A Journey of Incompletion

To save on parking fees at school, I chose to park far away and walk to campus. During these walks, I took a point-and-shoot camera with me to capture the view beneath my feet of the San Marcos landscape.  I noticed the detailed patterns of the San Marcos land, the different textures of the earth, and the bright colors of the plants. With every step, I discovered more of the natural beauty around me, from the dark soil to the tiny plants emerging from the earth.  

78666 is an unfinished project that I have been working on since 2014. The last steps are to scan the film, edit it, and sort it by season. Sadly, these materials have been sitting in a box for ten years, collecting dust and waiting for me to get to them. I could list many reasons for the lack of progress, but I realize that different stages of my life slowed me down and caused changes that took my focus away.

I want to finish this project because I see it as a way to close this chapter of my life. Yet, I often wonder if this project has naturally come to an end. The fact that it remains unfinished symbolizes the challenges I faced during that time.

My life changed suddenly, leading to unexpected situations that changed my path. This realization encourages me to think about how those experiences impacted me, indicating that sometimes it's just as vital to let go as it is to finish what we started.

Click Here: 78666

Point-and-shoot camera, Scanned Film

My Curated Space

I reached out to one of the photographers I have known through a collective, requesting if he would be willing to create a print for my collection, intended for a future gallery space on my wall. Over the years, I have gathered several pieces from photographers with whom I have built connections, and this personal relationship enhances the value of each artwork for me. Knowing that these photographers are individuals I have encountered frequently adds a layer of significance to the pieces, as they represent not just artistic expression, but also the shared experiences and memories we have formed together. This collection is not merely about the photographs themselves, but about the stories and relationships behind them, making each addition a meaningful contribution to my curated space.


Photographer: Christopher Newland

Portfolio: https://www.cmnewland.com/

3 questions to Michael Earney // Photorealism & Hyperrealism Painter

"Within our shared world view perceptions differ greatly from person to person. We can never really know what another sees, even when we agree about what we are seeing. Reality is no more than an interpretation. In many respects the images in my paintings are there to entice the viewer's attention until the perceptual biases loosen and a change occurs. The line between reality and non-reality is readily crossed, given the right stimulus. These paintings of the overlooked and unusual might present an opportunity for opening to the boundless mystery that surrounds us."

Q: Tell me about your work? What are you currently working on? How is this different from past projects?

A: I am currently working on A to Z of Wildflowers. This follows the A to Z of Weeds and Other Useful Plants, which follows the A to Z of Birds… obviously there is a pattern here, though. I have not done anything like it before. My Magic Faces, Caras Magicas is a collection of the series of Mexican masks I painted. I had no intention to do a book of them. Yet having written short pieces for each of the paintings (which were translated into Spanish) that were posted beside each painting when exhibited resulted in expanding the text and ultimately created the book. Having a didactic streak, all of my work has been a learning process which is then turned into a teaching object; or at least an attempt to pass on some of what I have learned. I have had the tendency to work in series, that is, once I become interested in a subject I explore it as  far as I can. Working in clay and painting I had no thought of involving other media but making films involves many different media, writing, sound, editing, movement, music, etc. This is probably where I came to see that including different aspects of creativity affords more possibilities to express oneself. The latest manifestation of this are the books.

Q: How did you decide to become an artist? Why art?

A: Making art is the only thing I've been good at and enjoyed. I know it's common to hear, "I was born to be an artist”. I never felt this. I didn't make any particular choice. I never called myself an artist until required to put ‘’occupation'' on forms, but I've hardly ever done anything else.

Q: What art do you most identify with? Who are some of the artists you enjoy?

A: I don't spend much time looking at art. I admire the work of all the greats whose work has earned them the recognition they deserve.

 

Young Bananas  36" x 24"

                   Laughing Calavera  48"x31"

                 Star Crown 31"x24"

Ricky's Easter 24"x36"