Here's My 100th Blog. Read it!

 This is my 100th post. I feel a strong need to be extremely funny or very deep and insightful. I'm not sure either one is gonna be an option. I'm still in shock over the death of my cat Monty last week (on the 13th), coupled with the whole I-should-have-so-much-more-accomplished song playing in my head. I suppose it'll play in some form or another for the rest of my life. I am getting some painting done today.  I also rewrote my marketing plan yesterday. I always make progress. I just haven't made one of those giant leaps forward in a long time. Those always give me a boost. Like strapping a rocket to your roller skates.

"Cat Walk"

  "Cat Walk" is a painting I did of my cat Monty way back in the day. I can't remember for sure, but I think I painted it soon after moving back to Cape Girardeau to take care of my mom. That would place it around 2001-02. I used to be so organized about the dates and places of my creations. Seems that ship has long ago sailed. I inadvertently sold a painting out of the PAPA Gallery three years ago without photographing it. I think the business of being me has become too much for one person to handle, even if that one person is me. Seems like I should be quite a bit wealthier at this point. 

"At The Circus"

It's The Exact Same Thing....Only Different

 As I write this, I think about all my past posts. This is my 99th entry, which I believe puts me in the top 1% of number of posts for one blog. All-time. I try to put a positive spin on things whenever I can. I'm trying to adjust to the new schedule at my house now that school is back in. It's hard for me to block out a large chunk of time to get messy and creative. It's gonna be alright, but I'm gonna have to make some adjustments from my summer 'anything, anytime on my days off' schedule.
 I sold two more paintings last week. I have a commission painting that's finished and approved that will probably go to it's new home next week. I also have a line on someone looking to buy art. Seems my glass is more than half full. If it wasn't for that pesky day job....

"Wasted Youth"

I'm surprised at the number of painting titles of mine starting with "W".                                           

Right Here! Artist's Stream Of Consciousness!

  I've been pretty productive this week. I finished three, maybe four, paintings. ( Sometimes I'm not sure when a painting is done. It seems to be one of those only-happens-to-an-artist things.) I culled some books out of my library to sell back to the bookstore. I still have quite an impressive library, if I do say so myself. If I don't I'm afraid it might go unsaid. It cleared up some clutter in my studio as well. I'm just not sure I'm doing the most important things when I get things done. I've tried making lists, but I always seem to forget more things than I write down. I'm positive that more studio work space and more free time would solve that problem. I just don't have that luxury right now. I do have the luxury of a huge musical library. I also have the luxury of electricity and indoor plumbing. ( Don't think that's a luxury? Think what DaVinci could have done if he had them. Of course maybe he would have been so distracted by them he wouldn't have accomplished anything.) Of all the times in the history of man to be an artist, this has got to be the best. I can paint a painting, give brush by brush updates to the entire world as I create it, and post a finished picture and sell it before the paint is completely dry. And for just a few bucks I can have it delivered to their doorstep. I try to step back occasionally and take in all the really cool things we have access to. It certainly improves my outlook.

"What's Become?"

How About A Free Painting?

  I have a lot of paintings for sale. A LOT of paintings. I'm also quite a horse trader. I've traded art for many things in my life. I'd prefer to get cash for them, but I'm always willing to consider an interesting trade. I've decided to compile a list of things I'm in need of. If you have some of these (or all of them, I'm not going to sell you short) we can make a trade:

• Cushioned bar stool with a back (I'm willing to consider one without a back on it)
• Lawn mower
• Stove
• Computer
• MP3s (or CDs) of bands I'm interested in ( and I'm interested in a lot of bands)
• Promotional/ marketing help
• Sales of artwork to other people (you sell paintings for me, I give you some really cool paintings)
• Studio space
• Dishwasher
• Car
• Blank canvas

  I can always use art supplies, food, clothing, liquor...anything along those lines. I'm willing to consider just about anything. If you've got an abundance of something, I'm confident we can work a deal of some sort. Just remember, it never hurts to ask. I look forward to hearing from you. You can contact me at DougBaltz@Yahoo.com.

"Time Was Never Riper"

Seriously, this could be yours.

Sometimes I Just Tell The Voice In My Head To Shut Up

  I started a new commission painting yesterday. I noticed something different about the voice in my head. Well, not really about the voice, but how I responded to it. It has pretty much always said "you're gonna screw this up, you shouldn't even try". I used to listen to it, but attempt to create anyway. As I got older ( I'm not sure if I can legally say wiser) I still listened to it, but it didn't hold as much sway over me. Kinda like listening to your boss after a few years. I heard but didn't really pay attention. I've mostly been painting what I wanted to for the past few months. When I paint for myself the voice either doesn't talk or I just don't listen. When I paint for myself there's no way to really screw up. It's all for me and all for fun. If I screw up I paint over it and no one will ever know. I sat at my easel last night to do a commission for my friend Katie. A painting of her son Eli. I had an idea what I was gonna do. I put my canvas on the easel and grabbed a brush. The voice piped up in my head, "You're gonna screw this up. You'll never capture his likeness" This time i just laughed and said "No, I won't. I'm one of the best artists in the world. I can paint anything." Then I turned the music up (Talking Heads. It sounds kinda ironic as I write this) and set out to work. It was fun, relaxing, and it turned out just the way I wanted. I sent a picture to Katie and she loves it. Maybe the voice will just move on. If you notice that you have an inner voice telling you that you suck, and it sounds a lot like me, well, I'm sorry. I guess it has to find work somewhere.

"Listen To The River"

My favorite 4"x2" painting.