I've been looking forward to my days off, basically since I went back to work last Thursday. I have new music on my computer. Stuff I haven't been able to listen to in years, like some old Talking Heads. All free, from the library. The temperature isn't terribly high, so it's cool enough to get some things done. I cleaned a bit and organized a bit, then I grabbed a brush (actually a big spatula) to spread some paint around. I have three spatulas that I use, all about the same. There is one that I've developed an attachment to. I have no idea what it is that makes it special, but to me it is. I had trouble finding it (which often happens when I clean and move things around) and could only see the other two. The two that would have been just as good. But I kept looking until I found 'old reliable'. I did smear some really interesting paint on the canvases, so maybe there's something to it. It just struck me as odd that I can have several versions of the same tool but only want to use one particular favorite, until I wear it out. Then it gets tossed in the trash as a new king is crowned. I'm never quite sure if my quirks are 'typical human', 'typical artist', or ' number three on that list of symptoms for that one disorder that no one wants to talk about'. I usually keep the worst (best?) ones to myself. Just in case. I also discovered a great inspirational device. I made a list of things to accomplish this week. First on the list was 'make a list'. Second was 'cross off number one and two'. I could knock out a list like that with my eyes closed. Unfortunately, that's exactly what my list looked like. My handwriting is awful. People always expect me to have some sort of medieval flowery-script handwriting. I'm not sure why. I just know that mine is the exact opposite. Someone should hold a telethon for me.

"Feelin' the Groove"

An oldie from 1999.

Can I Be Creative AND Funny?

  I've been writing this blog for a while. When I first started I pictured it being the funniest art blog on the web and drawing in thousands of fans from around the world. I've realized that it's really not funny at all, which is strange since my life is typically very funny. I'm also pretty good at telling a story. I'm not sure where I've gone wrong here. I'm not sure I'm even drawing any pity laughs from my readers. I think I'm just so wound up in my squeeze-a-weeks-worth-of-being-an-artist-into-three-days world that I'm not conveying the humor that surrounds me. For those of you that don't know, or have forgotten for that matter, I'm a waiter Thursday through Sunday so I can devote Monday through Wednesday to my art career. I have been trying lately to squeeze some art or art promotion into my work days, if only just to keep me from losing hope. I hope this keeps me from developing split personalities: Waiter Guy and Art Dude. Maybe I should hope that Non Stop Yuks Man evolves too. I swear I used to write some pretty funny stuff. Maybe I try too hard, or maybe not hard enough. I suppose it could be that this isn't the forum that brings out my jolly side. It sure brings out the dark side. People probably imagine me sitting in a dark room somewhere, crouched over a tiny laptop, chain smoking, guzzling cheap booze, and typing out my latest misadventure. This isn't the case, if only because I don't drink cheap liquor. Anyway, here's one of my early paintings, probably from around 1999. Party over, oops, out of time.

"Elephant"

Not the most creative name I've ever come up with.

If It's Not the Heat, It's My Lack Of Humility

   Another week that started with high hopes. I got up Monday to get my errands finished so I could have plenty of art time. When I came home I realized our window air conditioner had given up the ghost. It was the air conditioner tasked with cooling the main part of the house, including the area outside my studio. I figured "no problem, I saved some money, I'll just get another one". Well, much like every other home repair in a hundred plus year old house, it ended up being much more difficult. I had to get the new unit, have my electrician friend come rewire the circuit, cut a hole in the plywood above the old unit to vent the new portable a/c, then hook it all up. All in all not horrible (mostly thanks to my friend Kevin) but still much more that I had hoped. It took up two of my three off days. It is another problem down, and the house is already becoming much cooler than it's been all summer. All last summer too, for that matter. I've also started a new daily brainstorming regimen. It's keeping my juices flowing. I'm steadily moving forward. I just can't seem to get all my ducks in a row like I need. I suppose I should make a list.

"Red Sonja"

Signed by Roy Thomas (Red Sonja creator) and me.

It's still available, in case you're interested.

Is Artistic Motion Different From Regular Motion?

   Some weeks it's a struggle to get things done. Sometime's I'm having trouble getting started, sometimes life throws something new at me, sometimes the heat keeps me feeling sluggish. I'm always moving forward, sometimes imperceptibly, but I'm always moving. I wish I had more of those big breakthrough moments. The gallery signings, the selling of multiple paintings, the big things that attract attention and prove that I'm moving toward my goal. I suppose the small struggles make me appreciate the big moments more. Maybe I just need to focus my efforts more in these times. I should probably make a list to keep me on track. I've got lots of ideas, I just need to get some in motion.

"Let Me Think"

Anything Creative Is A Good Thing

   It's a great day today. The weather is cool and cloudy, which means my air conditioners aren't struggling to keep me comfortable. I've got my speakers spread apart for optimum stereo output. It was a long hard road but I've also got my airbrush working. It's probably not pushing all the psi's it can, but it's been so long since I've played with an airbrush I can't tell any different. In case you were wondering, the last time I airbrushed, the original Bush was in office. I've got a t-shirt that I'm working out the rust on. It was being used to soak up extra paint under my easel, but now there's a face emerging on it. It's probably not my most realistic representation ever. In fact, I'm sure it's not. It is an exercise (and I'm told exercise is always good) and it's been a lot of fun. And creative. Creative is a good thing.

"I Wish I Hadn't"