Seattle Mariners by Dustin Vaughn

Beadwork

Meet the Artist: Dustin Vaughn

Inspiration:

As I said about the interpreting of "justice," sports hold so much value for me. In particular, my hometown teams. In addition to that, there is a liberating quality to the west coast. A freedom, unlike any other. When pioneers migrated west, it was for discovery and reinvention and a reimagining of what is possible. Hence, my love and adoration for all things Washington State.

What role does art play in your life?

Art is important. It has always been a form of catharsis for me. I either feel it or I don't. As of late, I've taken up a therapeutic obsession with beading. It's a good mental check out. "Inspiration" has always been relative. It always depends on what I feel. I believe in the cathartic/emotional nature of it all.

Art holds a therapeutic value. But, I always love he creativeness and the ability to understand and feel other people's intentions and ideas. It offers a kind of connectedness with other people. Aside from what is cool, I am inspired by what feels right.

Justice statement:

"Justice" is purely the righting of wrongs. Too much is open for interpretation, but for me of that statement the word that hangs most true is "pure." What is one person's "justice" is another's "injustice." So to find those things most pure that work to bring people TOGETHER is what is most valuable. And for me, nothing does that. quite like sports. There is a natural balancing of scales, a working together towards a common goal. All warts on display and a complex acceptance of failures and success.