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

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

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

The Artful Blogger...

This week was pretty much a blur...I took some time to get used to this weird weather we have been having down here in the south. Weather is really attacking my immune system. Nothing fluids and meds can't take care of though.

I am still trying to find my way down here. I've been stepping up my job search and have had a couple of job interviews the last couple of weeks; so that's been a plus. Still problem-solving some of these ideas that I have in my head and that I am working on artistically. I need to go to art store and pick up some supplies. I probably take care of that on Tuesday of next week. I have just been trying to stay focused, you know. Gotta make sure I get them out of my head and on canvas.

I just thought I'd let you guys know what I have been doing the past week. That's all I have for you this week.

Until next week...



-Namaste

"Warp Speed, Mr Chekov" or "Like Sands through an Hourglass..."

This week was pretty much a blur to me. I got a lot done including today but I didn't focus a lot on my pieces. I haven't even gotten around to uploading my images yet. I probably devote most of tomorrow to get that done.

Next week for sure I will have some images for you.

I have just been trying to get myself fully acclimated to southern living. I got say I am having a great time getting used to it. I am still trying to make it feel like home. I've been here close to a month and at times, it feels like I am on extended vacation. The other day I was mailing a letter and I almost addressed it with my old address. Still hasn't hit me I guess.

Until next time...



-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

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

Rants and Double Rants...

I have an issue with ppl invading my public space. I just believe everyone in life has this invisible force field around him that you should cross into unless invited...a no-fly zone if you will...

Twice today I had people invade my no-fly zone. I was at the ATM machine and it was one of these "new-fangled" ones (which I think should be everywhere cause they are AWESOME!) anywhoogle...there I was entering in my very private info and this dude is literally within an elbows length behind me. He is also on his phone talking quite obnoxiously loud. I gave him a quick once over to let him know that I was aware of him back there and that I saw him. The next look was a glare that I tried to convey the look of "REALLY"...he was too engrossed in his phone convo to notice that I was trying to Jedi mind trick him into stepping back(and yeah I went there, May the 4th LOL) so after I finished my transaction I pivoted and dropped my shoulder which then alerted him to move because a rhino was coming through.

A few hours later I was inthe checkout line at a grocery store and was in the process of finishing up when this two guys got in line behind me. The one guy who wasn't getting waited on almost climbed over me to get by. No excuse or anything. Only after I gave him the look of death did he realize what he was doing and waited until it was his turn to go.

I try not to come off too mean or even say anything because I don't want to seem like an evil person but sometimes you just have to let ppl know what's up. And I have almost perfected the act of the staredown. Slightly raise the eyebrow and furrow the brow and you can silently get this ppl out of your no-fly zone. You can also perform other moves like the "step straight back" or the "chicken wing pivot"...that's when you turn quickly with your arms up and your elbows bent. They can't be mad since they should have been in your wheelhouse anyway. LOL...

I was just playing in the last part of that but in all seriousness be careful when you are approaching lines or if you are standing in line because I pretty sure the person in front of you or behind you are wondering if they have given you enough space or if you are invading their space. Think about it...

I know this is kind of a different type of post for me but this was just something I needed to get off of my chest. A lil therapeutic writing. Until next week...

Oh yeah, I got an email earlier in the week from the Rochester Contemporary Art Center and it looks like my one piece that I was able to get off made into to be included inthe show. I mean it was a thank you email so hopefully...I know for sure on the 24th of this month when they list the artists and their work. I'll be sure to let you guys know for sure. I also started a new piece that I'll probably talk about next weekend.

 

 

-Namaste

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

Feeling quite creative, or HEY! Look what I did...

 Hello faithful few, I am feeling a lot better this week.  It's been exactly a week since we buried my Mom. I am still dealing with that internal but I am feeling quite inspired and motivated to making sure I do what I have to do to be more productive and to move forward with my life.  No more excuses. No more holding back. This is actually the third blog I have written the past 2 days; the second one today.  My other two blogs can be found here and here. Feel free to follow them as well.  I don't update them as frequently as I do this one but I  do occasionally post to them. My post on those blogs are more random. So let's get to discussing some good ol' art.

This week I have two pieces of work that I would like to share with you guys.  The first piece is from my series of work that I started on a few weeks ago involving Lynching and the second piece is an abstract piece.  I have yet to decide where the second piece fit in with what I have been trying to do.  I can say that the 2nd one was born out of an exchange with me and the GF. So without further ado...

 

 The topmost picture is the finished image.  I included a close-up pic for you guys so you could see more of how I moved the medium around and also see how I let some of the texture of the paper show through.

Now the second piece is still a work in progress.  I can tell you guys that it is the same piece from my last post of last year.  You can find that post "richea" The first image is what I came up with after multiple applications of paint and masking off of areas.

 The next image is what the painting looks like after I have removed all of the masking tape.

 The last three images are just details of the full image. The two sides and down the center of the image.

The left side...

 The right side...

 

 And the final image, down the center...

 

 

One day I will get myself I better digital camera so I can take higher res photos for you guys.  I used my iPad to take these pictures and it didn't really do the pics a lot of justice.  I mean in some of the detail photos you can still see the multiple layers and textures but at a higher resolution, you can really see the depth of this piece.  In person it has a lot of energy and vibrancy. In some spots of the painting, I am thinking about going in and pulling back out some of the hard edges.  Through the miracle of modern technology, I am going to undertake this task without actually altering the image.  That way I can see if it really needs it or if I should leave it as is. And as usual, whatever I do, I will be sure to inform you guys of the progress.  Until next week...

 

-Namaste

RHINACORN...The beginning

So...I have decided with help from others that I need to create a complete origin story for the Rhinacorn.

I have been thinking about it for a while now. I have discussed it at work ad nausem. So I think its finally time to put something down. I have been brainstorming preliminary ideas for an origin story for the Rhinacorn the past couple of days and I am torn between a short story or a novella. I have been using this character a lot lately so its only natural that it is taking up a big part of my "mental capacity" to function as an artist. (It may not seem like it but I did say something, LOL) I start one thing and somewhere along the line or should I say along my artistic process, I am drawn back to the Rhinacorn. I don"t want to get to deep in thought right now about exactly what he means to me as for fear of spoiling the work to come. In the next couple of weeks I will have a brief summation of where I am going with this for you guys. And as always I look forward to sharing with you Faithful few -Namaste

Pure Genius or Sometimes my mind digresses...

So, I got my artist statement done for the Call for entry and Art Residence that I was applying to. I worked on it right up until the day of the deadline. I got my packet off by the deadline so pretty excited about seeing what comes out of that. I was at work today and I got on the computer and I decided that I would post my blog, which I had planned on sharing with you guys my new statement. I then realized that my statement was at home so there went that plan. I get home and guess what! I didn't save a copy of my statement for myself!!! I realized that I had only printed out two copies. I did it at work but I didn't save a copy for myself. Needless to say, no statement...Yet! These two opportunities I have applied to will return my material to me whether or not I am considered for either opportunity. So fret not, you guys will eventually get a chance to enjoy my awesome statement;)

The last couple of weeks I have been quite busy artistically. I have been working diligently on trying to produce more work. I have felt pretty good about my work lately. It is a wonderful feeling to have your creative juices flowing, you know. I am going to try my best to keep this burst of creative energy I have found flowing and as always I will keep you guys well-informed.

I have been pretty good with keeping my work life out of my blog because I am a true believer of making sure that you don't leave any record of anything that can be used against you later in life. I have been through a lot in my current working environment and in someways its my own fault. So here's to new ventures and breaking free...


-Namaste