Brian's Art Blog

Breaking the silence

2009-03-26T17:39:00.000-07:00

Okay, I have eight minutes till the battery dies. It's been a while, a long while, before I've felt any kind of connection with art. I burned out. I began working in art, and not enjoying it. I felt like a robot, and uninspired, ready to sell something kind of an artist. Really, that's not an artist at all. Selling works at a show does not take the place of making something beautiful. It took a long break like this to realize that. "I still haven't found what I'm looking for." As U2 would say, I'm in search mode for inspiration. This is the day.

Curling Banana Leaf

2008-09-28T18:56:00.000-07:00

I found this banana leaf just withering away on my lawn yesterday. I thought it was absolutely beautiful, so I took a picture of it curling inside itself. Watching a banana develop is quite amazing. Daily things unfold and grow...I've never seen a more fertile plant than a banana tree. To see something so abundant with life curl back to where it started is very profound to me. Life is just so unbelievably precious.

Photoshop

2008-09-21T17:05:00.000-07:00

So I've been playing around with my new Adobe Photoshop program. Man, this thing is sweet, and the possibilities are endless. I'm absolutely blown away by the images you can create.

Study of White-Rock Lettuce

2008-05-03T19:28:00.000-07:00

To me, this flower can't get any more funky. The pedals look like broken pieces of wood or some jagged chisel. The pedals aren't very symmetrical, which throws me off quite a bit. The stamens, to me, look like silly little mustaches. All the lines took some time, but I really enjoyed this one.

Study of Japanese Iris

2008-05-03T19:21:00.000-07:00

This flower is quite majestic...Its pedals are so pronounced and powerful. They almost seem comforting, draping like curtains or a big fluffy blanket. I had a hard time shading such a broad pedal, and I think the sketch paper I used had something to do with that. The pedal to the right stooped over seemed to be my favorite. The curls and bends from the pedal were quite interesting to sketch.

Study of Guara, Texas Flowers

2008-05-03T19:13:00.000-07:00

Can you believe this flower is native to Texas? Guara, to some almost considered a weed, blooms at dusk. Many flying insects are crazy about this flower because of its strong scent. It's just so odd to me. The flower itself doesn't show odd characteristics, but the stamens seem so strong in number. The odd bloom protruding so far way from the center of the flower just seems very awkward to me.

I can taste Summer...it's so close

2008-04-22T19:23:00.000-07:00

One week before the big TEST and I'm about to explode. My kids are wiped and their fearless leader is as well. However, the test will soon be over and summer will have a whole new set of challenges to worry about.
What will I make of this summer? I hope it has nothing to do with giant cell granuloma's in my jaw. My goal is to grow as an artist and as a businessman. When people purchase art they're buying a little piece of me. A seasoned artist once told me if an artist focuses their art to the needs of buyers then they'll never be successful. "Let the art speak for itself", he said...I think there is a balance, personally. Artists are notorious for having bad business practices, so I hope I can stay mindful of those painful business mistakes. I'm definitely learning as I go.

It bugs me when...

2008-03-18T09:33:00.000-07:00

My students are journaling right now, so I thought I would do the same. Our topic is about what bugs me. Mostly, I think the biggest thing that bugs me is when I get in trouble for painting too much. It's difficult to balance all the hats I wear: husband, father, teacher, and artist. And they have to go in that order. If I love my wife then I show my son how to be a good husband. Teaching and art seem to take a back seat when you have a grumpy son or a sick wife. When I paint my mind is elsewhere, and that's hard on both Amy and Ben. Just yesterday, I was getting a piece ready for a local show. I just wanted maybe 30 minutes to clean up the sides and little spots, but Ben gave me about 10. After minute 11 he needed his daddy. He was pushing me away from the painting wanting me to spend time with him. So yeah, I was bugged. But his needs come before my own.

Thank you

2008-03-12T12:22:00.000-07:00

Amy asked for the phone book, and I was busy pouring myself a glass of milk. Little B. was with me in the kitchen asking for a "mookie," so I decided to put him to work. The little guy took the phone book to Mommy and told her thank you...Can you believe this kid!? It seems like yesterday we were running back and forth from the hospital waiting for our 30 minutes to feed him. He's walking and talking, and I can't remember where the time went.
We just found out my brother's wife is having a girl! This little girl is going to be spoiled!

Study in Cherry Blossoms

2008-03-05T16:27:00.001-08:00

Cherry blossoms are friggin sweet! They pack quite a punch with such powerful colors, and their blooms stand together quite abundantly(`` adfa2)sorry, that was my son Ben helping me type.=) The first flower I was drawn to in art was the cherry blossom. They cling so closely to the branch they originated from, so emotionally, we can categorize these flowers as a bunch of clingy girlfriends...buh dum, ching.=) What is it about these flowers? Simply said, I think they're beautiful flowers, and a lot of them, so how could you not be drawn in by their beauty?

Study in Columbines

2008-03-05T16:20:00.001-08:00

What I love about the about the Columbine, let me count the ways...These flowers stand so boldly on there own. Like a person, they don't seem to hide their problems very well. They hang out their laundry for all to see. Yeah, their leaves are a bit beat up, but look at how beautiful they are! Kinda like those old pair of jeans you can't seem to part with.

Discipline

2008-03-03T15:41:00.000-08:00

For whatever reason, my son became upset when I didn't want to sniff his binky. Apparently, that is a sign of disrespect in the toddler world. Benjamin is only 18 months, but he's quickly learning how far he can push his boundaries. Although, Ben is a "people person" in every sense of the term. He's also listens very well, but it takes several redirections to make an impression.
Growing up as an army brat, I always knew the importance of discipline. But as the baby of the family I think I received the least of it. I want to show discipline in my life just because Ben will emulate me in the future. I know the success of my finances, my health, my walk with the Lord, and my art all rest upon my ability to discipline myself. I also think the success of Ben's future also rests on my own ability to show restraint. Does that get any easier? At 27 I feel far from it.

Make your own canvas

2008-02-08T21:16:00.000-08:00

Dropping a link for creating your own canvases. This is a new art I've become interested in. I guess your art is only as good as what you put it on...

how to make your own stretched canvases

Inspiration

2008-02-08T21:05:00.001-08:00

It's pretty incredible how clients can inspire an artist. People have such wonderful insight, and I'm so thankful for it. When I teach my students they challenge me to become an even stronger teacher. So in art, do clients perform the same function?

Long time no speaky

2008-01-30T07:40:00.000-08:00

I want to keep up with my blog a bit more, but work has been crazy these past few weeks. As far as art is concerned, I've been excited about the new works I've been developing. I'm finding how much I enjoy creating floral works. Flowers, in terms of art, have their own personalities. You can show a lot of emotion by the way they're positioned on the canvas. Showing a bright and bold flower in the foreground with little to no stalk brings the flower up close to the viewer. Those are the types of things I've discovered just by painting this week. It's exciting. I'm enjoying working on a commission from a previous buyer. I've worked on it daily, and I'm happy with my progress so far.

On a field trip, I picked up a book on Texas wildflowers. The book has been quite inspirational in the different types of floral pieces I can create.

Here is a link for the book: 1oo Texas Wildflowers

Lily Spiral in Progress

2008-01-13T20:09:00.000-08:00

After a disappointing experience with the Cowboys...I got busy. From the sketch of a lily, I was interested in how the flowers crisp corners and points seemed to curl into infinity. From the curl found in a nautilus shell, or inside a canna leaf, deriving from a point that humans can't visibly see is truly unbelievable. Nature has so many quirks. This just gives me more motivation to put it down on canvas.
As Christians, we believe in living forever. Our physical bodies die away, but our soul remains. Again, that stuff really wigged me out at a young age. If you sit and think about it, there is never an end. I will continue forever. At the risk of sounding like a nutty painter, eternity seems to be so excepted in Christianity. Does this bother anyone? The only satisfaction I derive is knowing I'll praise Him forever.

finished "Orchid Stalks", new Reyes Leaves pics.

2008-01-09T19:22:00.002-08:00

A new detail shot...I'm psyched about this painting! So much motion, and I think the leaves are such a strong contrast to what surrounds it.

Lily Charcoal Sketch

2008-01-06T20:56:00.001-08:00

Can you believe how gorgeous a lily is? Looking at something like this always gives me such confidence in my creator. Here, the lily has fully extended it's petals away from the stamen. The petals wrinkle and curve creating a sense of shape.

School starts back tomorrow...and I have mixed feelings. I truly miss my kids. I also know it's incredibly hard to get back in the swing after having so much time off. Give me about two weeks and I'll be back in the groove.

Orchid Stalks in Progress

2008-01-03T18:50:00.001-08:00

The last day of Christmas vacation...In many ways I'm happy to see it go. I'm ready to get back into the groove of things. I'm thankful for the time off, but I get a bit antsy after more than a week.
I wanted to create something along the lines of my "Grey Blume," but had been toying with the idea of using orchid stalks in the background.
After about thirty minutes in the garage, my hand almost froze off. I took it in doors, and Ben got paint everywhere!
The stalks probably seem a bit comical, curvy and grossly out of proportion. We turned up some kids music, and after several M.C. Hammer moves, followed by a pathetic running man, this was the result!
I'm not quite finished with the bottom, but it's almost there. I don't know why, but it reminds me of Japanese cartoons.
Could it be? Kansas might take the Orange bowl? What a weird season...

Charcoal Sketch, Hummingbird

2007-12-29T18:02:00.000-08:00

Amy's Aunt came down and showered Ben with gifts. It always amazes me to see how much my son is loved. He is quite a ham, which he happily inherited from mommy and daddy.

A conversation was brought over hummingbird's, and I thought I might enjoy a quick sketch of them. Amy said it looked a bit funny at first, but she was pleased with the result. I have a long way to go with sketching, but the break is a great time for me to get back into it.

The heater is on, the garage is warming up for painting, but A&M is whoopin' Penn State! I can't miss this game!

Charcoal Sketch Orchids

2007-12-28T18:57:00.000-08:00

Charcoal sketch of orchids on my new pad! It's been a while since I've sketched, and it brings back so many memories. I remember sitting on the kitchen table working for hours to draw a baseball player swinging through a pitch. Charcoal is much more forgiving, and to me, much more enjoyable.

2007-12-28T12:22:00.001-08:00

My latest piece! Measuring 24X48 inches. A friend of mine had some colors in mind, and I found the inspiration. Walking around the school yard, a tree began losing it's leaves. The leaf colors fell in place with my friends color scheme. I used my normal texturing technique, and laid the leaves to create an impression. I just went from there and was pleased with the result! Today I began another leaf impression, and I'm hoping I will get somewhere with it!

Hey!

2007-12-28T12:11:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone!

To any people reading this...this is my new art blog! Why? Good question. That of which I'm still discovering myself. I'm hoping this will better me as an artist, give prospective buyers insight in my creations, and document my path in becoming a better artist! I'm still learning how to upload pictures on my blog, but that will take some time!

Test

2007-12-28T12:03:00.001-08:00

Testing 123