Claude Arango

In responce to an irate French viewer who objects fo my nude female paintings and left a very revealing message in my Guest Book.


It never cease to amaze me how much is revealed by people who object to viewing the human body in its natural form. The sin lies in the mind of the beholder, just as beauty and art dwells in that inner sanctum where the mirror of self delineation examines all that contributes to make us who we are, and for some it is not a pretty picture. They would shout at the rose that its red blood hue is repugnant and gaudy, and its thorns lie in wait to pierce the flesh of the innocent, but the truth be told; a rose is a rose is a rose.

When one puts a label on an art piece, such as it looks too easy, what does that mean? After all, art in itself is an illusion. The magician’s execution of an elaborate trick is deem somehow flawed because he made it look too easy is not a paradox, but a contradiction and a self professed ignorance of the roll the observer plays in the presentation of art. Either you enjoyed the experience or not, but to suggest that it could have been done this way or that is none consequential because it would no longer be the artist’s work but yours. Constructive critique is always to be taken with a grain of salt, and given with a bit of a shove. Sincerely, Claude Arango.

In Rio de Janeiro everybody dances and as the days of festival draws near the Samba schools practice, it seems, spontaneously, young and old alike, but for some those days have passed.

I am a combat veteran from that other war, Viet Nam, and I can not judge the actions of those US Marines accused of Massacre in Haditha, Iraq, but as an artist I must respond. Rules of Engagement, The Geneva Convention, and any other transparent restraint has as much affect on a soldier in combat as a candle lit in the wind to show the way in a hurricane, but one's own convictions presents an Eye in the Storm, a moment of calm, a last chance to demonstrate the difference from right and wrong to the only person that counts at that moment, the soldier with the gun.

What do you want to convay is the first question that should be answered before you pick up a brush. Some artist just start painting allowing inspiration to define their destination and they take a back seat and enjoy the ride. For me that approach leaves me parked in the garage. I need to know where I am going.