Shitsurei Shimasu or Sayonara...

So this is my last post on blogspot. My blog is officially live @ArtStar.

Its been funny the last almost 9 years here on blogspot but as Skynyrd said, "...for I must be travelin' on now, there's too many places I got to see..." As I said last week, I will continue to blog every week so if you happen upon this page and want to read more of my ramblings follow me to WordPress. That's it.

For the last time...

-Namaste

The Weeks' Ahead...

In the coming weeks, I plan on trying to get as much writing and art done as I possibly can. I have so many ideas and thoughts locked away in my head that just seems to be going to waste.

I have so many sketches and rough drafts in various stages of completion that I need to make sure that I get them done. There is no excuse for my procrastination. I've been trying to make sure that I stay motivated and focused. I'm going to get back to working in my sketchbook everyday. I occasionally do doodles and sketches at work that I've put in my sketchbook but I don't carry my sketchbook as often as I used to do. That's going to change. Well that's it for this weekend. Not too much going on as of yet.

 Until next week...

-Namaste

My City...Heartbreak

On the last Monday of last month (April 2015), I watched a part of my city burn. It seemed really surreal. Especially since most of the places that were front and center was in places that I frequently passed through in my youth, early adulthood and before I left Baltimore; most of the time for work.

As I watched coverage on a national media conglomerate, I couldn’t quite place the feeling I was feeling. Didn’t know if it was empathy, fear, shock or sadness…It wasn’t until the next day when I read a quote from a young lady who lived in one of the neighborhoods that I figured out what it was…Heartbreak.

I’ve always said over the last few years living in Baltimore, that the youth of today have become reckless.  Most of them are coming from broken homes and also are subjected to a school system that is really bad when it comes to education. Some of them were raised by children themselves so they have no sense of respect for themselves or others. No sense of right or wrong…no moral compass…no moral ambiguity if you will.

Whenever I travel anywhere and strike up a convo with anyone and I tell them I’m from Baltimore, those familiar with Baltimore go, “The Wire made the city look like its bad and dangerous…” My response has always been Baltimore is way worse than what you see on The Wire. Now the world as a whole knows it too.

Baltimore is one of the many cities in America that we need to fix at the grassroots level. We can’t wait until we send them to our poor school systems to try and nurture them…we need to get to them before they leave the home. Show them that with hard work and motivation things can be better. We need to show them that there is more to life and this world other than what you see outside of your window. We need to show them how to dream again…

-Namaste
 

Weekend update

Still working out somethings and I hope you guys are being patient with me, you the faithful few.

In the next few weeks I will share everything that's been going on.

Until then...

-Namaste

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

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

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

Posted with Blogsy

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

As promised folks...

So I wanted to create a slideshow and I tried a couple of ways and it wouldn't render the html right here in blogger so I just thought post the pictures for you guys. These shots are the ones that I picked out that I want to use for some future pieces. Some I will digitally manipulate and saw I think might end up as digital transfers on to canvas. Enjoy folks.

Until next week...



-Namaste

Travelin' Man or Howdy folks...

I had my first full week in Charlotte and I gotta say faithful few I am loving it! I have had a really clear head lately. I feel I am in a good space right now. The change of scenery so far has been great. I'm getting to know the city on a more...how should I say it...a more "native" kind of way. Before I was just a visitor, now I am a resident.

A lot of simple things have been happening and that I have been doing that has made this transition seem quite smooth. Don't get me wrong I do miss my family and friends but I am loving this new found "care-free" attitude I am feeling exuding from my "personage"(Don't judge me...) Feels good...real good.

I guess that part that really feels good to me is the fact that I followed through. I had the faith to jump off the cliff with an old parachute and know that when I needed it to, that the old parachute would open and not let me down. Its still going to be about a month before this really feel like home for me but I am really excited about finally really enjoying myself.

Today I finally went and got myself a photo printer. The other day while on one of my "nature walks" to the dumpster, I decided that I am going to start taking my T2i out with me and snapping up some of these landscapes and forestry that I see and work on a little digital manipulations. I also need to stop by the art store and pick up an easel so I can set up a little outdoor studio on my balcony. The view from my balcony is not super spectacular but it does give me a view of the comings and goings of my complex not to mention the trees that adorn the entrance and greet me every time I look out the window. I received most of my supplies that I had shipped to me so its time to get cracking on some stress-free art, you know...

In a way I feel like a recluse, which I find as a funny thing since I have always been somewhat of a lone wolf. Sometimes I sit and think about what if long ago ("...in the time before...," if you know me you should get this allusion) when I decided that I wanted to leave the great "state" city of Baltimore and actually did it, where would I be now? Would I even be living in the states? I have always (since about 14) dreamed of spending time in Japan. Maybe, I'd be living in Germany or I'd find myself in Macau..I'm not a gambler but who knows...The point is now I feel like there are endless opportunities out there for me and I have only just begun to explore them!

That's all I have for you guys this weekend, enjoy...




-Namaste

And just like a bird in winter, I'm flying south...

So this is my first post after the beginning of my life-changing decisions. This time next week, I will be in my new home...in my new city...in my new state. I have to say that I am pretty excited about it.

I'm going to finally get a chance in the beginning of my getting acclimated to a new environment, to spend some time focusing more on my art. I am very fortunate in the beginning to be able to devote time while I am looking for employment. Its going to be great.

That's all I have for you guys today but I will be back next week from Charlotte, NC.

Until then...



-Namaste

No looking back or No Regrets...

I have been wanting to write this post for months but wasn't quite ready to address it yet. Especially know that once I did it would post to just about all of my social sites and platforms. I wanted to be sure of the perfect time to write it as well as making sure I informed people who I engage with on a daily basis before I did. Now is the time.

Over the past few months I have been alluding to making moves,  change, and moving forward...I have decided that my time here is done. Meaning to somewhat quote The Animals, I "...gotta get out of this place…" That being said, sometime before the end of this month I will be leaving Baltimore. I know...I know its a big step and big news...This past week I handed in my 2 weeks notice to my job of over 7+ years.  I have told family.  I have told friends. I have told colleagues.


This is a big step for me across the board. I have not been without an a actual "9-5" in almost 20 years.  (No seriously. I have worked since '95. A few times I have actually 2 jobs at the same time!) I have only called Baltimore home my entire life and for some, I have lived a lifetime. I am moving to a city where I know no one (Charlotte). 

In a way, I am sort of like a late bloomer if you will. The last few years I have told people that I can't wait until my Facebook profile says "From Baltimore,  Lives in XXXXXX"  I know it seems a little dreamish or almost storybookish in an insignificant simple kind of way but to me it's the simple things that matter. Through the years I have expressed my desire to leave and have heard…(I want to call them naysayers but that might come off a little cruel so I'll go pessimistic associates and friends) the pessimists say "oh you aren't going anywhere" or "you'll still be here." I have had opportunities in the past to leave but I always erred on the side of being cautious or not wanting to take a "leap of faith." The truth is because my oldest sister and my mom had been sick the past few years of my life, I didn't feel it was the right time to leave. The thought of tragedy is what kept me close to home. My oldest sister left this world 4 years ago and my mom left this earthly plane last year. After going through the last experience, I felt it was time. I still have the rest of my family but they are in good spirits. It's just as I get older and examine my life, I realize that I want to have No Regrets. I am wholeheartedly ready to take that leap of faith except now I don't consider it a leap of faith but more of a step in the  continuance of the right direction. 

I am getting to that age when I start to look back on my life and take note of how my life has been. I graduated from college with a degree in art 10 years ago. I can say that I am better off in my life now then I have ever been but I also know that the last few years outside of love, tragedy and art have been filled with contentment. I know have put myself in a place where I can focus on things that I should have focused on all the while. 

My girlfriend said to me recently, "Your going to have some time to really devote to your art..." And she is right. My art will rise to the forefront of my life. I have been able to focus on creating more work lately but now while I actively pursue jobs in my new city, I will be filling the majority of my downtime with art. I have started focusing on my Goddess Series more in the past few months and evolving that so I am curious as to how that work progresses over the next few months.

The more I think of my move, the more all I can see is the upside of my future. I am glad that I am taking this time right now in my life  to spread my wings. Not only does if feel exciting…it feels right. Don't fret my faithful few though. You guys are definitely going along for the ride.

Until next week…



-Namaste

The Eye 2013...

Hello Faithful Few...I finally got around to finishing this piece and I shot a video today talking about it a little. I posted it on YouTube and figured I'd post it for you guys as well. Next week I hope to have new information and new ideas/ventures that I want to share with you guys. So definitely be looking forward to next weeks' post.

Until then...




-Namaste

My Glorious Week or Frantic Ramblings of a Self-Proclaimed Geek...

I know I kind of...sorta promised some more images of the piece that I am working on but I gotta be honest with you guys. After working on it the previous 3 weeks, this past week I didn't even touch it.

Pretty much only thing that I want to do with it, is glaze another coat of paint on it and then finish off the frame. I am hope that I get to it sometime in the next week. I'll probably do another video of the finished piece and post it here and on YouTube. I did start back on a piece that I started a few months ago. I grow tired of staring at it in its unfinished so I have set out to finally finishing. That's another piece I hope to have done in the next couple of weeks.

I have/had a lot on my mind the last couple of weeks. Been getting a little anxious...a little stressed...been sleeping even less than before...It's just a lot of things are coming a head for me and I am both excited and dare I say afraid. It's not a bad thing its actually a good thing. I will be glad when I can share everything with you guys here. Don't worry its coming soon...Don't fret...You will be in the know. Well that's all I have for you guys this week...

Until next time...



-Namaste

Tell me a story or The Grass is always greener...

This past week was a pretty bland week for me. I didn't do anything too big the first part of the week but I did put some things into motion the last part of the week. At some point I'll get into it here but not now. Something's are still private after all :) Rest assured though when the world knows you guys will be the first to know.

Other than that its going to stay business as usual for me. I do plan on doing some new painting in the next week or so. I am going to be trying out a new medium. I am plenty excited about that. Well I think that's all I have for you guys this week. Hopefully next week I'll have some images to share with you guys.

Until then...

 

 

-Namaste

Quick hits...

Hey faithful few, I don't have anything really for you guys this week. I did have a somewhat productive first part of the week in Charlotte though.

At some point in time I will bring you guys some good news going forward. I need to finish this painting that I started about a month ago and haven't worked on in about 3 weeks. I also started working on this panel that I had totally forgotten about. I had worked on half of it, then taped it off and put it to the side. Almost forgot I had it. Those are two pieces I am hoping to finish in the next couple of weeks. I really got to get back into the swing of things.

Until next time my friends...

 

 

 

-Namaste

 

Art and Life...

I've been starting a lot of pieces the past week...been feeling inspired a lot lately. It such a good feeling, you know? I am trying to get back into the routine of starting projects even when I'm in the process of working on one already. (Take a moment to re-read that. There was a lot going on in there, LOL) I'm trying not to get stuck focusing on one thing at a time when I'm creating. Usually when I don't have multiple things going on, I start to dwell too much on the one thing and then I end up experiencing a block.

It's all about keeping the creative process flowing for me. It's something I am going to try to keep up going forward. I always talk about needing to focus and staying focused more regarding my life and art. I have gotten to a point in my life where I am more reflective when it comes to certain things. I do a soul-searching and in my soul-searching, I always try to see the big picture when it comes to my life. I find that sometimes I struggle with grasping the bigger picture. I think its a reflection of how hard I am on myself mentally. Blogging has always given me an avenue to release some of that self-doubt. It's really quite therapeutic for me and I am glad to be able to have you the faithful few along to help.

That's all I have for you guys this weekend. Next week I will post some WIP (work-in-progress) pics for you guys to check out. Until next week...

 

-Namaste

Where I am at right now...

So faithful few, how's it going? We have arrived at the one month that we are set aside for learning about the history of black people. I recently had a colleague remark how it's weird that black history month is set aside in the shortest month of the year. I had actually never thought about that and found it in that moment quite perplexing. I have actually blogged about the history of Black History Month but I don't believe I have ever spoke on the shortness of the occasion. That's probably a discourse for another day. This week I just wanted to let you guys know what I was up to this past week. I have still be working on the piece for the missus and I have also been working more on my portrait (which I'll post at the end of this post). I've started working more on the tonal values and the contrast some. Really like how it's evolving.

I have also been trying to plan for the rest of the year. I know it's only February but I have BIG plans for this year. I can't wait to share them with you guys. Some people already know and I'm not worried about jinxing them...but it's still just at a stage where not a lot of people know and this blog will post to the interwebosphere. Don't want to broadcast to the world and maybe put things into motion before its ready...you know what I mean...well that's all I have for you guys now. Until next time...

 

-Namaste

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

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