Art on You Studios - Artist Statement

Come, See the Dark! Enter a world which has always existed all around you; In the shadows, at night, behind the proverbial gates to the Nether Regions of Darkness. Just as shadows exist to make the Earthreal Realm three dimensional, so does the Darkness exist within all people - making us human. The Darkness insures our continued quest for knowledge, indulgences toward mental and physical pleasures, and beckons us to pursue unique individualities in a world which has lost faith in mythologies filled with supernatural dieties controlling our destinies. Reflecting these moments and emotions of what is, relatively speaking, a brief life as a human, is the purpose of the Artist - myself. Sinister, horrifying, erotic, ominous, wicked, and wonderfully devilish visions blanket a throng of objects; manifesting the dark dreams in my mind.

Fear not the Darkness. For it is the Dark which allows us to appreciate the Light. To think at first I hesitated, now only seems most logically human to fear the uncertain - the unknown. When I finally, and completely embraced the Darkness, I realized the Darkness had been embracing me since my first breath of air.

Society grabbed hold and thrust me into a falsely perceived Dark Realm, bombarding me with a deluge of "sinful" commodities and their "sinful" antitheses. Each one strategically marketed to achieve the greatest profit margin. A pleothra of products were solicited at an alarming rate to affect the quality of my life in a variety of ways. Coupled with the vast majority of society plaguing me with guilt based on contemporary Judeo-Christian ideals, I felt the necessity to artistically express the Dark side of human nature. Such imagery is shunned by those who choose a lifestyle based on abstinence and preach to others to follow a path of righteousness to avoid damnation by an all powerful god.

However, through research, I found philosophies which agreed with my human need for indulgence in moderation to achieve lasting happiness both personally and artistically. My art reflects not that which is commonly misconstrued as "evil", but rather it mirrors our dark and exotic nature. I portray ravinous demons, seductive devil girls, sinister faces, slimy serpents, horrifying aliens, monsters, and images of death in my art. It advocates modest indulgences, appreciation of personal beauty, ingesting rich delicacies, unadulterated sex, lackadaisical vacations, and self expression through body modifications.

The Dark side of human nature is not the only influence in my work. Other influences include such geniuses as Dali, Picasso, and Warhol as well as contemporary artists and illustrators such as Robt. Williams, Anthony Ausgang, Coop, Todd McFarlane, Gus Fink, H.R. Giger, Magister Nyarlathotep Diabolus Rex, Bob Tyrrell, Paul Booth, Eric Pigors and my tattoo mentor, Knox. Also music ranging from Dark Classical, Oldies and Classic Rock to artists and groups from Black Sabbath/Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica and Rob Zombie to Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir, horror movies, master horror writers, HP Lovecraft, Stephen King and Clive Barker, and the philosophies of Magus, Dr. Anton Szandor LaVey.

So, it is with a wild, Dark, free-spirit, that I strive to convey the Dark natures of our world on canvas, found objects, and the flesh. Wait no longer. Come, See the Dark!

Hail Thyself!
The Artist Storm
Aaron W. 'Storm' Anderson
Spring, XLII, A.S. (2007)

Storm, J. Nothing (Mushroomhead), The Dark Queen, and Pig Benis (Mushroomhead)
Fall, XL (2005).