Work

Do not cast your pearls before swine.
Do not bury your talent.
Though sometimes life looks like the underside of a cross-stitch pattern... have faith that it looks awesome from the Lords side and view! Pray often that you do not feint.

But really folks. I was closing up shop and suddenly a client messages me for some good paying work! You can be sure I was struck with amazement! With his permission I may post the work I am doing for him and the other clients he finds for me, but in the meantime enjoy this image of some abstract/non-representational thumbnails I did a bit ago. I found images I really liked the color, value, and composition of and did these inspired from them. It was fun.

Originality in Truth

I like this quote by C.S. Lewis:

“Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original. Whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring two pence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it.” 

Just wanted to share that. Oh, and anyone need a commission? Website design? Portrait? Fantasy landscape? Or want to invest in a Children's Book of mine? Just checking. 

Time Rolls On

A reminder or two. First is "The Touch of the Masters Hand" which is a favorite of mine.

The Touch of the Masters Hand

'Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But held it up with a smile: "What am I bidden, good folks," he cried,
"Who'll start the bidding for me?"
"A dollar, a dollar"; then, "Two!" "Only two?
Two dollars, and who'll make it three?
Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice;
Going for three—" But no,
From the room, far back, a gray-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow;
Then, wiping the dust from the old violin,
And tightening the loose strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet
As a caroling angel sings.
The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said, "What am I bid for the old violin?"
And he held it up with the bow.
"A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two?
Two thousand! And who'll make it three?
Three thousand, once, three thousand, twice,
And going, and gone!" said he.
The people cheered, but some of them cried,
"We do not quite understand
What changed its worth." Swift came the reply:
"The touch of a master's hand."
And many a man with life out of tune,
And battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd,
Much like the old violin.
A "mess of pottage," a glass of wine,
A game—and he travels on.
He's "going" once, and "going" twice,
He's "going" and almost "gone."
But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul and the change that's wrought
By the touch of the Master's hand.

Second is something I watched recently on TEDx talks that  reached some deep points for me.
Jonathan Fields talks about turning Fear into Fuel. Reminding me that Paralysis can be overcome.

I've started drafting old posts too. Too much shared drama on my part. I hope no one is offended with me un-publishing them.

I may lose internet for a while, so here is a sketch to finish this post off.

Within Her Face

Just artwork this time. Life is too scary to talk about. Just enjoy my art while it lasts.

Photoshop CS4. A new brush I really really like. 12x16 300 ppi. A nice texture overlayed as well. From a quick digital doodle. I figure it took me split up about 4 days. All together it was maybe 10 hours.

2012 Madison Co. Fair

Today I picked up my entries for the local Madison County Fair here in Idaho. I was fortunate enough to have a good friend encourage me to enter alongside him and for my wife's support.
I entered 5 pieces, which is the maximum number allowed for the Fine Art category. I entered as a professional with 4 oil paintings and 1 digital painting. As shown below in the photos, I entered:

The Emerald City of OZ.  This piece won "Reserve Grand Champion" and "First Premium".

Gryphon's Departure.  This piece won "Second Place" and "First Premium".

The Great Dragon Bastian. This piece won "Second Place" and "First Premium".

Bottles. This piece won "Second Premium".

Rainbow Socks. This Piece won "First Place" and "First Premium".

It was fun to participate. There was a lot of great work from all ages, categories, and styles. I appreciate Madison County for the opportunity. My gratitude for the awards, and the privilege to participate. Thanks go to my good friend Joseph Brower. And Thanks of course to my sweet wife for her support. Also thanks for the support of my parents who now have passed on. Thanks mom and dad.

With that, Enjoy.

 

Mom update.

I realized that after mom passed away I painting a picture of him. I am not sure if I can do that with mom for the time being. I had my own place, work, and school at the time I did that. Now I have very little or none of those..... BUT

I believe I will be doing portraits of mom and dad together potientially. At least it makes sense. First things first however. Still, I want to see what happens. And until then, I wanted to post a great photo of mom.

We love you. We love dad. We love that you and dad are together again.

March 2011 sketch

I'm not sure if I posted this a while back or not. It is a sketch from 2011 sometime. BIC blue pen again. lots of fun!