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| Photo By Tamera Lenz Muente |
KEVIN MUENTE, assistant professor of painting at Northern Kentucky University, calls himself a "painterly painter." His light-tinged works are so real, you find yourself searching for hints of unreality, imperfections and artifice. When you find them, you also find Muente's evocative artistry. Here is his list of five sources of inspiration.
Addiction. Whatever makes your soul soar should be your addiction. Mine are my wife, art, nature, teaching and skateboarding. All of these things make my life richer.
Poetry. I read a poem a day. I wake up to my cereal, orange juice and a few well-crafted lines of Billy Collins that leave me dreamy the rest of the day.
Routine. It's the only defense against having no time. I've built my routine up around my priorities (addictions).
Make it count. I try to stay aware of moments that are life-defining. These events are pivotal to who we are, and our actions at those moments define us. I believe that my paintings are aimed at that special transcendent moment when one thinks of a sense of place and reconfigures the statement "I am here" to "I am."
Thank people and mean it. Politeness is contagious. It makes us want to do more and be more for humanity. Giving praise for a job well done as well as receiving praise does wonders for everyone's creativity. It makes us all better people. So if you've read this, thanks.
ARTICULATIONS offers five things important to one of Cincinnati's visual artists. To be considered, contact Contributing Editor Stacey Recht, srecht@citybeat.com
