A Time to Reflect...A Time to look to look towards the future...

Faithful few...the year is almost over and I gotta say it was a year for me. I went and elevated myself out of my comfort zone, that which was work and home. I quit my job and moved south. Its been a struggle in the early going but I'd like to quote Frederick Douglass, "If there is no struggle, there is no progress..."

I have been enduring and trying to stay focused. It's been tough but oddly enough I am still encouraged. 2014 will be my year. I am going to continue to push myself into taking chances and living my life. This time last year, I felt that I would be where I am now but my mind still wasn't made up yet. As I am typing this, I am trying to think of the next big thing that I want/need to tackle. I really need to step up my game art-wise. I have a few new ideas that I want to get to before I start on some old ideas. I know that sounds a little backwards but I have decided that that next year, I am going to try and produce the work as it comes to me. No holding it back. Gotta get rolling and keep my creative juices flowing.

I am going to try to keep up with posting images for you guys as well. I have been promising work and not  delivering for you guys. That's all I have for you guys this year. See you in the new year...



-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

One more day or Art-mageddon is upon us...

One more day and I begin life anew. It seems so surreal. A couple of weeks I will be gone from this state and I will be forging a new chapter in my life. I am extremely excited yet, what's the word...not really nervous but more like anticipation maybe???

It's that anticipatory feeling that you get on Xmas morning or the first day of school. Your so antsy that you can hardly wait. There are the butterflies in the stomach, the goosebumps, and what ever else comes with the excitement.

I am so glad that I am finally doing this. It's almost like I am an explorer and I am going on an adventure. I'm Charlie and I've got a golden ticket.

It's up to me to make the most of this opportunity that I have been afforded. This is the perfect time in my life to take advantage of this time. I am going to try and focus on my art a lot. It's going to feel good to devote most of my time to my work. The next few months should be a joy. I am hoping to post a lot of work for you guys as well.

Until next week...

 

 

-Namaste

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

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

Note to my 26 yr old "SELF", Act1, Scene1...

So if I could travel back in time and impart you with some words of wisdom, what exactly would I say to you? I often ponder what if I had done things differently, were would I be now? What if I traveled back 10 years and say to you dude, maybe you should take more graphic design classes...mix it up a little...or maybe you should have applied to art school out west...maybe now is the time for you to become a vegetarian. I wonder "SELF" how would me helping you make those decisions then affect my now? Who knows "SELF"? Don't get me wrong, I love my life, my family, my friends, my girl and the course my life is taking right now. It's just sometimes "SELF" you have this period of reflection...a period of what-ifs...a period of "if I could go back, what would I change...".

"SELF," there are some things that I wouldn't allow you to change for the world. I would have a deep fear of what it might do to "OUR" future. How it would hurt bonds we would build going forward...it would probably change "OUR" view of things...it would definitely change things!

NO! You know what I would do "SELF?" I would better prepare you for what comes next. I would help you to be stronger. I wouldn't exactly guide you down the path but I would help you to stay focus and help you to understand that it might not happen in 10 or maybe even 15 years; but the stronger you get the more you will persevere. I would also let you know that on the way to getting stronger, that it's ok to open up...it's ok to give in to your emotions. Try not to keep them so bottled up. And "SELF"...I promise...you might not see it on the outside but inside it only keeps getting better...