Artistic Statement I created what would evolve into this site in April 1999. It was a bizarre art experiment just as I was finding my feet as an artist. Sure, there was unoriginality and cliche and predictable trash as many artists produce in their early period. As my life fell apart due to mental illness, I became more bold in the work I created and presented. As I shared more of my personal life with the world, I found myself respected and coveted by strangers at the very time I felt less worthwhile than ever before. In a fit of unrest, I deleted almost all personal information from my website with a dedication to make it all about the art. Consequently, the site's popularity plummeted. It cratered for a bit. I kept my head down and kept working to improve my craft. Over time, the site found a new audience. I thought I had x'd myself out of my artwork but, in a very fitting way, I had started using the art to get in touch with myself. I find myself sharing as much of myself now as I ever did when posting copious amounts of autobiographical information. There's something special about sharing yourself through fiction and misdirection. There's something secretly thrilling about feeding a helping of bitterness with the sweet and people responding positively. Have I improved? Mentally: Absolutely. Despite chronic bi polar disorder and a few run-in's with agoraphobia, I essentially leave a stable and normal life. Artistically: More than I ever could have predicted. This site has been rewarding to me for so many years and I find that lately it's better than ever. Now that people are responding more to Josh the Artist, rather than Josh the Phobic, Josh the Broken-Hearted, Josh the Recovering Addict, and a host of other roles I have occupied in peoples' minds; I find that it is exactly what I've always wanted. This site may seem to be a gift for you but it is more so a gift for me. Thank you for visiting. Influences Blake Schwarzenbach |