Judah Introduction

    "People are sexually aroused by pictures and sculptures; they break pictures and sculptures; they mutilate them, kiss them, cry before them, and go on journeys to them; they are calmed by them, stirred by them, and incited to revolt. They give thanks by means of them, expect to be elevated by them, and are moved to the highest levels of empathy and fear."

    This quote immediately stood out to me when I seen the title "The Power Of Images" because this is something that goes along with my faith and beliefs. There is people worshipping, talking to images, feeling sexual emotions towards them, etc. It is the work of a humans hands, but yet there is a form a worship like it is an god/idol. I see things like this happen in real life, for instance it is written "You shall make no graven image to bow down to and worship them" and "These people worship the work of their own hands." Art can be very beautiful, and can give power to something controversial happening, for example speaking for people that have no voice through art, is empowering and helpful. Giving the art piece power or worshipping it is a no for me though.

"We are simply awed that human beings like us in so many ways could have made something that can utterly confound us." 

    This something that leaves me as well, the things mankind has created is something else. When it comes to buildings, clothes, vehicles, ships, different types of food, and more. It is so brilliant, and you know it helps me believe more in God, because every creation has a creator. There is a fingerprint of a creator in everything we do, there's even a fingerprint on us, and related to nature itself. Creation itself I believe is the best art piece, even when I look at creation there's some things that look less appealing, but still has meaning, there is art we see in museums and we're like "what is that" haha, but with humans we know that some people look more appealing than others, but true art can be represented in character and your heart. There is bible verse that I take to heart is, "The Lord does not look at how man sees, but He looks at the heart." Inward beauty is an art as well, but to get back on topic everything in creation leaves me in awe, as well as what humans can do as well, we're so smart and creative, but I think without intention and meaning behind art, it isn't really art.

    I love this topic a lot, but my favorite artist has to be Jesus. Creation itself is very beautiful, and I pray that I can see many beautiful places in this world, and want to see what's out there. When He was in this world He was a carpenter, but when you look at everything that was created that was commanded by God in the old testament it was made out of wood. Interesting right it's almost as Jesus and God had the same profession and loved making things out of wood. He inspires me to make art, to build character like His, and creation itself gives me inspiration. I can make art out of everything and that is why I like photoshop, because of how creative you can get, and you have all the tools to make something amazing. If I'm being honest I have not looked too deep into art history in my art education. I would to dive deeper into typography, and poetry if that is a form of art. I would like to make art based on the poetry you know, I think that would be so dope. I recently revisited an old poet, William Shakespeare and I noticed in Hamlet that the mention of God related stuff is talked about, and his poetry was one of a kind. 

  

Custom Player Poster (Photoshop)

 

Custom Player Poster (Photoshop)

"Ninah" Gauche Painting + Painted/edited in Photoshop

Event Poster (Photoshop Collage)

"Everlasting Love" Hebrew Poetry (Photoshop)

    My name is Roger, but I like to go by Judah, because of the meaning behind it. In Hebrew the name Judah means "praised/thanksgiving" I love to sing music to Jesus, if you see me just know I got some headphones on me. What influences me in my graphic design career is just seeing other people's work, why they do what they do. I still haven't found a graphic designer that I really get inspiration from. I seen some old German posters, and Russian constructivism that really catch my eye, maybe one day I can make designs like that. I really like this class, because I seen how much artist we looked at, and I just like seeing other people's stuff, and it's not that I replicate the same thing, but it sparks an idea for me. What motivates me is how far I can go by making art, and I love seeing people's reactions to me art, and just doing designs for others bring me joy. If I can master making art for my beliefs in Christ that would be the icing on the cake.

    I recently got into Hebrew poetry, because you'll see it all over the Bible, and it sounds so beautiful when you understand it. I want to incorporate rhyming and mixing that Hebrew poetry with my art, I think that will be so cool. I mostly use Photoshop, but I'm open to all sorts of things, and want to learn more about typography, because it relates a lot to the word of God. My story telling is really in the figurative language, and hopefully mix it in well with some poetry. I want to make work that will glorify Jesus and speak about Him mainly on my personal time, and make graphic designs for companies as well, and my own.