Art in Humanity

Humanity [hyoo-man-i-tee or, often, yoo-]:
1. all human beings collectively; the human race; humankind.
2. the quality or condition of being human; human nature.
3. the quality of being humane; kindness; benevolence.

There's a story behind this, as for every picture has its own story. What is the story for this captured photo you might ask? That I don't know for sure, but here is mine:

Saturday afternoon while driving around downtown Phoenix, I catch a glimpse of a woman who looked homeless. All she had with her was a cloth bag, a dirty pillow, a worn pink hat and a can of food being held in her hand. What really caught my eye was that the food was not to feed herself, but to feed these two cats beside her, begging for whatever was in that can. I asked if I could take some photos of her and the furry felines and she kindly said yes as she went about her routine. I was truly amazed and felt an honest pleasure to come across someone so humane towards these gentle creatures,  and to witness her give one of the only few things she had, is what I would say this action is the Art in Humanity.

http://www.imagineyourart.org/single-post/2016/05/16/Art-in-Humanity

Beauty in the Eyes of the Architect

Everything on this planet that is inhibited or abandoned, manufactured or with a heart beat, will have a beginning and an end. From a multi-million dollar mansion built on Camelback mountain in Arizona, to a burned and destroyed constructed wood house such as this one shown in the picture taken above that was once called 'home' to someone. "The magnificence of decay. Now home to nature and dust",  Andre Govia says in his book Abandoned Planet.  And yes, even in decay there is beauty! I enjoy photo shoots such as this one as it allows you to learn and discover something new every time.

http://www.imagineyourart.org/single-post/2016/05/12/Beauty-in-the-Eyes-of-the-Architect

To Graffiti or Not To Graffiti...

Beauty [byoo-tee]:
1. The quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind, whether arising from sensory manifestations, a meaningful design or pattern.
2. A beautiful thing, as a work of art or a building.

When passing an area with paint sprayed on walls of buildings, do you ever stop and think about the meaning behind the picture, whether it represents a name or indicates a story? Graffiti can be seen all around the world and before each dedicated portrait was planned and created, it consisted primarily of treacherous work. While my love for photography grew, fascination with artists’ and their ability to use spray paint to create such works of art has astonished me. “If art like this is a crime, let God forgive me”, says Lee in the book Subway Art, 25th Anniversary Edition. For such a powerful statement, it truly has meaning. How can such a thing be a crime?

In a society when drinking and smoking is legal to slowly decompose yourself, then to originate beauty and diffuse meanings through art around the world has become aberrant.

Graffiti has evolved and formed through the mix of different international youth cultures and the adaption of a public statement over time; and in return, it gives a voice to the people to allow their minds to form what they want to create. “There needs to be more legal space for it in cities like Vancouver”,  says [Titlegraf] from Instagram.  Ideas should be expressed and what better ways to express an artists' ideas through graffiti?

http://www.imagineyourart.org/single-post/2016/03/15/To-Graffiti-or-Not-to-Graffiti