This Studio Of Mine

  Okay, I'm still refurbishing my studio. I am making progress, I have my drawing table set up for the first time in many years. I inherited it from my best friend when he passed away. I have big dreams and big plans. I haven't been able to sit down and draw in a very long time. Yeah, about as long as It's been since my drawing table was at the ready. I'm itching to get back to some watercoloring. Maybe some serious drawing. I'd also like to do another graphic novel. I haven't felt good about my artistic production in a long time, although getting all my paintings together in one place was very eye opening. I feel like my oeuvre is something to be proud of. I also feel like I could have easily done twice as much artwork if I had been motivated by an artistic man cave. I fear it's going to be at least a couple more weeks before I get to a stopping point. I am still painting. Still drawing. Pretty much ready to get something big going.

In The Studio

   Yes, here I sit in my revamped studio. Barely a third of the way through the overhaul. It's grinding on me. I have found some really cool stuff. Supplies I bought years ago. Including the drawing pencil set I bought before we headed off to Dallas. Still never been used. reminds me of the old days. Back when I had an eternal good attitude. I had a best friend who could always convince me that the top of the mountain was just around the corner. I get discouraged a lot lately it seems. Swinging between " I'm only a step, or two, away from fame and fortune" and "screw it, I'm gonna burn everything art related that I have". I just have to make some progress every day, no matter how small. Paint every day. Draw every day. Keep Those Guys moving. Pass out business cards. Push Doug Shoes. It's all I know to do at times. I have a general plan. I have all the pieces that I'm slowly putting in place. It's just I never see that punch of life that always seems to knock me back. Hopefully my sunshiney sense of humor returns as well. Here's some art:

   While you're here, take a look at this one. It's the latest I did with the One True Sponge. The subject started crying tears of joy when she saw it. It really made me feel like I make a difference. At least once in a while:

I've Got High Hopes

  I'm in the middle of reorganizing my studio. That's putting it in the best light possible (you know how artists are concerned with lighting). I'm actually less than a quarter of the way through. A lot of stuff piled up in here when our roof was leaking. And the insurance company wouldn't pay for the damage. Storm damage. State Farm Insurance. Nothing nice to say about them or our agent. Any way, my studio was one of the few rooms that wasn't leaking. I lost a lot of my stuff in my office, including all of my Michael Wilcox books. Stuff piled up in here so it wouldn't get wet when it rained. I had room to sit at my computer and room to stand in front of my easel (or sit if it was a long project). I got everything out, then shelves and such put up to store all my things. It's been a long hard road, but I hope it pays off big very soon. I feel kinda like this:

"Weary And Waiting"

Just A Day In My Life

     Up in the morning. Shake off some weird half remembered dream and roll out of bed. Hit the bathroom for my morning routine (I'll not go into details, but there's teeth brushing involved). A quick breakfast, then off to start the day. Just like your day, right? Well, mine usually involves a few artist-type branches off the tree. For instance, while brushing my teeth (and the other stuff) I look at the wallpaper (which in my house is about eighty years old) with some odd pattern on it. These patterns turn into faces and people as I look at them. "Hmmm", I think to myself, "that would be a cool face for a cartoon character". "There's a unique view of a face. Not quite full on, but not three quarter view either". "Where did I get that bruise on my arm? Wait, that's paint". "What am I gonna write in my blog? I never get ideas anymore. Do I get them any less? Well, less is more. More. Moor. Scottish moors. That might be a cool painting. You know what would be cool? Painting with an icicle. I wonder if I could really do that? Reckon people would pay to see that? There's gotta be a way to get paid for just being me. Could I get paid to be someone else? Would someone else get paid to be me? Oops, gotta get to the studio".
   Once I get the music going and the paint flowing it all starts to settle down. I guess it's a wonder I ever get anything done. Or is it a wonder that I don't get more done. Eh, it's like I always say "sometimes thinking gets me in trouble". People usually laugh. I'm usually not kidding. Thanks for reading. Here's your reward:

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I'll Just Take A Bigger Bite

     It's been longer than it should have been. Work, computer problems, stress, that overwhelmed feeling, all the usual problems. I got paid for two paintings and worked a double shift on Christmas. Flush with some extra cash. Bills paid. So, what's the problem? Little things. Stones in my passway. I did figure it was okay to take a while day with no art. I read and watched some movies. It felt pretty good. I can't take too many days like that, but one here and there won't hurt. I met with my new marketing representative. I guess that's what you'd call her. I haven't had an employee. The last one's job title was "The Colonel". I run kind of a loose business ship. As long as we're making more than we spend and we're heading in the right general direction I'm good.
   I just finished my yearly (more or less) ritual of the Dividing Of The Black Paint. I take a gallon of black paint and split it in to smaller plastic containers. Special music must be played and incantations chanted as the paint becomes many. Of course it wouldn't be PaintMageddon if I didn't get paint all over my hands. That's pretty par for the course in my studio though. A few quick binding spells ( you see what I did there?) and they now sit on a shelf in my studio, arms length from my easel. Just in case.
   Also finished the sponge commission:

Apparently I haven't uploaded the pictures from my phone. Here's a work in progress picture, which, ironically, has no sponge work in it:

  I'm also starting a new blog to explain, as best as I can, art, artists, art terms, anything art related I can explain. One more thing to keep track of. what dosen't kill me makes me sore. I'm also putting the finishing touches on a portrait (  computer. Preparing for a snow storm tonight. A fun way to start the day when you're car has no heat. I gotta suck it up and make it better. Push the paintings. Talk about the shoes. Write another graphic novel. One foot in front of the other.