Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Artsy People

I remember I use to think that the term "Artsy People" was a negative thing. Like someone was trying to offend me. I have been surrounding myself with Artsy People since I have been embarking on this journey of re-discovery. I have been attending all these events and shows and the only people that are there are people who like art...hence the term Artsy People. I have noticed that people who express themselves through creating are more open to conversation and opinion. Yet in their own worlds they are somewhat withdrawn. I myself cannot converse as openly with people that do not appreciate art. that is all I want to talk about is creating, what others created, what am I going to create, how we see the world through artists eyes. there are so many things that interest me about this new world I want to share and hear people share with me. I am drawn to researching, seeing listening and exploring the new. I spent a whole lifetime of doing the opposite. I never knew this world of art was so wonderful. So fulfilling. I need to make up time. In 2 1/2 months of being in this world 100 percent I have gone so very far. For me that is so wonderful because I doubted myself for so many years. I doubted my creativity and yet I have enjoyed every step. Now the possibilities are endless. I dream of showing my work exclusively and sharing with a larger audience bridging the gap between artsy and non-artsy people. This needs to be done. Although some people in this community do not it to grow. They like their little bubble. Exclusive little world. What a shame that there has to be two worlds equal in interest and in passion. What it comes down to for some people is money and value. I understand that. What I don not understand is the disrespect for the arts. We cannot change thousands of years of the same.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Create and Shut Up!

Sometimes I find myself in a pity party. Whining about why I am not painting. Why I cannot be inspired. I look back and realize I am a big idiot. I have been given a gift to create and I cannot find a reason to create....wow. what a waste of time. the reasons are all around us. God gave us the reason all over our environment. I know we need to create certain pieces as artists for a theme or commission....but sometimes we are in a block and have nothing in the tank. Walk outside, get out your sketch pad and draw the trash cans sitting next to the tree. For that matter paint the damn things pink. Paint an abstract with the shape. That is a bad example...but I think for the 2 people that read my blog the chances might be 50/50 that one will understand. I hope! Then sometimes we cry about the products we use. they have to be a certain make. I am glad I do not have that problem. I just paint with that I can find. I coat it with an enamel clear anyway. So I think maybe just maybe if I was a canvas paintiner things would be different with me....Oh well. maybe not. this rant is for people making excuses to not take out the brush from your ass and apply it to the canvas or surface you create on. If you paint on canvas...try another surface. Paint on a plank of wood or cabinet door. A cabinet door has the interior for the composition and the border is the frame. Paint on an old trash can lid. Make the paint thick give it texture. Maybe I just am a little eccentric when it comes to my work. As I try and rediscover myself on a daily basis I focus on what I enjoy creating. I am realizing that there is a following for every type of art. So there is hope for me. I am not the type of artist that will appeal to the masses like say davinci! He stood the test of the ages. He was brilliant. So diverse. We all have our niche. And if that is another excuse....do not even go there. We are all unique...paint what you enjoy. If what you enjoy is not marketable? then market better. If your sole purpose is to make money and not for the enjoyment then people will see right through it. 

Saturday, December 19, 2009

CaNvAs!

Canvas is very intimidating. I dont know why but it feels as if I will be painting naked. I will expose a part of me I would not want everyone to see. I paint on rusted shet metal. I have my own medium to work with., I cannot be compared to anyone else as far as the way I create texture. I know I am not the best artist even by any stretch...but I have met so many people that love what I do. Painting on canvas would be a waste of time for me. I would just be competing against the whole world. I am comfortable in my little niche. I need to experiment. I need to reach out and be brave and creative like I tell everyone to. where do I begin? that is a very hard on for me. CANVAS! Just saying that word is very bone chilling for me. Canvas. Ok. I love creating colors and textures on surfaces . I could probably work with wood as well. I could probably work on poster board. But canvas. Ok. maybe I am making more out of it than it really is. Can someone out there in Blog-o-sphere help? Do I have any people that actually read this that can send me an inspirational rational comment? Or did I lose everyone that reads this thing with my horrible rants. Oh well. Life goes on.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Remind Me NOT to paint on comission.....

Actually...I do not mind painting something someone requested. It is just when I ask them for the truth.....Sometimes it does not go well. Honestly we cannot read someones mind. They have a certain picture in their mind and they need to be comfortable with it. There should always be a sketch or a rough draft like the tattoo artists do. The person told me that she will leave it in my hands. That right there made me nervous. My gut told me to make sure she approves of the composition before I actually started the piece. It is much easier to paint what I feel and someone going to an event/show/gallery and pick what is already done. At least they get what they wanted in the first place. So this article is to remind all of us ...including myself to make sure to show a rough draft. I spent 10 straight hours on this piece. too bad for the next person trying to make an offer on it. I am not letting it go so easy. In the end. I had a wonderful 10 hours creating a piece I enjoyed creating. That is the most important. My work was not and never felt like it was work. I have spent hours on a piece and when it was completed it was awful....yet someone else wanted it and loved it. So I guess to each his/her own. What ever floats your boat.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Artistic Humility

Today there is hope for the artist. Today there is hope for the struggling artist. Today there is hope for the humble struggling artist. Why? Because there are so many people who want to seee the real artist come out and be him/herself. There are some curators and artists that are too selective when it comes to the person and not so much concerned with the body of work. They promote a persona instead of the gift. I have met so many wonderfully talented individuals who create wonderful magnificent works of art. Why have I not heard about these people. To them it doesnt matter because they are humble and they create their works for the people who follow them. They create their works for their community. I have this preconception of people in this industry and it was not a very nice picture. As I am getting to know so many and network myself in this world...it is turning out to be a very satisfying experience. Smug gives way to careful and protective. Stuck up gives way to educated and focused. The more I talk with all these different people the more I am starting to understand. I do not agree with their reasons or actions but I understand. Trust is a very big factor in this art community. You have to be involved and have chemistry with them. Paying your dues means give and take. I see the humility of the artist. these artists bust their ass and accept the worst of criticism when they know no one has a right to criticize. We are all in this together. We all have a voice in our work. We all have a different interpretation of what our eyes see. We exhibit our form differently. Yet I go back to what I have said previously...there is always that ten percent of people that want to for some reason be that roadblock....or challenge. They are very comfortable with who they know and who puts up with their shit that they are very selective in who they let in. Who is they? they are the people that try and make the rules. They are the people with the money to buy the high end stuff. Who paints in the high end world...well....you have to know someone to be noticed..or you have to be unique AND exceptional. That is rare. But there is hope. Do not stop hoping. Do not stop trying. Do not stop working hard. Do not stop dreaming. Never take no for an answer. No is just a detour for a longer journey but not a roadblock. Love and have passion for what you do. Show that passion in your work by not compromising what you paint or create. All bullshit aside....keep it there....aside. Move forward..press on and smile, hope and stay positive. This might be your last day createing and tomorrow did not come.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

SMUG

Why do people in the art industry act smug? I do not understand it. Is it because the curators have to have their ass kissed to get a piece shown? Maybe. I really think people have to lighten up. Maybe these art gallery owners and curators are sick of the desperate artist always getting i their face. Could it be they are just so busy with all those famous artists that they are showing in their gallery and they are making tons of money? No ....that might not be it. I am not a very educated man but....the last gallery that invited me to visit them and they were interested in my work was more desperate than I. They wanted for me to pay them, and then take a 50/50 cut. I guess it is the economy. Maybe it was because they really do not care for the work and are more concerned with the rent. Yeah. I wouldnt know what I am talking about until I own my own gallery and had to pay the bills. I have a feeling that these high end galleries are suffering more than the downtown everyday galleries because they are too stuck up to lok at the real struggling artist who has amazing work. They ask questions like..."do you have a website?" "Are you represented?" the general questions. So. up and coming artists have to be rich already? These galleries are getting away from showcasing new talent because it is a risk for them.

Which brings me to Long Beach. My city. Wonderful city for art. Is see a powerful wave of Art coming. Yet we as artists have to keep these people in the Art community/powers to be hinest. They are starting out with an agenda. They want to do the same thing with the artists that the high end galleries do. They put up so many rules that people are not enjoying the true artist. What they are getting is a gathering of commercialization already. We are holding back all these wonderful talents that are silent because they are so intimidated by these fools. Yes our city has to make some of these road blocks go away. OR art will die. Art is alive and wants to thrive. There are so many people that want to show there work. There is a public out there that does not know what a feeling they can get from seeing this work. So many of us just want to show. Selling is back seat to the feeling of seeing people enjoy their work. I even enjoy people coming to my showing or event and criticizing my work. At least they are taking the time to be involved.

Well...either way we look at it the community has to revive our interest for art. The artists have to be brave and create. The city has to ease restrictions for venues. The public have to come out to the art walks and support the community. All of this in turn will help our children ..believe it or not. they will show an interest and will want to create...this is very healthy. An alternative outlet to video games and chatting. there is nothing wrong with social media...hey I am blogging here. But there is a fine line we draw when it comes to our children. We have to instill a sense of inspiration and creativity. This will carry them through their adult years. they will be well balanced and have less social problems. Well...I am not a psychologist. I am not a teacher. I am not a social worker or expert on the human psyche. I am an artist. I just love people. I know. this is a true rant...sensless rant. Read it if you want. Hey. If you are reading this sentence...that means you read the whole damn thing. Ok...Now go throw up. God Bless.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Thick Skin.

The term thick skin took a whole new meaning when I started this journey exploring my dream of being an artist. I have met so many wonderful people. Yet every once in a while I run across someone that is very .....smug. Stuck up. Opinionated in a very negative tone. I do not mind someone being very candid with me and giving me there insight on my work. It is ok and very healthy to hear the truth whether or not it is in your favor or not. In reality it is all in your favor when as an artist someone is very honest. I get a very honest perspective. BUT there are those people that seem to search out that word that will create a stir in you. They for some reason or another enjoy that. Yes I have to admit it does get to me deep in the recesses of my little feelings getting hurt. But I always remind myself I am not here to please them. First and foremost I am doing this for me. If by chance there are people that enjoy looking for my work and truly appreciating my style then it is for them. I know these people will be honest with me and tell me if I am not giving them my all. They will tell me the honest truth if I am trying to display something not as exciting. I want to create an emotion from people. I want to have someone sit in front of my work and appreciate it. I want te love. I do not need validation. I do not need acceptance. I do not need my ego to be pumped. I reached that when I was working as a manager in a steel company and there were rules on how to move up. I achieved that and was a part of the boys club. They took care of me well. That chapter in my life is over. THis is a very different humbling part of my life now. I am being a part of peoples life now. The people who buy my work or recieve as a gift are carrying a part of me for however long they have my work on their walls. I acknowledge that they are truly looking for a piece of work with passion and love in it. they want their wall to carry something special. I hope that I can be that artist they look to for this. SO when I am a part of a show or event in a venue where the public is involved I am opening up myself to all and every expression comment opinion and that takes alot of thick skin. But it does not stop there. The most judgmental of all of these types of people are from our peers. When we gather at a function where there are all artists and we are exchanging ideas and looking at each others art...they will be your worst and or best critic. They will be the most smug or kind person. They can also be your worst nightmare if you stir them the wrong way.....they do their damn-est to blackball you in this small world that is the art community. Everyone knows each other. Thick skin takes on a new meaning.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Something New!

I never thought I could create pieces that were so different from what I paint. I am painting some abstract pieces without any kind of form. Just color and composition. I try and give a composition anyway!!! lol. I just went with the flow. I went with my spirit. I painted from my soul. I have never arranged colors and shapes in such a way. I did not even structure a shape.....more like a streak of paint and a space of bare metal here and there with color mixed in. Texture from the rust peaking through. Splats of paint over the entire pieces. It is interesting. At first I did not want to continue ....then one error led to another and WAMMO! It was a piece. A piece of what I dont know. But I did manage to get out of my rut I was in this morning. Everyone in my twitter and facebook family kept on telling me to take a walk, take a break....NO! Paint! I say...paint until it comes to you. That is what I did. My 701 year old mother just lost her husband, my dad...and she wants to walk/jog/run again already. She feels weak and down but she still wants to press on. There is a saying she has told me since I was a child.."querer es poder" It translates very plainly...but in essence it is Ambition is Power! To want is your strength! If you always want to improve in your life it is very powerful the things we can achieve. So I am not afraid. I tried something totally different then what I was comfortable with. I will be displaying this in my next public display next weekend. I will be vulnerable but If I do not open myself i will never grow. For all of you who read this. I love you all.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Painting with Pain

Is it true an artist creates better when there is a tragedy? Does an artist need that negative to create positive? I recently lost my father a couple of days before thanksgiving and I did not feel like creating anything. I did not have that creative spirit to paint in dark colors to release all that bullshit I feel. I guess some may do that but I have only seen it in the movies. I painted but it was so hard to focus. I am at peace with his death and understand that it is a natural event. It happens to all of us. We all have a different script but the same ending. Mortality, finality here on earth. As for what IS after we pass...that is to your interpretation of what you know and feel. I had no visions in my head to paint something so revealing and special. As it is I have a problem painting from my heart right now. I think I will offend or hurt family members. I guess I am being respectful to them and disrespectful to the arts and our integrity. There is no compromise when it comes to our creative process and subject matter. Our subject matter is in our hearts everyday. Our reasons for painting are all around u and we should be inspired as artists to change the world. I had that realization recently and committed to myself to express myself honestly and not be a hypocrite. I talk of creating and not producing for the masses. But in truth I guess painting safe is just as much as producing as it can get. Creating is being honest. Then maybe understanding the artist who creates from his or her heart while going to a tragedy makes sense to me now. They can paint the pain in a picture for all or maybe just for them to see. But we paint to change and to inspire. We paint for the world to be aware of the truth in how we see the world. Our world through an artists eyes is revealing, compelling and very profound. It can hurt, it can heal and it can incite. That is who we are. So I guess I just answered my original question. 

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Do You Love Your Work?

I found myself this week wondering if I am truly happy with what I have been creating. I know others like my work. Do I love my work? I would say no. I am not creating the work that makes me completely happy. What kind of work that is?, I will have to explore and then i can truly and honestly create works of Art. I have been blogging in the past about producing versus creating. I guess I have the passion to create and yet I have been producing. I might be afraid to let go and be me in and through my work. As I troll through the internet in search of inspiration I see that there are so many artists upon artists that are defined by what they create and their creative process. I question my finished piece but I do not compromise my creative process. I learned that shit on my own. I am annoyed with myself and disappointed because I have not been honest with myself. The subject matter is irrelevant to others. I am not painting for them. I am painting for me. If I was an art vending machine and I relied on making the public happy to make a living then It would matter because I am trying to feed the machine. the people I am talking to are not worried about this or that they just want to see me create. the people that I am holding dear to my heart are the people that are emotional when they share the experience with me. We all have our reasons as artists to create our work. I create to inspire and love. I know I sound really corny when I make that statement but It is true. Of course I am filling a void inside me when I create....but reaching out to others to connect with my work is just as important. If I compromise myself and attempt to force myself to paint a specific subject rather than let it flow and not worry about what is coming out everyone sees that in my work. I am learning. I am seeing. I am feeling. When I am at an event and someone comes up to me and tells me my work sees right through their soul...it really makes me think and puts me in check about what an artists life is worth on this earth. Why we are here. What is our purpose? That is the answer when someone is moved by your work. Am I looking too much into it? If we are to keep our work private and paint for ourselves then we take no responsibility because we are not reaching out. If we are reaching out and sharing with others publicly...we are responsible and held accountable. IF we paint with our soul and give thought and meaning to our work...then we let everyone in and that is where we connect. Today I am stuck because I have not followed my own rule. Today I make that change and not wait for tomorrow. For tomorrow might never come.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Post or NOT to Post....Art BLOG?

There was a very good reason I started writing this blog. Somehow that reason turned into a pipe dream. I wanted to reach peopl and connect with the artists that can inspire me and motivate me. I started to interact with some and somehow I lost them. I do not know If they just got bored of what I had to say or their lives got busy. I guess it does not really matter. I should still write anyway. Life is always marching on. I always have a thought or two about what I paint wnat to paint or have painted. I always have a thought or two of the rules people put on artists and how they SHOULD be doing things. When I create I do not want rules. I just want to create colorful enjoyable bold statement lovely hopeful crazy bright happy sad etc......all of the above kind of works with no boundaries.

I think we set our own limits to what we can do in life. When it comes to art I have talked with fellow artists whom are so gifted and classically trained. They have learned from the brightest of teachers. They have spent a large amount of money for their degrees and reall yhave benefited from the training. I am sure they have expanded their knowledge of technique and their range of creative tools is huge. Does that make sense? In other words they know a lot. I ask myself this....did they sacrifice passion for this education? Did they create a barrier for themselves when it comes to the creative process? I often wonder if I should have continued with my education instead of going for the dollar. My life experiences has brought me back to my love for creating. My situation and circumstances have brought me here to this point in my life. Could I have done it sooner Would I have been burned out from shoving all that info in my head about how and where and who....when creating? I will never know. All I know is my education is networking, talking, experimentation, watching, listening..... I love people. I love to learn about their lives and feel their emotions. I love to see people pleased about where they are at in life. I also love the tragedy of life and the recovery. It is very satisfying to me to see healing. We all know there will be tragedy in life...the true character in a person is their fortitude. How they bounce back. My passion for my work is my way of healing. My passion for creating works of art is my way of helping people heal. Seeing the hope n someones eyes when they are given a piece I have created is a remarkable feeling. If they connect with my work it is a very fulfilling moment for me.

Ok. What does all of thi shave to do with blogging. Everything. I just wrote all of this down. I just took a chance that someone reading this will connect with what I am saying and maybe I said it in a way that makes sense to them. I may have touched on a subject one day that can help them understand their own thought. I am a very raw and basic writer. I have a very small amount of formal education. I am not the brightest light in the lamp. I speak humbly and am always evolving learning and trying to apply my life to my work. I am who I am if you are interested in learning together then lets blog and interact together.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Nervous Pre Exhibition Jitters?


WOW. What a weekend. Friday night I had a wonderful opportunity to shocase my work again at Elise's Tea Room in Long Beach California. All was going smoothly. We set up the work and hung them beautifully. My family brought me dinner so we can be all set to go. As I was finishing my meal people started to walk in looking for the artist. I spoke with several and everyone was very pleased. A couple with their children came in and introduced themselves. I had been waiting for this person to arrive. As we were talking I felt very weak and nauseous. We continued the conversation and I tried to tough it out..to no avail. I excused myself and did not return to the gfallery area for about an hour or so. I missed the meat of the night. I do not wan tto get into what was going on over that porcelain. I thought at the time it was the food.....but...in retrospect I am starting to believe it was nerves. How could I be so nervous? This is an exciting time. Poeple are actually responding positively to my work. Subconsciously I was scared. Scared of the rejection or the negative. There was none. It was a very special night. I am so thankful for people in my life who support me in this change of life direction. Creating pieces of work that will inspire people to love the Arts and rejuvinate that childlike love for Art. I remember as a child how special it was to pick up a paint brush or a colored pencil set. I loved seeing the vibrant colors being applied to the surface. today my life consists of creating, networking, creating, dreaming, shaking hands, creating and talking about our love for Art!  I guess I still have a fear I will wake up one day and someone will tell me I am crazy and to stop! I do not want to stop! I wan tto create for the rest of my life. Will I say goodbye tomorrow? If I do say goodbye tomorrow I will have done what I have wanted to do the most in my whole 43 years of living. I am recognized as an Artist. I am recognized as an artist because I love creating. I love sharing my work. I enjoy seeing people look at my work. I stare right at them and see their reactions to my texture, to the rust, to the subject....it is very overwhelming. I might lose my house this year, I might not be driving the sporty cars anymore like I am used to, I might not be able to spend money as easily as before, but I am creating everyday and I am in love with the creative process. To me it is worth it. I will survive. I have just changed my direction. Inspiring others to love the Arts. Networking with other wonderful talented artists to collaborate with each other to be like minded in this cause.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Quit Your Fuckin Whining! Just PAINT and shut up!!!!


I know I can be a little blunt at times for the people who know me. There are just some people that cross your path in life that might inspire you or kick you in the ass when you are feeling down or sorry for yourself. These people are individuals that are in tremendous circumstances in their lives and yet they seem to rise above far and beyond us. We are just weak compared to these people. We are so inadequate to be in the same species as these people. A young man I am "friends" with on MySpace touched me today. He is what I call a true Artist. He is an ARTIST. He loves creating pieces that inspire others instantly. This young man is a quadriplegic. He paints. He has a burning desire to continue creating and nothing is stopping him. I am sure his story has been told over and over. I am passing it on to you and I am also looking in the mirror to remind myself to....Quit Your Fuckin Whining! Just PAINT and shut up!!!! Give this man a visit and see him create his work on his profile. You will be changed forever. I wanted to write something profound and emotional to convey what I feel about this man. I wanted to tell everyone how we should be grateful and appreciate that we have all of our functions and facilities in order to be able to create openly and freely....we should always be careful of our next step. We can impact each other so profoundly in such a brief moment. Please read about this man and learn.  www.myspace.com/deathcheaterdiar

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Why Am I An Artist.....Here is the Very Short Version.

My name is Daniel Quinonez. I was born in East Los Angeles November 29th 1966 to a single mother. I was raised in Anaheim California. My mother married when I was 7 and I became Daniel Barringer. My life was a challenge for better words. I learned the whole spectrum of emotions in those formative years. I experienced all highs and all lows at a very young age. The experiences molded me into a very creative person for the single purpose to entertain myself to escape the tragedy we call life. Looking back it was a balance for me. I had an equal portion of these emotions I experienced. So in a very ironic twist it was healthy that I had gone through all of the bad and good at the same time. When I was old enough to make a decision to stay in that drama or leave…I left at 17 and joined the Marine Corps. That entity became my mother and father for 5 years. A whole new set of challenges were before me. The main challenge was to figure out how to become a man. That voyage continues to this day. Fatherhood, responsibility, respect, disappointment, regret, love, relationship, persistence, consistency all are but a small example of experiences which have molded me and continue to do so daily. Through all of that my art was there to hold me when I needed. Creating was an outlet for me to see within. I would tap into that here and there and not often enough. Later in life as recent as 2002 I figured out that the gift I had to create pieces of work that can open life for another was special to me. Creating works of art that made people happy is a part of me fulfilled. I needed that. I started to develop a hunger inside of me to create all the time. I started to let go of the restraints I had put on myself to let go of the pain inside through this channel. Creating art was a vehicle to love others and in turn I could heal. Today I create to live. No matter the drama that unfolds in my life daily I have my art to let the pain and discomfort of life and transform those emotions into beauty and love. I have a gift God-given to create pieces of art work that can reveal the love of another. Art reveals love in a person. It can connect with an individual like nothing else. One piece might totally be disgusting to one person and the next person that sees it is filled with random beautiful exciting emotions. When I see that I am excited to create another piece. I have learned when I think I need to throw away a piece…..I hold on to it and later change or add and adjust that piece…reveal it and then someone comes to it and claims it for themselves. It might sit in my house for a couple of years…and then someone finds it and BAM! Just like that it becomes THEIR masterpiece. It is a wonderful feeling, emotion, unexplainable thing I feel. My life has created who I am today. An Artist. Daniel Quinonez. Artist.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Yeah! I really want that Art on my wall!

I had a very wondeful experience this past Sunday. I was a part of an Art walk on 2nd Street in Belmont Shore. Although you would not know there was an Art walk because of the amount of regular foot traffic. Every weekend this street is flooded with people locals and non-locals. It is like Santa Monica Pier. There is so much foot traffic. Everyone is there to either eat lunch or window shop. I new this going into this day. I figured if at the very least I would connect with interested people and give out my business card. I did not expect to sell anything unless I sold it at swap meet prices. Meaning negotiate to just sell it all. I don't think so. I watched the expressions of the people looking at my stuff. I do not work with a traditional medium let alone the way I paint....the colors are very bold and my style is different. I had so many people that were generous with their compliments but kept their wallet in their back pocket. I had one guy walk by with his wife looked me dead in the eyes as he was talking to his wife and said ..."yeah! I really want that Art on my wall" wow. How bold he was. Sarcasm you can cut with a knife. That is what you get in a public forum where it is not a controlled environment. It was not exclusively for Art..It was like I was a street vendor in the middle of Manhattan NY. I got lost in all the hustle and bustle. I had a great positive experience out of the whole day that made it all worth while. Several cars would drive by and they would have their car windows open and would loudly comment....wow! That's cool! Walker by's saying the same thing. If I took anything away from this it was a measuring point of where my work stands in the public eye. The average Joe does not buy Art. I understand it. But The average Joe doesnt care to look at it either...but I had everyone turning their heads. I am pleased.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Blank Art

Is there such thing as blank art? Art without feeling emotion or character. Art hat does not have a purpose or reason? It really upsets me when I talk with an artist and they tell me the reason they painted that 4k painting is because he felt like painting it. No reason. No feeling into it. He just wanted to paint that color and finish something because he needed to produce a piece for a show. He is a very talented artist. Very gifted. Yet when he just decides to just put a blotch on the canvas he sells it for shitloads of money. I guess he has a name that he earned and when you get to that point people just want your name written on the bottom right hand side on top of shit on a canvas. Wow! How comforting for the rest of us.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

What Inspires Your Art?

Can an artist paint just to paint and still be painting with passion? The first question is... Does that artist love painting and creating his work passionately? If that is the case then yes. I know quite a few people that are very talented and just paint to paint. When I ask them why they created a certain piece they tell me nothing specifically inspired them to create that piece they were just compelled to paint. Yet when you look at the piece it has so much drama and vibrant colors that tell a story of some emotion let loose. Although the artists might not have painted with a purpose reason or rhyme.. they painted with alot of passion and they surely displayed their love for it. There are artists that have so much anguish and pain from their life experiences that they use their art as a release. They display their pain for the world to understand their triunph and overcoming that pain and challenge. There are others that are genuinely just happy to be alive and feel positive energy and create pieces that reflect what they feel. Creating a piece of art is a very soulful experience almost "sacred" becuase it is very spiritual. I think revealing ones inner passion and soul is very special. It is very thought provoking for the viewer. When I go to galleries or museums and watch the people looking at the art they are very intensely into the piece they are enjoying. They are deeply in thought trying to connect with the artist. Or they are letting the piece connect with them. I truly belive that there is energy left in these paintings from the artist's soul. I have wanted to be a creator of art all my life for the world to enjoy. I have always wanted to be known as an artist. There are circumstances in which a true artist is called to take on this profession or "life" if you will. Some choose to be artists and are very gifted and have a good career at it. But for some reason those artists are very loose about their creative moment. I feel as if they are so lax about their gift. I hope I am wrong. I want every artists to be very passionate or like to think they all paint from their soul. I would love to think that my favorites were just as passionate and respectful of their gift. Their gift touches the masses in a very special way. I want to hope that they will paint with a sense of urgency that their positive input in their art to our world... will make some kind of cosmic or spritual awakening for the good of mankind. We are spiralling towards a dismal future for our children. I see that but I want to not worry so much. I do not want to waste precious moments away from my wonderful family in thought contemplating the worst instead creating pieces of work that they can all enjoy and love like I do. I want to enjoy other artists who create pieces that capture my imagination and thought. I love seeing others passion for what they are creating. I have a point here I just dont remember because I am so involved with my love for the passion of the creative process. That is where the Piece or work becomes a masterpiece.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Passion Emotion Feeling Pain love Exitement.......Art

Why can't we feel these things when we look at art? Why can't everyone feel these emotions when they look at art. I want to feel these emotions when I look at Art. I want to reach people that way. It is a very soulful act to paint. You have to be driven by something inside you. You have to feel deep within the recesses of your innermost thoughts and feel it in your gut. Gut check? yes that is it. Why cant the colours match the feeling you have at that moment. Why cant the artist say I feel BLACK or RED! Or Blue.....Instead their first feeling is blue and they say to themselves....but...that does not look right there...I better soften it up. That is where the piece begins to lose it's life.And then the artist feels intimidated by the extra texture he initially wanted to add. Then the piece loses it character. Again I say even though those 14-15th century artists were told and forced to paint royalty and probably they hated it yet they always found a way to convey to the audience that feeling they had when they painted that piece. You could see hints of despair in the faces of the subjects. the despair was not from the subject it was from the painter....saying...look at this fat piece of crap Queen. She sits around all day and orders her subjects to do this and that...and I have to depict her as this REGAL person. But regal is not pale. Regal is not lifeless. Regal is not having eyes that you look into and see a dead soul. A soul full of boredom no passion. The artists really captured what they felt. Why can we as artists paint with more love and emotion. Passion and Pain. Happiness and anger. Where are those true creative juices we have inside? Why are we intimidated by the status quo. Somewhere along the way we were taught to be cold. I was lifeless before. I thought I was no one. I thought I had no purpose. I looked in the mirror to only comb my hair.....I could not look at my own eyes and see what is in my soul. I can look now and see a person trying to get out...the person that needs to create. I am able to heal more....and the more I paint my soul strengthens. I GET to create masterpieces. I call them masterpieces because they are mine. Societies masterpiece is defined by their acceptance. What fits in their little mold. I hope to find a gallery or open a gallery to celebrate our passion for creating personal masterpieces to inspire others. There are so many lonely artists out there because they do not create. The produce.

I Wish I Could Paint Like You

Wow. What a week so far. There are so many opportunities for artists out there. So many opportunities to open peoples eyes to creating inspiration. Everyday I am networking to make my life breathing art 24-7. I want to be that "working artist" I know it will be a rough road. I don't know why but it is my destiny to create and leave a legacy with my work. Yet I still feel weak in the area of confidence for my abilities. It is funny I am having more and more people like my work and that is very humbling. I thought my work was only good enough for my hobby. Maybe it still is but Something inside me drives me to push and claw my way out of obscurity. I want my work to touch more people as it already has touched a small number. Yes of course I love what I do If I did not I would not do it. My confidence level needs to grow. I look at other artists work and it seems to come easy to them. They are so refined and that finished product they put out is so amazing. I often wonder if they put their heart into it because they are so talented. I wonder if they take advantage of their talent and expect it to be greatness. I have to restrain myself from saying that awful envious phrase"i wish i could paint like you" In reality I do not. I have people loving supporting people that do not want me to change the integrity of my style. I recently had a gallery comment they would not have my work on their walls. In a very sarcastic tone. Very deliberate. Like he was making sure that dagger delves deep into my soul where the inspiration comes from. What is that all about. I have recieved so many e-mails this week from galleries very politely replying to my submissions...thanks but at this time there is not a market for you in our gallery. I can accept that. And they always ad...keep looking and good luck with your........hey. I can take that. I know and I spoke on it in previous blogs...there are the assholes in this industry. the pretentious self loathing fools that believe their shit does not stink. I realize that and I have accepted that. I had a nice long talk with myself before I embarked on this journey of mine that I will be criticized as all artists are , visual, music, written...any art has a ying and yang to their work. They have a following of both sides. negative/positive. Without the positive you have no support. without the negative you have no drive or incentive. Incentive to prove them wrong. Incentive to validate your goals and the love of what you do. I really don't need that pat on the back but I do want to see the smiles and tears of the people I touch. I love to make people happy and see them appreciate the love I want to offer themt hrough my art. Yes a part of me wants to live through my art but that is not my focus. But a man has to eat. So I guess I dont want to paint like you. At least not in the physical sense. I do not want to steel your ideas or mimic your technique. I dont even want to be organized like you, I dont want to have that perfect composition either. I dont even want to have it come easy to me. I want to continue to create the way I create, it comes from my heart, it is a fight and a chore to do what I do. It takes all of my mind and heart. It takes all of my energy and yes I have to be in the mood. I have to be inspired. I have to be painting with purpose. yes my love for what I do transcends just painting and creating to just paint and create. It is meaningful and I have a reason I create. everyday I am so thankful and humbled by the gift I have been given to arrange colors and turn a very simple subject into a story to be told. "I wish I Could Paint More Like Me"

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Where Have You Been All My Life?

Loneliness is a very interesting friend. It never leaves your side. It always finds you when you dont really need it. You can never pin point why your lonely. You might be surrounded by loving people, have your optimum health, status and position in life to be envied. Everything will be clicking on all cylindes and still, there is loneliness. You sit there in a self pitty party every evening or quiet moment. Your in denial when your secret almost is found out by someone watching you unknowingly. You cannot look in the mirror to just look in the mirror or you will see what everyone sees but is afraid to mention. One day all that status, position, and sometimes health is either comprimised and or lest just say....it changes. Dramatically. Then you realize where the loneliness stems from. If you are lucky you make an attitude adjustment before it is too late. Then you realize where the heck have you been all my life? I have not been alone all this time. Our wonderful creator was always with me through my gifts. Through my family. Through my surroundings. Through strangers that need to be helped loved and brought out of the same bullshit lonneliness. I am awake. I am so glad I am awake. My art is my fullfillment. The love I get from strangers enjoying what I do. That is the payoff. The sad part is the days are going by so fast. The time is clicking like a sprint. The clock seems to have a fast hand that does not have mercy on our age. It doesnt. We have to create today. Think about it quickly and act on it. cancer has no value on "wait a minute" heart disease is not going to take a break from its mission. That high blood pressure is ready anytime. Everyday create. Love. Cherish. I am speaking not only to every artist and non artist that reads this but also to myself. Now I am realizing that in order to make something happen in your life you have to will it to happen. effort is involved. Alot of effort. Sacrifice is involved. A well planned out sacrifice of our time. Corporately I sacrificed precious moments of my loving family's time owed to them and traded it for status and position. My children lacked and desperately needed their time of mine. My marriage was stricken with the same. We find ourselves being selfish or caught up in societies little bad plan. Work, make money, spend, owe, make more to pay debt, work more to move up make more money to spend, sleep less to work more to spend more to stay at work. All the time having no time to enjoy what you bought in the first place and less time to spend it with the ones you love. Work all year to have 5 days. Do we really enjoy what we do for a living? And why is it called "a living" Do we really enjoy what we do "till Death?"  When yo are working to pay your debt it is not called living. It shouldbe called a waste of time. I talked to a friend recently and she is fnally doing somethin she loves. She is a caregiver. She loves helping people. her only drawback is getting too attached because in essence she is preparing them for death. Elderly, terminal patients and I am sure in some cases there are patients in need of care untill they get better....but they need love in anycase. They need proper care. The rewards must be tremendous. I personally applaud the medical profession. My mother was a 35 year veteran of the nursing profession. She loved every moment of it until they ran her out of the hospital because they said she was too old. Forgive me....but that is fucked up. She enjoyed it. She loved helping people and she was devestated. But she overcame. She is my hero. She had been running marathons since a car wreck that should have crippled her in 1983. She still runs to this day at 70. Well....more like power walking. I bet those people that said to her she was too old cannot walk a mile in her shoes. My point in all this rant? If you are an artist..paint, sculpt, draw, sing.....do whatever it is God gave you to enjoy this life and inspire others to do the same. Make the positive wheel spin. Make it the top 5 of things to do aside from your family and loved ones. if you are a non artistic take the same advice. Find a way to inspire people to love cherish hope and be comforting to strangers in need when the opportunity presents itself. you will know in your heart when it s time.What I find really hysterical is that there are some artists that feel they are all together and they are so talented and wonderfully gifted but yet they are so desperate. they cannot find happiness in their work. they cannot find fullfilment in what they PRODUCE. And that is essentially the problem right there they are producing pieces of work instead of CREATING masterpieces. Their souls is being cheated of releasing love. they do not connect with their innerself. Creating pieces of artwork is for everyone to enjoy and be inspired. Or creating pieces to inspire the artists themsekves to be reminded of their gift. The gift that brings them love and joy. Lonely is the artist that does not create.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Excited with a Tad Anxiety.

I am so excited for what the future holds. A new chapter in my life has opened. So many people are interested in what I do. I want the whole world to see and experience my passion for Art. With that comes opening myself up to criticisms as well. One thing is when you become open in a public forum not everyone is happy dappy. There are people out there with their own opinions. There are people out there with special feelings. People are unhappy expecially right now in these days of uncertainty. I am there for the people that want to be inspired and want to feel good about what I and my peers create. I want to reach those people and interact with them. IF my future is limited to tonight and I say my goodbyes at dinner tonight to my beautiful family. Put my head down to sleep and relax into my last breath...then I made my mark in peoples hearts as an artist already. I am content. I wanted that my whole life and I have recently acheived that. It was the most fullfilling experience. If I am priveledged enough to see tomorrow and have the opportunity to touch more people and feel that feeling of warmth and comfort you feel when people are connected to you through Art then.....I look forward to that moment...For it is only a moment and I will treasure that moment. Right now is guaranteed as we live it. We are guaranteed the second we live in. Anything after that we are inspired to acheive something special or feel thankful we can get past that point in time. As for relating these deep thoughts of life.....Art is but another way to express my love for all the wonderful people I know, have met, have yet to meet and those who see me from afar with love in their hearts for knowing me and for what I do. For those that I have wronged I can only pray to the God i believe in to show them some love through me and hopefully one day they can smile with me in this lifetime. Create 2 Inspire. Create to Inspire Love in our hearts. Create to Inspire Peace through the Arts. Create to Inspire living every moment.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Creative Addiction

We all have a dream in life to reach some goal we internally set for ourselves. We all either dream about it daily or work towards it in some sort of way. Some people want to be fireman and they spend hours in school and classes training to get accepted into an academy. Some people want to be policeman and do the same. Some people want to get into the medical field and sacrifice their personal time for that dream to be a reality. People have dreams for careers that take them almost a lifetime to reach the standards and goals they want to reach. Some people have service as a dream. Helping people and not worrying about the income earning. They dream of the satisfaction of the well being of others. We all have expectations for our lives. We all want something. I want to create pieces of work to make people happy and inspired. I want to make people forget about the drama in their lives when they look at my art. I love to create and see people enjoy the fruits of my labor. Does this make sense. Some artists are into themselves and getting their emotion and passion out on their medium to fulfill something internal. The public is never to see it. Some artists are shown and their work inspires others and they would rather it be for themselves. Some artists want to express to the world who they are and be very open. They want to inspire and show everyone the love they have in their art. I get a true satisfaction when people are happy to see my work. I get deep feelings when I see someone gazing upon my pieces for a period of time. The other night I had my firts showing in a local Art event. It was amazing to me when I saw people stand and talk about my art. it was a wonderful feeling. Creating the pieces take alot of emotion energy and feeling. I want the people seeing my art to feel what I feel. It is very addicting to create. Create for any reason. Creating for others to see feel and enjoy.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Art Can Never Die

I am still annoyed with this idea that art is dead. I always see people that have never seen an art gallery and or a piece of orignal work in front of them and they gaze with awe and amazement. They fall in love with the creative forces behind that piece. When you hear the phrase "that piece has a life of it's own" it is true. When an artist truly creates a piece. An original work...there is so much emotion in that piece. there is somepart of that artists. they convey their soul in that piece. All artists can make you feel at home....angry....peaceful...any emotion they feel when that piece is created comes through. People can connect in any form. We are so lucky to be able to have our lives and Art is an enhancement to our life. Art of music. Art of Poetry. Visual Arts. I am so happy when I paint. Ifeel alive. All my worried are washed away for the moment. Art gives me life. Art is alive.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Art Is Alive Within You

I am getting tired of the people that are whining and complaining that Art is dead. Do something about it. Why is Art dead in your eyes? Because if you are an artist and Art is dead to you then you are not connected to Art. Are you involved in your community and actually seeing why it is dead. If you are not involved somehow to the enrichment of our lives through the Arts then you are dead in Art. I was worried about all the voics calling that Art is dead and started to believe that all this internet stuff was taking over our focus as artists in what we love the most...which is creating masterpieces to inspire others to be alive and happy. Seeing something beautiful created by anothers humble hands is very wonderful. Knowing that someone is so gifted and loves what they do to share it with everyone is amazing to me. All we have to do is go find and look. Talk to the artist and thank them either by words of encouragement or your wallet. either is a great way. I finally am going to share my work with the public after all htese years....it is a long time  coming. It is a humble venue but a big thing for our city. there is an organization in our city where local business owners partner in getting Artists and Musicians together in their respective establishments to showcase their work. A short portion of the Blvd is blocked off so the residents of our city can stroll up and down visiting these Artists and Musicians. The intent of this program is to reach out to EVERYONE and show them what the Arts are all about! Every first Friday of every month. If Art is dead Look at your local community and see if they are alive. Look around.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

I cleaned my Garage For this.

My last post I was talking about how our painting makes us feel good and in turn it will inspire others to feel what we feel through Art. I think that is our objective. We need to find an outlet or some form of purpose to our lives. I know my purpose is God given in my eyes. I was given a gift and it had to be from whoever is in charge because I have wanted to create since I was very small. I know some of you may say that all children are artistic or curious in crafts. But i remember like it was yesterday I have always wanted to make others happy. I always wanted people to smile. I went through some changes in my life along the way as we all do...I hurt people and became a self centered person thinking of me. I love Art because it takes care of both. I get to take care of my needs and inspire and bring what I feel to someone else with my art and not words where I can fumble. I give my Art away and it feels good. I know I can sell it but then I would think I work in a swapmeet. in a booth selling my art. If I am going to go through the trouble to sell my stuff then I will do it right! I will charge a shitload sell it to people I dont know make them smile with their expendable income and then I can pay the bills and have the free time to paint works that I can give away! HEy that is a Robin Hood mentality. I am not selling out I am simply categorizing and prioritizing my customer base. Ok that did not make sense. So Ill get to the point of this blog.

Lately I have been wondering where I was going to show for my first show. I had conversations and interesting invites but never had the good feeling to accept and commit. I always found an excuse. A few weeks ago I noticed in our cuty we had an event while I was at the bank with my wife. Our city has organized a First Friday Art thing. Bands w/ music and local Artists set up and entertain at the local restaraunts and pubs that are participating. I submitted an application for curiousity. It looked interesting. I figured long list and I would be lucky if I got a reply to tell me Thanks but...ha ha on you...Surprisingly I recieved an e-mail from the coordinator and she was interested in my work....to make a long story short I will be showing for the first time in a venue ala restaraunt Friday October 2nd. WOW. this is exciting. It is in my city. Very cool and local. I might even get some free food if they like my art! Hey you never know. I will finally get a feel for a response from the general public of the type of work I do. At first I was very anxious. Now I am looking forward to it and frankly I dont give a flying cows butt what people think in general. If I can reach out to a few people and connect with them through my art then I know there are alot more of them around. 6 billion people on earth....I have a good chance.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

My Art Heals.

I know it has been quite a few days since I have posted. I really do not know how many people actually read this thing. I have not been feeling very well. I am blaming it on health issues but as a good friend put it ....I am not feeling well because of me not my health. I guess she is right. I can have cancer and my hair is falling out and still be in a good mood. I can have a degenerative disease of some sort and still have a wonderful positive attitude towards life and feel good. I guess the point was made. Thank you. So there it is. I feel better now. Last night I was going to a friends house warming to deliver a painting. It was a 48x48 I needed help delivering. Someone drove it in their larger vehicle. We arrived earlier and had time to settle in the party. I was talking to the recipients of the painting. The husband was very excited but the wife was too busy caring for the guests. When the painting arrived the husband the son and daughter were all over it. They were excited. They were throwing compliments and touching it like it was something special. Their response was not what I wanted. I was waiting for the MOMMA of the house to see it. That is the response that matters to me. SHe is the one that either showcases the piece or puts it in the back. She walked out and said wow. Nice. And then proceeded to run through the house to find a place for it. She wanted this piece on the second floor in the TV room in the back. AWAY from the general traffic. I felt like someone punched me in the gut. This lady loves her art. She just bought a 5000 square foot house and her walls are already full of work. There are not as many originals as there are prints. Her husband and daughter were in my corner and supported my cause. They re-directed her placement to the front of the house. We all decided on a spot on the mantle over the fireplace facing outside where it is the first thing everyone sees upon entering. I was happy. She is now marketing my stuff for me. lol. In all seriousness the point to my story is.........We all put expectations upon ourselves. We are constantly trying to live up to them. When we dont we are disappointed or sad. I do. I do not let myself get there as much but every once in a while it happens. I catch myself feeling anxiety and getting all worked up over it. I want that feeling when people recieve my art to feel like I do when I painted it. She actually did feel that way. She is not a kind of person that will let you know verbally right then and there. I was too stuck in my self pitty of not feeling well that my eyes were full of bullshit self pitty to see she was elated and proud of her new piece. At the end of the night we were the last to leave and she added a request for another piece for her wall. She made my night with that request. In a big way brought me out of my self pitty. Art Heals.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Thow Shall Create To Inspire The Masses!

We all have a gift to Inspire. We become parents we have to inspire our children to do whatever we need them to do. We become bullies we inspire people ...which is the same as manipulate....We become friends to our favorites because they need to be uplifted. We become bosses because we know how to inspire to Get the best out of people....production. We become politicians because we inspire "the people" to vote for change....lies and manipulation...We are ministers to inspire with the good word....good business...We become sales people because we need to inspire consumer interest.....We become artists to inspire clarity. We see the world differently. We see the world through our souls. We reach deep inside and translate life through our language. If there was any reason I started this blog....if you have read from the beginning was and still is to inspire to create art! We need to use our talents. Use our language to talk to people. be unselfish once or twice a year and display for everyone to see. I mean everyone. Not just that dealer you hope to sell to. Not just those rich people that whore the shit out of use. Buy low and sell high. Don't give it away because you feel that is the answer. When you sell sell high! Of course. I am talking about Interacting in a public forum(not the internet) outside with alot of us, artists...street fair, park, malls....show and tell your story. Display without selling. Make it interesting. My friend insplit showed me a video that Art IS Dead. This made me really look in the mirror. How do I respond to that default answer to people that have lost hope. I have my faith. I believe in a creator. I believe that he is there and is real. Alot of people are in religion and practice all the wonderful ignorant rituals that is a checklist to heaven. But do they believe? we'll they will find out. my point is. There are alot of artists who create their works and work hard at it. Give their one hundred percent effort and sacrifice. But do they believe in their art? Do they believe it can inspire? Do they want to share their secret? Or are they just going to let Art Die? I want to be a famous painter and sell to make lots and lots of money. Paint as many as I can and sell it for as much money as I can. Wow. And when I die I will leave my legacy. For the artists who create to survive and are honestly choosing to make a living doing what they love and more than give to the Art Community by inspiring other artists and moving towards eliminating the world of aRT IgNorance. I commend you. For those that do not care about the true education of Children first and then the general public inspiring and influencing with Art....constantly developing productive ways for our community of artists to get involved collaborating to teach about a soul enriching visual experience learning about different Art. Visual. In front of your face. Real. Not the computer. I am making it a point now to explore , interview, and visit artists, galleries and any and all venues contributing to "ART REVIVAL" What a commitment. Can you make that commitment with me? Ok. Maybe after a few reports and photos of me doing this will help. KEEP COMING BACK AND SEE.......

Monday, August 31, 2009

Expression Is Sacred.

Who are you to tell me what brand I should use? Who are you to tell me what shade looked better in my composition? Did I ask your opinion? Did I ask who or what group of persons I was targeting for interest in my pieces? Did I invite you personally? Did I ask you for your opinion if it was offensive to you or not?Did I send some sort of a worldwide e-mail inviting people to criticize my choice of words in my blog and choice of subjects? I did not see a line outside with a ticket booth for you to buy a ticket to my piss on me party? .....Many times artists are targeted because they paint in a very controversial manner. they will have a negative following for which they do not understand the purpose other than to try and discredit them and hurt them from what I can tell...I was recently told a story of an artist who is friends with me from a social network. He paints beautifully and expresses himself as we all do with a deep passion for what we love. He has his critics who prefer not to admire him as much as his fans. He is a bit of an eccentric...wow. an eccentric artist....what a concept! Yeah. Real different. He is a sort of an instigator of sorts. He knows his art is going to cause a stir now yet it only fuels his desire to create these works for the public to see. His work is very public. He creates works of art and displays it all over ....literally all over. Outside. I will stop with the extent as to nature of his work. Only to say he has people who vandalize and destroy his work because they are not "fans" of his work. I guess they are the judge and jury. He has not broken any laws. He has the permission of the local governing official to display. It is not offensive in an adult only sort of way. it is not politically motivated. He is not making a social statement pro or con. He is just displaying a piece of art work that the majority of his viewing public admires. So why the hate? Another....example. Sally the artist used brand A paint to use for his piece. Jack used brand B. Brand B is an expensive well known product while A is a cheaper version and not favoured by artists. Not a part of the clique. It performs the same yet it is a name. Classic. What do you think happened. The materials one uses does not play into the factor of who you are as an artist...It does not enhance your status internally....externally it puts you in a favoured spot among your peers and critics....if your work cannot stand on its own then yes by all means sell out and get your favor anyway you can. It will be your fifteen minutes of recognition until they see you for who you really are. Who you are and the essence of your being should come into play when creating your pieces. People who really collect quality work collect the work of an artist with passion. Most of these people can spot the brilliance and courage it takes to express yourself entirely. invest your passion in a piece. this takes real commitment. it can be someone Else's subject matter or a project. Commissioned piece...but the passion needs to be there.....not...oh by the way i used Paint A and brush A....I should have a quality piece because of that. Yes! i know we all have materials we use to perform better than others and they might be pricey. But I am not talking about the technical side. We are talking who we are as artists. What are we doing this for? What is out purpose in this world of art? Where do we fit in? Personally....I am trying to impress myself. I am trying to fulfill a lifelong dream. Lifelong meaning the rest of my life I will paint. I will create. I will make people cry. I will inspire. I will be happy trying. I will be overjoyed at the sight of artists collaborating to inspire others through their work. Inspiring each other. This is my passion. If I can generate an income from it that would be GRAND! if not. That is perfectly fine. I will give it away on the street corner.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

What Do You Want?

Hello everyone in blogger land. I just wanted to say thank you again for all the support and your interest in what I have to say. It is all about us and our creative process. I would love to continue to improve what we have started here. In order to do that of course feedback is in order. So I would love to offer my ear to anything that a person visiting or wanting to be a part of a community where we can feel comfortable and express to each other our interests in creating to inspire. In other words. Let me know what you want me to put on this blog! Is a daily post enough? Would you like to see more going on? Is a basic blog good enough. I often see blogs that are fancy dancy with all the bells and whistles...is this what people want? Or are you more comfortable with a conversation? Let me know your thoughts.... More controversial topics? I just say what I feel and try to voice what I hear from other artists....Links and interviews? Let me know if that is something that appeals. Picture of the day or week? That might be fun...and interesting? it can offend if you are not open to all aspects of art. ok. I will leave it at that.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Speed Painting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QscWu2Tv3w

Artist School Is In session! For me


I have put off posting until I have received enough feedback to what I write. I am so happy that did. I was caught up getting all the feelings out of me on what I feel and divulging MY opinion that I failed to categorically respond to comments. I started this blog to positively impact your lives and my own if that was possible. I wanted to speak on my behalf and on behalf of fellow artists I converse with on a daily basis. There are two subjects that I always seem to return to when talking Art to "artsy" people if you may...Abstract Art and "value", Selling Out. I have had a large response on these subjects. Email, Facebook, Myspace, phone calls and a few posts here. I love abstract art and know the immense undertaking one can take with these works. For example...Pablo Picasso. Wow. Breathtaking work. But seriously some people think this was work that a child could paint. The figures are unrealistic. I for one think he was brilliant. He used cubism which SOME historians attributed to his creation. The Abstract artists of their time felt that the art of painting should not copy nature, but should be an independent art form. The purpose of a painting became the painting itself. That philosophy is wonderful. Although I am not a proponent of either just the thought of the Masters before us paving the way for such an outlet so widely acceptable....it is wonderful. I am an abstract artist. I have had people criticize me for my choice in medium. I have had artists comment to paint on canvas and that painting on different surfaces does not "really" categorize my work as a "painting". Hey all I can say is I am a "Green Abstract Artist". I recycle metal for the environment. For some reason expressing myself in attempting to copy nature is frustrating to me. I can do portraits..in fact I drew many as a young man for fellow marines back in the day. They all wanted their girlfriends drawn and sent as gifts. I thought it was the standard for which an artist is judged. Hey can you draw that? I did. I was bored. I met a kid who was new to my unit and bunked in my room. He noticed I drew. He was an artist as well. We talked about painting. We painted an abstract piece together and it flowed. It was wonderful. We added bright colors. Cut holes in the canvas. Glued texture and fabric. It started out as a painting of a woman and ended up as a crazed singing punk rocker. After that I learned to let go creatively. But it is still a struggle emotionally. Because the creative process is personal. It does not matter if it is an abstract piece or a realistic attempt to copy nature. We are artists. We see a vision in every piece we create. Whether it is a giant red dot on a canvas with a green blotch in the middle. We want that red to glisten and the green to have texture. Or if it is a wonderful landscape capturing the feeling the artist had when he/she sat there breathing in the air and appreciating the mood they felt at that moment. If I made it sound like I was breaking the backs of artists on either side?NO farther from the truth...I am trying to explore all facets of Art through your eyes. The eyes and hearts of Artists. I want to understand and see for myself that we all feel the same thing. We all want to be passionate about what we create. Every last piece is just as important. Every medium and subject is relevant. We have all the tools of the world at our disposal as artists to express. Incorporate them all. If you are broke go green. Use trash! As for the value and the whoring of your art? Sell the shit for what you want. Just don't loose your passion for creating. Sign any contract you want...just don't loose the control of YOUR creative process even though you cant control the subject matter. Kings Queens and Lords back when.....commissioned artists to portray them in paint for their own selfish reasons....I am sure those artists did not want to paint them. I am sure they would have rather created something more marvelous than some old hag or old fart sitting on a stool. Those artists did not have a choice. I wonder if they even enjoyed painting with a guillotine to keep them honest. Artists today have so many choices. I now this economy has shortened that list. I am sure many doors no longer exist for Artist to knock on. Let alone people willing to open them. But we still have control in our creative process which is the soul of our creativity. Do not sell out on that.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Discount please.

OK. here we go again. I'm a little confused. Who sets the price to the value of a painting? I see an abstract acrylic painting versus an oil painting with detail..... The oil painting is selling for $300 or so...and the abstract painting is selling for $3000 dollars. No detail. minimal time spent creating this piece. Very little effort on the artists part. I know the artist. He laughs all the way to the bank. On the other hand the same artist paints a very original piece which took hours in fact a week or so to complete. He laboured over the piece yet it will only be offered for $300 or so. I don't understand. Why such a difference? I see this as a re-occurring theme. I always see the difference so dramatic. I go to art fairs, galleries, online galleries and websites offering pieces direct from the artist....the modern, pop and abstract art are offered higher than the detailed pieces. Can someone explain this to me. Am i naive? Why? Ok. Maybe I am not the judge or jury of this appraising racket but someone must be high? Ok. I'll shut up. Just an observation on my part. My point is an abstract piece flows and can be done rather quickly or not depending on the texture if any involved in the piece. Some pieces are more involved than others. They are detailed compositions landscapes or portraits or themed pieces that will take hours and days and once in a while weeks depending on the physical and creative process involved. In my logic the piece that you labour over should net you more than the piece that is done rather quickly. Ok. there is my point. I hope we are all on the same page here. Now someone please explain. I know my answer. What is your take. I know I have a rather large following now here on this blog. I am so thankful for the following. Please can someone please post an answer to this? Some of you experienced? or some non artists with a wonderful insightful opinion that I would hold very dear respectfully?! Hello?

an euphonious keeps you smart

The title does not make sense but euphonious is "pleasing to the ear". I guess the whole point is to stimulate your mind and soul with art. visually stimulate with colours and texture. Music always soothes and relaxes. Art does the same if people will give it a chance. That is why I am such a proponent of cramming Art down your face. there is a style of art that is for everyone. There is a subject or medium that will interest anyone. Anyone and everyone can feel the passion from the artist. Open your closeminded eyes. I guess I am just reminding everyone to keep looking at your creative side.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Working Artist.

go to work come home eat shit sleep. go to work come home eat shit sleep. ok...when do i make time to paint sometimes.... i am an artist and i know my calling in life. i have realized this calling for several years now. i have met many wonderful people in my journey. some are positive and some are not so...but still i learn from everyone. this realization of who i am has instilled a passion in my life like no other. i love my faith and my family. i love my friendships and love people all around but the passion that burns in my soul for creating is very powerful. i look for people to inspire me. i look for that next idea. i look for that wonderful subject that will bring life to people. all of this is so great to talk about but....going to work everyday...coming home and prioritizing my evening activities....spending time with family and loving them. my art is like a sacrifice. i and many others i know who work have to sacrifice for their love. the love of creating. wow. as i am reading what i write i realize that the time it takes to get the passion of creating out of my heart and soul takes more time than to make the living to pay for my livelihood. this is a very hard puzzle to solve. how? give me an answer art gods! i know the answer. sell out? nah. i don't like kissing ass. i know i am going in circles her. can anyone relate? post below!

Saturday, August 22, 2009

New York New York.

I have an artist friend that is not very happy with himself. Moody SOB! I feel bad for him. I want to say snap out of it. Quit feeling like that. Look at the bright side. Quit feeling sorry for yourself. I could not bring myself to say those things when I am feeling those myself. We all go through a process of feeling like crap and doubting ourselves. We have to see for ourselves our purpose in order to get ourselves out of it. Looking at other peoples art is a great way to help the process. Talking with other artists can make you feel wonderful. I have a young friend in New York that is an amazing artist. He is full of life and positive energy. So much to look forward to in his talent. He is a great motivator. I never fail to feel better when we talk. This young person loves people and making people happy through his connection. His work has life. He is full of life. I love connecting with artists because I see their talent and appreciate it. I respect the gift of creativity we were given and we as artists need to remind each other of that fact that we have to give creativity respect. How? We indulge in it when ever we can. I want to open a show soon that will showcase artists that love making people happy. I want to celebrate our cause....creating to inspire. All of us showcasing our work and enjoying each others presence and appreciating the people that come to see. US. The smiles we cause. The good feeling and HIGh we feel because of all of the creativity. I guess that is alot of work to get to that point. Ok. Ill stop. Remember my fellow artist. Keep creating for the right reason. Dont hold back.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009










HEre are some samples of what I do with Rusted Steel!

Artist For Sale

He was so happy to be given the chance to make a name for himself in his first showing. So many people came to see his passion. So many people were intrigued by his unique way of expressing his life and love through the colors he chooses. His work comes alive and makes a statement of love....the love for art and humanity. He wants so much for people to relate to any one of his works. they do not have to like all of them but at least connect to one. Just one. He salivates with anticipation of watching that person or group with glassy staring eyes. Watching his painting glow on that display. Colours brilliant with the perfect lighting yet not needing the light for clarity. His works are light enough for the room. People came in droves. Second and third night were opening night crowds. He wonders where all these people hear of his work. Word of mouth is spreading like wildfire. His confidence is strong now. His attitude is high with pride. He is so happy. What a wonderful feeling. His passion gave him that opportunity. His dedication to what he believes in gave him the chance. He didn't have to beg. He did not have to kiss any ass. He did not have to put his portfolio in front of negative gallery owners that toss it on the bottom of the pile of struggling artists with the same aspiration. He was given a rare chance. Someone actually gave a gallery owner his website and the rest is history. This is not a happy ending though. This artist was so happy and appreciative of his opportunity that he felt obligated to the people that brought him there to listen to their suggestions. To make a long story short......he sold out. He painted what they wanted him to paint. His passion was now gone. He pleased the people that were in his corner and still made allot of money. He still had his eye for the color. His paintings still came alive in color. His passion was not there. His heart was not present. He loves creating. He is not creating now he is painting someone Else's vision. Where can he redeem himself? Paint from his heart. Paint his life. Paint with passion. It is never too late. You might have to start over. Commercially you might be dead if that is WHO you relied on to make your name. If you were for sale in the beginning and you signed? you sold out. You can be represented....but don't go for the big sale.. it is too good to be true. I have never experienced that. But I saw a proud man break. I saw brilliance disappear. I saw the fire in passion die. I witnessed the brush thrown away. I don't know if this helps. It is a long entry. It is touchy feely and lengthy. It is too much and not what someone else would want to read. It is me. It is what I love to write. It is my heart. So I will scribe with the passion for the art and the artists I love the only way I know how. Unedited and open.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Wake Up Dammit!

Inspiration. I felt like crap this morning and actually for the last couple of days. Faking with my girls in my life that I feel ok. Trying to make sense of this world and give it some purpose. Going through the motions and then I laid my eyes on some artwork that was amazing to me. I guess you could say it breathed life into me to create and stay afloat longer. Then I realized I have more purpose than just my art. I have my family. Has anyone ever taken a shot of a strong drink and WHAM! it gives you a jolt? Or strong coffee...or a strong breath of sea air oxygen? Well that is what I felt like when I looked at the artwork. For some reason I was feeling down. I have a driveway full of rusted sheetmetal to paint. I have so much purpose. I have to beautiful women that care about me. My daughter and my wife. The count on me. I have grandchildren that want their papa. I have a world to minister to with my artwork. inspire them. scream at them. I have alot of pages to blog in. I love waking up to a new challenge. Art inspires me when I am the most down. That is all I wanted to say. If anything we artists should always be inspired. We have our work. Neverending.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Ok. The last post I wrote was very ofensive to some poeple. I am not sorry I wrote what I wrote so I will not apologize. All I will do Is say Art is Art. There are so many forms of Art and Art is applied to so many different industries and walks of life. We might not agree in the manner which Art is applied but nevertheless it is Art applied. We all can marvel at the pallette of colour involved or the detail in composition and we might not at all agree with the subject matter but again...it is Art. the way some people will depict certain historical figures is offensive to some yet it is done in very good form and we can appreciate the passion the artist had when creating their piece. SO what is the problem people? I am just pointing out that Art comes in many forms and you cannot take that away from the artist. You cannot judge why they are driven to do a certain piece. IF their intentions are malicious then it is on them. We should only appreciate their creativity or dont look at the work at all. Avoid it ignore it walk away and leave the artist alone. As for our morals? Yes we have our limits and standards when it comes to what we believe....we should always stick by them. We are not talking of guaging the Art we see with what we believe. If the art is offensive then close your eyes. I think this blog is over cooked.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

You Are A Perv!


If I paint a naked woman am I a perv? Does the subject matter tell a story about you? Can someone actually label you as something or another because of your content? This sounds silly but if I paint A skull and blood dripping from it does that make me a Satan worshiper? If I paint a series of abstract women in the nude from different cultures am I appreciating the female figure or am I developing a fetish? By the way I have not painted a nude yet because I have not had the reason or a request. If I had a request I would and I would surely respect the female body and portray it with all its beauty. My point is there is a general idea in this country that psychologically we are driven to express our innermost desires in our art and written word. When we are expressing ourselves through our creative outlets it is our soul we are talking to. There are so many different reasons why artists pick a subject matter. Why did the masters in the 14-16 century choose to paint nudes to portray a story written in the bible? Well for one they were commissioned to do so. Another reason is to dramatize and give life to the story. Society today is so nervous about the human body in Art because they are worried about the intentions of the person creating the piece. If I had this beautiful sculpture to the right here in my house and my fellow Artists visited they would compliment the beauty. If an every day "Joe" walked in and noticed I had a naked man then for sure I am gay and love having peepee's swinging in my living room. there is a very horrible example and sounds ridiculous. But this is so close to the truth of how our society thinks. We are so naive. Now do I think porn movies are an art form? No I don't. But there are those that will surely disagree. Porn is a multi BILLION dollar industry and there are divisions within that industry that have artistic value to it. Beautiful works ans creations....but the act of sex close up in your face and all the stuff that is in your face.....i guess it is more like drinking a beer or having a joint. It will stimulate a part of the body temporarily. It will also desensitized you to the beauty and the mystery of the opposite gender. We become less attracted to our standards and then the standard is raised so high subconsciously that we are unable to reach to recreate the images we start to perceive as normal. Shit! I lost my train of thought. Do you get it? Porn in its general terms is not art. We can create pornographic images and express a rendition of that through our art which makes it an art form as a subject in our composition. Ok. Comment away! Disagree.... Art is self expression through our creative process. OUCH. Did I just say that. Sorry conservatives....I guess it is "in a way" an art form. After all that I gave in. Do I want my 12 year old little girl watching that art form. NO. It is a subject I am not comfortable with my family watching. I am also not comfortable looking a photographers photos of a cat licking someones face. It grosses me out. Or a photo of a person chewing foil. Yuck. I prefer some material over others. It is our choice. I can turn it off and turn it on. I might not like Picasso yet I like Dali.(I love both) we all have choices. Porn is not my thing but I love the artistic renditions in paint and rendering of both genders. The human body is beautiful. It is more beautiful in a more natural form. Real people. Not hand picked subject. Average folks. Will it stand in a gallery? Who knows. Have I seen it done? I dont get out. Have you? So what is the point here? DONT be afraid to pick your subject...just be SURE to accept the social consequences. Ok...here is an awful example.....(baby don't read this part) Two dogs fucking? Cute! Funny! Two men making love? PErvert!!!!!!Sick ! Ok. I think I have gone too far. But this world is so afraid. Yes there are proper and correct. I love those values. I live those values the best I can. I might not agree with most of the rights I defend. But they are our choices and censuring our art is wrong.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Creative Mind Numbing Happiness through Art.

My love for people is about the same as my love for Art. I really have so much compassion for the human spirit. I feel sorry for all the screwed up people in this world. I think in my ignorant mind that Art can heal them. I am talking about the angry people and the lost ones of society. Art can heal them. Maybe I am the crazy one here but couldnt we somehow make a change with Art? How can we do that? There has to be a way. I am so naive? Am I dreaming in a fantasyland? Is this a weird idea? I dont think so. Can we start in the communities or in the schools with charitable donations or some of that government money that we are all paying for 20-30 years from now for the bail outs? grants....or something like that. We can set up Art Shelters for Non -Expressive people to help them express their suppressed creativity. Does that make sense? We can donate our 1 day a week as artists....there are alot of artists around. There are alot of hidden undercover shy artists that do not feel they are worthy. there are people that do not know they are artists until they pick up that brush dip it in some paint and slap it on the canvas or cardboard or paper or anything they can paint. Create colors shapes angles and lines all to express their wonderful idea of how their mind and heart works. IS this such a bad idea? No we would rather party, drink, argue, be sad, hate, watch TV until we fall asleep, look at the computer(porn) Distract our minds from creativity and healthy stimuli....Does anyone care? I do. You do. If you are reading this and you are an artist or appreciate art can you look at your community to see if someone is doing this? Can someone actually strart something like this? YES> How? Shit Don't ask me I am just throwing it out there. But. I am going to look into it. I had a person comment on an entry yesterday with a wonderful vision of visiting and interviewing artists from all over the world for educating himself. Wonderful!!!!! Exciting! this is what I am talking about. I think there is allot of us in this world who feel the same way of our creativity and our uniqueness and what we can contribute to humanity. Our minds are brimming and SCREAMING with passion and ideas to put smile on children's faces. Elderly people need to be stimulated and feel involved with creating everyday! People of all ages need to take part in some sort of project personally to enhance their thinking. Evolve their thought process to higher levels. Wow. Where was I going there. Get with the program!!!!!!! Create, Love and SHout!