The journey begins. A vision which started in 2024 with a character drawn in 2020. Like many of my projects this one is expansive and about evolution. It's about the small steps aiding in transformation. SMUDGE is the culmination of a number of things but one of the larger portions of its purpose ultimately is an Art magazine. The bi-monthly zine will evolve with each issue in size and dimension, starting with this eight page one sheet.
Just recently at a live art event I was talking to an attendee about the piece I'd been working on, breaking down what exactly I created after a few hours. It led me to explaining how much of what I create has many tiers. How the work I do more often than not is tied to a specific and relevant theme (like mortality or transformation) with many components within the work that affect real world situations connected to people. My art has built-in use cases. I'm also thinking how do we get beyond the obvious in conversation and maximize the value of work. Webster's defines value as the monetary worth, utility, or importance of something. Not merely a price tag. My art is valuable as my projects live inside the full definition of the word. I could see the gears turning in the mind of the person I spoke to, introducing relatable concepts in real time. They confirmed it as we chatted. Art is a supreme tool for problem solving [so to speak]. Within the work and process I introduce ideas which are transferable into real life scenarios. I don't have to make a case for any of this simply because I can quantify the impact of my creations and ideas through each individual interaction my art elicits.
I'll pause here to say, watch as this project unfolds. You are more than welcome to collect a piece of it in the numerous forms it currently exists in or whatever the offerings are as it continues to grow. Keep your eyes open for SMUDGE.
Oh, one more thing. SMUDGE. also points to the smudging of ink on some print publications when touched. It represents the tactile, in a life we've become accustomed to living in a large part; virtually.
The inaugural SMUDGE. Zine is available for collecting via the link below.
https://agtraphaus.com/en-usd/products/smudge-zine-1-the-fool