Saturday, December 29, 2012

Final Saturday of the year or 2 days before the New Year...

So it's that time of year again. My how the time DOST fly! This is that post of the year where I either promise to or promise not to come up with some New Years' Resolutions. And then the further I get into the year I begin to realize that I did or did not succeed with the resolutions that I did or did not make. (Insert smile, wink or some other random emoji here...)

This time around I think it will be different. I have set goals for myself that I have based around definitive dates. I know your going "...anyone can set a date but that doesn't mean that you'll still follow through with it..." I have always been pretty good when I give myself or I'm faced with a deadline. I might not hit my goal date but it will give me a "horizon" line to stay close to or reach.

I'm not getting any younger. (Birthday in 2 weeks exactly!) So there is the self-imposed sense of urgency when I do things now. I heard someone the other day talk about sacrifices and whether or not you have done everything you can possibly do to achieve what you want. Have you sacrificed certain things to make sure everything your trying to do become a reality? A lot of the choices I have made so far in my life have not come from sacrificing or taking chances. For the most part it has been about "doing" because it seemed like that was the way to go or because it seemed right. Last year this time I had a set plan but I was not willing to "sacrifice" my comfort zone or take chances for fear of failure. I have told plenty of people how I get so content with situations and things that I become entrenched in whatever I have going on in my life at that moment. It's something I've struggled with for the better part of my life. I've always said contentment is only good for a couple of things; friendships and relationships. I just need to break it in other areas of my life. Maybe that's a good New Years' Resolution for myself this coming year.

Well folks that's it for me this weekend. I'll see you guys next year. Until then...




-Namaste

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Happy Born-Day, Jean-Michel Basquiat...

On this day in Brooklyn, NY 52 years ago, one of the greatest artist whoever lived was born.  Jean-Michel Basquiat in the 80s was one of the most iconic artists of his time.  He tackled issues of race, power struggle and self-identity and created works; which inspired many of artists in his time and in the present.

I, myself become aware of his work while studying in art school.  I had one of my classmates mention to me how my work seemed to be heavily influenced by Basquiat.  I am not ashamed to say that I knew nothing of this artist growing up as a kid in the 80s.  After doing a little interwebs and library research, I found that I was one, familiar with some of his work already and two, I could see where some of the similarities were in our styles.  From that moment, I resolved to become familiar with this great artist.  Just reading quotes by him and also finding archived footage of his interviews (which were really powerful) were very informative.  This great artist was taken from the world all too soon.  It was and is great to see that in his brief time on this planet, he influenced so much of our culture.  He is still influencing us.  I know he has influenced me and I consider him to be one of the artist that I do idolize. Untitled(Skull) is one of my favorite pieces of his.  Maybe one day I will own a print of it.  Just thought I'd share a little of my feelings/insights on this great artist on his birthday.  Just a little...

Congrats on surviving the apocalypse!!  Until next week...



-Namaste



Saturday, December 15, 2012

The week before...or will it end...

This is a drawing that I started last week that I have been working on for a bit. I have been taking my time building up contrast and shadows. Been giving it my attention but also trying not to dwell on it too much. I'm treating it like an exercise in value. I am having a lot of fun drawing it. I can't wait until its finished so I can show you guys the finished product.

Other than that I don't have too much to talk about this weekend. Nothing blew me away. After I survive the apocalypse next week, I'll come back to you guys about future prospects and what I'd like to tackle next. Until then...


-Namaste

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Time...Time keeps on passing me by...

You ever wonder where all the time goes...?  I mean seriously...Every week it seems that Sunday hits and before I know it, I am sharing with you guys.  Which means Saturday is upon us...I then start to wonder where all the time in the week has gone.  Not too mention where the year has gone to.

Time management then becomes something of the essence.  For me that has always been a struggle.  There have been a plenty of times that I have let time slip away because of poor time management.  The  past few years I have gotten better, definitely this year.  I have found that by setting reminders and goals for myself have really helped me to keep on track...usually.  Its not a perfect system but its been working out for me.  Especially being tethered to technology:)

Last couple of years I have been trying to steer clear of setting New Years' Resolutions but this year if I have to have one; I would say it would be "To wisely take advantage of improving my time management" skills.  I have too many mechanisms at my disposal not to be more cognizant of time.  I believe that its just one of my holdover traits of being a procrastinator.  Gotta work on shaking it.

Well, faithful few, that's all I have for you guy this week.  Until the next time...


-Namaste

Saturday, December 1, 2012

The Mac Attack or Take a bite out of the APPLE...

Hey faithful few!  I am typing this weeks post, my first of the last month of the year, on my brand new MacBook Pro.  I have been using it for almost a week now and I gotta say playing around in this OSX ecosystem has been fun.  I'm not saying that its better than Windows but for the devices that I currently own (iPad and iPhone) it handles them quite well.  One of the main reasons is iCloud.  It really works in unison with all the devices.  One thing that APPLE still sucks at is iMessages but that not what this blog is about today.

One day I might feel differently but I gotta say right now I am loving being an Apple Fanboy.  I am still getting used to the different nuisances of the OS but I have to say its a really fluid experience.  I believe that is do to the IOS feel of OS X Mountain Lion.  The swiping, the gestures, the setup of OS...everything about this this system under the hood of a baseline system is great.  When it comes to power in cased in simplicity, Apple really shines.  As windows begins to really push high-end systems, that in some way mimic the simplicity of Apple, I am curious to see how they do.  I have had some experience with Windows 8 and right now in my opinion, it is really geared to the touchscreen  experience.  I just wonder if the influx of Windows Ultrabooks will catch up to what Windows 8 is.  In the mean time if you are in the market for a new computer and have never had a Mac, I would suggest you give it a try.  You'll be glad you did.  I know I am.  Until next time...



-Namaste

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Death of a Computer...Or Equivalent Exchange

So for sometime now I figured my computer was going to go kaputsky. 2 of my 4 USB ports have been non-functional for over a year...the display used to fizzle out on me a lot and sometimes the computer would cut off or go to sleep while I was in the middle of doing something. Then a few months ago, my DVD burner ceased to function anymore. So I figured I had a couple of months to go as I'd plan on getting something new for my birthday. But this past week my computer had plans of its on. It felt it after 3 long years of being a workhorse that it wanted to be retired. So it as a whole ceased to function. So I had to move on early then I wanted/had planned on.

In the early hours of the morning on Black Friday, I became an "unofficial" Apple fanboy. I say unofficial because I am still apart of the android ecosystem due to my Nexus 7 so I don't quite bleed Apple through and through...Even though I used Macs some in college, I credit the missus with getting me into the modern iteration of Apple (she had an iPhone and I almost fell in love with it instantaneously). After that I always had an iPhone handy with what ever phone I actually had when I was with T-Mobile that way I could switch out the sim card and still enjoy carrying an iPhone from time to time. I also got the 1st gen iPad and then I upgraded to the 2nd gen iPad. But through all of that, I've had a PC. That all changed at 3:47AM on the morning of November 23rd. I purchased a MacBook Pro. I am pretty excited about getting to know this ecosystem as an everyday user. Having an iPhone and an iPad is in away being apart of it but actually using the ecosystem as a whole is something entirely different. Right off the bat I had to make a decision on whether or not I was going to get a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro. From the reviews and countless videos I watched on YouTube, it was clear the obvious choice was the MacBook Pro seeing as though I plan on using a lot of The Adobe Suite and there were reports of the MacBook Air overheating pretty quick...not too mention that I would have to buy the upgrades to it right away as upgrading it afterwards meant having to take it to an apple store or buying the next model up. So I settled on getting the Pro. I should have it in my possession on Monday and I will share my initial experience with you guys at some point I'm the near future. Until then...







-Namaste

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Sketching and stuff or something like it...

I started my sketchbook this week for the Sketchbook Project and so far so good.  I started with one idea but as I was walking around the mall yesterday I came up with the perfect idea.  Once I get a few more sketches done, I will share with you guys.  Its a pretty good idea for what it is.

This was also my first week of my vacation.  I have enjoyed the time away from work.  I didn't do what I initially planned but I have enjoyed myself nonetheless.  I look forward to my next week of vacation.  You know sometimes you need a complete break from it all.  Its like pushing a reset button on you life.  Everyone should do it now and then.

I also haven't forgotten about the other blog Ive been working on.  I just haven't gotten around to finishing it yet.  Its still coming soon.  I might have if finished by next week in time for my next post.  Until then...


-Namaste

Saturday, November 10, 2012

My 5 year old self...

Today was a pretty strange but not so strange day for me. I started watching the movie Argo and as I was watching it, I was searching my mind for what I was doing as a kid when this was going on. I was 5 at the time that this was playing out I'm the world and on TV. I remember so many things from that year of my childhood but I can't remember any of the story that's going on in Argo. The Iran hostage crisis shows up nowhere in my memory.

While I was racking my brain trying to picture it, I started to see my 5 year old self getting into trouble and also at some times causing my parents and grandparents a world of trouble. I realized that I was definitely a "boy's boy" (a symptom I equate from not having a brother growing up) I was getting in everything, I was so sneaky but I was sneaky to a point where over time I had people fooled. People thought I was such a quiet good little boy but that's not what I wanted to get it.Back to my recollection, I remember one time my mom and grandparents were coming go pick me up from school and I left school to walk my best friend at the time home. He lived around the corner from school so I wasn't far but when I got back to school my mom and my grandparents were furious with me for wandering off.  They had thought something had happened to me. At the time, I was so young that I didn't see what the big deal was.  Needless to say just watch that movie brought back that memory of my childhood.  And just writing this post, I realized that all 3 of them are no longer with me. I don't know if that means anything or not but I am just typing this blog as its coming to me. I might get back on track. It makes me think of how long its been and how when you are at such a young age, you might not be too aware of what's going on around you.  When you are sitting in the backseat or you are opening up presents on Christmas morning, you never think that this isn't forever. You never think that you will one day be without your grandparents, your mom or your big sis.  To you the world and everyone else will always be there, until they aren't...

I think that's all I write form this weekend because I have gone from where I originally wanted to go and its getting quite solemn...

-Namaste

Saturday, October 27, 2012

For the love of Blogging...

I was just talking to my girlfriend earlier about how long I've been doing this and pretty much why I do this. From day one I believe this has been an avenue for me to...relate, to share and in some ways talk out my problems and things that are on my mind.
Blogging every week has been somewhat therapeutic. I know that no matter what I do or don't do during the week, I know THAT I MUST blog. To me blog is something that's almost as personal as my art, that I love to share. Blogging in my opinion is nothing more than journaling. And being my journal that I posting on the web it's leaving me extremely vulnerable in that I am giving you, the world a bit of me. I am careful just how much I do share here on my blog but that's only because I have things in the works now that I am not ready to share with you the faithful few or the world wide interwebs. In the future I can see myself being even more open here because I feel the change in how I'm beginning to share info.
As I decided on what I wanted to talk about today after talking to my S/O I decided to go this route. I also realized that this is one of the few things that I can say without a doubt that I LOVE to do. Until next time.

-Namaste

Saturday, October 20, 2012

So you think you can blah blah BLAH...

Hey faithful few, another week down and another week closer to the end of the Mayan calendar. I have got a few things waiting in the wings for you guys. I can't wait to share them with you guys. I'll be posting as the weeks go by so def be looking for that.

I haven't quite planned it all the way out but I am planning a vacay in the next couple of weeks and believe you & me...I PLAN ON GETTING SOME MUCH NEEDED AWAY TIME! Not going to talk too much about it just yet because I don't want to end up jinxing it. Rest assured my faithful few, you guys will be along for the ride. So until next time. Hopefully I'll have a couple of surprises for you guys next week.

 

-Namaste

Saturday, October 13, 2012

It's going down...

I haven't created in the last couple of days. Not too long ago just the thought of that would make me wonder if I was getting bored with what I was doing. This time though its not even remotely the case. Mentally the last couple of days I have been trying to get some rest. It's definitely been working for. I have been getting my mind focused on steadily producing things.
I want to try and work on more of what I see in my mind. You know you get an idea in your head and then you deviate from that idea only to realize that now you are worried more about aesthetic and less about content...I find myself doing this a lot and its a habit that I definitely need to break.
I am going to take some pics next week of the piece I'm working on now. It's coming along really good. It's definitely done in my style (man, I've used "definitely" a lot in this post) It's still in its early stages but not too rough. I can already see where it's going and where I want it to go. Can't wait to share it. Until next time...

-Namaste

Saturday, October 6, 2012

My Mind is free...

I've been working constantly the last few weeks and it feels good to be creating steadily. You know as an artist, there will be times when you have that lull in your creative process where you are not doing as much work as you'd like...not painting enough...not drawing enough...not being in the business of art-making...one of the greatest things you can do as an artist is doing that lull try to keep ideas fresh in your head. Write them down...brainstorm...view art...talk to artist...look for anything that will jump start that spark plug in your brain.

For me, it's always being around artists and having constant discourses with them...it's blogging and it's writing down my ideas while they are still fresh. I find that when I do break through that lull some aspect of what I've thought about ends up lending itself to the piece. One of the things that I have found that's been a jump for me is not over thinking and just clearing my mind and letting my inner thought guide what I do. I had lost that ability the last couple of years. I mean I've been doing things but I have been letting my mind jump around a lot. I don't know if it's because of personal tragedy or pressure that I have been putting on myself or what...but lately I have just been going with the flow. If it feels good I let the feeling take me over and just be.

In any event, right now it feels good for me as an artist and I can't wait to keep you guys in the loop...

 

-Namaste

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Landscape Paintings...



Hello Faithful Few! As you can see I've been quite busy this week.  I managed to finish one piece and then start another piece.  The video is of the other piece that I started.  I am not quite sure yet if I am finished this piece yet.  I'll keep you guys posted.  The pictures are of the piece I did for the contest which has once again been extended by a month.  I am ok with it but I might go back into before the deadline comes again.  Until next time...



                                                             This is the "Finished" piece.

The next few pics are just details of the "Finished" piece.  Enjoy.






-Namaste

                                       

Saturday, September 22, 2012

The Summer is Over...

So I see that I now have to finish this painting for this contest after all. The sad thing is now my heart isn't in to it. I will probably finish the piece for the sake of the contest but I already know I'm not going to give it my all. I'm probably treat it more like a study instead of a fully realized piece.

I'll take some photos of it for you guys once its done. Until then.


-Namaste

Saturday, September 15, 2012

A Weekly Update...

So this piece I am working on is due a week from Monday I believe. I am the furthest along of anyone but I haven't worked on it in a couple of weeks now. I just haven't made the time to work on it. Maybe I'll finish it tomorrow who knows. I did find out information that I already knew about it but forgot. I was think that it was a cash prize but it's actually a product prize which now that I think about it is still a good idea. I just need to get it done.

I want to start a couple of I don't know series of sketches soon. I have all this images in my head. Some of them are just rough sketches and some of them are fully realized drawings. I just don't know what they mean. It's like in my head there is this therapy session going on but I am having this issue with committing them to paper. It's not like a block or anything its more like a defense mechanism to thwart out intruders (the masses). I guess it's one of those things that I need to deal with right? In any event, when I release them you will be among the first to know.

Until then...

-Namaste

Saturday, September 8, 2012

In the year 2013 and beyond...

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

-by Robert Frost

 

This is perhaps one of my most favorite poems. Every time I read this poem, I feel as though it speaks to me on so many levels. I have always chosen the unconventional...the unassuming...I've always been one to not do things the easy way. I get a real sense of satisfaction out of adversity and achieving things that I have worked hard for.

The next few months for me will be...I won't say trying but it will be quite telling. I have decisions that need to be made and actions that need to be acted upon. Mentally I have been preparing myself for a while so my mindset is ready. I just need to get the physical and my heart on the same wavelength. Shouldn't be too hard to achieve...as Mariah Carey once sang, "There can be miracles, when you believe..." (Man, I love the movie...really dramatic and great). I really am looking forward to 2013 and all the good things I'm sure it has in store for me...

 

 

-Namaste

Saturday, September 1, 2012

September......1

It's that time again faithful few...

I deliberated for most of the day as to what I was going to share with you guys this weekend. I did know that I wanted to share the beginning stages of a painting that I am working on for this contest. So far I have started blocking in the colors and the composition of the piece. Hopefully next week I'll have some updated images for you guys. It's my first time working in oils in a while so I am pretty excited about working on it. I still feel like I might change a lot on it but I'm still pretty stoked about the direction it is going in.
What else do I have for you guys...lets see, we'll this is the first post of September and it seems really weird that its almost the end of the year. It feels like it was just March. If things are the way they would have us to believe we have about 80 days left to live. So lets make the most of it. ;) I think that's all I have for this week because I feel like I might start spurting out more gibberish. See you guys next week.


-Namaste

Saturday, August 25, 2012

What The Duck...

I think on a somewhat "subconscious/conscious" level I am afraid to make the work I want to make. I told my girl this the other day. When I think back to the sort of self-discovery I had back in my junior year of college to where I am today, I often wonder why my work took such a drastic turn. I mean I went from making work that could have become quite provocative to making work that in my own honest opinion, sometimes viewed as "being safe". What happened along the way...

I guess it's associating with and being around people who, now don't get me wrong have been cool people...it's just some of them either wouldn't get it or find it offensive. That's not to say that I diverted from the work because I cared about what people said but I believe it had more to do with my self-defined ideal of those closest around me.

Its like in my mind I have this internal struggle between myself and being the artist I could/should be. Whenever I endeavor to create work like I used to do its like I self-destroy that motivation and then do something that I know people will fill its pretty or pleasing to the eye. I really need to defeat that demon in my head and get back to create work for me. Need to break down that wall in my mind that has been put up. I know what you are going to say. "Why don't you just do it and not care about what people may or may not think about it?" I mean it seems easy enough right? But when your personality is like a guardian to your subconscious mind and forces you to think of others before yourself; it gets tricky. And don't even get me started on how it stagnates "Art for Arts' sake".

At the end of the day, its about taking that leap and not looking back. Its getting yourself into that mindset that you have something you want to say and who gives a hell whether or not people like it or whether they feel like your "treadging" up the past...or if they feel like you are talking about something that's never effected you. In some ways, you have to be sort of selfish when creating. In any event, it's easier said then done my friends...easier said than done...


 

 

-Namaste

 

Saturday, August 18, 2012

This Space Reserved...

Hey faithful few...I've been sick the past few days and I haven't had time to finish up my blog post for this weekend. I will be sure to get it out to you guys next week. Until then...


-Namaste

Saturday, August 11, 2012

And so...

So I didn't spend a few days in DC like I had planned. I did have a little "me time" though. Also I did go and spend yesterday in DC. I walked around a little and hit up the movie theater for a double feature. I didn't take my camera with me because it was quite rainy here yesterday. Didn't want to be out take pics with my camera in the rain. I'm not setup for that yet. Maybe in the future. I did however, snap a few interesting pics with my iPhone that I might post here next week. I am going to have a few images of this painting that I mentioned last week for you guys as well. 

That's all I have for you guys this week. Until next week...

 

 

 

 

-Namaste

Saturday, August 4, 2012

New work coming soon...

I have a piece that I am about to start for work that I am slightly excited about doing. The excitement comes from knowing that it will be an oil painting. It been a long time since I've worked in oils, so I am looking forward to it.

What am I going to do you might ask? Well I thought I would keep that slightly secretive. I know what I want to do but I am still deliberating on whether that's what I want to do. I have a predetermined pallet that I personally chose for doing what I initially thought of doing but you know sometimes in art the work decides it wants to be something else...we shall see what I come up with.

This week coming up I want take a trip south to DC to do a little photography work, which may or may not end up in this piece that I am about to start. Again, we shall see...don't you just love the uncertainty that art can create...As always, when I know, you guys will know.

-Namaste

Saturday, July 28, 2012

My Future is or My Future has already begun...

Webster's dictionary defines FUTURE as:
1 a : time that is to come b : what is going to happen.

There used to be a time where I questioned my future. Where I wondered what the future held for me. I mean as kids, it was so easy to predict the future. I mean I'm sure we've all had the dream or should I say goal of being rich. I mean who doesn't want loads and loads of money. I mean $10,000 a year would make us quite wealthy, right? Lol. Ah to be young and innocent again.

Now I not getting all down on the future. I am actually looking forward to it. A few years ago if you asked me about my future, I would say I have goals...I have dreams...I hope I see them fulfilled. Nowadays though I feel like...NO, I know that my future is "time that is to come." Because of things that have happened to me personally recently and in the past, I have made it my mission to not dream of the future but live in the future now. (No, I'm not talking time travel or going slightly crazy) I am taking everything that happens to me as the "future" progresses as "what is going to happen..." Now that doesn't mean I am going to become an extreme free spirit...it just means that I am going to take things as they come and also I'm going to try not to let chances fall by the wayside.

There are things in my life that I know for sure are my future, my everything. I hope to strengthen those connections as I make my way through my future. In a way I feel like I have reclaimed some of that childlike innocence when it comes to my outlook on the future. And as always, I will share that future with you...my faithful few.

-Namaste

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Unconditional love or Love Eternal...

I just wanted to post the lyrics to this song by Musiq Soulchild for you guys this weekend. It's been on my mind and in my ear almost the entire week. The lyrics in this song is so special to me. I believe in and love the message in this song. I suggest that if you like the words to the song, you YouTube it or google it and listen to it. Very powerful! Without further ado:

 

Musiq Soulchild

Don't Change lyrics

 

Lately you've been questioning if I still see you the same way

Cause through these trying years we gonna both physically change

Now don't you know you'll always be the most beautiful woman I know

So let me reassure you darling that my feelings are truly unconditional, see




(Chorus)

I'll love you when your hair turns grey girl

I still want you if you gained a little weight, yeah

The way I feel for you will always be the same

Just as long as your love don't change (no)

I was meant for you and you were meant for me, yeah

And I make sure that I'll be everything you need, Yeah

Girl the way we are is how it's gonna be

Just as long as your love don't change




Cause I'm not impressed more or less by them girls on the TV or magazines

Cause honestly I believe that your beauty is way more then skin deep

It's everything about you makes me feel I have the greatest gift in the world

And even when you get on my last nerve

I couldn't see myself being with another girl




(Chorus)

I'll love you when my hair turns grey girl

I still want you if you gained a little weight, yeah

The way I feel for you will always be the same (just as long)

Just as long as your love don't change (just as long as your love yeah)

I was meant for you and you were meant for me, yeah (meant for me)

And I make sure that I'll be everything you need, yeah

Girl the way we are is how it's gonna be (just as long yeah)

Just as long as your love don't change (yeah)




So don't waste your time worrying about

Small things that ain't relevant to me

Cause to my understanding your all I want and need

See what I'm gonna say is I'm here to stay

And as long as your love doesn't change for me

Baby darling I swear that I, I swear I ain't going nowhere (no)




(Chorus)

I'll love you when your hair turns grey girl

And I still want you if you gained a little weight, yeah

The way I feel for you will always be the same (just as long)

Just as long as your love don't change (just as long as your love stays the

Same yeah)

I was meant for you and you were meant for me, yeah (meant for me)

And I make sure that I'll be everything you need, yeah

Girl the way we are is how it's gonna be

Just as long as your love don't change




(Choir and Musiq)

You are my baby (you're my baby yeah yeah)

Don't you change baby (don't you change baby no)

I love you I do know (baby you gotta understand that I love you baby yeah yeah)

(Don't you know, you gotta know you got to know) (Yeah oh oh yeah)







-Namaste






Saturday, July 14, 2012

Has it really been that long or Shark Bait 2.0...

Hello there faithful few...Sunday I blogged on my vegetarian blog about my 2 year vegetarian anniversary, so if you are feeling like a slightly good read...head over there. Let's see what else do I have for you guys. I have been working in a new sketchbook that I am using mainly for sketches and images of the female body. I also plan on doing a few things over the next couple of weeks. I have an oil painting I am going to be starting hopefully soon for a contest at work and hopefully the second week of next month I plan on spending a few days down in DC. I plan on doing a little personal photography. I haven't spent too much time out shooting with my Canon T2i somimwant to give it a little love. Hopefully the weather is great then. Then in September I am hoping to go further south on a picture taking adventure.

I am really trying to put a lot more focus on my artistic life more than my work life. There comes a time when you have to really decided what's important to you. Art has been my dream. My goal. I mean I have invested in my artistic endeavour. I mean every month a little of that investment attacks my bank account LOL so I am feeling it. I just got to throw myself out there to the sharks. Time to stop talking about it and just DO IT! Well that's all I have for you guys this week. I'll see you guys back here next week, ok...

 

-Namaste

 

Saturday, July 7, 2012

The Generation that is, was, and should be...?

In this age of Millenials, it seems that the youth of the nation are obsessed with putting themselves in front of the camera for all the world to see. What's sad is that they aren't showing themselves in a positive light. They are going around filming themselves either committing acts of violence or do some extremely stupid thing. i have seen some footage were the kid was screaming at the camera "this is going on WorldstarHipHop" or "imma youtube this" These kids are so brazen...have so much disregard for the law and other peoples feelings that to them its ok to do these things.

Todays youth, with the way modern technology is, has so many ways to express themselves in more productive way. instead they strive to get themselves noticed by filming themselves doing flash robberies and beating up people. What goes on in the mind of these kids? Who's to blame for their behavior? Some would argue that its societies fault. Some would say its the way the kids were raised. You could make a case for the lack of opportunities presented to them because of their environments.

Back in the day I would say that could very well be the case but some of these kids...no...some of this people is more like it do it purely for the sheer love of it and to see how many possible views they can get. And society being the pure voyeuristic junkies that we are cant help but take notice. Its like seeing a really bad train wreck. Empathy will have you feeling a great deal of concern for the victims but your lust for knowing whats going on will have you unable to look away. These people who make these videos on some subconscious level hone in on the "lustful eye" of the voyeuristic junkie. We all scream, "they don't have any home training" or "what if that was someone they love," all the while we are clicking on to the next video. This type of engagement not only helps fuel the longevity of this behavior but also helps along the slow degradation of our society as a whole. Don't get me wrong Americas youth aren't the only ones that have gone to extreme measures to be heard in a violent voice but american youth have taken it to levels that this author would liken to caged beasts trying to survive an impending meeting with their maker by bastardizing survival of the fittest. In this case its survival of the hardcorest waste of time.

Some people will complain about "why society doesn't do things for them"..."or why is it they are targeting me" but then they turn right around and film themselves beating up some defenseless person just so they can film it and make the front page of some video site. It's like where does this animalistic nature come from. What drives them? What gets them to this point?

When I was a kid growing up, I was taught when out in public; "act like you have some home training"..."don't do anything that would put yourself in a bad position, you never know whose watching"...and so on. As kids we didn't want to draw too much unwanted attention to ourselves. Kids today do just the opposite. It would be one thing to document yourself doing something productive but "showing out" to achieve views and/or notoriety is just plain barbaric, demeaning and immature.

As we move forward in the future, we are supposed to look towards our youth to carry on the progressive advances that we as a supposed strong nation have been enduring the past half a century or so. But if we only have their "gladiatorial" ways of presenting themselves then I fear that this generation will set us back a ways.

Sorry it took me so long to post this for you guys but it been a crazy last couple of weeks. Crazy! And can you believe this heat half of the country has been getting. Wow!

-Namaste

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Coming soon...

Hey faithful few, I know I promised a post for you guys the beginning of this week but I didn't finish it and I'm not posting it today because it's not quite done yet. Didn't have a good night sleeping last night because of the power outage here so I am quite sleepy and tired after working today. I'm going to try to finish it up the next couple of days and post it for you guys. Until then...


-Namaste

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Not my original...but what are you going to do when things don't go off the way you want it to...improvise!!!

Hey faithful few...I am in the process of putting together a post for you guys that's been kind of tearing at me a little. I wanted to post it this weekend but I haven't quite gotten it right. I didn't want to post something for you guys that seemed rushed and that comes off too "ranty". I am hoping to have it done early next week for you guys. I might even post it early. So be looking for that. That's all for this week...


-Namaste

Saturday, June 16, 2012

The Ramblings of a Sleep Deprived Artist...

The last couple of days I have been punishing myself.  Now hold on there...when I say punishing myself, I'm not talking physically (I'm not a masochist)...I'm talking more along the lines of sleep.  I'd say in the past 72 hours I've had about 12 hours sleep. If that...Weird I know.  Its almost like I be fighting sleep or should I say sleep has been avoiding me.


WHY HAS THOU FORSAKEN ME, SLEEP??? WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY!!! 

There is no reason why I shouldn't be sleep, I guess i be pretty keyed up.  Maybe I should take a weekend off of work and just sleep it out or relax or something.  I don't know.  What do you guys think?  This was probably the weirdest post I've written in awhile...


-Namaste

P.S...as I wrote this I was listening to Open Arms by Journey...Just thought I'd share;)

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Aluminum Bluetooth Keyboard for iPad Review...

I am typing this using my new bluetooth keyboard for my iPad. Its pretty cool but also weird at the same time. The keyboard is probably the same width as the the on-screen keyboard but it gives your more viewable screen space on your iPad. I also found out that certain word processing apps don't exactly work with the bluetooth keyboard. I am using Pages to type this post out. IA Writer didn't seem to recognize the keyboard actions(EDIT: I stand corrected, IA Writer does recognize the keyboard). I do know that it works in notes and reminders but IA Writer and Pages are the only word processing apps that I currently have.

 

The keyboard has a row of function keys that actually controls functions on the iPad. One day to bring up the on-screen keyboard as well. There are keys to adjust the brightness as well as the volume. There are even keys to control the music and video player. There is also dedicated keys for the home button and spotlight search, which works just like they do directly on the iPad. The keys are spaced pretty decently and the don't fill cramped which is great since its not a full size keyboard. I have yet to see how long it last on a single charge since this is just my second use of it since i got it on Thursday. I will update you guys on this when I find out. I've included a few pics of the keyboard and of it attached to my iPad. I just thought i would give you guys a little review of this Aluminum Bluetooth Keyboard. You can pick one up on Amazon for as little as $20 before shipping. Great deal.

 

 

 

-Namaste

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Missing my Mom...

 

Just a little tribute to my Mom.

I miss you Ma...

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Immerse meself, eh...

As I peruse the interwebs sites on artists and art events, the more I feel the need to immerse myself in the art world. I need to surround myself with like-minded individuals as well as put myself in a position to interact with them. I am hoping that in the not to distant future I am able to do just that. Now I know it's easy to just go to a show and mingle but I am talking more along the lines of right now I am located in Baltimore; next week I'll be in New Mexico checking out a show on Midwestern Indians. (No, I am not going to New Mexico next week...LOL!!!) You guys get what I mean right? I want to take trips and vacations where my sole purpose for going view art. I mean I always go to DC to check out work and usually whenever I go on vacation, I do find time to see some local art there. But usually checking the art out is but a small piece of the itinerary. So I do partake, just not as much as I'd like.

I need to make this happen! I think next year I will map out "artacations". I know it's corny;) but I am sticking with it. See you guys next week...


-Namaste

Saturday, May 19, 2012

The Switch has been flipped...

So this past week after being with them for at least 5 years (as far as I can remember, I was going to use surmise there but probably wouldn't have worked...anywho) I left T-Mobile for Sprint. (See attached screenshot, I know you didn't need to see one but so what it's my blog, LOL). I did it quite effortless. If anything I couldn't wait to leave them.

Leaving them is, for me, one of them big decisions that we struggle with making. Bear with me a few. I have an issue with being content sometimes. Now that can be a good thing or a bad thing. For me sometimes it gets caught in that middle ground. I'll stick things out for the duration no matter what sometimes. I have watched a show when everyone else has given up on it until the very end. Only to get to the very end and see that the ending showed me that the show wasn't worth the time I gave it or worst; to have the show canceled (READ: Missing, Alcatraz). I have read a books that were ok but not really that engaging because I didn't want to give up too soon on the story. For me sometimes, if my curiosity or "thinking-parts" are satiated, then I'm content.

I was so used to T-Mobile and their attitude that certain things didn't bother me. I rarely called customer service because my brain felt it was smarter than the help they were giving me. I mean I remember when I first got the G1(T-Mo's first android phone) thats when I realized how bad their customer service can be. I recall have their "techs" supposedly troubleshooting phone for me over the phone by just reading from the back of the instruction manual. That's when I realized that they weren't to helpful. I decided that it would have to be dire circumstances that I ever called them. I would just fix problems on my own, which I did for the most part. I figured since I'd gotten better versed in how things worked, I'd deal with the dropped calls and the network problems. I was content with good ol' T-Mo. I'd say since I got my last phone with them almost two years ago that I have not called them once. Last year I decided that I would finally get rid of them. I just hope it doesn't take me a year of planning to break things the rest of my life. I need to practice being content only when I am truly happy, like in love and with family.

Well as usually I have went off on a tangent but you guys know me;). That's all for now...


-Namaste

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Good stuff my friends, good stuff...

So let's see what I have for you guys this weekend. I did get my pieces off to Rochester, so I am pretty excited to see them posted online soon.

I have begun to plan what I want to work on next. Plus I am looking into some future endeavors. So I'm pretty stoked about that.

 


So I have mentioned to you guys that I would be trying out 2 new programs on my computer, Sony Vegas Pro 11 and Lightroom 4. I haven't had the chance to play with Sony Vegas but I have used Lightroom 4 a few times and I gotta say it is pretty amazing!!! (I've used pretty quite a few times already in this post!) I found out that I can tether my new camera to it by connecting my camera to my computer while using the program. I can capture a photo and immediately edit the photo in Lightroom. Man the photo editing features on this program are phenomenal. Really looking forward to seeing what I can do with this software.

 


I am going to start taking more shots with my camera especially when I start traveling again. I have taken a few shots and some video footage around the neighborhood were I work. A few shots actually made it into my batch of 6X6s. (I posted them for you guys a few weeks back) I am still learning the camera as I go but I am having so much fun with it. I'll try to post more pictures for you guys as I take them. So be looking out for that. That's all I got for you guys this weekend. Until next time...

 

 

 

 


-Namaste

 

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Saturday, April 28, 2012

I am peeved...Damn Blogsy...

I just spent 30 mins or so blogging for you guys went to hit publish and it wouldn't publish. I was like oh well when I get home I'll just post using my wifi at home. I was thinking the tether from my phone wasn't kicking out a strong enough signal. In an event the post didn't save to local draft, so it was lost. This is the first time I used Blogsy since they came out with the new update so I am kind of ticked. I went into a bit of an artistic tangent that my mind right now does not feel like trying to recreate. So I decided to just try posting a quick post here and let you guys know that I finished 8 pieces for the 6X6 show in Rochester next month. If I feel like it I will re-type my initial blog and post it for you guys next week.

-Namaste

 

Saturday, April 21, 2012

RANDOM SNAPSHOTS...

So faithful few as I promised you guys last week, here are a few photos I took this week. Next week I will give you guys a roundup of a couple of programs I just installed on my computer. I haven't played around with them much yet but I am pretty excited about. Also see if you guys can notice anything in the photos that might seem odd or strange. Something's are obvious and some you really have to "GAZE" at to notice. Enjoy.

So until next week...


-Namaste








 

 

 

 

Saturday, April 14, 2012

The week that was or not...

Hey faithful few. It's that wonderful time again. I didn't really do anything to big this week. Just finished up the four 6X6s officially this week. Going to try and do a few more the next week or so. I got some ideas I want to put on paper, so hopefully I come up with something good.

That's all I have for you guys this week. Not too much this week. Hopefully I have plethora of info for you guys next week. Probably some snapshots as well.

Oh yeah don't for get to do your taxes this weekend. I hope I don't forget to do mine. 😄

-Namaste

Saturday, April 7, 2012

6 X 6 So Far...


Hello faithful few, I just thought I would post for you guys a few images of what I have so far on a couple of the 6X6's I am working on for the 6X6X2012 show in Rochester, NY.

These pieces are almost done and as you can see are apart of a series. I only have a couple of more elements to add to them and they are done. Then I can start on the next few. I will post more for you guys in the coming weeks. That May 5th deadline is right around the corner.

Until next week...



-Namaste






 

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Longevity and the faithful few...

For the better part of the day today, I tried to figure out what I wanted to blog about. Should I ramble, is there anything in the news I want to talk about, should I address the Trayvon Martin situation...I didn't know at the time how I wanted to approach this weeks blog but then it hit me. I could speak about longevity.

I started this blog in November of '07. When I came to you guys, my faithful fee, for the first time; I had know I day that I would do so for this long. Every week since then I have blogged for you guys. You guys have been come apart of my life.

You have been there through the good times and the bad times, the happy moments and the worst moments. Some weeks even when I felt bad I just had to come to you guys, even if it's was just to say I'm not feeling well. You've been there for the rejection, for the sorrow, for the pain. You been there when I had good news to share. When I wanted to share my work, there you guys were. When I was feeling poetic, again you guys show up. I would just like to thank you guys for being apart of my life these past few years and I hope you continue to be apart of my life for years to come.

Here's to you, my faithful few...

-Namaste

Saturday, March 24, 2012

I was born to be a Ramblin' Man...

I have had a really weird week this week as far as sleeping. I don't think in the past 4 days that I haven't got to sleep before 4am. Mind you each day other than Friday I had to be at work 6 hours after I had fallen asleep. Very strange indeed. I know that was a pretty strange way of starting a post but..."so what, who cares..."

I still haven't gotten my review post for my new camera ready for my tech blog. I am trying to make sure I have a better handle on what I want to discuss as well as how I want to present it. I know I made mention in my last post about having the blog done a couple of days after that post but as we all know...things change. It is coming though and I will keep you guys posted.

On the art front, I am still trying to keep busy. I'm still working on getting this 6X6's done. I also have a few other things in the works for some people. It really feels good to be keeping busy artistically. There aren't too many things that can compare to a great creativity flow.

Let's what else do I have for you guys...oh yeah...I have had quite an eventful last couple of years...some good times...some bad times...but through it all I have persevered. It's seems like the beginning of this year has been quite different though. Even though I have had some bad times, my mind is more clearer; I see things in a different light now and I also have more confidence in getting things to go or should I say I have more faith that things will only get better for me here on out. I actually see things...dreams seem more closer to reality. My mindset is "more" at peace within the dharma. I truly love this feeling.

That is all I have for you guys this week and as always thank you for allowing me to share.

 

-Namaste

 

Saturday, March 17, 2012

New Gadget...OH BOY! Toys!!!

So I finally did it faithful few, I finally pulled the trigger. I finally went and got meself a brand spanking new digital camera. Let's just say that it's an extreme upgrade from my old digital camera and my cellphone camera.

The above picture I took with my iPad 2 camera.

Now this picture here I took with my new camera.

As you can see from the picture, the newer picture is much more vivid. The counter is not washed out like it is in the iPad cam picture. You also see the figure and counters' true color. I was truly amazed the first time I actually viewed the newer pictures. I am pretty glad I finally got this camera. I'm not going to talk too much more about it here. I'll give more deets on my tech blog here. Look for that post sometime in the next couple of days. I will leave you guys with a few more before after pics.

Before

After

Before

 

This "after" image is a detail but you can still see the drastic shift in resolution in this piece.

That's all I have for you guys this week. Looking forward to sharing with you guys next week.

-Namaste

Saturday, March 10, 2012

State of the Artist...

Hey faithful few, how are you guys doing today? We have had some crazy weather here in the "state" of Baltimore. It was quite frigid here this morning and just the other day spring teased us. Gotta love this great weather.

ANYHOW...

I am about to start working on a couple of pieces for this 6X6X2012 at Rochester Contemporary Art Center in Rochester, NY. I have done this the last couple of years but whereas the last two years I have only done 1 piece, this year I plan on doing multiple pieces. The deadline is a couple of months away so that should be plenty of time to hammer out a few pieces. I can't wait to share them with you guys.

I need to find a way to devote some more time to my other blogs. I have things I want to say and for my vegetarian blog I even think I have some pics and recipes lying around. Maybe I will just treat them as raw posting sites for tech and food instead of trying to make them full format blogs. I mean in a way I have already done that with my tech blog. It consists of a few tech re-posts from this blog. I think it's just a matter of getting the info out of my head and into the interwebosphere.

Until next week...

-Namaste

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Emotions make you cry sometimes...

I just recently started watching this documentary about artist Beverly McIver. Its called Raising Renee. I am not to far in it yet but some far its pretty good. It has the makings of being a real good film. As I was watching the film, it made me reflect on my own work.  I have always noticed that I tend to leave certain emotions out of my work. Sadness, pain, resentment, etc...these are just a few of the emotions that I have felt in the past couple of years. And yet, if you look at the work I have created in that time span you.will see none of that in the work.  I referenced the documentary earlier because its about her work and her raising her sister while creating this work.  Her sister and family has always been apart of her work. They are the subject. I constantly shy away from including emotions of pain and hurt in my work.for fear of exposing my personal life. Now don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with showing emotions...its just the way that I was raised that has me guarded against showing certain signs of emotion. My personality is also a big part of it as well. Those type of emotions I try my best not to wear on my sleeve. For me I believe that if I portrayed them in my work, it might paint a picture of a fractured "boy". I also believe my work then might be viewed as being created by someone who is reaching out for help or maybe it would invite people in who might believe that they "know how to fix me". Could my way of thinking be extremely way off base or extremely assumptive? Maybe...but it is what it is in my mind. At some point and time, I believe I can and will muster up the courage to attack more personal subject matter in my work.  As an artist, I can not be afraid to put all of my emotions into a piece for fear of letting one get to close.  I should be able to pour.my emotion into a piece and feel like I did that piece justice because I had no worries about the viewers perception or gaze when it comes to my work. That's all I have for you guys this week. Thanks for letting me share with you. -Namaste

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Black History Pt. 2 - the Conclusion.

I had written up this really long post this week for you guys about black history month. It was my part 2 to my end of the month black history posts. As I was going through my previous posts looking for a post that I was going to reference here, I noticed that in a couple of post I had already said pretty much what I had planned to say. Pretty weird, huh? So I figured I would just post the links for you guys that way you can checked them out. I'll include them at the end of my post.

For me, Black History Month should be about making sure that "our" history is preserved for younger generations. It should not only be taught in schools but in the home as well. Kids should be aware of not just the famous African-Americans but also the not-so famous. They should know for everyone of our people who had to endure and persevere to succeed there are those who didn't make it. For every Frederick Douglass, there was a Rubin Stacy. For every Dred Scott, there was a George Stinney Jr. These are people that most kids will never learn about in school but they are just as big to the history of the African-American race. I think it's paramount that the youth of today, especially the black youth of today, be made aware of all aspects of "our" history.

I am glad I had the opportunity to share these last two blogs with you guys this month. I hope I have enlightened you somewhat as well as maybe pointed you towards learning more about Black History. Not just for Black History Month sake but for your own personal quests for knowledge.

"Knowledge is Power"

-Sir Francis Bacon


-Namaste

 

2 past links on Black History Month as promised. Enjoy...

Black History Post from 2010


9Black History Post from 200