… once asked me if I ever thought about how much easier my life might be if I had gone with a 3×3, a 4×4 … anything less than 25 squares. Sometimes I think of it and chuckle when I’m midway through something. There is something really … zen? or meditative, I guess, about doing the same thing 25 times in a row, or 125 times, or whatever it is. But yes, I’d probably be closer to done right now. I drew all the stars by hand.
This is a work-in-progess, a gouache of a 5×5 with a US Air Force theme, circa 1942. There will be white stars in blue circles, with a blue circle contained within the stars. Just like this one.
Heard from Seth lately? I used to talk to him on the phone every once in awhile and last I heard he was stationed in San Diego.
Gabe Says:
February 1st, 2006 at 9:07 pmVisit Gabe
I have not heard from Seth. I think your work in progress is interesting. I am curious as to what can be done with this whole military theme. Why are you doing it by hand when it seems like what you are emulating is so computerized/refined?
Dave Says:
February 1st, 2006 at 11:02 pmVisit Dave
Part of my vision for all this work is the aftermath of such a mono-corporate culture. When computers won’t have power, and generations of people will have seen no other image than the 5×5. What would still lives be other than 5×5s when the whole world has taken that form, decaying though it is?
I once saw this picture in National Geographic when I was a kid. It was a photo of an African boy who had drawn a Chicago Bulls logo on his t-shirt. It really illustrated the power of brands, but what was so interesting to me was that he had hand-drawn this logo, with lots of errors, just his memory.
I also find it relaxing to do things the hard way sometimes, even though I know how easy it would be to do on the computer.
Seth Says:
January 18th, 2007 at 5:47 pmVisit Seth
How’s it going? I am now in Puerto Rico, still in the Navy, married for 4 years this March. I saw Dave last year, he came out to San Diego and we went to a Pearl Jam concert. I don’t get back to Iowa very often. I think it is awesome art is such a big part of your life. The older I get, the more I realize how important it is to me.
Dave Says:
January 18th, 2007 at 6:06 pmVisit Dave
Hey, Seth! I take it you googled yourself. This was written before I got back in touch with you … how is Puerto Rico treating you?