Live in the Sun—Music that does a soul good.

For the first iteration of “Come See What I Hear,” an evening of live music and visual art, Kira Gatiuan wrote a handful of beautiful songs that she and a group of friends performed.  Those songs are now available to hear online. I hope you’ll give them a listen. 

https://share.amuse.io/SHTyydNVeXyk

You can also hear Kira’s awesome new single, “Palette Change,” here: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=h6e38qFMpwI&feature=shared

Urban Arts Gallery

I haven’t had a chance to see the Femme Fatale show in person at Urban Arts Gallery in Salt Lake City, but a friend did and sent these photos.  

Current Art Shows and a Thank You

 

A few years back, I left my career in art and teaching to work as a dean and later as a principal in public education. While in those roles, I gave my best, focusing on my responsibilities in leadership, but I knew I had set aside my artistic ambitions for a while.

Garden Muse

Garden Muse

©2023 Kevin Wasden

Angels of Music

People who have accompanied me on long car rides are well aware of my passion for music. I have a tendency to take control of the aux cord and share endless trivia about my favorite singers and groups.

Upcoming Show: Femme Fatale at Urban Arts Gallery

From December 4th to January 1st, Urban Arts Gallery will host the Femme Fatale art show in Salt Lake City. Two of my digital paintings—Aphrodite and The Shadow (original version)—have been accepted into the show. A special thanks to Urban Arts Gallery and the Utah Arts Alliance.

What The World Needs Now Is More Rotten

https://www.johnlydon.com

©2023 article by Kevin Wasden

“If I’m wrong, I’m highly capable of correcting that. I’ve done that many times and I’ve had to. That’s why I love debate and conversation, because you learn from it. Don’t become entrenched in one opinion and get stuck there forever.” 

-John Lydon, interview with The Guardian, October 11, 2020

I am a long-time fan of John Lydon. I greatly admire his creativity, his unwavering commitment to his wife, and his uncanny ability to cut through the crap.

Upcoming Apearance: LTUE #42 in February 2024

 

I’m so excited to present at Life, the Universe, and Everything #42. FORTY-TWO!!! Will this be the event where we finally learn the ultimate question? Maybe. Maybe not. But I am confident that the symposium will be worth your time.

Upcoming Publication: Book of Mormon ARTbook

  

 

When asked about my favorite book, I can honestly say it’s The Book of Mormon. It has provided me unparalleled guidance and understanding throughout my life. Because of that, I am grateful to be able to contribute two illustrations to the Book of Mormon ARTbook, an art companion to the 2024 Book of Mormon Come Follow Me curriculum.

Upcoming Publication: Dog Save the King, An LTUE Benefit Anthology, coming in 2025

For me, writing feels like the younger sibling of visual arts, always wanting to join in the activities of its older counterpart. So it is with great excitement that I can finally announce that my writing will be able to share the spotlight.

Art in the Age of Algorithms: The Soul of Creation

©2023 article and art by Kevin Wasden

Much like Tevya in Fiddler on the Roof, I’m struggling as the values and traditions of the art world change around me.

Yeah, I Think About Democracy In My Spare Time

Some early morning thoughts about Democracy. 

New Art: Portrait of a Mother

 

"Portrait of a Mother"

©2023 Kevin Wasden

Digital Painting in Procreate

Fine Art Prints Available

Artist Statement

As an artist, I have always been drawn to the power of the human spirit, and few expressions of this power are as profound as the love of a mother for her children. This painting is a tribute to the countless mothers who have sacrificed their time, energy, and love to raise their children with patience, dedication, and unwavering devotion.

New Art: The Return

 

"The Return"

©2023 Kevin Wasden

Digital Painting in Procreate

Fine Art Prints Available

This painting was inspired by song lyrics by my friend, the amazingly talented Kira Gatiuan.

New Art: Aphrodite

"Aphrodite"

©2023 Kevin Wasden

Digital Painting in Procreate

Fine Art Prints Available

Artist Statement

In this painting of Aphrodite, I wanted to explore the many facets of womanhood and femininity, and the ways in which these qualities are intertwined and interdependent.

Reflections on the Impact of AI on the Art World: Challenges and Opportunities

Around the turn of the millennium, as personal computers developed the capability to run more advanced programs, the art and illustration markets experienced a revolution. Programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Corel Paint suddenly enabled artists to create images at an unprecedented speed and scale. However, the impact of these technological breakthroughs also brought new challenges. The influx of new artists and the speed of production led to increased competition and decreased pay across much of the illustration industry.  Artists were forced to adapt to new mediums and expectations. 

Fast forward to today, and the art world is once again being shaken by digital technology, this time with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in the creation of art. With AI art generators, anyone can now create art with just a few words. This technology has ignited a deluge of new debates and controversies regarding the nature of art and originality.

Polarized Thinking: The Dangers of Thinking In Black-And-White

It's easy to get caught up in the habit of thinking in extremes. Whether it's politics, race, or simply concepts of right and wrong, we often seek to classify people and events into polar opposites. This way of thinking, known as polarized thinking, can have damaging consequences for both individuals and society as a whole.