ART:
~40,000-4,000 BCE
The origins of art begin in the Old Stone Age era also referred to as the Paleolithic era- which spans from ~40,0004,000 B.C. The art from this era can be found on rock carvings, wall engravings, stone forma tions, and basic pictures.
The materials used to make the art were de rived from natural re sources in the environ ment. The art depicted was a reflection of the zeitgeist of the Paleothic Stone Age era.
“Ancient Art” was creat ed by advanced civiliza tions which is catego rized as civilizations with a history of a written language like Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, and the indigenous peo ple of the Americas.
The art from this era was same across the globe in many respects. It was used to tell sto ries, capture religious and spiritual events, and display social status. This era is where we get our gods and goddesses.
This era is the blossom ing of human intellect & enlightening break throughs in philosophy, literature, & art. Artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, & Raphael were prominent thought leaders & cre ators.
Art from this era used methods of lighting, shading, precise details, anatomical sculptures, & emotional expression. Romanticism was slowly sprouting up amongst artists creating more dreamy, passionate, & emotional art.
~1848-1900
Realism its roots in France and became a major influence follow ing journalism and pho tography. The work was very detail oriented, with a strong emphasis on painting life like subjects. Gustave Courbet, of France was a major prac titioner in realism, and would paint only what he see with his naked eye.
1950-1960’s
Emerging in the 1950’s in the United Kingdom & eventually spreading to the United States, pop art became valu able in the 1960’s with bold, playful colors, & trendy culture, consist ing of movie stars, rock stars, politicians, & con sumer goods being the foundation of pop art.
Pop art was legitmized by artists: Richard Ham ilton, Andy Warhol, Edu ardo Paolizzi, & others.
The prior genres of art mentioned were es tablished on the back of the style that came before it. As time pro gressed & the economic landscape changed so did art. The 1970’s is the beginning Contem porary art, and is still thriving today in 2022.
The zeitgeist of art changes from time to time but the spirit of the art is wholehearted ly Contemporary.
BY EDDIE WALKER
Science has the capabilities and technology to prove or disprove virtually every hypothesis pre sented. Science receives it’s conclusions based on testable and measurable research, making science a highly honorable and credible source.
But there’s a question that science can’t quite seem to answer even with its renowned crediability and that is “What is creativity?” Let’s examine this shall we.
We have all heard the scientific claim that the right hemisphere of the brain region is responsible for creativity and the left hemi sphere is responsible for logic but when neurologists measured the brain waves of artists painting, the visionary and fine motor areas were heavily lit those two areas of the brain are on opposite sides. So does science really have accuaccu rate data on the matter?
Some scientists speculate that creativity is genetic? Will science one day be able to tell us if there is a certain gene that is the miss ing link to creativity, or series of specific proteins that influence neurological activity that is re sponsible for creativity ulti mately, is it possible that creativi ty is inherited or learned?
Science is able to provide con crete evidence that creativity is beneficial to mental and emotion al health, & also that one's environment has an effect on creative development. But there’s no real answer to what creativity is & where its anatomical origin is. Perhaps in the near future scien future tists will be able replicate creativ ity, helping everyone reach cre ative genius. Just food for thought.
Since the 1940’s art has been prescribed by health care professionals as a means to treat depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bi polar disorder, and much more.
By Eddie Walker
Art therapy has been utilized by health care professionals to treat a plethora of mental disorders—professionals have come to the conclusion that when a traumatic experience happens verbally articulating the ex perience can be a challenge, but with art therapy nonverbal expression is a key component of healing, helping patients consciously and subcon sciously release those stored traumas.
Art therapy began after World War ll, when men returned home to find that their life had been forever altered by their wartimes efforts. Many men suffered from a condition called “shell shock” today that condition is known as post-traumatic stress disorder. As a result doc tors turned to art therapy to help veterans cope with their trauma. Art forms such as painting, sculpting, and sketching were taught to help cope with stress.
Here we are 70 years later, and art is still a working form of therapy. For children who have emotional and/or behavioral disorders, medical professionals recommend art therapy because creating comes natural to most children — and many doctors want to avoid prescribing phar maceutical drugs to children unless under special circumstances and conditions.
As for the modern day adult, art as a form of therapy is still a viable option. Therapists have seen successful outcomes of improved self-ex pression and mood in prisoners, veterans, cancer patients, declining senior citizens, addicts, and teens facing mental health.
Neurologist have found that creating and even observing art can re duce cortisol (stress hormone) by activating the reward centers of the brain, releasing serotonin and dopamine. Brainwave patterns are af fected by the art making process helping with emotional regulation.
Painter, Muralists, Instructor. www.jayasart.com IG: @artchickjaya Sacramento,CA.
aya King is the genuine article of an artist Jaya got her start in the art industry nearly 30 years ago, these days her roots run deep throughout the art community, pro viding her with prolific opportunities to create and collaborate on proj ects of all scopes.
Over the years, Jaya has flourished the roles of in structor, mentor, painter, and muralists.
Jaya King working hard and playing harder.
Prior to covid, Jaya taught color mixing, encaustic, and acrylic courses. Since the return to normalcy, Jaya has been focused on completing more com munity based murals.
One mural in particu lar that will always be dear to Jaya’s heart is the Wellspring Mural. This emotionally epic mural is in the Oak Park neigh borhood in Sacramento, CA-located at the Well spring Women’s Center.
Throughout the process of this mural, Jaya’s over all mission evolved— day after day Jaya’s external progress on the mural, was also reflected inter nally within her. Jaya was able to mentally and emotionally unpack by making special connec tions during the project. Read Jaya’s interview to learn more about who she is, and just how big of an impact the Wellspring mural truly had on her.
I’m Jaya and when I’m not painting I’m usually sitting in front of my computer re searching a project or work ing on a composite design while my bird keeps me company. Tending my plants helps me decompress, though I don’t really have a green thumb. Going to the gym also helps to keep my head clear.
Out of all the things you tried as a youth, what was it about art that turned you on?
I’ve always loved art, from preschool. I could create my own characters and worlds
and disappear in them. I re member in school other kids would come up to me and ask me to show them how to draw. Art was something that set me apart. I can’t remem ber a time in my life when art wasn’t present.
As a child I know middle school and high school were trying times for you, can you explain what art did for you during those trying times?
Art was a total escape. I remember when things were pretty dark I would draw or paint what I was feeling just to get it out of me. I didn’t re alize it at the time but it was therapy. All I knew was that
whatever was going on inside me or around me
if I got it out on paper I wouldn’t feel so bad.
Was or is there anything other than art that moti vates you?
Huge breakthroughs. From a teaching aspect I pivoted to an online teach ing platform and created my own color mixing e-course. It was incredibly challenging from a tech nical standpoint however I learned so much and I’m very proud of it. Quaran tine gave me time to work on personal projects
and build up new painting inventory. I dove further into my portrait project (a series of large scale black and white portraits of people in my life.)
What is your favorite type of projects/pieces to work on?
My favorite is always chang ing. Right now I’m obsessed with murals, however in stu dio I enjoy working on my semi-abstract paintings. I do love working big though, no matter the subject. Big por trait, big wall, big abstract, no matter what it is I have more fun working big.
How do you come up with concepts for your newest upcoming projects/pieces?
With murals it is usually a collaborative effort so the concept is planted in those initial conversations. Some times the direction can be broad such as “colorful” or “nature” which will give me a lot of creative leeway. With murals I think of the intend ed audience or community and that will help me focus in on the subject matter. With my own art I am very texture and color-driven. A color mix or tool can dictate an entire painting process.
As an artist, why do you cre ate, what’s your inspiration?
For me, inspiration chang es daily, project to project, painting to painting. I’m eas ily driven to create just from a color mix, or texture. I can be driving in my car and watch the colors change in the landscape and I’ll imme diately want to recreate those colors in my own abstracted rendition of that landscape. It’s very rare for me to need to search for inspiration. If it’s forced the painting will never be as strong as if it comes naturally.
You recently completed an epic mural for Wellspring Womens Centers, what mo tivated you to take on that mural?
When I read the prospec tus I knew this would be one of those “life changing” projects. When these types of murals pop up I think it’s very important to par ticipate. I knew this project would go beyond just the painting process. This would be an opportunity to make an impact in the commu nity and with the women at Wellspring. Art that makes a difference is a huge motiva tion for me.
For a large mural of that scale how did go about executing this mural?
Because the wall was so rough it was obvious that I would be spraying instead of using a brush. Spray paint is an infinitely faster process than brushwork. I used a projector to get the image up which also cut down on production time. Once community paint day had the base layer down I was able to block out the background with my paint sprayer and house paint, then jump into aerosol. My process is working biggest to small est in terms of surface area on the wall.
If you could of chosen a word during the popcorn sesh for the well spring mural, what would you have chosen? Or what word resonated with you?
The word “family” went pretty deep. A lot of the women describe their friends at the center as their family. They see each other almost daily. Family went deeper than that for me though. Families grow up at Wellspring.
Women who came to Well spring as kids now bring their own children. Well spring has a presence in a family’s generation, from grandmothers to grand children. This resonated with me in multiple ways.
What was the biggest eye opener of working on the wellspring project?
The intergenerational aspect of Wellspring. I thought about the cycle of women entering, but not necessarily exiting, Well spring and it really hit me hard. It made me consider the different opportunities one is born into or out of. It made me consider how our society takes care of itself (or lack thereof.) We have so far to go in terms of macro human kindness. There is a lot of love at Wellspring. It helps make up for our societal short comings in the interim. This was a huge eye-open er.
What has been your biggest accomplishment in your art career?
I’d say it would be my mu ral in Hollywood Park. It was such a huge undertak ing and it also opened the door
or a lot of subsequent oppor tunities for both my team and I. Even though I had done murals before this took it to the next level. It was really a massive launch into this next phase of my career.
If any of these are below standard it can diminish how your work appears.
Want to get on walls?
Reach out to local mural ists and ask if you can assist and learn.
Anything you would like to add? (ie. Words of wisdom? More about your work? Future plans? How people can support you?)
If you want to show your work then submit to as many opportunities that you can afford. Go to all sorts of art shows. Make connections and do research at shows. Present your art as profes sionally as you can. Consider where you’re showing, how your work is hanging, how it’s lit, who you’re show ing with, how (and if) it’s framed.
Good energy attracts good energy. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and want to see you succeed. Anything or any body who brings negativity to your game is a waste of time. Mindset is so import ant and it alone has the power to make or break you. No one else holds that control. Own it, do your superpower, learn, adapt, evolve with every proj ect, failure, success. In my experience, the universe gives back what you put out there.
Lastly, where can people find you?
@artchickjaya jayasart.com or jaya@jayasart.com. Best way to follow/DM me is Instagram. My website is more extensive & showcas es portfolios of my work.
Do you have any advice for new artists looking to begin their new path?
Stelarc is a performance artist born in Cyprus, Australia on June 19, 1946. Stelarc is revolutionizing the way art and sci ence interact- using his body as the experimental canvass.
Stelarc has even gone so far as to get a third ear surgically attached to his left arm. The ear isn’t just for looks, the ear will have Bluetooth and mi crophone capabilities that will allow anyone from anywhere be able to listen in on what is being heard from Stelarc’s surrounding environment.
Artist Robert Smithson has merged art and geographic landmarks to create a monumental masterpiece known as Spiral Jetty which is located off Rozel Point in the north arm of Great Salt Lake. Spiral Jetty is made from black basalt rocks and earth gathered from the Great Salt Lake, Spiral Jetty is a 15-footwide coil that stretches more than 1,500 feet into the lakeone the largest earth scale projects of the 20th century.
Alexis Rockman born was in New York City, 1962, he is an American con temporary artists, who is bringing real world issues to his canvas. Painting important matters such as climate change, genetic engineering, and deforestation. Rockman’s art expresses sincere concern for planet’s future often portraying post apocalyptic themes from our lack of conscious connection to nature.
Nick Hernandez is taking texture art to a whole new level. The Modesto Native, has been creating works of art throughout his entire life. However, it wasn’t until 2019, while in Reykavic, Iceland for his wedding that Nick found the inspiration behind his stunning new collection.
The sleek glossy look and rigid feel from the texture that pops from Nick’s piec es are inspired by real bodies of ice, from the vast terrain of Iceland. Nick’s latest collection now showing at ZK Galley in San Francisco, is titled “Midnights Sun” be cause “During the summer months in Iceland the sun never sets, it just sits along the horizon line creating this beautiful warm light that hits the side of the land scapes," explains Nick.
Nick’s precision to make his pieces appear wet and reflect colorful light is execut ed by paying close attention to detail throughout the creative process, which usu ally comes from concept to completion takes about 3-4 weeks.
Nick’s dedication to his craft is paying off and opening new doors of opportunities. Read the full interview with Nick Hernandez and see just where his art is taking him in the near future.
Whats up Nick? for those who dont know you, share a bit about yourself.
I’m 39 years old and I love to travel and do anything that involves the outdoors. When I’m not in the stu dio painting, I love fol lowing fashion and binge watching current runway shows from all around the world. I get a lot of inspi ration from fashion, espe cially the textiles, textures, and colors.
I was born in Santa Clara California and grew up in Modesto, Ca. I’ve always been a California Native and have lived in LA and NorCal throughout my life.
When did your interest in art begin? & who or what was the major inspiration that led you to becoming an artist?
I can’t pinpoint a specific moment when my interest of art began. Ever since I was a child, I was always drawing and creating things, so I can say it was an innate skill that I had. It wasn’t until I moved to Los Angeles in 2010, that I switched gears from cloth ing design to full time art. My mom who passed away in 2012 was a huge inspi ration to me and always supported me no matter what. I really re evaluated my passions in life and that was the turning point when I pursued my art full-time.
My art is all about the ex perience of viewing it in person. I use exaggerated textures in all my work accompanied with matte acrylics and high gloss res ins. I want the viewer to see different surfaces in each
piece depending on their perspective. The matte and gloss together high light and disguise my work depending on the light source. This is on purpose because it makes the viewer get up close and personal to see all of the dimension and detail.
What drives you to con tinue creating and pursu ing your endeavors year after year?
Everyday is a new chance to create something bril liant. It’s what I wake up for in the morning and what gives me the drive to continue what I do. The fact that I can think of some crazy concept in my head and then run to the studio to make it a reality, is pretty cool! Not many people have that luxury in life, so I’m su per grateful that I can do that.
How do you balance of your personal-life and work-life as an artist?
Simple, I work when I’m not doing anything social! Since my studio is in my backyard, it’s very easy for me to work on my projects out there and then break for my personal time with my husband or friends.
More recently, what are some ways that you were able to grow and seize opportunities with your art?
I have had some great oppor tunities lately with my art. Five years ago I was walking though San Francisco and passed this art gallery that had some in credible pieces on exhibit. I told my partner at the time that one day, I’m going to have my art in here. Time passes by and life happens, and out of the blue, that same gallery contacted me about my work asking if they can display them. I’m currently showing at ZK gallery now in SF!
So far, what is your proudest memory/accomplishment as an artist?
Having my first solo exhibition in Oakland, CA in 2019
was a very proud moment in my career! The amount of support from friends, family and new collectors that were at that show will al ways be a highlight in my life.
Has your career unfolded as you imagined in the beginning? Or has taken on a completely different path? Was it for the worse or better?
My art career is just taking off this year in 2022. I have limited my commissioned artwork to fo cus on my own collection/style and it is paying off. I’m so happy that I’m creating what I want to create and always experimenting with new techniques that elevate my work.
I would want to create a large art installation at Art Basel in Miami. It’s a dream to be a part of Art Basel which is an international art fair with so much exposure. If I had a huge budget, I would love to create something large.
I want my art to evoke conversation, question, and curiosity. My art isn’t po litical, or controversial, but it’s created to add beauty to this world. I want to be an inspiration to other artists who may have doubted themselves and show them that it’s possible to make it out there.
If the year 2022 was a chapter in the book of “Your Life”, what would you title the chapter reflecting back on the year up yo now?
What mark do you want your art to leave on others?
What factors influence creativity? Can creativity be cultivated? Is creativity
stimulated through environment? Can creativity be increased through consuming organic compounds and chemicals? The answer to these questions is yes. Research conducted by Dr. Steve Levine and his team at COM PASS pathways, have found that consuming psychedelics not only boost creativity but also help to combat depression, PTSD, and substance abuse.
Psilocybin and LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide) are categorized as psychedelics, and when consumed these compounds produce hallucinations and a myriad of feelings and emotions. Many great icons of the 20th century have achieved great success following a psychedelic experience.
Great thinkers such as Francis Crick and James Watson discovered the Double Helix DNA strand while under the influence of LSD. American singer, songwriter, and guitarist Jimi Hendrix consumed LSD during the height of the 1960’s counter culture, which was the creative foundation for his 1967 single Purple Haze. Bill Wilson the Co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous consumed LSD and gave him a liberating spiritual awakening Bill personally believed every die hard alcoholic should try LSD as treatment for addiction.
Hallucinogenic substances are still illegal at the federal level and are classified as schedule one I drugs along with MDMA. Currently, psychedelics such as psi locybin and MDMA are in phase three of clinical trials, which could legalize psychedelics for depression and PTSD treatment. If phase three is successfully passed Psilocybin and MDMA will become FDA approved for depression, PTSD, and substance abuse therapy. The trials are expected to be complete in 2025.
The act of making art is personal the emotions and thoughts that influence art are intimate to the creator’s mood and disposition but humans aren’t the only artists, nature creates art as well. From a meta physical perspective natures art can be found in every living. See these unique geometric patterns that nature creates.
Leonardo Fibonacci was born in Pisa, Italy in 1175 AD. Fibonacci was a mathematician that created the Golden Ratio also known as the Fibo nacci sequence— which is a series of numbers with the pattern of each number being the sum of the previous two. This metaphysical phenom enon is used in art and design known as “The Rule of Thirds” but is recurring in all living things like bees, shells, flowers, and the human body. This sequence is said to be the foundation of all physical matter.
Fractals: Fractals were discovered by Benoit Mandlebrot a mathematician born No vember 20, 1924, in War saw, Poland. Mandlebrot contribution to fractals earned him the nickname “The father of fractals”. A fractal is a continuous series of mathematical shapes that repeats itself forever, in numerology and appearance you could zoom in and out on a fractal and the appearance will remain the same at any focal length.
Sound: Nature has its own music as well, this form of art is synchronized through frequencies, hertz, and vi brations. Frequencies that emit 40 hertz or higher can heal through sound stimulation by activation of neurons in the brain that ultimately generate vibrations that can felt throughout the whole body Dr. Rose Moten, a psychologist and therapist utilizes sound instru ments like Tibetan singing bowls and gongs during meditation to guide her patients into a healing state simply using frequency and sound as therapy. Research by Oncologist Dr. Mitchell Gaynor have shown that sound therapy can promote healing against Alzheimer's disease, high blood pres sure, depression, and cancer.
Like sound colors have frequencies, colors are measured in nanometers and are wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation. The length of the wave generated will dictate the color that your eyes will perceive with red being the lowest frequency and longest wavelength, and violet/purple being the highest frequency and shortest wavelength.
Color is a lot more complex than many know, since colors are frequencies and vibrations they have the capacity to influence your emotions and decisions for better or worse. For exam ple, when corporations are in the branding process the mar keting team is strategicly selecting a color scheme that will invoke certain emotions in their target market of buyers.
Orignating in China, there is an ancient practice known as Feng Shui where buildings, objects, and colors are arranged to stimu late peace, balance, and harmony. In western culture we use interior design combined and color to achieve Feng Shui. To cultivate Feng Shui interior designers utilize various colors that have a signficgnat impact on ones mood and energy expenditure. See the chart below to under stand how colors can improve your home's vibe.
Even something as simple as when an artist is painting a portrait, that artist is using different colors (frequencies/vibrations) that will ultimately elicit various emotions depending on the color that is be ing utilized, so even the art we interact with and consume is influ encing us unconsciously.
Ashley Ragan also known by her art pseudonym as Lady Junkrat is a Georgia native and abstract artist that paints her emotions in a unique and intriguing way. Ashley’s art has a vibrant and edgy look that flows flawlessly. Lady Junkrat isn’t one dimensional, she’s into using spray cans and every now and then painting murals. Along with being artsy, Ashley also partakes in photography with her fiance.
Your probaby wondering how Ashley came up with the dope art name “Lady Junkrat” well wonder no more!
"Several years ago I worked in the vape industry. I needed to create an account on ig to represent my company, but I was also interested in being a vape influencer (super lame idea now) and I wanted to find a name that didn’t have any weird alterations. At the time I played a lot of Overwatch, and Junkrat is my favorite character, thus the birth of Lady Junkrat. I like that it carried on into my art life, because I feel, if anything, it’s very memorable.
"
Hi Ashley, share with the readers about your self?
I’m a human being on planet earth just looking to find my place. I’ll be 35 this year but it doesn’t really feel like it. I think that aging is a privilege, so I’m not mad at it.
Are you originally from Sacramento, if so which part? If not, where are you from?
I’m from Georgia, right outside of Atlanta. (No body calls it Hotlanta). I love Sacramento and find it a super satisfying place to immerse myself in. Small but mighty is the best way for me to define my feelings about Sac.
When did your interest in art begin?
Since I was a kid, I was always drawing, paint ing, playing with things that weren’t supposed to be art supplies-
it was very clear from early on that creativi ty was part of me, even though I seem to have spent a good majority of my life avoiding it.
What is your style of art? How would describe your art?
I would say my art is intuitive abstract. Most people ask me what I’m painting, and I tend to answer “I don’t know” or say “I have no idea what I’m doing.” I don’t mean that in a negative way, more so I just don’t plan my work. To me art is one of the strongest ways to be spiritually connect ed. Like meditation, art is the place where I sim ply exist without think ing- at least when I get into a flow state.
What does your creative process look like? How do you come up with those cool intricate colorful designs?
I really don’t know! I’d say I put a lot of focus on the color. I’ll pick one color as a base, then add a second color with lines and movement. That process continues until I feel that the painting is supposedly done. I really enjoy bright vivid colors, but when I was younger, I made a lot of dark art. I think art is how I most clearly express my emo tions, and at a young age I had a good amount of difficulties emotionally.
More recently, what are some ways that you were able to grow and seize opportunities with your art?
Being in Sacramento and meeting so many creative people was the first time I realized that one could really succeed at this as a career. My first oppor tunity out here was for a coffee company that was on K street. I got to help paint a couple of murals with friends and eventua
ally found myself paint ing my own walls. It did make me realize that I didn’t want to be a mu ralist after all the work, but I’ll still help someone else.
So far, what is your proudest memory/ accomplishment as an artist?
Honestly, it will always be when someone wants a piece I’ve created. I can’t tell you how easy it is to get in my head, and tell myself that I’m not good enough. But then someone always randomly appears and wants to but a piece. I believe that my paintings are meant for the peo ple who fall in love with them, so when they find their home, it is a feeling unlike any other.
Has your career unfolded as you imagined in the beginning? Or has taken on a completely different path? Was it for the worse or better?
It’s definitely taken many turns, I love creating,
I love painting. I have learned it takes a fierce amount of dedication to be a full time artist, and maybe that isn’t what I want to be, but it doesn’t change the fact that I will always be an artist. I learned I love spray paint, but I’m not very good at it! Overall I’m happiest when I cre ate because I want to, not because I have to.
What advice would you give to a new professional artist?
Take your business seriously. Be as organized as you can be. Learn to network. Just because someone is popular, doesn’t mean they are a good person. Always have a contract or written agreement if you do ANYTHING with money involved. It’s good to learn from others, but in the end follow your own path.
If the year 2022 was a chapter in the book of “Your Life," what would you title the chapter reflecting back on the year up to now?
“Damn you got everything you wanted and it turns out you didn’t need all that anxiety about things.”
Anything else you would like to add?
Even if you doubt the heck outta yourself, If you want it, GO FOR IT. Discipline is an amazing force, and you can be afraid, but don’t make decisions based in fear. Also, always have your own back.
In your opinion, what makes art so special and powerful?
As mentioned before, the spiritual connection to creating. You don’t have to be at a specific level of tal ent to create. Creativity is vital, and people don’t realize how many things they do are actually creative. I think for myself, creativity is my way of connecting to the greatness we as humans do not completely understand, therefore I cherish my abilities (but I’m still very hard on myself!)
“
Even if you doubt the heck outta yourself, If you want it, GO FOR IT. Discipline is an amazing force, and you can be afraid, but don’t make decisions based in fear. Also, always have your own back.
"
- Ashley Ragan
To see more of Ashley's art visit LadyJunkratetsy.com
