Students Respond to the Doof

As the Art of Diorama show draws to a close, My friend Leah Korican brought her students to enjoy the exhibition and to listen to me talk about my project. The best part is that they listened to my ramblings without a lot of fidgeting and yawning. This show was a wonderful venue for people to come and appreciate an art form without a lot of explaining. I enjoyed a chance to show off my Doof collection and to be able to realize a part of my project that until the show was just in my head.

Doof Manifesto for May

The Doof does not play with fire. The Doof speaks only the truth for it has no fingers to cross. A Doof can rest peacefully on canvas as well as be contented to be made of rusted metal or concrete. The Doof likes the feel of paper; It takes just thirty seconds to draw a Doof (but who is counting?). Anybody can draw the Doof, except. . . maybe. . . .nope! EVERYONE CAN DRAW A DOOF. A Doof is willing to adorn the walls of a gallery, home, museum, office, cafe, bar, hallway or restroom. Doofs like to be drawn upon or made from, cans, rocks leaves, cardboard and stucco. Doofs can be stuff with beans, cotton, sawdust, plastic, paper, memories and money. Sometimes it is if the Doof becomes a temple. Can the Doof be used in Voodoo? Doof is on the fence of product placement, but at the right price, who could refuse? Doofs do not mind being painted, carved, drawn, molded, poured, written or looked at. The Doof can divide itself into different sections of study. With every new study, the inventory of the collection grows. Doofmaking is an efficient time consuming entity. But the war with Art rages on, each with our own burden to bear. Doof exhibitions are events, happenings, the best ticket in town, Doof pictures make you think something other than what's for dinner. Does the Doof wear a false smile? Does that smile mean that the Doof is content? The Doof cares.The Doof looks out for you and tries to keep you safe.  DOOF ADVERTISMENT: BUY A DOOF Now back to our regularly scheduled program. Those that see the Doof as a sex symbol, that is your privilege, but please, get a room. Laughter builds confidence, a smile breaks tension but an evil smile will get you nowhere. This manifesto is sure hot work, I need to change the paper and get me something cool to drink.

May 24, 2008

Doof Poem

I wonder

how many Doofs could appear

on canvas or paper

set out in neat rows

How many would be compassionate?

How many humble?

How many afraid to be next to a Doof?

or a boatload of Doofs

heading out on a stormy sea

How many would panic?

How many would cry?

How many would comfort

before reaching the shore

Life is a competition

BE YOUR BEST

SHOW YOUR BEST

KICK SOME ASS

works good on a battlefield

but is it necessary

in a spelling bee?

Doofs can't spell

they can't see the symbols needed

Stupid Doof!

but he is entertaining.

Thoughts on the Doof

Doofs are without bodies for they are beyond earthly needs, after all, they are fictional creatures and as all fictional creatures, there are parts of their character that are omitted or not dealt with for the sake of continuity. the Doof's past is unknown. Although, the need for answers to the Doof's past is not urgent. In fact, the Doof is like a wallflower, fading out of view as the night progresses.

The Doof has the ability to transcend from low art to high with ease.

The question remains, can the Doof sit alone or does the Doof need a group to get lost in?

The Doof does not seek  offerings, only tolerance.

does the Doof offer forgiveness?

Although the Doof is only a handful of years old, the Doof appears timeless.

Does the Doof  proclaim anything at all? does it try to make a difference or is it merely trying to part me from my money with false promises of importance and urgency?

Doofs are not superstars, novas or antichrists. They do not seek office or try to lead.  They offer advice but you cannot hear it. Their advice might not be that good, because advice coming from a 2d image might be hard to believe....Doofs like to show you the way, although you do not have to follow that direction. 

Every Doof is different on the outside but the same inside. 

A Doof on the wall, high up in a corner can ward off the munchies late at night. A Doof hung in the bathroom can guarantee successful missions. A Doof placed in a field of clover makes them sweet. 

Doofs like to be made from materials that are slated for the dump or fireplace.

Doofs like music, that isn't strange, what is strange is that the Doof does not know how to play the maracas, bongos or congas.

Raves about Doof World

Here are some quotes from the press on Doof World

". . . Some artists may fit into several aesthetic glass boxes, while others, like Tim Sharman, whose Doof World  paintings, sculptures, and faked photos and press clippings create an alt-universe Magic Kingdom, defy such categorization. . ."

-DeWitt Chang, East Bay Express

". . . Sharman's work, titled,  "Doof World" takes the character to such locations as the Arctic Circle in a fashion that (Carrie) Lederer describes as "perfectly constructed and beautiful."

--Talia Kennedy, Diablo Arts Magazine

". . . Sharman has done a painstaking but imaginative job of creating a Doof gallery. . . Featuring Doof cloud formations, inscriptions on pyramids and an appearance in Death Valley..."

-Robert Taylor, Contra Costa Times