Cliff Notes for applegate Art?

Hawthorne was an artist. His medium was the written word. He told a story and painted images as he wrote. He used symbolism to represent different ideas that he was communicating with his reader. The reader has the responsibility of trying to interpret these symbols within context of Hawthorne's message. Sometimes the reader will seek help making these interpretations. Participate in a book club. Read other's opinions. A newspaper article. And if in the desperate mode, one can read the book's infamous Cliff Notes. There is it all laid out chapter by chapter. Clear as a cloudless, sunny day. It is important to note, though, that Hawthorne isn't the author of The Scarlet Letter Cliff Notes.

I am an artist. One of my mediums is mixed media assemblages. My assemblages are created to tell a story and/or message. I, too, use symbolism. Birds = flight or freedom. Virgin Mary = selflessness, a world beyond one's one self. Gorillas = mocking the intelligence of mankind. Mirrors = reflect the message onto the viewer's own life. Dice = superstition. Blinking white light = lighthouse sending out life saving message. Do I need to go any further? Nothing all that deep. Freud would get it. Didn't he use symbols?

So here's my question, why do people constantly "advise" me to explain my assemblages so people understand they are not just expressions of whimsy created by a man who has lost touch with any sense of pragmatism? I should write up little paragraphs of "explanations" and display them with every piece. Ok, I tried this, but guess what? There is a reason I choose to tell my stories/messages via the medium of assemblages. I do not want to reduce the experience using the constraints of the written word. Especially my written word. I am not Hawthorne. As Hawthorne is not Steve Applegate.

As a viewer of my art, I only ask you to take a bit of the responsibility of reading my assemblages, my stories, my perspective on life. You will find my perspective isn't that personal. I express general themes of spirituality, struggles and the likes.

If and when I create a piece that highlights a Virgin Mary night light with a bright scarlet letter on her breast, then you just may want to head on down to your local bookstore and see if you can purchase a copy of applegate Art Cliff Notes.