Barkers
- Barkers
- graphite & charcoal on paper
- (h × w) 42 × 68 inches
- 1995
This drawing came very fast. It 'drew itself' so to speak. I was growing increasingly sick and tired of people's opinions and advice about the type of art I should be making. It seemed as if everyone who looked at my artwork only opined about what I should change about it: conceptually, stylistically and formally. People's mouths started to represent ugliness and danger like frothing, barking, mad dogs. Like angry dogs, people were dangerous because they were unpredictable and untrustworthy and would turn on you in an instant.
My 'Tyler' life, to that point, was that of a people pleaser. My artwork typically drew positive feedback/recognition, etc. Not pleasing one or two people was ok because there were plenty of others to offset negative opinions. In 'big ole' Denton it seemed I couldn't please anyone. Increasingly, I felt helpless and insecure and turned inward.