Breaking the silence

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

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

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

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

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

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

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...

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

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

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?