Art by the People vs Art for the State

Before I went to DC for the 9/12 March, I was all fired up by the NEA. That would be the Endowment for the Arts, rather than the equally useless National Education Association. The reason, as I pointed out in previous articles, is the move by the NEA to sponsor pro-Obama agenda items.
I've always opposed entitlement programs. However, State Sponsored Art is an affront to my talents as an artist and my principles as an individual. I decided to launch an artistic revolution against the NEA and its participating hacks, sell-outs and parasites. If the government wants to promote propaganda that pushes their agenda, pay for it with tax money and keep it quiet so they can develop "legal language" to 'protect themselves', I'm going to give 'em hell. I don't need to go into the historic significance of such a move, or incite you to anger on this issue. If you're not angry, you're not paying attention, and there's nothing I can do for you.
When I found out I was going on the March, I spent the week and a half I had to prepare making posters for the event. At some future date, you will be able to purchase them as t-shirts and other merchandise. In the mean time, here are some photos from the lawn of the Capitol Building.

This Article is cross-posted at Liberatchik.

Graphic Novels aren't Just for Kids Anymore

This week's featured artist at Liberatchik is a graphic novelist named Bosch Fawstin. Much of his work deals with the subjects of terrorism and Islam. As an illustrator, I have an appreciation of his technical abilities above the aesthetic of the work or the story line, both of which are amazing on their own. The clean, bold imagery of his characters is reminiscent of WWII propaganda posters. Having an affinity for that aesthetic, I am drawn to his work.
Fawstin's message is both patriotic and aggressive. He makes no apologies for his opinions, nor should he. The facts back up his position. In an artistic genre that often glorifies anarchy and belittles the 'evils of capitalism', Fawstin's work stands apart. He has created a hero for the 21st century with a clear vision of morality and justice. His work supports freedom, pays tribute to our troops who fight on our behalf, and shreds the propaganda in defense of Islamic terrorism...

Artist Statement

My work is about a variety of people and subjects that affect our lives. It is meant to engage the viewer and make them think about the world in which we live. These paintings are not being completed in an order that is relative to one another. Sometimes I just get really angry about some thing or a person or event becomes a big news story and I get inspired to work on that subject. My work is mostly meant to point out the role we allow others to play in our lives. I am most interested in the role lobbyists, unions, activists, media and celebrities play in controlling or influencing our lives through our government and their views. And, of course, there are the politicians and judges who have the most direct control over our lives.
My work is also a response to the overwhelming tendency of the art community to be a bunch of raging Liberals. There seems to be very little political art dedicated to any other point of view. I hope that one day there will be a greater variety of opinion in the art community. I would also like to see our government break out of the nearly rigid two-party system we currently have. Our government has begun to stagnate, and the politicians, regardless of party, are predominantly concerned with pandering to their constituents and making a buck, rather than doing the job they are elected to do. In the future, I have plans to do some work highlighting people I think have had a positive impact on history as well as people I admire or consider to be heroes.
My work is my personal outlet for my political opinions. I have found that it is not a constructive use of my time to discuss politics with most people and only causes stress to those involved. I am not out to change anyone else's point of view. I believe in the strength and beauty of the human spirit and in an individual's ability to govern their own life. Life and freedom are not given to us by our government. We are born with them and are responsible for maintaining them. We are responsible for our own health, morality and support. We need to realize that the decisions we make affect our lives and are our own responsibility. It is not the government's place to care for us or help us when we make the wrong decisions and harm ourselves. Nor does the government have the right to punish us for doing better than those around us and redistribute our wealth or property for the "public good".
It is the government's job to perform the duties outlined in the Constitution: provide for the national defense, maintain the courts defend the rule of law, and coin money. Everything else should be left up to private enterprise. The government should not be our nanny, or allow special interests to influence the actions of our Representatives. And, God forbid, world opinion should ever be taken into consideration. There are too many people who consider themselves to be morally or intellectually superior to the "masses". Whether or not that is reality is debatable, but they don't have the right to interfere with anyone's life but their own. I hope my work will make you more aware of these issues and influence you to do what you can to change the system.
E-Mail: frances@machinepolitick.com WEB SITE: www.machinepolitick.com