Miami artist Douglas Hoekzema painting a mural in front of Fort Works Art.

Photo by: Hady Mawajdeh

Last Saturday was my first time to visit the Fort Works Art. Fort Works Art is an art space, located in Fort Worth, Texas.

Fort Works Art is committed to bringing life, vitality and energy to the art world in Fort Worth, TX.  They are a resource for both seasoned collectors, art enthusiast and the everyday individual. They are very new to Fort Worth, using their space as an overall art environment. They serve as a culture center,  a museum and a gallery, to serve and support the community and to inspire and guide the youth.

Fort Works Art

The facility is very nice, located in the cultural district on Montgomery street and filled with phenomenal art by artist all over the country. The staff is very nice and knowledgeable about the wonderful realm of art and provides much information and resources on the current art they are presenting as well as art that is being presented around in the community and in various areas.

At this time Fort Works Art is presenting the exhibit, "This is The Fort", an exhibition that features 10 local artist: Bernado Vallarino, Carey Meiners, Clay Stinnett, Collin Howell, Jay Wilkinson, Lee Hill, Leigh Ann Williams, Marshall Harris and Patricia Murphy. The artist are featuring some of their amazing work which is also available to purchase. 

Here are some of the work that is being presented.

Also on presentation are a few pieces from a previous exhibit featuring Riley, Holloway and Tim Okamura

For more information about Fort Works Art you can go to their website at www.fortworksart.com

Went to the KAWS exhibit today. I really enjoyed myself. Absolutely in AWE. I will be returning to get more into the exhibit.

Celebrate people who do amazing things!

When you choose to acknowledge another persons wins, you are just as much part of the team of victorious people. There is enough room for every single life to achieve. Share peoples art, read their writings, Go to their performances, buy their work. You can donate and share their cause. Most importantly listen and be understanding. We all can be great and that little help goes a long way! Root them on from start to finish. We are all winners when we choose to invest in the process of our lives and others, instead of the outcomes.

We could all use those kind of people in our lives to believe in us.

Continue to celebrate people. Be winners.

Amon Carter Museum of American Art features a two year site specific installation of more than sixty miles of vibrant multicolored thread, designed and made by Dallas artist, Gabriel Dawe. 

“No matter what direction life takes you, keep moving forward. Like time and the infinite universe itself, we at times do not know where we are going, which direction is the right one and if we are making progress or not. Just continue to put one step after another and somehow in these stochastic series of events, we will hit the right one, with the right amount of energy in hopes that it will take us to where we need to be and to become what we hope to become. To take what we are given and make something become new and a part of ourselves. Only we are capable of sourcing light from the unknown and the complete surroundings of darkness.”

— Teacoa Rushton

Norman Lewis

Seachange, 1975

Oil on Canvas, 48 x 78 in.

Today I took the day to go to the Fort Worth Modern Art Museum. I went to go see the Frank Stella Exhibit. This exhibition presents Frank Stella's career to date, showcasing his prolific output from the mid-1950s to the present through approximately 100 works, including paintings, reliefs, maquettes, sculptures, and drawings.

I was thoroughly impressed and amazing at the many sculptors, painting and sketches that I have seen from this exhibit. From his detail, passion and philosophy of his artwork, Stella has allowed his wisdom and skill to fully show through his presentation. I love how he expresses how important it is to use the gift that you are given that marks your character to do your art work. It is one thing to create with many skills and techniques but it is more important to use skills and crafts that expresses yourself and I think that is very important to signify your work.

Stella has spent decades in mastering the art of painting, sculpture and various sketches and drawings. His work is large, minimal, and highly geometric and 3-dimensional. The energy of his work is at an ultimate high with his uses of vibrant colors and irregular polygons and shapes. Abstractions plays a major role in his work and is well appreciated through my eyes.

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“Get through the moment. By any means necessary. Many times we undergo events we do not understand or cannot handle. Many times we feel that there is nothing we can do and it is completely out of control. It is okay to feel that. Many times we feel that it is our fault and we become vulnerable to what happens and that is okay. It is important to understand that this will pass, it will end eventually, but you have to suck it up, accept the problem and find the best way to deal with it. It will get better. Be thankful for these moments while we are young, because there is much to come as we get older. This will never end, but it will be easy once we are able to get through it.”

— Teacoa Rushton, Facebook (2014)

Vortex, 2002
Richard Serra, American, born 1939

Cor-ten steel
67 feet 10 inches x 21 feet 9 inches x 20 feet 10 inches

“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and there is only one of you in all time. This expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium; and be lost. The world will not have it.

It is not your business to determine how good it is, not how it compares with other expression. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open.

No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time.There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.”

— Martha Graham

Summer in Blu

In order to start creating a healthy and positive life, I must first declare it. Speak it into existence, give it life and let it flourish. It starts with self.

I am going to share with you 10 things that I am hopeful for and I will continue daily to declare and cultivate those affirmations to become something fruitful and obtainable.

10 things I am hopeful for:

1. I am hopeful for making new friends and relationships
2. I will find peace during my situation and will remove negativity from my life.
3. I want to learn new skills and ideas.
4. I strive to live and feel healthier. Mental and physical
5. I claim to be more creative.
6. I strive to take more risk and live for the moment.
7. I will become a money magnet and build.
8. I am open to love of many forms and to be able to give and take love of all kinds.
9. I am hopeful for challenges. They will make me better for the future.
10. I am hopeful for discovery and the opportunity to learn more about myself.

Bonus: 5 things I am grateful for:

1. I am grateful for the ability to work. I have a part time job that gives me the opportunity to stay busy and allow me to create productive habits and learn new things about people and the will to serve all kinds. Without it I would have no money to start taking care of my self
2. I am grateful to create art today. Creating things is a healing and therapeutic process for me. I can expel my energy into a drawing or a piece of jewelry and it is beautiful. That reflected back to me makes me feel good. Plus others can appreciate it.
3. I am grateful for my health. I am learning to appreciate it more and have start taking better care of myself.
4. I am grateful for being able to speak for myself. One point in my life, I was not able to openly express my concerns and needs. Now I am able to do that plus I am not afraid to speak my ideas and thoughts.
5. I am grateful for being able to see my friends when I can. Most of my friends are around the world and across the country, so when I can see them face to face, it really makes the difference. Although Those are rare moment. I am even thankful when I can talk to them on the phone as well.

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It does not matter who you are, you have a part in creating this big picture. 

Hello!

I invite you to take part in the wonderful world of art, creativity , culture and community. Here at "The Blank Slate", I will be featuring some amazing artist and people who has engaged in the art of creativity and spirit. From artist, business owners and many amazing people.

Art has always been part of my life, from handcrafted work, painting to dancing as well as being a musician for over 15 years. I remember being in school, my teachers and community leaders would walk with me down the halls talking to me and teaching me about my community and encouraging me to express myself in that space. I can recall walking through the neighborhoods of Fort Worth, and would be surrounded by so much life from the people that lived in those areas. Sharing their stories and their craft I have found many shards and pieces that I was able to piece together which helped shaped the person I am today. I live and dwell in this realm and I am constantly reminded and inspired by many of these disciplines. Art has inspired me in my jewelry and my way of living. It has been for me a way to heal and a way to touch others and get involved in lives beyond myself. It has shaped my mind and my ability to feel and be as human as I can possibly be. 

In the near future you will be introduced to artist and creatives of all kinds and will learn more about them and hear their stories about what they do and their communities. I hope you enjoy this blog and that you are inspired to share your story.

-Teacoa