The Hump

Most people give up way before the hump.
They look ahead, see the hill, and assume they won't be able to make it over.
Most people
Are missing out.
The hump is there to challenge us.
To push us to our limits
And test our faith.
Most people are cowards.
And settle for "good."
When we only have such a little amount of time to reach that "great."
But being able to touch that "great"
No matter how brief a moment
Will trump over all things that only reached to "good."

These last couple of weeks I got offered two, count 'em, two art show opportunities.
Both seemed positive.
Both seemed sure.
Both lacked communication and bailed,
Either by ignoring the situation they created
Or by closing off the conversation with a "Good luck" goodbye.
I asked myself "Why."
I asked the heavens "Why."

Then I reminded myself that I do this FOR ME.
And I kept painting.


This is Rudy.
And he's almost complete.

A New Approach

A lot has been going on in my life lately.
My home life.
My work life.
My relationships.
Every aspect has been hit by an obstacle.
At the same. Time.
But last week I took a new outlook.
Tried things differently.
Kept. Going.
And today, I painted. For the first time in over a month.
I thought my life was too hectic, too busy, too chaotic to paint.
But, I think, in reality, my life Became chaotic and busy and hectic BECAUSE I wasn't painting.
So cheers. Cheers to a fresh start. And a different approach.

Preparation.

Progress.

I Love This

Lines

Rushed

I hate that I have to stop my creative flow to go work retail.
Here's to hoping one day I won't have to.

Darks

Me and My Inks

It's been awhile since I painted.
I've been itching for a day off to just be in my studio.
Today, with the rain, is a great opportunity.
I sit on the smooth, wooden floor, comfortable being indian style, and gather some supplies off my shelf.
Today is not an oil painting day, not even acrylics.
Today is about watercolor, or more specifically, my inks.
I miss my ink drawings on mylar. I miss the flow of the water, how the color spreads and pools.
Perhaps today is more about me and my inks.

Projecting Ideas

Today I finally got to do what I love most.
Create.

My head is so full of lively ideas, all intermingled in a mosh pit of confusion.
Some ideas are more aggressive than others, throwing their elbows and pushing their way to the front.
But each idea came into my head for a reason, so I will attend to all of them, shaking each hand as I come across them.

Here's an idea put into action. Le beginning.

Otherwise, I am just joyous I got to paint. My palette knives and paint brushes are extensions of my left arm, following the rhyme that lives inside my soul. (And, today, my acoustic playlist.)

Another beginning, more erratic than thought-driven.

Favorite color contrast.

A New Light

I am safely back from Europe.
What an adventure.
I traveled through four countries in 10 days.
I've never slept so well on such a hard mattress. Those Italians like a stiff bed.
Up by 6 am, home by 10 pm almost every day. Snapping away and loving every minute.

Most important of all, I've thought of a new series. They will come from my pictures and/or compilation of pictures from Europe. I'm going to incorporate architecture into these new ones, because the buildings over there were just too gorgeous not to draw.
Texture.
Speed.
And, of course, color.

I've also been looking at John Singer Sargent a lot lately. I think his brush techniques and rapid gestures will inspire my new paintings as well.

I might experiment some with the layers and faded coloring, although he used watercolors which helps with that effect. I do love watercolor though....
He also did some paintings of Italy.

I suppose he admired their architecture as well.
I can't wait to start. I already have so many ideas to sketch out.

But first, I must finish up my square paintings in preparation for my July show. The process of hanging the art work can sometimes be just as creative as the process of painting.