friends, other artist) think?” I’ve known some incredibly good artists in my life who have limited themselves because of these questions or questions that are very similar.
I do have an answer to those who doubt themselves and think that their ideas are not worthy of expression. Just like a child’s cries are a means for it to create a bridge to its society, culture, or discover love – scream! Yes, scream! Express your Ideas! Do your art! It’s worthy, it’s beautiful, it’s what ever you want it to be but it’s your one connection, your bridge to all that can be.