Saturday, December 27, 2014

Getting back to the Old...

I want to get back to my old self.  The last few months I have been truly off. It's been hard to break out of this rut.

I definitely need to get back to making art... I need to stop thinking about it and make it happen. It's just sometimes when your mind is focused on other stuff it seems hard to focus on stuff that makes you feel... So alive! It's like the creative side of my brain feels guilty for thinking great thoughts and having good feelings; which in turn causes it to block it's true feelings. Maybe one way to get over it is to let my creative side be selfish...Who knows... That's all I have for you guys this week.

Until next time...

-Namaste

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Happy Holidays...

Since I probably won't blog again until next weekend and we will have already celebrated Xmas...I just thought I would wish you guys a Merry Christmas. I will see you guys next week.



-Namaste

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Quick Post...

Hey faithful few...I don't really have a post for you guys this week but I will have one for you guys next week. I am working on a few ideas and I will share it with you guys then.

Until next time...




-Namaste

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Random Randomness Ensues or the 80s Rocked!

The other day I was listening to an 80s instant mix on Google Play music. As the songs were playing it got me to thinking...one of the reasons I love 80s music so much is because it really takes me back.

I was an 80s kids and back then I really didn't have a care in the world. On a more deeper level, my whole family was complete. Everything was all right with the world. I sometime wish I could still have that feeling in my adulthood. Not saying that I don't want to have a care in the world, I'm really just saying that I miss my complete family. And since I can't have my complete family still, I'll always have 80s...

Until next week...




-Namaste

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Merging into a whole and complete self...

As we get closer to the end of the year, I begin to reflect. In about 6 weeks I will reach another milestone in my life. I think back to when I was younger and thought about my plans for the future. I also wonder at this stage in my life am I or have I quite lived to my full potential.

I have always talked about how I am a big underachiever but as I get older, I also realize that I also don't get out of my way. Which brings to mind, self-sabotage...

I need to figure out what I want...what I need to do to stay focused and not doubt the choices that I make no matter how they turn out. When I was younger before I started taking chances, I always kept my eyes on the prize. I said I was going to do something and I did it. I need to learn to combine the old with the new. Train my mind to merge the former with the latter to make a complete "me".

I have truly come far but I don't want to enter my "mid-life" on the verge of a crisis.

Until next time...




-Namaste

Saturday, November 22, 2014

I am thankful...

I have the greatest girlfriend in the world.
I have the greatest family in the world
I have the greatest friends in the world-

For that I am thankful.

I was born with a great gift
I have experienced great things
Up until now my life has been great-

For that I am thankful.

Things always find a way of working out.
Something and someone always come through
Through all adversity and strife I have my health-

For that I am thankful.







-Namaste

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Shuck your Shells...

What do you do when it seems like all you are doing is skirting by? I have always prided myself on having a set plan and a way of doing things but lately I feel like I have really given in to the strong ideology of "Leap of Faithism". I have been lucky so far but in the back of my head I feel like I'm playing Russian Roulette with a 6 shooter loaded with 5 in the cylinder.

I am beginning to really hate not knowing and leaving things to chance and faith. Sure I am trying to make things happen as well but for the most part I have been going under the assumption that things will work themselves out. I miss having more control of my life. I need to find away to get back to that person while still being the guy who takes chances when need be. Until then, I will continue to feel the way I do from time to time.

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

Until next week...



-Namaste

Saturday, November 8, 2014

Creating on a mobile device...

This is a little something that I have been working on. I used an app called Corel Painter Mobile on my Note 3. What's cool about this app is that it works well with my stylus and the strokes react and respond to pressure. I was truly amazed. I can press down on screen and get a heavy line or just glide across the screen and get a feathered line.

As you guys know I have been struggling with creating lately and once I started this I felt alive again "wee" bit. So far I am working on the bottom 3 layers. Tomorrow I am going to start to flesh the face out a little more and see how I like it. The only drawback is that while my phone is a big for a phone, it does sometime seem awkward drawing an image on a phablet screen. Even though it's the size of a postcard, it's still a challenge using the stylus on the screen. I have seen some great art produced by other artists on this device though.

Well that's all I have for you guys today.

Until next week...

-Namaste

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Tired and Beat...Seriously!!!

I am literally too tired to post anything for you guys this weekend. I might have to look into changing the day that I post. I'll be back with you guys next week.



-Namaste

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Is Passive Aggressiveness a bad thing...

So I am what some would call a passive aggressive person. I have been for a long time. Some may say its a bad thing, others may not. (I tend to believe the latter is the extreme minority) Some believe if you hold in your feelings that they manifest themselves in other ways.

I think to some extent that is true but I also believe that as an adult you should be able to control your feelings. I personally have been in situations where if not for my passive aggressive nature, would have done or said things which wouldn't have been pretty. I'd say it has saved me a lot. Don't get me wrong...I'm not praising it. I'm just saying that if has helped me out in my life. It's like my mutant "X-gene"

I just wanted to share this with you guys this week. I actually just thought about this afternoon and couldn't wait to post this. I did work in my sketchbook some this week. I did a little doodling. Next week I will try to get some images up for you guys.

Until next week...


-Namaste

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Accountability helps...

I failed you guys this week. I have nothing to show...zilch...nada...zero.....I did pull my sketchbook out and tomorrow between my job hunting and resting I will be drawing in my sketchbook.

My art accountability partner told me something this week that I totally forgot about sketchbooks. She told me I just need to draw. Even if I don't like what comes out...just DRAW. It also doesn't help that every week she is showing me something new that she started or finished LOL. But that's what accountability partners are for. Well that's it for this week.

Until next week...


-Namaste

Saturday, October 11, 2014

No Excuses

So I failed this week guys. I did not do anything that I set out to do last week. No art, no brainstorming, nothing...

Sure I can blame working and being tired and also job-hunting but I still had a little time to squeak in a little work. I promise that next week I will have something or at least something to share with you guys.

Until next week...


-Namaste

Saturday, October 4, 2014

A New New Thing...

I have started to pick up my iPad and read again. I know what your saying, "Why would you stop reading????" I have just been too busy. But thats not what I really want to tell you guys. The real big deal about it for me is that, I have been pulling out phrases and words that have spoken to me.

I have begun to jot them down. One of the first phrases I found intrigued me a lot. I am hoping I can squeeze some time in to see what I can come up on an illustrative level. In a way its like writing a book. You come up with the title and then you plan what you are going to put on the pages.

I need to find any and everything I can to keep me motivated. I need to get back in the flow of things so I can really feel like myself. Thats all for this weeks folks. I know its a quick post but I figured I'd still share. Maybe next week I will have some sketches for you guys.

Until next week...


-Namaste

Friday, September 26, 2014

One Year Ago on this Date...

One year ago on this very date (Sep 26), I took a giant leap of faith. I packed up and in the early morning of this date one year ago, I left Baltimore for Charlotte. It has been a very trying year for me...especially the last few months. In some ways I feel as though that's OK. I didn't quite know what to expect when I embarked on this undertaking. This was new territory to me. I left my comfort zone and started anew.

In a way, I usually feel like I'm still just visiting but every time I get paid I brought back to the reality that I'm not still a visitor. (I'm paying NC taxes, lol) I am finding being from somewhere else is also a good conversation starter as well. I've had small talk(which is weird because I hate small talk) with people who almost always immediately pick up on my accent. I proudly say I am from Baltimore.

I miss Baltimore...I'm not going to lie. I miss my family, I miss my friends...I miss that energy Baltimore has and one about my O's...Eutaw Street is going to be rocking next month. I think once I get back on track, I'll go back to visit for a few days. Or I will make it my mission to get back at least twice a year.

Well as I begin year 2 of my transition, I hope things look much brighter on the other side of the trees. That's all I have for you guys this week.

Until next week...



-Namaste

Saturday, September 20, 2014

So tired...

Hey faithful few I am so beat. Yesterday I tweeted that I didn't know what I want to blog about and today I feel to tired to even type this post. I had a rough nights sleep and a rough day at work... Coupled with trying to beat this cold I got from getting rained on last week, makes for a beat brother. Hopefully I will be back to full strength next week and I can post a regular post for you guys.

Until next week...

-Namaste

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Umbrella...where have you gone??

I have always been one of those ppl(kids even) who hated carrying around extra stuff. Whether it be a jacket, a sweater, a bag or even an umbrella(hold on to that one). The reason being is that I am the type that will leave those things behind. Or even subconsciously lose them.

I like having my hands free of stuff when I'm traveling and moving about. So it's so easy for me to forget that I was carrying something extra with me. Especially if I'm not using it. Case in point, yesterday it rained cats and dogs here in Charlotte and I got drenched. It was almost like I fell in a lake. That's how drenched I was. So today I decided to take my umbrella with me. The weather man did say we were going to have rain the next few days. It rained briefly on my way home and I put my umbrella up briefly but then it stopped. So I put my umbrella back in its rain sheath (it was a really nice umbrella) and then slipped it in the side of my bag. Apparently it slipped out the bottom of my grocery back which had gotten wet. I didn't notice it until I was almost home and it started to rain again. Crazy, right? What have you lost? Or left behind?

That's all I have for you guys today.

Until next week...

-Namaste

Saturday, September 6, 2014

An Agent named...

I paid it forward this week.

I had a guy call me about an art project he needed done. He found my number on a business card I had posted on a bulletin board in an art store back home in Baltimore. He needed it in a couple of days and needed the exchange to happen fast. I told him that I no longer was local and now living in Charlotte. I then told him that I did know a couple of other artists who dealt in portraiture and that I would reach out to them. The artist that eventually did wowed the guy. The guy texted me back a picture of the finished piece and he was extremely happy with it and glad that I could refer him to someone else.

Really made me feel good to help somebody out even when I couldn't actually do the work for him. Maybe I have a calling as an art dealer/agent. Who knows...

Well that's all I have for you guys this week.

Until next week...

-Namaste

Saturday, August 30, 2014

I leaped without looking and I loved it...

In another couple of weeks, it will be a year since I walked away from job and then 2 weeks later; I left Baltimore. It's still quite surreal when I think about it. One of the things I used to talk about when I first started this blog was taking chances and my hesistance to do so often. But lo and behold, I go and take a giant leap of faith. Talk about taking chances!

Now don't get me wrong, it definitely hasn't been a cakewalk or easy. I can say that it truly has been a learning experience for me, as well as a trying time. (Man, I've used a lot of commas so far in this post). I feeling pretty optimistic about my future and future prospects. Adult Choices is something I have dwelled on in the past and I find myself increasingly making more and more of them. I guess I am finally starting to lose that contentment quality that I have had all those years. I've never been a free spirit so to speak but I will latch onto something if it feels real comfortable. I guess that's the main reason that I'm feeling good about my situation because it's ever-ever-changing. Nothing is stagnant or comfortable. Almost everyday is a new adventure, a new struggle,  a new learning experience and I am kind of loving every minute of it just a little bit in the back of my mind. The rest of my mind thinks I'm just strange, lol. That's it for this week guys.

Until next week...

-Namaste

Saturday, August 23, 2014

The Week that Was...

So another week down,  another week coming up. I am actually starting to lose track of these weeks. I mean did you guys know that this week coming up is the last  full week of August! Wow...

I am going to try and get back into my sketchbook very soon. Me and one of my ex-coworkers are trying to be each other's accountability partners when it comes to art. Trying to make sure that no matter what struggle we are having that we are still as artist creating. You guys know I have been having issues lately with producing work. I'm hoping this jump-starts my creativity. What ever I do in my sketchbook, I will definitely share with you guys. Well that's all I have for you guys this weekend.

Until next week...

-Namaste

Saturday, August 16, 2014

The Nomadic Journeys of An Artist...

So I have relocated to a new place of residence from when I first moved here to Charlotte. It's kind of quaint and closer to all the hubbub that is Uptown Charlotte. I don't quite know how I feel about it just yet so I have yet to judge my situation now.

I do know it's further away from my current place of employment. But that's cool.

What I need to do is get back into the habit of creating. It's been awhile since I've created anything. I'm hoping that I haven't lost my creative edge 😉

Well that's all I have for you guys this weekend.

Until next week...

-Namaste

Saturday, August 9, 2014

For Your Consideration or No one exists outside of "I"...

Without giving away too much. I recently witnessed a situation where a guy was less than considerate of others behind him. As things were running low, he repeatedly asked for more or extra. It was like im going to get mines and forget everyone else. It's like the person who parks in crowded parking lot, sideways so no one can park beside them...or someone who stands at the free samples table and eats or takes the majority of the samples because they are free.

What happened to this world? How selfish can you be that you don't have consideration for anyone else? How screwed up is the human race?

I was almost livid at this situation. Then the guy had the false sense of camaraderie that our people have...yes I said "our" people. He had that awww, c'mon brother hookup a brother up...we got stick together; look on his face.

That's another thing that gets me hot. "Our" people only tend to want to stick together sometimes when it's for a get-over or a hookup. Then they wonder why other races look at us differently. Sad...simply sad...

That's all I'm going to talk about this week because I feel like this was about to become quite preachy and I don't want to go that route.

Until next week...

-Namaste

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Just another Humdrum...

It's been another one of them weeks for me. I am really going through some things. So I haven't really been myself in awhile. I have almost just been going through the motions.

One thing is for sure it seems like time is really flying...I mean really flying. Just seems like it was the beginning of the year and now we only have 4 more months before it's 2015. Wow 2015!! And my milestone day is fast approaching, crazy. Whowouldhavethunkit!!!

Well that all I have for this week guys, hopefully next week I will have more to say and share.

Until next week...

 

 

-Namaste

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Ribbit or Rib it...

Today on my way home I saw a frog...wait for it, I know it sounds strange but for me it was probably the coolest thing I have seen in a long time. I've seen a live frog before when I was young but not up and close. So to see this frog up and close was downright AWESOME! I wish I had gotten a pic for you guys so I could share it with you guys.

I don't know just something about seeing the beauty of nature in that moment made my night. And I just wanted to share with you guys.

Until next week...

 

-Namaste

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Bleh...Blah...Blue...

I don't have a lot to talk about this weekend. It's been tough for me lately. This week I am just checking in. Hopefully I will be back in full swing of things soon.

Next week faithful few...

 

-Namaste

Saturday, July 12, 2014

All You Need...about the size of a Mustard Seed...

So faithful few...I think it's been a minute since I called you guys that...anywhoogle.

I feel like I am at a point...no I know I am at a point in my life right now where my faith is being tested. I have definitely hit a rough patch. I am not ready to share it just yet out into the blogosphere but when I do, I will definitely share it with you guys.

On a side note, I didn't work on my other design any this week so I didn't have anything new on that from to share with you guys. When I do get some work done on it! I will def share with you guys.

Until next week...

 

 

-Namaste

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Pure Munny Hunny...

Quick post faithful few...I did get a chance to work on my other piece this week. It's in the very, very, very early stages but I thought I'd still show you guys what I was working on. Hopefully next week I have a more polished image for you guys.

Until next week...

 

 

-Namaste

 

 

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Rockin a 'Fro...

This weekend came up on me so fast. It's like I get so caught up in other things that I seem to get behind in other stuff.

I didn't get around to to finishing the one piece but I did almost finish up the other one I talked about last week. I thought I would share that one with you guys this weekend. So without further ado...

 

I don't have a title for it yet and I need to tweak it a little more but it's just about done. Next week I hope to have the other one at least half done so I can share with you guys.

Until then...

 

 

-Namaste

 

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Beats Me or Who stole my Energon...

I started working on a couple of t-shirt designs the last couple of days. I wanted to show you guys but I don't get a chance to finish them today because I went in to work. I'm going to definitely finish them this week coming up and I will share them with you then.

This weeks post is a little light but I will make it up to you guys next week.

Until next week...

 

 

-Namaste

Saturday, June 14, 2014

A New Adventure Begins...

So I just started a new job a few weeks ago. And the cool thing about this new adventure is that I like my job. I love the interaction with people. As much as I always tell people that I don't like people but I loved that I can get a reaction out of people. My personality always seem to bring the best out of people. You would think that I would be some sort of performance artist with my background.

All in all this adventure has been good for me so far. It has really lifted my spirits up a lot. Last few months for me have been tough and it just keeps getting tougher but I always feel like it makes me stronger. It helps me feel slightly empowered and I gotta say that's a good feeling. Next week I hope to have some new images for you guys. Don't hold me to it though;)

Until next week...

 

 

-Namaste

Saturday, June 7, 2014

The Week that was...

So I finally got around to find out what the numbers were for this art exhibition I try to do every year. I submitted 4 pieces a combination of photos and digital prints. Entries #3495-8 are my entries to the 6X6X2014 at the Rochester Contemporary Art Center. This is the link. Feel free to peruse the images there. You don't have to purchase mines. There are over 6,000 pieces up that can be purchased. All pieces are just $20. The go on sale globally on June 10, 2014 at 10am EST. Treat yourself.

Also I have been trying to edit and upload some of my work to my RedBubble site. This past week they started selling Totes and Throw pillows. Right now I have they at a low introductory price but I definitely plan on selling them at a little higher price. So if you have any people who are interested make sure you jump on them now. I need to get other images "printable-ready" so they look good on what ever they get printed on. That's all I have for you guys this week.

Until next week...



-Namaste

Saturday, May 31, 2014

Go BIG...

Lately I have been looking through some of my sketches and some of my smaller works and seeing which ones I would likely possibly blow up in to a bigger painting.

I've been trying to visualize them bigger. Like some of them have aspects of them that work small but if created bigger, would have to be reworked. In a way going bigger will allow to not only recreate the work but also revisit it. Revisiting would then help me to evolve certain parts of the original work.

The first piece that I plan on doing this with is a piece I did a few weeks ago called The Exodus. I've already reworked it once from a pencil sketch to a marker drawing or sketch. I just came up with an idea as I was typing this blog. The next few weeks I'm hoping to have something for you guys to check out.

That's all I have this week.

Until next week...

 

 

-Namaste

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Let's Rock 'N Roll, Man or 'Ello Guv'ner...

So I was born in the mid 70s and grew up in the 80s & early 90s but I got to tell you one of the greatest periods for music for me is the 60s. Especially from the British Invasion years. So I thought this week I would share with you guys a playlist of mines that feature a few songs from that era. Some of the artists aren't the original songwriters or artist of some of the songs but I like their versions of the song equally or just a little better. Definitely The Animals and Nina Simone's version of the song Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood. So we out further ado...

  • The Animals, Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood.
  • Nina Simone, Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood.
  • Petula Clark, Downtown.
  • Dusty Springfield, You Don't Have To Say You Love Me.
  • The Animals, The House of The Rising Sun.
  • The Animals, We Gotta Get Out of This Place.
  • The Beatles, I Want To Hold Your Hand.
  • The Beatles, Strawberry Fields Forever.
  • The Beatles, All You Need Is Love.
  • The Zombies, She's Not There.
  • The Zombies, Time of Season.
  • The Zombies, I Love You.
  • Lulu, To Sir, With Love.
  • The Yardbirds, For Your Love.
  • The Kinks, You Really Got Me.
I left out a lot but as far as The Beatles, I could have put the whole discography up LOL.

I think going forward I might do more of these type of blog post. Maybe every few months. Let you guys in on a little of my musical tastes.

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Focus Grasshopper or Mental Tornado...

Lately I have lacked the proper motivation. Maybe I shouldn't say motivation but more along the lines of having a lack of focus. I have been having issues with keeping my mind centered.

I have so much going on in my head right now it's seems hard to pick one at a time. It's like I've reached a crossroad.

And I am stuck on where do I go from here...how do I get to point B...what's going to happen next....

It's all this uncertainty in my head that is cloud my mind and keeping me off my game. I need to re-learn how to not let things take over my mind and spiral out of control .

Maybe I need to get back into meditating. You know really clearing my head before I dive into anything else. I think I will give that a go...what say you?

Well that's all I have for you guys this week. Looking forward to the week ahead.

Until next week...

 

 

-Namaste

 

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Happy Mother's Day

This is one of them times of the year when I feel a little down. And I just thought I would do a little post tonight for you guys. Since tomorrow is Mothers Day and I don't blog on Sundays, I just thought I'd wish all the Moms out there a Happy Mother's Day.

You should really show your mothers all year around how much you love and care for them. You only get one! As for me I really miss my mother but I do believe she is in a better place now.

 

 

 

 

Happy Mother's Day Mom, I miss and love you...

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Show me your Warhol...

I have been really enjoying this class I have been taking on Warhol. Tomorrow I am going to do my first assignment for this class and I am looking forward to doing that. We have to create a work of art A LA Warhol and write a little summary about the finished piece. I wonder what I will do. We also have to critique 3 other people's work. It's been a minute since I had to give a critique or critiqued someone's work.

I also have been trying to work in these new ideas that I have for my "Goddess" series. I just haven't been having the proper motivation for them. My mind right now isn't as clear as it needs to be. I've tried to keep a really clear mind but I seem to be able to only hold so much positive energy at a time. I guess it's just that right now at this time in my life I am at a critical juncture. I have been trying to make sure that I stay about the positive line though. Don't want to let stress take me over so it starts to effect everything in my life...you know what I mean? That's all I have for you guys this week.

Until next time...



-Namaste

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Knowledge will always be POWER

Hey faithful few...I got my email confirmation this week that the work that I sent to the Rochester Contemporary Art Center was received and processed. Hopefully by the middle of next month I will have the numbers that they assigned to my pieces and some images to share with you guys.

So I have been taking this beginning programming class online and tomorrow starts the 3rd week of that class. I have been learning a lot in just this first 2 weeks. Code that back in the day that looked foreign to me, now makes sense. I got to say it's really enrichening learn something new. It's also starting to get intense trying to make sure I get the assignments done and watch the lectures. I also started an art history class on Warhol.

I just trying to keep myself busy and keeping my mind ever expanding. That's all I have for you guys this week.

Until next time...

 

 

-Namaste

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Getting it done...

Another week...another post...Hey faithful few, how did your week fare? Mines was pretty much the same. Sort of drab. I did manage to get some work mailed off for the 6X6 show in at the Rochester Contemporary Art Center in New York. I did 4 total pieces and in my haste to get them mailed off, I forgot to take pics of them for you guys. Lol. As soon as they are posted on the site I will get pics to share with you guys.

I wasn't really to happy with what I produced this go around but I still wanted to get something sent it. I should have cut up some of the things I had been working on recently and sent that instead...

I've been perusing the interwebs for more call for entries that I can enter. I really want to keep the creative process flowing. I have been writing in my sketchbook when I get a chance to if my mind is clear. Sometimes I actually write just to clear my mind. Sort of like how I blog for you guys every week.

I really look forward to blogging every week. I know some weeks my post are short but I still mark out that time to make sure I blog for you guys. That's all I have for you guys this week.

Until next week...

 

 

-Namaste

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Crunch...Crunch...CHOMP!!!

So I have been doing me the past couple of weeks. I haven't been devoting much time to my sketchbook as I would like but I am trying to change that.

I told myself the other day that I need to start working on some 6X6s while I had some free time. Out of curiosity I went to the website to see when the deadline was because I hadn't gotten an announcement in the mail this year letting me know when it was. Lo and behold, the deadline is actually next Saturday. I thought I had a few weeks still to get some done but as it stands I only have probably until Thursday or so to produce some(The pieces have to be postmarked by the 19th) .

This is another classic example of time creeping up on me pretty fast. And I have to submit something because of all that free time I had when I first moved to Charlotte there should be no excuse...none whatsoever as to why I didn't submit anything.

The thing is I don't know what I want to submit yet. I've started working in a somewhat new medium for me and I am not yet ready or not yet sold on my methods with it. I am also thinking of combining some elements and just producing some digital prints. So many ideas...I might just end up going with a bunch of different things. I want to send at least 4 pieces in. The next couple of days I will be spending time brainstorming and manipulating images. Next week I will definitely post images of what I sent in for you guys.

Until next week...



-Namaste

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Blog changes A-coming...

Hey faithful few, I have decided to implement the first change in my blog. Hopefully you will see the change in the next few weeks or so.

I am going to also add a little cosmetic changes as I mentioned last week to my blog as well in hopes of driving more traffic to my blog. I may even later in the year transition from Blogger to Wordpress. That's where I have my other 2 blogs hosted at now. Maybe I can go with a little unity on the blog front. As usual, whatever I do you guys will be the first to know.

Until next week...

 

 

-Namaste

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Show me the Money...Or not...

Hello faithful few, I have been blogging for a few years now and occasionally I'll change up my page. Just a little cosmetic things here and there...but now I am thinking of really switching it up. I am thinking of trying to monetize my blog.

Over the coming weeks I am going to be trying out a few things to see if I like it or see how I feel about it. Apart of me feels like I'd be forcing ads upon you guys but then another part of me feels like as as an artist, I should be trying to capitalize on every venture in my arsenal. What do you guys think? That's all I have this week. I know kind of a short post but this one was just about sharing with you guys the changes that are coming and to get you opinions.

Until next week...

 

 

-Namaste

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Six Months and No Regrets...

Last week I talked about Adult Choices. This weeks post is more of a continuation of that post but it's more of a State of the Moment kind of post...

Six months ago to the day I walked away from my job. A job I may added, while having reached the proverbial glass ceiling; paid pretty good. I packed up my things and walked away from somewhat comfortable but boring life and I left Baltimore. I choose to take a leap of faith and pretty much walk away from it all. For all intents and purposes right now, I feel like an alien in a strange land (For some reason Sting is in my head right now, for the uninformed, Englishman in New York).

I am just getting my life really going in my new state of residency. Things are still really new to me but I am finally working again and moving in the right direction. This has probably been one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life.

Every now and then I might feel a little discouraged but something will happen that changes all of that. This past week I was texting with one of my ex-coworkers and he told me, "Be the beast...you are a testament to us all. Don't let them take your artistic soul!" And that really touched me.

I always...always said that I couldn't wait to have something as simple as my Facebook profile saying that my current city was somewhere else and my hometown was Baltimore. Well for the past 6 months I have been living that life. Whenever I am out in public or at work and I hear people talking, every now and then I kind of chuckle to myself. I am still amazed that I did it. After all this time, it still feels quite surreal. In the beginning, especially when I wasn't work, it felt like I was on the longest vacation EVER! It took me a couple of months to get used to the idea that it wasn't a vacation but that this was actually an ongoing part of my life right now. I missed family...I missed friends...I missed the monotonous routines...

For as much as I wanted to get away, there was still a part of me that was still back in Baltimore. Those first couple of months were so strange to me. I mean I was really excited but I was also kind of sad. Have you guys ever experienced that kind of feeling? That kind of...hmmm...happy guilty I think I'll call it. It's like enjoying something that you tell yourself that you shouldn't enjoy too much. I mean it's crazy exhilarating though.

There are plenty of pluses. I mean my family and I have always been close and with all the bad things and death that has happened in my close-knit family the last few years we have gotten even closer. But it is true what they say, when they say "...absence makes the heart grow fonder" because every time I talk to my sisters or dad or even my friends back home, I feel so much love surrounding us all. I never in a million years would have imagined that I would... You know some people never see themselves outside of the situations that they are in now. I mean they probably have the same dreams as most of us. They know that they are going to grow up, get a job and maybe start a family. They'll probably travel, do wonderful things, become wonderful people but they probably stay in the same circle or same town that they grew up in and don't get me wrong that perfectly ok...but for me for someone who has always felt outside of the box...someone who imagined things happening in a whole different way...it's awesome that I am building a life outside of where I'm from. In a different town.

I am truly feeling no regrets. Even when facing adversities or uncertainties at times, I have always like the Phoenix, risen from the ashes. Yet I have always been hesitant about making big choices or moves. It's funny...years ago, I wouldn't have the testicular fortitude to do some of the things I have been doing the past few years. I mean I may have talked about but I always had the fear of not being able to conquer them very same adversities or uncertainties or not being able to pull of what I said I would do. It was like I could see the other side of the mountain but I kept putting these obstacles in my way. I couldn't get past my own mental obstacles. And then it happened a year or so ago. I told myself it's now or never. From that point on, I begin to devote myself to the task at hand. And that brought me to six months ago where I seized my own destiny and took my leap of faith. It has been unreal up to this point for me. I am glad that today I am at where I am in my life and I can't wait to see how the next six months play out...

Well you guys it's about 4am and I should have been sleep hours ago but I had to finish this post for you guys...felt like I was about to start rambling, LOL. I put so much time into this post this weekend but I always have fun sharing with you guys. Who know some day I may pen a memoir and you guys definitely would be apart of it. Thanks for allowing me to share with you, the faithful few.

Until next week...



-Namaste

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Adult Choices...

You know faithful few sometimes I look at myself as a late-bloomer. I have friends who I have known more than half of my life, in some instances 3 decades, (Yes, I am telling my age...) who have families or are married. Now I am not comparing myself to them, I am just pointing out the differences in our current situations. I am happily involved with a very supporting and loving young lady who I love with all my heart so I found happiness. It's just a lot of things have always come later than now for me. I recently had a conversation with one of my new coworkers who is exactly 10 years younger than me but has been married for 11 years!

Now I know what you guys are thinking right now..."Hmmm, is he ready to be married?" and no that's not it. That just so happens to be the example that I chose to start this blog off with. The theme of this blog if you will is Adult Choices. I have always been mature for my age but I've still had that little big kid in my guiding me some of the time. My one friend would say that the choices I made were right for me at the time and that I made the most of them but on some instances I would beg to differ.
While some of my friends were going hard in the work force, I chose to go to college and mind you I made the adult choice to put myself through college...I still sometimes see where I could have attacked things differently.

Like I regret to going to school in Chicago a couple of years after I graduated from art school. My sole decision for not going, was pretty much that I felt like I wouldn't be able to go to school that far from home and work at the same time. Right there my big inner kid overruled the adult in me and decided against taking the Adult Choice and going for it. Who know where I could have been right now...

Recently I have been taking the Adult Choices option and going for it... (see my leap of faith to quit my job and relocate to Charlotte) I have always made the Adult Choice when it came to my finances for the most part, its just other parts of my life that I am slow to make it happen with. I can say that in the past few months I have gotten really good at kicking the big inner kids ass and making sure that I do whats best. So I am getting there. Don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with being a late bloomer, Peter Roget invented the Thesaurus at 73! That's all I have for you guys this week.

Until next week...


-Namaste

Saturday, March 1, 2014

The Working Week...

This week has been really tiresome faithful few. Getting back into the swing of things in the workforce is quite...tough lol. I haven't had much time for anything else other than recouping and working.

I guess having a long layoff like that can be both a blessing and a curse. Now the next 2 weeks are going to be really tough for me guys. Once we get over that hump, I will share it with you guys.

Until next week...

 

 

 

-Namaste

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Working Hard...

Hey faithful few, not a lot this week for you guys. I didn't do any art this week. Been trying to crunch/cram some things and also after almost 5 months of unemployment...this one right here has started working again! And I tell you the layoff SHOWED! It's going to take me a minute to get back into the swing of things in the working world. Gotta say I am glad though.

Until sometime next week...

 

 

-Namaste

Saturday, February 15, 2014

A Quick Post...

Hey faithful few, just wanted to show you guys that I am still being creative and pushing out ideas. I did this yesterday for Valentines Day. It's called "For Her"

That's all I have this week for you guys. I will have more next week. (that's 3 weeks in a row)

 

 

-Namaste

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Golden Goddesses...

Lookie here...lookie here! 2 weeks in a row I have come to you guys to share some new work that I have been working on.

 I have been really motivated the last couple of weeks. I have not been questioning anything I have been working on the past few weeks. I have been just rolling with an idea and focusing on getting it done and on to the next one. So without further ado...

         Reclining Golden Goddess                                                             Rockin' Golden Goddess




Until next week...




-Namaste




Saturday, February 1, 2014

Nubian or the beginning of something NU...

As promised faithful few, here are a few sketches/studies I have been working on. They are still kind of raw and I'm still working on some things with them but I love that I'm back problem-solving again. I will keep you guys updated on my progress. Maybe a series will come out of this. Who knows.

Until next week...

 

 

-Namaste

 

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Charlotte Mini-Con

Hello faithful few, I went to a comic book convention today! I thought I'd show you the books that I scored and a few pics that I took while I was there.

On a side note, I also started working in one of my sketchbooks again. I will share with you guys next week.

Until then...



-Namaste

Saturday, January 18, 2014

It came and it went...

I had a pretty rough week this week. Rough mentally. Rejection and stress. Good thing for love...I celebrated another birthday this week, so that was something on the plus side.

I am beginning to enter into a new stage of my life and I realize that there are things that I thought I definitely wanted to experience are some things that I am not liking experiencing lol. The next couple of months will be big for me. BIG!!!

How I come out of it I think will govern the rest of the year for me. I know it's a little early in the year but I like to sometimes peer over the hill before I climb it. I have great plans for 2015, so this year will be a pivotal one for me.

Wow this post while short went a little better than I thought it would. I thought it was going to be all somber and macabre but it came out pretty good. That's all I have for you guys this week.

Until next week...

 

-Namaste

 

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Neverland or A Childlike Dystopia concocted by a Mad, Mad Artist...

Hey faithful few, tomorrow is the day of my birth. One thing I have noticed as I've gotten older is that I don't actually feel older. You know what I mean??

I mean I know that I am getting older but I don't feel it.  I wonder if it as something to do with me considering myself to be a late bloomer in some aspects of my life...I mean I don't have any kids but I don't think that even if I had kids that it would make any difference.  Don't get me wrong...I am not implying that I am suffering from some Peter Panian theory, I know that I am aging and have grown up. Plus I have always been mature for my age no matter what. It's just internally, in me there is a small part of me that feels like it will always be a young man of 22.

I know what your thinking...I'm some sort of wing nut or some crazy weird wacko or maybe I am a Toys R Us kid.(sings, I don't wanna grow up...I'm a Toys R Us kid...There's a million toys at Toy R Us that I can play with...) I'm sorry I went away there for a second LOL.

In any event, I plan on being around forever and I plan on talking with you guys; the faithful few forever.

Until next week...



-Namaste

Saturday, January 4, 2014

New Year...

Hey faithful few...welcome to the year 2014!

So I decided that I would give you guys my main New Years' Resolutions.

  1. I must make sure that I am staying motivated.
  2. I will try to get to know my new city a little better.
  3. I will create more ART
  4. And my last real resolution is; I want to learn Screenprinting.

As you can see, these are pretty simple ones. I don't have anything to extravagant. Plus most resolutions are a gimme; "like get and stay healthy," "do better than you did last year," and "be responsible, financially."

I'm looking forward to chatting with you guys all year. That's all I have for you guys this week.

Until next time...

-Namaste