In The Works

Sycamore charcoal 22x30"on Strathmore HP

Shadows in the Park 30x22" charcoal on Rives BFK

I have never worked on multiples at one time. However, I have realized that when I capture the images that I am working with during a plein air session, I need to quickly work on the drawing to put down as much as I remember, from actually being in the moment. I can then return to each and work on areas that call out for attention, and manipulate each drawing to bring out it's own story. I have one that I have yet to share as it just has not spoken to me yet. It just may need to be wiped down and a new story begun. There is still time.

In 17 days my second son, will be leaving for the Marine's Boot Camp in San Diego. I am extremely proud of him, and his decision. Yet, I am going to miss him quite a lot. The next few weeks are going to be treasured. I am sure this too will enter my art in ways I have yet to consider.

Finishing Strong

I needed to share this video with you. I am really touched by watching it. I hope it strikes a cord with you as well.

Are You Going To Finish Strong?

Affirmations

I have been working with Alyson Stanfield, in an online class, to visualize my success. I have been working to organize my thought patterns, my visions, and my daily routines, to fulfill my dreams.

Here are a few of the affirmations that I have created. I begin each day saying them, feeling them and believing them.

I am learning to make them a part of my daily routine.

Cycles Of Affirmation
The short- and long-term successes we enjoy are part of a continual cycle of affirmation that begins with our reaching the goals we set for ourselves and eventually results in our feeling confident enough to broaden the scope of our dreams. Each time we meet the challenges before us without letting our fears get the better of us, we prepare ourselves to move on to bigger, better, and more ambitious aims. When the challenges before us seem entirely too demanding or difficult, we can look to our past triumphs for comfort and encouragement so that we may continue forward without interruption. Our previous experiences can also give us insight into the quandaries that haunt us in the present, enabling us to devise workable and creative solutions. You will feel wonderfully self-assured today when you think of all you have accomplished.

The above is taken from my Daily OM Horoscope sent to me by Achieve Your Goals

Unadorned

21x21" charcoal on Rives BFK

Still mapping out a computer plan with my son. In the meantime, I am trying to come up with ways to continue to function. Today, I had an AhHa moment, and decided to take a photo with my iPhone, and make an update with iPhoto. Mini computer in my hand and I didn't even think about that.

I have been working on one of my last organic shadow pieces, before I move more towards a man-made, mechanical grouping. Again, I captured this shadow up in a local area called The Cobb Estate. One of the bushes was stripped bare of it's leaves for the winter, and made some great abstracted shapes on the paper.

In my studio I have been enhancing the depth and flicker of the shadow and light , and I am liking the results.

Things

If things go wrong, don't go with them.
-- Roger Babson

Funeral For a Friend

My computer has died, so I am unable to access my files, or applications needed to post my current work. Luckily I am told that my work is safe, and now comes the difficult decision as to what to do next. Can't believe how much I rely on my desktop to help me in my creative process.

So for the time, I will be working on my charcoal series and making some choices.

Thank you for being patient.

Going Nutty

From time to time, life has us literally going NUTS. I decided to create an image with that thought in mind.

It has been a few rough weeks, so here is: Going Nuts


6"x6" watercolor

Art is Alive

I have been reading everyone's accomplishments that are being posted, and am grateful to be a part of a community that is so committed to keeping the arts alive. What an interesting time we live in.

I am not interested in posting my numbers here, but I have made note of what I personally have accomplished. My most important accomplishment is the improved health of my daughter. My artwork has been directly affected by those that surround me. My daughter's special needs these past 2.5 years has brought a deeper meaning to much of the work that I have chosen to create. As I watch her heal, I have a greater appreciation for the fragility of life. It will be interesting to see how that shows through in my work during the coming year.

In addition my son will be leaving on February 17th for the Marines. Once again I will have my heart and mind focused in many directions. I hope these emotions will be expressed as well in my artwork.

I have plans written in my workbook to remind me of the direction that I want to move toward.
In addition I have also signed up with Alyson Stanfield to learn practical business tools to take my work to the next level.

Michael Newberry continues to be my mentor, and I am so very excited that he has arranged to move to the west coast. We will be about 30 min away from each other. I plan on using this as incentive to move my art higher still.

I wish you all a wonderful New Year. May you each find the tools necessary to reach as far as you can this year.

The gift of time is not ours alone. It is given equally to each person. Rich and poor, educated and ignorant, strong and weak—every man, woman and child has the same twenty-four hours every day.
Stephen B. Cloud