Dustin Rigg: Artist's Statement

Illustration/Storylines

I am a storyteller. I will forever have a child's imagination to tell an odd, unusual, corky universe that only a child could understand. No matter where the storyline goes with the hero/ heroine in their darkest hour, humor seems to pop up as a circumstance no matter what the consequences are in any situation. Humor it self seems to play a key point in any story I tell, and is thrown into the ingredient of the least unexpected. I simply can't watch a movie that has all action, thriller, suspense, or all sappy themes. In any great recipes, a little spice added to the main course is good for the soul. These story lines are wrapped around my life in one way or another.

I have a few answers toward developing my character illustrations. Every dozen of characters that are develop come from the dark abyss of my mind at 4am while drinking coffee though out the night, seeing figures from the clouds in the sky, stains in the cement, and issues that are wrapped around current affairs. Sometimes friends, family, and co-workers facial expressions are enough to transform them into the 2-D world. The really interesting concepts just come out of nowhere as I am going about my odd life, and “POP” there it is.

Acrylic Paint

An interesting theory came to mind as I was recovering from surgery 03.31.08. "Does every thing detieorate over time?" A lot of things do: people, animals, plants...art? The funny thing is each of these four subjects has a soul...except art. If art had a soul what would it look like? How can one express a soul in art? When I was able to walk again and move around from surgery, I started painting this idea. I also started to wear my hospital gerny as I paint, I don't know why. Probably the reason is that painting is a delicate subject and it should be handled with caution. I am able to show the viewer one piece as it is normally seen during the day, and at night, the viewer may see the same piece reflecting another image in the dark. (Click here to view)

Photography

Nothing secretive here, I love black and white photography, as well as color. My passion is worn down instruments and Japanese artifacts. I was told something about this culture. "From the day they rise, until the time they fall, they strive for perfection at what ever they do." My photos are easy to understand. Any old history is taken in black and white format, while anything memorable in my life is taken in color. Just like anyone else taking pictures, I look for the following: an angle, reaction, at the moment, and out of pure dumb luck.

Ceramic

I love shapes and creatures. Not one artistic bone in my body has the ability in this area to use the wheel. If my life was pending on making a plate or a bowl, I would not be here right now. Back in my early days of college, I did a lot of Raku and horse hair burning in my pieces. I used some recycled clay, and porcelin in these pieces. The pieces I did here were my very first, my professor was very impressed about this that she asked me to go straight into advanced ceramic design.