Artist Statement 7-7-08

My name is Kenneth Stockwell. I am an artist living in sacramento california. I just got my AA degree in art and social science but im not done with my education in art. in fact currently for the summer I am working in an acrylic painting / watercolor class at sacramento city college. I help students with disabilities in art as well as make my own art at the same time. It is a dream job. but like every situation we get bogged down, but topple them in the end in reflection. right? but an art job is what I wanted and I have been in community college for the last 5 years after high school sadlly, but I am doing the best I can. and I can now say that I have an art degree, even though it is an AA. whatever. I will be looking only for jobs in my field from now on. no more crap labor jobs that I hate. of course, art jobs really can be labor, the fact that It is what I was working for and that it is my field makes all the difference. It stimulates my being and motivates me to create my art. My art... what was my message anyway? i lost my point and now i am just making what i make and it continues to change, Now i realize that my learning has not even started to mature at all. but that awarness is a step forward that in itself has matured my art to a new level . but it is a life long journey,. I have an art show this weekend. I need to make it a good one. my focus is on abstract non representational mixed with the figure and the representational. sometimes it is all about the process, about the creating moment. in other creative activities it is mindless and escapist. but i am changing from moment to moment trying to find out what i can use my art to do for me in my life to make me feel right. I dont want to feel bad and so i believe in art as therapy as a thing to do when i am bored and yet also something to do when I am not bored. it is a daily activity. ups and downs and it seems to be never ending. only sometimes I am more aware of being an artist  at times. other times I hide my art and do not try to sell it or show it. I treat it like a play thing. a private thing. and it is. it is my journey and i get tired of critiques and opinions. but i never really stop being an artist. in any aspect of my life and whatever i do i am createing and manipulating my physical surrounding. That is what my art is about somewhat for this moment.