I haven’t found any suitable artists to keep writing about on the 2nd of every month.  Phil Hansen, who I blogged about in May, impressed me a lot because he’s not a pretentious asshat like so many others.  I’ve seen a lot of impressive artists, but a crappy attitude can turn me off their work regardless of how much I like it.
     So … Check out Phil’s Goodbye Art, where he take X-Ray photographs made from sand and foam, and… well… watch the video.  Cool stuff.  🙂

     Fracas did a silly post the other day about Kissing, and posted a really nice photo along with it.  I looked all over trying to find who it belonged to, thinking, “Here’s a Photo Artist who really manages to strike a nerve or two…”  Alas, I couldn’t where it came from.  Some people might disagree, but to me, it’s something I’d have hanging on my wall…

     As far as Photographic Artists are concerned, I know an absolutely brilliant photographer, still a hidden talent, who promises to get his portfolio together soon… And strangely enough, he writes for this blog…

     It’s May 2nd, and as promised last month, it’s time to spotlight another talented artist.

     Seattle-based Phil Hansen fits the bill.  He’s quite different from the last couple of artists I’ve blogged about.  While the others are speed painters with incredible skills, that’s only a small portion of what Hansen does.
     Hansen uses a myriad of techniques, tools and materials from construction equipment to Starbucks cups.  When you think “Modern Artist,” and perhaps even “Avant-garde,” this is the type you end up with.

     He’s earned himself quite the controversial reputation by making a number of political statements with his artwork.  From Rosa Parks to the KKK, from a homeless man to George Bush, he’s come up with some damned fine work and managed to get more than a few people thinking.
     My personal favorite is entitled, “48 Women.”  It’s a portrait of convicted serial killer Gary Ridgway, aka The Green River Killer.  Up close, you’ll see that the portrait is made up of pixelated photos of a few of his forty-eight victims, including some which merely read, “Jane Doe.”

     Hansen defended the painting on a 2004 news clip from KIRO:

Some people don’t want me to give more glory to him, more fame, more exposure.  But at the same time, if we’d never do that, if we never see his face again, we’d forget those forty-eight women.

     On to the timelapse…

     In one of his more tame moods, he karate chops Bruce Lee onto the canvas:

     Next up, in a work entitled “The Value of Blood,” Hansen paints North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il … yes, in blood.  Kids, do not try this at home…

     Be sure and check out Phil’s other videos on YouTube.  And, of course, you’ll definitely want to check out his website at philinthecircle.com.

     And, hey… if ya like it… Check out his store. 😉