Memory Day

Creating Art is so therapeutic! With Memorial Day rolling around once again reminds me just how much that therapy is needed! I only spent four years in the Air Force during the Vietnam era but it changed my entire life. Never been quite the same since. But compared to many of my Brothers I got off easy. Still, living with the emotional and spiritual scares has greatly impacted my life. So, Thank God for ART! Helps me release feelings in a constructive way. I'm so driven to create art, I work at least ten - twelve hours every day. Sometimes in tears and others in laughter but always in a state of gratitude that I possess sight, hands, legs and even stamina enough to function as an artist. So many of my friends didn't make it back physically whole or mentally and emotionally strong enough to even function in society. I think it's a good thing on Memorial Day to celebrate Life instead of death! May God have mercy on us all!
Now... I gotta go Make More Art!!!

Back Up!

Back up your files! Just a friendly reminder. Takes much less time and effort to regularly protect your information than it does trying to bring it all back from the abyss. Be safe instead of sorry!
Arrrrrrggg!! (mmmm was that the sound of conviction??)

Express Yourself!

Express Yourself!
How ever it comes out is fine. No right or wrong! Just allow the marks 2B made... with freedom, with power, with authority! Go on, let it out! Any medium will do.. any surface... simply know it's more than OK, more than important, more than needed to become the person, the artist the uniquely creative individual you are meant to be! Don't let anything or anyone stop or deter you. This is a Paramount Opportunity! so Go On... Express Yourself!! Make More ART!!!!

Change

Just got my first hair cut in ten years! Feels good... ahhhh change. Wanna embrace a new look, a new way of thinkin, a bigger brighter future. Did it just for me... got tired of fighting with it and besides almost always had it tired back ... so what's the point anyway?! This pruning could prove to be the catalyst that prompts a deeper confidence and stronger motivation to succeed on the World Stage with my art. For me, It is after all, mostly about what's on the inside more than on the canvas. Without an inner art there could be no outer art. That statement it strangely wordy but seems to ring true. So... change is good... but at the end of the day it's just a hair cut.

Family

The work I create is like a family to me. No matter where they go I still feel close, no matter what they say I still love them. Doesn't mean there isn't tension at times but the bottom line is I have part of me in them and HA! i do love myself... hard to deny me. Selfish? Self Centered? Self Absorbed? Well, sure... at times. Maybe everyone is? But I sure love my Art. I can accept criticism, even if not constructive but overall ... it amazes me how some folks don't understand how personal, private and deeply revealing my art is to me. Yet I become an exhibitionist baring ALL willingly.. putting it out there for better or worse. So be gentle but by all means take yer best shot. Just remember yer talkin bout my Family!

Opportunity

I'm guessin Opportunity Knocks way more often than we realize! We simply don't hear it! Maybe we're too involved in focusing on Hopes, Dreams and Plans we've already concocted or maybe we're just not listening! But I'm confident amazing opportunities are all around us. My Art Making proves this to me daily. I'll be in the throws of creativity, I call it the Zone, where everything disappears cept the art at hand and while in that mental state a revealing occurs as to what tools to use or materials to incorporate that will bring about the success of the piece. In the bigger picture of life, which i happen to believe is an amazing work of art all to itself, there will be opportunities arise thru which a much greater scale of success can be facilitated. Funny comparison: on one hand getting Lost in the art making process and on the other getting Found in the real world. Either way we need to be listening for that knock on our heart's door.

The Gift

Life is such a Gift! So excited bout opening it today and exploring the goodies inside! Gonna make good use of my gift today and Make More Art!
Gotta give God all the Glory here as I believe He is the Gift Giver! Each heart beat, each breath, each moment is a special gift from Him. So look you guys, don't think I'm being preachy... it's simply what i believe... what inspires me, Who I rely on and trust in. I'm just like a little kid opening that Big 'ole Christmas present... man, can't wait to rip it up, dig inside.. as I laugh, giggle n grin all the way! Yahoooooo!!! Gonna go outside in the fresh air & sunshine and create some ART! Now That has Meaning!! ;-)

Pain

Interesting how ART seems 2 B a fantastic way to deal with pain! Art is not always "Oh, that's beautiful!" but sometimes... " Yikes! that's scary!" Ya just gotta let it out! Whether emotional, Psychological or even physical pain it all has a way of cramping yer style. But I find if I confront the monster by Creating Art it turns the potentially negative vibe into amazing creative energy. So I try to push through the pain as they say and make myself work all the harder, all the more intense, even more aggressive. The doctors want to throw pharmaceuticals (ie. Drugs) at the situation but even tho there are times that could be the right or needed approach, my drug of choice to deal with pain is... Making More Art!!

Companionship

Living with Art could, or in my opinion should be, compared with living with a good friend. If we knew or understood every detail about another person we would soon get bored and complacent in the relationship. A good friend continually reveals new and interesting characteristics. They challenge, comfort, convict, inspire, draw out passions we were not even aware of and generally stir our hearts to become a better person. Time apart is valuable as well... ahhh the coming back together is exciting at so many levels. It should be the same when living with a fine piece of art. Allowing Art to come into our private, intimate space... to dwell with, experience special moments together, speak to and hear from makes for a rewarding investment. Like when people meet face to face. We see the surface, that first impression. Yet as we continue to explore an unfolding depth of uniqueness is enjoyed. So too with Art. We are surprised, often encouraged and an awareness develops as to the potential our new companion offers. Staying connected becomes important and a beautiful lasting relationship evolves.

The Truth

Interaction with other humans... mmmm Not that I'm all paranoid about being lied to but seems it's often difficult knowing if what folks have to say is full of truth. But when your Art Speaks to you, if you're really listening, there is nothing but Truth! Art has a way of being totally open and honest... revealing the deepest innermost emotions... laying it all on the line without hesitation or regret! Seems Art intends for us to find confidence and assurance in the interaction. Oh, how i want to learn to be more attentive, more focused, more tuned in. I feel so privileged to spend time with Art, anybodies Art not just my own. What a wonderful opportunity to glean insight and wisdom. Wouldn't want to totally miss out on the human experience... but to discover deeper meaning... I'll hang with Art anytime!

Perseverance

Sure, there are times when abandoning a project is the "right" decision, at least for the time being. But overall seems pushing thru the proverbial Love-Hate relationship that often evolves when creating a piece of art is Paramount to success. Life is like that. It's difficult to get anywhere if you're constantly sitting at the side of the road contemplating the next pothole that could be up ahead. Art making can be a fickle process but for me Pushing On continually pays off. Lessons learned of what TO Do or NOT To Do in creating that Masterpiece are certainly worth the effort. As we look to find meaning in our art making be encouraged to Persevere!

Choose 2B Happy!

Be Encouraged to Live yer Dreams! Simply deciding to Go For It, no matter what the outcome, will bring Great Happiness into yer life! Know you CAN Be and Do more than you think! Choose Happy! To me this is a huge part of the Meaning of ART! YOU are Walkin Talkin ART!!