artist of the day

(let me just say, i am NOT easily impressed). wow his work is AMAZING

phil hansen

Daudi
3-2007
Graphite on Starbucks cups.
30" x 20"
x`




and of all places, i found out about him on cnn: With YouTube, artist needs no gallery
video of his work and an interview




By Valerie Streit





Phil Hansen would not consider himself a performance artist, though time-lapse videos capturing his artistry in action have generated a lot of buzz online.


His most viral Web video, "Bruce ," which he submitted to CNN via I-Report, has been viewed more than 3 million times on YouTube, Break and MySpace combined.
In "Bruce," Hansen dips his hands in black paint and karate chops the canvas, forming an image of martial arts film legend Bruce Lee.
"I have not shown in a gallery," Hansen says. "It will happen eventually . . . but I have had a lot more publicity."
For now, Hansen hosts his own virtual gallery on his Web site, which includes a live studio cam.
The 27-year-old works from the basement of his brother's home in suburban St. Paul, Minnesota. Mostly self-taught, Hansen learned the basics in high school. He did attend art school, but he dropped out, opting to pursue his own technique instead. To pay the bills, he works full time as an X-ray technician at a trauma hospital (he plans to cut back his hours in November).
Hansen says he found that still photographs did not always do his work justice. With video as an ally, he started experimenting with speed, narration and the process itself. He discovered that art can be more than just a means to an end, and that the art-making process can sometimes be more engaging........