New Bag

April 6th, 2009 at 02:55pm mcgillc

I will take pics of the new bag on Sunday and post them but for now, a description of the day will suffice.

I found another great bag on craigslist for $35. Same kind of staff bag as The Cadillac that usually sells for $200-$300. People ask me all the time if I begin with a theme or an idea. My answer is usually that I have a vague theme in mind but its flexible.  After researching the net for some images a “theme” started to emerge – The Juxtaposition of Minstrel and Black Panther Party.

I found a brief history of the Minstrel art form and it basically supported the notion of the characterizations of black people by white entertainers took a firm hold on the imaginations of the American psyche.So much so that perceptions and expectations were formed and blacks were then expected to act accordingly regardless of their background, upbringing, education or economic status. The article ended by saying that these perceptions continue to this day.

So I began this bag with that notion in mind and wanted to take the stereotype from both ends of the spectrum and explore everything in between. The bag has a very interesting start and I am anxious to get started on Sunday.

Many people came to the studio and again, the interest, curiosity and general replies of the beauty of the bags, was pretty consistent all day. One couple said that being able to sit and talk about process and get more insight into the work made their museum visit all the better. It was something they hadnt expected but were very pleased they had the opportunity to dialogue about the creative process, specific tot heir visit and in general. All in all, it was another very positive and revealing day.

Sunday cant come soon enough for me.

Entry Filed under: in the studio